87: Chapter 87 The Butler's Test

Lin Muchen stood outside the Outer Sect Deacon Hall, taking a deep breath.

He pushed the door open and went inside.

Only Zhao Tieshan was inside the hall, sitting behind the large desk, head bowed as he flipped through a stack of case files.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Tieshan looked up.

"Lin Muchen?"

Zhao Tieshan was somewhat surprised.

"Weren't you out gaining experience? Back so soon?"

"Just got back."

Lin Muchen walked over and stood in front of the desk.

"Elder Zhao, there's something I'd like to ask you about."

Zhao Tieshan put down the case file in his hand and leaned back slightly.

"What is it? Go ahead."

Lin Muchen didn't beat around the bush.

"On my way back, in the woods on the outskirts of the Sect, I ran into two people."

Zhao Tieshan's brow furrowed.

"What kind of people?"

"From the Black Rock City Criminal Investigation Department."

Lin Muchen stared at Zhao Tieshan's face.

"They had tokens, said they were investigating some Ledger from the Black Wind Stockade, and demanded I hand over my Storage Pouch for inspection."

Zhao Tieshan's expression instantly darkened.

He didn't speak, just tapped his fingers on the desk twice.

"And then?"

"And then I ran."

Lin Muchen said.

"Their cultivation wasn't high, one at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, the other at the eighth. I took a detour and slipped in through the abandoned gate on the west side."

Zhao Tieshan was silent for a few seconds.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside.

"People from the Criminal Investigation Department... setting up a checkpoint on our Sect's outskirts?"

He turned back to look at Lin Muchen.

"You're sure they were from the Criminal Investigation Department? Not imposters?"

"The tokens were real."

Lin Muchen said.

"And their Cultivation Technique style was very similar to those Bandits from the Black Wind Stockade before. I suspect someone in the Criminal Investigation Department is in cahoots with the Black Wind Stockade."

Zhao Tieshan walked back behind the desk and sat down again.

His expression was grim.

"Black Rock City Criminal Investigation Department... Commander Zhao..."

He muttered quietly.

Lin Muchen's heart stirred.

"Elder Zhao, do you know this Commander Zhao?"

"I've heard of him."

Zhao Tieshan glanced at Lin Muchen.

"Second-in-command of the Black Rock City Criminal Investigation Department, Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation. That man... his background isn't simple."

"In what way isn't it simple?"

"He has deep ties with the Black Rock City Lord's Mansion, and it's said there are other forces backing him."

Zhao Tieshan paused.

"Our Qinglan Sect and Black Rock City, on the surface, keep to our own territories, but secretly... the relationship is delicate."

"Delicate?"

"Black Rock City has wanted to extend its reach into our Sect's territory for a long time now."

Zhao Tieshan said.

"Especially in recent years, they've set up several outposts outside the city, nominally for maintaining order, but actually... hmph."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

Lin Muchen understood now.

"Then this time, with the Criminal Investigation Department setting up a checkpoint on our outskirts, won't the Sect do anything?"

"Do anything?"

Zhao Tieshan gave a cold laugh.

"How? They haven't entered the Sect's territory, just loitering in the woods on the outskirts. If you go to confront them, they'll just dismiss you with a 'we're under orders to pursue a major criminal'."

He looked at Lin Muchen.

"Moreover, I suspect this matter isn't as simple as it seems."

"What do you mean?"

"This Commander Zhao is very ambitious. His interest in the Black Wind Stockade Ledger probably isn't just to silence people."

Zhao Tieshan lowered his voice.

"That Ledger might record something deadly. Could be leverage against some big shots in Black Rock City, or maybe... something else."

Lin Muchen didn't reply.

He knew clearly that the Ledger was in his Storage Pouch.

But he couldn't say it.

"Don't leave the Sect recently."

Zhao Tieshan suddenly said.

"Stay within the Sect, don't go anywhere. No matter how arrogant the Criminal Investigation Department people are, they wouldn't dare barge into the Sect to arrest someone."

"What if they keep waiting outside?"

"They won't wait long."

Zhao Tieshan waved his hand.

"The Sect has already taken notice of this matter. In a few days, someone will go 'clear the area'."

He glanced at Lin Muchen.

"You didn't cause any trouble on this trip, did you?"

"No."

Lin Muchen shook his head.

"I just took an escort mission, made a trip to Black Rock City. Ran into some Bandits on the road, dealt with them, collected a bit of bounty."

"That's good."

Zhao Tieshan nodded.

"Remember what I said, don't go out recently. Wait until things calm down."

"Understood."

Lin Muchen acknowledged.

He turned to leave.

"Wait."

Zhao Tieshan stopped him.

"If... I'm saying if, you really took something you shouldn't have, it's best to get rid of it cleanly."

He stared into Lin Muchen's eyes.

"Some muddy waters aren't for small Cultivators like us to wade into."

Lin Muchen's heart tightened.

He nodded.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Zhao."

With that, he pushed the door open and left.

Zhao Tieshan looked at the closed door, his brow furrowing even tighter.

He picked up the pen on the desk and wrote a few words on a piece of paper.

"Criminal Investigation Department... Commander Zhao..."

He muttered to himself.

"They're planning to stir up trouble."

Lin Muchen walked quickly back to his residence.

Closing the door, he leaned against it and let out a long sigh.

Zhao Tieshan's words contained a lot of information.

First, the Sect already knew about the Criminal Investigation Department setting up a checkpoint on the outskirts and was preparing to clear the area.

