Sage of Humanity

Quickly rushed to Emerald Bamboo Peak, and saw Yiyi from afar standing in front of his bamboo lodge, Amber revealed his true form, crouching low and growling at the bamboo lodge.

Lu Ye fixed his gaze, eyebrows furrowed.

For there were many traces of formations around the bamboo lodge.

Undoubtedly indicating someone was inside!

The traces of formations appeared because Yiyi wanted to enter the bamboo lodge to clean, but triggered the lodge's formations and was blocked by them.

Something seemed amiss.

Second Senior Sister now has Divine Sea Realm cultivation, if someone truly trespassed here, she had no reason not to notice. Since the person is staying here, it means they got Second Senior Sister's approval.

But this is his spirit mountaintop, his bamboo lodge, who could make Second Senior Sister compromise like this?

Just as Lu Ye was puzzling over this, a delicate and beautiful face appeared in the window of the bamboo lodge's second floor, clearly someone inside noticed the commotion outside and looked out.

Eyes met, Lu Ye was extremely astonished: "Lord?"

The person residing here wasn't anyone else, it turned out to be Nian Yuexian who claimed she would be retreating for a while.

Amber immediately transformed to the size of a kitten, no longer appearing majestic, but rather exceedingly docile...

"Lord, why are you here?"

Nian Yuexian looked at him, speaking, "Came here to retreat, borrowing your place, I've already informed Shui Yuan."

Lu Ye then understood, quickly clasped his fists, "I was unaware, Lord, I beg your pardon, I will take my leave!"

After speaking, he signaled to Yiyi and Amber, and swiftly left.

Slowly, he started to understand, since Nian Yuexian wanted to retreat, she definitely needed a safe and quiet place. She originated as an independent cultivator, and though Bingzhou was vast, besides Haotian City, nowhere was suitable for her.

Yet Haotian City evidently wasn't right for her.

Righteous Blood Sect was the best choice.

This sect, apart from Shui Yuan, had few disciples coming and going; plus Shui Yuan could help watch over, no one would disturb her.

Yet unexpectedly today, he and Yiyi were startled.

However, talking about it, why does Nian Yuexian always have issues with his bamboo lodge.

Previously at Cangyan Mountain Pass, she forcibly occupied his first bamboo lodge, and now she's here again taking over.

The Mount Ao region is so vast, plenty of spirit mountaintops, she purposely chose Emerald Bamboo Peak for retreat and cultivation.

No choice but to let it be.

Returning to Righteous Peak, Shui Yuan was busy in the small kitchen, Lin Yinxiu helped her, though it was evident Lin Yinxiu hadn't done such chores before, awkward and clumsy, yet enjoying herself.

No sign of Xiao Xinghe.

"Where's Third Senior Brother?" Lu Ye asked.

"Went to Moon Lake to catch fish." Shui Yuan casually replied, disciples originating from Righteous Blood Sect had a fondness for Moon Lake's Blood Red Trout, as did Fourth Senior Brother, just like Third Senior Brother, who hadn't been back for years, he returned now, naturally wanting a feast.

"Second Senior Sister, I need some supplies!" Lu Ye spoke.

This trip back to Mount Ao wasn't exactly along the way, he went the extra mile for this.

Lu Ye now receives a fixed large income from battle merit every month, as long as he doesn't waste it, it's enough for his use, yet he doesn't have much merit left.

He doesn't have a great need for merit, yet at times it's necessary.

Just like the previous purchase of a spirit ark for the squad from Heaven's Augury treasure vault, which required merit expenditure, usually when not using spirit fortune sticks for Theft of Heaven's Augury cultivation, it also demands merit expenditure.

Acquiring merit is simple, just sell more items to Heaven's Augury treasure vault.

Back in the Spirit Stream battlefield, Lu Ye extorted various big sects of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge twice, gaining resources worth tens of millions of merit, stored in Righteous Blood Sect's treasure vault, now he needed them, Shui Yuan naturally wouldn't refuse.

Obtaining the restriction jade cluster from Shui Yuan, Lu Ye went straight there, quite familiar with the route.

The treasure vault is located within Righteous Peak, using the jade cluster to activate various restrictions, he entered a large cavern, neatly categorizing all kinds of cultivation resources and Spiritual Artifacts.

Lu Ye searched around.

Soon left the treasure vault, went to Heaven's Augury Hall, sold the collected items to Heaven's Augury treasure vault, his merit increasing visibly, until nearly a million where he stopped.

This amount of merit would be sufficient for his use for a long time.

Night fell, outside the small kitchen, four people sat down, tasting Shui Yuan's culinary skills.

Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe toasted each other, even Shui Yuan, who usually disapproved of them drinking, had a few cups.

Lin Yinxiu, unaware of limits, joined in, soon her cheeks flushed rosy, had it not been for her True Lake Realm cultivation, she would have been sprawled on the ground.

Harmony prevailed.

On the spirit ark, Zhou Wang and the other six who were captured watched from afar, full of envy, thinking about their future days, feeling bitter inside.

It wasn't until late at night that the banquet dispersed, each rested.

The next day dawned, Lu Ye and others prepared to set out, Shui Yuan earnestly reminded, "Don't be reckless, the old man is now in Haotian City, if anyone dares trouble you, go find him."

