62: Three people were trapped

Purple Bamboo Peak was located at the edge of the Outer Sect area; the environment was serene, and the Spiritual Qi was significantly denser than in ordinary Outer Sect areas.

Only a single winding stone path led to the peak.

At the foot of the mountain stood a simple and ancient stone tablet, inscribed with the three vigorous characters "Purple Bamboo Peak."

The peak was enveloped in a layer of light blue spiritual power.

Xia Yuxuan stopped in front of the stone tablet.

She knew clearly that as an Outer Sect Elder, Chi Rong's Daoist field, Purple Bamboo Peak, would inevitably be equipped with protective Restrictions.

If she directly led the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples to force their way in, it would be no different from an open confrontation; the situation would spiral completely out of control, and might even trigger unpredictable conflicts.

She weighed the pros and cons and quickly made a decision, ordering the Law Enforcement Hall Disciples:

"All of you stay at the foot of the mountain and wait. Closely monitor all paths down from Purple Bamboo Peak. Without my signal, do not act rashly, and especially do not approach the Restriction!"

Then, she turned to Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain and said solemnly, "Two Senior Sisters, Elder Chi has a special status. Bringing a large group of people to force our way in would be too reckless, and it might be difficult to handle the aftermath."

"I trouble the two Senior Sisters to accompany me up the mountain to pay a visit."

"We will first investigate the situation under the guise of questioning."

"If we find Lu Yang's traces, we will act as the situation dictates and handle it according to the Sect's rules."

Although Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain were somewhat dismissive, feeling Xia Yuxuan was overly cautious, they nodded in agreement considering the special nature of an Elder's Daoist field:

"Very well. We'll do as Junior Sister says. We will go up and take a look with you."

After obtaining the permission of the two Senior Sisters.

Xia Yuxuan took a deep breath, channeled her spiritual power toward the peak, and her voice rang out clearly:

"Outer Sect Disciple Xia Yuxuan, along with Inner Sect Senior Sisters Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain, has come specifically to visit Elder Chi! We have important matters to inquire about, so please grant us convenience, Elder Chi!"

On Purple Bamboo Peak.

Inside the new Bamboo Pavilion next to Chi Rong's Bamboo Pavilion, Lu Yang was fully concentrated.

Floating before him was a palm-sized jade Formation Plate he had just completed; spiritual runes flowed upon it, emitting subtle fluctuations.

This was a Spirit Restricting Formation Plate he had newly carved using his improved Formation attainments, combined with the principles of the Spirit Locking Restriction.

This Formation activated rapidly and could form a confined space in a very short time, powerfully suppressing the spiritual power flow and physical movement of living beings within it. Its effect was more specialized in control than the previous simple Spirit Locking Restriction, with a smaller range, making it suitable for indoor ambushes.

Lu Yang's gaze sharpened, and he immediately put away the Formation Plate. "They're here."

Chi Rong finished her Cultivation and stood up, and Mu Wanqing also quickly entered the Bamboo Pavilion from the Spirit Field.

Chi Rong's face was calm: "As expected. You and Mu Wanqing hide; I will go meet them. Act according to the plan."

After speaking, she raised her hand and cast a Spirit Seal toward the foot of the mountain.

The Restriction's light barrier enveloping the mountain flashed slightly, temporarily opening an entrance.

Chi Rong walked alone to the open space in front of the two Bamboo Pavilions and waited calmly.

At the foot of the mountain.

Seeing the Restriction open, Xia Yuxuan and the other two looked at each other and dashed straight for the peak.

Soon, they saw Chi Rong standing alone in the clearing.

"Disciple Xia Yuxuan greets Elder Chi." Xia Yuxuan took the lead in saluting, while Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain also nodded slightly. "Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain greet Senior Sister."

Chi Rong's gaze swept over the three of them, her tone indifferent: "Junior Martial Niece Xia, Junior Sisters Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain. I wonder why the three of you have come together?"

Xia Yuxuan took a step forward, her tone as steady as possible:

"Elder Chi, this Disciple is following my mother's orders to track down the Outer Sect Disciple Lu Yang and his concubine Mu Wanqing."

