158: Chapter 158 Special Department Reminder: "The Li family is treacherous; caution is advised."

Section 1: Late Night Warning: Emergency Intelligence from the Special Department

Late night at the Li Family Ancestral Home, moonlight filtered through the gaps in the blue tiles and spilled into the courtyard. The pale gold Qi Energy of the ancient martial weapons gradually softened. The team members had already retired to their respective guest rooms to rest, leaving only the Flower Girl in the courtyard. She took the inheritance grass out of the incubator to nourish it with the moonlight — the dark gold light flickering on the petals seemed to sense an uneasy aura. Dewdrops rolled on the leaf surfaces, reflecting several blurry black shadows that vanished in an instant.

"Beep beep —" Chen Wu's Qi Energy communicator suddenly emitted a sharp alert, breaking the silence of the night. He walked quickly to the window and connected. Zhang Qiming's face appeared in the holographic projection with a grave expression. Behind him was the emergency command room of the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau, the screen filled with flashing red warnings: "Chen Wu, emergency! The special department intercepted an encrypted communication sent out from the Li Family Ancestral Home. The content involves 'seizing the inheritance grass' and 'using the Dual-Energy Activation Method to control the fusion jade.' We also found that the Li family has had secret contact with the Spirit-Devouring Organization over the past three years. Although there is no direct cooperation, they have been secretly collecting samples of Spirit-Devouring Energy for unknown purposes!"

"What? Contact with the Spirit-Devouring Organization?" Chen Wu's pupils shrank, and he subconsciously gripped the "Taiji Guardian" bronze medallion in his hand. "The Master Li Xuan we met today seemed very sincere and even took the initiative to mention making the Dual-Energy Activation Method public. He didn't look like he was plotting anything." He recalled the details of the day: Master Li Xuan's excessive focus on the inheritance grass, the records of "Dual-Energy Side Effects" that were deliberately avoided on the main hall's stone wall, and the subtle tone of the Li family descendants when mentioning that "the fusion jade requires dedicated guardians." These previously ignored details now connected, revealing a hint of eeriness.

Zhang Qiming pulled up the special department's investigation report and projected it in front of Chen Wu: "This is the underground structure of the Li Family Ancestral Home monitored by our satellites. Besides the recorded 'Origin Qi Energy Pool,' there is an unmarked 'secret room' with high-intensity Qi Energy fluctuations inside. It likely hides unspeakable secrets. Additionally, we found that the five ancient martial arts sects around Zhongnan Mountain did not attend the meeting voluntarily; they were coerced by the Li family using 'traditional martial arts Origin.' If they don't cooperate, their Leyline Qi Energy supply will be cut off." He paused, his tone becoming even more serious: "In summary, the Li family's invitation to you isn't to unite against the Spirit-Devourer at all. They want to use the strength of modern traditional martial arts to obtain the fusion jade, then monopolize the life-force Qi Energy of the inheritance grass, and they might even want to combine Dual-Energy with Spirit-Devouring Energy to create a stronger 'Evil Path Energy Technique' — the special department suggests you evacuate immediately, or at least maintain high vigilance and do not easily believe any of the Li family's promises!"

Chen Wu did not reply immediately but walked into the courtyard. The Flower Girl approached him holding the inheritance grass. The dark gold on the petals had completely faded, returning to a pale green, and the shadows reflected in the dewdrops became clearer — several figures dressed in black were patrolling the perimeter of the ancestral home, the accessories at their waists strikingly similar to the Spirit-Devouring Organization's 'Qi Energy Detectors.' "Teacher Chen, the inheritance grass is warning us," the Flower Girl's voice carried worry. "It senses an aura of 'greed' in the ancestral home's Qi Energy. It's not the pure Qi Energy that guardians of traditional martial arts should have."

In the global live broadcast's "Emergency Communication" feed (specially processed so only the team could see it), Zhang Qiming continued to add: "We've had Lu Feng's special department comrades disguise themselves as martial arts fans and stand by at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. If you need to evacuate, they can provide support within 10 minutes. Additionally, Lin Mo's tactical tablet has been upgraded with a 'Qi Energy Anomaly Monitoring' function. It can capture the Li family's Qi Energy fluctuations in real-time and will alert you immediately if any abnormalities are detected."

