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Lan Haitian stood atop a high-rise building's rooftop, gazing down at the woman in sunglasses and Tuoba Wanyi walking on the street below, and couldn't help but reveal an enigmatic smile.

 

"Are they the two?"

 

He turned to ask the middle-aged man bound by the force of Yuan Magnetism, slumped on the concrete beside him.

 

"Yes, yes, yes, she's the one who contacted me."

 

The middle-aged man was the person in charge of the Ascension Sect in Danxia City. He had located the target as per the sunglasses-wearing woman's request.

 

But little did he know that he would be captured by Lan Haitian that very night.

 

He was responsible for intelligence, not combat, and upon seeing Lan Haitian, he was so terrified by the latter's notorious reputation that he confessed everything.

 

"Hmm, it's actually her."

 

Lan Haitian glanced at the streets in the early morning, watching the woman in sunglasses slowly approaching the apartment building, and couldn't help but click his tongue in wonder.

 

"Group Leader Lan, is it too late for me to switch sides now?"

 

The middle-aged man pinned to the rooftop by Yuan Magnetism stealthily asked.

 

"Don't worry, I'm quite merciful. As long as one doesn't resist, I usually spare their life."

 

Lan Haitian spoke with a smile, but the middle-aged man trembled even more, sweating profusely, soaking his clothes.

 

"Group Leader Lan, please spare my life…"

 

Bang!

 

Annoyed by the noise, Lan Haitian knocked him out cold.

 

"Huh?"

 

Down at the apartment building, the woman in sunglasses seemed to hear something and looked up towards the sky.

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"Nothing, just feeling a bit oppressed all of a sudden."

 

The woman in sunglasses clutched her chest and followed Tuoba Wanyi into the elevator.

 

Soon after, Qing Nv's screams and Kong Feichen's angry shouts could be heard.

 

But under the suppression of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, no matter how talented they were, they couldn't break free.

 

"Not bad, confirmed to be a Dark Spiritual Root."

 

The woman in sunglasses pressed down on Yang Jing, took a drop of blood from her fingertip for testing, and nodded in satisfaction.

 

"What about these two? Should we kill them?"

 

Tuoba Wanyi's right hand shot out white spider silk, wrapping Qing Nv and Kong Feichen into two white cocoons, hanging upside down from the ceiling.

 

"We're not lunatics from the Demonic Path; there's no need to sever their worldly ties for the newcomers."

 

The woman in sunglasses shook her head and walked towards the door.

 

Yang Jing struggled continuously but was lifted up as if by an invisible, transparent person. The woman in sunglasses extended a finger and gently stroked her snow-white neck, causing her to immediately lose consciousness and faint.

 

"Let's go. Set your spider silk to bind them for three days."

 

Three days were enough for them to take Yang Jing out of the Immortal Gate's territory.

 

"Troublesome work."

 

Tuoba Wanyi clicked his tongue.

 

But still, he flicked his palm, and two more bundles of spider silk shot out, fully encasing Qing Nv and Kong Feichen, who had their heads exposed, into the white cocoons.

 

"Aren't you going to take action?"

 

A magnetic female voice sounded next to Lan Haitian in the void, as if an invisible person was standing there.

 

"I was planning to, but my Dao heart is warning me."

 

"Oh, is there a Golden Elixir cultist lurking in the shadows?"

 

"Whether there is or not, a little probing will tell."

 

Lan Haitian watched the woman in sunglasses and Tuoba Wanyi leave the first-floor lobby with Yang Jing, a mysterious smile appearing on his lips.

 

"Old rules, I'll deal with the weaker one, and you handle the stronger one."

 

"No, this time you shouldn't act."

 

Lan Haitian spoke to his hidden companion, uttering words that puzzled her.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I just feel that the two people chosen by the Ascension Sect are too perfect."

 

Lan Haitian smiled, took off a button from his sleeve, and then jumped down from the rooftop.

 

After dropping more than thirty meters, he hovered outside the window of Qing Nv's apartment in mid-air and lightly tossed the button.

 

The spider silk, which could have sealed Qing Nv and Kong Feichen for three days, instantly dimmed.

 

"What's the point of doing this?"

 

The magnetic female voice sounded again, and Lan Haitian chuckled, uttering words that puzzled her even more.

 

"It makes someone who doesn't want to act take action."

 

***

 

Beep Beep Beep!

