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She had been suspicious for a long time.

The Queen’s loyal guard, like the romantic love of a Western knight—it sounds somewhat poetic, but it’s utter nonsense...

Many people say I resemble my mother. Leaving aside other details, if a woman who looks so much like my mother truly loved her to the extreme, would she have allowed those elders to commit such revolting acts?

But if it wasn’t for my mother, why did he leave a prominent ancient force at its zenith to join a race that was perpetually on the verge of annihilation?

The Ancient Demon Clan possesses immense talents, but they’ve been oppressed to the point where they live in the shadows like worms, barely eking out a survival. In terms of prospects, the contrast is stark—choosing to come to the Ancient Demon Clan, what benefit could there be?

Furthermore, my mother’s decision back then was odd as well. This guy belonged to a guild—the Ancient Demon Clan’s enemy at the time. Letting him in was akin to opening the door for a leak, potentially leading to our extermination. Why did my mother take such a massive risk?

Why trust his character?

Was it truly because of love?

Ridiculous...

To be crowned Queen of a clan, one’s genetics, qualities, and decisiveness must be of the highest caliber. Back then, my mother overwhelmed those elders to become the Queen of the Ancient Demon Clan, and she even defied public opinion by allowing an outsider to join. Her prestige was evident.

So what tied these disparate elements together?

A queen with colossal authority. An obviously abnormal guild member. An ancient race doomed to extinction if exposed. Even the writers of romance novels wouldn’t dare concoct such a story!

But when viewed through the lens of benefits... there seems to be a new perspective.

Only recently, with the explosive surge of spiritual energy and the imminent revival of the third version of the ancients, Ziyue began to piece things together.

The Taoist Sect...

The most enigmatic ancient force, mastering the most advanced mechanism puppetry technique. Though it always enters the stage late, it secures a foothold every time, a power so elusive that even Chen Qing now admits he can’t fully determine who truly controls it behind the curtain.

On the surface, it appears unrelated to the Guard Commander, but upon closer examination, the connection becomes apparent.

The Four Holy Guard plan was proposed by the Guard Commander, and it has been implemented so successfully. But think about it carefully—since when was the Ancient Demon Clan so proficient in such technology?

The bodies of the Four Holy Guard are all artificial. On first glance, they may seem distinct from puppets, but upon closer inspection, aren’t they essentially the same?

Puppets of the past utilized metal, wood, stone, and iron. This time... they used flesh and blood—biological puppets, in essence...

The Four Holy Guard plan, the advanced puppetry techniques, the perfect compatibility with the Ancient Demon Clan... Thinking deeper—it feels preordained.

The Taoist Sect... has been silently moving all along!

"You’re better than your mother..." The Guard Commander coldly stared at Ziyue. "Actually, I can’t quite say that. After all, your mother is a native. You... you’re a transmigrator. Your mindset and perception are entirely different, naturally enabling you to consider more possibilities."

"So, that’s how it is..." Ziyue’s mood surprisingly eased upon confirming the situation.

From the very beginning, his motives were purely for self-interest. Sacrificing me was only a way to avoid being ostracized by the elders. If that’s the case, it all makes sense—he never held any affection for the Queen, nor did he ever consider me family. Why should he hesitate to abandon me?

"What well-calculated moves..."

Perhaps many people wouldn’t think of this...

That’s understandable. In many people’s views, the Taoist Sect still remains in an era where puppets are crafted with metal, wood, stone, and iron. Few have considered the Taoist Sect breaking the boundaries of its technology.

Yet for biological puppets, is there anything more suitable than the Ancient Demon Clan?

"I suppose the Eastern Sea has already been orchestrated, hasn’t it?" Ziyue asked softly.

"Ha..." The Guard Commander scoffed coldly, "That King of Qin thinks he has everything figured out, but he’s long been dancing in someone else’s net.

The Eastern Sea, once mistaken by many as a land of immortality, actually hides the most secretive caves.

His sudden rise back then caught many forces off guard—it was only because no one had paid attention to him.

He was excessively fortunate; his actual abilities are far inferior to his reputation. "

"Is that so?" Ziyue smirked faintly. "I disagree."

"Could I have said something wrong?"

"The King of Qin had an agreement with me before he left."

"Before he left?" The Guard Commander froze, his face instantly darkening. "When did you make a pact with him? The last time you saw him, amidst chaos, you had leisure to strike up an agreement?"

With Southern Sea descending into turmoil, where survival wasn’t certain, Ziyue and Chen Qing risked it all—would she truly have had the time or mindset to negotiate terms with the King of Qin?

Who is she trying to deceive?

"Why do you think... I brought you along at the last moment?" Ao Zhen remarked amusedly.

"You..." The Guard Commander choked on his words, forehead glistening with cold sweat as he struggled to respond!

Could it be...?

Ao Zhen, at the final moment, with life and death hanging by a thread, intentionally brought him along. At the time, he was baffled. The Heavenly Thunder descending then would’ve undoubtedly obliterated him entirely—no trace left, not even a chance for reincarnation.

For someone like her, wouldn’t that have been the optimal outcome?

Why save him?

Before he could think deeper, Ziyue abruptly cut off his thoughts with a chilling tone: "Because if you were to die, they’d grow wary, and the King of Qin’s attempt to use your trail to locate the Taoist Sect’s gate would become far more difficult."

"You... No... I don’t believe it!" For the first time, fear visibly gripped the Guard Commander.

There are three places in the world considered the toughest to infiltrate: Buddha’s Gate’s Dream Space, the Demon Sect’s Abyssal Mouth, and... the Taoist Sect’s Gate.

Rumors claim the Taoist Sect guards countless Gates of Dao Fruits, while some suggest they possess portals to other worlds.

None can say for sure, because the Taoist Sect has always shrouded itself in secrecy.

Although it occupies a seat among the ancient forces, it seldom clashes significantly with others.

But all supposed mysteries are merely gaps in knowledge. Once the veil is lifted, the truth is often far less extraordinary.

The King of Qin, for one, isn’t someone who accepts mysteries blindly; in that trait, he resembles me.

"During our last encounter, he had already shared his plans with me. Do you think he’d face such high risks to assist me without reason?"

The Guard Commander gritted his teeth. "Wasn’t it because of the Power of the Demon Statue you possess?"

"Of course you’d think that’s some sort of treasure..." Ziyue sneered. "The power of the Outer Demons suffers from mounting backlash the more it’s utilized. He already possesses one such force—why pursue another? Wanting to entrench oneself as an Outer Demon, perhaps?"

The Guard Commander: "......"

"Too bad..." Ziyue halted her hand’s movements. In the air, Spatial Runes coalesced, forming a complex spatial formation. Beyond the runes, scenes of the Northern Territory became increasingly distinct.

"Just now, he already sent me a message..." Ziyue raised her wrist, displaying an Information Jade. While incapable of transmitting words, the jade allowed its color to shift from afar under a predetermined signal—suitable for remote communication.

"He’s succeeded!"

"Impossible!" The Guard Commander bellowed. "There’s no way he could locate the gate. The Taoist Sect’s people are excessively cautious; they’d never cooperate with him."

"Caution leads them to cooperate with you? Are you particularly trustworthy?" Ziyue scoffed. "As long as sufficient value is presented, the Taoist Sect’s people are no fools. Besides—does his performance not surpass yours in worth?"

"You’re spewing nonsense... If that’s true, why even keep me alive?"

"Oh..." Ziyue suddenly smiled, her joy almost unnerving. "Keeping you alive... is simply to see you in this pitiful state."