229: Chapter 229 Shadows Emerge

On the third day after the first batch of evacuation from the Meteor Minor Realm, a communication talisman from the Investigation Department suddenly burst into sound.

When Shen Zhao hurried back from the construction site to the Council Hall, Director Su Yun was already standing before the star map, her complexion as pale as paper.

She was holding a shattered Jade Slip in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Shen Yuan sat beside the main seat with his brows tightly locked, his white hair appearing exceptionally glaring amidst the spiritual light.

The three Chief Elders had also arrived; the Grand Elder leaned on a cane, the Second Elder wore a solemn expression, and the Third Elder remained silent.

Representatives from various domains arrived one after another, and the Council Hall was soon filled with people.

No one spoke, and the air was permeated with a heavy oppression as if a storm was about to arrive.

Shen Zhao walked to the front of the main seat and looked at Director Su Yun: "Director Su, what happened?"

Director Su Yun took a deep breath and placed the Jade Slip fragments in her hand onto the table.

"The Investigation Department captured someone near the teleportation Formation of the Cangwu Domain."

She raised her hand, and an image materialized on the star map.

In the image, a person dressed in a black robe was being escorted by several Disciples of the Investigation Department, their face blurry and indistinct.

"This person sneaked into the core area of the teleportation Formation in the middle of the night, attempting to carve destructive runes on the Formation base. The patrolling Disciples discovered it in time and subdued him."

Shen Zhao's brows furrowed: "Someone is sabotaging the teleportation Formation again? Is it related to Lin Feng's case from before?"

Director Su Yun shook her head: "It's different. Lin Feng was afraid to leave and acted foolishly for a moment. This person is different."

She raised her hand, and the image switched.

A recording was projected from the Jade Slip fragments, showing the interrogation record of that black-robed person.

"What is your name? Who sent you?"

The black-robed person lowered his head and did not speak.

"It's useless even if you don't speak; the Investigation Department has plenty of ways to make you talk."

The black-robed person suddenly raised his head, revealing an eerie smile.

"You think that destroying these few teleportation Formations can stop the evacuation? Too naive."

His eyes were scarlet red, without pupils, filled only with endless madness.

"Long live the Shadow Society."

As his voice fell, his body suddenly expanded and then exploded.

Flesh and blood splattered everywhere; the Disciples in the interrogation room were blasted away, collapsing to the ground heavily injured.

The recording ended here.

There was dead silence inside the Council Hall.

Everyone stared at the shattered Jade Slip, a chill surging in their hearts.

Shadow Society.

A name they had never heard of before.

Shen Zhao looked at Director Su Yun: "What kind of organization is the Shadow Society? Does the Investigation Department have any records?"

Director Su Yun opened the file in her hand and shook her head.

"None. In the archives of the Investigation Department, there are no records whatsoever regarding the 'Shadow Society'. This organization seems to have appeared out of thin air."

Shen Yuan's voice came from beside the main seat, hoarse and deep.

"It didn't appear out of thin air. Someone has been operating in the dark all along, it's just that we didn't know."

He stood up and walked to the star map, leaning on his cane.

"Back then, when your parents were betrayed, it was also done by such an organization hidden in the shadows. Perhaps it is the exact same one."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Mo Chen. Shadow Society.

Is there any connection between the two?

He looked at Director Su Yun: "Has the identity of that person who self-detonated been investigated and clarified?"

Director Su Yun nodded and took a piece of paper from the file.

"It has been investigated. His name is Zhao Wuji, a Disciple of the 489th generation of the Guardian Academy, who was expelled three years ago for violating academy rules. His whereabouts were unknown afterward, and I didn't expect him to have joined the Shadow Society."

Shen Zhao took that page of paper and looked at the records on it.

Zhao Wuji, 320 years old, Late Stage Golden Core cultivation, proficient in Formations.

Expelled three years ago for privately selling confidential intelligence of the Guardian Academy, whereabouts unknown.

"When he was in the Guardian Academy, what secrets did he come into contact with?"

Director Su Yun flipped through the file, her expression growing increasingly solemn.

"He once studied in the Array Hall for three years and came into contact with some design blueprints of the teleportation Formation. Although it was only peripheral information, it was enough for him to find a way to sabotage it."

Shen Zhao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

The design blueprints of the teleportation Formation were top secret, accessible only by Core Disciples of the Array Hall.

Zhao Wuji being able to study in the Array Hall for three years showed that he was once a trusted person.

