Chapter 84: Not Recommended for Demonic Path Cultivators to Eat at Barbecue Restaurants

At this moment, Lu Yang was unaware that Lan Ting had secured a large deal. He was using an invisibility talisman and a concealment technique, following the constables as they searched for the Reverse Longevity Talismans.

The three of them split into three groups, aiming to locate as many Reverse Longevity Talismans as possible.

It was evident that the authorities took the Reverse Longevity Talismans extremely seriously, deploying nearly all their forces to comb through Yanjiang County. The government first identified common areas where people tended to feel fatigued and drowsy, then divided the county into zones for searching. Chief Constable Fang Qingyun even conjured two clones; his true body and both clones extended their divine sense, leading large teams to search for the talismans.

Fang Qingyun's cultivation was too high, so Lu Yang and the others didn't dare follow him directly. Before long, a constable located a Reverse Longevity Talisman, and Lu Yang, hidden in the shadows, silently noted its position.

By evening, Lu Yang and his companions reunited, took out a map of Yanjiang County, and marked the locations of the Reverse Longevity Talismans they had found.

"One at Great Stone Bridge, one at the cosmetic shop on Qianmen Street, one at the pawn shop... These are the six Reverse Longevity Talisman locations we've found so far."

"With so little information, we can't confirm if they are arranged as part of the Reverse Longevity Array. We'll have to check again tomorrow."

When the three returned to the barbecue restaurant, they found Lan Ting wearing a tofu mask, intently refining an automatic skewer grilling array. Skewers floated above the table, undergoing high-temperature grilling. Two wraiths knelt on the ground, weeping with gratitude as they profusely thanked Lan Ting for her immense kindness in saving them from endless grilling.

Lu Yang was utterly perplexed. They had been gone for less than an afternoon; what had happened?

"Where did you get this mask?"

Lan Ting replied with a hint of pride, "Oh, the owner of the tofu shop you saved last night gave it to me. She also mentioned wanting to collaborate with our barbecue restaurant for an event during the Spring Gathering Festival."

"This is the event proposal we wrote after discussing it."

"When I was working yesterday, I noticed that only two wraiths were grilling, which was far too slow, and some customers were getting impatient. So, I designed this automatic grilling array, which has significantly boosted efficiency."

"This automatic grilling array is an unprecedented innovation. When I return to the Immortal Palace, I can use this to exchange for contribution points."

"The array is also simple; it might even be mass-produced and promoted in the future."

The Moon Orchid Immortal Palace, like the Dao Inquiry Sect, had similar long-term tasks.

Lu Yang was speechless. It seemed the rapid growth of the barbecue restaurant was unstoppable.

Meng Jingzhou chuckled, taking the tofu mask. "This tofu mask is quite nice. Here, one for each of us. Lu Yang, look how well this tofu mask suits you; you two look exactly alike!"

Lu Yang glanced at the square tofu mask, rolled his eyes, and decided not to argue with an idiot, accepting the mask.

Lan Ting added, "I've also set up spirit-gathering arrays, sound-insulating arrays, and other cultivation-enhancing formations on the second floor."

Lan Ting waved her hand dismissively. "It didn't cost many spirit stones; it was just pocket change."

Meng Jingzhou suddenly looked up, regarding Lan Ting warily. It was the first time he had met his match in the realm of flaunting wealth.

Lan Ting's presence made their lives considerably more comfortable, allowing them to focus entirely on searching for talismans during the day. After ten days, Lu Yang and his companions had located over two hundred talismans, whose positions perfectly matched the nodes of the Reverse Longevity Array. Once they discovered the pattern, they searched other node locations and indeed found more Reverse Longevity Talismans.

"What should we do? Should we inform Constable Wei?" Meng Jingzhou asked.

Lu Yang hesitated. If they revealed the locations of the Reverse Longevity Talismans to Constable Wei, his superiors would surely realize someone was secretly assisting them. Upon hearing the news, Branch Master Chu might then grow suspicious of the three of them. However, if they didn't report it, these Reverse Longevity Talismans, plastered throughout Yanjiang County, would remain a constant hidden danger.

"Waiter! Two hundred lamb skewers, two hundred beef skewers!" A booming voice rang out, clear enough for even the wraiths in the backyard to hear. Normally, the sheer demand in that voice would have utterly terrified them. But now, with the automatic skewer grilling array, their workload was drastically reduced. They weren't afraid of two hundred lamb and beef skewers; they wouldn't even flinch at another two hundred pork skewers!

