Chapter 975: Passion Fruit Pavilion

Wind Rises Across the Nine Provinces

No one would joke like that in the Hunting Pavilion. And now, with Qian Wudang's confirmation, the elderly man finally realized that Lu Ye had indeed completed all the tasks on the jade slips.But... was such a feat truly possible?Half a month, six tasks—even a Divine Sea Realm master might not achieve such efficiency. Simply locating people would consume vast amounts of time and energy.

"Then I'll take my leave!" Lu Ye handed back the task jade slips and bowed."Not taking more tasks?" the elderly man asked casually."Not for now." Lu Ye continued walking, waving his hand lightly.

He mainly had no battle merits left. He currently possessed just over twenty thousand, and a single Tracking Disc cost thirty thousand; he couldn't afford one.Furthermore, after being on the road for so long, he genuinely needed a period of rest. At the very least, his third senior brother needed time to cultivate. Otherwise, what was the point of earning so many battle merits?Typically, enforcement teams would exchange their earned battle merits for spirit tokens to cultivate after completing each mission. Once their merits were depleted, they would accept new assignments. This was the usual cultivation rhythm for most cultivators: they would swiftly spend their battle merits, converting them into their own foundational strength.

As Lu Ye departed, Qian Wudang and the elderly man in the Hunting Pavilion looked at each other."Old Master, do you think this might be a blessing from the Heavenly Dao?" Qian Wudang asked, his expression grave."Absolutely not!" The elderly man shook his head decisively.Even with the favor of the Heavenly Dao, one's luck wouldn't be *that* good. In half a month, eight target missions—after accounting for travel time, that averaged out to capturing one person every two days. Such a feat couldn't simply be explained by divine favor alone."How did he do it?" Qian Wudang racked his brains but couldn't comprehend.

The elderly man mused, "He previously claimed to have borrowed Tracking Discs, but I absolutely wouldn't believe it. Now, however, there seems to be no other explanation.""He has that many Tracking Discs?""To confirm that, why don't you ask Xiao Ruyun? She accompanied him on these missions; she'd know how they were completed."Qian Wudang nodded. "I'll try." He just hoped Xiao Ruyun would tell him...

Fortunately, this time, Xiao Ruyun's reply came swiftly."Well?" the elderly man inquired.Qian Wudang gave a wry smile. "That kid really did use Tracking Discs for his missions... it's truly extravagant."Since Lu Ye joined the Law Enforcement Hall of the Judiciary Department, he had completed four missions in less than a month. In other words, in under a month, he had consumed four Tracking Discs.Where did he acquire so many?

"I just recalled something," the elderly man said slowly. "Back then, Feng Wujiang also used Tracking Discs many times to pinpoint the precise locations of powerful individuals from Ten Thousand Demon Ridge, and then ambushed them! This caused considerable panic in Ten Thousand Demon Ridge. I was very perplexed back then as to where Feng Wujiang obtained so many Tracking Discs. I even asked him directly, and he claimed he could refine them.""But Tracking Discs are gifts from the Heavenly Dao; how could Feng Wujiang refine them?""That's not something I would know.""Are you suggesting...?""It's possible that Tracking Discs can indeed be refined. If Feng Wujiang possessed a refining method, it wouldn't be surprising for Lu Ye to be able to refine them, given that they both originate from the Jade Blood Sect."Qian Wudang nodded slightly. With that explanation, some things began to make sense.

"That boy is a treasure!" The elderly man declared. "He refines Exploding Fire Spirit Stones. If he can also refine Tracking Discs, then his inherent value is immeasurable.""That's precisely why I asked you not to assign him overly difficult tasks, and not just for Xiao Ruyun's sake. I feared he might encounter danger. That boy even dared to trespass places like Jinglan Lake Pass; he must be incredibly bold. I had hoped these tasks would keep him occupied for a while, but I didn't anticipate that he could also refine Tracking Discs."In that case, their previous plan would no longer work."So, what's your strategy? You can't simply forbid him from taking more tasks; the Judiciary Department has no such rules or precedents," the elderly man inquired."I'll find an opportunity to speak with him," Qian Wudang replied, his expression troubled.If Lu Ye were merely unambitious and content with mediocrity, this matter wouldn't be an issue. But observing Lu Ye's growth trajectory, how could he not know that the boy was not one to remain idle?Yet, as the elderly master said, he couldn't simply prevent him from taking more tasks. The Judiciary Department truly had no such precedent.

In the small courtyard, Lu Ye returned. He didn't see Lin Yinxu or Xiao Ruyun; they were likely resting.The snowman in the courtyard had long since melted, and the pristine snow had transformed into clear streams.Lu Ye entered his room and began refining Exploding Fire Spirit Stones. It was almost time for the next delivery. He mused that the output could be slightly increased. This way, the battle merits he received each month would be greater. However, he couldn't increase it too much, as it would be difficult to explain. Seventy thousand battle merits per month seemed just right.

