Back to the mundane world

Half a day later, the three boarded a flying boat departing from the Sect.

It was no different from the first flying boat they had taken, except for the much higher price.

"A hundred Spirit Stones for one Cultivator, and looking around, there are easily over a thousand people!"

Wang Longzhi's eyes widened as he marveled at the flying boat's exorbitant profits.

"The place we're going is a thousand li away from Heaven Sword Immortal Sect, but at the flying boat's extreme speed, we should arrive in less than half a day."

Mu Xinling stood by with her arms crossed, having no intention of joining the lively conversation.

"Brother Long, after we arrive in the mortal world, you must not act rashly. We are now Disciples of the Heaven Sword Immortal Sect, and every action we take reflects on our reputation."

Wang Longzhi showed a resolute and reliable gaze:

"Don't worry, Brother Tan, I, Wang Longzhi, will certainly think... think..."

Li Tan sighed bitterly.

"Think thrice before acting."

.........

The scene shifted.

Gaoyun City.

On the bustling streets, the clamor of people could be heard—some haggling, some conversing.

"Candied hawthorns for sale, one copper coin per skewer!"

"Beautiful wooden hairpins! This Young Master truly has good fortune; his wife is as beautiful as a flower!"

"A great Dao blade blessed by an Immortal Master! Everyone, come and share in the good fortune!"

A hawker held a six-foot-long great Dao blade with both hands, its gleaming light very dazzling.

He wanted to brandish it a few times, but his scrawny frame couldn't handle such a heavy blade, so he just laughed awkwardly.

Li Tan stopped Wang Longzhi's eager movements: "Brother Long, do not easily meddle in mortal affairs."

"If you have this free time, you might as well inquire about the Gao Family and the Yao Beasts."

Wang Longzhi felt it made sense, so he turned and grabbed a passerby, asking politely:

"Fellow Daoist, do you know of any Yao Beasts nearby?"

The passerby scratched his head, the sarcasm in his eyes undisguised:

"Who's your Fellow Daoist? By age, I could almost be your grandfather."

"Do you see that tall tower over there?"

The passerby pointed to a magnificent building in the distance and slowly said: "There are many Yao Beasts there. You should hurry and catch them too. I still need to go home and cook."

After some inquiry, they learned that the direction the passerby pointed to was the City Lord's Mansion, and the City Lord was none other than the Gao Family's Clan Chief.

Wang Longzhi complained: "I politely asked for directions and was even ridiculed by that old man. It truly is a case of the kind being bullied!"

Li Tan advised: "Since we have found the location, let's go."

"Do not get too involved in mortal affairs, lest it tarnish your Dao Heart."

Along the way, Li Tan released his "Eye of Truth"; the streets were bustling with people, yet there wasn't a single Cultivator.

...................

Gao Family Residence.

Upon seeing the three's attire, the servant did not dare to delay or even announce them, immediately ushering them into the reception hall.

Inside the hall, seats were arranged in two rows, from high to low, indicating a strict hierarchy.

The servant was very efficient; he first invited the three to take the high seats, then served tea and snacks, not missing a single thing.

A moment later, a man dressed in luxurious robes rushed in, looking anxious.

He bowed respectfully and said:

"This humble one greets the three Heaven Sword Sires. My apologies for the inadequate hospitality; I hope the Sires will be magnanimous."

Li Tan waved his hand lightly:

"It's fine. Please tell us about the situation with the Yao Beast."

The man gave the servant a look, and the latter immediately tiptoed out.

"Sires, this matter is a long story. That Yao Beast has been attacking our clan for half a year already!"

"Our Gao Family knows its strength is weak. For a hundred years, we have not contended or vied, painstakingly managing our small plot of land."

"Until half a year ago, a Yao Beast appeared from nowhere, attacking the women in our clan like crazy, especially young and beautiful women!"

"Nearby residents would occasionally hear splashing sounds. When we went to investigate, all we found were mutilated corpses."

Li Tan frowned and asked:

"Are you saying this Yao Beast only kills, but doesn't consume flesh and blood?"

The man quickly knelt down, his voice trembling as he replied:

"This humble one dares not deceive the Sires; every word is true."

Seeing the man's appearance, it was clear he wasn't faking it. Li Tan mused, "Only kills, doesn't eat, and is only cruel to women..."

Li Tan called out: "Please tell us slowly. Do not deceive us."

As his words fell, the man's taut nerves relaxed a little, though his legs were weak beneath him, preventing him from standing up.

"We initially suspected this Yao Beast was an aquatic creature, so we strengthened the outer defenses. However, young women within the Family continued to disappear suddenly."

"We then classified it as a terrestrial creature. As the situation escalated, nearby residents grew increasingly uneasy, and the number of people reporting to officials after hearing splashing sounds in the middle of the night reached thousands!"

"Therefore, we concluded that this creature must be an amphibious being."

Wang Longzhi asked in confusion:

"Since you have narrowed down the scope, even if you couldn't catch it, why haven't you found its habitat yet?"

"Are you all just a bunch of good-for-nothings!"

The man below looked distressed:

"Sire, you do not know. This evil creature is too cunning. Each time, it easily escapes from the traps we set, leaving not a trace of a clue."

Wang Longzhi said displeased:

"Could it be that it erases its tracks! And it observes passersby when escaping?"

The man trembled incessantly: "I dare not conceal anything from the Sires. This case is too troublesome. Three batches of Heaven Sword Sires have come before, and all returned without success."

A silence fell over the hall, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Wang Longzhi looked towards Li Tan, wanting to hear his opinion.