 

Late at night, Chen Mobai was cultivating his Pure Yang Body and Qingyang Fire Seed, pondering if he could use the Pure Yang Scroll's spells to control the Qingyang Fire, when suddenly his phone rang.

 

"So late? Is it a spam call?"

 

Just as he was about to hang up, he saw the caller's name.

 

Qing Nv!

 

What happened?

 

He immediately answered.

 

"What, Yang Jing was taken away by two Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

 

After hearing the news, Chen Mobai hesitated for a moment, but listening to Qing Nv crying on the phone, he couldn't stay out of it.

 

"Wait at home for me, I'll be right over!"

 

After saying this, he grabbed his storage bag and jumped out of his room's window.

 

The Immortal Gate had rules that forbade cultivators from flying over the thirty-six cave heavens and seventy-two blessed lands.

 

But hopping high on rooftops was no problem.

 

Chen Mobai dashed towards Qing Nv's apartment, while calling Lan Haitian.

 

"Hello!"

 

"Two Foundation Establishment cultivators have taken a friend of mine, I suspect it's the work of the Ascension Sect."

 

"Oh, this is serious, but I'm currently in pursuit of two companions of that Golden Stone Monastery disciple from the daytime, I can't get away."

 

"Aren't you very powerful? How come you haven't killed these two yet?"

 

Chen Mobai's tone was skeptical, recalling Qing Nv's words about two people taking away Yang Jing, and a lightbulb went off in his head.

 

"You, you wouldn't just be watching this happen, would you!"

 

"Don't talk nonsense, I'm earnestly pursuing cultists, but no matter how powerful I am, I'm just one person. After killing one, the other escaped. I'm not good at tracking, so it's been delayed until now."

 

Lan Haitian flatly denied it, and without evidence, Chen Mobai couldn't accuse him further. Plus, he needed this guy's help.

 

"Can you help me out first?"

 

"That won't do. Ascension Sect members are fanatics, I'm afraid the one who escaped will harm the public. Better keep looking, we must eradicate evil."

 

"But it's possible that cultists are behind what happened here too. We have some friendship, won't you help with this?"

 

Chen Mobai could only play the sympathy card. Although he had reached the realm of Sword Rainbow Division and had the Qingyang Fire Seed, Meng Hong said that he could fight anyone below the late Foundation Establishment stage. But the ones who took Yang Jing were two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

What if they were two Foundation Establishment seventh-level or higher cultists?

 

To ensure safety, it was best to bring in Lan Haitian, a well-known figure.

 

"Well, about joining the Mending the Sky Division…"

 

On the other end of the phone, Lan Haitian subtly suggested a condition. Chen Mobai's brows twitched, and he continued to haggle.

 

"Joining always involves an interview process. I haven't even seen what the Mending the Sky Division can do. You have to give me a chance to be impressed."

 

Lan Haitian hung up the phone with an expressionless face.

 

"Is this kid worth all your trouble?"

 

The magnetic female voice sounded again, her words revealing incomprehension.

 

"After I retire, the higher-ups will probably have you take over as the leader of Group Six. He's the deputy leader I've found for you."

 

"Oh, is he as outstanding as me?"

 

"In terms of killing, he's probably not as good as you, but in terms of talent for combat, he's almost caught up with me."

 

Lan Haitian's words left the unseen woman silent.

 

"I don't believe it!"

 

After a long while, these words came from the void.

 

"He's here."

 

Lan Haitian watched Chen Mobai leap over several high-rise rooftops, a dark shadow covering his entire body, erasing all traces of his presence from the rooftop.

 

Chen Mobai burst into Qing Nv's room and saw the two still wrapped in spider silk cocoons, with Qing Nv having freed half her head.

 

With a hum of the sword!

 

Two red sword qi slashed into the cocoons.

 

Subsequently, the white spider silk that Qing Nv and Kong Feichen couldn't tear apart with all their spiritual power, as if dyed, glowed red and burst into flames.

 

In an instant, they shattered!

 

Chen Mobai caught Qing Nv as she fell from the split cocoon, while Kong Feichen crashed heavily onto the floor.

 

"Do you have a way to track down Yang Jing?"

 

"Her phone should have location services on, let me try."

 

Qing Nv was pale, taking out her phone, but found that Yang Jing's phone was discarded at the doorway.

