Tracing Back, Searching Ahead, Finding Nothing

On the twenty-fifth day after Li Ping'an set out.

Heavenly Court, Hall of Punishment.

Li Dazhi, dressed in a crimson silk robe embroidered with black python patterns, walked in from outside with his hands behind his back. The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals along the way hurriedly lowered their heads in salute, while the clerks within the hall, who were interrogating criminal immortals by section and reviewing case files, quickly rose and cupped their hands.

"Greetings, Father of the Heavenly Emperor."

"You are all too courteous. Your duties come first. I'm just taking a look around."

Li Dazhi waved with a smile, raising his head to identify the various paths through the hall. He saw eighty-one Thunder Dragon Pillars and the Heavenly Punishment Pool brimming with lightning.

The main hall was empty. Several divine generals shifted their eyes within their portraits.

"Why has Father come here?"

Ziyao the Fairy's voice came from a corner of the hall.

She stepped out from behind a screen and bowed to Li Dazhi. Li Dazhi returned the gesture with cupped hands and smiled. "There is something I wished to ask you about. His Majesty isn't home, and it would be improper for me to go to Yaochi, so I could only come here."

"Why is Father avoiding suspicion now?"

Ziyao removed the screen and instructed the fairy attendants to arrange Prayer Mats, inviting Li Dazhi to sit across from her.

Li Dazhi sighed. He did not beat around the bush and directly explained why he had come.

"Do you know about Ping'an using the Chaos Bell to cultivate?"

"How could Ziyao not know about such a major matter?" Ziyao the Fairy sighed. "He should have transcended all worldly matters, yet in the end, he could not escape his obsession. What he thinks of now is