"Perhaps this person is also a survivor of the incident, and they just used a special method to preserve their memories?"
Someone proposed this possibility.
"We've already brought in experts from various schools, but none of them could successfully break the memory block. If this person was able to avoid it, their power must be at the Innate Realm or higher. And according to the intelligence report, an expert of that level couldn't possibly have been drawn into the incident."
Cai Pingdong shook his head.
"This whole affair is strange. We were certain we had dealt with the Evil Cultivation. Even if some remnants survived, they shouldn't have been able to regain their strength. It's been less than two months, so how could they have recovered to this extent? Moreover, their secrecy and influence seem to have grown. We can't rule out the possibility that someone is orchestrating this from behind the scenes. This intelligence may well have been deliberately leaked to us for an unknown purpose, perhaps to trick us into a misjudgment. We must be on guard."
A Steward from the Red Heart Sect said thoughtfully after a moment.
The others nodded in agreement, acknowledging the possibility.
"First, we need to verify the authenticity of this intelligence. If it's true, then this information is of great value."
Qiu Qing said, then looked to Cai Pingdong. "For this matter, we'll have to trouble Lord Cai to contact the Celestial Net Department and get it verified as soon as possible."
Cai Pingdong nodded slightly at her words. His gaze then fell upon He Xijun and Chen Zhanyun, who were sitting to the side listening in, and an idea came to him.
"Everyone, the very people involved are right here with us. Perhaps they can verify the truth of this intelligence."
Cai Pingdong said to the crowd with a smile.
His words sparked a realization in everyone.
'That's right. Although their memories are blocked, perhaps contact with something related could help them recall a few things.'
"Xi Jun, come take a look at this."
Qiu Qing beckoned to He Xijun, motioning for her to come over.
"Yes, Master."
He Xijun immediately rose and walked over. She had actually been impatient to see it, but given the status of everyone present, it wasn't her place to interrupt the discussion.
She took the piece of cloth from Qiu Qing's hand and read it carefully, her expression shifting dramatically.
The key information recorded on it pierced her mind, as if opening a fissure and dispelling some of the Fog.
Under this stimulus, a few blurry memories faintly surfaced. Her head began to ache, her temples throbbed, and an expression of pain appeared on her face.
She seemed to see a sinister city, and a figure wreathed in Golden Fire, moving with Overbearing Fury among the Evil Spirits like a descending Spirit Official.
It was the most profound image and impression left on her from within the Ghost City.
The mental fog and pain made it difficult for her to keep her balance, and she staggered slightly.
"Xi Jun! What's wrong with you?"
Qiu Qing's expression changed, and she immediately steadied He Xijun. The others also showed looks of surprise and concern, not expecting He Xijun's reaction to be so intense.
"I... I'm fine."
He Xijun shook her head. The pain in her head quickly subsided, and she regained her balance, taking a deep breath.
"I think I remember something... This intelligence is very likely real. From some memory fragments, I saw a Ghost City. It's a Realm, with countless Evil Spirits. Other than that... I also saw a figure, his entire body burning with Golden Fire. That's the Gold and Fire Technique from our Red Heart Sect, there's no mistaking it. He left a very deep impression on me. The fact that I managed to survive the Ghost City incident has a lot to do with him."
He Xijun said in a low voice.
'The intelligence is likely real?'
With confirmation from one of the parties involved, a stir went through the crowd. But it was what He Xijun said next that truly concerned them.
'The Red Heart Sect's Gold and Fire Technique?'
"The Gold and Fire Technique? Could it be that one of the sect's senior disciples at the Refining the Internal Organs Realm, or perhaps a Steward, was caught up in this incident?"
a sect Steward asked with a frown.
"According to the intelligence report, those at the Blood Strengthening Realm and above shouldn't be drawn into these incidents,"
someone countered.
"No, I have no memories about his identity. And, from the impression I have, he seemed to be at the Blood Strengthening Realm."
He Xijun said, shaking her head.
"Impossible."
A sect Steward couldn't help but exclaim.
