Capital City.
General Zhao had just finished a meeting. Before he could even settle into his chair, the red encrypted phone on his desk rang.
"Reporting, sir. An unusually large gathering has appeared in Chen Family Village. Leaders from all six major Taoist ancestral seats-Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Wudang, Mount Mao, Mount Lao, Mount Qingcheng, and Mount Sanqing-are present, with more than a hundred and fifty accompanying personnel. Lieutenant Zhang Long requests instructions."
General Zhao's teacup hung in midair for three full seconds.
He abruptly grabbed another phone and dialed Chen Lin's number.
The call only connected on his second attempt.
"Mr. Chen! What... what exactly is going on? Are you holding a religious conference in Chen Family Village? All six major Taoist schools are there! This has enormous implications! If foreign forces use it as a pretext-"
From the other end came the sound of a cat purring.
Then Chen Lin's voice drifted over, languid and unhurried.
"Zhao, don't get worked up. It's just a bunch of old men coming here together to retire. They like our village's air."
"But you-"
"Relax. They won't turn the world upside down."
The call ended.
General Zhao held his phone up and stared at the darkened screen for ten seconds.
He slowly lowered it, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
It had gone cold.
Just like his mood.
A little while later.
Su Mei delivered the Black Tortoise Inner Armor to the backyard.
Chen Lin put down the cat in his arms, took the sandalwood box, and opened its lid.
He probed it with spiritual power.
His pupils contracted slightly.
The armor was made from no known metal. The rippling shimmer across its surface was an array pattern-a water-aspect defensive array personally inscribed by a Core Formation cultivator.
Wearing it was