"Understood, Second Senior Sister." Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe responded together.

"Go on, come back often if you have time." Shui Yuan waved.

"Second Senior Sister, take care!" Lu Ye and Xiao Xinghe saluted together.

Soon, the spirit ark transformed into a stream of light, soaring into the sky.

On Emerald Bamboo Peak, in the bamboo tower's second floor, Nian Yuexian quietly watched until the spirit ark disappeared from sight, then waved her jade hand, activating many formations and restrictions around her.

Time to retreat and cultivate again.

Haotian City, Justice Department main hall.

Today is quite leisurely, with not much official business to handle, a rare day of relaxation, Qian Wudang certainly wouldn't stay in the Justice Department hall all day.

He got up and walked outside, planning to visit Fan Xiangyi at the Heralds Office to chat and express his grievances.

He was troubled!

Ever since Yinxiu left him before, he would often send messages to inquire, but rarely received much response, leaving his heart uneasy, always worrying she might be bullied or encounter invincible opponents outside.

Passing by the Hunting Pavilion, he paused and turned to enter.

The elderly man was snoring thunderously, having fallen asleep on his desk.

Qian Wudang's forehead twitched, he went up and knocked on the desk.

The elderly man slowly raised his sleepy eyes, upon seeing Qian Wudang, he grumbled, "Disturbing people's dreams, is this how you do your job as Department Chief?"

Qian Wudang was amused, "Is this how you guard the Hunting Pavilion?"

The elderly man sat upright, "I've toiled my whole life, now at this age, just want to live peacefully, have no ambition. What, Lord Department Chief plans to punish me for neglecting duty? Go ahead, send me to the prison for a few days, enjoy some tranquility."

Qian Wudang was left speechless, "You weren't like this when you were young, how come you've gotten more unruly with age!" He didn't feel like quarreling, changed the subject, "Speaking of serious matters, that brat Lu Yiye still hasn't returned to hand over his tasks?"

The elderly man's eyes widened in surprise, "Isn't Yinxiu in his squad? Wouldn't you know the situation over there?"

Speaking of this, Qian Wudang felt a twinge in his heart...

Perhaps, after years of restraining Yinxiu too tightly, now that she's gained freedom, she's somewhat liberated herself, rarely replying to his messages.

"Now it's the Department Chief asking you!" Qian Wudang took on the demeanor of the Justice Department Chief.

The elderly man continued to poke his heart, chuckling, "Yinxiu doesn't want communication with you? Told you before, girls aren't raised like that, being overly protective isn't helpful, you wouldn't listen. That girl Yinxiu, while she seems obedient and gentle, she's actually very much like her mother."

Qian Wudang turned to leave.

The elderly man grabbed his arm, "Leaving in a hurry?"

Qian Wudang shouted, "Old thing, I've nothing to say to you, let go!"

"Haven't finished talking, you were asking about Lu Yiye's situation?"

Qian Wudang stopped struggling, "What is it?"

"Nothing much, haven't seen him recently."

Qian Wudang pondered, "So it means, the task he took last time still hasn't been completed. Previously, could quickly complete them, was just sheer luck?"

"Seems like it." The elderly man nodded.

Qian Wudang understood, "That's normal, one's luck can't always be so favorable."

Just then, he turned to look outside, seeing a familiar figure entering with a blade.

"Senior, I'm here to submit the task." Lu Ye walked into the Hunting Pavilion and felt surprised, "Lord Department Chief is here too."

Qian Wudang smiled, "Task completed?"

"Completed." As Lu Ye spoke, he handed the jade slip he last took from here back to the elderly man.

"Not bad." Qian Wudang praised, considering for a moment, remarked, "No need to rush so much, focus more on your cultivation, with higher cultivation, you can complete tasks more effectively."

"Understood." Lu Ye replied casually, turning to the elderly man, "Senior, about the jade slips containing the tasks you took out last time?"

"They're all here." The elderly man picked up the jade slips, these tasks were the kind that no one was interested in, so the jade slips had remained there.

Qian Wudang frowned, he just advised Lu Ye not to be so hasty, and now this kid is ready to take on more tasks? Completely disregarding the Department Chief's words!

Just as he was about to persuade Lu Ye to let Yinxiu rest for a few days, he saw Lu Ye sorting through the jade slips in his hand, returning them to the elderly man, "Submitting the tasks!"

The elderly man looked at Lu Ye, Lu Ye looked at him, both stared at each other for a moment.

"What do you mean?" The elderly man was baffled.

"Didn't you mention last time, it's possible to first accomplish the task objectives, then later complete the submission process, isn't it?"

The elderly man regained his senses, somewhat incredulous, "You mean to say, the targets from these tasks, you've accomplished them all?"

"They're waiting for disposal over at the prison." Lu Ye gave a thumbs-up, pointing behind him.

The elderly man turned to look at Qian Wudang.

Qian Wudang was examining messages, remarkably a report from the prison, sensing the elderly man's gaze, he nodded slightly, his expression was surprised.

Previously he thought, completing a task in half a month was normal efficiency.

But completing six tasks in half a month... that wasn't normal.

How did this kid manage to do it?