Chapter 65: A Small Gathering and Casual Talk

On the way back to the mountain, Wang Sheng received a file from Mou Yue. Inside was a photo of a young man captured by a roadside surveillance camera, along with his basic information.

It was the side-profile image that Chi Wen had provided. After hours of data comparison, the investigation team had finally confirmed the appearance and identity of the Fire Sage.

Wang Sheng had Chi Wen verify it. Though still hesitant, she eventually nodded.

"It's him..."

Wang Sheng quickly sent a message back to Mou Yue to avoid delaying anything important. Then, he carefully read through the man's personal information, which somewhat surprised him.

A twenty-four-year-old created the Supernatural Revelation Club?

The Fire Sage's real name was Guo Fenglin. His records showed a gap of seven to eight years. Before the age of sixteen, he was just an ordinary high school student; there was nothing unusual about him.

At sixteen, he ran away from home and cut off contact with his family. Police still had the report that his family had filed at the time.

That was all the information available for now.

However, now that his appearance and identity had been confirmed, as long as he appeared anywhere with surveillance cameras in the Hua Republic, the police could pinpoint his location within two minutes.

This was far more efficient than the sky-searching techniques that cultivators used at the Transcendance Realm. It had a much broader coverage area as well.

With the mystery surrounding the Fire Sage now uncovered, the tension within the investigation team eased significantly.

Wang Sheng exchanged a few messages with Mou Yue about the case's progress. Mou Yue simply said that they were preparing for a thorough search, aiming to apprehend the entire group within the next forty-eight hours.

Their captain had also temporarily transferred over a dozen snipers from a nearby military district. It seemed they had discovered that high-caliber sniper rifles were currently one of the most effective weapons against cultivators...

As Mount Wudang came into view, Wang Sheng pushed the matters out of his mind.

Since he had already left, he no longer had to worry.

It was more practical to think about how to step into the Seed Formation Realm.

***

Upon arriving at Mount Wudang, they were met with a drizzle. The sky was growing dark, and the mountain paths were empty and silent. Occasionally, they spotted a few figures meditating and cultivating in the tranquil surroundings.

The evening mist hung low in the rain. Old wooden huts stood among the lush bamboo groves.

The dense, pure spiritual energy in the air was refreshing. It made them feel at peace just by taking a breath; each inhale felt intoxicating.

On their way up the mountain, Mu Wanxuan held onto Chi Wen's arm. Wang Sheng carried multiple bags on his back, with four suitcases tied together with a rope and slung over his shoulder. Even so, he moved swiftly, his true essence circulating effortlessly.

Throughout the journey, Mu Wanxuan had been using memes to cheer Chi Wen up. Fortunately, her mood had noticeably improved.

After experiencing such a drastic change in her life within a single day, Chi Wen still felt as if she were in a dream that she was struggling to fully process. However, when they arrived, the abundant primal qi surrounding them made the worries on her face gradually fade.

She turned to Wang Sheng. "Sh-should I help you carry something?"

Wang Sheng simply waved his hand. "The road is slippery in the rain. Just watch your step and don't slip."

Chi Wen nodded lightly, though she still seemed somewhat distracted.

Halfway up the winding asphalt road, they started climbing the stone stairs.

Over the past two years, Mount Wudang had seen an increase in rare flowers and exotic plants. Before long, the misty mountain scenery had captivated Chi Wen, her gaze lingering on the ethereal landscape.

This was truly the ideal place for cultivating immortality.

The higher they climbed, the more Daoists they encountered.

As they neared the Purple Cloud Temple, they saw groups of young disciples scattered throughout the forest—some meditating, some practicing swordsmanship and martial arts. Others cast spells, while a few simply chatted and laughed.

Fortunately, Li Shiwu had previously arranged for someone to repair the path leading to their residence. Otherwise, judging by how protective Mu Wanxuan was of Chi Wen, she might have insisted on carrying her junior sister up the mountain to keep her safe.

Just as they passed the Purple Cloud Temple, someone called out from behind them.

