Chapter 899: Your incident happened

**Winds Rise Across the Nine Provinces**

On Immortal Cloud Mountain, within an unnamed valley, a lake sparkled under the sun. A lone boat drifted on the water, an old man fishing by himself. His fishing rod was already submerged, seemingly hooked to a large fish that dragged the rod across the water's surface.

A rush of air signaled approaching figures. One by one, they landed, encircling the old man. Led by King Gengwu, the six members of the enforcement squad instantly surrounded him. As they landed, the squad members simultaneously activated the Six-Element Spirit-Sealing Lock. In an instant, the spiritual energy in the old man's space was cut off. This sudden change made the old man let out a muffled grunt, his posture hunching slightly.

Lu Ye was positioned behind and to the right of the old man. He looked him over, noting the old man’s vigorous spirit and slender frame.

This was the target of their mission!

From his appearance, one couldn't discern anything special. However, through the simple conversation between King Gengwu and An Mofeng earlier, Lu Ye knew that this old man was not as simple as he seemed.

The old man rose, looked at An Mofeng who stood not far in front of him, and smiled faintly, "So, Senior Brother has come."

An Mofeng looked at this junior brother who had grown up with him, apprenticed with him, and together helped Immortal Cloud Mountain flourish. His heart was twisted in pain. His dry lips moved, but not a single word came out.

"Young friends, you must be from the Law Enforcement Department," the old man then looked at King Gengwu and the others, seemingly resigned to his fate. Not only did he show no sign of resistance, he even had the composure to comment, "Indeed, each of you is extraordinary. Youth is truly wonderful."

Of course, the main reason was that he couldn't resist. Under the Six-Element Spirit-Sealing Lock, spiritual energy was cut off. No matter how high his cultivation was before, at this moment, the old man was merely an ordinary person with an empty physique, unable to exert much power.

King Gengwu snorted coldly, took out a golden parchment from his懷, unfolded it, and declared loudly, "Immortal Cloud Mountain’s Grand Elder, Wuwang, originally named Zhao Jing, a native of Yunzhou. Forty-one years ago, he infiltrated Bingzhou, changed his name, and by chance, joined Immortal Cloud Mountain. He has endured and lain dormant until now, with malicious intent towards Bingzhou's foundation. His crimes are manifold. He is now to be apprehended by my Law Enforcement Hall's Alpha-Eight Squad!"

"Crime One: Twenty-eight years ago, he ambushed the next sect leader of Immortal Cloud Mountain while they were on a mission, leading to his death from injuries."

"Crime Two: Thirty-four years ago, during the battle at Heavy Cloud Pass, he assassinated several cultivators of the Vast Sky Alliance."

"Crime Three: Thirty-one years ago, during the Battle of Hundred Battles Pass, he leaked information to the enemy, causing our side to suffer thousands of casualties."

"Crime Four..."

Although he had already guessed, as King Gengwu read out Wuwang's crimes, Myriad Demon Ridge swayed, his face visibly paling at a rapid pace. He had never imagined that this junior brother, with whom he had lived day and night for decades, had such an unknown side.

With each crime King Gengwu read, Myriad Demon Ridge’s expression became more sorrowful.

"Crime Seven... Forget it, I'm tired of reading." King Gengwu somewhat impatiently put away the list of crimes, staring coldly at Wuwang: "In short, Wuwang, your secret is out. Seize him!"

At his command, two Dragon-Binding Ropes flew out from the hands of Shangguan Qiu and Mu Zheng, one from the left and one from the right. The artifact-level Dragon-Binding Ropes wrapped around Wuwang like spiritual snakes, instantly binding him tightly.

The mission was surprisingly simple.

Lu Ye had originally expected a fight, but he hadn't anticipated that the opponent would show no signs of resistance, allowing them to activate the power of the Six-Element Spirit-Sealing Lock and the Dragon-Binding Ropes. Once captured, the opponent would certainly not be able to cause any trouble.

In other words, the mission was essentially complete. All that remained was to bring this criminal back to Vast Sky City. As for his punishment, that would be a matter for the prison authorities.

Just as Lu Ye thought this, a feeling of unease suddenly arose in his heart. In the unseen depths, an inexplicable sense of crisis welled up.

He felt a chill, secretly becoming vigilant. Such intuitive premonitions were often inaccurate, but sometimes they were indeed omens. Especially for Lu Ye, who had developed divine sense, such feelings could not be easily ignored.

He was suddenly startled: even if he knew he was exposed, there was no reason for Wuwang to simply surrender. Even ants cling to life, let alone cultivators. He wouldn't be unaware of the consequences of being captured. If Lu Ye were in his position, even if he knew resistance would lead to no good outcome, he wouldn't sit idly by and wait for death.

Unless he didn't want to live.

But judging by Wuwang's demeanor, there was not the slightest sign of wanting to die.

With his spiritual essence sealed and his body bound by two Dragon-Binding Ropes, Wuwang remained calm and composed. He looked at King Gengwu: "My friend, law often yields to reason. Given my cooperation, how about allowing me a few words with my Senior Brother?"

King Gengwu frowned, but finally nodded: "A quarter of an hour!"

"I won't need that long." Wuwang smiled faintly, then looked at Myriad Demon Ridge, whose face had completely paled: "Senior Brother must have many questions."

