I am grinding experience in another world

“Could you at least have a little faith in me?” Nine Heads spoke in Hu Buwei’s mind, dissatisfaction evident in its tone.

“I’ve now fused with you. Even if someone senses our aura, I can use the Heavenly Demon Path to muddle through.”

“It’s just a mere mirror. What are you afraid of?” Nine Heads shouted arrogantly.

“What the hell do you know!” Hu Buwei’s face was grim.

“Luofu Dao is an ancient sect, as renowned as the Pure Yang Dao.”

“It’s said that their sect contains three thousand Heavenly Demon Heretical Methods, all compiled by using the Bone Mirror to discern the True Form of demons.”

“When facing such a legendary Spiritual Treasure, it’s better to be cautious.” He frowned deeply.

“Then what should we do?” Nine Heads couldn’t help but feel uncertain after hearing this.

Hu Buwei, hearing the question, turned to look at Chen Mu nearby.

“You previously mentioned that this person swallowed your Primordial Qi and even said he’s a demon clothed in human skin?”

“If we just deal with him and divert disaster elsewhere…”

“Let this guy distract Thousand Mechanisms Sect? Brilliant! That plan is perfect!” Nine Heads exclaimed excitedly. “Deal with him! Swallowing my Primordial Qi means it’s time for him to pay the price!”

Hu Buwei looked at Chen Mu, his face breaking into a friendly smile.

Nearby, Chen Mu happened to glance toward Hu Buwei.

Noticing the other’s smile, Chen Mu immediately nodded cordially, an equally sincere smile on his face.

What if?

Get Meng Qingchan to plant the Green Worm Gu Poison on this old man, pull off a deception, and frame him?

The older one and the younger one stared at each other, each plotting in their own minds.

But their smiles were as genuine as could be.

…

At the foot of Fuyang Mountain.

Chen Mu and his group followed the Earth Seal Sect’s guide into the Market District.

The broad streets bustled with people, their clothing varied, clearly hailing from all corners.

The group from Taoshan Temple, numbering several hundred, strode down the street in grandiose fashion and were soon led to a courtyard with white walls and black tiles.

At the entrance hung a fabric banner, bordered in gold and white, with the large characters “Five Directions Inn” written on it. In the corner was a small emblem bearing the character “South.”

The courtyard wasn’t small, but it was evidently insufficient to accommodate their party of several hundred.

The Earth Seal Sect guide offered no explanation, simply pushed open the door, and squeezed into the courtyard.

The crowd exchanged glances but had no choice but to follow. Once they stepped over the threshold and rounded a blocking wall, the scenery before them abruptly transformed.

A street even livelier than the Market District outside appeared before their eyes.

On both sides of the street rose numerous buildings, complete with shops and restaurants aplenty. Further off, tiled roofs surged upward like beasts’ spines, forming an undulating skyline that was orderly yet sprawling, creating a breathtaking scene.

This wasn’t a small courtyard at all; it was a small Grotto Heaven created with the Thousand Mile Housing Technique!

“Finally, I’ve gained some real sense of Thousand Mechanisms Sect’s overwhelming power.” Chen Mu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

The so-called Five Directions Inn was merely a temporary lodging for Daoist Soldiers. Yet Thousand Mechanisms Sect had employed the Thousand Mile Housing Technique to create a Grotto Heaven as vast as this.

And there were five such places in total.

“Truly extravagant.”

…

In a courtyard bearing the nameplate of the Taoshan Department, Chen Mu settled obediently into the private room assigned to him.

Only once night fell and all became silent did he slip into Thousand Lanterns City Cave Heaven.

“If even a place to settle Daoist Soldiers is so luxurious, then the Divine Bone Mirror must surely be extraordinary. Can you truly guarantee you won’t be discovered?” Chen Mu frowned as he questioned Meng Qingchan.

“With the isolation provided by your Shadow Cave Heaven, the concealment from the Inheriting Heaven Gourd, and my own tightly suppressed aura, it’s merely a projection from the Bone Mirror—not worth mentioning.” Meng Qingchan responded calmly.

Just a projection?

“The Divine Bone Mirror is a Spiritual Treasure of Luofu Dao. It’s akin to the Pure Yang Dao’s Heartless Bell or the Shadow Pupil Treasure Pearl atop Thousand Lanterns City.”

