“Martial Brother Lu, record this for me.” Frost-white sleeves brushed the image-transmitting jade slip, and dozens of swiftly moving figures immediately appeared in the air. “Half of Hu Ji Peak’s direct Disciples are here now.”
The Profound Ice Mirror suddenly emitted a sharp hum, and a cold gleam flashed in Leng An’s eyes. Half an ice prism solidified in his palm, transforming into Lin Qian’s likeness. He waved towards the sword formation that was about to land: “Senior Brother Zhang, over here!”
Zhang Gao’s toes had barely touched the ground when he erupted in an attack, his Qing Feng Sword pointing directly at the illusion’s throat: “Idiot, who allowed you to publicly…” His voice cut off abruptly, the sword tip hovering three inches from the illusion’s throat.
Cold sweat trickled down Zhang Gao’s spine; he clearly saw the ice crystals condensed in the illusionary Lin Qian’s pupils.
The frost and snow illusion shattered with a crash, and a hundred-Zhang ice prison rose from the ground.
Leng An walked forward, holding the Profound Soul Sword and stepping on ice stairs. Behind him, twelve Law Enforcement Disciples held Dragon-Binding Ropes, forming a Heavenly Net Array.
“How leisurely of you, gentlemen of Hu Ji Peak, to wander the secluded valley together at midnight?” The sword sheath struck the ground heavily, instantly freezing a ten-mile radius.
“Shibo Leng is wise!” A communication talisman suddenly ignited in Zhang Gao’s hand. “We received a distress call from Senior Sister Lin.”
The firelight illuminated his suddenly pale face, and the extortion letter floating in the air was conspicuously stamped with the Law Enforcement Hall’s ice-patterned seal.
Lu Ran poked his head out from behind an ice pillar, shaking the still-wet brush in his hand: “Does Senior Brother Zhang know how to read? Does Martial Brother need to read this ‘personal letter from Senior Sister Lin’ for you?”
The frightened faces of the Hu Ji Peak Disciples were reflected on the surrounding ice. Their waist-worn jade tokens were resonating with the Profound Ice Mirror, emitting a dazzling red light.
Qing Feng leaned against an ancient pine, tossing a few image-recording stones. The clinking sound of the jade was crisp and pleasant: “Senior Brother Zhang, why don’t you guess what the Hall of Punishment Elders will think when they see these images…”
Before he finished speaking, more than a dozen sword lights suddenly changed direction and attacked him, only to be completely absorbed by the Profound Ice Mirror the moment they touched the pine branches.
Leng An lightly swiped his sword finger, and countless ice crystals transformed into chains: “I’ll give you three breaths. Either seal your Qi Sea or slumber in an ice coffin.” The Profound Soul Sword’s hum echoed through the valley, and twelve ice dragons split from the sword body, their heads hovering at the glabella of each Hu Ji Peak Disciple.
“Next time I go out, I must bring someone smarter. These Martial Brothers are all so clueless, spending too much time with them makes me seem exceptionally intelligent,” Lin Qian muttered to herself, unconsciously rubbing the jade token at her waist.
Leng An’s sword scraped against the bluestone slab with a harsh sound: “Return to formation immediately.”
“Is Shibo Leng also getting involved in such schemes?” Zhang Gao suddenly roared, veins bulging on his neck. “Our Hu Ji Peak has always respected Han Ming Peak’s fairness and strictness. Even if Martial Brother Qi Lin joined the Bi An Squad, he never dictated to the Law Enforcement Hall.
Now you actually want to collude with Chen Ming Peak to frame fellow Disciples? Can Lin Qian’s testimony count? Chen Ming Peak wants to frame our Hu Ji Peak? No way!”
“Form up!”
With this sharp command, over twenty Disciples quickly formed a battle array. Although everyone had doubts about Zhang Gao’s decision, the current situation left no room for hesitation. The Law Enforcement Hall’s dungeon was notoriously a one-way trip; as long as they weren’t captured on the spot, there was still room to maneuver.
Crimson spiritual energy surged like flames, and a hundred-Zhang tall illusory red bamboo appeared out of thin air. The sword intent flowing between its nodes subtly reached Nascent Soul pressure.
“Hu Ji Peak’s mountain-protecting sword array!” Lu Ran gasped, taking half a step back. “Shibo Leng might be hard-pressed to defeat it. We…”
“Rushing to be reborn?” Qing Feng grabbed his companion’s collar. “Golden Core cultivators forming an array can fight a Nascent Soul. How many rounds can you last if you go up there?”
