Luo Feng did not hide the truth and transmitted a message: “One of my observation Secret Techniques has recently made a breakthrough. It allows me to observe the soul of a cultivator and determine whether their soul is being controlled.”
“You can see it with a single glance?” Yuan Xiang Palace Master was both astonished and delighted.
The infiltration of Low Level Primordial Life into cities was a challenge faced by all thirty-five cities in the Nine Rivers Sacred Realm. The vast majority of cities were unable to detect them, relying instead on subtle clues and the deduction of celestial mechanisms for confirmation.
“If a cultivator is present and there is no Formation concealing them, I can see through over ninety percent of the cultivators at a glance. However, if there are powerful Secret Techniques or Secret Treasures masking them, I will need to examine them one-on-one at close range.”
“If a cultivator is hiding inside a cave mansion and its Formation is concealing them, then I won’t be able to see clearly,” Luo Feng replied.
His ‘Biomimetic Destruction Eye’ was, after all, an imitative Secret Technique, and its observational capabilities still had many limitations.
“Even so, it’s very impressive.”
Yuan Xiang Palace Master was overjoyed. “Even in the Dark Sacred Realm, being able to discern at a glance whether someone’s soul is controlled is a rare ability found only among the strongest. In my prime, I did not possess such observational techniques.”
“Across the entire Nine Rivers Sacred Realm, there may only be one or two others who can rival you in this ability,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master said happily. “With you in Yulan City, its security will be significantly enhanced.”
Having such a powerful figure overseeing a city drastically increased the difficulty of Low Level Primordial Life launching assassination attempts. If they infiltrated, they would have to act quickly; long-term lurking increased their risk of being exposed.
“Luo Feng, I hope you can assist us by thoroughly investigating the entire city,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master said. “Start with those walking outside! Then, I will issue a notice to the entire city, arranging for all cave mansion Formations to be disabled in phases, so you can check them one by one.”
The cave mansions were rented, and Yulan City naturally had control over their Formations.
However, if cultivators had set up their own Formations, Yulan City couldn’t forcibly deactivate them; the cultivators themselves would need to disable them.
The plan to phase out and disable all the cave mansion Formations citywide was uniform. No one in the city would dare oppose it.
“I can confirm that there are definitely a good number of Low Level Primordial Life lurking in the city, but we can only detect a minimal amount of evidence,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master said with worry. “A comprehensive screening will make things significantly safer.”
“Without proper authority, my actions won’t carry weight,” Luo Feng transmitted. “If I’m to be responsible for a citywide screening, I’ll need the position of ‘Heaven Patrol Palace Commander’ in Yulan City.”
“Heaven Patrol Palace Commander?” Yuan Xiang Palace Master hesitated.
The Heaven Patrol Palace was the headquarters for all patrol and guard units in the city.
The position of Heaven Patrol Palace Commander consisted of one main commander and two deputy commanders.
The sole main commander position was currently held by the ‘Shadow Tower Lord.’ For instance, during the current investigation of tens of thousands of cultivators, ensuring they hadn’t been possessed was an effort personally overseen by the Shadow Tower Lord.
The Shadow Tower Lord was highly adept at soul-related techniques, and his one-on-one close examinations could identify anyone possessed.
“The Heaven Patrol Palace Commander is mainly responsible for screening for lurking Low Level Primordial Life,” Luo Feng transmitted. “Since I’m being asked to handle this role and may be required to continue doing this in the future, I deserve the corresponding appointment.”
Yuan Xiang Palace Master understood as well.
Asking Luo Feng to examine the entire city was clearly not a one-time request.
It would require periodic screenings over time.
“Alright!” Yuan Xiang Palace Master transmitted. “The position of Heaven Patrol Palace Commander is now yours! You can proceed to the Heaven Patrol Palace and coordinate the handover with the Shadow Tower Lord.”
Luo Feng nodded slightly.
Each time lurking Low Level Primordial Life were discovered, thousands or tens of thousands of affiliated cultivators would be captured for screening! Batch after batch would be taken in, and although most emerged safely, they would leave with their treasures thoroughly drained.
This systematic exploitation was even more ruthless than the three major looting factions’ theft and plundering!
“Wei Yang Palace Master is unfit to manage Yulan City.” At present, Luo Feng lacked the upper hand in terms of power, as both sides were on the same level. However, once he elevated his mastery of the Life and Death Dao by another level, his superiority would dominate the entire city. By that point, certain matters would become much easier to handle.
