A Level Seven Celestial Master, proficient in formations, and backed by the mighty Guiyuan Sect—Lu Jiang's status within the Mystic Arts world was undeniably high.
He never imagined he could be captured so easily.
Why?
Just why?!
Lu Jiang stared at the woman before him. She was like a deity reigning supreme above all, with a mere wave of her hand seizing the throat of his destiny.
This feeling of powerlessness, of being unable to break free, plunged him into extreme terror.
"I am from the Guiyuan Sect! I've done nothing wrong. You have no right to arrest me!" he blustered, his roar fierce but hollow.
Di Meng: "Tsk tsk, you are a Level Seven Celestial Master. Don't lose your composure. If you have grievances, let's discuss them in the interrogation room, shall we?"
Lu Jiang: "..."
Provoked, he finally calmed down.
"The police must also work with evidence. Without evidence, you cannot arrest me."
Di Meng raised an eyebrow: "What's the hurry? We're just summoning you for questioning, not a formal interrogation. If you haven't committed a crime, there's no need to be guilty. I wonder what you were hiding from."
"I wasn't hiding! You say 'summon' and I have to go? I am a Level Seven Celestial Master, I..."
Di Meng couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.
"Seriously, have you fried your brain from cultivation?"
Lu Jiang said expressionlessly, "I could sue you for slander."
"..."
Li Guoyan cleared his throat softly, reminding, "Investigator Di."
Di Meng put away his playful smirk, his eyes turning solemn. "Enough nonsense. Citizens have an obligation to cooperate with investigations. Come with us."
His spiritual power was already suppressed, yet he still put on airs.
"Senior, are we heading back?" he asked.
Qi Quan shook her head, turning to ask the petrified disciple: "Where is the room he usually cultivates in?"
The disciple had long been utterly shocked by her methods, completely losing any will to resist. Trembling with fear, he stammered, "O-over there... W-would you like me to show you the way?"
"Thank you for the trouble." Qi Quan gave a slight nod.
Her politeness lessened the disciple's inner panic somewhat, replaced by a growing sense of awe and excitement.
He actually spoke to a supreme expert of that level!
And the expert was super gentle and courteous!
In his eyes, Lu Jiang's level was already unreachable. Someone who could effortlessly crush Lu Jiang, like Qi Quan, was nothing short of a god.
She truly deserved reverence and worship.
Lu Jiang's face turned livid with anger.
Although it was just an insignificant menial disciple, such a swift betrayal was a massive blow to his pride.
The disciple led Qi Quan to Lu Jiang's cultivation room. Li Guoyan and Di Meng escorted Lu Jiang, who was in their custody, following behind.
Ling Sheng hadn't spoken a word, his presence barely noticeable.
Wherever Qi Quan went, he followed.
The cultivation space of a Level Seven Celestial Master was quite luxurious.
Both inside and outside the courtyard, Spirit Gathering Formations were arranged, seemingly trying to draw all the world's spiritual energy into one place.
But spiritual energy wasn't a case of "the more, the better."
The human body had a limit to how much spiritual energy it could contain. Only by continuously refining it, compressing it again and again to raise one's cultivation realm could space be made for new energy to be stored.
That's why progressing to higher levels became increasingly difficult.
Lu Jiang's setup with these formations was purely wasteful.
The door was open, showing how panicked and rushed Lu Jiang had been when he came out earlier.
Incense was burning inside the room, its fragrant smoke curling up from the burner, having a calming and mind-clearing effect.
Di Meng couldn't hold back again, sneering, "If your heart isn't pure, lighting all the incense in the world won't help."
Lu Jiang: "..."
He struggled to suppress his guilt, forcing calmness as he said, "You said it yourself, it's just a summons. You have no right to barge into my room and search it."
Di Meng really wanted to gag him.
Li Guoyan stepped forward, his gaze falling on the golden statue of the Fortune God.
"Take the evidence back with us."
Di Meng grinned, "Yes, sir!"
Couldn't this prove his connection to the Fortune God?
He walked towards the statue, failing to notice the flicker of anxiety in Lu Jiang's eyes.
[Big shot, he looks so guilty!]
The system observed Lu Jiang from every angle without missing a detail, immediately spotting something was off.
"Wait." Qi Quan spoke up to stop him.
Di Meng halted and turned, awaiting instructions.
Qi Quan scanned the entire room, then extended her spiritual sense to probe it. She raised an eyebrow slightly.
The room was cleverly designed. Upon entering, one couldn't tell the difference between its interior and exterior area, but it actually contained a hidden space.
If she hadn't used her spiritual sense, she probably wouldn't have discovered it.
Di Meng's cultivation level was lower than Lu Jiang's; even using spiritual sense, he couldn't see through it. Li Guoyan had no cultivation at all and was even less likely to detect such an advanced illusion technique.