 

"What about the Bloodline Curse or the Aura Chain Technique?"

 

Chen Mobai remembered the tracking spells from the Immortal Gate, where a relative's blood or an object used by the missing person could be used for tracking.

 

"The Bloodline Curse won't work; we're not related by blood."

 

Kong Feichen spoke up, taking out a stuffed doll from the sofa.

 

"This is her favorite; we can try the 'Aura Chain Technique'."

 

Chen Mobai nodded, then opened the Immortal Gate's spell library and downloaded the tracking spell on the spot.

 

"By the time you've mastered the spell, the enemy will have long escaped."

 

Lan Haitian's voice sounded outside the window, startling Qing Nv and Kong Feichen. The former even reflexively cast a Wind Blade spell, but Chen Mobai casually crushed it.

 

"He's a friend I called to help."

 

"I had the Mending the Sky Division check the nearby Sky Eyes and found footage of them leaving."

 

"Take me there!"

 

Kong Feichen immediately rushed to the window in front of Lan Haitian, his eyes wide with pleading.

 

"You two are too weak."

 

Lan Haitian shook his head, then pointed at Chen Mobai.

 

"There are two enemies, and we are also two. That's enough."

 

At this point, Chen Mobai was also in too deep to back out.

 

"Let's go."

 

He approached the window, ready to follow Lan Haitian.

 

"Please, you must bring her back safely."

 

Kong Feichen earnestly implored the two.

 

Chen Mobai looked at Qing Nv, who was filled with hope and worry. She wanted her sister to return safely but was also afraid for Chen Mobai's safety. In the end, it turned into a single plea.

 

"You both must come back safely."

 

"Take good care of her; we'll be right back."

 

After instructing Kong Feichen, Chen Mobai disappeared from the window with Lan Haitian.

 

"Aren't we not allowed to fly?"

 

Carried by Lan Haitian's Yuan Magnetism, the two flew through the air, speeding towards a place on the outskirts.

 

"We're from the Mending the Sky Division. In special circumstances, we can ignore some of the Immortal Gate's rules. Just file a report afterward."

 

Lan Haitian said nonchalantly.

 

"You tell me the truth, the opponents are those two Ascension Sect members who came to Danxia City with the bald guy, right?"

 

Chen Mobai asked.

 

"I don't know about that, but I can assure you that I did catch a member of the Ascension Sect today."

 

That intelligence officer might be weak, but he's a genuine cultist.

 

Lan Haitian's words were watertight.

 

"Thank you for being willing to help me."

 

Chen Mobai, seeing that he couldn't get more information, could only express his gratitude.

 

"What about joining the Mending the Sky Division…"

 

"Let's talk about it after we bring Yang Jing back. I'll consider it."

 

Chen Mobai continued to haggle, and Lan Haitian didn't press too hard. After all, as long as there was consideration, there was a chance of success.

 

"I'm going to speed up."

 

He intended to show off his strength, unleashing his full Yuan Magnetism. Chen Mobai felt the buildings and streets below become a blur, turning into fleeting shadows.

 

In just three minutes, Lan Haitian had taken them out of Danxia City.

 

Then, as if propelled by the earth itself, they shot forward, and in just half an hour, they saw two figures flying in the sky.

 

"I'll go in first to rescue the hostage, you're responsible for support and protection. They'll split up when they see me, you don't need to chase, just ensure your own safety and that of the hostage."

 

Lan Haitian briefly outlined the tactic, then Chen Mobai felt the vast earth awaken, as if the entire land trembled with the breath of the Mending the Sky Division's Group Leader Six.

 

"Who's there!"

 

The two in mid-air turned around, and then the woman in sunglasses felt a part of her consciousness severed, and Yang Jing, who had been under her control, suddenly became unresponsive.

 

Like teleportation, Chen Mobai saw Yang Jing, who had vanished from beside the woman in sunglasses, suddenly fall from the air in front of him, and he quickly caught her.

 

"What kind of spell is this? Empty-Handed?"

 

Just as Lan Haitian, who was about to showcase his prowess as the number one Foundation Establishment cultivator, heard Chen Mobai's words, he almost lost control of his breath.

 

He felt the wrath of his deputy leader.

 

To describe her proud technique with the name of a thief.

 

"Not good, it's Lan Haitian, why is he here?"