"Junior Brother Wang! Junior Sister Bu Yu! How did you two get back so soon?"

Wang Sheng didn't have to turn around to know that it was Zhou Yinglong. After all, they had exorcised ghosts together, climbed rooftops, and... rented rooms.

The three waited on the mountain path for a moment. Zhou Yinglong flicked his Daoist robe aside and swiftly sprinted over.

"

Uh,

who's this?"

"Our junior sister," Wang Sheng replied with a smile. "Not the kind that needs an entry-level ceremony."

Zhou Yinglong paused for a moment, then immediately understood.

A junior sister who didn't need an entry-level ceremony could only mean she was Qing Yanzi's child.

"A pleasure to meet you," Zhou Yinglong greeted with a formal cupped fist salute. Straightening his posture, he said, "I am Zhou Yinglong, a third-generation disciple cultivating here. I am well-acquainted with Junior Brother Fei Yu and Junior Sister Bu Yu. From now on, we are all fellow disciples. Let's stay in touch often."

Chi Wen simply pressed her lips together and nodded slightly. "I'm Chi Wen."

Wang Sheng blinked at Zhou Yinglong, who instantly caught on. He raised his eyebrows at Wang Sheng.

Mu Wanxuan frowned slightly. She couldn't quite decipher the silent exchange of glances between her junior brother and Zhou Yinglong...

"Here, let me help." Zhou Yinglong stepped forward, taking half the load off Wang Sheng's shoulders while discreetly sending a message to a small group chat with only three or four people.

"Junior Brother Wang brought back a junior sister! If you're free, come and welcome her!"

Wang Sheng saw but said nothing.

Just as they arrived at the small courtyard, Hao Ling and Meng Hong came over with some food and fruit.

The courtyard hadn't changed at all. Their master was still unreachable, too.

Well, that makes sense. If gallstones—ahem. If Illusory Cores could be formed or Golden Cores condensed in just a few days, it would make a mockery of the so-called "infamous chasm of the Daoist realm" that is the Golden Core Realm.

Meng Hong and Hao Ling greeted Chi Wen, but her dazed expression stopped them from engaging her in conversation. Instead, they asked Wang Sheng about his trip down the mountain.

Noticing that Chi Wen was too exhausted, Mu Wanxuan took her to the main house to rest. Wang Sheng sat with the others under the shade of a tree outside the courtyard gate, drinking tea.

Deciding not to hide anything from the three, Wang Sheng gave them a summary of the Supernatural Revelation Club incident. Zhou Yinglong and the others couldn't help but be quite surprised.

Having spent their time cultivating in the mountains, they knew little about changes in the mundane world. Hence, the concept of evil cultivators puzzled them.

"Isn't cultivation supposed to be a personal pursuit? We all focus on our own practice here in the mountains. If one day we attain enlightenment and become immortals, then our journey will have been worth it. Why harm others for personal gain?" Hao Ling questioned.

Zhou Yinglong and Meng Hong chuckled.

"Everyone has different pursuits," Wang Sheng replied.

Meng Hong frowned. "Since that club has already been discovered, why doesn't the police just wipe them out? With over a thousand cultivators in the world, it shouldn't really matter at all."

Wang Sheng shook his head. "Only the dozen or so people selling cultivation techniques should be convicted. The rest are all victims to varying degrees. The secular world is vast and has countless people. The main culprits have already made preparations in advance. Even though we already have their leader's photo, he can still use disguises or even undergo plastic surgery to avoid being caught."

Seemingly more interested in something else, Zhou Yinglong asked, "Junior Brother Wang, what's the deal with the Special Investigation Unit? It sounds like the ancient secret police."

Hao Ling couldn't help but tease, "Surprised you didn't say they're like the Eastern or Western Depot. Senior Brother Zhou, you sure know a lot about this."

"I used to study these things." Zhou Yinglong wiped his forehead in embarrassment. He then quickly brought them back to the topic. "Junior Brother Wang, tell us more about the Special Investigation Unit."