"Another two hundred pork skewers!" the booming voice continued, clearly belonging to a wealthy patron.

Lu Yang squinted, finding the voice somewhat familiar. "It's Yi Zhanghong, who participated in the cult member selection. The two people accompanying him are also at the Foundation Establishment stage, just like Yi Zhanghong."

These three individuals had not passed the selection process.

"Will we be recognized?" Man Gu asked, recalling how the three of them had impersonated examiners and conned Yi Zhanghong.

Lu Yang shook his head. "No. The Branch Master said that for the secrecy of the branch, anyone who didn't pass the selection had their memories erased by headquarters. They won't remember anything about the cult member selection."

Seeing no one attend to him after a long wait, Yi Zhanghong yelled in a rough voice, "Where is everyone? Are you deaf?!"

"Coming, coming! What can I get for you, esteemed guest?" Lu Yang trotted out.

Yi Zhanghong's attitude was belligerent. "Two hundred skewers each of pork, beef, and lamb, and bring whatever else you think is good. I heard your place was delicious, which is why I bothered coming. If it's not, I'll smash your shop!"

Clearly, he didn't recognize Lu Yang; if he had, he would have simply smashed the shop outright.

Lu Yang greeted him with a smiling face, bowing and nodding. "Rest assured, esteemed guest, our skewers are so delicious you'll want to eat them for a lifetime."

Yi Zhanghong snorted coldly, ignoring Lu Yang. His two companions also narrowed their eyes, disdaining to speak with Lu Yang.

Lu Yang sent a telepathic message to Meng Jingzhou: "Inform Constable Wei that there are three rogue demonic cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage here. Tell him to bring people to arrest them." These rogue demonic cultivators were bloodthirsty killers, deserving of countless death sentences under the law. Lu Yang had no intention of showing them mercy. "Let me show you a 'demonic' method: reporting them!"

Meng Jingzhou was momentarily stunned, then transmitted, "We don't have evidence, do we? How can we prove they're Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators? Will Constable Wei believe us?"

Lu Yang sneered, "What's there not to believe? Just say we noticed he had talismans that appeared to cause drowsiness."

Meng Jingzhou understood Lu Yang's intention: they had a few Reverse Longevity Talismans on hand, perfect for framing the group.

"Alright, I'll be right back." Meng Jingzhou jogged out.

Upon hearing that three Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators had appeared and were suspected of possessing Reverse Longevity Talismans, Constable Wei knew this was no minor issue and immediately reported it to Fang Qingyun. Without hesitation, Fang Qingyun immediately led a large contingent of officers to apprehend the three. Regardless of whether they possessed Reverse Longevity Talismans, the presence of three Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators alone warranted such a large-scale response.

Fang Qingyun arrived at the barbecue restaurant and unleashed his Golden Core stage spiritual pressure, immobilizing Yi Zhanghong and his two companions. With a decisive wave of his hand, he imperiously commanded, "Apprehend them and search their persons!"

Before Yi Zhanghong and his companions could even comprehend what was happening, they were seized by several Foundation Establishment constables and pinned to the ground. "What's going on? Is eating skewers in your Yanjiang County illegal?"

Then, Constable Wei searched Yi Zhanghong and found a large number of Reverse Longevity Talismans — far more than the few Lu Yang had used to frame them.

"It really was you who placed the Reverse Longevity Array!" Fang Qingyun glared intently at Yi Zhanghong, realizing he hadn't rested in days because of this man.

Lu Yang was speechless.Meng Jingzhou was speechless."Seriously, did you have to be so cooperative?"

Yi Zhanghong and his two companions were even more bewildered. They had executed their plan flawlessly, leaving no trace, so why were the constables here to arrest them? "Where did it go wrong?"

"Ding!"

If you were to choose a girlfriend from the following girls, who would you pick?A. A girl with poor grades and a bad temper, who is at the top of the school's social hierarchy, but opens up to you and is willing to study hard for your sake.B. A brilliant girl with an aloof personality who loves reading, pursues freedom, rejects all intimate relationships, but smiles only for you.C. A lively, experienced, and seductive senior who has wandered the world and ultimately only wants to stay by your side.

Wang Ge sneered.

"Only children make choices."

"Adults know it's useless to choose anyway."

"Even if it's useless, I'll still choose."

(End of Chapter)