Chapter 1367: Next Target

Chapter 1367: Chapter 1367: Next Target

Such a large quantity and so many suspicious points are bound to reveal some clues upon investigation. Hidden too well? But these ordinary people’s disappearances are considered trivial matters by the various sects. Pei Yan understands this and is too lazy to say much more. After all, this is a matter concerning the Daoist Plane. Just by pointing it out, he believes they’ll pay attention to this after the incident.

"Continue the investigation and find the weaknesses of the Devouring Demon to devise a strategy to restrain it. Also, disseminate this information to other planes, and notify them to pay attention to matters of population disappearance. In the Foundation Plane, the divine realm attempted to convert ordinary people into extraordinary beings. In the Daoist Plane, attempts were made to create the Devouring Demon, and similar attempts were made in the Spirit Monster Plane. I suspect the other two planes are no exception; see if any clues can be found through this angle." Pei Yan raised his hand and provided his suggestion.

"Yes!"

After sending off Xiang Zixiong, who was ordered to deliver the message, Pei Yan was left in deep thought. From the conversation earlier, he learned that over the past few days, a series of changes had indeed caused a great stir in the Daoist Plane. A super sect from the Immortal Palace was annihilated instantly, and all its past deeds were laid bare before the sects, causing those with connections to them to be on edge. Meanwhile, Celestial Sword Manor was cleared of suspicion, simultaneously entering the Immortal Palace with the Embroidered Robe Envoy, bringing a sliver of hope to apprehensive sects. According to the decree announced to the world by His Majesty the Spirit Emperor, although the Embroidered Robe Envoy will reside in the Immortal Palace, it will be an independent investigative agency outside of the Six Mansions, without affecting their status, which implies that one mansion remains vacant.

From analyzing the messages released these days within the palace, it seems His Majesty the Spirit Emperor intends to select a suitable sect to fill this vacancy ahead of the war, enhancing the strength of the Immortal Palace to better lead sects globally. Besides demonstrating overwhelming strength, the most critical requirement for residency is loyalty and high transparency in sect affairs to the Immortal Palace. The former is something powerful sects can certainly display, even if they can’t accomplish it immediately, but the latter is challenging. High transparency means high control; which sect doesn’t have some secrets? It’s like feeling someone tightening their grip around their throat.

If it were in the past, sects might resist such demands, urging the existing Six Mansions of the Immortal Palace to pressure His Majesty the Spirit Emperor to relax the rules. But now, considering the betrayal of two sects within the Immortal Palace, and infiltrations by Bloodshackle spies into others, it leaves His Majesty the Spirit Emperor with no choice but to emphasize this issue greatly. Looking at the current Five Mansions of the Immortal Palace, including the Six Guards Army, all have started unconditional self-examinations, and post-examinations, they accepted the re-investigation by the Embroidered Robe Envoy, leaving them without complaint.

The self-examinations present an opportunity for them to root out suspicious individuals and cover up some of their misdeeds. Moreover, His Majesty the Spirit Emperor has declared that as long as they haven’t overly deepened interactions with Bloodshackle or caused substantive harm to the Daoist Plane’s interests, the Immortal Palace would forgive past issues. Initially, sects were skeptical of this until someone saw Liu Xuanji’s bizarre new appearance and clearly understood the backstory of Hongjun Sword Furnace’s plot against Celestial Sword Manor and their reconciliation. Gradually, the concern eased; if His Majesty the Spirit Emperor can forgive colluding with Bloodshackle to frame a major sect, what harm is being secretly acquainted with them?

With such thoughts and loyalty demonstrations to the new Spirit Emperor, each sect initiated a swift self-examination, reducing much of the resistance towards the comprehensive investigation soon to be undertaken by the Embroidered Robe Envoy.

Thinking of this, Pei Yan has no choice but to admire Lin Ruxue. Her peak control over the Daoist Plane was undoubtedly during the Garden of the Immortals period. The domineering arrogance there bore her indulgent marks, yet it also effectively suppressed and controlled the entire Daoist Plane. As the Garden of the Immortals grew more arrogant and the Foundation Plane invasion plans failed, the space’s barrier collapse generated significant discontent among the sects. To divert this discontent, Lin Ruxue naturally pinned everything on the Garden of the Immortals, exposed their crimes, mobilized her covertly deployed forces, and annihilated them with the entire Daoist Plane’s support. She personally resolved the chaos following the Garden’s collapse and built a competitive rotation system at the Immortal Palace on its ruins.

This time, when she discovered things slipping out of her control again, she went with the flow, leveraging external forces like herself and the investigation hall to once again consolidate and retrieve power under the name of clearing spies. Now all sects are under her control; as long as she achieves great victory in the upcoming war with Bloodshackle, her prestige and power will reach the peak once more.

This is not something Pei Yan conjured out of thin air; judging by Lin Ruxue’s post-moves, one can infer it. The Embroidered Robe Envoy’s timely appearance, Lin Ruxue’s attitude on the night of the incident, the Six Guards’ support, subsequent treatment of Hongjun Sword Furnace and Celestial Sword Manor, selective dissemination of information—all within the narrative development, Lin Ruxue secretly orchestrated and accelerated the events. I am but a pawn propelled to the forefront to hasten the sequence of these affairs.

Indeed, these old foxes who have lived so long are truly cunning! Pei Yan once again sighed inwardly, considering Lin Ruxue much more astute than Magic Plane’s K, who always engages in secretive petty tricks, thinking he’s clever, yet ultimately offending everyone and gaining their resentment. Like imprisoning Jun Zhao—she too was a participant and approver, yet she conveys a helpless and guilty image, ultimately reconciling with Lin Junzhao to establish a comradeship, forming alliances between the two planes. On the contrary, the Magic Plane now stands isolated; not only does Lin Junzhao deeply resent him, even his traditional ally, the Hell Plane, has turned against him, compelling current efforts to mend their relationship.

Ah! Although K appears detestable, compared to the real green tea Lin Ruxue, he is simply like a pure white lotus! Understanding this intricate matter, Pei Yan can’t help but comment with emotion.

Having raised his guard against Lin Ruxue a few notches, Pei Yan shifts his focus from this matter; confronting the Master of Origin, he is not yet qualified. The urgent task is to enhance his strength in preparation for the upcoming clash with Delacuri. According to Xiang Zixiong’s account, the sects are in disarray, busy investigating suspicious figures within their ranks; hence it’s not a good time for visitations. But time is pressing, and Pei Yan disregards all else. With one month left, he must master the Thunder Observation Eight Techniques and the Liu Family’s Stacking Force, applying them in practical combat. He’s already grasped the Liu Family’s Stacking Force; now it’s time to visit the Infinite Thunder Sect.