Sage of Humanity

When called "sister-in-law," the cheeks of the owner of the Hundred Fragrance House flushed red. Seeing Warlord Geng giggling foolishly, she couldn't help but give him a playful scolding glance.

"I'm here to bring you two pots of good wine. But remember, even if the wine is good, don't drink too much." The woman walked over, sat beside Warlord Geng, poured him a cup, and then filled one for herself.

After a few casual words, she looked at Lu Ye and asked, "I saw this young brother last time. Warlord, is he a new member of your squad?"

Warlord Geng sighed, "I wish, but unfortunately, no. This is Junior Brother Lu Yiye from the Righteous Blood Sect. He's currently working in the Law Enforcement Hall and has gained the favor of Lord Department Chief. He's already at the post of captain."

"Such a young captain," the woman exclaimed in surprise. "Truly, heroes emerge from the young."

"Senior Sister flatters me," Lu Ye replied modestly.

The woman raised her cup, "I am Shen Manzi; I'll have to rely on Junior Brother to take care of me in the future."

"We are one of our own, it's only natural," Lu Ye smiled slightly.

After toasting Lu Ye, Shen Manzi also drank a cup with everyone else, without blushing or getting tired, before saying, "I have some matters to attend to at the front hall, so I won't stay. Let me know if you need anything."

"Sister-in-law, go ahead and get busy," Xiao Ruyun said.

Warlord Geng also added, "Go on," adopting the demeanor of someone in charge.

After Shen Manzi left, Xiao Ruyun said, "Captain, when will you marry sister-in-law? It's not right for a woman to always be out in the open like this."

Warlord Geng smiled bitterly, "It's not that I don't want to, but she has her own plans. Some things cannot be forced. Let's not talk about it; let's just drink."

The drinking never ceased.

Lu Ye rarely had such experiences, and for a moment found it quite amusing.

It wasn't until evening that everyone went their separate ways, returning to their own small courtyards. Lin Yinxiu promptly greeted him, "Captain, you're back?"

"What's up?"

"Nothing much, just thought you had something going on since you hadn't returned... What a strong smell of wine, did you go drinking at a flower house?"

"No, don't speak nonsense." He turned and looked, "Is my Third Senior Brother back?"

"No, he should be with Veteran Thang."

"Okay, I'm going to cultivate for a while, inform me immediately if there's anything."

"Got it," Lin Yinxiu replied obediently.

Lu Ye walked into the central room, activated numerous restrictions, exercised his spirit force, and dispelled the alcohol from his system.

Yiyi flashed out from within Amber, sat down obediently on the side, waiting to cultivate together.

Last time Lu Ye exchanged 20 gold-hued spirit fortune sticks in one go from the Hall of Battle Merits, and he had only used a few so far, leaving many more unused.

It had been three months since he advanced to True Lake Level 3, his realm was stable, it was time to elevate his cultivation again.

Crushing a gold-hued spirit fortune stick, the golden powder transformed into a vortex, from which pure, rich Heaven and Earth spirit force surged forth. Lu Ye further activated the powers of the Talent Tree, allowing invisible roots to explore into the vortex, absorbing the pure spiritual liquid within.

In just three days, after consuming three gold-hued spirit fortune sticks, Lu Ye's cultivation advanced to True Lake Level 4.

This rapid progress was naturally due to the accumulation over the recent three months, as well as his previous intermittent use of the golden spirit fortune sticks for cultivation.

Four sevens make a square, while Level 4 is just a small advancement over Level 3, the enhancement in strength was significant, and Lu Ye could clearly feel the subtle changes in his spirit force.

With the cultivation of Level 4, his spirit force had reached the fourth revolution degree, many times purer than when he initially entered the True Lake Realm; thus, the power he could exert by propelling his spirit force also became stronger.

The cultivation did not stop. Lu Ye almost maintained a daily consumption of a gold-hued spirit fortune stick.

It wasn't until all the gold-hued spirit fortune sticks in his possession were exhausted that he concluded this session of cultivation.

And his cultivation had reached the stage of True Lake Level 5!

The unique cultivation method of Theft of Heaven's Augury brought unparalleled benefits. Other cultivators, even using the gold-hued spirit fortune sticks, could only harness the Heaven and Earth spirit force that escaped from the vortex.

But he was different; the roots of the Talent Tree delved into the vortex for pure plunder. The efficiency of cultivation was much higher compared to the usual method.

In a mere 20 days, his cultivation advanced by two levels, which was somewhat astonishing.

Lu Ye had initially considered using Pseudo-Might to cover his cultivation, to avoid suspicions, but after careful thought, he decided against it.

The speed of his cultivation advancement could be hidden temporarily, but not permanently, it would be revealed eventually, especially since he frequently interacted with some strong cultivators of the Divine Sea Realm now, making it even harder to conceal.

Fortunately, he had already informed Qian Wudang that his talent was outstanding, possessing a Talent Tree of sixty-four leaves, hence the rapid improvement in strength had some foundation.

As for what Qian Wudang would think upon realizing that he had reached True Lake Level 5... Lu Ye didn't care.

Battle merit had increased again as it was the time for the monthly stipend distribution.

Moreover, today was the day to settle the delivery of Explosive Fire Spirit Stones with Cheng Xiu.

Lu Ye had already refined the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, and he had made plenty; he just needed to deliver them on time.