Chen Wu took a deep breath and made a decision: "We won't evacuate. We'll attend the exchange meeting tomorrow as scheduled. If the Li family really has a plot, we can beat them at their own game to uncover their goals and unite the coerced ancient martial arts sects to jointly oppose the Li family and the Spirit-Devouring Organization. But we must be prepared. We can no longer trust them passively; we must observe actively and look for evidence." He immediately notified Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan, Lu Feng, and the five martial arts fan representatives to hold an emergency meeting in the guest room, synchronizing the special department's intelligence with the inheritance grass's warning. A contest of "outward cooperation, inward vigilance" quietly began in the depths of the night at the Li Family Ancestral Home.

Section 2: Observing in Secret: The Li Family's Abnormal Behavior

The next morning, amidst the seemingly calm preparations in the courtyard of the Li Family Ancestral Home, eeriness was everywhere. Chen Wu's team members dispersed according to plan to observe the Li family's actions in secret. Lin Mo's tactical tablet recorded the entire process, transmitting the abnormal details to the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau in real-time.

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan used the excuse of "exchanging ancient martial arts texts" to follow Master Li Xuan into the archives. The ancient books inside were neatly arranged, but behind the shelf at the very back, he discovered a hidden secret door. A faint black Qi Energy seeped from the crack, sharing the same source as Spirit-Devouring Energy but being thinner. "Sect Master Li, what is behind this secret door?" Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan pretended to be curious and reached out to touch it, but Master Li Xuan immediately stepped forward to stop him, his tone stiff: "It's just a place for storing miscellaneous items, nothing worth seeing. Let's look at the texts on traditional martial arts resisting the Spirit-Devourer instead." His abnormal reaction was clearly recorded by Lin Mo's tablet. The "Qi Energy Fluctuation Monitoring" showed that Master Li Xuan's Qi Energy hit a distinct "tension peak" when Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan approached the secret door.

Lu Feng, on the other hand, was "sparring in energy techniques" with the Li family descendants Li Qing and Li Lan. When Li Qing performed the "Taiji Xingji Dual-Energy," he deliberately avoided the key details of the "Dual-Energy Flow." Whenever Lu Feng pressed for how the Dual-Energy could control both Hard and Soft Energy simultaneously, Li Qing would stall, saying it would be revealed at the exchange meeting. While practicing lightfoot techniques, Li Lan repeatedly approached the Flower Girl's guest room, her gaze always lingering on the inheritance grass's incubator. Lu Feng pretended not to notice but secretly set up "Qi Energy Induction Traps" around the guest room that would trigger an alarm if anyone approached.

Wang Lei and Amir used the excuse of "familiarizing themselves with the ancestral home's environment" to walk to the back mountain. The Leyline Qi Energy here was significantly thinner than at the front mountain, but in front of a hidden cave, they found a large number of fresh footprints. On the stone wall at the cave entrance, a "black totem" identical to the Spirit-Devouring Organization's was carved. Wang Lei secretly took a photo with his phone and sent it to Lin Mo: "This cave definitely has problems. It might be where the Li family makes contact with the Spirit-Devouring Organization!"

The most alarming discovery was made by Xiao Juan. While playing with Master Li Xuan's granddaughter, Li Yue, in the courtyard, she accidentally walked into a "weapon room." On the racks, besides ancient martial weapons, several modern devices were displayed, their screens showing "Spirit-Devouring Energy Analysis Data." Upon seeing this, Li Yue immediately pulled Xiao Juan away, saying flusteredly, "This is what Grandpa uses to 'study evil entities,' you can't look!" Xiao Juan told the details to Li Mengmeng, who immediately synchronized them to Chen Wu via the Qi Energy communicator: "The Li family isn't 'resisting evil entities' at all; they are 'studying Spirit-Devouring Energy.' This matches the special department's intelligence perfectly!"

In the global live broadcast's "Secret Observation" special (visible only to the team and the special department), Zhang Qiming's team was rapidly analyzing the collected evidence: "The black Qi Energy behind the secret door is detected to be a 'fused sample of Spirit-Devouring Energy and ancient martial Dual-Energy.' The totem in the cave matches the Spirit-Devouring Organization's 'Artificial Qi Energy Core' totem. The data on the devices shows that the Li family has already mastered a method to 'suppress Spirit-Devouring Energy with Dual-Energy' but is deliberately concealing it. Their goal is likely to use the exchange meeting to publicize an 'incomplete Dual-Energy Activation Method,' causing you to be injured by Dual-Energy instability when seizing the fusion jade, then seizing the inheritance grass to use its life-force Qi Energy to perfect the 'Dual-Energy - Spirit-Devouring Energy Fusion Technology,' and finally monopolizing the traditional martial arts Origin!"