Lu Ran was about to retort when an bone-chilling coldness suddenly swept across the entire area. By the time he regained consciousness, the Hu Ji Peak Disciples had turned into ice sculptures of various poses, their fighting spirit still frozen on their faces. In the distance, a spiritual energy vortex gradually formed on the mountain peak. Qi Lin finished his cultivation and stood up, the red bamboo illusion behind him slowly dissipating. “Is your cultivation stable?” Qi Yuancheng clapped his hands and smiled. “Now, with your Red Bamboo Sword Intent, you can even contend with Shaoyang Peak’s top Disciple.”
“Dragon Yang Peak’s Solidifying Yuan Pill is indeed miraculous.” Qi Lin lightly flicked his sword, producing a clear, melodious hum. “It’s a pity the output is too low, otherwise my Hu Ji Peak Disciples…”
“How can such a pill be an ordinary item?” Qi Yuancheng interrupted. “Besides, not everyone has your talent.”
Looking at his son, who had consecutively broken through in four years, a gleam of satisfaction and ambition flashed in his eyes.
Qi Yuancheng gazed at the twilight glow in the sky, his fingertips trembling slightly. Although every step forward in the later stages of cultivation was like ascending a heavenly ladder, even with the aid of spiritual medicine, it would be difficult to achieve such rapid progress again.
But thinking that if this current fortune could be extended, perhaps within a hundred years, he could truly witness his Kirin son forming a Nascent Soul and ascending to the position of a direct Disciple.
“Speaking of opportunities, that lazy Qing Feng treats the Uncontending and Unfailing Technique, which was originally useless, like a treasure.” Qi Lin sneered, twirling the jade thumb ring in his hand. “When I first heard he got an opportunity, I actually broke out in a cold sweat.”
“Comparing a wild ox to a Kirin only adds to your troubles.” A faint glow emanated from the green bamboo staff in Qi Yuancheng’s palm. “Once you enter the ranks of direct Disciples, let alone the Qin family girl, even the Sect Leader’s direct Disciple position…”
“But she obtained the Forgetful Sword Art,” Qi Lin suddenly interrupted, veins throbbing at his temples.
“Once the rice is in the pot, it will naturally become fragrant.” The old man lightly tapped the ground with his bamboo staff, startling three sound-transmitting paper cranes.
A strange look flashed in Qi Lin’s eyes, and he abruptly changed the subject: “Qing Feng has repeatedly ruined our arrangements. Has Senior Brother’s scheme succeeded? I must personally witness his Dao Heart shatter.”
“By the time, there should be news.” Before his words finished, seventy-two ice prisms descended from the clouds, casting a pallid light on Hu Ji Peak. The Law Enforcement Hall’s Profound Frost Flying Boat broke through the clouds, and the four characters “Just and Exemplary Punishment” at its bow caused all the verdant bamboo on the mountain to be covered in frost. “Qi Lin, admit your guilt!”
A thunderous command shook down falling bamboo leaves. Qi Yuancheng soared on the wind, only to see Han Ming Peak Lord Yuan Qing approaching on ice, with thirty-six Law Enforcement Disciples forming a Heavenly Net Array behind him.
“What crime has my son committed?” The old man forcefully suppressed the surging true essence. “The Bixi Hall will explain it clearly.” The Immortal-Binding Rope flew out from Yuan Qing True Lord’s sleeve, and the words “Corruption” on the jade tablet stung everyone’s eyes.
Qi Lin staggered backward, pulled into mid-air by the Profound Ice Chains. Qi Yuancheng watched helplessly as his son was taken away, his fists clenched but powerless. He turned into a streak of light and rushed directly to Ziyan Peak for help.
When Yuan Qing True Lord appeared with the Bixi Law Enforcement Team, the entire Sect was shaken. Since this special oversight body was established, the usually decisive Law Enforcement Hall had become much more restrained. Such a grand display now surely meant a shocking major case had occurred.
Qi Lin, standing at the very front of the team, was particularly conspicuous. The cloud-patterned robe with silver-threaded borders now seemed like a death warrant.
This elite Disciple, who had always been arrogant, turned beet red, and the whispers of the onlookers pierced his ears like steel needles.
He forced himself to maintain his proud demeanor and questioned: “Shibo, this Disciple has always respected you like a father. Why humiliate me in public?”
“When you condoned the malpractices of the three peaks, did you ever consider that this day would come?” Yuan Qing True Lord’s fingertips traced the jade slip. With each charge he read, Qi Lin’s face grew a shade paler:
“The private allocation of Mystic Realm quotas in Dragon Xia Peak, the collection of gambling proceeds from gatherings in Jun Ya Peak, the embezzlement of severance pay in Dream Lotus Peak—if you say these have nothing to do with you, are the Law Enforcement Hall blind?”