Once the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones were delivered, it would mean a significant gain in battle merits.

Inside the room, Lu Ye stood up, Yiyi, seeing this, was about to flash back into Amber's body.

"No need to hide," Lu Ye said.

Yiyi looked at him, puzzled.

"Lin Yinxiu is both a member of the squad and lives here, so it's inevitable to run into her. Moreover… you should also have met the Third Senior Brother."

"I'll listen to you." Yiyi smiled sweetly.

Opening the door, Lu Ye was astonished to see outside piled with silver and snow flying; it was already winter. No wonder he felt a chill during his seclusion cultivation earlier.

The changes of seasons have little impact on the group of cultivators. After all, cultivators have spirit force to protect themselves, unaffected by the cold and heat. Ordinary seasonal changes are usually ignored by cultivators.

There was an extra row of snowmen in the courtyard. Lin Yinxiu was busy in front of an unformed snowman, displaying a childlike innocence.

Upon hearing the commotion behind her, Lin Yinxiu turned around, surprised: "Captain, you've left seclusion…" She hadn't finished speaking when she saw Yiyi standing beside Lu Ye, greatly amazed.

Because she had never seen Yiyi and had no idea when Yiyi had entered Lu Ye's room.

For a moment, she couldn't help but indulge in wild thoughts. No wonder someone so young could enter seclusion for so many days; it turns out there was a beauty accompanying him.

"Who is this…" Lin Yinxiu didn't know how to address Yiyi.

"Lu Yiyi, my sister." Lu Ye introduced.

"So it's Sister Yiyi." Lin Yinxiu suddenly realized, secretly thinking she had misunderstood. This was not the captain's woman, but his sister!

She still didn't understand, though, where this sister of the captain came from.

They exchanged greetings.

Lu Ye asked, "Has there been anything happening in the division lately?"

"Nothing." Lin Yinxiu shook her head.

Lu Ye couldn't help but frown.

During his seclusion cultivation, he didn't dare to immerse himself too deeply, fearing news might arrive without him noticing. Yet, unexpectedly, after nearly twenty days, there were no tasks issued in the division.

Since when did the Law Enforcement Hall become so idle…

Something seemed off.

The door of the room next door opened, and the figure of Xiao Xinghe emerged.

Lu Ye led Yiyi over: "Third Senior Brother."

Xiao Xinghe slightly nodded: "I heard you were in seclusion, so I didn't disturb you. Judging by your appearance, did you make progress?"

"My cultivation improved somewhat," Lu Ye replied, "Is Third Senior Brother's injury healed?"

"Already recovered." Xiao Xinghe nodded, then looked at Yiyi behind Lu Ye, "Is this Sister Yiyi?"

Yiyi stepped out from behind Lu Ye, gracefully greeted, "Greetings, Third Senior Brother." She was a little curious, "Third Senior Brother knows me?"

"Previously, I heard the sect master mention you. I didn't expect Sister to be so cute."

Yiyi shyly smiled, then turned to look at the snowmen in the courtyard, revealing a longing expression.

"Go play." Lu Ye said.

Yiyi cheered and rushed into the courtyard, joining Lin Yinxiu in building snowmen. As the snow flew, although it was their first meeting, the two little girls seemed to hit it off, soon chatting and laughing.

Under the corridor, Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe stood side by side, delightedly watching this scene, their spirits lifting.

"Still haven't thanked Junior Brother for fetching me out from over there," Xiao Xinghe suddenly spoke.

Lu Ye said, "Brother, we're family, no need for thanks."

Xiao Xinghe grinned: "That's why I hesitated on whether to thank you. Never mind, let's pretend I didn't say it."

"Brother, there's something I don't understand."

"You're wondering why Green Emperor City didn't intervene?"

"Exactly."

"Regarding matters at Jinglan Lake Pass, Green Emperor City can't interfere, so even with intentions, they're powerless. You ought to know, the lord of the pass has absolute authority over their soldiers, especially during wartime. Green Emperor City thought about moving me from Jinglan Lake Pass several times but couldn't because they wouldn't release me. What can Green Emperor City do? Take this instance, if that Liew Yuemei had insisted on not letting me go, I wouldn't have been able to leave. It's good Junior Brother cunningly got her to sign the Heaven's Augury Pact."

Lu Ye nodded: "So, it isn't Green Emperor City's fault. But knowing Liew Yuemei's disposition, why send you to Jinglan Lake Pass?"

"Same goes for other passes. When I went to Jinglan Lake, it wasn't Liew Yuemei in charge yet; she arrived later. You must understand, the lord of a pass can also be reassigned."

"Tianyuan Sect truly exerted considerable effort." Lu Ye's expression turned cold.

"A small number of people, mostly behaving within regulations. But some disregard rules and remain incorrigible."

"Forget it, the sect master considers having taught that person a lesson enough."

"The sect master initially intended to kill her, but unfortunately, she had the Tianyuan Sect's sect-guarding treasure, the Destructive Lightning Spear, with immense power. Using it, she escaped, and the sect master was helpless."

"The old man is so fierce?" Lu Ye was astonished, but upon reconsideration, at that time, the sect master had already categorized the person as one of the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge bandits. Treating Ten Thousand Demons Ridge bandits with rapid pruning was natural.

The old man's return has made him more assertive than before.