Chapter 426 321: Request (2)

"When we found him, his head suddenly exploded. We didn't get a chance to ask him anything."

Zhou Mingwu said softly.

"Is that so… It seems I guessed wrong."

"The problem is from within your own ranks."

Han Yuan said flatly.

"Not necessarily. We didn't even get to ask him anything… before the little eunuch's head suddenly exploded."

"This proves that someone was controlling him…"

"The Great Li Imperial Palace is protected by an isolation Array. No matter how powerful the people from the Immortal Sect Organization are, it would be impossible for them to control the little eunuch and make his head self-destruct through that Array."

Zhou Mingwu explained.

"So you suspect the person controlling the little eunuch was just in the side hall…"

Han Yuan said softly.

"Correct… But we have no evidence right now, so we had to let them go."

"I want to ask you, since you were observing for so long just now, did you notice any suspicious individuals?"

Zhou Mingwu said.

"Speaking of suspicious people, there was indeed one."

Han Yuan described the person he suspected.

"The person you're describing should be Du Honghao… He's the Patriarch of a major Noble Family."

As soon as Zhou Mingwu heard Han Yuan's description of the man's appearance, he instantly stated his name and background.

"I don't know if it's really him. You'll have to investigate and determine that for yourselves."

"In any case, I've provided the clue."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"Yes… I'll arrange for people to watch Du Honghao and see if he does anything out of the ordinary."

"This lead is indeed very important to us."

Zhou Mingwu didn't ask for anything more from Han Yuan.

After all, the other man had already fulfilled his promise.

And now, it was his turn to fulfill his.

"The National Preceptor has agreed to meet you… Would you prefer now or another day?"

Zhou Mingwu asked.

"Strike while the iron is hot. Let's make it now."

Han Yuan said with a slight smile.

"Very well… Follow me."

Zhou Mingwu nodded and led Han Yuan out of the side hall.

Before long, they arrived at a building that somewhat resembled a Daoist Temple.

The Daoist Temple enshrined no divine statues. In the four corners, four Seven-Star Lamps burned slowly. Ling Yunzi sat cross-legged on a prayer cushion, his eyes tightly shut.

Zhou Mingwu gave Han Yuan a meaningful look before exiting the Daoist Temple himself.

"I am Han Yuan. Greetings, Daoist Master Ling Yunzi."

Han Yuan said, cupping his fist.

"I must thank Palace Master Han for discovering the Source Evil Seed in advance this time."

"Otherwise, this poor Daoist would have suffered more than just minor injuries."

Ling Yunzi opened his eyes and said with a smile.

"Daoist Master, you are too kind."

"After all, the Source Evil Seed is our common enemy. Naturally, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

Han Yuan said with a serious expression.

Ling Yunzi nodded, then asked, "I have already witnessed Palace Master Han's strength at the Magic Altar. I wonder, what matter could you be unable to resolve that requires my help?"

Han Yuan took a deep breath. "I have a friend… it has encountered a problem possibly related to its Divine Soul… I wished to ask for the Daoist Master's guidance."

Ling Yunzi mused, "The Divine Soul… I wonder, what is your friend's current condition?"

"It is currently asleep… and recently, it has been sleeping for longer and longer periods…"

Han Yuan sighed softly.

"Is that so… Why don't you give me an address, Palace Master Han? These minor injuries of mine should heal in about a day. I can pay you a visit then."

Ling Yunzi said.

When it came down to it, he truly owed Han Yuan a favor for tonight's events.

"Then I must thank you, Daoist Master Ling Yunzi." Han Yuan hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. He smiled and cupped his fist.

Then, he asked another curious question, "Daoist Master, why don't you have any divine statues for worship?"

Ling Yunzi chuckled. "To cultivate the Dao is to cultivate the mind… One cultivates one's own heart… not worship divine statues."

"Besides, in this world, do you truly believe that Divine Spirits exist?"

Han Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "Perhaps they do… But these so-called Divine Spirits are likely just beings more powerful than us…"

These words of his could be considered utterly blasphemous.

For in this world, legends of Divine Spirits had never ceased.

But Han Yuan's words clearly held the meaning of blaspheming the gods.

Upon hearing this, however, Ling Yunzi gave Han Yuan a deep look.

He was silent for a moment… then asked softly, "Then does Palace Master Han believe that mortal power can contend with Divine Spirits?"