Swoosh—
Luo Feng turned and flew toward the direction of the Heaven Patrol Palace at Yulan City’s core.
******
Yuan Xiang Palace Master sat within his cave mansion, his aura somewhat weak.
“Wei Yang, Gai Tao.” Yuan Xiang Palace Master directly contacted his two companions.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two phantom figures appeared next to him—Wei Yang Palace Master and Gai Tao Palace Master.
“Brother Yuan Xiang.” Wei Yang Palace Master greeted him with a polite smile. At his peak, Yuan Xiang Palace Master had been a figure who mastered two and a half Half Primordial Level Paths! Even in the Dark Sacred Realm, his influence was substantial. Many of Yuan Xiang Palace Master’s friends were of the same level—a network that spoke for itself.
As long as Yuan Xiang Palace Master was alive, Wei Yang Palace Master had to give him due respect.
“Brother Yuan Xiang, what prompted you to call the two of us so suddenly?” Gai Tao Palace Master asked as well.
“I’ve decided to hand over the position of Heaven Patrol Palace Commander to Luo Feng,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master said directly.
“Oh?” Gai Tao Palace Master raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. “I’ve heard about a strong cultivator named Luo Feng emerging in Yulan City of late.”
“Absolutely not.”
But Wei Yang Palace Master immediately objected. “The position of Heaven Patrol Palace Commander is of great importance as it concerns the safety of the entire city. Moreover, screening cultivators for possession is an extremely challenging task. Shadow Tower Lord has been doing an excellent job.”
“But Luo Feng can do even better,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master replied. “Today alone, he captured fifteen avatars of Enchanting Heart Worms because he has a Secret Technique that allows him to determine from a distance with one glance whether a cultivator is possessed.”
“How is that even possible?”
Both Wei Yang Palace Master and Gai Tao Palace Master were visibly shocked.
Such a powerful observational Secret Technique?
“With such a technique, he should be able to screen the entire city in less than a day,” Wei Yang Palace Master frowned. “Why the need to assign him the Heaven Patrol Palace Commander position?”
Yuan Xiang Palace Master chuckled. “But he said it himself—if he is to painstakingly perform the task, he has but one request: the Heaven Patrol Palace Commander position.”
“He’s far too greedy!” Wei Yang Palace Master was enraged.
The discovery of lurkers in Yulan City was a regular occurrence, and each screening yielded terrifyingly large profits. The Shadow Tower Lord was technically the one in charge, but the majority of the income ultimately flowed into Wei Yang Palace Master’s hands.
Now that Luo Feng was claiming this position, Wei Yang Palace Master would lose a prime source of continual revenue.
“Just because he claims expertise in observation doesn’t make it so,” Wei Yang Palace Master retorted. “Finding fifteen Enchanting Heart Worm avatars might have been due to some unusual circumstance.”
“Everything must be prioritized for Yulan City’s safety,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master said solemnly. “If his observational and screening abilities are indeed superior, let him take on the Commander position for now. If he proves to be ineffectual, we can then revoke his appointment.”
“I have no objections,” Gai Tao Palace Master said.
“Then it’s settled,” Yuan Xiang Palace Master stated.
Wei Yang Palace Master felt stifled.
Although Yuan Xiang Palace Master was not one to fight over power or profit, when he decided on something, Wei Yang Palace Master could do little to oppose it.
After all, Yuan Xiang Palace Master was the City Builder and held the highest authority.
…
Sitting in his Quiet Room, Wei Yang Palace Master’s expression turned grim. He had long foreseen that Luo Feng might pose a certain degree of threat. He had even contemplated that one day a fourth palace master, ‘Luo Feng Palace Master,’ might emerge. But the threat had arrived far sooner than he expected.
“How long has he been in Yulan City? And he’s already taken the Heaven Patrol Palace Commander position from us?” Wei Yang Palace Master was visibly displeased.
The majority of elders held merely honorary positions, responsible for their respective defensive systems and receiving only a fixed income, nothing more.
The Heaven Patrol Palace Commander role, however, was a true powerhouse position brimming with “tremendous profit!” In the past, Yuan Xiang Palace Master hadn’t contended for it, leaving it to Wei Yang Palace Master’s faction.
“Shadow Tower Lord!” Wei Yang Palace Master immediately transmitted a message.