Chen Wu looked at the analysis report, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What a scheme to kill with a borrowed knife and reap the benefits! Fortunately, we received the warning in advance, otherwise we really would have fallen into their trap." He immediately adjusted the plan: during the exchange meeting, Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan would be responsible for "questioning the completeness of the Dual-Energy Activation Method," Lu Feng would be responsible for "protecting the inheritance grass," Wang Lei and Amir would be responsible for "contacting the coerced ancient martial arts sects," Li Mengmeng and Xiao Juan would be responsible for "observing the reactions of the Li family descendants," and he himself would be responsible for "dealing with Master Li Xuan and finding an opportunity to expose the conspiracy."

Section 3: The Exchange Meeting: An Undercurrent of Contention

At 9:00 AM, the Martial Arts Exchange Meeting officially opened at the Li Family Ancestral Home's Martial Arts Arena. The representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects entered one by one, but their expressions were somewhat grave, forming a sharp contrast with the enthusiasm of the Li family descendants. Chen Wu's team members took their positions according to plan, quietly observing the scene. Lin Mo's tablet had enabled a "Global Live Broadcast Stealth Mode," transmitting every detail of the scene in real-time to the Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau and the special department so the truth could be revealed immediately if anything went wrong.

Master Li Xuan stood in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, holding a microphone, and said to the crowd: "The Martial Arts Exchange Meeting is held today to unite modern traditional martial arts and ancient martial arts to jointly oppose the Spirit-Devouring Organization and protect the traditional martial arts Origin. First, I will make the 'Taiji Xingji Dual-Energy Activation Method' public to help Mr. Chen Wu obtain the fusion jade!" He signaled Li Qing to step forward and demonstrate the basic movements of the Dual-Energy Activation Method. Li Qing's movements were fluid, but at the critical step of "Dual-Energy flowing to the Dantian," he deliberately slowed down, blurring the true path of the Qi Energy.

"Sect Master Li, if I may speak frankly," Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan suddenly spoke, his voice carrying across the Martial Arts Arena. "Your method for unlocking dual energies seems to lack the critical detail of 'Dual Energy Balance'. If practiced this way, it will likely cause a conflict between Hard and Soft Energy. At best, it leads to Qi Energy disorder; at worst, it damages the Dantian. This doesn't seem like 'helping us seize the fusion jade'—it feels more like you're 'harming us', doesn't it?" As soon as he spoke, the crowd erupted into an uproar. The representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects nodded one after another, clearly having noticed something was amiss long ago.

Master Li Xuan's expression turned ugly for an instant before he quickly regained his composure. "Grandmaster Yang, you worry too much. This is merely the 'Basic Version' of the dual energy unlocking method. The complete version requires the 'Vitality Qi Energy assistance of the inheritance grass' to ensure Dual Energy Balance. Mr. Chen Wu, as long as you temporarily hand over the inheritance grass to the Li family for safekeeping, I will immediately reveal the complete version. I can even take you to the Origin Qi Energy Pool to enhance your Qi Energy purity and help you successfully seize the fusion jade."

"As expected, it's for the inheritance grass!" Chen Wu sneered inwardly, but remained calm on the surface. "The inheritance grass is a symbol of the traditional martial arts Origin; it cannot be easily handed over to others. How about this? You reveal the complete dual energy unlocking method first, and we will verify its feasibility on-site. If it truly can safely unlock the fusion jade, I will then consider using the inheritance grass to assist the Origin Qi Energy Pool. After all, a joint resistance against the Spirit-Devourer requires mutual trust, not unilateral demands."

Master Li Xuan did not expect Chen Wu to be so direct and was momentarily speechless. The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena grew tense instantly. The Li family descendants quietly placed their hands on the weapons at their waists. Lu Feng and Wang Lei immediately stepped forward, shielding Chen Wu and the inheritance grass as Qi Energy quietly unfurled around them. Just then, Amir suddenly shouted, "Everyone, look at the back mountain!" Everyone looked toward the back mountain to see thick smoke billowing. The cave Wang Lei had discovered earlier was actually on fire, and black Qi Energy rose from the smoke, identical to Spirit-Devouring Energy.

