Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Elder Luo has been an old hand in the Five Directions Hall, with considerable merit for his hard work."

"If the Law Enforcement Hall wants to take him away, is there any evidence?"

Chen Jichuan wouldn't allow Luo Pu to be taken away so easily.

Want to arrest someone?

Fine.

But whether catching an adulterer or a thief, there must be real evidence provided.

"True Person Dai, Mr. Guan is only following orders."

Guan Chao's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, yet he still took out a scroll book from his chest pocket and handed it to Chen Jichuan.

Upon receiving and glancing through it, Chen Jichuan found that it indeed contained evidence of Luo Pu's corruption and abuse of power, including eyewitness testimony and documentation of private businesses Luo Pu had set up in the Barbaric Lands.

Certain assets in the book appeared familiar to Chen Jichuan—it turned out they were joint ventures with Luo Pu.

"What a despicable embezzler."

Shocked by what he read, Chen Jichuan couldn't help but turn to look at Luo Pu, who bit his lips and gazed at him pleadingly.

"Sigh!"

Chen Jichuan let out a long sigh.

No matter how it turned out, Luo Pu had taken care of the Wuling Mountain Alliance for him all these years and had shared considerable profit with him. The least he could do was ensure Luo Pu's survival.

Closing the scroll book, Chen Jichuan turned to Guan Chao: "May I ask Master Guan, have all the contents here been verified one by one?"

"This time, Mr. Guan came for two purposes: first, to escort Elder Luo back for investigation, and second, to confiscate all private businesses listed here."

Guan Chao explained.

"Very well."

"Begin the investigation. Check how much truth there is in this."

Chen Jichuan returned the scroll book along with the 'Dragon Binding Rope' he had just confiscated to Guan Chao. Speaking of the 'Dragon Binding Rope,' Chen Jichuan seemed rather interested.

According to his knowledge:

The 'Dragon Binding Rope' paired with the Law Enforcement Hall's 'Dragon-locking Well,' used for imprisoning demons and criminals, was a supreme treasure set.

The twelve Dragon Binding Ropes could be thrown out without refinement, capable of binding beings even as powerful as Sixth Layer Heaven and Seventh Layer Heaven True Persons. Once captured, the entity could be thrown into the 'Dragon-locking Well,' doomed to eternal imprisonment.

The ropes themselves were also theft-proof.

As long as the 'Dragon-locking Well' remained intact, activating the well would recall any Dragon Binding Rope lost, no matter the distance—be it thousands of miles or more.

Because of this, the Law Enforcement Hall was confident leaving the rope in Guan Chao's care.

Even when the rope had been momentarily lost earlier, Guan Chao had shown no panic or haste.

However, despite its extraordinary characteristics, it lacked precision and detail, making it difficult for Guan Chao to control. With a simple sweep of Chen Jichuan's 'Daluo Heavenly Sleeve,' the rope was collected seamlessly.

Guan Chao couldn't do anything to stop him.

"True Person Dai——"

Taking back the scroll and the Dragon Binding Rope, Guan Chao furrowed his brows slightly, looking at Chen Jichuan.

He considered himself quite accommodating, yet this Dai Zong still seemed intent on interfering, which left him somewhat displeased.

"No need to feel troubled, Master Guan."

"After the investigation, handle the sentencing accordingly. I, Dai, will not interfere."

Chen Jichuan said to Guan Chao.

"Many thanks for your understanding, True Person Dai!"

Hearing this, Guan Chao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Wasting no time, he immediately issued orders to Zhang Jian, Shen Lin, and the others: "Get moving! Investigate every location listed in the scroll one by one without missing a single detail!"

"Understood!"

The four Chamber Elders and thirty-two Dharma Protecting Elders responded in unison, respectfully saluting Chen Jichuan before dispersing to various places.

The main encampment's inner formation suddenly became quiet.

Chen Jichuan turned to Luo Pu with a grin: "This has long been Elder Luo's domain. How can you let Dai and Guan stand idly by outside?"

"My oversight."

"True Person Dai, Master Guan, please come inside."

Understanding the implicit request, Luo Pu quickly invited Chen Jichuan and Guan Chao inside to take seats. Guan Chao glanced at Chen Jichuan, hesitated momentarily, but ultimately didn't refuse.