Of course, for someone without cultivation to become the head of the Investigation Department, while the authorities wanting to show their stance was one aspect, the other was his exceptional abilities.
Qi Quan said, "There's a hidden chamber."
Li Guoyan was taken aback. He was highly experienced but had been momentarily fooled by the Mystic Arts techniques. Now, with Qi Quan's hint, he sharply sensed something was wrong.
He suddenly turned to Lu Jiang, catching a flash of guilt on his face.
Where would a domineering, supremely arrogant person place the mechanism?
Most likely with the Fortune God statue.
This was the means he used to amass enormous wealth. He would keep it under his own watchful eye, yet with extreme arrogance, also use it as the mechanism for his secret base—carefully concealed yet supremely confident.
Li Guoyan took a few steps forward, reached out, and grasped the Fortune God statue, giving it a gentle twist.
An extremely perfunctory mechanism.
The door to the hidden chamber swung open.
A ten-square-meter secret room, perfectly square, without any decorations, completely empty.
At least, that's what Di Meng and Li Guoyan saw.
What Qi Quan saw was a different scene. However, she had already suspected as much and, keeping her emotions in check, showed no reaction, as if she saw nothing unusual.
Lu Jiang secretly observed their expressions. Seeing no strange looks in any of their eyes, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Senior?" Di Meng asked quietly.
Qi Quan took out a peach wood talisman and called, "Ji Shengzhe."
As soon as the words were spoken, a near-Level-Seven powerful ghost appeared in the secret room.
Li Guoyan and Di Meng showed faint surprise.
Lu Jiang's eyes widened in disbelief.
But considering Qi Quan's capabilities, he had to admit he was probably truly finished.
Ji Shengzhe floated in the air, his faintly red ghost eyes fixed intently on one spot.
His merit was hidden there; he could sense it!
“Master, there's a formation blocking the way. I can't get in.” Black energy churned around him. If not for his remaining reason, he would have already lunged at Lu Jiang for revenge.
Qi Quan shot out an attack talisman, instantly shattering the formation within the secret room and revealing the hidden golden crystal ball.
"This is..." Di Meng, after his initial shock, felt a surge of rage. "He actually stole merit!"
Ji Shengzhe whooshed over, his bluish-white ghostly hand touching the surface of the ball.
Lu Jiang's face turned as pale as gold paper.
All the merit he had painstakingly accumulated!
A mouthful of blood rushed to his throat, but he forcibly swallowed it back.
The formation was already broken. The golden light of merit within the crystal ball began to scatter and flee, but under the guidance of its original owner, Ji Shengzhe, it obediently flowed into his ghostly form.
His pitch-black ghostly body gradually turned pale gold, then bright gold, finally flashing with a brilliant golden light before suddenly retracting.
His bluish-white ghostly face actually became as vibrant and full of life as a living person's.
Ji Shengzhe was so excited he was nearly in tears.
With red-rimmed eyes, he bowed deeply to Qi Quan, his voice choked with emotion, "Most of the merit has returned. He didn't waste much of it."
There are inherent limits to how much merit a Celestial Master can utilize. Even if Lu Jiang extracted the maximum allowable merit at each cultivation level for his own practice, it wouldn't consume much.
The system asked in surprise: [But didn that Luck Transfer Immortal use a great deal?]
Qi Quan replied: [Only the initial 100 points of luck value granted to founding members were drawn from this merit sphere. The rest were all fortunes plundered from the enemies of the buyers.]
[With so many founding members, the total from all of them must still be considerable, right?]
[One hundred points is merely the luck equivalent of twenty rounds of good card draws. Compared to nine lifetimes' worth of merit, it's like a single drop in the ocean, a single grain of sand in the desert. Even if you add up all the founding members, it's still just a ladle of water or a handful of sand.]
The system said happily: [So, the nine lifetimes' merit hasn't been used much, and Ji Shengzhe can be reborn into an exceptionally good life?!]
Qi Quan smiled: [That's right.]
[Excellent!]
Ji Shengzhe also thought it was excellent.
He gazed deeply at Qi Quan and suddenly extended his hand, his palm emanating several strands of golden light. The golden radiance pulsed reluctantly before obediently drifting towards Qi Quan.
"Master, I am sincerely grateful for your help. Without you, I would have eventually dissipated into nothingness, without even knowing who my enemy was. This is a small token of my gratitude. I hope you will accept it."
Qi Quan was no saint who helped others without seeking any return.
She accepted it promptly.
The golden light merged into her spiritual platform, and in an instant, her long-stagnant cultivation realm showed a crack.
Countless spiritual energy surged into Qi Quan's body, forming a pale white vortex within the narrow secret chamber.
Di Meng and Li Guoyan: "..."
