Chapter 500: An Old Case

"Long time no see."Chen Mobai was led into an understated club by Lin Yin and met Lan Haitian.

"Please, sit."Lan Haitian gestured for Chen Mobai to sit at a tea table by the window. Lin Yin then quietly exited, closing the door behind her.

If this conversation between two Golden Core cultivators had taken place anywhere else in the Immortal Sect, it would have been front-page news. But this was Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, the very heart of the Immortal Sect.

"Congratulations on forming your Golden Core. To be honest, while I always believed you would reach this realm eventually, I truly didn't expect it to happen so quickly.""Thank you," Chen Mobai replied with a slight smile, neither humble nor boastful.

He knew that someone of Lan Haitian's stature wouldn't seek him out without a significant reason. Engaging in polite pleasantries with such individuals could easily lead him astray, so it was better to wait for Lan Haitian to get to the point.

Just then, the door opened again, and Lin Yin entered, carrying a tray with a complete tea-making set, including tea leaves and cups. As Chen Mobai and Lan Haitian continued their conversation, they watched her graceful tea preparation, an elegant display that completely belied her reputation as the infamous, blood-stained leader of the Repairing Heaven Group's Sixth Division.

Lan Haitian: "May I ask you something?"Chen Mobai: "Please do."Lan Haitian: "Why did you choose Qingsang Academy in Yumucheng after forming your Golden Core?"

Chen Mobai hadn't anticipated this question from Lan Haitian. He had assumed the conversation would be about Qing Nv and Kong Feichen, as the latter was involved with the Ascension Sect, the Repairing Heaven Group's sworn enemy.

"It was essentially the Dao Academy's suggestion. After I formed my Golden Core, Venerable Chengxuan wanted me to stay at Mount Chicheng to guard the Myriad Treasures Cave. That way, he could legitimately leave spiritual treasures like the Vermilion Fruit for me to use when forming an Infant Soul. However, I felt that gaining them so easily was not ideal.""After all, my Golden Core formation was already quite rapid. If I didn't properly refine my foundation, I was concerned my cultivation might be unstable when forming an Infant Soul, making it difficult to succeed on the first attempt.""Furthermore, I'm a homebody. Unfortunately, both Danzhu and Chixia Academies already have Golden Core cultivators overseeing them, so I could only choose Qingsang Academy, which has ties to the Weaponry Dao Academy and is closer to home."There was nothing to hide about this matter, so Chen Mobai explained all his reasons in one breath.

Lan Haitian remained unfazed, but Lin Yin, who was still preparing tea, froze for a moment upon hearing keywords like "Vermilion Fruit" and "forming an Infant Soul," nearly spilling the freshly brewed tea. She glanced at the refined young man seated beside her, a wave of shame washing over her. *Is this the Immortal Sect's top genius of this era? He's already thinking about forming an Infant Soul. It feels like his talent even surpasses Deputy Leader Lan's!*

As Lin Yin was lost in thought, a cup of clear, bright tea was unconsciously handed over."So that's how it is," Lan Haitian remarked, glancing at Lin Yin, who hadn't yet served him tea, a slightly peculiar expression on his face.

"Is something wrong with Qingsang Academy?" Chen Mobai asked, surprised, after accepting the tea.He knew Lan Haitian wouldn't specifically seek him out for such a trivial matter. Since the question had come up, there must be a hidden secret he was unaware of.

"Do you remember our meeting in Danxia City?""I don't have many friends in the Immortal Sect. Our deep bond was forged fighting side-by-side on the battlefield, so you could say you're my best friend. Our past in Danxia City is still vivid in my memory."

Chen Mobai's words actually made Lan Haitian a little uncomfortable. In his mind, Chen Mobai was merely a talented junior with excellent combat skills. Initially, he had intended to recruit Chen Mobai into the Repairing Heaven Group to replenish the Sixth Division, which had an incredibly high casualty rate. Later, Chen Mobai became the Chief Disciple of the Weaponry Dao Academy, and Lan Haitian himself obtained a Natal Magic Treasure embryo from the Myriad Treasures Cave before forming his Golden Core. That was why, even after forming his Golden Core, he continued to patiently answer Chen Mobai's various questions. Lan Haitian honestly admitted to himself that he had never truly considered Chen Mobai a friend.

However, now that Chen Mobai had formed his Golden Core, he was indeed a worthy friend to have. So, Lan Haitian continued from where Chen Mobai had left off.

