A Sweeping Carpet Search
The vast council hall.
The atmosphere was unbearably tense.
"Forty-five cities and hundreds of towns and villages have been slaughtered to the last person."
"Nearly ten million people lost their lives as a result."
"Those who slaughtered the cities used the same method in every case. The flesh and blood inside every victim was plundered clean."
"There are at least several hundred of these evil cultivators."
"This is no small matter!"
Cang Wenyu's expression was graver than ever before.
A shriveled corpse lay beside him.
Lu Changzhi sat at the front with the other peak masters. His heart sank as he listened to the tally.
There were likely far more demonic cultists than he had imagined.
"These evil cultivators have slaughtered people on such a scale within the Five Symbols Sect's territory. We must investigate thoroughly," Li Yi said gravely.
"I'm afraid these aren't ordinary evil cultivators," Xu Kun said, shaking his head slightly.
"Evil cultivators in the past never had the guts to do this."
"Indeed." Chen Miao nodded. "This time, there are likely forces backing them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have carried out slaughter on this scale."
"Have such things happened in the territories of the other sects and factions?" an elder asked.
"We don't know yet. I've sent out messages to inquire," Cang Wenyu said.
Then he swept his gaze over everyone:
"This is a matter of great consequence. Word of the evil cultivators slaughtering cities has already spread, and people in the major cities are now gripped by fear."
"We must give this matter the attention it deserves."
After a pause, Cang Wenyu continued:
"This is also an excellent opportunity for the true disciples to gain experience."
"Therefore, on the surface, the true disciples of each peak will lead the investigation into the evil cultivators. Inner disciples may volunteer to join them in searching for traces of the evil cultivators."
"Of course, the disciples' main responsibility will be the investigation."
"If they do encounter danger, the accompanying elders must intervene in time to resolve any deadly crisis at the critical moment."
After another pause, Cang Wenyu added:
"This investigation will spread outward in a grid from the sect. The disciples will go ahead, while the elders follow at a distance. They will advance as much as possible in step, ensuring nothing is overlooked wherever they pass."
Lu Changzhi listened quietly.
From what Cang Wenyu had said, he could roughly imagine the scale of the investigation.
It was a full-blown carpet search.
It was indeed the most prudent approach.
After Cang Wenyu answered their questions, the elders had no objections.
The matter was atrocious and far-reaching in its impact.
If the Five Symbols Sect did nothing, it would undoubtedly be destroying its own foundations.
Having operated on this land for so many years, the Five Symbols Sect understood this very well.
After the meeting, the peak masters and elders departed one after another and got to work.
"Master, has something happened?"
As soon as Lu Changzhi returned, Gu Chen asked.
Lu Changzhi gave him a general account of the situation, then looked at Gu Chen and asked:
"I intend for you to take part in this. What do you think?"
"As a disciple of the sect, it is naturally my duty to serve it," Gu Chen said earnestly.
Afterward, Gu Chen asked:
"Master, can we choose the area we investigate?"
"Of course." Lu Changzhi nodded.
At the same time, he asked inwardly:
System, does Gu Chen have another check-in task?
"Master, disciple Gu Chen's current task is to check in at the summit of the highest peak in the Thousand-Fathom Mountain Range."
Just as I thought, Lu Changzhi said to himself.
Still, that worked out nicely. He wouldn't have to think of an excuse to leave.
"Then I'll go back and make preparations."
With that, Gu Chen returned to his house.
Afterward, Lu Changzhi went to see Mu Fan.
The moment the door opened, Mu Fan said:
"Master, you're here about what you just discussed with Senior Brother Gu, aren't you?"
Before Lu Changzhi could speak, Mu Fan added:
"I'll join in too."
"Hmm?"
Lu Changzhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Mu Fan curiously:
"What, are you planning to turn over a new leaf and cultivate diligently?"
"Not at all." Mu Fan shook his head at once.
"Cultivation is so boring. I'd never do anything like that."
"As a true disciple, it's my duty!"
"You?" Lu Changzhi glanced at Mu Fan and shook his head with a smile.
"Those words are only believable coming from your Senior Brother Gu."
Mu Fan pursed his lips.
"All right, I'll stop pretending. I'm really just going out to have fun."
As soon as Lu Changzhi left Mu Fan's place, Qin Li came to find him.
"He's going too?" As she spoke, Qin Li glanced at Mu Fan's residence.
"Do you have something else in mind?" Lu Changzhi looked at Qin Li.
"I'll go along too," Qin Li said bluntly.
"With his half-baked skills, he might just end up as someone's dessert."
No sooner had she spoken than Mu Fan's voice rang out from the courtyard:
"Hey, I'm your second senior brother, at least! Can't you show my strength a little respect?"
"Beat me first, then we'll talk," Qin Li replied.
Mu Fan: "I..."
The Thousand-Fathom Mountain Range.
Underground.
It was a shockingly vast space.
An evil presence filled the whole area.
"Did we go too far this time? The Five Symbols Sect has already begun investigating," one person said, worry on his face.
"What, are you scared?" another asked, glancing at him.
"The Five Symbols Sect is no small faction. If they find us, we'll have plenty of trouble on our hands."
"You're like the man from Qi who feared the sky would fall. Never mind that this place isn't in the Five Symbols Sect's territory—it's perfectly hidden. We've been hiding here for so many years; have we ever been noticed?"
"You can put your heart back in your belly. If the Five Symbols Sect can find this place, I'll twist off my head and let you kick it around like a ball."