61: Search Zizhu Peak

During his stay at Purple Bamboo Peak over the past few days, Lu Yang seized every moment to engage in Dual Cultivation with Mu Wanqing and Chi Rong respectively to increase his cultivation.

Finally, he successfully accumulated 20 precious proficiency points.

Without hesitation, he invested all 20 proficiency points into the Dao of Formations.

Instantly, a vast amount of profound knowledge regarding Formations, array-laying techniques, and Spiritual Qi node analysis flooded into his Sea of Consciousness, causing his attainment in Formations to take a significant leap forward.

On the attribute panel, his Formation Rank clearly jumped to the third Rank.

Coupled with his Gold and Earth Dual Spiritual Roots, which had already reached the Foundation Establishment Stage through Dual Cultivation synchronization, Lu Yang now possessed the preliminary ability to carve third-Rank Formations.

Having suffered greatly under Gu Yingying's Spirit Locking Restriction last time, Lu Yang had a deep impression of it.

Therefore, after his Formation Rank improved, the first thing he chose to study in depth and attempt to carve was this Spirit Locking Restriction.

The investment of 20 proficiency points yielded extraordinary results.

It not only allowed Lu Yang to completely master the full carving method of the Spirit Locking Restriction but also enabled him to precisely analyze the Formation, seeing through its core Spiritual Qi nodes and potential weaknesses.

At this moment, even if Gu Yingying used the Spirit Locking Restriction to trap him again, Lu Yang was fully confident he could break it.

Not only that, after gaining a thorough understanding, Lu Yang also set about trying to carve a Spirit Locking Restriction of his own.

Although limited by his current cultivation and proficiency, the version he carved had an effective range much smaller than the full version used by Gu Yingying.

However, the advantage of this simplified version of the Spirit Locking Restriction lay in its ease of deployment and lower Spiritual Qi requirement, making it more suitable for rapid application in actual combat.

Lu Yang looked at the simplified Spirit Locking Restriction Formation Plate in his hand and thought to himself: Now let's see how Gu Yingying tries to manipulate him... Meanwhile.

At Shuiyue Peak, Xia Yuxuan, who had waited three days for her mother to finish her secluded meditation, headed down the mountain with Senior Sisters Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain.

Utilizing the cauldron contract in her hand and using Lu Yang's refusal to cooperate as an excuse, she immediately ordered the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples to go to the Outer Sect and summon Lu Yang to the Law Enforcement Hall.

However, after the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples searched Lu Yang's residence, they found no trace of him.

At the same time, they discovered that Mu Wanqing, who was originally locked in the dungeon, had also long since disappeared.

Upon learning of Lu Yang's disappearance, Xia Yuxuan did not panic. She first investigated and confirmed that Lu Yang and Mu Wanqing had not left the Sect, as there were no records of them entering or exiting the Sect gate.

This gave her some peace of mind.

Subsequently, she began organizing the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples to conduct a comprehensive search of the Outer Sect area, putting on a posture of being determined to find Lu Yang.

One day later.

Inside Lu Yang's old residence, Xia Yuxuan's face was grim as she listened to the report from the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples.

In one day, the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples had practically turned the Outer Sect Disciple residential area upside down, including the External Affairs Hall and Small Worlds Lu Yang frequently visited,

and even some remote corners, but they still found no trace of Lu Yang or Mu Wanqing.

“Still haven't found them?” Xia Yuxuan's voice turned cold.

“Reporting to Senior Sister Xia, we have carefully searched all areas that Outer Sect Disciples have the authority to enter, including several Small Worlds, and indeed found no sign of Lu Yang or Mu Wanqing.”

The leading Law Enforcement Hall Disciple lowered his head, his tone certain.

“Have all possible places been searched? Are you sure nothing was missed?” Xia Yuxuan pressed.

“We've checked every place we could think of; the Disciples did not dare to be negligent,” the Law Enforcement Hall Disciple replied.

Xia Yuxuan furrowed her brows tightly, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the tabletop:

“Impossible. The Outer Sect area is limited. While the Formation monitoring isn't strict, how could two living people just vanish into thin air?

Could they have been bold enough to hide in the Inner Sect?”

Spring Breeze, standing to the side, immediately spoke up with the certainty of an Inner Sect Disciple:

“Absolutely impossible! The Spiritual Qi concentration in the Inner Sect is completely different from the Outer Sect, the Formation monitoring is tight, and there are Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, and Deacons at or above the Foundation Establishment Stage stationed there.