Lu Jiang felt heart-wrenching pain, his hatred making his eyes bloodshot.
The merit he had schemed so hard to obtain was now effortlessly gained by this woman, who even advanced her cultivation because of it!
And the spiritual energy in this courtyard was all gathered by his spirit-gathering array!
"Chief Li, let's step out first and guard for the senior while she breaks through," Di Meng said.
Li Guoyan readily agreed.
Qi Quan's advancement was an unexpected boon for the Investigation Department.
She was the department's stabilizing pillar.
Li Guoyan marveled once again that the Investigation Department truly had some luck, to be able to employ such a master.
The two escorted the nearly-vomiting-blood Lu Jiang out of the room and stood guard in the courtyard.
"Wait, did someone not come out?" Li Guoyan asked.
Di Meng: "Who? That victim ghost?"
"No, the... assistant by the master's side?" Li Guoyan vaguely remembered such a person but always found himself unconsciously overlooking him. It was strange; he was usually very good at remembering people.
Di Meng: "Since he's an assistant, let him stay inside."
Inside the secret chamber.
Qi Quan felt the bottleneck that had confined her for so long finally shatter. For a Celestial Master of her level, advancing a realm required a tremendous amount of spiritual energy; otherwise, it would affect the stability of the new realm...
Spiritual energy from the courtyard flooded madly into her body.
Not enough. Still not enough.
The speed at which the spirit-gathering array concentrated energy was far outpaced by Qi Quan's absorption rate. Soon, the spiritual energy within the mansion and its surroundings was completely depleted.
Ji Shengzhe wore a look of regret.
He should have given his gift when the master was fully prepared. What should he do now?
Just as he was growing anxious, suddenly, an extremely vast and mighty concentration of spiritual energy gathered within the chamber. The originally colorless energy, under extreme compression, took on a thick, milky-white hue, flowing slowly like a stream, gradually forming a giant "cocoon" that enveloped Qi Quan.
Ji Shengzhe looked over.
It was Ling Sheng.
Under the effect of illusion art, the young man with delicate features wore an expression of intense focus. Innumerable streams of spiritual power flowed from his body, all converging around Qi Quan. His amber eyes seemed covered by a white film.
No, that wasn't a film—it was concentrated spiritual energy.
Qi Quan seemed to sense something, slightly opening her eyes before quickly re-entering the profound state of breaking through the bottleneck.
An unknown amount of time later, a soft "crack" sounded within her spiritual platform.
She had advanced.
Although it was only a minor realm within her current major stage, a minor realm at this level was harder to achieve than three major realms at lower levels.
Both opportunity and conditions were indispensable.
For a sudden advancement like hers, without sufficient spiritual energy support, it would likely have stalled halfway. To continue the ascent would then require waiting for the next opportunity.
Being stuck halfway would have been incredibly frustrating.
Fortunately, her luck was truly good.
As all the spiritual energy was absorbed into her body, she opened her eyes. A fleeting radiance passed through her gaze before settling back into profound calmness.
Turning around, she saw a tall, slender figure slowly collapsing.
Qi Quan instinctively reached out to catch him.
The young man, drained of spiritual power, fell pale into the crook of her arm, yet his eyes shone brighter than stars in the night sky.
He weakly raised a hand, tugging at her sleeve, as if sharing in her joy, yet also seeming to seek affection.
Qi Quan's heart softened, warming with a peculiar feeling.
Since her previous life, she had grown accustomed to solitary cultivation. Apart from her master who guided her in her initial training, everything else she had learned through her own exploration.
She was the head disciple of her sect. When her master and elders secluded themselves in meditation, she alone shouldered all worldly affairs. Her junior brothers and sisters respected her, but they never worried about whether she encountered setbacks on her cultivation path.
Because she was a genius.
A genius possessed exceptional talent and fortune—did they still need others' help?
All her ghost servants revered her because she could offer them better ghostly lives, allowing them to live almost like normal people.
She believed their devotion was genuine.
But—
Qi Quan smiled, taking the young man's hand. Spiritual power flowed into his body, gradually restoring strength to his over-exerted form.
—But during the process of handling heavy burdens and cultivating alone, she occasionally still felt loneliness.
She was human, not a saint.
To be human is to have the seven emotions and six desires.
In her previous life, she had saved countless people and ghosts, yet she couldn't save herself, and no one could save her. That sense of frustration and helplessness had pained her for a long time.
Even though she later came to terms with it, the mark remained in her heart.
Just moments ago, when her spiritual energy was exhausted during the breakthrough and her ascending realm suddenly stalled, that...
...in that instant, a similar sense of helplessness surged up again.
She couldn't save herself, and no one could save her.
But within a second, a torrent of spiritual energy poured into her meridians, allowing the stalled realm to once again climb madly.
