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Wind and Rain City, Martial Saint Academy.

At this moment, Martial Saint Fang Yan, carrying a scroll of books, arrived at a courtyard with the leisurely pace of a scholar.

He was then invited to the inner courtyard by Yan Lie, who treated him like a disciple.

In the inner courtyard, Wu Tianya, the head of the Martial Saint Academy and one of the four giants of Wind and Rain City, was looking through three scrolls.

If a knowledgeable person were here, they would be able to discern that these three scrolls depict the innate divine beasts Bifang, Yinglong, and Chongming Bird, respectively.

Moreover, the three paintings are so lifelike that they seem to be real.

Some perceptive individuals are even able to grasp the True Intention within the painting, as if they were truly facing these almost extinct innate divine beasts.

Upon seeing these three scrolls of mythical beast illustrations, Fang Yan was slightly taken aback and said with a wry smile, "I never expected that the academy master would have such a treasure. It is many times better than the Divine Bird Record in my hand."

"The Record of the Divine Bird?"

Wu Tianya glanced at Fang Yan and said, "It is said that this is a book specially compiled by the Pisces Star Lord for the study of bird-like divine beasts. Although the descriptions of these innate divine beasts are not very profound, it is quite fortuitous opportunity that you were able to obtain this book."

"We martial artists are quite similar to cultivators in many ways, but in reality, we are different. Cultivators follow the path of learning from heaven and earth, and ultimately they must replace the will of heaven with their own heart, and replace the operation of the way of heaven and earth with their own way, so as to master the power of the Great Dao. We, on the other hand, emulate the innate divine beasts, constantly evolving ourselves, making ourselves the darlings of the Great Dao of heaven and earth, just like transforming into a fish and mastering swimming equipment..."

Fang Yan said with some emotion, "But when we transform into fish and can roam freely in the water, we lose the right to soar in the sky and run on the earth."

"That's true, but it also depends on what kind of world it is. If that world is made up of boundless seawater, then there is no such thing as land."

Wu Tianya said calmly, "Although the direction of our cultivation is ultimately to evolve and transform into innate divine beasts, the upper limit can never surpass these darlings of heaven and earth. But... who can guarantee that innate divine beasts will not be the true rulers of this world? Even the once-powerful Creator had many innate divine beasts that dared not provoke him."

Fang Yan nodded upon hearing Wu Tianya's words. "The academy master is indeed insightful, seeing through the essence of the path of martial arts at a glance."

Wu Tianya shook his head and gestured for him to sit down.

Then he asked, "You didn't come here just to discuss innate divine beasts with me, did you?"

"That's not entirely true."

Fang Yan considered his words carefully before saying, "Not long ago Gu Jinlai stirred up trouble in the outer city. At first, I didn't understand why, but now that I think about it... the head of the academy, the city lord, the palace master, and the military master were probably trying to deal with some unfavorable public opinion, right?"

"You reacted quickly."

Wu Tianya did not deny it.

"Hehe, in order to see the situation in the city clearly, we have to do a lot of speculation."

Fang Yan laughed as he spoke, "But isn't the headmaster, or rather the city lord, afraid of making things go too far with his actions?"

"It's not that bad."

Wu Tianya said.

"That's not necessarily true. As the academy master knows, Gu Jinlai."

Fang Yan said, "Recently, he has been raiding and exterminating families in the outer city, seizing countless supplies, which is a huge fortune even for us. Such a huge fortune, yet our higher-ups have turned a blind eye. Anyone would be suspicious at this Gu Jinlai, right? If they think about it carefully, they should realize the problem and gradually realize that they have been used as a tool..."

"What are you trying to say? Gu Jinlai, people have left Wind and Rain City to apprehend criminals."

"It wouldn't take that long to apprehend the criminal."

Fang Yan said, "If I were from Gu Jinlai, after realizing that I was being used, I would also think about what would happen if I lost the endorsement of the academy master and the city lord for my current actions... At that time, I would just find a seemingly plausible excuse to take these supplies away and never return to Fengyu City."

As he spoke, he smiled and said, "Even the slightest disturbance could prompt me to make this decision. A master with peak Celestial Person combat strength can live well anywhere, not to mention having such a large amount of resources."

"Oh..."

Wu Tianya shook his head. "You've already lost your patience, and you can't wait to stand up for Lei Yuanzong? You're just too impatient."

Fang Yan looked at Wu Tianya, paused for a moment, and then immediately realized something. "I was overthinking it. It seems that everything is under your control, Master and City Lord."

"The supplies confiscated by the General District Headquarters are being watched, so you don't need to worry about that. As for the Gu Jinlai hasn't come yet... it's because he encountered some minor troubles in Haifeng City, or perhaps a small misunderstanding. However, the City Lord has already sent someone to resolve this matter."

Wu Tianya appeared to have everything under control.

"This..."

Fang Yan was startled.

However, before he could even speak, a divine thought quickly traversed the void and landed in the Martial Saint Academy, then formed a message from City Lord Zhao Hua: "Academy Master Martial, come to the City Lord Mansion's Mansion immediately for a meeting."

Wu Tianya frowned slightly upon hearing this message.

Judging from the tone of Lord Zhao's message, things don't seem to be so simple.

"Please return, Martial Saint Fang."

Wu Tianya said something, and then he took a step and soared into the air, instantly traversing the void and heading towards the City Lord Mansion.