"These two are involved in violating a cauldron contract, resisting a summons from the Law Enforcement Hall, and escaping supervision without permission."

"There are clues indicating they might be hiding on Purple Bamboo Peak."

"This Disciple implores Elder Chi to allow us to take a brief look around the peak to clear up any misunderstandings." She once again mentioned Elder Xia and the Law Enforcement Hall.

A hint of well-timed confusion appeared on Chi Rong's face:

"Lu Yang? This seat has indeed met this boy a few times; he came to ask a few cultivation questions a few days ago, but he left long ago."

"As for hiding here... Junior Martial Niece Xia, is there any actual evidence for this claim?"

"How could this seat's place of quiet cultivation on Purple Bamboo Peak harbor those who have violated the Sect rules?"

Spring Breeze couldn't help herself and said with a hint of interrogation:

"Elder Chi, words alone are no proof. Since you have a clear conscience, why not let us go inside and see? It would also restore Elder's innocence."

Transforming Rain also nodded slightly, her gaze scanning the other new Bamboo Pavilion nearby.

Upon hearing this, Chi Rong's expression remained unchanged; instead, she stepped aside and pointed to the Bamboo Pavilion behind her, her tone flat and emotionless:

"Very well. Since the three of you have doubts, if I were to insist on blocking you, it would seem as if I have a guilty conscience."

"My place of cultivation is right here. Junior Martial Niece Xia and the two Inner Sect Junior Nieces may enter and take a look."

"However, my place of quiet cultivation does not like noise. I hope the three of you will investigate quickly and conclude." She emphasized investigating quickly and concluding, implying she would not accompany them.

Xia Yuxuan, Spring Breeze, and Transforming Rain exchanged a look.

Chi Rong's ready agreement caused their vigilance to drop slightly.

Perhaps Lu Yang really wasn't here?

"Thank you for your cooperation, Elder Chi," Xia Yuxuan said with cupped hands, but in her heart, she was determined to search thoroughly.

Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain also nodded slightly and walked toward the entrance of the Bamboo Pavilion.

Chi Rong stood in place and did not follow, calmly watching the three of them enter her Bamboo Pavilion one after another.

Mu Wanqing hid by the Spirit Field a short distance away, her aura concealed, watching this scene nervously.

Just as the silhouettes of the three completely vanished into the Bamboo Pavilion's entrance.

The light inside the Bamboo Pavilion suddenly dimmed, and countless pale gold threads of light erupted simultaneously from the floor, walls, and roof without warning, intertwining and winding rapidly like living things!

Spirit Locking Restriction, activate!

These pale gold threads of light instantly condensed into a massive, three-dimensional web of light that covered the entire interior space of the Bamboo Pavilion!

A powerful binding force descended instantly, like countless tough vines, immediately entangling Xia Yuxuan, Spring Breeze, and Transforming Rain who had stepped inside!

"Not good!"

"It's a Restriction!"

"Spirit Locking Restriction!"

The faces of the three changed drastically as they cried out in alarm.

Spring Breeze and Transforming Rain reacted the fastest, their internal spiritual power erupting instantly in an attempt to break free from the entanglement of the light threads.

Pale green Wind Blades and pink Qi Energy shot out from them, fiercely slashing at the surrounding light threads.

The light threads flickered and wavered violently from the slashes, but they were extremely resilient; although some were severed, new light threads quickly replenished from the Restriction!

Their struggle was like falling into a viscous spider web; their limbs were wrapped layer upon layer, their movements became exceptionally difficult and sluggish, and their spiritual power flow was also significantly interfered with.

Xia Yuxuan's situation was even worse. Her cultivation at the Qi Refinement Stage appeared inadequate before this Spirit Locking Restriction.

With the light threads wrapping around her, she felt as if her entire body was bound by invisible ropes. Although her spiritual power wasn't completely imprisoned, its flow became extremely sluggish, and her body could hardly move an inch. Her face was filled with horror.

"Chi Rong! How dare you!" Spring Breeze shouted sharply, struggling with all her might.