...

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed.

Mount Tailao, Law Enforcement Hall.

Zhangg Wuya sat in the upper seat, listening to Guan Chao's report, his expression gradually turning somber.

When Guan Chao finally finished, Zhangg Wuya mocked: "So, are you saying that the industries set up by Luo Pu have either been occupied by Evil Gods and Demon Kings or abandoned altogether?"

"Correct."

"I suspect that either Luo Pu got wind of it early, or the evidence simply doesn't hold up."

Guan Chao nodded in reply.

"Haha!"

"The evidence doesn't hold up?"

Zhangg Wuya glared at Guan Chao and sighed: "Does Mr. Guan still have things to hide from me? What on earth happened? The operations targeting the three great caves were only known to the Sect Master and a few Supreme Elders. Actions in Cave No.6 and Cave No.7 were flawless, capturing everything in sight. There's no way Luo Pu could have learned about this in advance."

Zhangg Wuya's eyes fixed piercingly on Guan Chao.

Guan Chao paused and hesitated for a moment before responding: "When I arrived at Cave No.5, Dai Zong was already there."

"Dai Zong?"

"The 'True Person Jade Face' Dai Zong?"

"Wasn't he supposed to be in Cave No.2?"

Zhangg Wuya was taken aback, then quickly furrowed his brows, questioning Guan Chao: "Was it because of Dai Zong that Mr. Guan spared Luo Pu?"

"The evidence was destroyed."

"There was no point in offending Dai Zong for the sake of a dying man."

Guan Chao's words were, in essence, an admission.

And his rationale was straightforward, exactly as he had explained—

Luo Pu was already over nine hundred years old and had, at most, a hundred years to live.

Dai Zong, however, was powerful and well-connected. Guan Chao had no desire to offend someone like him over capturing Luo Pu.

After all—

The mastermind behind targeting Luo Pu was Zhangg Wuya, not Guan Chao.

Thus, even when evidence of Luo Pu's imprudence was uncovered in Cave No.5, Guan Chao merely turned a blind eye, allowing Zhang Jian, Shen Lin, and the others to methodically erase the traces one by one.

Anyone capable of cultivating to Second-order was a seasoned expert.

Watching as Chen Jichuan vehemently protected Luo Pu, not only Guan Chao but also Zhang Jian, Shen Lin, and other Chamber Elders, as well as the Dharma Protecting Elders, began to infer the situation.

While carrying out the tasks, they inevitably displayed 'excessive efficiency.'

Some, like Zhang Jian, acted out of personal favors, perhaps tinged with a sense of fawning.

Others, like Guan Chao, acted solely to avoid confrontation and prevent unnecessary trouble.

"Where is Luo Pu now?"

Though Zhangg Wuya understood Guan Chao's reasoning, he didn't criticize him but instead asked.

"Does the Hall Master still intend to capture Luo Pu?"

Guan Chao frowned slightly, kindly persuading: "True Person Dai is determined to protect Luo Pu. Clearly, the two of them are deeply intertwined. If you're set on capturing Luo Pu, Dai Zong won't stand idly by."

"Hmph!"

"A mere Fifth Layer Heaven cultivator, just a Chamber Elder of the Five Directions Hall, dares to obstruct this Hall Master's enactment of justice?!"

Zhangg Wuya scoffed coldly and said to Guan Chao: "I understand Mr. Guan's position. This time, I'll handle it personally. I would like to see if Dai Zong truly dares to interfere!"

This was to be his final grand undertaking as Law Enforcement Hall Master before stepping down and, like his predecessors, retiring to enjoy a peaceful life as a Supreme Elder.

If Luo Pu were left free, his tenure wouldn't end as perfectly as desired.

As for Dai Zong—

Guan Chao might shy away from confronting Dai Zong.

But Zhangg Wuya had no such reservations.

How could a Chamber Elder with Seventh Layer Heaven capabilities amount to much? Guan Chao may see him as troublesome, but to Zhangg Wuya, he was merely insignificant.

In the Heaven Mending Sect, Zhangg Wuya was the law!

...

Mount Tailao, Qingniu Peak.

