After Chen Fei and Yi Shu left, everyone from Wang Yifa to Du Yuanbing was taken into custody one by one and brought back to the city, all under the direction of Huang Tao, the Mayor of Northern Mountain City, and Zhong Bingyue, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. As for County Party Secretary Liu Guangrong, although he wasn't detained due to his status, he was still escorted to the city. The severe punishment of the law awaited them all.

"Xiaofei, I wasn't dreaming just now, was I? You actually know the Mayor?" Yi Shu stuttered, his face blank. He was standing outside the Chengyang County Public Security Bureau, clearly still unable to process what had happened.

There's no way! That was the actual Mayor of Northern Mountain City, the undisputed second-in-command of the municipal government. And he had just appeared right in front of me, on my side! It was as if he had been called here by Chen Fei—my neighbor's kid, who was somehow both familiar and strange. How could I not be shocked?

"Of course you weren't dreaming," Chen Fei said with a slight curl of his lips. "That Liu Guangrong got exactly what he deserved. I bet Wang Yifa wouldn't have been so arrogant if Liu Guangrong hadn't been protecting him from behind. He even dared to maliciously withhold payment for construction projects."

"Then... I should be able to get my construction funds back, right?" As soon as Chen Fei brought up this "serious matter," Yi Shu snapped to attention and couldn't help but ask. We're talking about money! For a common family like mine, it's the most important thing—not something I can just give up on!

"Brother Yi Shu, don't you worry," Chen Fei said, patting his chest. "With the Mayor himself stepping in, there's no way those people would dare to withhold your construction funds. I think that's absolutely impossible! Unless, of course, they're tired of their official positions."

"That makes sense." Yi Shu replied with a simple, honest smile. The tension finally left his face, and he let out a huge sigh of relief. To be honest, I've probably never been as tense in my entire life as I was in those past few minutes. My heart was pounding, and it even felt hard to breathe.

"Anyway, it's all settled. Someone will be in touch about the construction funds, so why don't you head out first, Brother Yi Shu? I still have some things to take care of by myself," Chen Fei said with a smile, noticing a taxi flashing its lights at them in the distance.

"Alright then, I'll get going." He must be going to catch up with Mayor Huang and the others. Yi Shu thought, so naturally, he didn't dare to pry. He got into the taxi and left.

Seeing the taxi depart, Chen Fei finally allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. He glanced up at the scorching sun, then casually hailed a passing taxi and headed in the complete opposite direction from his home.

Five Peaks Mountain, the highest peak for dozens of miles around Chengyang County, was located about thirty to forty miles northwest of the urban area. The surroundings were mostly farmhouses offering lodging and simple township bungalows. This was where Chen Fei's master lived in seclusion.

"Old man, I'm back! Where are you?" he shouted as soon as he pushed open the gate. He had familiarly traversed the muddy country paths and climbed halfway up Five Peaks Mountain to this large, ordinary-looking house.

This place is practically my second home. I can't even count how much hardship I endured or how much sweat I shed here as a child. Of course, it also holds many precious memories! That's why I came straight here without stopping after taking care of Brother Yi Shu's problem. This is where my master lives in seclusion!

"No one's here?" he muttered, wandering around the courtyard. "Strange. Where could the old man have gone?" It seemed his master had gone out for something, which left him a little frustrated.

"Doesn't the old man always leave a note when he goes out? What happened this time?" Chen Fei muttered to himself as he found a piece of paper and a pen in the room and began to write.

A few moments later, he stuck the finished note to a door in the courtyard and left. Since my master isn't here, there's no reason for me to stay. I'll just come back and check tomorrow or the day after. He's bound to return eventually.

And with that, Chen Fei descended Five Peaks Mountain and hailed an unlicensed cab at its foot to take him back to the county. Before long, darkness fell, and night arrived.

"There should be something hidden down there, right? Otherwise, my Divine Sense wouldn't react so strangely," Chen Fei mused to himself, standing at the edge of Emerald Lake, known as the 'Green Gemstone' of Chengyang County, as he gazed at the quiet water below.

Of course. I still remember it. The strange reaction of the Spiritual Energy in my body when I was near Emerald Lake this morning, and that mysterious, deep humming sound. Based on that, there must be something hidden under this lake. That was why, after returning from Five Peaks Mountain, he had skipped dinner at home and come straight here.

Clearly, he intended to 'go down' and investigate.

The area of Emerald Lake in Chengyang County was quite large. A lakeside park had been built along one side, but the other shores were still quite desolate, especially at night when no one would ever venture there. This provided Chen Fei with the perfect opportunity.

SPLASH! The next moment, Chen Fei, enveloped in a faint white light, jumped straight into Emerald Lake.

