Rustle…
Accompanied by a crisp, synchronized sound of footsteps, a group of armored soldiers surged out of the Vice Minister's residence like a school of fish.
They stood in neat rows, forming two lines.
Following them, an elegant middle-aged man walked out of the Vice Minister's residence.
Dressed in a black robe, every gesture he exuded an aura of a superior being, and his sharp eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.
Lu Zineng, seeing this grand display, subconsciously took a half-step back. He didn't dare to ask or say anything.
Chen Xuan, seeing this scene, showed not a trace of panic on his face and said with a cheerful smile:
"Leng Li, your father-in-law must really be fond of you. He arranged such a grand welcome for us the moment we arrived."
"That's right. I've been in Jinyang City for so long, and I've never encountered such a grand display."
Zhao Youqian said, taking out a folding fan and fanning himself leisurely.
Leng Li was already used to the styles of his two senior brothers. Their mentality, remaining calm and composed even when facing a mountain that was about to collapse, was something not just anyone could possess.
However, the others were not so accustomed to it.
Although the voices of the two men were not loud, they were clear enough for everyone present to hear.
Vice Minister Zhuo did not speak; he simply quietly sized up the two men before him.
An inscrutable mortal, and a Dao Foundation cultivator who was exceedingly generous.
And yet, it was precisely these two people who had found Leng Li and persuaded him to leave the Taiyin Academy. They were definitely not simple.
"Leng Li, didn't we agree that you would complete your three years of study at the Taiyin Academy before I would give Little Zhuo to you? Could it be that you intend to go back on your word?"
Leng Li bowed and said, "Uncle, the Taiyin Academy has become just a regular academy."
The words were few, but they contained a great deal of meaning.
Hearing this, Vice Minister Zhuo couldn't help but show a look of astonishment. He glanced around and said in a stern voice:
"What nonsense are you spouting? I don't understand what you're talking about!"
Chen Xuan gave Leng Li a thumbs-up. This kid hadn't changed a bit; he was still as sharp and to the point as ever.
"Vice Minister Zhuo, weren't you originally after that great secret? Now that the secret is in my hands, you don't want to know?"
As expected, the moment Vice Minister Zhuo heard the words "great secret," his expression changed instantly. He said with a straight face:
"Don't spout such nonsense! I was only here to inspect Leng Li. I know nothing about any secrets, nor do I wish to know!"
Before his words had even fully faded, a laugh echoed from the sky:
"Hahaha… Vice Minister Hypocrite, you're still the same as you've always been, not the slightest bit changed!"
Hearing the words "hypocrite," Vice Minister Zhuo instinctively clenched his fists and shouted at the sky:
"Who goes there!"
"This General has arrived!"
With a great shout, a man with a dark face and a full beard, clad in a golden-red armor, descended from the sky and landed before the Vice Minister's residence.
Seeing the newcomer, Vice Minister Zhuo's expression turned exceptionally grim. He asked in a cold voice, "Meng Yi, what brings you to my Vice Minister's residence?"
Meng Yi laughed heartily, "I don't have time to be leisurely in your Vice Minister's residence, General. I'm here to capture the culprits who destroyed the Taiyin Academy's formation!"
As he finished speaking, the ground around them began to tremble. In the distance, a squad of Fire-Armored Knights quickly surged toward the Vice Minister's residence. Such a commotion naturally drew the attention of the surrounding families.
Many cultivators rose into the air, hovering in mid-air, clearly there just to watch the show.
"Why are the Imperial Forest Guards here? Has one of the families in Changping Prefecture rebelled?"
"I don't think so. They should be here to make an arrest. Didn't you hear the news? The Taiyin Academy's formation has been destroyed."
"Is that so? I had just taken a nap."
"Where are the culprits who destroyed the Taiyin Academy's formation?"
Vice Minister Zhuo had already guessed the purpose of Meng Yi's visit. At this moment, his priority was to distance himself from the matter. He had sent Leng Li to the Taiyin Academy with the intention of testing the waters.
But he never expected this person to be so audacious. In Jinyang City, there were no shortage of noble families who wished to know that secret, but none of them would dare to destroy the formation.
Destroying the formation was just exposing oneself, wasn't it?
What was sealed beneath the Taiyin Academy was a prize that even the Daluo Sacred Sect coveted. Exposing oneself was no different than courting death.
Meng Yi had never gotten along with Vice Minister Zhuo, so naturally, he wouldn't let this opportunity to trip him up pass him by.
"Vice Minister Zhuo, you're still pretending? After these culprits left the Taiyin Academy, they headed straight for your Vice Minister's residence. Who would believe you have nothing to do with it? In this General's opinion, these culprits are the ones you ordered!"
"You!!!"
Hearing this, Vice Minister Zhuo was so angry he could barely speak.
Just then, a leisurely voice sounded:
"That black-faced, big-bearded fellow over there, who are you calling a culprit? You look like a ferocious demon; you're the real thief here."
The moment the words fell, everyone's gaze turned towards the direction of the voice. There, a young man with an outstandingly handsome face and a longsword in his hand looked at the crowd with a faint smile.
"Hmm... that young man is actually a mortal."
"A mortal, a Dao Foundation cultivator, and a Heaven Origin cultivator actually broke the Taiyin Academy's formation? I don't buy it."
"I don't believe it either. It's probably just rumors spreading around."
Meng Yi hated it most when people made fun of his appearance. Now, he was being mocked by a mere mortal, and it made his beard stand on end in anger.
"Boy, do you know who you're talking to?"
As he spoke, Meng Yi took a seven-foot-long black battle axe from his storage ring and planted it on the ground.
Thud!
The moment the axe landed, a huge explosion echoed. The surrounding crowd was thrown back several steps before they could steady themselves.
Chen Xuan laughed, "So you're not allowed to comment on your ugly looks? Weren't you the one calling them 'culprits' a moment ago?"
Meng Yi now had an urge to cleave someone in two. If it weren't for the orders from above to bring everyone back, he would have already slain this mere mortal.
"Even if it's true, you're not allowed to say it!"
"Pfft!"
Hearing this, Lan Lian couldn't help but burst out laughing. Her laughter instantly attracted countless gazes.
Among the surrounding cultivators were many who were knowledgeable and experienced. They recognized Lan Lian's identity at a glance.
"A Yaksha! She's a member of the Yaksha clan!"
"The seal in the Taiyin Academy is really broken!"
"How did those few kids manage that?"
One second, Meng Yi's face was black with fury, but upon seeing Lan Lian, a fierce glint appeared in his eyes:
"Boy, you've been caught red-handed. How dare you deny that you destroyed the Taiyin Academy's seal?"
"That's right. It was me who destroyed the Taiyin Academy's seal. So what?"
Chen Xuan said nonchalantly, his relaxed demeanor as if he were talking about an everyday occurrence.
Arrogant!
Too arrogant! Did that mortal not see the Imperial Forest Guards surrounding them?
How could a mere mortal be so arrogant?
The surrounding cultivators looked on with expressions of disbelief.
Meng Yi sneered, "Men, arrest them all!"
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