Inspector

The night was drawing in, and the lights of the constabulary camp illuminated the training grounds in the courtyard.

Chu Ning walked slowly into the camp, the sulfurous scent of Blazing Flame Valley still clinging to his robes.

Although this trip had seen him slay Wang Li, obtain the Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit, and even unexpectedly acquire an Azure-Eyed Snow Fox, the threat lurking behind the Wang Family kept his heart from truly relaxing.

As soon as he stepped into the constabulary camp, Li Jing'an emerged from a side hall, hands clasped behind his back. His sharp gaze swept over Chu Ning, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"How did it go? Did you catch the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox?"

Chu Ning paused, his expression unchanged. He replied casually, "No, the Wang Family's encirclement failed, and the beast escaped."

Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when suddenly—

"Squeak—"

Chu Ning's collar rustled slightly, and a small white shadow poked its head out from his chest.

Li Jing'an blinked.

There, nestled in Chu Ning's arms, was a fluffy little white fox, lazily stretching its head out. It nuzzled against his collar, looking both endearingly clumsy and utterly adorable.

The air fell silent for a moment.

"..."

Li Jing'an looked at Chu Ning with amusement, a half-smile on his face. "I wouldn't have guessed. You keep such a cute little pet?"

Chu Ning's lips twitched slightly. He looked down at the unsuspecting little white fox, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

"It's just... an ordinary fox. I saw it was injured and decided to save it."

"Oh?" Li Jing'an scoffed, stepping forward slowly, his gaze appraising the little white fox.

"I must say, it's really quite cute with its pinkish nose."

He reached out, intending to pet the soft, white creature.

However, the moment his hand drew near, the fox's blue eyes narrowed sharply.

"Swish!"

It suddenly opened its mouth and fiercely bit down on Li Jing'an's finger.

"Hiss—"

Li Jing'an gasped, the smile on his face freezing instantly.

He had assumed this fox was just an ordinary spirit beast, never expecting it to be so ferocious, biting him right off the bat.

"You little rascal!"

Li Jing'an's eyes widened as he tried to shake it off.

But the little fox held on tight, refusing to let go.

Chu Ning's lightning-quick reflexes kicked in, and he quickly reached out to pull the little fox back.

"Alright, let go."

He patted the little fox's head.

The fox glared fiercely at Li Jing'an, seemingly convinced the man had "malicious intent," before reluctantly releasing its bite.

Li Jing'an shook his hand, looking at the clear teeth marks on his fingertip, a speechless expression on his face.

"Your fox bites hard. Does it take after its owner's temperament?"

Chu Ning coughed lightly and, seizing the opportunity, tucked the little fox back into his embrace.

"Speaking of which, how's the investigation into the Western Market grain merchant massacre?" Chu Ning's smile faded as he asked seriously.

Li Jing'an rubbed his bitten hand, his brow furrowed. "Things are a bit strange... We found traces of the Blood Refining Hall at the crime scene, and there was Crimson Blood Sand mixed into the grain stores, suggesting it might be related to some specific faction. But what's odd is that the method of killing doesn't seem like the Blood Refining Hall's usual style; it's more like... a targeted act of revenge."

"Targeted revenge?"

Chu Ning pondered, his head lowered.

The Blood Refining Hall was known for its brutal methods and usually didn't care about the specifics. If this wasn't their usual modus operandi, it meant the true mastermind was someone else entirely.

"Someone trying to use the Blood Refining Hall's name as a cover?"

Li Jing'an nodded. "That's just my speculation, but this case is too complex, and we haven't found any solid evidence yet."

Chu Ning nodded thoughtfully.

"On the other hand, you..."

Li Jing'an suddenly fixed his gaze on Chu Ning, looking him up and down and sniffing the air.

"You've got quite a bit of blood and sulfur on you. I assume you've stirred up some significant trouble?"

Chu Ning touched his nose and, lowering his voice, leaned in to whisper in Li Jing'an's ear, "I killed the Wang Family's hunting party."

"..."

The smile on Li Jing'an's face froze instantly.

He whipped his head around, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Chu Ning.

"What did you say?"

Chu Ning spread his hands, feigning innocence. "The Wang Family's hunting party was wiped out."

Li Jing'an's lips twitched slightly. He knew Chu Ning possessed astonishing combat power, but...

The hunting party included several Ranked Martial Artists, and even Wang Li was present. How could Chu Ning have annihilated them all by himself?

"You brat, with only mid-stage tenth-grade cultivation, you managed to do something like this?"

Li Jing'an felt his scalp tingle, increasingly convinced that Chu Ning was no ordinary person.

"And what about Wang Li?"

Chu Ning smiled faintly and slowly raised his hand, making a throat-slitting gesture.

The air instantly fell silent.

Li Jing'an gazed deeply at Chu Ning, as if seeing a monster.

A moment later, he abruptly pinched his brow and said with a wry smile, "I knew it. The Wang Family's old ancestor is probably coming out of seclusion."

"He will definitely come looking for you."

Chu Ning shrugged, completely unconcerned. "Even better. I wasn't planning on letting him off the hook anyway."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing'an gave Chu Ning a profound look.

"You don't know how powerful the Wang Family's old ancestor is. I have to show him three parts respect when I meet him."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes. "You're afraid? Aren't you a First Grade Martial Artist?"

"First Grade?" Li Jing'an's expression faltered, and he let out a cold snort. "If I said the original owner of this bell was worthy of being called First Grade, perhaps."

He flicked his fingertip against the black bell at his waist, producing a crisp sound like shattering bone.

Chu Ning stated matter-of-factly, "Our Pavilion Master Lei said you are a First Grade Martial Artist."

Li Jing'an scoffed. "What does Lei Wanjun know? Not all martial artists from the First Grade Pavilion are truly First Grade. I'm just an Inspector... If I were really a First Grade Martial Artist, would I be here investigating a case in such a small place?"

Chu Ning frowned, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

"Inspector? Then what grade are you, exactly?"

Li Jing'an didn't answer, merely offering a calm smile. He then slowly unfastened a small black bell from his waist and presented it to Chu Ning.

"Take it and feel it again."

The instant Chu Ning took the small bell.

"Boom!"

An endless, mountain-like pressure erupted, instantly engulfing Chu Ning's entire body.

His expression drastically changed. He felt as if he had been submerged in the ocean, an irresistible force instantly freezing his body.

"This... the pressure of a Fifth Grade Martial Artist?!"

Chu Ning's pupils constricted, a tempest raging in his heart.

His breath hitched, his fingers trembling slightly. The pressure of a Fifth Grade Martial Artist far exceeded his imagination, as if the very air in the world had solidified at that moment.

But in the next instant, the pressure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, receding like a tide and returning to calm.

Chu Ning gasped for air, steadied himself, and then realized he was still standing firmly in place. The bell in his hand remained silent and still, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.

Li Jing'an watched him, a faint smile playing on his lips, seemingly having anticipated Chu Ning's reaction.

"This item is called the 'Void Spirit Bell.' It can conceal one's aura and cultivation," Li Jing'an said calmly, but his eyes held a hint of depth.

Chu Ning looked down at the small, ancient bell in his hand. It was entirely black, its surface etched with complex and mysterious patterns, emitting a faint, cold glow.

He gently brushed his fingertip over the bell, faintly sensing a peculiar energy fluctuation, as if some invisible power enveloped it.

However, when his fingertip touched the bell, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

This material...

"It's somewhat similar to the Chaos Divine Order?"