It was like a parched traveler in the desert seeing an oasis.
"Master, congratulations on your advancement!" Ji Shengzhe exclaimed excitedly, as if it were his own breakthrough.
He had been terribly afraid of causing harm with good intentions.
The system suddenly noted with surprise: [Big shot, the golden light on Ji Shengzhe seems to have increased!]
Qi Quan helped Ling Sheng up, released his hand, and looked at Ji Shengzhe.
Compared to before, his merit had indeed grown more substantial.
Ji Shengzhe also noticed it. His gratitude towards Qi Quan deepened further, his eyes slightly reddening as he said, "Master, meeting you must be the fortune I cultivated in a past life. I offered you merit merely as a small token of repayment, yet I never imagined it would aid your ascension. You must be a person blessed with great fortune. By helping a noble person, I received the heavens' reward, replenishing the merit I had previously lost. I've even accumulated a full lifetime's worth of merit now."
To be perfectly honest, before this, he had truly believed all his merit was going down the drain.
He frantically watched television, largely to force himself not to think about that matter. He was afraid he would go mad, lose his sanity.
Who could have expected such a dramatic turn of events? Everything is governed by cause and effect.
After becoming a ghost, he hadn't harmed anyone, giving himself a chance for redemption. Then, with the master's help, he recovered his merit, and after aiding the master, he directly accumulated a full measure of merit.
Ji Shengzhe was now incredibly excited and invigorated.
His gratitude towards Qi Quan was beyond words.
"Master, my merit is full. It's time for me to move on to reincarnation."
Lu Jiang had already been captured, the wicked would be punished, and he had no more regrets.
He bowed deeply to Qi Quan, a smile on his face as his ghostly form transformed into a faint golden light, dissipating into the air.
The system bid him farewell: [Hope you get a good rebirth!]
Even though Ji Shengzhe couldn't hear it, it still wanted to have a sense of ceremony.
Qi Quan smiled slightly. "Let's go."
She turned and left the secret room, with Ling Sheng following closely behind.
Outside the room, Li Guoyan and the other two had waited until noon before Qi Quan's figure finally appeared.
At first glance, she seemed unchanged, but upon closer perception, one would find her aura even more inwardly contained, with no trace of spiritual power leaking out.
It carried a profound sense of returning to simplicity, truly inscrutable.
Di Meng's attitude towards her instantly elevated to one of reverence and awe.
"Master, shall we return to the Investigation Department now?" Li Guoyan asked.
Qi Quan thought for a moment. "Alright."
The group headed to the Investigation Department together.
The news of Lu Jiang's arrest quickly caused a stir and heated discussion within the metaphysical community.
The Yan Family.
While Yan Huai was deeply engrossed in cultivation, he was summoned by the family head once again.
He sat in the chair, his back ramrod straight, like an unsheathed sword—sharp, cold, and radiating a chilling aura.
Being interrupted during cultivation was extremely irritating for a cultivation fanatic.
Seeing him like this, the Yan Family Head sighed with a hint of helplessness. "Regarding your trip to Longjiang City, I have a few more questions."
"I've already said all that needs to be said," Yan Huai stated expressionlessly. "Right now, you should be thoroughly investigating whether Yan Wu's actions are connected to that branch of the family."
The Yan Family Head: "..."
He sighed softly, his tone instructive. "Our family's power structure is complex; it's not something that can be investigated just because we want to. This matter involves too many interests; it's not that simple."
Yan Huai remained silent.
Yan Family Head: ...
When the news came back that Yan Huai had traveled with Di Meng and escorted a criminal suspect into the Investigation Department, he had been utterly shocked.
After all, his son was single-mindedly devoted to cultivation, hardly communicating with outsiders, not even getting along with people within the family, let alone doing something like jointly escorting a criminal suspect.
The Yan Family Head had inwardly cursed at the time.
This kid definitely had a rebellious streak.
But what could he do?
He could only put up with his own son.
He cleared his throat lightly and continued asking, "That diary writer you mentioned, what was the name again? How high is their cultivation level exactly?"
Yan Huai's expression finally showed a flicker of change.
"The Diary of a Tycoon, Master Bai Shui. I don't know."
"..."
"You didn't get to meet the master in person?"
Yan Huai shook his head.
He had visited but was turned away at the door.
Later, he went to the resort, ran into Di Meng, returned to the capital with him escorting the prisoner, and then came home. He hadn't seen Master Bai Shui.
The Yan Family Head's gaze turned profound. "I just received news. Lu Jiang has been captured."
Yan Huai's face remained impassive.
The Yan Family Head felt weary, explaining, "He is a Level Seven Celestial Master, and also skilled in formations."
"Oh."
"The Investigation Department doesn't even have a Level Six investigator, let alone Level Seven. I suspect the person who defeated Lu Jiang is the same one who subdued the marshland malevolent spirit."