While busy, a message arrived via his battlefield imprint. Lu Ye checked and found it was from Geng Luye, asking if he was in Vast Sky City.Lu Ye quickly replied. He initially thought Team Eight needed extra hands for a mission, but it turned out to be an invitation to drink.Team Eight had also just returned from a mission. A small gathering after each mission had become their tradition.Lu Ye naturally agreed. He left his room, pondered for a moment, then went to his third senior brother's room and gently knocked on the door.Drinking was certainly not something to do alone; the more people, the merrier. Moreover, everyone was now serving in the Law Enforcement Hall, so they would inevitably need to interact in the future.Pan Sihai opened the door.Lu Ye stated his intention: "Someone invited me for drinks. Senior Brother, if you're free, would you like to come along?"Pan Sihai laughed heartily: "Such a good thing is not to be missed! Let's go together.""I'll go too!" Xiao Ruyun poked her head out from the adjacent room, and even Amber, who had been napping in the corridor, scurried onto Lu Ye's shoulder, adopting a stance of sharing both good times and bad."Then let's go," Lu Ye called out, and the three immediately ascended into the air.

A short while later, they arrived at Hundred Fragrance Tower. The main hall was bustling with guests, very lively.Geng Luye led Lin Yinxu and Xiao Ruyun inside, and immediately spotted Pan Sihai waiting there."Lu Ye, you're late! You'll have to fine yourself three cups later!" Pan Sihai exclaimed warmly. Previously, he had addressed Lu Ye as 'junior brother,' but now Lu Ye's cultivation was advancing rapidly, clearly about to surpass his, so 'junior brother' no longer seemed fitting. Furthermore, as they were quite familiar, calling him 'Lu Ye' felt more intimate. He then noticed the two people Lu Ye had brought: "And who are these two...?""This is my third senior brother, Lin Yinxu, and this is my team member, Xiao Ruyun," Lu Ye introduced.Upon hearing that Lin Yinxu was Lu Ye's third senior brother, Pan Sihai became exceedingly cordial. Xiao Ruyun was also a beauty, earning Pan Sihai's even greater praise.Although this fellow sometimes spoke without thinking, he was fundamentally a good person with a knack for words. A few sentences from him made people feel instantly close.The four of them proceeded further inside.

Hundred Fragrance Tower was quite spacious. The main hall, spanning three floors, could seat dozens of tables, and the back hall featured several pleasant private courtyards, primarily for regular patrons.Geng Luye had a close relationship with the Hundred Fragrance Tower proprietress, so he was always seated in a private courtyard.This time, the courtyard was different from the last, but the general environment was similar and quite good.In the courtyard's pavilion, a long table was set up, around which several members of Team Eight were seated, drinking and enjoying themselves. Geng Luye led Lu Ye and the others to join them.After exchanging greetings, Lu Ye once again introduced Lin Yinxu and Xiao Ruyun.The others didn't have much of a reaction beyond a warm demeanor, but Geng Luye looked at Xiao Ruyun in surprise.He frequently visited the Judiciary Department's main hall, so he naturally recognized Xiao Ruyun!He never expected that the esteemed Department Head would actually be willing to let this woman out and assign her to Lu Ye's team. This clearly indicated Lu Ye's significance in the Department Head's eyes.Although he understood the implications, he didn't say much, treating Xiao Ruyun as an ordinary cultivator from the Law Enforcement Hall.Mu Zheng was evidently very pleased, as she was usually the only woman at these gatherings. Even if everyone was as close as siblings, there were still many moments of awkwardness.Xiao Ruyun's arrival provided her with someone to share whispers with, and within moments, the two women huddled together.Delicious and exquisite food was continuously brought out. With their cultivation, everyone drank heartily and conversed loudly, creating a lively atmosphere.There were likely cultivators gathering in the adjacent courtyards as well, as snippets of conversation could occasionally be heard from either side.The courtyard actually featured some restrictive formations. If they wished to avoid being overheard, they could activate the restrictions for sound isolation. However, this was typically reserved for discussing important matters; ordinary gatherings didn't require such trouble.In any case, activating restrictive formations always consumed spirit stones.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more boisterous.Geng Luye and the others clinked their chopsticks against their bowls, some chanting softly, some singing loudly. Lu Ye listened with enjoyment. Although he didn't quite catch what they were singing, he could feel the deep camaraderie among the members of Team Eight.When cultivators leave their sects and venture into the Nine Provinces, joining the Bingzhou Guard, their sect remains their primary reliance and support. However, along the way, forging bonds with like-minded friends is equally indispensable.It is through such connections that many meaningful moments in life are found.

Amidst the cheerful mood, a sharp shout suddenly erupted from the adjacent courtyard: "What's all that wailing and howling? You're disturbing our peace!"The soft chanting and loud singing abruptly ceased. Everyone exchanged glances, feeling embarrassed.No one grew angry over it; after all, they had been at fault for disturbing others. It was merely that everyone was in such high spirits this time and had drunk quite a bit, so they hadn't considered this. In the past, while Team Eight's small gatherings were lively, they weren't usually this boisterous.Geng Luye then instructed: "Ruyun, activate the courtyard's restrictions.""Alright!" Xiao Ruyun acknowledged the command and was about to activate the formations.Just then, a low gasp suddenly came from the adjacent courtyard, as if someone had been startled. Immediately afterward, the voice of the person who had just shouted earlier spoke again: "Boss Shen, if you don't drink this wine, you're not showing respect to my brothers. My mood isn't very good today, so there might be some uncivilized actions."