Chapter 207: Investigation Reports [1]

With the real Peerless Supreme Elder slain and discarded like refuse beneath the cobblestones, Roy spent the next three days seamlessly walking in the dead man’s shoes.

He remained in Jayrel City, maintaining the facade of a diligent core Elder conducting a discreet, methodical investigation.

To any outside observer—or any lingering eyes from the Church—the Peerless Supreme Elder was simply wandering the districts, questioning tavern owners, and inspecting city ledgers.

In reality, Roy was quietly solidifying his divine hold over every mortal soul in the city, turning the entire territory into an invisible, obedient stronghold.

On the morning of the third day, a swift mountain messenger bird descended into the city square, bearing an official sect summons stamped with the Sect Leader’s golden wax seal.

The order was absolute: the search was suspended, and all three investigating Elders were commanded to return to the grand hall of the Glorious Mythical Sect immediately.

Roy’s lips curled into a subtle, predatory smile beneath his dark-brown hood as he burned the parchment to ash.

The trap was set.

A few hours later, Roy—flawlessly maintaining the physical form, aura, and demeanor of the Peerless Supreme Elder—arrived at the foot of the soaring, mist-shrouded peaks of the Glorious Mythical Sect.

Passing through the massive granite outer gates, he stepped onto the grand marble pathways that wound up the mountain.

"Welcome back, Peak Elder!"

"May the heavens bless your return, Elder!"

Disciples in sweeping golden robes bowed deeply as he passed, while armored gate guards stood rigidly at attention.

Roy offered them short, dignified nods, exactly as the real Elder would have done.

However, beneath his stoic, disguise-bound exterior, Roy’s sharp divine senses were actively scanning every inch of the complex.

He observed the array formations carved into the cliff faces, the density of the spirit veins flowing beneath the stone, the positioning of the defensive guard towers, and the overall cultivation strength of the loitering disciples.

He took mental notes of everything.

Every line of defense, every array node, and every potential bottleneck was cataloged within his mind.

He needed to know precisely what—and whom—he would be obliterating when the time came to tear this faction down.

As he reached the grand plaza before the central council chamber, two figures stepped out from the adjacent covered walkways.

It was Heaven’s Honored Elder and Divine Scarlet Elder.

The three "Elders" exchanged brief, heavy glances, their faces set into grim, serious masks.

"Brother Supreme," Heaven’s Honored Elder grunted in greeting, adjusting his heavy broadsword belt. "I see you received the Sect Leader’s urgent message as well."

"Indeed," Roy answered smoothly, using the exact vocal pitch and slight rasp of the Peerless Supreme Elder. "Did your search in the eastern sectors yield any tangible results?"

Divine Scarlet Elder let out a quiet, frustrated huff, shaking his head. "Nothing of actual substance. Just ghost stories and wild tavern gossip. What about you?"

"I encountered a few... interesting rumors," Roy replied softly, a faint, unreadable glint flashing in his eyes. "We shall discuss it before the Sect Leader."

Without another word, the three men turned and ascended the grand marble staircase leading into the abode of the council building.

Pushing open the heavy, iron-reinforced mahogany doors, they walked into the high-ceilinged council chamber.

The room was bathed in the dim light of flickering spirit-lamps.

The rest of the sect’s core Elders sat quietly along the long wooden table, their expressions cold and expectant.

At the very head of the grand table sat Sect Leader Mao Zedion, his cold, piercing green eyes tracking the three returning generals as they entered.

Standing directly behind the dragon throne, shrouded partly in the shadows of the high marble pillars, was Priest Arnold.

The red-haired cleric stood with his hands tucked into his pristine white-and-gold robes, a calm, serene smile resting on his face.

Roy and the two Elders approached the table, cupped their hands in a formal martial salute, and took their assigned seats among the council.

Once everyone was seated, Sect Leader Mao Zedion rested his heavy forearms on the polished mahogany table, his voice booming through the silent hall.

"Elders," Mao Zedion began, his tone laced with lethal authority. "I have already received preliminary debriefings from Priest Arnold regarding the absolute, divine nature of the destruction at Kaelos City and the burnt ruins of the Nosa Forest.

It is now glaringly obvious that the death of Brother Silver Lotus was no mere coincidence, nor was it the work of a petty rogue cultivator.

We are dealing with an unknown, dangerous force, and we must get to the absolute root of this matter before it reaches our gates."

The Sect Leader leaned back slightly, gesturing toward the red-haired priest behind him.

"Furthermore," Mao Zedion continued, "our esteemed allies in the Church of the God of the Sky have stepped forward to offer their full, unwavering support in this crisis. In two days’ time, two high-tier Paladins of the Holy Church will arrive at our sect.

They will be deployed directly to the Kaelos crater to conduct a sacred investigation into the incident. But before we map out our next strategic phase, I must hear your individual reports from the surrounding cities."

Sect Leader Mao’s piercing green eyes locked onto Heaven’s Honored Elder first.

"Heaven’s Honored Elder. What did you discover in Heckman City?"

Heaven’s Honored Elder stood up, cupping his hands.

"Sect Leader, I searched every corner of the city and interrogated the local guild masters. I found no physical evidence or surviving witnesses from Kaelos.

However... I did discover absurd, treasonous rumors spreading among the common folk claiming that our Glorious Mythical Sect is destined to fall to a divine retribution."

Sect Leader Mao’s brow furrowed, a dark scowl twisting his face. "And how did you handle these foolish rumors?"

"I dealt with them swiftly, Sect Leader," Heaven’s Honored Elder answered coldly, a ruthless sneer touching his lips.

"The source of the rumors—a local merchant guild and three tavern network hubs—have been completely eliminated. Silence has been restored to Heckman City."

Mao Zedion nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Sowing panic during a crisis is heresy."

The Sect Leader then turned his heavy gaze to the left. "Divine Scarlet Elder. Your report on Oscros City."

Divine Scarlet Elder rose from his chair, bowing his head.

"Sect Leader, my findings were similar. No direct traces of Brother Silver Lotus’s killers were present. However, the streets were rife with bizarre superstitions.

The commoners were whispering that a forgotten entity known as the ’God of Beasts’ had descended from the upper realms to pass absolute judgment upon Kaelos for their hidden beastmen slave trade."

A low murmur broke out among the seated Elders at the mention of the beastmen trade.

Divine Scarlet Elder quickly added, "Naturally, I recognized this as seditious propaganda aimed at undermining our authority.

I personally executed the rumor-mongers and silenced the district commanders who allowed such blasphemy to spread. Oscros City is now fully under control."

"Well done," Sect Leader Mao murmured, nodding slowly.

The Sect Leader then shifted his green eyes down the table, resting his gaze squarely upon Roy, who sat quietly in the likeness of the Peerless Supreme Elder.

"And what of you, Peerless Supreme Elder?" Mao Zedion questioned, his voice echoing in the quiet chamber.

"What did you uncover in Jayrel City? Give us your report."