Chen Jichuan often traveled far from home, leaving his sect-provided small peak, awarded to him after becoming a True Disciple, vacant most of the time.

On rare occasions, such as returning for mourning ceremonies, Chen Jichuan would stay for a few days.

As such, he hadn't bothered updating the peak.

Bringing Luo Pu back from Cave No.5, the two chose to temporarily reside at Qingniu Peak.

"Relax."

"Guan Chao found nothing at Cave No.5. Even if Zhangg Wuya wishes to target you, without evidence he can't lay a hand on you."

Chen Jichuan chuckled at Luo Pu's dazed expression.

Luo Pu had brazenly embezzled without fearing consequences during his corruption spree, unrestrained in his conduct. Only now, after nearly ending up shackled by Guan Chao and tossed into the 'Dragon-locking Well,' did he finally recognize fear.

Watching Luo Pu's expressions undergo three transformations in a single day, Chen Jichuan felt like he was witnessing a satirical show titled 'The Fall of a Corrupt Official.'

It was quite entertaining.

"If this was foreseen, why act so greedily before?"

Though tempted to voice this thought, Chen Jichuan paused to reflect. He himself had indulged in similar financial schemes. Far away in Cave No.2, even the massive profits within Cave No.5 tugged at his thoughts. Who was he to judge?

"Greed is the original sin."

With quiet introspection, Chen Jichuan watched Luo Pu blankly staring out of Qingniu Peak. For a while, he didn't know how to offer comfort.

Ultimately, he left Luo Pu to his thoughts.

Instead, he enjoyed tea and the scenery, utterly relaxed.

One wrestled with worry, the other content in leisure—a peculiar juxtaposition.

The sky quickly darkened towards dusk.

Suddenly, Chen Jichuan looked up towards the distant mountains and smiled: "Looks like Hall Master Zhangg is quite the impatient sort."

"Hall Master Zhangg?"

The mention sent a shudder through Luo Pu, prompting him to follow Chen Jichuan's gaze nervously.

Indeed—

In the distance, streaking light gleamed and, before anyone could react, a black-cloak elder appeared outside Qingniu Peak. He stood astride five true dragons, overlooking Chen Jichuan and Luo Pu with an overwhelming sense of dominance.

"Zhangg Wuya!"

Recognizing the coldly authoritative elder, Luo Pu's heart sank. This man, once his colleague in the Five Directions Hall, had now returned with greater presence and authority.

Compared to his past self—

The current Zhangg Wuya radiated an imposing majesty, unequaled.

Standing with his arms folded and five dragons beneath his feet, he exerted an aura that left Luo Pu gasping for air.

"Luo Pu."

"You have embezzled and abused your office, committing countless crimes. Do you intend to follow me back to the Law Enforcement Hall and confess your guilt willingly?!"

Zhangg Wuya's voice echoed powerfully throughout the mountain.

"Zhangg Wuya! Don't slander me unjustly!"

"Master Guan has already conducted an investigation—the allegations against me are baseless!"

Frightened but defiant, Luo Pu raised his voice to reply.

One party stood dominant, interrogating coldly.

The other stood inferior, defending anxiously.

One was among the Heaven Mending Sect's six major Hall Masters, a titan of the sect.

The other was merely the Chamber Elder of the Five Directions Hall, an aging cultivator at the Sixth Layer Heaven.

"Hall Master Zhangg."

"Master Guan personally led an investigation into Cave No.5, disproving all the rumored charges from the Law Enforcement Hall. May I ask why you've again charged Elder Luo today?"

Seeing Luo Pu faltering under pressure, Chen Jichuan rose to his feet, standing beside him. Calmly, he countered Zhangg Wuya.

Though also facing upwards—

Chen Jichuan's demeanor was composed and poised, matching Zhangg Wuya's stature.

"Ah, so it is True Person Jade Face!"

Zhangg Wuya feigned a sudden realization and chuckled heartily: "This Hall Master enforces justice—please step aside, Elder Dai, and refrain from obstructing official matters."

With that—

Zhangg Wuya flicked his sleeve, dismissively gesturing as though waving away a fly.

Simultaneously, he extended his fingers into a claw-like gesture aimed at Luo Pu in the mountain below.

...