The County Office.
Zhang Zitong gave a few instructions, then returned to the main hall.
After hearing his constables' report, he fell into thought.
"Are you certain he left through the node?"
The old constable beside him hurriedly replied, "My lord, I went inside to check personally after returning. The fluctuations at the node had not yet faded completely."
Zhang Zitong stroked his chin, then said after a brief silence, "There's no need to guard that place anymore. Withdraw the men. Tell all the constables that they are forbidden to cause trouble at the Liu Family Steamed Bun Shop. Anyone who does will be punished without mercy!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The old constable's expression tightened. He hastily acknowledged the order, then slowly withdrew.
Zhang Zitong continued pondering.
"To enter the Reality Realm with a projection body... could he truly be a Dao Integration Expert? But even an ordinary cultivator in the Dao Integration Realm would find that difficult, wouldn't he?"
He murmured to himself, his eyes full of bewilderment and suspicion.
Only after a long while did he shake his head and mutter, "Forget it. Whatever you want to be, so be it. I won't provoke you. All I need to do is fulfill the transaction according to the contract."
His voice grew softer and softer, and his figure grew fainter and fainter until he slowly vanished.
Outside the node.
Chen Lin stood within the defensive magic array, examining his projection body.
Then he gave a slight nod.
Sure enough, after his soul's latest improvement, his projection's resistance had increased considerably. As long as he did not expend large amounts of soul power, he felt he could remain in the Reality Realm for a long time.
"Greetings, my lord!"
As he stepped out of the defensive formation, a female cultivator