Someone at the Qi Refining stage carrying an injured person would be like a firefly in the night within the Inner Sect; their tracks would be discovered instantly, leaving them nowhere to hide.”

Transforming Rain nodded in agreement, her observation being more detailed:

“This matter is strange. For Lu Yang to silently take someone from the dungeon under the guards' noses without leaving a trace is something he could never have achieved on his own.

There must be external help, and the cultivation or methods of the person helping must not be low.

In my view, they are very likely being sheltered by someone of status right now, hidden in an area we haven't touched yet.”

At this moment, a younger Law Enforcement Hall Disciple standing in the back row hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and saying in a low voice:

“Senior Sister Xia, I... I thought of one more place we haven't searched.”

“Where? Speak quickly!” Xia Yuxuan's sharp gaze swept toward him.

“It's... it's Outer Sect Elder Chi's Purple Bamboo Peak,” the young Disciple's voice dropped even lower. “In the entire Outer Sect, only Elder Chi's Daoist field, Purple Bamboo Peak, is a place we haven't—and didn't dare to—search.”

Xia Yuxuan's eyes narrowed: “Purple Bamboo Peak? Why not search it? Is it a Forbidden Ground?”

The leading Law Enforcement Hall Disciple explained with a bitter smile:

“Senior Sister Xia, please understand. Purple Bamboo Peak is Elder Chi's place of quiet cultivation, protected by Sect rules.

Elder Chi is an officially appointed Outer Sect Elder of the Sect, holding an honorable status.

Although we Law Enforcement Hall Disciples have the right to enforce the law in the Outer Sect, searching an Elder's Daoist field without a warrant from the Council of Elders or a mandate from the Sect Master would be a serious transgression—an act of insubordination.

If Elder Chi were to become enraged because of it and kill us on the spot, the Sect laws would not hold her responsible.

The Disciples really... do not have the courage.”

Hearing the name Elder Chi, Xia Yuxuan also felt a chill in her heart.

She knew well the weight an Elder's status carried within the Sect.

Although she was Elder Xia's daughter, she was, after all, only an Outer Sect Disciple.

Without sufficient reason and higher-level instructions, directly taking people to search an Elder's Daoist field could have disastrous consequences.

Chi Rong had full authority and the ability to use thunderous methods against those who offended her, and even her mother might not be able to fully protect her afterward.

An invisible pressure made her breathing hitch slightly.

However, Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain, standing behind Xia Yuxuan, showed looks of indifference.

As Inner Sect Disciples who had already successfully reached Foundation Establishment, they did not have much reverence for an Outer Sect Elder, especially one like Chi Rong, who was rumored to have been injured and whose cultivation might be damaged.

Spring Breeze snorted coldly and said to Xia Yuxuan:

“Junior Sister, why worry so much? She's just an Outer Sect Elder.

We were ordered by Elder Xia to come and assist you with this matter; we are your backing.

Lu Yang and Mu Wanqing are very likely hiding at Purple Bamboo Peak.

If we don't search it, are we just going to let them remain at large and ignore the Sect rules?

If Elder Chi truly has a clear conscience, why would she fear a search?”

Transforming Rain also chimed in: “Exactly. Junior Sister, you hold the cauldron contract; pursuing a contract violator is perfectly justified.

With the two of us here, even Elder Chi must show some respect.

If she really dares to obstruct us, it would be the crime of harboring a fugitive, which we can report to the Council of Elders together.

If you don't go, won't it look like we're afraid of her?”

The words of Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain acted like a shot of adrenaline, dispersing most of the trepidation in Xia Yuxuan's heart.

She thought of her mother Elder Xia's power, the fact that she was in the right with the contract in hand, and the support of two Inner Sect Senior Sisters at the Foundation Establishment Stage; her courage suddenly swelled.

Lu Yang's disappearance had caused her to lose face, and she had to find him as soon as possible.

“Fine!” A flash of determination crossed Xia Yuxuan's eyes as she stood up abruptly. “Pass down the order: all Law Enforcement Hall Disciples, follow me to Purple Bamboo Peak!

I want to see if Elder Chi's Purple Bamboo Peak really cannot be searched!”

“Yes!” the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples responded in unison. Although some still had looks of fear on their faces, the order had been given, and they could only obey.

The group left Lu Yang's old residence in a grand procession.

Xia Yuxuan walked at the front, with Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain following closely behind, their expressions haughty.

The Law Enforcement Hall Disciples followed in Formation, the atmosphere solemn and killing.

Outer Sect Disciples along the way avoided them one after another upon seeing this display, whispering among themselves and guessing what major event had happened again.