156: Chapter 156 The Grand Meeting, Eve

That force was not a killing technique meant to take a life.

Instead, it flowed along the Meridians on its own, as if trying to scan something.

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow, sensing the man's intention.

He wanted to test Chen Ran's true strength.

However, his strength was no longer what it used to be. After breaking through to the Return to Truth Realm, his control over his internal power had reached a level where he could do as he pleased.

Looking at that force that kept wandering through his body yet failed to detect his true power for the longest time,

Chen Ran chuckled inwardly, controlling his own power to disguise himself to match his surface Realm.

Lin Sheng did not know he had already been seen through by the man in front of him, and withdrew his hand.

“A nineteen-year-old Late Stage Seventh-Rank...”

Lin Sheng frowned slightly.

In fact, given Chen Ran's current age and strength, he would already be considered a Martial Artist of decent talent among the younger generation.

However, compared to the scions of the aristocratic families in the capital, this talent could only be considered mediocre.

Lin Sheng fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere became somewhat strange.

The surrounding watching Prison Officers also looked on curiously, sensing that there seemed to be some connection between the two.

Lin Sheng quickly recovered and cleared his throat:

“Your talent is decent. You should Cultivate even harder and not slack off. Take this bottle of ningyuan pills as an extra reward.”

Lin Sheng pulled an exquisite jade bottle from his robes.

As soon as the jade bottle appeared, it caused the surrounding people to gasp.

They knew how precious ningyuan pills were; they were rare Medicinal Pills specifically used to solidify the foundation of Martial Artists below the Sixth-Rank.

If taken continuously, they could even improve one's Aptitude.

A bottle of these pills would cost at least several hundred taels of silver on the outside, yet this newly arrived Lord from the Demon Suppression Division was just giving it to him like that?

For a moment, the looks in everyone's eyes changed.

A few hints of envy appeared in their eyes as they looked at Chen Ran.

Chen Ran was slightly stunned. He took the pills and bowed:

“Thank you, My Lord.”

Lin Sheng nodded slightly and spoke to the other Prison Officers:

“Remember, my name is Lin Sheng. I am taking over from the previous commander and will be in charge of the Heaven Prison's affairs from now on.”

“Yes!”

“Dismissed. Return to your duties.”

Under everyone's respectful gazes, Lin Sheng's figure vanished from sight.

...

Once Chen Ran walked out of the main hall and arrived at the Heaven Prison's square,

Warden Wen Ruoxu and several other familiar Prison Officers gathered around him.

Congratulations rang out incessantly.

“Lord Chen, you must look out for us brothers in the future.”

“Indeed, Lord Chen has been promoted. Surely you have to host a table at the Spring Breeze Pavilion tonight?”

Chen Ran smiled and humored them.

“Of course, of course. Tonight is on me, let's drink until we're drunk.”

Warden Wen Ruoxu, mingling in the crowd, had an odd look in his eyes. He wanted to say something but held back.

After some thought, he decided not to speak up.

As a member of one of the Four Great Families in the capital,

Warden Wen Ruoxu naturally recognized the identity of the newly appointed superior who had dropped in out of nowhere.

That was the second young master of the Lin family. His transfer to the Heaven Prison this time was likely for a certain someone.

“Forget it, Brother Chen had better wish himself luck.”

“As long as he can please that Divine Constable Lin, his future official career will be bright!”

“But if he makes that Divine Constable Lin angry, it'll probably be miserable...”

Thinking of Lin Sheng's formidable reputation in the capital, Warden Wen Ruoxu shuddered.

...

After sending everyone away,

Chen Ran sat on a chair, playing with the brand-new waist token in his hand.

Sixth-Rank Prison Supervisor.

This was not just an empty title.

It also meant his authority within the Heaven Prison had been greatly elevated.

Previously, he was just an ordinary Prison Officer. At the end of the day, he was just an Advanced version of a Jailer.

In essence, he was just an upgraded version of a Jailer.

But now that he was promoted to Prison Supervisor, his authority allowed him to manage the group of Prison Officers under him.