Such a person joining the Shadow Society indicated that the infiltration of the Shadow Society was deeper than they had imagined.

"Director Su, starting from today, everyone who has come into contact with the design of the teleportation Formation must be re-investigated. This includes current Array Hall Disciples."

Director Su Yun solemnly nodded: "Understood."

Shen Yuan returned to sit beside the main seat, his expression fatigued.

"Zhao'er, the goal of the Shadow Society is very obvious, which is to disrupt the evacuation. They do not want anyone to leave."

Shen Zhao nodded, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"Therefore, we must stay ahead of them. The evacuation speed must be accelerated, and the guards of the teleportation Formation must be doubled. The Investigation Department must spare no effort to track down the whereabouts of the Shadow Society, find their lair, and wipe them out in one go."

Representatives from various domains rose one after another, acknowledging in unison.

After the meeting ended, Shen Zhao did not rest, but went straight to the Investigation Department.

Director Su Yun was already busy in front of the star map, and seeing him arrive, she hurriedly greeted him.

"Shen Zhao, the Investigation Department has found some clues."

She raised her hand, and several flickering light points materialized on the star map.

"Before Zhao Wuji self-detonated, he had appeared in these locations in the Sea of Stars. The Investigation Department is tracking his activity trajectory, and we might be able to find a stronghold of the Shadow Society."

Shen Zhao looked at those light points with tightly furrowed brows.

Those locations were all very remote; some were at the edge of the Sea of Stars, while others were in desolate meteorite belts.

The Shadow Society was hidden very deeply, and it wasn't so easy to find them.

"Director Su, continue tracking. Report immediately upon any discoveries."

Director Su Yun nodded: "Yes."

Shen Zhao turned around and walked out of the Investigation Department.

The night wind blew past, its chill penetrating the bones.

He stood before the Monument of Heroes, gazing at the seven-colored light at the top of the monument.

"Seniors, the Shadow Society has appeared. They are sabotaging the teleportation Formation and do not want anyone to leave. This Disciple does not know how many people they have or what their purpose is. But this Disciple will not let them succeed."

The light at the top of the monument leaped gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao knelt before the monument and bowed deeply.

Then he stood up and walked toward the construction site.

There were still many things to do, and no time for sentimentality.

Over the next few days, the Investigation Department spared no effort to track down the whereabouts of the Shadow Society.

Director Su Yun dispatched the most elite investigation team deep into various parts of the Sea of Stars.

They visited everyone Zhao Wuji had contacted during his lifetime and rummaged through every record he left behind.

Finally, on the seventh day, the Investigation Department locked onto a suspicious location.

That was an abandoned mining star located within the meteorite belt in the eastern part of the Sea of Stars.

The mining star once possessed rich Spiritual Vein resources, but they had been mined to exhaustion centuries ago, and now it was completely deserted.

When the star skiff of the investigation team patrolled the outer perimeter of the mining star, it captured faint spiritual power fluctuations.

The fluctuations were very concealed; if not specifically searched for, they would not be discovered at all.

When Director Su Yun reported this discovery to Shen Zhao, he was inspecting the teleportation Formation in the Lingxi Realm.

"Shen Zhao, the Investigation Department has found a suspected stronghold of the Shadow Society. It's on the abandoned mining star in the eastern part of the Sea of Stars."

Shen Zhao put down the Formation Flag in his hand, his expression solemn.

"This Disciple will go take a look."

Director Su Yun wanted to dissuade him, but Shen Zhao stopped her with a wave of his hand.

"Director Su, this Disciple is a Guardian. This is this Disciple's duty."

Director Su Yun looked at him and finally nodded.

"Be careful. Bring a communication talisman, and communicate immediately if anything happens."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to walk toward the Star Port.

An hour later, the spacetime flying boat rose from the Star Port and sped away toward the eastern part of the Sea of Stars.

Seven-colored light circulated around the hull of the boat, its speed reaching the ultimate limit.

In less than two hours, the flying boat arrived at the outer perimeter of that abandoned mining star.

Looking from afar, the surface of the mining star was pockmarked, with deep pits left behind from mining everywhere.

There was no vegetation, no water source, and no signs of Life whatsoever.

But Shen Zhao's seven-colored power perceived faint spiritual power fluctuations.

The fluctuations came from deep within the mining star; they were concealed, but they truly existed.

He had the flying boat land on the surface of the mining star and stepped out of the cabin door.

