Chapter 68: Confrontation
Chirp! Chirp!
The first rays of morning sun pierced through the eastern horizon, bathing Green Hollow City in a pale golden light. The mist drifted lazily between rooftops and tall buildings as merchants reopened their stalls and a few cultivators began another day of training.
The Cultivation Academy sluggishly became lively once more. The students walked on the stone courtyard in small groups, chatting about the past Peak Endurance Trial’ battles.
"Did you hear about this? The investigators are still in the city," Lian Nichang muttered, his face frowning. "They’re investigating Gu Shiyan."
"I heard they’re from the Qinglin Continent Detective Faction," Gu Fang Xin scowled, clicking his tongue. "They even came to our residence."
"What kind of people are they?"
"I don’t know..."
Meanwhile, away from the vast courtyard, Lin Yuan stood alone under a large maple tree, his eyes were closed, and his breathing remained slow and steady.
The Moon Rabbit quietly sat upon one of the tree roots beside him, lingering gracefully under the morning essence while lazily flicking its long ears. It was shimmering elegantly under the morning light.
Howl!
A faint howl interrupted the eerie silence.
Lin Yuan sluggishly opened his eyes, and the three figures slowly approached near him. They were the investigators Chi Leiyang, Xue Jianhong, and Mu Yue Cang Ming.
The three stopped a few paces away from Lin Yuan.
After a few, slow breaths, only the wind could be heard passing through the maple leaves.
Finally, Cang Ming stepped forward.
"So..." Cang Ming smirked, his voice was calm and anxious. "You are Lin Yuan."
Lin Yuan calmly observed the young investigator.
"You are looking for me?" Lin Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"I have a few questions about Gu Shiyan.." Cang Ming sneered, adjusting his oversized robes.
"Ask.." Lin Yuan nodded once.
’Huh? He agreed... immediately?’ Chi Leiyang thought, raising an eyebrow.
Most academy disciples became nervous merely standing before the investigators — mainly Cang Ming, but Lin Yuan looked calm and composed with an unbothered expression.
"You fought Gu Shiyan," Cang Ming looked into Lin Yuan’s eyes. "And you defeated him."
"Yes, I was!" Lin Yuan answered without any hesitation.
"What changed during the battle first?" Cang Ming continued, a faint glint escaping from his eyes.
Lin Yuan remained silent for a moment before replying. "His control."
Chi Leiyang immediately got focused. "Explain, please?"
"Before the battle, Gu Shiyan’s attacks were disciplined," Lin Yuan crouched and picked up a dry leaf, holding it between two fingers, he spoke calmly. "He maintained proper breathing, his movements were precise and mainly he observed before attacking."
"But during the other half..." Lin Yuan continued, snapping the leaf in half "He abandoned restraint. He consumed Beast Essence faster than his aperture could recover. He ignored openings, defense... He thrived for victory!"
"When a cultivator stops thinking..." Lin Yuan boasted as the broken leaf slowly fell to the ground, "the battle is already decided."
The silence consumed the surroundings for a few seconds.
"You noticed his aperture?" Cang Ming listened without interrupting.
"Yes."
"What about it?"
"It wasn’t stable." Lin Yuan’s voice remained as calm as ever. "His Beast Essence leaked continuously and his aperture was sealed. The layer concealing his true cultivation became thinner each time he attacked. So, I simply waited."
"You intentionally prolonged the battle?" Chi Leiyang frowned.
"No. I just shortened it by baiting him to attack more and more," Lin Yuan explained serenely.
The investigators looked at him as Lin Yuan continued. "An unstable aperture collapses faster under pressure. So, I forced him to keep attacking. And when he lost his balance, I defeated him... or rather, it is said that he defeated himself."
"Hahaha..." Cang Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You are explaining like it was a daily routine!"
"It was a battle," Lin Yuan looked toward him. "The conclusion doesn’t change because of emotions when explained."
’What a frightening mindset...’ Chi Leiyang slowly exhaled, nodding his head.
"You never became angry?" Xue Jianhong crossed his arms.
"Anger clouds judgment," Lin Yuan shook his head. "It rarely improves decisions."
Cang Ming remained silent, and he carefully studied Lin Yuan’s expression.
After a few moments, the child investigator nodded. "I understand."
"Good," Lin Yuan simply replied,
An awkward silence followed as Lin Yuan and Cang Ming exchanged a deep glance. Even Xue Jianhong didn’t know what to say.
"Our investigation in Green Hollow City is completed," Cang Ming announced, turning around. "Let’s return to the faction!"
"So soon?" Chi Leiyang looked surprised, "The library is still there?"
"The remaining clues are no longer here," Cang Ming nodded his head in disapproval. "We will report it to the leader."
"Hahaha... Finally..." Xue Jianhong stretched lazily. The three investigators began walking toward the academy gate.
Just before leaving, Cang Ming stopped.
"Lin Yuan," Cang Ming said quietly without turning around.
"Hm?"
"I hope your calculations continue serving your own path," Cang Ming continued, a faint smirk curling on his lips. "And not someone else’s."
