Investigating

Sweet Water Well Alley.

Zhong Shenxiu flashed past the window and returned to his room. He quickly changed his clothes and then wiped his face with his hand.

Instantly, the face of Zhong Shenxiu disappeared, and the honest and simple Su Daozhi returned.

These small gatherings really don't have anything of value, but they are also a stepping stone... This time I deliberately revealed my strength, besides Heavenly Show Points, it was to attract attention.

A master of the Divine Ability Realm is worth recruiting and is enough to enter higher circles and obtain better resources...

Next time I go there, perhaps I will find what I want.

Without strength, without reaching a certain level, people won't even bother with you; there's nothing that can be done about it.

Thinking of this, Zhong Shenxiu waved his sleeve again, and a pile of gleaming items appeared on the ground.

These were the relics of those two unlucky fellows.

Speaking of which, they were quite unlucky. One was Xiantian, and the other was Gang Sha; they could have wreaked havoc anywhere.

Unfortunately, they just happened to encounter the Headless Count's spatial magic. After fighting for only a moment, they were all thrown into another dimension by Zhong Shenxiu, their flesh and bones dissolving, their bodies destroyed and traces erased.

With the power of Divine Ability, killing Gang Sha and Xiantian is just that convenient and quick!

Those two fellows were indeed unlucky, serving as both the chicken to kill and the monkey to warn, and a treasure-delivery boy.

Zhong Shenxiu examined them. He set aside some miscellaneous gold and silver items and picked up a few things.

Not many items caught his eye; there were only three: a copy of the Yellow Sand Daoist Book, a small apricot-yellow flag, and a white conch shell.

Zhong Shenxiu opened the Yellow Sand Daoist Book first. He discovered it was the life's cultivation notes and summary of a rogue cultivator who called himself Venerable Yellow Sand. It contained scattered records of many martial arts secrets, Six Paths Magic, and the crafting methods for two magical artifacts. They weren't particularly profound, but rather extremely rudimentary.

Even the step that Zhong Shenxiu cared about most – how Xiantian breaks through to Gang Sha – was explained very vaguely. It only said that he had a fortuitous encounter and passed through with the power of elixirs, giving rise to magical power.

The Six Paths Magic was also ordinary. There was only one technique, 'Yellow Wind Evasion Technique,' which required cultivation with Yellow Wind Sha Qi. It could conjure a gust of yellow wind, rise a hundred zhang into the air, and fly for dozens of li.

In the end, the book lamented, "For unorthodox paths to seek true fruition is difficult!"

"This... this can't even be considered a true orthodox Daoist lineage. It doesn't even offer hope of breaking through to the Divine Ability Realm. In terms of foundation, it's not as good as the Ten Directions Beast Art..."

Zhong Shenxiu was a bit speechless. He raised his hand and unfurled the apricot-yellow flag.

This was a magical artifact recorded in the Yellow Sand Daoist Book, named 'Yellow Sand Banner.' It was refined using the Daoist art of "flying sand and rolling stones" and contained three layers of restrictions, roughly equivalent to the power of the third level of this Daoist art.

As for the white conch shell, it was an item from Feng Yi Palace.

The conch shell was pure white and beautifully shaped. The sound of the sea tide could be faintly heard from within.

Zhong Shenxiu placed it by his ear. He didn't hear any sound of the sea tide. After thinking for a moment, he slowly injected a trace of True Qi. Instantly, he heard a faint voice, as if from the great sea: "There is a Qi in the human world, its name is Ha, combined with spellcasting, it is called Soul Stirring..."

"So it's a Daoist Magic – the cultivation method for Soul Stirring Drink. This Daoist Magic requires combining Ha Qi and Hum-Ha Qi? Then is there another Daoist Art that requires combining Hum Qi?"

"Hum-Ha Qi, it sounds like a type of human Qi."