"It's the Spirit-Devouring Organization! How did they find this place?" Master Li Xuan's face changed drastically as he shouted in panic, "Quick! Protect the Origin Qi Energy Pool!" His reaction completely exposed his guilty conscience. If the cave was merely for "storing miscellaneous items," why would it burst into flames now? If the Li family had no connection to the Spirit-Devouring Organization, why was he so nervous?

Chen Wu seized the opportunity and shouted to the crowd, "Don't let him deceive you! This fire wasn't started by the Spirit-Devouring Organization at all; the Li family set it themselves to destroy evidence of their contact with them! The Technical Department has already discovered that the Li family has been researching 'Dual Energy-Spirit-Devouring Energy Fusion Technology'. They invited us here just to use us to seize the fusion jade and then monopolize the inheritance grass!" He signaled Lin Mo to display the gathered evidence—Qi Energy samples from the hidden door, the cave totem, and equipment data—on the large screen in the Martial Arts Arena via holographic projection. "This evidence is enough to prove the Li family's conspiracy! They aren't guarding the traditional martial arts Origin at all; they are exploiting traditional martial arts and colluding with evil forces to monopolize its power!"

Section 4: The Truth Revealed: The Defection of the Ancient Martial Arts Sects and the Li Family's Collapse

The evidence on the large screen was like a heavy bomb exploding in the Martial Arts Arena. The representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects instantly understood the truth of how they were being "blackmailed." One of the leaders from a Wudang branch pointed angrily at Master Li Xuan. "I was wondering why you suddenly cut off our Leyline Qi Energy supply! It turns out it was to force us to cooperate with your conspiracy! Our ancient martial arts sects guard 'justice', not 'private interests'. We will never help you commit evil!"

Another high monk from a Shaolin branch folded his hands together. "Amitabha. The Li family has abandoned the original intention of traditional martial arts and colluded with evil forces; this is truly a disgrace to traditional martial arts! Today, our five sects are willing to join forces with modern traditional martial arts to expose the Li family's conspiracy and guard the traditional martial arts Origin!"

Seeing that the situation was lost, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Master Li Xuan's eyes. He shouted to the Li family descendants, "Seize the inheritance grass! Even if we can't get the complete dual energy technology, we must destroy it! It cannot fall into the hands of outsiders!" The Li family descendants immediately rushed toward the Flower Girl. Lu Feng and Amir were already prepared; Xingyi Hard Energy and Pyramid Qi Energy unfolded simultaneously, blocking them in place. Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan led the representatives of the ancient martial arts sects to seal the exits of the Martial Arts Arena, forming an encirclement.

"Master Li Xuan, you have no way out!" Chen Wu walked up to him as Four Symbols Qi Energy unfurled around his body. Pale gold Hard Energy and pale green Soft Energy intertwined, forming a "Yin and Yang Symbiosis" totem. "The power of traditional martial arts was never meant for seeking private gain or colluding with evil forces; it is meant for protecting others and resisting evil. If you confess the details of your contact with the Spirit-Devouring Organization now and hand over the research data, we can still treat you with leniency. Otherwise, what awaits you is the dual sanction of the traditional martial arts world and the Technical Department!"

Master Li Xuan looked at the surrounding crowd and then at the evidence on the large screen. He finally collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with despair. "I... I just wanted the Li family to become the 'sole guardian' of traditional martial arts. I wanted the dual energy to become the 'strongest energy technique.' That's why I researched Spirit-Devouring Energy and contacted the Spirit-Devouring Organization... I was wrong. I shouldn't have abandoned the original intention of traditional martial arts. I shouldn't have deceived everyone..."

Just then, members of the Technical Department suddenly rushed into the Martial Arts Arena. They had received Zhang Qiming's orders to provide immediate support when the Li family made their move. The leader was Lu Feng's comrade-in-arms. "Master Li Xuan, you are suspected of 'researching Evil Path energy techniques,' 'blackmailing ancient martial arts sects,' and 'secretly contacting the Spirit-Devouring Organization.' You are now officially under arrest. Come with us!"

The Li family's conspiracy was completely exposed. In the Flower Girl's arms, the inheritance grass bloomed again with a dazzling pale green light, dispelling the tense atmosphere of the Martial Arts Arena. The representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects took the initiative to propose cooperation with Chen Wu's team. "We are willing to reveal our respective ancient martial arts Legacies to help perfect the dual energy unlocking method, truly uniting with modern traditional martial arts to combat the Spirit-Devouring Organization and guard the traditional martial arts Origin!"