Everyone present was trustworthy, and Wang Sheng wanted to give them a heads-up. Still, he cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "Don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Just keep it between us."

Meng Hong and the others nodded and leaned in to listen.

Wang Sheng chose to share information that he had known in his past life, which would become semi-public knowledge in a few years. There was no real secrecy to it; he was just putting on an act to be mysterious.

As the rain fell around them, he held his teacup and leisurely began, "The Hua Republic has made many preparations to deal with the impact of the cultivation world's resurgence. The Special Investigation Unit is the public-facing organization, responsible for handling minor matters, establishing contact with the cultivation world, and mediating various relationships.

"But as the name suggests, it's just an investigative unit. Behind it, there are several research institutes specifically studying cultivation and cultivators. Any evil cultivators who commit crimes and fall into the hands of the Special Investigation Unit are sent there for research... including dissections."

Zhou Yinglong's eyes widened. "Dissections?"

Hao Ling pursed her lips slightly.

"Yes, dissections." Wang Sheng shrugged. Li Qiran had met this exact fate.

Meng Hong sighed. "Isn't that a bit extreme?"

Zhou Yinglong countered, "The government's power exists to protect the majority of its people. We are, in fact, a small group of unstable elements, so we can't blame them for being cautious. Anyway, if there's an investigation unit, does that mean they also have a combat unit?"

Wang Sheng nodded. "Of course, and they're not to be trifled with."

Zhou Yinglong laughed. "Now that needs some explanation. How exactly are they ‘not to be trifled with'?"

"If the Special Investigation Unit encounters problems beyond their capabilities, like a group of cultivators causing trouble or evil cultivators specifically targeting them, it may alert an organization known as the Special Warfare Unit.

"That unit is a true national weapon. However, their primary role is national defense and solving international conflicts, so they rarely act domestically, and even when they do, it's not on a large scale.

"But think about it. Tens of thousands of highly trained, strictly disciplined soldiers with cultivation skills and high-tech modern weaponry. It would only take them maybe an hour or two to level Mount Wudang."

Hao Ling's face turned a little pale, as if she could already envision their precious mountain being bombarded. "Then we should hurry and tell the sect masters and the martial uncles!"

The three men exchanged glances and chuckled.

Zhou Yinglong sighed. "There's no need for us to tell them. The martial uncles probably already learned about those units a couple of years ago. As long as we cultivate properly and don't cause harm, we'll be fine. That being said, I'm curious where they got their cultivation techniques."

"They probably recruited a few grandmasters to train their soldiers," Meng Hong replied.

"In any case, when acting as chivalrous cultivators in the future, remember to exercise caution," Wang Sheng reminded. "Of course, if you encounter evil cultivators harming people, just kill them if you have to. The Special Investigation Unit won't make things too difficult for us."

Zhou Yinglong laughed bitterly. "I didn't expect there to be so many complications. I originally planned to travel around once my cultivation was high enough, but staying in the mountains and practicing diligently seems the better choice now."

Hao Ling nodded. "The mountains are peaceful. The outside world is too chaotic."

As they conversed, a sharp, panicked scream echoed from the main house. The four immediately leaped up. Wang Sheng moved the fastest. Forming a sword finger gesture, he leaped over the courtyard gate in two steps and rushed into the main house, his true essence already surging.

Zhou Yinglong and Meng Hong followed right behind—one holding a talisman, the other preparing a palm strike. Hao Ling, in her panic, grabbed a wooden stool.

Inside the room, Chi Wen—now dressed in a pink nightgown—was curled up in the corner of the bed, her face completely pale. Mu Wanxuan was standing in front of her protectively, looking as if she were facing a great enemy.

Wang Sheng frowned. Had someone used sinister techniques against them?

"What happened?"

Chi Wen's small hand trembled as she pointed at the grasshopper on the blanket. With a shaky voice, she exclaimed, "B-bug! There's a bug!"

The five cultivators in the room were rendered speechless.