"The Corpse Refining Lineage has resurfaced?"

Just as the Great Elder had been gone for no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a Communication Bird with a streak of light landed in front of the Ascension Tower, and soon someone came out to collect the bird and take the letter.

Now the letter had been delivered to Quan Xiaotong, who was currently frowning deeply, with a serious expression on his face.

Two months ago, a report from Shuzhou Prefecture mentioned that the Corpse Refining Lineage was using villagers to refine corpses. At that time, local prefectures were ordered to investigate themselves. The investigation revealed that only a few remote prefectures had reported missing villagers, and the Corpse Refining Lineage went dormant, and the clues were lost.

Unexpectedly, it dares to appear now, and with even bigger actions.

Abduction of cultivators!

"Their plot is significant!"

Quan Xiaotong murmured to himself, closing the report, and quickly walked out...

Inside Chongming Tower.

Che Dapao was curiously examining Yan Bing and Yankong.

They were sent over by the Spirit Realm Tower, along with a report detailing the events that occurred in Zhanzhou Prefecture.

"This old bastard has no sense of procedure, goes without permission, and doesn't report in person when he returns. What kind of a report is this?"

The one speaking was Elder Feng, his expression clearly dissatisfied.

Che Dapao couldn't help but roll his eyes but said nothing.

These days, wherever he goes, this old guy follows.

It makes sense, too, as too many people want him dead now. This old coward doesn't even dare to leave Chongming Tower.

But Che Dapao doesn't mind taking him along. He suddenly realized that the old guy isn't entirely useless; at least for him, he could use the old man's mouth to say things that are hard to say or unpleasant.

After all, since it's not coming from him, he can always deny it when needed.

So generally, Che Dapao really carries Elder Feng around, to the point where others look at him with admiration.

After all, you have to admire someone daring to bare their heart at all times.

As he read the report, Che Dapao's expression gradually became strange. One reason was the identities of Yan Bing and Yankong; they were top disciples of the two major evil sects. A big catch which means he now has a clear grasp of the situation on the evil path's side.

Zhao Yulin, that guy, got credit for nothing, he must be pleased.

But as he continued reading, Zhao Yulin's plight almost made him laugh.

This guy consumed someone else's pills, doubling his cultivation speed, but for the rest of his life, he might have to live alone, unable to take even a single artifact.

Wealth? On second thought, if monthly salaries were given to him, wouldn't he be driven to madness?

Better to help manage it for now!

As for Han Yu's case, Ling Wuce advised against recruiting him into the Fifth Tower, as he's too troublesome.

"Then just let the Ascension Tower keep watch on him!"

Just as they mentioned Ascension Tower, Quan Xiaotong happened to walk in with a gloomy face.

After waving to have Yan Bing and Yankong taken away, Che Dapao asked curiously.

"Did something happen with the Inspectorate?"

Quan Xiaotong glanced at him, handed over the report, and snapped.

"Bah! It's your Guardian Bureau in big trouble."

Suspicious, Che Dapao unfolded the letter and started reading, his expression growing darker.

"The Corpse Refining Lineage has revived."

"Will you handle it?"

Quan Xiaotong asked, looking up.

Che Dapao frowned, holding the report.

The Corpse Refining Lineage was destroyed back then by a joint effort of the Cultivator Realm, so it is technically a matter for the Cultivator Realm. Even if the Imperial Court remains uninvolved, it can be justified.

But now, they are not only plundering villagers but abducting cultivators too, causing bigger disturbances.

No matter what their schemes may be, they have already affected the state prefectures.

In such a case, the Imperial Court cannot sit idly by.

"Can the Inspectorate's guardians outside catch the culprits?"

Che Dapao ponderingly asked Quan Xiaotong.

"Sikong Du's letter says the other party is already seriously injured and is now mobilizing other sects to capture them."

Quan Xiaotong didn't have much hope, as the other party wouldn't have come without sufficient preparation, and the chance of escape is quite high since they didn't pursue immediately.

But you can't blame him; according to the report, he couldn't match the opponent. If not for being rescued by a strange young cultivator, he'd probably be dead.

"I want to conduct a search in the Southern Border, as there have been rumors of the Corpse Refining Lineage's remnants there, but the Corpse Refining Sect doesn't know their location."

Quan Xiaotong aimed to eradicate their sect entirely, as refining corpses with living people is a path to destruction.

"How do you plan to do that?"

After pondering for a moment, Che Dapao nodded and asked.

"I need the ability to command all the Guardian Mansions in the Southern Border, for the Guardian Bureau to provide manpower alongside the Inspectorate to infiltrate the Southern Border, conducting a joint overt and covert capture operation."

The Inspectorate's strength is too thin; only with the combined strength of both bureaus can there be enough manpower to orchestrate the operation.

This is why Quan Xiaotong came to find Che Dapao; without Che Dapao's approval, such large-scale movements would not be permitted for either the Inspectorate or even the Guardian Bureau personnel outside.

"Alright, you will have full authority on this matter."

Che Dapao agreed readily; he couldn't deny it as the duties of both bureaus often overlapped, and many times Quan Xiaotong shared heavy responsibilities with him, such as providing personnel to fill vacancies for various state prefectures.

Moreover, just now, Quan Xiaotong had helped by adding a Guardian position in White Emperor City.

"By the way."

Having received the order, Quan Xiaotong turned to leave and arrange affairs but was stopped suddenly by Che Dapao, who gave him another report.

Seeing Quan Xiaotong's surprised expression as he unfolded the report, Che Dapao added in a muffled voice.

"Elder Ling stopped him from heading north and most likely directed him towards your men."

Damn it!

Han Yu? The strange young cultivator?

This isn't a high probability; he's already there, for crying out loud.

Quickly folding the report, Quan Xiaotong swiftly exited Chongming Tower without looking back, and then soared into the void heading toward his own Ascension Tower.

He must intercept before the Inspectorate's response is dispatched, making sure Han Yu is integrated for Sikong Du to closely monitor.

——

While wandering around the city, Han Yu happened to run into Sikong Du, who was leading a large team of Palace Guards out.

"My young friend, apologies, I have too many affairs at hand."

Sikong Du, with an apologetic face, expressed his desire to entertain him properly but had no chance to stop after returning.

Now, the eight major sects that lost disciples all agreed to send people for a joint search, and they were already gathering outside.

"No worries, you attend to your matters."

Han Yu didn't mind, waving his hand dismissively.

After hurried farewells, Sikong Du promptly led the Palace Guards swiftly towards the city outskirts.

Watching him leave, Han Yu prepared to turn and depart.

"Wait!"

The Artifact Spirit, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.

"What's wrong?"

Han Yu halted his step, surprised.

Inside his Sea of Consciousness, the small Glass suddenly jumped up alertly, looking around as if observing the surroundings through Han Yu.

"I've sensed the energy of divine techniques."

Isn't that a good thing?

Usually encountering a Divine Power User would thrill it, prompting him to quickly refine pills.

"This energy isn't Innate Divine Techniques and it's rather eerie. The opponent isn't far from you."

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