Yan Huai's expression shifted slightly, his eyes clearly showing a spark of interest.
The Yan Family Head stated with certainty, "Master Bai Shui is currently in Longjing."
The young man abruptly stood up.
"Where are you going?!"
"Out."
Yan Family Head: "..."
Longjing City Investigation Department.
The ashen-faced Lu Jiang was escorted into the interrogation room.
Qi Quan did not participate in the interrogation and was arranged in a lounge. Li Guoyan personally poured tea for her and Ling Sheng.
"Master, regarding the high-level talismans you mentioned yesterday, would you be interested in selling them to the Investigation Department?" He got straight to the point.
Qi Quan didn't waste words either. She took three talismans from her bag.
One Level Six Thunder Talisman, one Level Six Spirit Talisman, and one Level Six Protection Talisman. Attack, spirit replenishment, and defense—all covered, and all high-level talismans.
Li Guoyan couldn't help but look pleasantly surprised.
The investigators at the Department were all elite, but they lacked the support of high-level talismans. They couldn't match the Celestial Masters in terms of level, which created significant obstacles during investigations.
If they could be supplied with high-level talismans, at least the investigators would have more security when facing Celestial Masters below Level Six.
Suppressing his excitement, he asked, "How many can you provide?"
Qi Quan countered, "How many do you need?"
She wasn't very clear about the specifics of the metaphysical community, so naturally, she couldn't casually propose a number.
Li Guoyan had done his research and tentatively suggested, "Each month, ten Level Six attack-type talismans, ten spirit talismans, and ten protection talismans."
He understood that crafting talismans was difficult for Celestial Masters, but having learned indirectly that Qi Quan was proficient in the talisman path, he carefully proposed a monthly transaction of thirty talismans.
Qi Quan: "..."
Seeing her silence, Li Guoyan had no choice but to take a step back. "How about eight of each then?"
Qi Quan couldn't help but ask, "How many Investigation Departments are there nationwide?"
"Over forty, large and small," he said.
Qi Quan: "Twenty-four talismans a month, is that enough to distribute?"
Li Guoyan smiled. "Please don't underestimate our investigators either. Issuing high-level talismans is just to add an extra layer of security for them; they can't become overly reliant on talismans."
Moreover, not all regions had high-level Celestial Masters. Take Longtan City for example, a Level Three Celestial Master could practically swagger around there.
Qi Quan nodded. "As per the original suggestion, thirty talismans."
"Calculated at market price, Level Six attack talismans are ten thousand each, spirit talismans fifty thousand each, and defense talismans fifty thousand each. The Department would need to pay you one million, one hundred and ten thousand." Li Guoyan immediately did the math.
"Alright."
Li Guoyan asked, "Still through Scream Literature City?"
"No. Deposit it into a new card," Qi Quan said decisively.
This was the fruit of Ling Sheng's labor; she couldn't arbitrarily take it away.
Li Guoyan suggested, "Every member of the Department is assigned a salary card. You have one too, you just haven't used it. The Department will deposit this money into your salary card on time each month. What do you think?"
He assumed all these talismans were crafted by Qi Quan herself, completely not considering Ling Sheng by her side.
Just as Qi Quan was about to refuse, someone tugged at her sleeve.
A phone was handed to her, with a few words written on the screen: [No new card. Use the salary card.]
Qi Quan turned to look at Ling Sheng. The young man curved his eyes into a smile at her.
The system felt gratified: [Ling Sheng is growing up, learning to earn money to support the family.]
Qi Quan always respected the wishes of her family members. She wouldn't pry relentlessly or stubbornly insist on her own way. As long as the ghost servants or others in the household had their own ideas, she generally supported them.
Anyway, she wouldn't use the salary card.
"Fine."
She agreed with a nod and directly took out thirty talismans from her bag—ten of each type.
Li Guoyan: "..."
Had he asked for too little?
"The money will be transferred to your salary card shortly."
Qi Quan naturally trusted he wouldn't go back on his word.
"There's another matter I need to discuss with you." Li Guoyan put away the talisman and said solemnly, "Qi Yingxue has been arrested for intentional assault. She has confessed and is now awaiting sentencing. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Qi Quan: "Handle it according to the law."
Qi Yingxue was just a minor pawn. Qi Quan had no interest in her life whatsoever, nor would she seek personal revenge.
The punishment should fit the crime.
She would not interfere.
Li Guoyan smiled. "It is my honor to have you as the Chief Consultant for the Investigation Department. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask the department."
With his words, Qi Quan naturally didn't hold back. "Help me investigate someone."
Li Guoyan was slightly surprised. "Go ahead."
"Fu Jiuge, from the Fu family in Longjing City."
