101: Chapter 101 Someone has to wade into these muddy waters.

Chen Tai and Deacon Lin's expressions changed drastically upon hearing this.

They had thought that after reporting, the Sect would dispatch specialized secret agents or more powerful Elders.

Unexpectedly, this burden fell directly upon them.

"Sect Master, Elders! The Blazing Fire Sect's territory is extremely dangerous. Moreover, the other party might be colluding with outside Prefecture Cultivators. This matter..." Sweat beaded on Chen Tai's forehead, his words already hinting at an evasion.

Although he was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, Deacon Lin was only at the Early Stage. As an Elder of the Tiangang Sect, he dared to say he wasn't afraid of Cultivators of the same realm.

However, there were many Late Foundation Establishment Stage and Peak Cultivators within the Blazing Fire Sect, and investigating deep into their territory meant this journey would surely be fraught with danger.

If they were truly caught up in it, their lives might even be at risk.

"What?" That Elder snorted coldly, suppressing his anger. "Elder Chen, are you preparing to make excuses for a decision made by the Sect Master? It seems you've grown accustomed to giving orders in the Sect!"

Chen Tai and Deacon Lin were rendered speechless.

They now understood that the Sect's higher-ups must have long been dissatisfied with their actions.

This investigation mission, rather than being a mission, was more of a warning and a reprimand.

"There's no question of shirking Sect duties." Chen Tai felt some regret, but he could only force himself to remain calm and accept the task. "We will naturally do our utmost to uncover the truth and serve the Sect!"

Deacon Lin quickly echoed him.

Both of them were inwardly lamenting, but they had no other choice.

A Sect mission, especially one personally issued by the Sect Master, was absolutely not to be refused.

Otherwise, the consequences they would face would be far more severe than investigating the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

"Hmm, you must maintain regular contact with the Sect during the investigation. Also, while the mission requires your utmost effort, your personal safety comes first. Do not act without authorization," the Sect Master finally said. "For now, don't contact the Zhenpin Pavilion. As Elders of the Tiangang Sect, you must uphold your duties!"

"Yes!" Chen Tai and Deacon Lin responded in unison, their hearts a mix of emotions.

Leaving the main hall, Chen Tai and Deacon Lin's expressions were quite grim. They had initially thought it would be a meritorious deed, but it might turn into a disaster.

"Elder Chen, what should we do?" Deacon Lin asked in a low voice. "Now that I think about it, the Blazing Fire Sect's recent actions have indeed been strange. If an outside Prefecture force truly intervenes, with just the two of us, I'm afraid..."

Chen Tai stopped, his eyes flickering.

The Sect's meaning was clear: they wanted them to investigate but were unwilling to invest too much power in it.

They might not be cannon fodder, but this matter carried high risks and low rewards.

So, letting them lead the charge was absolutely out of the question.

"Hmph, there's no such thing as only doing business without benefits. If that's the case, then we can go, but we must find a way to get some cannon fodder," Chen Tai sneered. "The Sect Master only said that the two of us should go, but he didn't say only the two of us should go."

"You mean..." Deacon Lin's heart stirred as he asked uncertainly.

"Train soldiers for a thousand days, use them for an hour." Chen Tai smiled coldly. "Someone always has to scout the way, and someone has to be the bait."

Deacon Lin also laughed upon hearing this.

This was a good idea.

Those Disciples could serve as both human shields and contributions to their achievements.

After Chen Tai and Deacon Lin conspired for a while, they returned to their respective Immortal Caves to begin preparations.

Two days later, at the Tiangang Sect.

Inside Chen Tai's Immortal Cave, the atmosphere was solemn and serious.

The usually spacious and bright stone chamber now seemed a bit crowded due to the presence of over twenty Inner Sect Disciples.

These were all Disciples who had received Medicinal Pill favors from Chen Tai and Deacon Lin in recent years and had privately come to regard them as their backing.

They stood respectfully in the Immortal Cave, yet with a hint of confusion, not understanding why the two Elders had gathered so many of them here.

Chen Tai sat in the main seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present.

Deacon Lin stood to the side, a habitually amiable smile on his face, but under the dim spiritual light of the Immortal Cave, this smile appeared somewhat inscrutable.

"I have summoned you all because I need your assistance with something," Chen Tai's voice echoed through the Immortal Cave.

Many Disciples felt a sense of dread upon hearing this.

They were only at the Qi Refinement Stage, while Elder Chen and Deacon Lin were both at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Could anything they needed help with be simple?

However, this was certainly not the time for doubt or questions. Since they had decided to follow these two, they couldn't be vague when it was time to show loyalty.

"Elder, whatever your command, we will not flinch from death!" A Disciple immediately bowed and responded, and the others also echoed him.

Chen Tai was quite satisfied with the attitude of these Disciples.

He and Deacon Lin had nourished this group for several months with supreme-grade pills from the Zhenpin Pavilion, not just to hear a few flattering words.

Today was the day for these people to repay them.

"Good." Chen Tai nodded and said, "This is not a Sect mission, but Deacon Lin and I need a few trustworthy Disciples to go to the Monster Beast Mountain Range to handle a matter."

Monster Beast Mountain Range? The Disciples' hearts tightened. That place was not a benevolent one.

Deacon Lin stepped forward at the opportune moment, smiling as he said, "Everyone, there's no need to be nervous. Although this trip will be somewhat arduous, Elder Chen and I will naturally not treat you unfairly. All participants will receive three supreme-grade pills each upon returning to the Sect."

"Three supreme-grade pills!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the Disciples' breathing in the Immortal Cave grew heavy, and their eyes burst with obvious desire.

Even one supreme-grade pill was priceless in the Prefecture City, capable of greatly increasing their Cultivation speed several times over.

Three pills would be enough to save them several years of arduous Cultivation, and even play a crucial role when breaking through a Bottleneck!

"Elder, this Disciple is willing to go!"

"This Disciple is willing to share the Elder's worries!"

The Disciples who might have had some doubts earlier now vied to express their loyalty, fearing to fall behind.

In the face of immense benefits, potential risks were temporarily cast aside.

Moreover, with two Foundation Establishment Elders leading the team, even if there was danger, it would still be much better than fighting alone.

Chen Tai nodded with satisfaction again: "Very good. Since that's the case, this Elder and Deacon Lin will select eight people from among you to go to the Monster Beast Mountain Range together."

After speaking, he selected eight individuals: six men and two women, all at Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivation, and who had consistently shown the most loyalty and relatively good strength.

"You eight will accompany the two of us," Chen Tai's gaze fell on the eight selected individuals. "This trip to the Monster Beast Mountain Range requires extra caution. The Blazing Fire Sect's recent actions have been erratic, and their hostility towards our Sect Disciples is strong. All of you must change into Loose Cultivator attire, conceal your identities, and absolutely not reveal your origins."

"Yes!" The eight Disciples responded in unison.

"Three days from now, gather in the forest outside the Sect," Chen Tai finally instructed.

Everyone acknowledged the order and withdrew, leaving only Chen Tai and Deacon Lin in the Immortal Cave.

"Elder Chen, this plan is excellent," Deacon Lin chuckled. "Once we reach the Monster Beast Mountain Range, we'll use these youngsters to scout ahead."

"Hmph," Chen Tai snorted coldly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "Someone always has to wade through these troubled waters. Since they've taken our Medicinal Pills, they should be prepared to risk their lives for us."