Chapter 988: Chen Family

The battle came and went quickly, lasting no more than twenty breaths. A fierce beast was vanquished, leaving the rescued Spirit Stream Realm cultivators wide-eyed and stunned, unable to recover for a long time.

It was only then that Nightingale finally arrived. Lu Ye stepped onto the Jade-Scale Python, pulled out his Mountain-Shattering Blade, and glanced at Nightingale: "Is this the beast?"

"It should be," Nightingale nodded.

Mission accomplished!

This mission was much simpler and easier than their search-and-rescue tasks, mainly because the six-person team worked seamlessly together. Each member was exceptionally strong, allowing them to defeat the beast perfectly and without harm.

There was no need to rush back. To be safe, it was better to scout the surroundings, as it wouldn't take much extra time.

As Lu Ye thought this, he suddenly looked up in one direction. He saw a streak of light rapidly approaching, and judging by its spiritual energy fluctuations, it was clearly a True Lake Realm cultivator.

Lu Ye subtly waved his hand. Nightingale silently cupped his fists, quickly retreated, and soon vanished from sight. Nightingale's identity was highly secretive; it was best not to appear before others. Lu Ye didn't know who was coming, but it was likely someone from a nearby sect or family who had noticed the commotion from the battle and had come to investigate.

A moment later, the approaching figure descended, revealing himself. Lu Ye saw that it was a grizzled, middle-aged elder. Though advanced in years, he had a robust physique and abundant vitality, clearly following the path of a body cultivator.

"Grand Elder!" several still-shaken Spirit Stream Realm cultivators cried out mournfully.

"What happened?" the elder demanded.

Among them, a slightly younger cultivator, having steadied his mind, recounted what had just occurred: "We were ordered to patrol the area with Senior Brother Wan. When we passed this spot, this fiend suddenly attacked, swallowing Senior Brother Wan whole... It then tried to eat us, but these people saved us." As he spoke, he gestured towards Chen Lie and the others.

The elder was furious: "How could such a fierce creature appear in our Lu Ye territory without anyone noticing sooner!" He looked heartbroken.

He then turned to Chen Lie and the others: "I am Mei Jian, Grand Elder of Mi Mountain Lu Ye. May I ask who you are..."

Chen Lie cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Chen Lie of the Law Enforcement Hall, Division Four of the Law Enforcement Department."

Grand Elder Mei Jian showed surprise: "The Law Enforcement Hall?"

Chen Lie explained, "We received intelligence earlier that there might be a fierce beast here, so we came to investigate. We just happened to encounter this fiend harming people."

"I see," Grand Elder Mei Jian's expression softened. "Many thanks for saving the lives of several of our unworthy disciples from Lu Ye."

"The Law Enforcement Hall punishes evil and eliminates villains; it's our duty."

"To the Law Enforcement Hall, it may be your duty, but to these disciples of our Lu Ye, it is a life-saving grace," Grand Elder Mei Jian turned to the cultivators. "Quickly, thank your senior brothers and sisters."

The cultivators quickly stepped forward, expressing sincere thanks.

Chen Lie waved his hand, indicating there was no need, as they were merely carrying out a mission. He only regretted that they were a step too late and couldn't save Senior Brother Wan's life.

Grand Elder Mei Jian said, "We will never forget this life-saving kindness. If you don't mind, would you consider visiting our Lu Ye so I, Mei Jian, can properly host you?"

"Grand Elder, there's no need to be so polite. Our mission is complete; we'll just patrol the vicinity once more and then head back." Once a mission was done, they usually rushed back to report and collect their battle merits, leaving no time for lingering.

"If that's the case," Grand Elder Mei Jian persuaded, "I'll immediately dispatch personnel to thoroughly investigate the area within a hundred miles. Should anything unusual be found, I'll inform you promptly. This is, after all, Lu Ye's territory, and protecting the safety of its mortals is our responsibility. How could we trouble the esteemed members of the Law Enforcement Hall further?" He continued, "Though your cultivation levels are impressive, there are only six of you. Why not let our Lu Ye handle this area? We guarantee it will be thorough. What do you say?"

Chen Lie pondered for a moment and nodded: "That would be good."

Normally, matters within a sect's territory were indeed the responsibility of that sect. Even if the law enforcement team hadn't come, if the Jade-Scale Python had caused trouble, the Lu Ye sect would not have stood idly by; they would have certainly dispatched powerful members to eliminate it. Allowing the Lu Ye sect to thoroughly investigate the situation within its territory and confirm there were no other fierce creatures causing mischief would save them some trouble. Furthermore, it was already late, and while it wouldn't significantly hinder their travel, it was ultimately less convenient than traveling during the day. Staying at Grand Elder Mei Jian's place for a night before departing wouldn't be too late.

"Please!" Grand Elder Mei Jian extended his hand, inviting them, then led the way.

Chen Lie nodded slightly and led his team to follow behind Grand Elder Mei Jian.

In a short while, they arrived at Grand Elder Mei Jian's residence. Unlike the Zhou family in Dingtian City, which was located in a bustling market, the Lu Ye sect's base was at the foot of Mi Mountain, in a notably lively environment. Although similar in rank to the Zhou family, Grand Elder Mei Jian's establishment was clearly larger, with a continuous stretch of buildings at the foot of the mountain, all part of the Lu Ye sect's property, where many cultivators could be seen coming and going.

Grand Elder Mei Jian led the way, introducing the situation at the Lu Ye sect to Chen Lie and his team, appearing very hospitable. However, given the significant age and generational difference, coupled with Chen Lie not being one for casual conversation, he could only respond occasionally, resulting in an atmosphere that was neither cold nor overly enthusiastic.