"During that battle, although we defeated the Ascension Sect members, we still let the 'Flying Bird' take the 'Snake,' which counted as a mission failure. For this reason, Qing Nv has been on our team's observation list all these years, preventing her from accessing classified information."

Lan Haitian's words immediately raised Chen Mobai's guard. As he had suspected, it was indeed about Qing Nv and the other two.Chen Mobai: "What does this have to do with Qingsang Academy?"

Lan Haitian: "The laboratory where the three of them stayed as children was in Yumucheng. After the Immortal Sect's relevant departments handled the situation, these experimental subjects were placed in nearby grotto-heavens and blessed lands for resettlement. That's how Qing Nv and the other two ended up in the orphanage in Danxia City. I thought that after you formed your Golden Core, you would investigate this matter for Qing Nv, and that's why you volunteered to go to Qingsang Academy in Yumucheng."

After hearing this, Chen Mobai maintained a calm facade, but his mind was reeling. He had simply chosen the closest school to home, and it had somehow led him right into this! However, upon closer thought, if one were more meticulous, they could have connected the dots. It only showed that Chen Mobai had firmly decided not to investigate Qing Nv's childhood until after forming an Infant Soul. Thus, he had never paid attention to these matters or actively gathered information, so it was natural he hadn't considered Yumucheng.

"Qing Nv is my friend, but I genuinely had no knowledge of this matter."Chen Mobai, always known for his loyalty and sense of justice within the Immortal Sect, could only say this. Yet, inwardly, he wondered if there was any way to change schools for his headmaster position. This matter clearly involved the highest echelons of the Immortal Sect and had far-reaching implications. Although he was now considered part of the Immortal Sect's upper ranks after forming his Golden Core, it was better to avoid it if possible. However, the Ministry of Education had already stamped and processed the paperwork, so there was certainly no way to withdraw. He could only blame the immense influence and deep connections of the Weaponry Dao Academy; if he had graduated from a different academy, he would probably still be stuck in the approval process.

"The experimental base in Yumucheng has already been dealt with by the Immortal Sect's relevant departments. Even if you were to find it, you wouldn't discover anything useful."Lan Haitian, unsure if he believed Chen Mobai, revealed more confidential information. He would only be sharing these details because Chen Mobai had formed his Golden Core and was clearly the chosen future of the Weaponry Dao Academy lineage.

"I never intended to investigate this matter, so that's for the best."As Chen Mobai spoke, he pondered how he could remain outside this clearly immense, swirling undercurrent.

"All those experimental subjects were under the Immortal Sect's supervision initially, but over the past decade or so, some laxity inevitably crept in, leading to the unexpected situation in Danxia City."At this point, Lan Haitian retrieved a document from his Golden Core Domain and offered it to Chen Mobai, but the latter raised a hand to decline.

"I don't want to get involved in this. Going to Yumucheng was merely because it's close to home. However, Qing Nv is my friend, and if she's implicated, I will do everything in my power to protect her."

After Chen Mobai spoke, Lan Haitian looked slightly surprised, while Lin Yin's eyes sparkled. *How lucky Qing Nv is to have such a boyfriend.*

"In that case, you should definitely look at this document."Lan Haitian's words caused Chen Mobai to frown slightly, but since he insisted, there had to be a good reason. Taking the document, Chen Mobai's pupils constricted sharply as he read the opening lines.

Lan Haitian: "On the day the 'Flying Bird' took the 'Snake,' we had already eliminated all the Ascension Sect's reinforcements, but we still failed in the end. Do you remember why?"Chen Mobai: "A mysterious Golden Core cultivator intervened."Chen Mobai would never forget that incident. It was his first time witnessing a Golden Core cultivator in action, and he and Lin Yin were utterly powerless. It was at that moment that his desire to form a Golden Core ignited like a spark, driving his diligent cultivation for the past two decades.

"Every Golden Core cultivator must report their departure from their stationed location to the Kaiyuan Hall in advance. After that incident, I investigated Kaiyuan Hall's travel memos and also checked on those who were elderly and retired at home. Not a single person had a record of appearing in Danxia City that day."

As Lan Haitian finished speaking, Chen Mobai also completed reading the document's contents, his heart pounding intensely. The file contained a detailed twenty-year investigation into the two Golden Core cultivators in Danxia City.

"Therefore, the only ones remaining under suspicion are Yu Tianguang and Shi Qing."Lan Haitian's tone was calm, but to Chen Mobai, it felt like a bolt from the blue.

"Venerable Scarlet Robe is a teacher at my Weaponry Dao Academy; he wouldn't stoop to joining the Ascension Sect."After the initial shock, Chen Mobai instantly processed all the clues. Maintaining his established persona, he began to speak up for Venerable Scarlet Robe, who had once helped him.