Li Guoyan didn't ask for a reason and agreed directly.
"I'll send you the information once I find it."
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
"Director Li, a call from the Guiyuan Sect."
Li Guoyan's expression turned serious. He stood up and said, "My apologies, I need to attend to this."
Qi Quan nodded. "I'll trouble you with the information."
Then she left leisurely.
Returning to Su Nuannuan's villa, Shen Hui asked, "Senior, when are we returning to Longjiang?"
Qi Quan: "No rush."
"Alright."
Having received his answer, he went back to his room to cultivate.
Qi Quan took Ling Sheng upstairs.
"Earlier, when Mrs. Song came, she mentioned your background. You know about it." Her tone was certain.
Ling Sheng didn't avoid the topic. His gaze was clear and calm as he looked at her and nodded.
"Do you want to reunite with your family?" Qi Quan asked seriously, staring at him. "You must tell the truth."
Ling Sheng shook his head without hesitation.
For some reason, Qi Quan felt a surge of happiness and couldn't help but reach out to ruffle his hair.
She felt not a shred of guilt for "taking" someone else's child.
"However, we still need to investigate the circumstances of your abduction back then, so we'll be staying in Longjing a few more days."
Ling Sheng took out his phone and typed: [I'll listen to you.]
His hand was pale and slender, with perfectly proportioned joints. The afternoon sun slanted in, casting a faint, pearlescent glow on his skin.
Qi Quan already considered him family and asked the question that had been buried in her heart: "Why don't you speak?"
Ling Sheng lowered his eyes and typed: [Cannot.]
It was "cannot," not "do not know how."
The self-healing ability of a natural spirit body was very strong. It couldn't be a problem with his vocal cords. If he said he couldn't speak, there must be a special reason.
Qi Quan was just concerned about him, not truly curious.
"You overdrafted your spiritual energy earlier. Go back to your room and rest."
Ling Sheng pointed to the floor-to-ceiling window and typed: [There's sunlight here. Can I stay?]
Qi Quan: "..."
To be honest, she wasn't fond of having someone stay in her room for long periods, but—
The young man's slightly pale complexion and expectant eyes made her swallow her refusal.
Ling Sheng's room was opposite hers, and indeed didn't get sunlight at this time.
"Alright," she nodded.
A smile touched Ling Sheng's lips. He sat down cross-legged by the floor-to-ceiling window, closed his eyes, and began restoring his spiritual energy.
Golden sunlight danced on his hair like lively little sprites.
Qi Quan withdrew her gaze and also sat down to consolidate her cultivation.
Investigation Department.
Li Guoyan hung up the phone. His expression hadn't changed, but the aura around him had clearly shifted.
"Director Li, what did they say?" Di Meng asked with a frown.
Li Guoyan said gravely, "It was the Sect Leader of the Guiyuan Sect. He said that Lu Jiang, after all, is a sect elder and a Level 7 Array Master, with a rather high status in the Mystic Arts community. Being summoned to the Investigation Department in such a disgraceful manner has provoked protests from many of the old-timers."
Here, "old-timers" referred to those high-level cultivators, the old monsters.
The arrest of Wei Huanyang had caused a stir before, more due to his reputation and it being the first official contest of wills with the Mystic Arts community.
Later, the official side won a round, Wei Huanyang remained in custody, and the matter was considered over.
Ultimately, he was only a Level 4 Celestial Master, not enough to completely shake the foundations of the Mystic Arts community.
But this time was different.
If even a Level 7 Celestial Master could be arrested just like that, it naturally made those old-timers uneasy.
They had been able to wield power and live freely within the Mystic Arts community based on their cultivation levels. Now, with the emergence of an Investigation Department capable of easily arresting Level 7 Celestial Masters, it was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. Naturally, they were unwilling.
Di Meng, now filled with increased confidence, said, "So they protest. What can they really do?"
"What can they do?" Li Guoyan said. "If they truly unite to challenge our Investigation Department, or stir up trouble within the Mystic Arts community, the department's cases will become much harder to handle."
The power of a single Level 7 Celestial Master was formidable enough. If all Level 7 Celestial Masters banded together, the Mystic Arts community would certainly fall into chaos.
The Mystic Arts community wasn't truly detached from the mortal world. Many sects traded with the mortal world for cultivation resources. If the Mystic Arts community fell into chaos, ordinary people would inevitably suffer.
This was the last situation the authorities wanted to see.
Di Meng slammed the table in anger. "They've been spoiled!"
He hesitantly asked, "Can't we ask Senior to intervene?"
Li Guoyan glared at him. "Does Master Qi have dozens of clones? If disturbances break out in multiple places across the country, even if she's willing to help, could she possibly handle it all?"
"..."
Di Meng said shamefully, "It's still because we're too weak."
