Xi'er paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright."

The group got into the cars—Jiang Chen, Xi'er, Bu Langshi, and Yan Hu in one car, while the other four were in another.

Wuuu...

The car started and headed northwest towards Maro.

"Mr. Jiang, is there something you'd like to say?" Xi'er turned to Jiang Chen after glancing at the car leading the way upfront.

Jiang Chen gently nodded. "Chief Judge Xi'er, I've heard about the hospitality protocols of your Holy Court. You weren't just being overly polite earlier, were you?"

"Not at all. For Mr. Jiang's arrival, we do need to show such hospitality." Xi'er joked, "What now? Mr. Jiang thinks the level of hospitality is too low?"

Jiang Chen shook his head. "Not really. I just find it a bit odd. Yesterday, I spoke with Vice Commander Ha'er over the phone. He said he'd accompany you to pick me up today, yet someone else came instead."

"Vice Commander Ha'er?"

Xi'er looked surprised and showed a hint of confusion. "Indeed, Ha'er was originally supposed to join us. After all, he's familiar with you. But early this morning, Vice Chief Judge Lu Densi called him away. Time was tight, so we had Vice Commander Ta Mu come along instead."

"Lu Densi?" Jiang Chen furrowed his brows slightly.

Xi'er laughed lightly, "Relax, Vice Chief Judge Lu Densi wouldn't dare act against you here in Maro. Chief Judge Fa Rang keeps a close watch on him. Because of your arrival, Chief Judge Fa Rang even erupted with his aura two days ago to intimidate Lu Densi."

"Erupted with his aura to intimidate?!" Jiang Chen was briefly taken aback.

"Yes, it gave us quite a scare that day." Xi'er nodded, "Suddenly, the Saint Realm Aura covered the Holy Court. If we hadn't sensed it was Lord Fa Rang, and shortly afterward heard Lu Densi's angry voice, we'd have assumed it was an enemy invasion!"

Jiang Chen frowned slightly and asked suspiciously, "What did Lu Densi say?"

"What could he say? He said, 'Fa Rang, don't push me too far. I know my limits—I won't touch Jiang Chen here,'" Xi'er raised his brows slightly and joked, "Mr. Jiang, Lord Fa Rang truly values you highly!"

Jiang Chen glanced at Xi'er, his eyes reflecting a trace of thoughtful contemplation.

"What's wrong?" Noticing Jiang Chen's strange expression, Xi'er asked curiously.

Jiang Chen frowned and spoke, "Chief Judge Xi'er, don't you find this strange?"

"Strange? What's strange about it? Lord Fa Rang has been keeping an eye on Lu Densi for a long time. Lu Densi's long-held resentment isn't new, and him harboring something malicious upon learning of your arrival is normal. Thankfully, Lord Fa Rang detected it. Without Lord Fa Rang's deterrence, Lu Densi might indeed have attempted something detrimental to you." Xi'er responded softly.

Jiang Chen shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I mean, Fa Rang erupting with his aura! You know Dragon Saint Senior has already arrived at the Holy Court, don't you?"

"Of course." Xi'er nodded.

"Since Dragon Saint Senior is at the Holy Court, Fa Rang erupting with his aura would essentially be informing Dragon Saint Senior that there's internal discord within the Holy Court, wouldn't it? Moreover, as you explained, Lu Densi is a proud individual who's always coveted the Chief Judge's position. How could he possibly shout something akin to admitting defeat? Wouldn't that just embarrass himself?" Jiang Chen said gravely.

Xi'er froze briefly upon hearing this and furrowed his brows.

Bu Langshi's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he spoke in an earnest tone, "That's not the behavior of Lord Fa Rang or Lu Densi!"

"This..."

Xi'er's gaze darkened as he raised his head to look at Jiang Chen with a heavier tone, "Mr. Jiang, have you noticed anything unusual?"

Jiang Chen gently shook his head. "Not really. I'm just feeling that something doesn't add up. Best to stay cautious."

Xi'er and Bu Langshi both nodded simultaneously.

Wuuu...

The cars drove forth swiftly, soon exiting Maro and heading towards Di Gang Highlands.

Bzzzz...

Upon reaching a sparsely populated grassy area of the Di Gang Highlands, faint traces of battle energy began permeating the air.

"Stop the car!" Jiang Chen suddenly yelled sternly.

Screech!

Yan Hu promptly slammed the brakes.

"What's wrong?" Xi'er looked at Jiang Chen in confusion.

Click!

"There's a fight!"

Jiang Chen responded swiftly, stepping out of the car and sensing the surroundings carefully. The combat fluctuations were extraordinarily subtle—had it not been for Jiang Chen's acute perception, they might have gone unnoticed.

"A fight?!"

Chief Judge Xi'er looked startled, his brows knitting tightly as he too stepped out of the car. His tone grew heavy, "Someone actually dares to fight here in Di Gang Highlands? They certainly have no respect for our Holy Court!"

Click!

The leading car ahead also came to a halt, with its passengers exiting to gather around Jiang Chen.

"Mr. Jiang, what's going on?" Ta Mu inquired softly, his eyes flashing with a subtle, unreadable gleam.

"There's a fight! It's Na Lita and a member of your Holy Court!"

Jiang Chen spoke in a low tone. Having fought alongside Xi'er and the others several times, Jiang Chen could easily recognize the energy signature of Holy Court members.

"What?! Na Lita?! She actually dared to show up at Di Gang Highlands?!" Bu Langshi's expression darkened in shock, blurting out.

"Let's move!"

Jiang Chen called out before swiftly dashing towards the direction where the energy fluctuations originated. The rest followed suit promptly.

As Jiang Chen sped ahead, Ta Mu's lips curled into a cold smirk while his eyes betrayed a trace of gravity.

This boy has an incredibly sharp sense. Even though I knew there'd be a fight here, I hadn't noticed anything, yet he managed to pick it up.

No wonder... He truly is a monster…

Ta Mu mused silently but soon followed after the group.

...

Deep within the grassy plains of Di Gang Highlands.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening explosions echoed continuously as two figures shrouded entirely in black mist clashed furiously.

Bam!

With a dull thud, one figure was struck by a fierce palm and sent flying backward, the dense black mist around them dispersing to reveal a tall, upright figure.

It was a middle-aged man, refined in appearance, with an aura of natural authority. Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, and his face was pale—clearly suffering from significant injuries.

Yet despite the circumstances, his expression remained calm and composed, save for the faint glimmer of anger in his eyes.

"Na Lita, what exactly are you trying to achieve?"

The man spoke softly, as though addressing an old friend rather than confronting an enemy.

Behind the man's head hovered a faint black mist, within which lay a pitch-black chain embedded into his skull!

Buzz!

The other black-misted figure's shroud dispersed, revealing a slender and graceful woman—it was none other than Na Lita.

Na Lita looked at the man before her, her lips curling into a mocking smile:

"Truly deserving of your title as the Holy Court's number one genius, Chief Judge Fa Rang. Even with your Divine Soul partially restrained, you can simultaneously resist the control of the Divine Lock Chain and fight me to a stalemate. Your strength is indeed impressive!"

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