Zhong Shenxiu didn't know that Hum-Ha Qi was indeed a type of human Qi. A trace of it was accidentally generated in the ordinary breathing and shouting of people, and then quickly dissipated into the heavens and earth. Collecting it was neither difficult nor easy.

If one could obtain the power of the government and mobilize tens of thousands of people, it could be obtained in a few months.

But Feng Yi Palace was a lone thief. How could he possibly get the help of the government?

Not to mention that he himself was not in the Gang Sha Realm and could not refine Sha Qi.

Therefore, Soul Stirring Drink was only half-practiced, and this Daoist Magic was also disdained by Zhong Shenxiu.

He casually tossed the conch shell aside: "Forget it... It's a Daoist Magic, after all. It would be good even if I gave it to Er Ha to practice."

"Sir."

Zhong Shenxiu had not rested for more than a moment when he heard a knock on the door.

He tidied himself up, got up, and opened the door. He saw Er Ha's fawning dog face: "What happened?"

"Someone from the government is here. They said Colonel Feng is giving orders for you to go to the Southern City Training Grounds to await instructions." Er Ha quickly recited what he had memorized.

"Yes, I've used up my vacation time too. I know."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded, suddenly feeling like an office worker in his previous life who didn't want to work.

If he didn't have a whole family to support, if his official position didn't have a deterrent effect, and if he didn't want to obtain more Daoist Magic and Daoist Arts.

He truly didn't want to continue being a Deputy Envoy of Exorcism, a ninth-rank official.

Southern City Training Grounds.

Zhong Shenxiu, who had eaten two steamed buns for breakfast, arrived outside the gate. He saw the guards crossing their weapons and shouting, "This is a restricted military area, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!"

He took out his waist token and was finally able to enter the training grounds. He was led to a military tent.

On both sides stood more than a dozen Black Armored Iron Cavalry. They were all heavily armored, holding steel sabers, and had serious expressions. At most, when they glanced at him, they carried a hint of curiosity.

Feng Xi'er's Black Armored Iron Cavalry completely perished from top to bottom. I didn't expect them to be replenished so quickly. As expected, the power of aristocratic families cannot be underestimated.

Zhong Shenxiu stated his purpose. A Black Armored Iron Cavalry soldier told him to wait and went inside to report.

After a short while, a few voices of argument were heard, and then the curtain was lifted. The Linghe Daoist walked out. He didn't pay attention to anyone around him and left on his own.

A moment later, the Black Armored Knight came out and ordered, "The Colonel wishes to see you."

Zhong Shenxiu entered the tent and saw Feng Xi'er sitting at the head seat, her cheeks flushed, as if she had just argued with someone.

"Greetings, Colonel. Thank you for your righteous assistance before."

Zhong Shenxiu bowed first, thanking her for her help with the Su Family matter.

"No matter. Wait here for a moment."

Feng Xi'er seemed to be in a bad mood and waved her hand.

Zhong Shenxiu waited to the side, watching as officers and soldiers came in one after another to pay their respects.

Closest to Feng Xi'er was the new Sergeant of the Black Armored Iron Cavalry, a ninth-rank official named Wang Xiao, with a hooked nose and cold eyes.

Besides him, there were several Battalion Commanders and Deputy Envoys of Exorcism like himself.

Once everyone was present, Feng Xi'er called out, "We are acting under the Grand Protector's orders to investigate illegal activities, protect the borders, and pacify the people. Yesterday, we received intelligence that a mysterious rogue cultivator, calling himself Young Master Shenxiu, has appeared in the Black Wind Ridge area. He is suspected to be a cultivator with Divine Abilities. You are to investigate further, but be careful not to anger him or endanger your own lives."

"Understood."

The group bowed in unison.

Zhong Shenxiu, blending in among them, felt a mix of emotions: I'm sure some people from the Protectorate were mixed into the Black Mountain gathering last night...

It's normal for the government to monitor these things, but they want me to investigate myself? Fine... When I'm short on money someday, I'll sell some of Zhong Shenxiu's information...