Han Yuan smiled and said, "If mortal power cannot contend with Divine Spirits, it only means one's own power is not yet strong enough, and one must continue to cultivate."

"I have always believed in one saying: all fear stems from a lack of strength."

Ling Yunzi laughed heartily. "Indeed, it is so."

Han Yuan cupped his fist. "Then I will not disturb the Daoist Master's recovery any longer. I shall take my leave."

Ling Yunzi nodded. "We shall meet again in a day."

...

After Han Yuan left the Daoist Temple, a little eunuch led him directly out of the Great Li Imperial Palace.

It was the dead of night, and even a metropolis as bustling as the Great Li Capital was gradually falling silent.

The main streets and small alleys were all pitch-black, with only the occasional patrol of the Divine Fire Forbidden Army appearing.

Even Han Yuan was stopped and questioned once.

However, once he showed his Identity Token from the Celestial Net Department, they immediately let him pass.

Soon, he returned to the inn.

The Orange Cat was still sprawled on the table, fast asleep, showing no sign of waking.

Seeing the Orange Cat like this, Han Yuan gently shook his head.

He lit an oil lamp in the room, leaned back in his chair, and carefully replayed the night's events in his mind.

'It seems the Immortal Sect Organization hasn't been idle… they've been infiltrating the Great Li Capital all this time.'

'Now even a little eunuch inside the Great Li Imperial City has been bewitched…'

'And I don't know what's going on with that Du Honghao… but I have a feeling something is definitely wrong with him…'

Han Yuan thought to himself.

Lately, the Immortal Sect Organization has appeared quiet on the surface, but in reality, they've been constantly active.

If the Great Li Royal Family and the Celestial Net Department continued to do nothing, the worst-case scenario was very likely to occur.

But now that the investigation had led to Du Honghao, he believed the Great Li Royal Family would definitely dig deep along this line and wouldn't give up so easily.

Therefore, Du Honghao probably wouldn't run into trouble so quickly.

'I can't let the Immortal Sect Organization continue to be so arrogant… After Ling Yunzi comes to check on the Orange Cat's condition, I'll go cause some trouble for them.'

'Anyway, if I discover anything, the Celestial Net Department and the Great Li Royal Family are sure to reward me.'

A glint flashed in Han Yuan's eyes.

Because he didn't want to see the Immortal Sect Organization succeed either.

Having thought things through, Han Yuan sat cross-legged on his bed and resumed his Cultivation.

...

「One day later.」

Han Yuan was cultivating in his room when he heard a knock on the door.

"Is Palace Master Han present?"

A gentle voice came from outside.

Recognizing the voice, Han Yuan hurried to open the door.

The visitor was none other than Ling Yunzi.

"Daoist Master, you're finally here."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"Hahaha, since I made a promise to Palace Master Han, this poor Daoist couldn't possibly fail to show up."

Ling Yunzi laughed heartily.

"Please, come in."

After inviting Ling Yunzi into the room, Han Yuan led him directly to check on the Orange Cat.

"This is…"

Ling Yunzi hadn't expected that the friend Han Yuan mentioned was actually an Orange Cat!

"Daoist Master, this Orange Cat is no simple creature… Not only can it speak, but it is a being that has survived since the Chaotic Ancient Era."

Han Yuan gave a rough summary of the Orange Cat's origins.

This way, Ling Yunzi could better determine what was wrong with the Orange Cat.

"If that's the case… I'm afraid this Orange Cat is a truly extraordinary being."

"It is said that over on the Xisha Continent, there are many Exotic Beasts that have achieved the Dao… they can speak human language and control wind, fire, thunder, and lightning…"

Ling Yunzi said softly.

"Exotic Beasts achieving the Dao… But why would this Orange Cat appear here on our Southern Star Continent?"

Han Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Back when the Profound Celestial Alliance was founded in the Chaotic Ancient Era, quite a few Exotic Beasts joined."

"Perhaps this one was among them… Later, for some unknown reason, it turned into a stone statue and has remained here ever since."

Ling Yunzi speculated.

"Is that so…" Han Yuan was lost in thought.

"Let me first examine its condition." Ling Yunzi took out a talisman and gently placed it on the Orange Cat's head.

HUMMM~~

An extremely faint cyan Spiritual Light and a dense red glow blossomed at the same time.