'Condensing Golden Fire at the Blood Strengthening Realm?'
'Without the help of a Dao Source Marvelous Treasure, it's been years since the Red Heart Sect produced a talent like that. If such a person existed, how could we not know?'
All at once, the Red Heart Sect Stewards burst into heated discussion.
Many of them felt that He Xijun's memory was flawed. Perhaps it wasn't Golden Fire, but the manifestation of a Technique from some other school.
"Everyone, I have a theory. Could the person who passed on this intelligence in secret be the very same person?"
Chief Constable Jiang Yun spoke up.
The chatter died down slightly as everyone sank into thought.
'It seemed... possible.'
'If so, this person is probably a disciple of the Red Heart Sect. But when did the Red Heart Sect produce such a talent?'
'And if that's true, why is he hiding his identity? And how did he escape the memory block from those Evil Spirits to bring out this intelligence?'
'There must be a significant secret hidden in all of this.'
Cai Pingdong's eyes narrowed. He looked at Qiu Qing and said with a smile, "Elder Qiu, when did your Red Heart Sect produce such a character? Won't you introduce us?"
Qiu Qing fell into thought. A realization seemed to dawn on her, and with a stir in her heart, she addressed the crowd, "Everyone, this person's identity is a private matter for the Red Heart Sect. That isn't important. What's important right now is to further confirm the intelligence and then formulate a response. Regardless of his identity, his willingness to provide this information makes him our ally, does it not?"
"Elder Qiu is right."
Jiang Yun nodded.
Afterward, Qiu Qing immediately called over Chen Zhanyun to have him read the intelligence on the cloth, and he confirmed it as well.
"Just two people isn't enough. It seems all the schools have a few survivors. We'll have to trouble Lord Cai and the Celestial Net Department to pass on this intelligence for further confirmation, and to see if we can gather any more details."
Qiu Qing said, looking at Cai Pingdong.
"I will report this matter to the Heqing Dao Garrison Command immediately."
Seeing that Qiu Qing seemed unwilling to say more, Cai Pingdong didn't press her, simply nodding. But he filed the matter away, preparing to investigate it in secret.
After all, he had come to Guming County on a mission.
They all discussed a few more details. Chief Constable Jiang then led the men from the Government Office away to return and report, while Cai Pingdong also left with his people from the Celestial Net Department.
Only the members of the Red Heart Sect remained in the main hall.
"Elder Qiu, do you know this person's identity? Is he really a member of our sect? But it has been so many years... ever since the Dao Source Marvelous Treasure was shattered, no one has condensed Golden Fire at the Blood Strengthening Realm. How could he have possibly done it?"
A Steward immediately and eagerly asked Qiu Qing.
Although he was only a Martial Artist at the Blood Strengthening Realm, a very low level, the significance of his achievement was anything but ordinary for them.
And from her reaction just now, it seemed Qiu Qing knew something.
"I don't know."
Qiu Qing shook her head.
"But Elder, just now you..."
a Steward asked, confused.
"If it is as Xi Jun said, and someone at the Blood Strengthening Realm did condense Golden Fire, and this same person is the one who revealed the intelligence, and he is a disciple of our Red Heart Sect... it means he harbors goodwill toward our School. Since he is unwilling to expose his identity, there are likely secrets involved. Forcing an investigation against his will would probably be counterproductive. Moreover, if word of this got out, it would likely be disadvantageous for him."
"There is no rush. If this person is truly in the sect, he will reveal his tracks sooner or later. I will personally explain this to the Sect Leader after this incident is resolved. Xi Jun, the next time you enter, you should try to build a good relationship with this person. Further probe his identity and convey a message of goodwill from me. We must approach this slowly."
"Alright, that's enough of this topic. Everyone should focus on considering how to handle this incident. If this was truly caused by an Evil Cult Statue that wasn't fully destroyed, then this is an extremely troublesome matter. If we don't stop it in time, the horror from not long ago will likely play out again. The Red Heart Sect, as we are now, cannot bear to go through that a second time."
Qiu Qing said gravely.