Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

Wuling Mountain, Fuling Cave.

Chen Jichuan was respectfully invited to the head seat by his disciple, Zhang Kaixuan.

Upon seeing his master arrive, Zhang Kaixuan was clearly delighted. After performing the disciple's etiquette to Chen Jichuan, he spoke excitedly, "Master has come; I should have welcomed you at Cangyan Mountain!"

"There's no need for such formalities among family."

Chen Jichuan waved his hand dismissively, glanced at his disciple, and nodded in praise, "Enlightenment Fourth Layer Heaven—your cultivation these past few years hasn't faltered."

A century ago, when Master Baiyun passed away, the two second-order disciples under Chen Jichuan's tutelage had already successively ascended to the Third Layer Heaven. Now, another hundred years have passed, and Zhang Kaixuan has advanced further, reaching the Fourth Layer Heaven.

Whereas Li Ji...

Although he achieved the second-order earlier, he remains stuck at the Third Layer Heaven to this day.

"How is Wuling Mountain now?"

"Give me a general rundown."

Chen Jichuan gestured for Zhang Kaixuan to sit down, then asked aloud.

He had spent these past years at No.2 Cave, so the foundation of Wuling Mountain had been managed by Li Ji and Zhang Kaixuan; his understanding of the current state was limited.

"The Wuling Mountain Alliance now counts forty Demon Kings."

"With Tornado, Shuiqing, and Fuling as the leading Demon Kings. Their fear of Master has kept them in check over the years. At least within the Wuling Mountain Alliance, no Demon King dares to act recklessly."

"However, outside the Alliance, the disciple's power is limited and cannot enforce control easily."

Zhang Kaixuan explained to Chen Jichuan.

Overall...

In these two hundred years, Li Ji and Zhang Kaixuan have overseen the Wuling Mountain Alliance well enough to maintain its stability, but their ability to expand and innovate has been inadequate.

The Demon Kings within the Alliance are wary because each of them knows Chen Jichuan is backing Li Ji and Zhang Kaixuan and also because Elder Luo acts as a guardian. None of them has dared to stir up trouble, maintaining a certain degree of obedience.

After providing a general overview of Wuling Mountain's situation, Zhang Kaixuan asked, "Should we inform all the Demon Kings about the news of Master's return?"

"I rarely return."

"Perfect timing to meet them all."

Chen Jichuan nodded.

With the Seven Immortal Sects set to jointly develop Nos.5, 6, and 7 Caves, Chen Jichuan might soon return to No.5 Cave.

The forty Demon Kings of the Wuling Mountain Alliance, being forty second-order combatants, could not be wasted.

Thus...

Over the next month...

Chen Jichuan met with more than twenty Demon Kings who arrived in succession. Another ten Demon Kings, including Tornado and the other three leading Demon Kings, were not present in their respective territories.

"Elder Luo purchases Evil God's divine bodies and divinity from these Demon Kings, so many of them spend years outside hunting Evil Gods. It's hard to summon them at short notice."

Li Ji hurriedly returned two days back. Seeing that many Demon Kings had yet to appear, he explained the situation to Chen Jichuan.

"Seems Elder Luo has made quite a large business out of dealing with Evil Gods."

Chen Jichuan laughed upon hearing this.

"Indeed, it's substantial."

"It's not just our Wuling Mountain; the Demon Kings surrounding other forward bases are also largely employed by Elder Luo."

Li Ji nodded in agreement.

After Chen Jichuan left, Li Ji maintained considerable contact with Elder Luo. Much of Chen Jichuan's enterprises at No.5 Cave had been managed jointly by Li Ji and Zhang Kaixuan.

And such dealings invariably involved Elder Luo.

"No wonder."

Chen Jichuan listened, shaking his head slightly.

"Master, does Elder Luo have issues?" Zhang Kaixuan couldn't help asking when he saw Chen Jichuan shaking his head.

Over the past month, Chen Jichuan had continuously inquired about Elder Luo, especially about the various businesses Elder Luo was handling at No.5 Cave; his questions were meticulous.

Zhang Kaixuan had been harboring suspicions for some time.

Li Ji also gazed at Chen Jichuan, somewhat apprehensive.

The two brothers had dealt extensively with Elder Luo on behalf of Chen Jichuan, managing many businesses. If Elder Luo had employed some manipulation to deceive their master and keep him in the dark, they too would bear responsibility.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Chen Jichuan's expression darkened slightly as he pondered Elder Luo's situation.

Before leaving, Mu Rong had warned him. The sect was currently investigating Elder Luo and advised Chen Jichuan to avoid meddling in the matter, lest he be swept into the affair.

This had prompted Chen Jichuan to especially divert towards Tan State.

A cursory inquiry revealed that Elder Luo had laid out quite an extensive operation here.

A mere Sixth Layer Heaven cultivator sitting on unimaginable wealth while stealing from the sect—these are actions courting death.

The sect may have turned a blind eye in the past...

But now, with the Seven Immortal Sects shifting their attention here, Elder Luo's misdeeds have come under scrutiny by the Heaven Mending Sect's higher-ups.

...

Another ten days passed.

Elder Luo, who had been hunting Evil Gods outside, finally arrived at Wuling Mountain.

"The Law Enforcement Hall is investigating me?"

"This—"

Upon hearing the news, Elder Luo's brow furrowed deeply.

"The current Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Zhangg Wuya, was once a trusted lieutenant under Shen Chong, the former Hall Master of Five Directions Hall. It's said your relationship with him has always been poor."

"This time, with Zhangg Wuya spearheading the crackdown on sect corruption and misconduct, you're the first target—you've nowhere to hide."

Chen Jichuan shared the information he obtained from Mu Rong.

The Law Enforcement Hall's campaign to rectify sect discipline was still only known to high-ranking sect members like Mu Rong.

Elder Luo, far removed at No.5 Cave and distant from the Heaven Mending Sect's power core, remained oblivious even as disaster approached.

"You've been too careless."

Chen Jichuan sighed, looking at Elder Luo, "Zhangg Wuya has been in office for years without acting against you. Don't you see his intent? He was deliberately biding his time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike and push you to ruin."

To be fair...

Zhangg Wuya's approach was nothing short of insidious.

He had intentionally delayed, choosing not to act until the Heaven Mending Sect's higher-ups focused their attention on No.5 Cave, exposing Elder Luo's dealings and delivering a fatal blow.

During Chen Jichuan's tenure at No.2 Cave, Elder Luo had sent increasingly abundant resources year after year, making it clear to Chen Jichuan that Elder Luo had amassed significant profits in No.5 Cave.