 

On the other side, the woman in sunglasses, who was already angry, turned her head and saw the only person from the Immortal Gate she wasn't confident she could defeat, and her face turned pale.

 

"Do you have the mark of the Divine Sovereign's Master, can you fight Lan Haitian to what extent?"

 

Tuoba Wanyi suddenly asked.

 

"Although I'm not sure I can defeat him, I have more than enough confidence to escape."

 

The woman in sunglasses was already a high-level Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer expert, and after receiving the transmission from the Divine Sovereign's Master, she could elevate her sect's secret techniques to the Golden Elixir level.

 

If it were any other Foundation Establishment opponent, even the Qiongzhi Fairy from the Natural Studies Palace, she was confident she could defeat them.

 

But Lan Haitian was the exception!

 

This was the combat genius who had cultivated one of the Six Imperial Scriptures and condensed a Golden Elixir realm before even reaching Golden Elixir.

 

However, although she might still not be able to defeat him, she felt she could hold him off.

 

"I'll go kill that kid and snatch back the target to escape. You need to do everything you can to hold off Lan Haitian before I disappear."

 

After saying this, Tuoba Wanyi spread his hands, which transformed into wings, and shot towards Chen Mobai, who was holding Yang Jing, like a dark streak of light.

 

"Alright, even if it costs me my life, I will hold off Lan Haitian!"

 

After setting the battle plan, the woman took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of terrifying eyes with only whites and no pupils.

 

"Heaven's will is with me!"

 

She unleashed her sect's supreme technique, and in an instant, the sky was filled with lightning and thunder, and a violent storm raged around her, making her seem like the ruler of myriad phenomena, the embodiment of the will of heaven and earth.

 

"Oh, you think you can stop me?"

 

Lan Haitian was still a hundred meters away, but in the blink of an eye, he found himself drawn into the celestial phenomena.

 

"You've become the inner demon of many in our Ascension Sect. If I can drag you into the abyss with this life today, I will die content!"

 

After saying this, the silver flame mark on the woman's forehead began to burn fiercely, and her aura surged in an instant.

 

Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer complete, Eighth Layer, Ninth Layer, Foundation Establishment complete…

 

Then, even a glint of the dazzling Golden Elixir light shone from her dantian sea of qi, and the already insane celestial phenomena exploded several times over, like an apocalyptic disaster rushing towards Lan Haitian.

 

"It's a bit troublesome, I might not be able to take her down without going all out."

 

Lan Haitian frowned slightly upon seeing his opponent's state.

 

Once he went all out, he would no longer be able to delay reaching Golden Elixir, and might have to retire early from the Mending the Sky Division.

 

"Do I need to help him?"

 

His deputy leader's voice sounded in his ear, and Lan Haitian glanced at Tuoba Wanyi, who had transformed his hands into wings and feet into giant claws, and sighed even more.

 

"Stay by his side and protect him. When he can't hold on anymore, then act. I might not be able to pay attention to you over here."

 

Lan Haitian had thought his trip to Danxia City would be a vacation, but it turned out to be the catalyst for his forced Golden Elixir.

 

"If I act, the lie you told earlier will be exposed."

 

"If there's no choice, we can't just watch him get killed by cultists."

 

Lan Haitian sighed, his heart free of doubts.

 

He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

 

Amidst the thunderous roar, he pierced and tore through the celestial phenomena with his gaze.

 

The strongest technique of the Kunpeng Dao Institute, which dominated the thirty-six cave heavens and seventy-two blessed lands, one of the Six Imperial Scriptures, was about to be unleashed.

 

At that moment, a brilliant deep purple sword light rose into the sky, like a divine sword reaching the heavens, silently splitting the celestial dome.

 

The storm, frost, and lightning under this deep purple sword light were all dispersed a bit, melting away slightly.

 

All three turned their heads to look, only to see Chen Mobai holding the awakened Yang Jing in his left hand, and reinserting a wooden hairpin into his head with his right hand.

 

In front of him, Tuoba Wanyi's body, from the center of his eyebrows to his chest, was burning with a purple flame sword light, splitting him open from the middle, then turning into two halves of a torch, falling incredulously from the sky.

 

But before hitting the ground, he was burned to ashes by the purple flames, scattered by the fierce wind.

 

"Do you need my help?"

 

Chen Mobai hesitated, feeling it was not good to slack off, and asked Lan Haitian, who seemed to be about to start a tremendous battle.