The ground of the mining star was covered with a thick layer of grayish-white dust, emitting a rustling sound when stepped upon.

The air was permeated with a decaying aura, making one want to vomit.

Shen Zhao circulated his seven-colored power, forming a barrier on the surface of his body to isolate that aura.

He walked toward the direction of the spiritual power fluctuations, passing through one deep pit after another.

After walking for about half an hour, a huge mine cave entrance appeared ahead.

The entrance was very wide, enough to accommodate ten people entering side by side.

Inside the cave, it was pitch black, and the bottom could not be seen.

The spiritual power fluctuations were coming from deep within the mine cave.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath and stepped into the mine cave.

The mine cave was very deep; the deeper he walked, the denser that decaying aura became.

On the cave walls, some broken runes could occasionally be seen, left behind by the miners back then.

The runes had already grown dim, losing all power.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, a faint light appeared ahead.

That light was very pale, so pale it was almost imperceptible, yet it was exceptionally eye-catching in the darkness.

Shen Zhao quickened his pace and walked toward that light.

When he passed through the last passageway, the scene before his eyes made him stop his footsteps.

That was a huge underground space, a full hundred zhang in radius.

In the center of the space stood a black altar.

The altar was ten zhang tall, constructed entirely from some unknown black stone material.

The surface of the altar was densely engraved with runes, which were slowly circulating and emitting an eerie red light.

Around the altar knelt dozens of black-robed people.

They lowered their heads, put their hands together, and chanted incantations.

On their bodies, all of them emanated a faint power of shadow.

Shadow Society.

Shen Zhao clenched the qinglian sword, injecting his seven-colored power into the blade.

The blade emitted a clear and resonant sword hum, and the cyan light illuminated the entire underground space.

The black-robed people raised their heads simultaneously and looked at Shen Zhao.

Their eyes were all scarlet red, without pupils, filled only with endless madness.

"The Guardian has come."

The leading black-robed person stood up, his voice hoarse.

"Kill him!"

Dozens of black-robed people pounced toward Shen Zhao simultaneously, the power of shadow transforming into countless black tentacles surging from all directions.

Shen Zhao did not dodge or evade, slashing out with the qinglian sword.

The seven-colored sword Qi transformed into a colossal dragon of ten thousand zhang, charging straight at those tentacles.

The colossal dragon opened its huge mouth and swallowed the tentacles one by one.

Black blood gushed out, staining the ground red.

The screams of the black-robed people rose one after another, shrill and despairing.

But their numbers were too large, impossible to kill completely.

Shen Zhao's power was rapidly depleting, and his complexion grew increasingly pale.

But he did not stop, because he knew.

These people were the lackeys of the Shadow Society.

They had sabotaged the teleportation Formation and almost caused countless commoners to die.

They deserved to die.

He gritted his teeth, erupting his seven-colored power to the fullest.

The qinglian sword slashed out a second sword, the seven-colored sword Qi transforming into countless sword images, pouring down like a rainstorm.

The sword images pierced through the bodies of the black-robed people, completely purifying their power of shadow.

One black-robed person after another fell, transforming into grayish-white light points and dissipating.

When the last black-robed person fell, the runes on the altar suddenly lit up.

The red light surged violently, illuminating the entire underground space.

In the center of the altar, a figure was slowly condensing.

That was a middle-aged man with a thin face and a sinister gaze.

He wore a black robe and held a black staff in his hand.

Inset at the top of the staff was a black crystal, which contained dense power of shadow.

"Guardian, you have finally come."

His voice was hoarse, like metal rubbing together.

Shen Zhao gripped the qinglian sword, looking at him coldly.

"Who are you?"

The middle-aged man laughed, his smile incomparably disdainful.

"This seat is Moyuan, the Deputy Leader of the Shadow Society."

Moyuan.

Surname Mo.

Shen Zhao's heart sank abruptly.

"What relation is Mo Chen to you?"

Moyuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You actually know Mo Chen? It seems that old thing Shen Yuan has told you quite a lot of things."

A chilling glint flashed in Shen Zhao's eyes.

"Mo Chen betrayed this Disciple's parents. Are you and your Shadow Society his lackeys?"

Moyuan shook his head, a trace of an eerie smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"No, you got it backward. Mo Chen is not the master of the Shadow Society, nor is the Shadow Society Mo Chen's lackey. Mo Chen is the founder of the Shadow Society."

Shen Zhao's hand trembled slightly.