Lin Yuan watched the young investigator for a moment, then answered calmly. "I choose my own decisions."
Cang Ming nodded once, without another word, the three disappeared beyond the academy gates.
****
After a few minutes, Lin Yuan quietly returned toward his residence.
The Moon Rabbit hopped beside him happily, lingering around Lin Yuan for once.
Suddenly, the ring upon his finger shimmered faintly, and a familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
"Interesting..." The Turtle Beast slowly emerged from the ring as a silhouette in front of Lin Yuan, nodding its head. Its calm eyes watched the academy gate briefly. "That child is dangerous."
"Hahhh!" Lin Yuan smirked, glancing at the turtle’s silhouette. "You noticed it too?"
"Hahaha..." The Turtle Beast chuckled, elucidating its observation. "He spoke little, but every question had already contained ten questions in it. He never searched for answers. He searched for any flaws in your words."
"Yes, it’s true," Lin Yuan nodded faintly, "He observed me, and he analysed every word."
The Turtle Beast’s expression became unusually serious. "Sixteen years old, Core Beast Realm, and a Divine Beast. Also he was frighteningly calm." It slowly looked toward Lin Yuan. "You met someone similar to yourself today."
Lin Yuan remained silent, listening to the words.
"No..." The turtle laughed, "He resembles you less. He was like a hunter waiting beside a river... waiting until the prey reveals itself."
"Then we are different," Lin Yuan’s lips curved ever so slightly. "Hehe... I prefer walking toward the prey."
"Hahahaha!" The Turtle Beast burst into laughter. "Indeed."
****
Three days later...
Somewhere far beyond Green Hollow City, across countless rivers, forests and mountain ranges... A colossal city appeared upon the horizon. It was the Qingtian Imperial City — the capital of the Qinglin Continent.
The towering walls of dark jade stone stretched farther than the eye could see. Thousands of cultivators entered and exited through the massive gates.
The spirit beasts pulled luxurious carriages across streets wide enough for twenty wagons to travel side by side.
Many flying mounts soared overhead gracefully. The towering auction halls, alchemy towers, clan residences and sect main halls filled every district in the city. The merchants shouted enthusiastically.
"Elegant Rank Three Beast Cores!"
"Spirit Herbs from the Southern Mountains!"
"Protective talismans!"
"Top-quality Beast Feed!"
"Maps of ancient ruins!"
The city has never been calm and silent. Compared to it, the Green Hollow City resembled a quiet village.
Near the city’s center there was a vast black-stone fortress. Above its entrance, there were four ancient characters.
Hall of Heavenly Faction — The headquarters of the Qinglin Continent Detective Faction.
Cang Ming entered the hall as the investigators along the corridors immediately bowed.
"Young Master."
He didn’t acknowledge any of them, and immediately entered the central chamber.
There are three figures waiting. At the highest seat sat a dignified middle-aged man wearing deep-blue robes embroidered with silver qilins, his mere presence caused the surrounding air to rattle vehemently.
He was Mu Yue Tianxuan, the leader of the Detective Faction. He was a Divine Beast Realm cultivator, and also a Qilin Beast holder.
Standing below him were two elder inspectors. The one on the left is Chen Zhenhai of the Chen Clan, a True Beast Realm cultivator and a Wind Falcon holder. Beside him stood Bai Xuansong, also a True Beast Realm and a White Tiger holder.
"You have returned..." Mu Yue Tianxuan slowly squinted his eyes.
"The investigation in Green Hollow City is completed, leader," Cang Ming bowed respectfully.
"Report,"
Cang Ming explained everything from beginning to end. When he finished, the heavy silence lingered across the central hall.
"The curiosity of the demonic cultivator..." Chen Zhenhai folded his arms, smiling faintly.
"A troubling development," Bai Xuansong frowned, clicking his tongue.
"And?" Mu Yue Tianxuan remained expressionless.
Cang Ming looked up. "There is one more individual."
The hall became quiet again.
"His name... is Lin Yuan."
"What is important about him?" Mu Yue Tianxuan raised an eyebrow.
Cang Ming’s voice remained calm. "He deserves an observation, leader."
"I see," Yue Tian Xuan murmured, resting his hand upon the armrest of his chair. He slowly closed his eyes. "Interesting. A rejected disciple has caught the interest of a prodigy... Continue monitoring Green Hollow City."
"As you command!" Cang Mind bowed once before leaving the hall.
Far away, the academy bell rang.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The students quickly entered the academy hall, after a few moments... The heavy footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Gu Yanluo walked inside, his dark robes fluttered behind him. The faint silhouette of a Lightning Falcon flickered for only an instant before disappearing. His sharp gaze swept across every disciple.
"Defense is not about surviving," Gu Yanluo instantly murmured, without greeting or anything. Every student straightened immediately. Gu Yanluo clasped his hands behind his back. "It is about ensuring your enemy never receives another opportunity to strike."
The hall fell completely silent, and Lin Yuan smirked faintly.