“For such critical treasures, Luofu Dao wouldn’t dispatch the Bone Mirror’s main body here—at most, some of its divine power’s projection.” Meng Qingchan patiently explained.

“But if the cost is hefty enough, the projection’s power may not be inferior to the main body.” Chen Mu remained unconvinced.

“Lv Yue can’t afford that price—not even if he’s from Pure Yang Dao.” Meng Qingchan’s face remained unchanged, exuding confidence.

Hearing this, Chen Mu still felt uneasy.

What if they’re wrong…

Meng Qingchan had been suppressed by Hai Province’s Ninety-nine Sects for three hundred years.

The world is prone to change; what if something unexpected had transpired?

“You may have ninety-nine Inheriting Heaven Gourds as revival points. My life, however, is singular—I can’t take the gamble.” Chen Mu remarked solemnly.

“What exactly are you scheming?” Meng Qingchan frowned deeply.

She could tell by now—this guy had definitely concocted some insidious plan!

“You said it yourself: as long as one Inheriting Heaven Gourd remains intact, you’ll recover even if you die, right?” Chen Mu smiled deviously.

“If we kill you here in Thousand Lanterns City, then the empty-shell Inheriting Heaven Gourd should easily evade detection.”

“Once we’ve successfully made it to Outer Heaven, you can revive via the Inheriting Heaven Gourd. That way, we can completely deceive them!” He gazed at Meng Qingchan with eager enthusiasm.

You’re trying to kill me!

Meng Qingchan’s chest filled with wrath.

“If you dare use that sinister Secret Technique against me, even if it costs me my life, I’ll expose you to the Bone Mirror.”

“If I die, Lv Yue will flay and torment you for sure!”

Chen Mu’s face twitched before hurriedly trying to console her. “No curses, alright? Why so intense—I was merely suggesting a plan.”

“Hmm… Wait.”

“You’re so worked up—don’t tell me that ‘instant revival’ thing is just a lie to fool me?” His expression grew suspicious.

“Go ahead and try,” Meng Qingchan replied deadpan and icy.

Try and die?

Tch!

Forget it.

As I said, I’ve only got one life; I can’t afford to gamble.

He glanced at the Gray Wall where his Nightmare Victory Spell had just racked up over 9,000 experience points, shaking his head in regret.

He’d wanted to see if the Secret Technique could curse Meng Qingchan to death.

“How about we just skim off half of your presence, reducing the overwhelming aura suffusing Thousand Lanterns City?”

“Scram!”

Chen Mu: “…”

…

In the days that followed, Chen Mu spent his time wandering around the Grotto Heaven within the inn.

Apart from his own lodging at the Southern Inn, he also visited the other four inns.

Each time, he’d find a teahouse or restaurant, activate the Truth Listening Divine Power, and sit silently for an entire day.

Within a few days, he’d picked up plenty of rumors regarding the Divine Bone Mirror.

Before he could even start filtering the information, several rogue demons and cultivators had already been uncovered.

The more Chen Mu listened, the more uneasy he felt.

He mulled over the situation repeatedly and decided he couldn’t risk doing nothing. That night, he dashed into the depths of Thousand Lanterns City.

First, he dug a deep pit into the ground paved with Demon Qi Stones. Then, he took out all the Extinguishing Breath Stones, stacking and embedding them layer upon layer within the pit.

Finally, he solemnly placed the small-arm-sized Inheriting Heaven Gourd into the pit, covering it painstakingly with a mound of Extinguishing Breath Stones.

Side-by-side, Meng Qingchan stared at the stone mound that increasingly resembled a grave, her expression darkening.

“It’s not the most auspicious-looking, but it’s secure.” Chen Mu tried earnestly to convince Meng Qingchan.

“The Demon Qi Stones deter investigative techniques, the Extinguishing Breath Stones conceal aura, and the Shadow Cave Heaven itself blocks detection—ensuring the maximum safety for the Inheriting Heaven Gourd.”

“Obviously, if you’re willing to die once, we’d be even safer.” He looked at Meng Qingchan, his eyes hopeful.

All you ever think about is killing me.

Could you actually be Lv Yue in disguise?!

Meng Qingchan decided to ignore Chen Mu, shooting him a gaze brimming with murderous intent.