Within the Defense Division.

Chen Mengze perceived a change in Spiritual Qi and glanced towards the Tian Family mansion.

However, she soon withdrew her gaze, focusing her mind on current affairs.

The Defense Division was currently bustling. Many cultivators from minor clans, as well as rogue cultivators, crowded the entrance of the division office.

Some were there to seek positions within the division. A considerable number were there because their relatives or friends had been apprehended and taken to the Defense Division; they came seeking information.

Previously, the cultivators stationed at the city wall numbered over forty. Among them, four were at the Qi Gathering Realm, all on duty this month. All of them, whether Qi Gathering Realm or Body Tempering Realm cultivators, had their cultivation suppressed and were confined in various buildings.

Currently, Chen Mengze, Tian Shouren, and others were interrogating a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator.

"Fellow Daoists Chen and Tian, I swear I didn't tamper with the Bone Viewing Mirror, nor did I allow the demon head into the city."

The cultivator was gaunt, his expression deeply aggrieved.

After a pause, he spoke again, "Oh, right. I know Commander Shen. He even... he even invited me to register with the Defense Division!"

As it turned out, this person was Tao Dong, the city wall cultivator Shen Mo had encountered upon arriving in Hongye City.

He hadn't wanted to bring up this superficial acquaintance. But the charge of "allowing a Heavenly Demon into the city" was too grave. If he were branded with this, he feared he wouldn't survive.

Chen Mengze's own clan members and parents had been falsely accused of "colluding with Heavenly Demons" and were subsequently wiped out by the Liu and Wu families. Therefore, she was deeply averse to false accusations and determined to find the true culprit.

"Fellow Daoist Tian, what are your thoughts?" Chen Mengze asked Tian Shouren using her Divine Sense.

Tian Shouren squinted his murky eyes, carefully scrutinizing Tao Dong once more.

He then replied, "As far as I know, Fellow Daoist Tao isn't close to the Tian Family."

"Allowing a mutated Heavenly Demon into the city is no small matter. The Tian Family would be unlikely to entrust this to Fellow Daoist Tao."

"Furthermore, the Body Tempering Realm cultivators on duty with Tao Dong didn't notice any unusual behavior from him."

"His level of suspicion... is low."

Chen Mengze nodded slightly, then asked, "Fellow Daoist Tao, you've been on duty at the city walls these past few days. Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?"

Perhaps an anomaly with the Bone Viewing Mirror, or with the Body Tempering Realm cultivators under his command.

Tao Dong pondered deeply, then said with a pained expression, "Everything was as usual; nothing seemed out of place."

At this point, Chen Mengze also found herself in a predicament.

She had interrogated the four Qi Gathering Realm cultivators and the other Body Tempering Realm cultivators one by one, yet she hadn't found a single clue.

It seemed the Tian Family was extremely cautious and hadn't tried anything through the cultivators on duty. They likely tampered with the Bone Viewing Mirror much earlier. Then, they remotely manipulated the mirror, causing it to lose its effectiveness in detecting the mutated Heavenly Demon. This allowed the demon head to slip into the city. They would have to wait until Shen Mo was free to examine the four replaced Treasure Mirrors. With his expertise in Forging, he should be able to discover something. However, successfully charging the Tian Family with "colluding with Heavenly Demons" would likely be difficult. Unless they could kill the Tian Family Patriarch and use the Soul Searching Spell to retrieve the relevant memories from his soul. One could tell at a glance this was no easy task!

「Outside the Tian Family mansion.」

The rumbling within Shen Mo's body abruptly ceased, and the initially turbulent Spiritual Qi vortex gradually subsided. Although a large amount of Spiritual Qi continued to pour in, it was no longer as terrifying as before.

Sixth Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm—a breakthrough!

Shen Mo grinned, then retracted the Nine-Extreme Crystal Sand Energy protecting him back into his body's Chakra.

Although he had 'Danger Perception' to warn of danger, the breakthrough process could easily be interrupted. Thus, Shen Mo had used the Crystal Sand Energy to form a protective barrier against potential attacks.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly.