Li Guoyan sighed lightly and patted his shoulder. "It will get better."
They were just starting out. The investigators still needed to grow. You have to eat one bite at a time; you can't rush.
Feeling frustrated, Di Meng walked out of the Investigation Department and almost bumped into the tall, aloof, and upright figure of Yan Huai.
"What are you doing here?"
Yan Huai: "To pay a visit to the Senior."
"..." Di Meng thought he misheard and rubbed his ear. "Visit who?"
"Bai Shui Zhen Ren (White Water True Person)."
"...Pfft."
Di Meng couldn't hold back. It was just too funny seeing him say the pen name with such a serious face.
"You actually read novels?" he asked, laughing enough, looking at Yan Huai with an extremely curious gaze.
Yan Huai: "The Senior writes very well. It gave me deep insights."
"What insights?"
"Insights on cultivating within the mundane world."
Di Meng became interested. "Care to elaborate?"
Yan Huai: "Introduce me to her."
Di Meng: "..."
This guy isn't stupid either.
He stopped teasing and said, "The Senior isn't at the Investigation Department. I can't introduce you."
Yan Huai was taken aback for a moment, then turned to leave.
"Wait!" Di Meng called out to stop him.
Yan Huai turned back.
"The Investigation Department arrested Lu Jiang. What's your take on that?" Di Meng asked casually, but his expression was serious.
Yan Huai said expressionlessly, "No opinion."
Di Meng waved his hand. "You can go."
He had wanted to sound out his thoughts, but got such an extremely perfunctory yet airtight answer.
The leader of the Mystic Arts community had some substance.
Yan Huai returned home and was again summoned by the Family Head to the conference room.
In the conference room, several elders of the family were seated around the table. A large screen was set up at the front for a video conference.
"I received a call from Sect Leader Yin Yi of the Guiyuan Sect. He plans to hold a joint meeting with various sects and families for discussion. You should sit in and listen," the Yan Family Head instructed Yan Huai.
Yan Huai didn't refuse and sat down straight-backed.
Moments later, the video conference began.
Participants: Guiyuan Sect Leader Yin Yi, Xuanqing Sect Leader Wan Du, Hengfeng Sect Leader Yu Lanzhi, Yan Family Head Yan Fengjun, Fu Family Head Fu Jiuchong, along with several elders and core disciples.
Sect Leader Yin, a man of refined and handsome appearance with an elegant, scholarly demeanor, was the first to speak. "Thank you all for taking the time to attend this meeting. I am grateful. I presume everyone has heard about the arrest of our sect's seventh-level elder, Lu Jiang."
"A seventh-level celestial master, arrested just like that. This is a slap in our face," a senior from the Hengfeng Sect exclaimed indignantly.
The authorities' move had left all high-level celestial masters feeling insecure.
They might not know what Lu Jiang had done, but after cultivating for so many years, they were all too aware of their own past actions.
Life is long, and everyone makes mistakes. If the authorities arrest people for minor transgressions, they'd probably all be summoned to the police station for questioning.
Cultivating for longevity isn't about spending extra years in prison.
Yu Lanzhi also spoke up. "Previously, when my disciple Wei Huanyang was arrested, none of you paid it much mind. You must understand, once the authorities make their first move, there will be a second, a third, and more."
"If my information is correct, the highest-ranking investigator in the Investigation Department is only a fifth level," Sect Leader Wan said, puzzled. "A fourth-level celestial master is one thing, but how could a seventh-level master be taken so easily? Elder Lu was an array master, wasn't he?"
The Xuanqing Sect, located in Longhai City, was less affected by the turmoil in Longlin and Longjing Cities. They were more concerned with how strong the authorities' power truly was.
Sect Leader Yin said, "I've heard the Investigation Department enlisted the help of an expert."
"An expert capable of defeating a seventh-level array master—how many such individuals exist in this world? If an expert of that caliber left their sect or family, it's impossible that no news would have leaked," Sect Leader Wan mused, stroking his beard.
The room fell silent.
None of the sects or families represented there had a seventh-level celestial master serving the Investigation Department. That left only minor sects, minor families, or lone cultivators.
And lone cultivators were virtually impossible.
"Family Head Yan... what is your view?" Yu Lanzhi asked.
Yan Fengjun replied with an inscrutable air, "Perhaps... have any of you read 'The Heiress's Diary'?"
Everyone: ???
What thing?
Yan Fengjun enjoyed their bewildered expressions and smiled. "The answer you seek lies within that novel."
When he first heard Yan Huai mention 'The Heiress's Diary,' he had worn the same expression.
Misery loves company.
Fu Jiuchong, who had remained silent until now, unexpectedly spoke. "The Yan Family Head has... interesting hobbies."
Yan Fengjun: "You flatter me, you flatter me."
Everyone: "..."