“Palace Master.” A virtual image of a middle-aged figure appeared nearby.
“Your position as Heaven Patrol Palace Commander has been taken,” Wei Yang Palace Master stated.
“What?” Shadow Tower Lord was visibly taken aback. This position was far too lucrative—those sent into the Heaven Patrol Palace never left without all their treasures being drained before they were allowed to walk free.
“It was Yuan Xiang Palace Master’s decision, and I couldn’t stop it,” Wei Yang Palace Master shook his head.
“Who is the new commander?” Shadow Tower Lord pressed for an answer.
“That Luo Feng,” Wei Yang Palace Master replied.
“Him?” Shadow Tower Lord frowned. “I already suspected Luo Feng wasn’t someone content to remain ordinary when he bested the Insect Nest. But I didn’t anticipate him seizing my Commander position on his first major move. Palace Master, are we just going to let him take it?”
“I couldn’t persuade Yuan Xiang Palace Master otherwise,” Wei Yang Palace Master admitted. “Invite Luo Feng. Bring him to my cave mansion—I will speak with him myself. Should he voluntarily relinquish the Commander role, even Yuan Xiang Palace Master would have no objections.”
“Understood.” Shadow Tower Lord nodded.
Losing such a continuous and enormous stream of revenue was something neither Wei Yang Palace Master nor Shadow Tower Lord was willing to tolerate.
…
The core region of Yulan City, the Heaven Patrol Palace.
This was the military headquarters for the many patrol and guard teams and also the location where prisoners were detained.
“Whoosh.” “Whoosh.” “Whoosh.” Patrol teams escorted large groups of cultivators to the Heaven Patrol Palace. These were individuals suspected of having connections with lurking Primordial beings.
The cultivators wore expressions of helplessness, unable to take action against their predicament. They could only curse their bad luck.
“Once you enter the Heaven Patrol Palace, you’ll probably be drained clean,” the cultivators thought with despair, one by one being escorted in and locked away separately.
Whoosh!
Luo Feng now arrived near the Heaven Patrol Palace as well.
“Brother Luo Feng.” A middle-aged man, leading a group of subordinates, stepped forward to greet him. This middle-aged man was one of the Shadow Tower Lord’s most common avatars.
“Shadow Tower.” Luo Feng looked at him, his heart filled with disdain toward this man. In his eyes, such individuals were the scum of the cultivator world. If it were up to him, he would have executed them all.
“I’ve received orders to transfer the Commander position to Brother Luo Feng,” Shadow Tower Lord said with a smile, noticing Luo Feng’s unfriendly demeanor but choosing not to take issue with it. “The Commander position of the Heaven Patrol Palace carries great responsibility; I hope Brother Luo Feng will dedicate yourself to it.”
“I understand,” Luo Feng replied.
“There’s one more important matter,” Shadow Tower Lord said with a sly grin. “Wei Yang Palace Master has instructed me to ensure Brother Luo Feng visits his cave mansion. Shall we head there now?”
“Wei Yang Palace Master wants to see me?” Luo Feng mused internally.
The Heaven Patrol Palace Commander position was clearly a coveted “chunk of meat” for Wei Yang Palace Master’s faction. Now that Luo Feng seized it, Wei Yang Palace Master was likely not pleased.
Though they viewed it as a treasure trove, Luo Feng had no intention of oppressing tens of thousands of cultivators for riches.
“I’ve just taken office today, and there’s pressing work—the screening of tens of thousands of cultivators,” Luo Feng said. “Once I’ve completed my duties, I’ll naturally visit Wei Yang Palace Master.”
“Luo Feng.” Shadow Tower Lord’s figure shifted slightly, blocking Luo Feng’s path. “You intend to make Wei Yang Palace Master wait?”
“Step aside!”
Luo Feng’s gaze turned cold. “This is the Heaven Patrol Palace. Are you planning to challenge its Commander here?”
The nearby patrol teams were bewildered but instinctively sided with their new Commander.
“Fine, very well.” Shadow Tower Lord smirked. “I’ll be sure to relay every word you’ve said to Wei Yang Palace Master.” With that, his figure flickered and vanished.
Luo Feng sneered slightly and continued flying toward the main entrance of the Heaven Patrol Palace.
The guards at the main gate had been waiting in anticipation. When Luo Feng approached, they saluted with utmost respect: “Commander!”