Second, Commander Zhao's background wasn't simple; there might be a larger force behind him.

Third, the contents of the Ledger might be more important than imagined.

But the most critical issue wasn't any of these.

Lin Muchen took out the five-colored light cocoon from his chest.

The light cocoon was now as thin as a soap bubble, the green stone fragment inside clearly visible.

[Current Mark Isolation Remaining Time: One Day.]

[Warning: Time is critical.]

One day.

Only one day left.

If he couldn't think of a way to strengthen the isolation or dispose of this fragment within a day, the mark would Breakthrough the isolation and send out a location signal.

By then, no matter who was behind Commander Zhao, they would know the item was in his possession.

"System, is there a way?"

Lin Muchen asked.

[Consume points to exchange for an Advanced Isolation Formation Plate.]

[Required points: 8000 points.]

[Effect: Can reseal the mark, isolation time extended to thirty days.]

[Risk: Activating the Formation Plate will produce faint spatial fluctuations, possibly detectable by high-level Cultivators nearby.]

Eight thousand points.

His current points totaled just over ten thousand.

Losing eight thousand at once was painful.

And there were fluctuations upon activation, possibly detectable.

Lin Muchen stared at the light cocoon in his hand.

The cracks on the light cocoon seemed to have increased by one more.

Time waited for no one.

"Exchange for the Advanced Isolation Formation Plate."

He gritted his teeth.

[Confirm consumption of 8000 points to exchange for 'Advanced Isolation Formation Plate (Spatial Type)'?]

[Current points: 3000.]

"Confirm."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a palm-sized silver Formation Plate appeared in his hand.

The Formation Plate was light, covered in intricate silver Array Patterns, with a grain-sized transparent crystal embedded in the center.

[Advanced Isolation Formation Plate (Spatial Type)]

[Function: Can generate a temporary spatial barrier, isolating the Divine Thought mark from external contact, duration thirty days.]

[Usage Method: Place the Formation Plate three inches above the fragment, inject spiritual power to activate.]

[Note: The activation process requires ten breaths, during which the Formation Plate will emit faint spatial fluctuations. Ensure the surrounding environment is secure.]

Lin Muchen looked out the window.

The sky had already darkened.

He walked to the center of the room and placed the Formation Plate on the ground.

Then, he gently placed the nearly shattered five-colored light cocoon directly above the Formation Plate.

Three inches distance.

He crouched down, extended his right hand, and pressed his index finger to the edge of the Formation Plate.

Spiritual power slowly infused.

*Hum—*

The silver Array Patterns on the Formation Plate lit up one after another.

That transparent crystal also began to emit a soft silver light.

The light cocoon, enveloped in the silver light, trembled slightly.

Lin Muchen could feel the Formation Plate drawing his spiritual power, not fast, but steadily.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths...

At the fifth breath, the Formation Plate suddenly shuddered.

The silver light blazed brightly!

The entire room was illuminated.

Lin Muchen's heart tightened.

This commotion... was much greater than the "faint fluctuations" the System mentioned!

He quickly increased his spiritual power output, wanting to finish faster.

But the Formation Plate was like a bottomless pit, madly devouring his spiritual power.

Seven breaths.

Eight breaths.

Nine breaths...

Just at the moment the tenth breath was about to end.

The transparent crystal in the center of the Formation Plate made a *crack* sound, splitting open a thin fissure.

The silver light abruptly contracted!

Then, all the light vanished.

The Array Patterns on the Formation Plate dimmed, becoming ordinary silver engravings.

And that five-colored light cocoon...

Was gone.

In its place, a fist-sized silver light sphere quietly hovered above the Formation Plate.

The surface of the light sphere was smooth as a mirror; the green stone fragment inside was not visible.

Nor could any mark fluctuation be sensed.

[Advanced Isolation Formation Plate activation successful.]

[Spatial barrier generated.]

[Mark isolation time reset: Thirty days.]

[Warning: Formation Plate core crystal has developed cracks. Estimated usable times: 1 (this activation consumed).]

[Barrier will fail in thirty days. Need to find another solution.]

Lin Muchen plopped down on the floor.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"One-time use?"

[Yes.]

[The Formation Plate's core crystal was damaged during activation and cannot be reused.]

[In thirty days, the barrier will fail, and the mark will be exposed again.]

Lin Muchen looked at the silver light sphere.

Thirty days.

Twenty-nine days more than before.

But the cost was eight thousand points and a Formation Plate that could only be used once.

"It'll do."

He sighed.

"At least there's a buffer period."

He picked up the silver light sphere and stored it in his Storage Pouch.

Then, he also stored away the cracked Formation Plate.

Although this thing was broken, the Array Patterns on it might still be useful. He'd keep it for now.

After doing this, he walked to the bed and lay down.

His mind raced.

Zhao Tieshan said the Sect would clear the area.

Then the Criminal Investigation Department people should be driven away soon.

But Commander Zhao wouldn't give up easily.

There were other forces behind him.

The Ledger...

The green stone fragment...

The Ancient Teleportation Array...

Lin Muchen closed his eyes.

"Have to hurry."

He said quietly.

"Must become stronger before the next trouble comes knocking."

Outside the window, the night had grown completely dark.

The Qinglan Sect's mountain gate stood quietly under the moonlight.

And in the dense forest outside the mountain gate, several dark figures were rapidly withdrawing.

They had received orders.

Temporary retreat.

But this matter wasn't over yet.