Myriad Demon Ridge's mind was in turmoil, a belly full of questions, not knowing where to start. He subconsciously opened his mouth: "Is there some mistake? Junior Brother, I can explain to them..."

Wuwang chuckled: "Senior Brother, you were naive in your youth, and you remain so in old age. How can you lead Immortal Cloud Mountain in such a state? You should know that the Law Enforcement Department does not easily make a big move. If they act, they must already have conclusive evidence. And, didn't you hear what that friend just said?"

Myriad Demon Ridge clenched his fists, gritting his teeth: "So, you are indeed An Mofeng's secret agent?"

Wuwang sighed: "Fate plays cruel tricks."

"Did you also assassinate the previous sect master?"

"That would be a bit of a wrongful accusation. I don't know where the Law Enforcement Department got their information to know about things from decades ago, but at that time, the old sect master was already severely wounded and nearing his end. I merely helped him on his way. Regardless, the old sect master taught me a great deal; he was half a master to me. Although I am An Mofeng's secret agent, I would not do such a thing."

"What about the other matters?"

"Let's just say I did them," Wuwang replied calmly. Seeing Myriad Demon Ridge about to dwell on these things, he sighed: "Senior Brother, my time is short. Do you only want to ask about these things?"

Myriad Demon Ridge was speechless for a moment. How could he not know he was asking useless questions?

Wuwang said: "Senior Brother, there's no need to waste your breath. I am indeed An Mofeng's secret agent. When I was young and had not yet embarked on the path of cultivation, I was sent here. Although it was out of necessity, I have indeed done many things that harmed the Vast Sky Alliance. The Law Enforcement Department is right to apprehend me today."

"How could this be...?" Even now, Myriad Demon Ridge still found it difficult to believe. Such a matter would indeed be hard for anyone to accept.

"There are many other secret agents like me from An Mofeng's side within the Vast Sky Alliance. Of course, the Vast Sky Alliance has also planted many people on An Mofeng's side. The two major factions have been in opposition this way since the beginning. However, although I am An Mofeng's man, I grew up and cultivated here in Immortal Cloud Mountain. I have always considered myself a member of Immortal Cloud Mountain, hoping that one day I could lead the sect with you, Senior Brother, to become a top-tier Ninth-Grade sect."

He gazed wistfully into the distance, his eyes complex: "It's a pity!"

"Time's up, Sect Master An. We should go," King Gengwu called out.

Myriad Demon Ridge stood frozen, clearly, this series of events had shaken his mind, leaving his thoughts in disarray. Seeing his state, Wuwang felt a mix of disappointment and frustration: "After the old sect master died, many elders recommended you for the position. I strongly opposed it because Senior Brother, you are not suitable to be a sect master. Your character is too easily influenced by external forces. Looking at it now, it's true! Just one traitor has shaken your spirit. What will you do if you encounter something even bigger?"

"What bigger thing?" Myriad Demon Ridge subconsciously pressed.

"For example... the danger of sect annihilation," Wuwang looked at him with profound eyes.

At that instant, Lu Ye's heart pounded wildly. The sense of crisis he had felt earlier intensified to its peak.

*Clang...*

The sound of a long saber being unsheathed startled everyone. As their gazes converged, they saw the long saber in Lu Ye's hand already ablaze with fire, striking down towards Wuwang.

This sudden turn of events greatly surprised King Gengwu and the others. They didn't know what madness had possessed Lu Ye. Their mission was merely to apprehend the target. As for how to deal with him, that was not their concern; the people in Vast Sky City would handle it. If they killed someone now, they wouldn't be able to account for it when they returned.

"Stop!" King Gengwu's voice just fell when his face suddenly changed dramatically.

Only because a powerful, invisible force suddenly erupted from Wuwang, who should have been bound and utterly defenseless, sweeping outwards in all directions. The next instant, King Gengwu felt a pain in his head, and golden stars swam before his eyes. The other few were even less stable, falling into the lake.

"Divine Sense!" King Gengwu was, after all, at the True Lake Ninth Realm. Though suddenly attacked, he didn't immediately lose consciousness. After realizing what had happened, he was filled with shock and anger.

The target of this mission was not a True Lake Realm cultivator at all, but a hidden Divine Sea Realm cultivator! No one knew when he had advanced to Divine Sea, nor what means he had used to hide for so many years. But from the strength of his divine sense alone, the opponent must have advanced to Divine Sea some time ago, and his cultivation was at least at the Divine Sea Second Realm.

The sudden change caught everyone off guard. Under the divine sense impact, Myriad Demon Ridge and King Gengwu could barely maintain their balance, while the others all fell into the lake. The effect of the Six-Element Spirit-Sealing Lock was instantly broken.

Only Lu Ye's long saber continued its descent without losing momentum.

"Hmm?" Wuwang showed a look of surprise.

In his perception, Lu Ye had the lowest cultivation among everyone present, merely at the True Lake First Realm. But in this sudden turn of events, Lu Ye's performance was the most striking; he had even made his move before Wuwang himself did. And under Wuwang's divine sense impact, this True Lake First Realm youngster hadn't been affected in the slightest.

This was indeed peculiar. Wuwang subconsciously assumed that Lu Ye must have come from a top-tier great sect and was wearing some extraordinary treasure.