With his current position,

he could go whenever he wanted.

He could interrogate whichever prisoner he wished.

This was practically a position tailored specifically for him.

Chen Ran could almost see a massive wave of experience points waving at him.

Furthermore, the Grand Martial Arts Tournament was about to begin.

More experts would definitely be captured and brought into the capital.

When that time came, this Heaven Prison would be his ultimate training room.

“Steady progress.”

“I must strive to Cultivate Treading Snow Without a Trace to Perfection before the Grand Martial Arts Tournament ends.”

Chen Ran set a small goal for himself in his heart.

The escape speed of that top assassin on the silver flower ranking had left a deep impression on him.

If he hadn't relied on his vast cultivation to crush them, the assassin might have actually escaped.

As long as he Cultivated this technique to Perfection, his survival capabilities would increase by a huge margin.

...

Three hundred miles outside the capital.

In a hidden valley.

The temporary stronghold of the Red Lotus Holy Cult.

Inside the grand hall, the candlelight flickered.

Jiang Mengli wore a red dress.

She leaned lazily against her wide seat.

Her stunning Face shifted between light and shadow under the candlelight,

exuding a breathtaking, bewitching aura.

Whoosh.

A gust of wind seemed to blow from afar, and a figure flashed to a spot not far away in a few bounds.

“Saintess, news from the capital.”

A black-clothed cultist knelt on one knee,

presenting a secret report with both hands.

Jiang Mengli extended her slender fingers,

taking the secret report.

She scanned it casually.

She smiled.

“The Grand Martial Arts Tournament?”

“Those old foxes in the imperial court certainly have a fine plan.”

“Do they want to use this petty profit to gather all the Martial Forest experts under heaven into the capital to act as their free thugs?”

Below the hall,

a Protector said in a deep voice, “Saintess, this is clearly a conspiracy targeted at our Holy Cult.”

“The imperial court has been making frequent Moves lately, encircling and suppressing our cult's branches everywhere.”

“And now they are holding this rubbish martial arts tournament.”

“It is clear they want to recruit Jianghu experts to deal with us.”

“Should we temporarily avoid their edge?”

“Avoid?”

Jiang Mengli threw the secret report into the brazier,

watching the paper turn to ash.

“Why should we avoid them?”

“Since the imperial court has set up the stage, if we don't go join the fun, wouldn't we be giving them too little Face?”

The Protector was taken aback. “The Saintess means...”

Jiang Mengli stood up,

her red dress trailing on the ground,

like a blooming blood-colored lotus.

“The Grand Martial Arts Tournament will have a mix of Dragons and fish.”

“It is also time to let them know the formidable reputation of the Red Lotus Holy Cult.”

“Pass down my order.”

“Have the members of the 'Shadow Hall' infiltrate the capital in batches.”

Jiang Mengli narrowed her eyes and walked to the side.

“Yes!” The Protector took the order and withdrew.

Dead silence returned to the grand hall once more.

Jiang Mengli walked to the window,

gazing in the direction of the capital.

The night wind blew against her red dress,

sketching her graceful curves.

“Saintess.”

In the darkness, a raspy voice sounded.

A figure shrouded entirely in black robes appeared silently.

“We have investigated. That wanted criminal known as Shanjun has made no Moves, and his current whereabouts are unknown.”

Last time, it was because of this person that the Red Lotus Holy Cult took the blame for the imperial court.

Yet upon investigation now, this person seemed to have never existed.

No background history can be found; we only know that the Moves he used are of our cult's Internal Skills.

“If you can't find anything, then forget it,”

Jiang Mengli said indifferently, raising her hand.

A ball of crimson flame danced in her palm,

emitting terrifyingly high heat.

“The capital...”

A young figure wearing a Jailer's uniform suddenly flashed through her mind.

“I wonder if I'll meet you again this time.”

Jiang Mengli chuckled softly,

her five fingers suddenly clenching.

The flame in her palm was instantly extinguished.

“If we meet again, I will definitely let you have a good taste of this new strength of mine...”