213: Mo Chenggui's Probing

Within the pillar of light, a figure slowly emerged.

The leader was dressed in the iconic green brocade robe with gold patterns of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce, cinched with a jade belt. He had an elegant appearance with a three-strand beard and a warm, peaceful gaze, resembling a wealthy scholar well-versed in literature. Yet, his body faintly radiated an aura as deep as the ocean; he was none other than the Southern Region Inspector—Mo Chenggui.

He was followed by two attendants, a man and a woman.

The man stood straight as a spear, with a cold face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. His aura was as heavy as a mountain, clearly marking him as an Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator!

The woman was charmingly pretty, dressed like a Young Miss from a prestigious family. Her features were delicate, and her aura was restrained. She walked with light steps, exuding the air of a noble lady.

Judging by their bearing, they were surely from prominent families, likely accompanying him on this trip to broaden their horizons.

Mo Chenggui stepped down the azure bridge of light at a leisurely pace, as if strolling through a garden. A warm smile graced his face, as if the bloody display of authority beneath the city walls had never occurred.

His gaze swept over Poison Fang's corpse on the ground and flickered toward the group of Poison Scorpion Cultists who were as quiet as cicadas in winter. His eyes remained calm as they finally landed on Situ Jun, his smile deepening.

“City Lord Situ has impressive methods; seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. Such thunderous means to guard a region—Mo is truly impressed. Although the Poison Scorpion Cult is a minor sect, it has run rampant in the Western Region for a long time, leaving the commoners to suffer in silence. This scoundrel was even more arrogant. By removing this evil for the people, the City Lord has truly brought fortune to the citizens of East Lin City.”

His tone sounded incredibly sincere, as if he were praising from the bottom of his heart.

However, the phrase 'guarding a region' carried a subtle, scrutinizing undertone—as the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, was it truly legitimate for him to come to East Lin City to 'guard' it?

Situ Jun did not take the bait regarding the 'guarding' probe at all. His expression remained unchanged as he gave a slight nod, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

“It is my duty; I do not deserve the Inspector's excessive praise.”

He shifted the conversation, cutting directly to the point.

“I wonder what brings Inspector Mo to East Lin City? If it were merely to visit City Lord Wang, I doubt such a grand entrance would be necessary.”

Mo Chenggui laughed heartily and stroked his beard.

“City Lord Situ is a straightforward man. To be honest, I do indeed have important matters on this trip. Firstly, the Chamber of Commerce plans to hold a large-scale auction in Tianqi soon. The location hasn't been finalized, and East Lin City has an excellent location with great potential. I've come specifically to conduct a field survey to see if it qualifies to host it.”

He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping over Situ Jun's face randomly, while a nearly imperceptible glint flashed deep within his warm eyes.

“Secondly... the Chamber has received intelligence that a powerhouse's Legacy has recently emerged in the Southern Border, drawing much attention. Although my Qingyun Chamber of Commerce is fundamentally business-oriented, we must pay attention to such major events involving the Luck of Heaven and Earth that could influence the regional landscape. After all, the paths of commerce require a peaceful world to prosper. Since City Lord Situ is stationed here, do you have any insights to share regarding the recent situation in the Southern Border? Especially... information regarding Daoist Ming Ya's Legacy?”

His final sentence was like a stone thrown into water, shattering the surface calm.

Situ Jun's eyes narrowed slightly.

As expected, Mo Chenggui had come for the Ming Ya Legacy!

The so-called survey of the auction location was merely a convenient excuse.

By directly mentioning 'Daoist Ming Ya's Legacy,' he was both testing him and applying invisible pressure—the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce's intelligence network had already seen through everything. In fact, some of the information had been intentionally released by them to draw in various heroes.

“The Inspector is well-informed.”

Situ Jun's tone remained flat, devoid of emotion, as he continued.

“There are indeed some rumors in the Southern Border, but most are just chasing shadows. My duty as City Lord is primarily to maintain order in East Lin City and ensure regional peace. As for the ownership of the Legacy, it depends on fate and cannot be forced by human effort. As long as the city regulations are not violated and the commoners are not troubled, I, Situ Jun, am happy to see talents from all paths gather here.”

