123: Chapter 123 Major Suspicion – Xu Changsheng

Inside the Heavenly Fiend Hall, the slender True Person Qi Yang angrily rebuked the Disciples guarding the place.

"Such a massive sword, with only one entrance and the protection of a Tier 3 Demon-Locking Formation, yet you couldn't guard it. What use are you? All of you will be sent to the front lines!"

The guarding Disciples were suffering in silence, not daring to utter a single word of rebuttal under the Golden Core Grandmaster's scolding.

Witnessing this scene.

Gou Jiao's eyes widened suddenly. There were two reasons why the Ghost Shadow Sect had established a base here.

First, to serve as a bridgehead to invade the Chu State's cultivation world and gain the upper hand.

Second, to nurture the Demon Sword, which would both evade the Hundred Refining Valley's investigation and utilize the residual Devilish Qi in Broken Cloud Ridge to nourish it.

He hadn't expected that both of these matters would be botched.

Seeing Gou Jiao, a quasi-Tier 3 Formation Master who had set up nearly half of the Formation, True Person Qi Yang calmed down slightly: "Nephew Gou, what happened?"

Facing the questioning, Gou Jiao was also clueless: "I don't know what happened either. The Heavenly Fiend Hall should only be accessible to those of us who have been branded with a special demonic seal. If a Golden Core..."

"...Immortal Master forced their way in, the Demon-Locking Formation's reaction would be extremely resistant; it wouldn't happen silently."

At this moment.

A thin figure walked out from the depths of the hall: "It wasn't silent."

"Isn't this Junior Brother Mo? To think you could find time in your busy schedule to come to Broken Cloud Ridge. I wonder what insights you have?"

If Xu Changsheng were here, he would definitely be very surprised.

This person was also an acquaintance of his, the very same person who had fought with Lin Fan in the Ancient Wood Secret Realm that day.

Mo Linyuan pointed to two sunken pits on the ground: "These two pits are the traces left by that person."

Following his finger, everyone saw the two floor tiles Xu Changsheng had crushed. Although they had been treated, the methods were crude, and they were obvious with just a slight step.

"Lu Yuanze!"

The same name came from the mouths of True Person Qi Yang and Gou Jiao in unison, accompanied by the sound of grinding teeth.

Mo Linyuan looked puzzled: "What? You suspect Fellow Daoist Lu?"

Gou Jiao explained: "Before this, Fellow Daoist Lu recommended himself to enter this hall. Other than him, no one else has entered the Heavenly Fiend Hall."

"Fellow Daoist Lu? Based on my understanding of him, he has never cultivated a Demonic Path Cultivation Technique. I'm afraid the sword theft was done by someone else."

After saying that.

He walked over to the abyssal sinking stone: "The marks on the wall socket are not prominent, which means this person didn't pull out the Demon Sword and open the passage through brute force."

A realization dawned.

True Person Qi Yang nodded, her emotions completely calming down: "Nephew Mo is truly Grandmaster's Personal Disciple, having inherited Grandmaster's true teachings. Your insight is indeed thorough."

Seeing this, Gou Jiao felt somewhat uncomfortable:

"Then tell us, Junior Brother Mo, if it wasn't Lu Yuanze, who else could it be? Could it be that those of us stationed here so diligently aren't as clear about things as a Junior Brother who spends all year running around outside?"

His words were tinged with bitterness; he had once competed with Mo Linyuan for the status of the Old Ancestor's Personal Disciple but was defeated by the latter's Early Stage strength, and he had never been satisfied with the outcome.

Mo Linyuan smiled faintly, crouched down, and dug out a handful of soil from the mud pit: "That person likely used this pit to set up a Formation."

True Person Qi Yang's phoenix eyes lit up: "Oh? Continue, Nephew!"

Sniffing the faint fragrance in the soil, he didn't answer but asked instead: "I heard an intruder came to Broken Cloud Ridge a few days ago? Was he found?"

Hearing this, Gou Jiao's face darkened, and he turned his head away: "He wasn't found. He probably died in some dark corner."