GLUG, GLUG... Beneath the surface of the dark, silent Emerald Lake, only the faint sounds of swimming fish echoed in Chen Fei's ears, composing a strange melody. This was clearly one of the miraculous abilities of a Cultivator—he could part the water and enter the lake, seeing everything on the bottom with perfect clarity.

As Chen Fei descended deeper, he felt a warm, mysterious force filling the lakebed. It even caused the Spiritual Energy in his body to agitate with excitement, which he found unbelievable. This feeling... It's like there's something truly extraordinary down here. Just sensing its presence is enough to make my Spiritual Energy react like this. It's incredible.

The energy within me isn't ordinary; it's the Spiritual Energy unique to Cultivators, beings said to possess world-destroying power. Yet now, whatever is at the bottom of this lake can make my Spiritual Energy so excited. Could it be one of the legendary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?

Indeed, the legacy left to him by that master from the Cultivation World recorded a type of treasure born from the very essence of the universe, called Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. They were the ultimate goal for all Cultivators because they could help improve one's Cultivation Level and possessed all sorts of other unbelievable, miraculous uses. They were exceedingly precious!

In fact, before the ancient Qin dynasty in Huaxia, there were indeed signs that Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures had existed, accompanied by all kinds of incredible legends. However, during the chaos of that era, the First Emperor performed the Dragon Vein Slaying, defied the natural order, and severed nature's spiritual energy. This caused the energy in the world to decline rapidly. Consequently, the few enlightened ones who had attained the Dao at that time departed en masse, stepping onto a secret ancient path in search of a chance for survival. In the present day, nature's spiritual energy was gone, the enlightened were gone, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures had naturally vanished without a trace. This was why Chen Fei was so shocked.

If there really is a Heavenly Material or Earthly Treasure here, even one of the lowest grade, it would be of unimaginable help to my current Cultivation Level! The temptation is simply irresistible!

I have to keep looking. It must be here somewhere under Emerald Lake! Chen Fei frantically continued his search, carefully probing for any trace.

Wait, what's that... Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Chen Fei noticed a faint glimmer of light rippling in the depths of Emerald Lake. The sight made his breath catch. His Spiritual Energy instantly surged, operating at its peak as he shot toward the light. After covering some distance, he found it: a cave opening just large enough for one person to pass through. The light was emanating from within.

"This is it." Chen Fei licked his somewhat dry lips, his eyes revealing a potent excitement.

A faint white light flickered around him, and he transformed into a streaking white blur, shooting into the cave without hesitation. His passage stirred strange ripples through the deep waters of Emerald Lake.

HUMM! HUMM... As Chen Fei entered the cave, a rank stench, like that of fierce beasts and Snake Vipers, assaulted his nostrils, making his hair stand on end. Yet, the strange humming sound also returned, much clearer this time. Gritting his teeth, Chen Fei pushed deeper into the cave.

What is that? In the next moment, a sight that filled him with joyous surprise appeared before his eyes.

HUMM! HUMM... The strange humming echoed throughout the Emerald Lake Cave, seeming to possess a mysterious power. It created pale blue ripples in the water that stretched forward, creating a dazzling interplay of light and shadow. At the very end of these ripples stood a miraculous little tree.

The tree was only about as thick as an arm, yet it was lush with branches and leaves, radiating a spiritual light. Nestled among the leaves were two or three fruits that glowed like miniature suns, casting a brilliant golden light.

This... this is... the Jinchan Moon Fruit!? Chen Fei's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it, even pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He actually recognized it.

In the Cultivation World where that great master had lived, all Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were classified into five tiers: Human, Earth, Heaven, Immortal, and Divine. Each tier was then subdivided into three grades: Top, Mid, and Low. The miraculous little tree before him was none other than the famous Jinchan Moon Fruit—a Mid-Grade Human-tier Heavenly Material from the Cultivation World! It's actually... a real one!?

"Heh, heh heh..." Chen Fei suddenly laughed foolishly, a smug look on his face that just begged to be punched. "When you're this handsome, even the heavens have to show you some favor. Fortune is truly on my side!"

This is a legendary Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure! In this barren age, long after the First Emperor's Dragon Vein Slaying, finding something like this is an event. It's rarer than a national treasure—far, far rarer! Not only that, but for a true Cultivator like me, this thing has an unbelievably magical effect!

It can raise my Cultivation Level! Yes! That's what it does!

Just imagine! Even a Low-Grade Human-tier Heavenly Material would likely be enough to advance me from the Qi Refining Third Layer to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. The effects of this Mid-Grade Human-tier Jinchan Moon Fruit are bound to be even more astonishing! It's an absolute treasure!

ROAR!

HISSSSSS...

Suddenly, a low, sharp hiss echoed through the cave. It was a sound that could pierce metal and crack stone, a terrifyingly penetrating shriek that made Chen Fei's eardrums ache. His expression changed in an instant. A massive, foul creature was lunging at him, and a terrifying force bore down, threatening to crush him

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.