His words both stated his position of maintaining order and drew a clear line of non-interference in the struggle, while also hiding a warning—they must follow the rules of East Lin City.

At the same time, by preemptively bringing up the label of 'troubling the commoners,' he blocked any potential excuses the other party might have later.

A flash of admiration crossed Mo Chenggui's eyes, and his smile became even warmer.

“City Lord Situ is truly righteous, keeping the common people in mind; Mo admires that. The Chamber also acts with harmony as the priority and follows the law. Rest assured, City Lord, whether the auction is held in East Lin City or however the winds change in the Southern Border, my Qingyun Chamber of Commerce will be a maintainer of order, not a destroyer.”

He shifted the topic, seemingly casually mentioning:

“By the way, that ice-based Divine Ability the City Lord displayed earlier was exquisite and matchless in power. It actually showed traces of the 'Ice Concept.' I wonder under which grandmaster the City Lord studied? I have traveled far and wide and have a great interest in the world's extraordinary techniques and methods. My curiosity is piqued; I hope the City Lord won't mind enlightening me.”

The topic had suddenly turned to Situ Jun's Cultivation Technique!

This seemingly casual inquiry actually hid a sharp edge, intended to probe Situ Jun's background and history!

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a nearby tavern.

The Senior Sister from the Xihua Sect, with her cold, moon-like aura, still had her gaze firmly locked on the city tower, taking in the conversation between Mo Chenggui and Situ Jun.

When she heard the words 'Ice Concept,' a brilliant light suddenly erupted in her cold eyes!

“Ice Concept?!”

She whispered in a low voice, filled with unbelievable shock.

“This is an existence comparable to the Five Elements Concepts! It is an intent that only a Soul Transformation Cultivator can touch. And the comprehension of a Concept is something that might not appear once in ten thousand years! How could he possibly...”

The young girl beside her also covered her small mouth, her large eyes wide with shock.

“Senior Sister, then, then doesn't that mean...”

The cold Senior Sister took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy waves in her heart. Her gaze became incredibly sharp and solemn.

“If what he used was truly the Ice Concept... then this man's talent is likely even more unfathomable than we imagined! That bastard Zhuang Xian... what kind of big brother did he actually acknowledge?!”

Her gaze toward Situ Jun changed completely, filled with inquiry, wariness, and a trace of... excitement that even she hadn't noticed.

Atop the city tower.

Facing Mo Chenggui's sudden probe into his Cultivation Technique, Situ Jun's expression remained as calm as a deep well, as if the other party had only asked about today's weather.

Meeting Mo Chenggui's seemingly gentle but actually searching gaze, the cold arc at the corner of his mouth seemed to deepen slightly. His tone was indifferent yet carried an unquestionable distance.

“It was just a minor skill of mine, obtained by a stroke of Luck, not worth mentioning. As for my lineage... I am but a Loose Cultivator from the mountains, with no sect or school. I've made the Inspector laugh at me.”

A Loose Cultivator from the mountains? No sect or school?

The smile on Mo Chenggui's face faltered slightly, and an indescribable ripple flashed deep in his eyes.

An expert who could instantly kill a Mid Golden Core Stage Cultivator and was suspected of mastering the 'Ice Concept' claimed to be a Loose Cultivator from the mountains?

This perfunctory excuse was even more unfathomable than a direct refusal!

Even the terrified Loose Cultivators beneath the city gate felt like rolling their eyes upon hearing this.

A 'Loose Cultivator' who could one-shot a Mid Golden Core Stage? Who are you kidding!

The smile on Mo Chenggui's face remained flawless, as if he had long expected this answer, showing no embarrassment at all.

He gently smoothed the exquisite gold-threaded cloud patterns on his sleeve, his posture elegant and composed.

“Haha, City Lord Situ is too modest. Among the mountains and wilds, there are also true dragons.”

Mo Chenggui was indeed a great merchant who had weathered many storms; he adjusted instantly, his laughter remaining hearty as if the probe just now had never happened.