In the global live broadcast titled "The Truth Revealed" (which was now open to the world), viewers were shocked by this reversal. The comment section was filled with messages like "Thank goodness for the Technical Department's warning!" "Teacher Chen is too clever!" and "The defection of the ancient martial arts sects is so satisfying!" Data from the Technical Department showed that the global viewership for this event surpassed 230 billion. The topic of "traditional martial arts Justice" hit the top of the global trending lists within 10 minutes, with views exceeding 8 billion. Countless martial arts fans left comments like "Support the union of modern traditional martial arts and righteous ancient martial arts to severely punish the Evil Path!"

Section 5: Aftermath: A New Opportunity for Joint Resistance Against the Spirit-Devourer

After the Li family was arrested, Chen Wu's team and the representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects held the "traditional martial arts Joint Resistance Against Spirit-Devourer Meeting" at the Li Family Ancestral Home. The ancient martial arts sects revealed their core Legacies: the Wudang branch's "Taiji Soft Energy Balance Method," the Shaolin branch's "Zen Qi Energy Purification Technique," and the Emei Sect branch's "Women's Light Body Dual Energy Technique," among others. These Legacies perfectly filled the gaps in modern traditional martial arts, providing critical support for perfecting the "Dual Energy Unlocking Method."

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan and the representatives of the ancient martial arts sects jointly researched the "Complete Dual Energy Unlocking Method." With the assistance of the Origin Qi Energy Pool, they finally cracked the key to "Dual Energy Balance." "We need to guide Taiji Soft Energy and Xingyi Hard Energy into the Dantian through 'Zen Qi Energy,' then use the Vitality Qi Energy of the inheritance grass as a 'medium' to ensure the dual energies do not conflict while circulating. This way, we can safely unlock the fusion jade and maximize the purification effect of the dual energies, potentially even completely destroying the Spirit-Devouring Organization's 'Artificial Qi Energy Core'!"

Zhang Qiming announced via the Qi Energy communicator, "The Technical Department has taken over the Li Family Ancestral Home and seized all research equipment and Spirit-Devouring Energy samples. At the same time, a 'Qi Energy Defense Net' has been deployed around Zhongnan Mountain to prevent the Spirit-Devouring Organization from taking advantage of the situation to launch a sneak attack. The Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau will establish the 'Ancient-Modern traditional martial arts Joint Committee,' with Chen Wu serving as the director, to coordinate global traditional martial arts forces and jointly formulate a plan against the Spirit-Devourer."

The team members stood before the Origin Qi Energy Pool, looking at the pure Qi Energy rippling in the water, filled with emotion. Wang Lei said with a smile, "I didn't expect a 'Conspiracy Exchange Meeting' to turn into an 'Opportunity for Joint Resistance Against the Spirit-Devourer.' I guess this is what 'good prevailing over evil' looks like!" Amir nodded. "With the support of the ancient martial arts sects, we'll have more confidence in seizing the fusion jade and fighting the Spirit-Devouring Organization!" Xiao Juan, holding the "Qi Energy Induction Sword" given to her by Master Li Xuan's granddaughter, Li Yue, said softly, "I hope Sister Li Yue can understand that traditional martial arts isn't for doing evil. In the future, we can still practice Qinggong together."

The final frame of the global live broadcast stopped above the Origin Qi Energy Pool. Chen Wu and the representatives of the ancient martial arts sects placed their hands together in the Qi Energy pool. Modern traditional martial arts Qi Energy and ancient martial arts Qi Energy intertwined, forming a river of pale gold and pale green light. The inheritance grass bloomed by the pool, its eight-colored petals shimmering with dazzling light, reflecting the totem of "traditional martial arts Joint Resistance Against Spirit-Devourer." Orderly lines of text scrolled through the comments: "Special warnings break the plot, Ancient and Modern join hands; traditional martial arts justice will surely win, march forward against the Spirit-Devouring evil!"

230 billion viewers lit up their screens simultaneously, forming a "River of traditional martial arts Justice Light" that crossed national borders. Intertwining with the sunlight of Zhongnan Mountain, it illuminated the new journey of the joint resistance against the Spirit-Devourer. Chen Wu knew that although the Li family's conspiracy had been thwarted, the battle against the Spirit-Devourer had only just begun. With the support of the Technical Department, the alliance of righteous ancient martial arts sects, and the trust of global martial arts fans, they would surely seize the fusion jade, destroy the core of the Spirit-Devouring Organization, and protect the future of traditional martial arts, letting the light of justice illuminate every corner of the world.