They soon arrived at a grand hall, which appeared to be the Lu Ye sect's guest hall. Chen Lie and his team took their seats.

Grand Elder Mei Jian said, "Please wait a moment. I will go invite our Clan Leader and arrange the patrolling personnel."

Chen Lie had no objections. Grand Elder Mei Jian left.

A short while later, a Lu Ye attendant served tea. Having traveled and just fought a battle, Chen Lie was somewhat thirsty, so he picked up a teacup and took a sip.

As the tea went down, his expression subtly changed. He looked up at Chen Tianchui opposite him: "Don't drink!"

Chen Tianchui had already raised the teacup to her lips and was startled by his words: "What's wrong?"

The others also paused their movements.

"It's poisoned!" Chen Lie closed his eyes, immersing his mind to examine his talent tree. At that moment, a gray mist ignited on the tree trunk. Not only that, he suddenly noticed something amiss with his divine sense pool. He quickly inspected it.

Outside his divine sense pool, there was a foreign object, resembling an unknown insect. Had Chen Lie not developed divine sense, he wouldn't have noticed it at all. He didn't know what kind of insect it was; even the talent tree hadn't incinerated it immediately. It must have entered his body through that sip of tea.

Chen Lie instantly realized that what was in the tea wasn't poison, but this foreign object! The talent tree had an extremely sensitive reaction to foreign objects invading the body, which was why it had burned with a gray mist. Before the insect could approach his divine sense pool, a cluster of flames appeared out of nowhere and enveloped it. Chen Lie vaguely heard a sharp, piercing shriek, and the insect turned to ash. The color of the flames that incinerated the insect was precisely the color of the flames on his talent tree, clearly indicating the talent tree had activated its power.

"Clang." Chen Tianchui, startled, dropped her teacup. Although she didn't understand how Chen Lie could instantly taste whether the tea was poisoned, she was always the most obedient; whatever the captain said, she followed.

Chen Lie opened his eyes and suddenly stood up: "Let's go! This is no place to linger."

Just moments ago, he had felt a strange sensation. The Law Enforcement Hall's reputation was generally not very good, as they often did work that offended people, and most sects and families would keep their distance. Yet, the Lu Ye sect had extended a warm invitation. Chen Lie hadn't thought much of it initially, assuming it was natural for them to be grateful and wish to repay them, as they had indeed saved the lives of several Lu Ye disciples. But now it seemed that the so-called gratitude was merely a facade; the Lu Ye sect had intentions to harm them.

He couldn't understand what the Lu Ye sect was trying to do! Offending the Law Enforcement Hall would not end well; such a large family had no need to play with fire like this. And what was the purpose of that insect?

Time was short, and Chen Lie had no time to ponder too deeply. He only knew that leaving this place quickly was paramount.

Meanwhile, in a secret chamber, a Reflecting Moon Disk showed the situation inside the main hall. Grand Elder Mei Jian and Lin Yinxiu were observing and monitoring the activities within the hall.

Seeing Chen Lie drink a sip of tea, Lin Yinxiu couldn't help but reveal a look of triumph, believing the situation was under control. However, her joy quickly turned to astonishment. This was because Chen Lie had actually detected the abnormality in the tea and quickly stood up. Opposite him, a woman had even dropped her teacup.

"What happened?" Grand Elder Mei Jian was somewhat dumbfounded. The method bestowed by the Revered Lord was undetectable by anyone below the Divine Sea Realm. Even if Lu Ye was skilled, he shouldn't have noticed. Just like Nightingale earlier, after being captured, she quickly became compliant. Although Nightingale outwardly remained a member of the Law Enforcement Department, she was now effectively their subordinate. Yet, all signs undoubtedly indicated that their methods had indeed been exposed to Chen Lie.

"Don't let them leave!" Lin Yinxiu reacted much faster than Grand Elder Mei Jian. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she immediately took out a jade slip and poured spiritual energy into it. The next moment, a buzzing sound emanated.

"The grand formation has been activated. Quickly, take people to intercept them! Under no circumstances can we let them leave, nor can we give them a chance to send a message! Except for Lu Ye, everyone else can be killed!" Lin Yinxiu slowly gave the order.

"Yes!" Grand Elder Mei Jian responded, quickly flashing out.

Lin Yinxiu's forehead beaded with sweat. She felt that today's major affair had gone awry, mainly because she truly hadn't expected Lu Ye to be so alert and capable of detecting the anomaly in the tea. A person valued by the Revered Lord truly couldn't be underestimated!

Though flustered, she was not panicked. Lu Ye had already drunk the tea, and that thing should have hatched. Thus, Lu Ye was effectively one of them. As long as they didn't give the other members a chance to send a message and killed them there, there was still room to salvage the situation. Many thoughts raced through her mind. Lin Yinxiu wiped the sweat from her forehead, tapped her combat imprint, and sent out a message: "Please report to the Revered Lord..."

Meanwhile, in a remote, uninhabited place in Bing Province.

The lake shimmered, and autumn waters rippled.

By the lakeside, two thatched huts stood. On the shore, a woman held a fishing rod, but after a long time, no fish took the bait. She wasn't anxious, merely sitting calmly on a chair, looking relaxed. Beside the woman, a graceful man stood quietly. It was unknown how long he had been standing there, yet he showed no trace of impatience. He occasionally gazed at the woman's profile, his eyes filled with adoration.