224: clue

The Chusheng Sect Disciples who surrounded them all looked stern, each gripping their longswords tightly, yet not one of them drew their blade.

They knew well that rashly drawing a sword without orders was an active display of hostility and would very likely escalate the conflict.

As a subordinate, the most important thing was not to take any overstepping actions.

Lin Xiuqin also stopped her movements. "Who are you, Fellow Daoist? Why were you lurking here?"

Ye Hao's expression was indifferent. Facing dozens of scrutinizing gazes, he still replied calmly, "The two of us are from the Dao Seeking Sect."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the empty village. "As for why we came to this Bishui Village, our purpose is the same as yours: to investigate what happened to the villagers here that caused them all to disappear."

The detained Su Yue's eyes lit up, and she shouted, "Young Master Ye, Young Master Li!"

Seeing that the other party knew the woman, Lin Xiuqin raised her hand, and only then did the Disciples around her release her.

She was expressing her goodwill.

Su Yue rubbed her aching arms, quickly ran behind Ye Hao, and cautiously peeked out with half her head.

"Dao Seeking Sect? Could you two be the Daoist Friend Ye and Daoist Friend Li who became famous during the Demon Slaying Trial a while ago?"

Lin Xiuqin stared at the two men before her, feigning composure.

If it really were those two, and if the rumors were true, then they were truly extraordinary—being able to slay Nascent Soul Yao Race while only at the Golden Core Realm.

Such a feat was something even she couldn't achieve, and the same applied to the Senior Brother beside her.

And that slightly dark-skinned man was a powerhouse at around the Nascent Soul Seventh Layer.

Ye Hao was stunned for a moment, then nodded and asked back.

"I wonder which force you all belong to? Why have you also come to Bishui Village to investigate the disappearance of the villagers?"

Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin exchanged a look. Seeing that Ye Hao and his companion showed no hostility and had clear identities, they no longer hid anything.

The two of them cupped their fists in greeting simultaneously, their tone respectful yet dignified. "My companion and I, along with the other Junior Brothers, are all from the Tianque Sect. We were ordered by our Sect to investigate the anomalies in Bishui Village and the surrounding villages to uncover the truth behind the villagers' disappearances."

When traveling abroad, if one encounters a Cultivator with a higher cultivation base than oneself,

it is best to announce one's Sect's reputation. Firstly, it can provide a small measure of deterrence, and secondly, it is a gesture of goodwill.

Especially for Disciples of major Sects, they are bound to cross paths sooner or later.

Of course, if the other party has a grudge against one's Sect, then one can only consider themselves unlucky.

Ye Hao was slightly taken aback and looked at their clothing again. He hadn't expected them to be from the Tianque Sect, one of the Three Major Sects.

Are they also investigating this matter?

Just as Ye Hao was lost in thought,

Zhao Jingchen took a step forward, his smile warm and gentle. "Since your purpose is the same as ours, Fellow Daoist, why don't we exchange information? Our goals are aligned, and working in isolation might lead to mistakes."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xiuqin beside him softly called out:

"Senior Brother."

Her brow furrowed slightly. Su Yue's Qi Refining Second Layer cultivation base was no different from an ant in her eyes and was nothing to fear.

But either of the two men before her was not a simple character.

With such a rash contact, who knew what their intentions were?

One must always be on guard!

Ye Hao smiled. "Exchanging information won't be necessary."

He changed the subject, his gaze passing over Zhao Jingchen and then over the wary Lin Xiuqin, as he said slowly:

"However, Fellow Daoist was quite kind to my friend just now, so I will give you a piece of information as a thank-you gift."

Zhao Jingchen hurriedly cupped his hands. "Please speak, Fellow Daoist."

"The next village where something will happen is Pingquan Village, seven hundred li southeast of this Bishui Village."

Ye Hao's voice trailed off. He said no more and turned to give Su Yue a look.

"Let's go."

Su Yue quickly followed, and the three of them turned and walked out of the village.

The dozen or so people brought by Zhao Jingchen looked at each other, all turning to their Young Lord. Seeing him raise his hand to signal them not to stop them,

they all lowered their guard and allowed the three of them to walk away.

"Pingquan Village?" Zhao Jingchen murmured in a low voice.

After a moment's thought, he looked up at the people behind him and said decisively:

"We are going too. Set off immediately and lie in wait in Pingquan Village before the incident occurs."

"Senior Brother, do you really believe his words?"

Lin Xiuqin's brow was tightly furrowed. "Those two are of unknown origin and have profound cultivation bases. Who knows if this information is a deliberate misdirection?"

Zhao Jingchen slowly shook his head, then nodded. "I believe it and I don't!"

His gaze swept across the surrounding houses.

"The previous villages we investigated were either consumed by fire or reduced to ruins, without a single clue to be found. Only in this Bishui Village have we finally made some progress."

"Since we've finally found a lead, we can't just let it go."

He paused and added, "Even if it's a trap, we have to investigate. It's better than sitting here waiting for death."

"But..."

Lin Xiuqin still wanted to dissuade him.

Seeing this, Zhao Jingchen's tone softened slightly.

"If you're worried, Junior Sister, why don't you return to the Sect first and inform Revered Master about the soul refining primordial pill? I can go to Pingquan Village alone."

Lin Xiuqin hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.

With a wave of her delicate hand, she took out a golden Talisman from her storage ring and handed it to Zhao Jingchen.

"Then Senior Brother must be very careful. This is an instant shadow thousand zhang talisman. If you encounter danger, don't force it; just use it to escape."

After a pause, she added another sentence.

"After I return to the Sect, I will immediately come looking for you. Remember to return this treasure to me then."

Zhao Jingchen took the Talisman and nodded. "Thank you, Junior Sister."

Seeing Zhao Jingchen accept the Talisman, Lin Xiuqin couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Speaking of which, the soul refining primordial pill is a rare medicine for repairing the Divine Soul. I really don't understand why Revered Master specifically asked us to inquire about its whereabouts."

...On the other side!

After Ye Hao and the others left Bishui Village, they headed toward Yunxi City.

Li Pingan said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother, were those words you said just now intended to use the Tianque Sect to investigate this matter?"

A faint smile played on Ye Hao's lips, and his tone was casual.

"It was just a casual move."

He paused and continued, "If those dozen or so people are truly here to investigate the Bishui Village incident, they naturally won't ignore the information about Pingquan Village."

Li Pingan nodded upon hearing this and asked, "Are we going to Pingquan Village now?"

Ye Hao glanced at the hemp-clothed girl walking silently beside him and paused slightly. "No rush. Let's return to the inn in Yunxi City first."

"It just so happens there are some things I need to ask Miss Su."

Su Yue looked up, her expression becoming more serious.

"Young Master Ye, thank you again for saving me this time. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have lost my life long ago."

Ye Hao smiled. "Before you say that, you should wipe the grease off your mouth first."

"You were tracking your Revered Master, and you ended up sneaking food here in Bishui Village?"

Su Yue looked embarrassed, but she still explained, "It wasn't sneaking food; I left some silver on that family's table."

Is that the point?

Ye Hao asked with a serious expression, "Was your... Revered Master captured and brought to the Rain God Continent?"