The Tian Family members had wanted to cause trouble, but due to the might of the Sword Array, it wasn't easy for them to even emerge.

The other cultivators in the city also did not wish to make a personal enemy of Shen Mo.

Before Shen Mo could consolidate his cultivation, his Flawless Dharma Eye spotted an escaping light approaching from the direction of the Riverside Sect.

Here they come!

Shen Mo's expression turned serious.

He estimated that with his full combat strength, he could contend with an early-stage Spirit Sea Realm expert! However, his soul strength and sense were still slightly weaker, not like Spirit Sea Realm powerhouses whose sense could easily extend for hundreds of miles. The Flawless Dharma Eye, a magic artifact, compensated for this deficiency to some extent.

Just as expected! It's indeed Elder Tian Qisheng from Bright Moon Peak.

The moment the escaping light entered the city, Shen Mo had already activated Destiny's 'Examine'.

As a middle-grade Spirit Stone crumbled to dust, Tian Qisheng's information appeared before Shen Mo.

[Human: Tian Qisheng]

[Realm: Spirit Sea Realm, Layer II]

[Brief Description: This cultivator hails from the Tian Clan of Qing State, Red Flame Country. He joined the outer door of the Riverside Sect for cultivation at a young age, advanced to the inner door at twenty-five, and began cultivating on Bright Moon Peak. At fifty-five, he advanced to the Spirit Sea Realm and assumed the position of an Elder at Bright Moon Peak. This man is versed in over a dozen magic arts and cultivation methods from both the Tian Clan and the Riverside Sect, five of which he has cultivated to Perfection. His main cultivation method, the 'Moon Dew Heart Sutra,' is nearing Perfection. If a bright moon hangs in the night sky, his mana recovery far exceeds that of ordinary cultivators.]

[Weakness: During a battle in the Qi Gathering Realm, he sustained an injury to a Chakra in the lower right of his abdomen, leaving a hidden ailment. When casting certain types of magic, his mana flow will be briefly impeded, creating an opening to defeat him.]

Shen Mo was overjoyed.

He hadn't expected this Elder Tian to have such a hidden vulnerability. If he dared to make a move, the fight might not be as difficult as he imagined.

"Huh? Someone is spying on me!"

As a Spirit Sea Realm expert, Tian Qisheng naturally sensed the feeling of being spied upon. However, when he spread his sense, he found no anomalies and had to suppress his misgivings.

He then landed directly in front of Shen Mo.

"Shen Mo of Stars Peak, do you recognize who I am?" Tian Qisheng's expression was slightly cold, his tone unfriendly as he questioned.

Shen Mo had, of course, seen him several times. It wouldn't do to pretend otherwise. He bowed and said, "Greetings, Elder Tian."

"Since you recognize me, I'll be direct." Tian Qisheng's expression softened slightly.

"Withdraw the Sword Array."

"Return my Tian Family Patriarch's sword."

"Swear that during your tenure, you will no longer provoke my Tian Family!"

"Accomplish these three things, and I will let you off. Otherwise, HMPH..."

Hearing this, Shen Mo's face turned cold. He retorted, "Elder Tian, may I ask if you are speaking to me in your capacity as an Elder of Bright Moon Peak or as a member of the Tian Family?"

Tian Qisheng was momentarily taken aback by the question. However, he quickly recovered.

In today's dispute, it was indeed inappropriate for him to step forward for the Tian Family in his capacity as an Elder of Bright Moon Peak. Otherwise, if the matter escalated, he would inevitably be held accountable by the Enforcement Hall. As an Elder of the Riverside Sect, suppressing a sect-appointed Commander of the Defense Division for his family's benefit... Having Spirit Stones and Merit Points deducted would be a light punishment.

"I am, of course, advising you as a member of the Tian Family!" Tian Qisheng stated coldly.

Shen Mo nodded.

The Sword Array enveloping the Tian Family mansion rumbled as it retracted.

Before Tian Qisheng could praise him for 'knowing when to advance and retreat,' the terrifying Sword Array abruptly descended upon him.

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