Chapter 53: First Time Leaving the Sect!

Chapter 53: First Time Leaving the Sect! The Longevity Body was leaving the sect, and no one could stop him. However, with the Divine Pine accompanying him as his protector, the elders were quite reassured about Lin Jing's safety. Elder Mo handed over the information the sect had gathered about the mission, passing it to Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse as they packed their things. "Snow Moon City is already on lockdown. That demonic cultivator should still be in the city," Elder Mo said. "I suggest not launching a large-scale operation just yet," Lin Jing said as he accepted the report. "If the sect's Law Enforcement Hall and elders all mobilize, it will likely alert the enemy. The demonic cultivator might go into hiding and cease any further actions. It's better if I go alone. The sect just needs to ensure no one leaves Snow Moon City secretly." "How do you plan to investigate?" Elder Mo asked. "Several inner sect disciples went to Snow Moon City to investigate the 'beast disappearances,' but only Senior Brother Ouyang fell victim. As you said, he must have discovered something significant. I plan to start with his movements in the city," Lin Jing explained. "But considering how little we know, any clues might already be hard to find. At this point, we can only rely on the Divine Pine's abilities. Given its cultivation realm, it should be able to detect any anomalies immediately." Lin Jing browsed through the information. Based on reports from Beast Valley in Snow Moon City, Senior Brother Ouyang had only visited three places after his arrival: 1. The City Lord's Manor. 2. Beast Valley. 3. Lotus Pavilion. Senior Brother Ouyang went to the City Lord's Manor to gather more information about the spirit beast disappearances. Apart from the Beast Taming Sect issuing a mission, the City Lord's Manor had also posted a bounty. Reportedly, the City Lord of Snow Moon City, Tang Qinghan, had personally received Ouyang Hao after learning that he was highly regarded by the Beast Taming Sect Master and might become a true disciple of the sect master. "City Lord Tang Qinghan: early Golden Core stage, possesses the innate Ice Spirit Body, practices the 'Frost Soul Art,' and has ruled Snow Moon City for sixty years. The Tang family is deeply rooted in Snow Moon City, holding a dominant position but maintaining a stellar reputation and enjoying the love of the populace." Continuing, Lin Jing read about Beast Valley, a property of the Beast Taming Sect, renowned for raising snow rabbits with exquisite meat. Using unique secret techniques, the sect raised these rabbits to supply the entire Great Wasteland Domain, making Beast Valley one of the sect's primary sources of income. The missing beasts that prompted Ouyang Hao's mission came from reports of snow rabbit disappearances there. "Valley Master He Xu: late Foundation Establishment stage, third disciple of Elder Jiang, and an expert in nurturing pet beasts." Lastly, there was Lotus Pavilion, the largest merchant association in the Ancient Celestial Kingdom, with operations extending even beyond to Qingzhou and Martial Emperor City. The Lotus Pavilion branch in Snow Moon City was small. Senior Brother Ouyang only visited the branch to purchase yang-nourishing pills and was warmly received by the branch master, thanks to an introduction from the City Lord. "Lotus Pavilion Branch Master Hua Qiandao: late Foundation Establishment stage, possesses the innate Fire Spirit Body, practices the 'True Fire Lotus Scripture,' and has been the branch master here for ten years." The most popular product of the Lotus Chamber of Commerce was medicinal pills. "These three individuals are the most prominent figures Senior Brother Ouyang encountered in Snow Moon City. Let's rule out the Valley Master... As for the City Lord and Hua Qiandao, given their strength and status, it seems unlikely they'd engage in such petty and disgraceful acts. It appears Senior Brother Ouyang had additional movements we’re unaware of." Lin Jing pondered. "The intelligence is indeed insufficient," Elder Mo sighed. "No problem," Lin Jing said with a smile. "I have another plan. I’ll use the 'Thousand Transformations' technique to disguise myself as a snow rabbit, move into Beast Valley, and then transform into various rare ice spirit beasts to wander around. Since the culprit loves ice beasts, I'll bait them by becoming an ice beast myself." Elder Mo was speechless. "..." This was your real plan from the start, wasn’t it?! Once the culprit appeared, the Divine Pine would handle it. --- Although Lin Jing planned to go alone, the sect made adequate preparations. To ensure his journey was swift, they provided a Heavenfeather Crane for him and the Pine Leaf Mouse. The crane would enable him to reach Snow Moon City within half a day. The Divine Pine, however, would guard him from the shadows. "This huge... package." The Heavenfeather Crane, a creature Lin Jing was already familiar with, turned out to be the very same crane with a unique accent that delivered resources throughout the sect. It had even reached the early Foundation Establishment stage. Lin Jing retrieved the Pine Leaf Mouse and seated himself atop the crane. Watching Elder Mo see him off, he nodded. "Return safely," Elder Mo said. "Elder Shen will look after Ouyang Hao's remains for now." "Let's go. Please get me to Snow Moon City as quickly as possible," Lin Jing said with a deep breath, gazing at the distant clouds. This was his first time leaving the sect. "You got it!!!" the crane bellowed as it soared skyward at an incredible speed. Lin Jing closed his eyes and began cultivating as they ascended into the clouds. The crane flew faster and faster, and Lin Jing began to feel the chill in the air. Sёarᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Great Wasteland Domain bordered the Snow Plains, and several cities near the plains were perpetually blanketed in snow. Snow Moon City was one of them. The recent incidents in Snow Moon City were possibly the work of demonic cultivators or Snow Plains cultivators. "Damn!" The Heavenfeather Crane suddenly exclaimed, jolting Lin Jing from his meditation. "What’s wrong, Brother Crane?" Lin Jing asked. "Someone just zoomed past me at incredible speed!" "So?" Lin Jing asked curiously. "Do you think I’d let them outpace me?" "You read my mind." With that, the crane surged forward at an even greater speed, leaving Lin Jing's lips quivering in the cold. Before long, a black dot appeared ahead—a white colt with dragon horns galloping through the sea of clouds. On its back lay a young man in black robes, sound asleep. "How can someone sleep at that speed?" Lin Jing muttered incredulously. As the Heavenfeather Crane closed in, the white colt glanced at it and silently picked up speed. Not to be outdone, the crane matched its pace. The intense turbulence finally woke the black-robed youth, who leaned over the cloud’s edge and vomited. "Ugh…" After emptying his stomach, the youth glanced around in confusion before noticing the Heavenfeather Crane and Lin Jing atop it. "Brother, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?" he asked. Lin Jing responded, "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" The black-robed youth nodded. "Fair point. I am indeed in a hurry. I'm from the Demon-Slaying Bureau. My name is Gao Sheng. I’ve heard rumors of demonic activity in Snow Moon City and came to investigate. If I’m late, more innocent people and cultivators might suffer. So, I can’t waste any time." Lin Jing smirked. "Since when can someone at the ninth stage of Qi Refinement become a Demon-Slaying Guardian?" He eyed the youth’s Foundation Establishment steed—a white dragon-horse—and couldn’t help but feel envious. Whose privileged child was this, coming out to "experience life"? Lin Jing’s gaze lingered wistfully on the magnificent "white dragon-horse."