Although Fengyu City has four major powers, nine martial saints and three national Celestial Person, totaling sixteen forces, there is still a certain tacit understanding among the higher-ups.

Otherwise, the order of Wind and Rain City would be difficult to operate normally.

The Holy Dynasty would not allow someone who cannot control the overall situation to sit on the throne of the city lord for long.

Therefore, upon Zhao Hua's summons, Wu Tianya, Cao Wudao, and Jin Fantian arrived shortly afterward.

After entering the courtyard, Zhao Hua wasted no time and said directly, "This matter is related to the past and Gu Jinlai."

After saying that, he handed three sets of documents that he had prepared in advance to the three people.

The three took the information and quickly examined it. Soon, their faces showed slight surprise. "Liyang Cave Heaven? These people from Liyang Cave Heaven Gu Jinlai? Are they cultivators disguised as martial artists?"

However, this astonishment lasted only a moment before the three of them simultaneously changed their expressions. "Lei Yuan, the deputy commander of the Haifeng City Guard and a Martial Saint, is dead!? It is suspected that he was killed by Gu Jinlai!?"

Martial Saint!

Looking across the entire Holy Dynasty, they all belong to the highest echelons, while those in the lower regions are all regional governors.

But now...

Suspected death!?

The perpetrator is Gu Jinlai!

"According to a Celestial Person being from the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce in Haifeng City, Gu Jinlai was suspected by Lei Yuan to be a group of refugees from Liyang Cave. Lei Yuan then led his men to intercept Gu Jinlai and his group, but... there was no further news. After two days, Haifeng City deduced that Lei Yuan was dead."

As Zhao Hua spoke, his gaze turned to Wu Tianya: "Didn't you tell me beforehand that this Gu Jinlai had the ability to kill a Martial Saint? This person could make Lei Yuan, who cultivated the Thunder Primordial Spirit Body, not even have a chance to escape... This Gu Jinlai must have the strength of a top-tier Martial Saint."

A top-tier martial saint!?

These words moved Wu Tianya.

"Before choosing the blade from Gu Jinlai to sweep away the outer city, I saw him more than once... He is a martial king."

Wu Tianya said with certainty, "Could there have been any mistakes during this period?"

Immediately afterward, he asked, "The people of Haifeng City say that Lei Yuan died at the hands of Gu Jinlai. Is there any proof?"

There is no proof.

Zhao Hua shook his head. "They are just speculating based on Lei Yuan's disappearance."

At their level, many things only require reasonable speculation; there's no need for so much evidence.

Their own will is above all else.

"Then, is it possible that Gu Jinlai is connected to the people of Liyang Cave Heaven, and the person who did the attack was actually a hidden master from Liyang Cave Heaven? Haifeng City understands this, so he shifts the blame onto Gu Jinlai in order to take him down openly and legitimately?"

Wu Tianya said, "After all, he is still the chief district lord of our Fengyu City. Haifeng City needs a plausible reason to take action against him."

"That's very likely."

Zhao Hua nodded in agreement.

"But what if this involves the Liyang Cave Heaven..."

The saints and martial saints all fell into deep thought.

They were already considered giants in Wind and Rain City, practically ruling over a region within the entire Holy Dynasty, but...

If they were to face off against Liyang Cave Heaven, they would be somewhat outmatched.

"The experts of Liyang Cave Heaven should have been wiped out in the battle thirty-six years ago. Such a big fish would inevitably be watched by the Demon Emperor, or even the Demon God. Even if they wanted to escape, they might not be able to. Based on this, even if someone from Liyang Cave Heaven did escape, they probably wouldn't be too strong. Lei Yuan's death might be a trump card or killing move that Liyang Cave Heaven or the Gu Jinlai have in their hands."

Zhao Hua paused as he spoke, "As one of the most powerful grotto-heavens back then, it's not surprising that it had a trump card capable of killing a Martial Saint in one fell swoop."

"If they really had such a trump card, why did they just watch Liu Feihua die half a year ago? That person was one of the ten True Disciples of Liyang Cave, a person who shouldered the heavy responsibility of revitalizing Liyang Cave."

"Jin Fantian asked."

They were clearly aware of the matter concerning Liu Feihua, the True Disciple of Liyang Cave.

"Since it's a trump card, it should never be used lightly unless it's a matter of life and death."

Wu Tianya said, "Or rather, that kind of trump card can only be used once, when everyone is about to be wiped out. At that time, the matter of that True Disciple... could not wipe out their lineage, so they would rather watch Liu Feihua die than dare to use that trump card."

Upon hearing Wu Tianya's explanation, everyone nodded in deep agreement.

That's probably true in most cases.

"We originally planned to deal with Gu Jinlai cleared out the outer city area... at most a month later, and throw him out to silence the gossips of the Lineage behind the nine Martial Saints and the three National Celestial Person. But now it seems... we need to observe him for a while longer. We should also block them back in Haifeng City first."

Zhao Hua said, "After all, it concerns the inheritance of Liyang Cave Heaven."

Upon hearing Zhao Hua's words, Wu Tianya, Jin Fantian, and Cao Wudao immediately understood his meaning.

"The legacy and treasures of Liyang Cave Heaven..."

"At the very least, we need to figure out if they still have any trump cards up their sleeves, and if so, what power they have."

"Then let's wait a little longer."

The senior executives exchanged a knowing glance and quickly reached a consensus.