That was clearly sarcasm!
"Rather than identifying this expert, we should consider the future path of the mystic arts community," Yan Fengjun said, his smile fading, his tone grave.
Sect Leader Wan: "Indeed."
"The authorities' intent is quite clear," Yu Lanzhi said, his eyes profound. "The Celestial Masters Association likely won't last much longer."
If the mystic arts community in the future were to accept the leadership and regulation of the authorities, the Celestial Masters Association would inevitably face dissolution.
This was forcing them to relinquish power.
Those who hold authority—how could they be willing to give up the wealth and influence already in their grasp?
Probably no one present wanted that.
Sect Leader Yin said, "I have already called Li Guoyan. He has not yet given a definitive response."
At a time like this, no one could afford to back down first.
"I have a question," a young woman suddenly spoke up.
She sat behind Fu Jiuchong; she was his daughter, Fu Luanfei.
Sect Leader Yin smiled kindly. "Please go ahead, young friend."
"From what I understand, the celestial masters the Investigation Department has arrested so far are all individuals with heinous records, those who have broken laws and violated regulations. These evil celestial masters were arrested because they committed wrongs. So, what do celestial masters who haven't done anything wrong have to fear?"
Her looks were inherited from her father, her eyes and brows possessing a natural vigor. She was a remarkably capable and straightforward girl.
Her words left the assembly at a loss for a response.
The logic was clear to everyone, but after wielding immense power, who was still willing to abide by mere logic?
Fu Jiuchong's expression remained placid. "Spoiled at home. My apologies for the amusement."
Yet he did not reprimand or scold Fu Luanfei.
Sect Leader Yin smiled. "The young friend is sharp. It's just that the matter is not as simple as you think."
Fu Luanfei smiled slightly. "My perspective is shallow. I've made a fool of myself."
She lowered her eyes and resumed being part of the background.
Someone proposed, "We could investigate the identity of this expert, first attempt to recruit them. If we can bring them to our side, the problem would be easily solved."
"That makes sense."
"Indeed, the Investigation Department's confidence in arresting celestial masters stems from having an expert backing them."
Yan Fengjun also nodded in agreement.
Sect Leader Yin asked, "Brother Yan, do you already know the expert's identity?"
"I am not certain," Yan Fengjun shook his head. "If you want to investigate, start with 'The Heiress's Diary.'"
Everyone: "..."
In truth, Qi Quan's identity wasn't a secret. Neither the Investigation Department nor she herself had deliberately hidden it. It was just that her movements were mysterious, she rarely acted, and she was extremely young, so most people wouldn't think of her.
The night the wetland wraith was subdued, aside from the Investigation Department personnel, other sects and families hadn't yet figured out who was responsible.
Today's arrest of Lu Jiang similarly went unwitnessed.
Yesterday, when Di Meng led people to summon Lu Jiang, the mystic arts community in Longjing City wasn't unaware, but they didn't take it seriously. It wasn't that they were foolishly overconfident, but rather they simply refused to believe the Investigation Department could take away a seventh-level array master.
Thus, they missed the perfect opportunity to learn the truth.
The meeting had reached a point where continuing was unnecessary. Everyone ended the video call.
...
Yan Huai stood up silently.
"Wait," Yan Fengjun called out to him, asking casually, "Do you think that expert would accept recruitment?"
Yan Huai: "I don't know."
He turned and left the conference room.
Yan Fengjun: "..."
He's becoming more and more rebellious.
The Su Family Villa.
Qi Quan sat on the sofa, receiving the information Li Guoyan had sent.
The information was quite brief.
[Fu Jiuge, formerly a twenty-five-year-old fourth-level celestial master. Younger sister of the current Fu Family Head, Fu Jiuchong. Currently forty-five years old. Twenty years ago, she lost her mental faculties in an accident. Since then, she has lived in seclusion within the Fu residence, never appearing in public again.]
She handed the information to Ling Sheng.
Ling Sheng glanced at it only once before looking away, showing not the slightest interest.
He was busy purifying impurities from the villa's tea leaves, his expression gentle and focused, as if performing an extremely important task.
Qi Quan said, "The 'accident' is the key point."
Ling Sheng looked up at her, pressed his lips together, then lowered his head again, sealing the purified tea leaves. He actually seemed somewhat displeased.
Before Qi Quan could figure out what was wrong, he walked over with his phone, half-knelt before her, and pointed to the top of his own head.
Qi Quan chuckled and instinctively reached out to ruffle his hair.
"I just think that accident might be related to what happened to you. It's possible someone knows of your existence. You are a person of the Lakeside Villa. You should live in the sunlight. Any hidden dangers must be nipped in the bud."
She was quite protective of her own.
Ling Sheng gazed up at her, his eyes completely filled with her reflection.