Mo Chen, the Chosen One of the fifth cycle, the Chief Disciple of the 472nd generation of the Guardian Academy.

He founded the Shadow Society and operated it in secret for tens of thousands of years.

He betrayed Shen Zhao's parents and destroyed the hopes of countless people.

He was the source of all this.

"Where is Mo Chen?"

Moyuan laughed, laughing incomparably madly.

"You will never find him. The master's cultivation far exceeds your imagination. You can't even beat me, yet you still want to see the master?"

He raised his staff, and the power of shadow gushed out from the crystal, transforming into a black colossal dragon that charged straight at Shen Zhao.

Shen Zhao advanced instead of retreating, slashing out with the qinglian sword.

The seven-colored sword Qi collided with the black colossal dragon, bursting forth dazzling sparks.

The colossal dragon was slashed to pieces, transforming into countless black light points and dissipating.

Moyuan was shaken back by the backlash, black blood overflowing from his mouth.

Surprise flashed in his eyes.

"How is this possible? Your power..."

Shen Zhao did not give him a chance to speak, slashing out with the qinglian sword once again.

This time, the sword Qi condensed into a sword of ten thousand zhang, piercing straight toward the center of Moyuan's brows.

Moyuan desperately resisted, holding the staff horizontally across his chest.

The sword Qi pierced through the staff, driving straight into the center of Moyuan's brows.

Moyuan let out a shrill scream, his body beginning to disintegrate.

His eyes were filled with unwillingness, staring fixedly at Shen Zhao.

"The master... will not let you off..."

As his voice fell, his body completely dissipated, transforming into grayish-black light points.

Shen Zhao put away the qinglian sword, breathing heavily.

His complexion was as pale as paper, and more than half of the seven-colored power within his body had been consumed.

But he did not fall, because he could not fall.

He walked to the altar, raised his hand, and seven-colored power gushed out from his palm.

The runes on the altar began to flicker, the red light growing increasingly dim.

In the end, the altar collapsed with a roar, transforming into a pile of rubble.

This stronghold of the Shadow Society was completely destroyed.

Shen Zhao turned around and walked out of the mine cave.

The sunlight was glaring, and he squinted his eyes.

The flying boat was still parked there, waiting for him.

He boarded the flying boat and flew in the direction of Yongning City.

Standing before the porthole, he gazed at the mining star growing increasingly distant behind him.

Mo Chen, the founder of the Shadow Society, the Chosen One of the fifth cycle.

He hid in the dark, waiting for the right moment.

Shen Zhao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

He must find Mo Chen.

He must ask clearly why he betrayed his parents back then.

The flying boat sped through the Sea of Stars, arriving at Yongning City in less than two hours.

Shen Yuan stood on the Star Port, his white hair fluttering in the wind.

Seeing Shen Zhao step out of the cabin door, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"You're back?"

"I'm back."

"Are you injured?"

"No."

Shen Yuan nodded and turned to walk toward the Council Hall.

"Let's go, the representatives from various domains are all waiting for you."

Shen Zhao followed behind him with firm steps.

Inside the Council Hall, representatives from various domains had already gathered.

Director Su Yun stood before the star map, holding a thick stack of files in her hands.

The three Chief Elders sat in the front row with solemn expressions.

Shen Zhao walked to the front of the main seat, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"The stronghold of the Shadow Society has been destroyed, and the Deputy Leader Moyuan has been slain by this Disciple."

Gasps of astonishment rang out inside the grand hall.

Shen Zhao raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"But the Shadow Society still exists. Their founder Mo Chen is still hidden in the dark. The Investigation Department must continue tracking and find Mo Chen's whereabouts. The guards of the teleportation Formation must be doubled, and the Shadow Society must not be given any further opportunity to exploit."

Representatives from various domains rose one after another, acknowledging in unison.

After the meeting ended, Shen Zhao did not rest, but went straight to the Monument of Heroes.

He knelt before the monument, gazing at the seven-colored light at the top of the monument.

"Seniors, this Disciple has found the stronghold of the Shadow Society and killed their Deputy Leader. But Mo Chen has not been found yet. He is the Chosen One of the fifth cycle, who has lived for tens of thousands of years. This Disciple does not know where he is or how strong he is. But this Disciple will definitely find him."

The light at the top of the monument leaped gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao bowed deeply and then stood up.

In the distance, on the Martial Arts Arena of the Guardian Academy, young Disciples were practicing their swordplay.

Sword lights were like a rainbow, and the shouts of killing shook the heavens.