True Person Qi Yang nodded again and looked at Gou Jiao: "Nephew Mo makes sense. Nephew Gou, how is the investigation into that rogue cultivator going?"

The latter was confident and truthfully shared the speculation about Liu Bai crushing the Demonic Path Teleportation Talisman.

After hearing the whole story, True Person Qi Yang's elegant brows furrowed: "They say the cracks after a spatial demon crystal's self-detonation mean certain death, but I have personally seen someone successfully pass through a spatial rift."

Hearing this.

Gou Jiao's eyes widened like brass bells: "You mean, Junior Martial Uncle?"

"That person was ultimately teleported to the vicinity of the original target location of the Demonic Path Teleportation Talisman."

Gou Jiao realized: "I understand. I'll focus on sending people to investigate the Cultivators renting in that area."

"Correct. Since the scouts say the Immortal City made no rescue attempt, it means those who are renting and still alive are highly suspicious."

"Whether they happened to be out or for any other reason, compile a list of names!"

...

On the other side, Xu Changsheng had no idea that his actions had been completely exposed.

He thought it would take at least three to five months for the people of the Ghost Shadow Sect to find out about this.

However, he spent half a month traveling in circles and successfully returned to Yellow Ox Immortal City.

Having sent word in advance.

Chu Linger had already arranged a new Immortal Cave for him.

Walking along the path on Huangniu Mountain.

Chu Linger, with her hands behind her back, took a large step and circled in front of Xu Changsheng: "Master's luck is truly good, just barely escaping this disaster."

Xu Changsheng returned a smile: "Yes, my luck was quite good."

He grumbled inwardly: "Good luck my foot. If it weren't for the Star Pattern, I really would have perished there."

Chu Linger pursed her red lips: "It's just that Master was a bit too cautious; there was no need to hide outside for so long. This Servant Girl almost thought Master..."

Xu Changsheng's heart stirred, and he leaned close to her face. Their eyes met, and he could smell the virgin fragrance emanating from the young girl.

Chu Linger's smile froze: "Ma-Master, what are you trying to do?"

He said with a half-smile: "If I had died in the spatial rift, would you have been very happy? After all, there would be no one left to enslave you."

"How could that be?"

Chu Linger's hands fluttered nervously, and she was at a loss. If they hadn't been outdoors, she would have wanted to kneel on the ground right then.

"This Servant Girl has never had such a thought. This Servant Girl spoke out of turn; Master can punish me however you wish after we return."

"Then during the time I was missing, why did you send messages every day? If I hadn't replied, would you have kept sending them?"

"Yes! But that's because..."

"Because of what?"

"Because the Talismans in the Spirit Talisman Workshop are all sold out!"

Chu Linger finally mustered the courage to speak the reason.

"During the time Master was away, the inventory of the Spirit Talisman Workshop hit rock bottom in just a few days. Every day, dozens of people blocked the entrance asking when new stock would arrive."

"This Servant Girl can only refine Tier 1 Medium Grade and Low Grade Talismans; I simply couldn't meet their demands."

Hearing this.

Xu Changsheng's expression froze, and he managed to squeeze out a slight smile: "Uh, I overthought it. I apologize to you."

The months of precarious hiding in Broken Cloud Ridge had made him very suspicious.

"Hmph, Master is so annoying. I'm ignoring you."

Having lived together for several years, Chu Linger knew Xu Changsheng's temperament inside out.

Xu Changsheng's deliberate attempt to scare her just now made her feel quite wronged.

However, in the next instant, her face suddenly brightened.

Because a Divine Sense transmission reached her ears: "My oversight. Next month's profits will be split fifty-fifty between us. It's also been hard on you to keep the business running these past few months."

She revealed a sweet smile: "Okay!"

...

Three months later.

Broken Cloud Ridge.

Gou Jiao flipped through a document over a hundred pages thick: "Has everything been investigated?"

"Yes. Li Hongxuan, Xu Changsheng, and Gu Fengping—these three are major suspects!"