Cultivating Immortality :I Obtained The Villain's Ascension Code Chapter 6: The Dead Cultivator’s Mask

Through the translucent interface of the codex, Xiao Ning watched i Lin’s approaching figure materialize in the dim light of the cave. Her brow was furrowed, her gaze sharp as if trying to pierce through layers of illusion.

"Your qi... it feels different," she murmured, her voice tinged with suspicion. The mont she had stepped back into the cavern, an unsettling sensation prickled at her senses, though she couldn’t quite place its source.

"Different?" Xiao Ning inwardly scoffed. Of course it was different—he had unlocked the Paradox ridians, a phenonon so rare that even his past life held no record of such a thing. He knew little about the other two core paradoxes, but this one alone defied all logic.

Not only did it mask his cultivation level flawlessly, but it also granted him abilities far stranger—and far deadlier—than anything he’d encountered before.

i Lin’s gaze remained watchful as she studied Xiao Ning, her suspicions gradually intensifying. "It feels like a strange combination of old and new qi," she remarked. "But how is it possible? Your Nascent Soul were on the verge of collapsing before you went into seclusion."

Xiao Ning inwardly smirked. The Paradox ridians allowed him to manipulate his aura at will, rendering his true cultivation level virtually undetectable. It was a formidable advantage that he intended to use to his fullest.

"Soul Reconstruction isn’t an easy process, You wouldn’t understand it even if i explain it to you."

i Lin’s frown deepened as she digested his words. "Your cultivation... I can still sense it’s at the Late stage of Nascent Soul Realm," she said slowly. "The sect won’t believe such miraculous recovery—not after the funeral rites."

"Easy deal." With a re thought, Xiao Ning activated the paradox ridians masking function. His Nascent Soul aura collapsed inward, replaced by the power of the Core Formation Realm.

i Lin’s expression shifted slightly as she observed this unexpected change. Her sharp mind raced, piecing together the implications. If Xiao Ning could conceal his aura to this extent....

"Even if you manage to hide your presence," i Lin added, "the sect mbers won’t believe you’re alive. They all witnessed Li Fang’s death."

"They’ll believe what we make them believe," Xiao Ning replied coolly, his lips curving upward into a sly grin. "Or has the Shadowclaw Sect suddenly beco a righteous sect?"

i Lin’s brow furrowed again, lost in thought. She knew that Xiao Ning’s words held more than just a surface aning.

"Though I am currently acting as the sect leader," she said, after a pause, "not all power rests in my hands. Elder Jin isn’t idle."

The Shadowclaw Sect wasn’t weak—it was one of the most formidable forces in the region, boasting three experts at the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. Two were now gravely injured, leaving Elder Jin to consolidate his authority over the sect.

"What about that person?" Xiao Ning asked abruptly, changing the subject.

"You an..." i Lin trailed off, her face pale.

"Yes," Xiao Ning confird indifferently. "From Li Fang’s mories, I know this is the individual who requested the extermination of the Jiang family. He’s responsible for everything that’s happened to us."

i Lin studied him intently. "I see what’s on your mind. You want us to threaten him by exposing his identity and force him to assist us in dealing with the Azure Dragon Sect?"

Xiao Ning’s lips curved upward again, revealing a glimr of amusent. "Assist us? That’s right—but also wrong."

"What do you an?" i Lin asked, confusion flickering in her eyes.

Xiao Ning’s eyes glead with a faint red light. "From what I can tell, Elder Jin is a cunning man. He also witnessed Li Fang’s death firsthand..."

"You an..." i Lin gasped, realization dawning on her face.

Xiao Ning stood up, his movents deliberate. "I rember that day vividly from Li Fang’s mories—it’s the clearest mont of his life. Perhaps his obsession."

Hearing this, guilt flickered in i Lin’s eyes. She bit her lip and offered a bitter smile. "What did you see?"

Xiao Ning locked his gaze onto hers. "That day, Li Fang intended to assassinate Jiang Chen alone, based on information provided by Elder Jin. According to him, the boy would be isolated outside the Azure Dragon Sect on a mission."

"Information from Elder Jin..." i Lin murmured thoughtfully. As the head of the intelligence departnt, any high-level intel would co directly from him. Yet, he had assured Li Fang that Jiang Chen was unguarded—a blatant lie.

"The instant Li Fang revealed himself and attacked Jiang Chen, he was surrounded by the Righteous Sects Alliance," Xiao Ning continued, pausing briefly. "But that’s not the issue here. While there’s a chance the information was deliberately leaked to lure him out, the real problem lies elsewhere. Before attacking, Li Fang sensed sothing was amiss."

"What?!" i Lin exclaid, shock widening her eyes. "Li Fang knew?!"

"Before making his move, Li Fang contacted Elder Jin and requested backup. Only when Elder Jin sent word that he had arrived and was watching from afar did Li Fang strike."

i Lin staggered backward, her mind reeling. If Xiao Ning spoke the truth, then Elder Jin hadn’t rely failed to support Li Fang—he had orchestrated his downfall. A chill ran down her spine as she realized the possibility...

Xiao Ning observed her reaction closely, his expression unreadable. "Now tell , i Lin. Do you think Elder Jin will accept responsibility for his actions—or will he seek to eliminate anyone who dares question him?"

i Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Don’t tell you plan to use that person to take down Elder Jin."

Xiao Ning smiled enigmatically. "Smart. That’s exactly the case—but you’ll be the one carrying out the task."

Confusion clouded i Lin’s features, yet she pressed on. "How?"

Xiao Ning’s eyes turned cold. "You simply need to deliver a ssage to that person—signed with Elder Jin’s seal."

"You want to..."