Lan Haitian: "If it's not him, then it must be Venerable Shi Qing."Chen Mobai: "That's not what I mean. Could someone have traveled to Danxia City without reporting it to Kaiyuan Hall?"Unwilling to leave any room for misinterpretation, Chen Mobai immediately added.

"Over the past two decades, that possibility has largely been ruled out. However, there are many unique cultivation arts and techniques within the Immortal Sect, so we can't be absolutely certain. But these two cultivators are indeed the most suspicious individuals," Lan Haitian said, returning to their initial topic of conversation. "Danxia City is merely a blessed land. Generally, once there's one Golden Core cultivator, by unspoken agreement, a second one wouldn't go there. Yet, this small place has two."

The people of Danxia City had always considered this a source of pride. Within the Immortal Sect, it was extremely rare for a mere blessed land city to have two Golden Core cultivators guarding it. Now, after Lan Haitian's reminder, Chen Mobai suddenly realized that Yumucheng was right next to Danxia City. Could it be...

"The period during which Shi Qing and Yu Tianguang were stationed in Danxia City covers the entire duration of that experiment, from its beginning to its end. However, this is merely my conjecture. We still need further, more compelling evidence to determine who exactly is involved."As Lan Haitian spoke, he took the documents Chen Mobai had finished reading. With a single squeeze of his hand, the papers disintegrated into dust.

Chen Mobai: "Are you going to act against them?"Lan Haitian: "Once we have evidence, an arrest operation will be launched. To avoid tipping them off, we might need your assistance, given your proximity. Furthermore, on a daily basis, we'll need you to pay close attention to these two cultivators in Danxia City."

At this point, Chen Mobai finally understood Lan Haitian's true purpose in summoning him today. Beyond testing him, it was also an opportunity. If he could cooperate in capturing the Golden Core cultivators who might be Ascension Sect members, Chen Mobai—who had unexpectedly applied to be Qingsang Academy's headmaster after forming his Golden Core—could clear his name in this affair.

Chen Mobai: "Can I refuse?"Lan Haitian: "Of course. This is merely a personal request from me, not an official order from the Immortal Sect."

Chen Mobai fell silent. After finishing his tea, he took his leave.

"Will he agree?"Lin Yin, who had a good impression of Chen Mobai, asked Lan Haitian as she cleared the tea set.

"I don't know. I merely used him to convey this matter to the Weaponry Dao Academy."Lan Haitian stood by the window, watching Chen Mobai's departing figure on the street after he left the club, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Lin Yin: "Is the Weaponry Dao Academy also involved in this?"Lan Haitian: "The waters of this matter run far deeper than either of us imagined. To get to the bottom of it, I alone might not be enough."

Chen Mobai returned to his hotel and once again meticulously reviewed everything discussed with Lan Haitian. He usually avoided focusing on this matter, so he hadn't thought much about it. But now that Lan Haitian had brought it to light, he had no choice but to consider it. However, he lacked crucial information, knowing only what Lan Haitian had disclosed and what Qing Nv and Kong Feichen had described about their childhood. Ultimately, he decided to call Che Yucheng. After all, the matter involved Venerable Scarlet Robe, Yu Tianguang, a teacher officially employed by their Weaponry Dao Academy.

"I understand!"After hearing Chen Mobai's explanation, Che Yucheng remained silent for a long time before finally uttering those two words.

Chen Mobai: "Teacher, what should I do?"Che Yucheng: "Your appointment as Qingsang Academy's headmaster has been finalized; this matter cannot be avoided. Do what you must, and await the Immortal Sect's official orders."

In other words, if the Immortal Sect confirmed Yu Tianguang was an Ascension Sect cultivator, Chen Mobai would have to act righteously, even against a close figure. If not, then all the better. In that scenario, it might be him and Yu Tianguang joining forces against Venerable Shi Qing.

"Understood, Teacher!"After the call with Che Yucheng, Chen Mobai finally had a clearer idea of the situation. Within the Immortal Sect's system, even a Golden Core cultivator could not escape justice if they committed a crime. Chen Mobai was fortunate that he had always been law-abiding and a good citizen.

He waited two more days, then Wang Shuye returned to Wangwu Grotto-Heaven. He personally brought Chen Mobai's resume and information to meet Ye Yune. That same afternoon, on Kaiyuan Hall's official website, an additional name appeared on the list of official council members. It was Chen Mobai!