Chapter 57: Swallowing Divine Technique

"Exactly. So, we'll need True Person Shiqing to mediate."After Lan Haitan spoke, the top of Spirit Peak fell silent.A long time passed before Shiqing's voice finally came."I can't easily interfere with the disciple pre-assigned to Jumang Daoist Academy. Shangqing should be aware of this matter; you should discuss it with her.""I've already spoken with her, but she's very firm. I'm afraid you, True Person, will need to speak with her yourself.""I understand. Summon her here in my name."

Upon receiving True Person Shiqing's approval, Lan Haitan immediately turned on his speakerphone and called the representative from Jumang Daoist Academy who was currently in Danxia City.The call was promptly hung up. With an awkward expression, he sent a text message instead.A short while later, an ordinary-looking, village-woman-dressed elderly woman arrived. She first cast a disdainful glance at Lan Haitan, then respectfully bowed to True Person Shiqing inside the wooden hut."Shangqing greets True Person.""Qing Nv might be connected to a forbidden art of Zixiao Palace, perhaps having a divine seed planted within her. Lan Haitan wishes to bring her into Kunpeng Daoist Academy for personal protection. What are your thoughts?"At Shiqing's level of cultivation and status, there was no need for circumlocution; he was direct and to the point."After all, it's merely a possibility. If there were conclusive evidence, I'd naturally have no objections. Furthermore, even if a divine seed were truly planted, wouldn't it be better to send her to the Imperial Medical Academy?"Shangqing didn't directly refuse but expressed her rejection politely."Hmm, I understand. Let it be then."Shiqing didn't use his status to exert pressure, as Shangqing's reasoning was valid, given it was only a possibility.Lan Haitan could only sigh regretfully, lamenting that Gu Changfeng had laid a good foundation, securing a place for his disciple in advance.However, this clue might still lead somewhere.With these thoughts in mind, Lan Haitan and Shangqing bid farewell and left Spirit Peak simultaneously.

***

After dinner, Chen Mobai was about to continue searching online for information about forbidden arts when an unfamiliar call came in."Hello, this is Lan Haitan.""How did you get my number?"Chen Mobai felt puzzled. He had only met this person twice and wasn't familiar with him at all."Didn't you leave your number with the police department? I got it from them.""Are you also an enforcement cultivator?"Chen Mobai's heart skipped a beat, fearing his secret had been discovered. But he quickly recovered, realizing it was likely about Gu Changfeng."There's something I might need your help with. I'm waiting for you at Changqing Pharmacy. Just come through the back door; I've already opened it."After saying this, Lan Haitan hung up. Chen Mobai's expression flickered, but realizing the caller was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and possibly an enforcement cultivator of the Immortal Sect, he knew he was powerless.Finally, he took a deep breath, changed into a black hoodie, and told his mother he was going out for a walk.

***

Changqing Pharmacy.Chen Mobai followed the instructions to the back door. The seal, he noticed, had been removed at some point, and the door was ajar."Come in."Lan Haitan's voice came from inside. Chen Mobai hesitated but pushed the door open and stepped in.It was the familiar courtyard, with rows of medicinal vats, but all the liquids inside had been emptied; they were hollow and bare.Lan Haitan was sitting on the rim of the central vat, swinging his legs, looking up at the darkening sky."Senior, what do you need me for?""If Gu Changfeng has cultivated a forbidden art, then your young female friend is the cauldron he's chosen. Do you want to save her?"It was indeed not about the secret of the turtle shell. His suspicion confirmed, Chen Mobai suddenly felt relieved. However, he dared not let Lan Haitan see any hint of this. Fortunately, he had kept his hat on since entering, and with the dim light, most of his face was hidden by his hood."She and I are just ordinary friends, but if it's possible, I definitely want to save her."He continued, following Lan Haitan's line of questioning.

"Foundation Establishment cultivators can barely resist the temptation of forbidden arts. Although Gu Changfeng hasn't shown it yet, when I tested the strength of his divine sense at the police department, I found it far exceeded his current realm. It's safe to say he's cultivating the Soul Devouring Art.""And once you start cultivating forbidden arts, it's very difficult to stop. Ultimately, it leads down an evil path of cultivating cauldrons and planting divine seeds.""The ultimate fate of a cauldron is essentially worse than death."After saying this, Lan Haitan, still sitting on the medicinal vat, lowered his head and met Chen Mobai's gaze. The latter suppressed his tumultuous emotions, feigning reluctance."If you're an enforcement cultivator, I'd certainly cooperate, but you're too suspicious. I don't quite trust you.""I'm not an enforcement cultivator," Lan Haitan replied, hopping off the vat. He then walked towards Chen Mobai, whose heart pounded, thinking he was about to be threatened. Then, Lan Haitan suddenly spoke again, "I am from the Hall of Rectification."The Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls!The Hall of Immortal Affairs, the Hall of Rectification, and the Hall of Genesis!Among them, the Hall of Rectification commands all the armed forces of the Immortal Sect. When necessary, even the enforcement police department falls under their jurisdiction."This... do you have any proof?"Chen Mobai still pretended not to believe him. Lan Haitan actually opened his phone and showed him his credentials."This is my Law Practitioner number from the Hall of Rectification. If you claim I got it from a fake document service, then I truly have no way to prove it."Chen Mobai looked at it, feigning reluctant acceptance, and nodded."Alright then, what do you need me to do?""You can keep an eye on your friend's mental state. If she ever starts to seem disoriented or mentally unstable, you can notify me.""I thought Qing Nv's master expelling her from the sect in advance was to protect her. She doesn't seem like a bad person.""You don't understand the temptation of forbidden arts. They can turn a lamb into a wolf."Chen Mobai swallowed hard. By this time, Lan Haitan had already passed him and was heading towards the back door."How should I contact you then?""Didn't I just call you? That's my number; remember to save it." Lan Haitan's voice drifted back. Chen Mobai turned around, but he was already gone, leaving only a final instruction: "When you leave, remember to re-seal the door."