The door in front was tightly shut.

Zhao Wanqing took a deep breath, calmed herself, and gently knocked on the door.

"Coming."

A clear female voice came from inside.

Zhao Wanqing quickly stood properly as the door was soon opened.

It was Li Yingling who opened the door, her eyes suspiciously scanning the tall and beautiful woman standing before her.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, does Senior Chu Xingchen live here?"

Another one looking for Master?

Li Yingling's gaze swept over Zhao Wanqing. She could sense her aura, so her cultivation level should be similar to her own.

Could she also be one of Master's admirers?

Li Yingling stepped aside, thinking that since her cultivation wasn't high, there was nothing to fear even if she was here to cause trouble.

"Come in, I'll go call Master."

"Thank you," Zhao Wanqing quickly expressed her gratitude.

Li Yingling pointed to the stone table and chairs in the courtyard. "You can sit there first, I'll go get Master."

"Alright." Zhao Wanqing followed the arrangement and walked over to sit on the stone chair.

Li Yingling walked to her master's bedroom and knocked lightly on the door.

Chu Xingchen's annoyed voice came through, "What are you doing up so late?"

"Master, there's another woman here to see you."

"…Another one? How come I don't know so many people in Yuzhou City?"

Chu Xingchen opened the door, saw his first disciple's meaningful look, and glanced over to the stone table nearby.

A woman with long black hair and a cold demeanor was looking over nervously.

She looks unfamiliar, never seen her before.

Why is she nervous?

Could it be that I've done something wrong in the past and she's here for revenge?!

Chu Xingchen quickly used the system to scan her traits.

[Zhao Wanqing]

[Cultivation Level: Mid Foundation Establishment Stage]

[Blue Trait: Calm and Composed]

[White Trait: Decent Aptitude]

[White Trait: Slightly Strategic]

[Temporary Black Trait: Unstable Mind]

[Does Not Meet Disciple Criteria]

Decent! Even if she's here, there's nothing to fear as long as she's not a wolf in sheep's clothing!

Zhao Wanqing also quickly stood up, her eyes on the young and handsome man before her.

It's indeed hard to sense the aura of the man in front of her, and it's hard to imagine that someone who looks so young could have a Golden Core cultivation level.

Could he be from Central State as well?!

Zhao Wanqing spoke respectfully, "Are you Senior Chu Xingchen?"

"And you are?"

"Senior Yaoqin recommended me to come here. She asked me to give this to you."

Zhao Wanqing hurriedly took out the envelope given to her by Yaoqin and handed it to Chu Xingchen with a slight bow.

Chu Xingchen sighed in relief upon hearing this. As long as she's not here to cause trouble. But what is this recommendation from Yaoqin about? She should know I hate trouble.

However, owing her too many favors, it wouldn't be right not to help now.

Chu Xingchen walked down the steps, approached Zhao Wanqing, and took the envelope, opening it directly.

His eyes scanned the contents quickly; the letter was concise and to the point.

"The letter says you can provide spirit stones?" Chu Xingchen looked up at Zhao Wanqing.

"Yes, I can immediately provide three hundred spirit stones to you, Senior," Zhao Wanqing continued, "If that's not enough, I should be able to gather another hundred spirit stones after some time."

"Four hundred spirit stones... You don't expect me to help you until the case is closed, do you?" Chu Xingchen frowned slightly.

"Three days, just three days at most. Regardless of the outcome, the spirit stones will be delivered in full."

"Very well, for Yaoqin's sake." Chu Xingchen nodded lightly, "Do you want to start investigating now?"

Zhao Wanqing, seeing Chu Xingchen agree, quickly breathed a sigh of relief. "If it's convenient for you, Senior, then speed is of the essence."

This was why Zhao Wanqing visited even at night.

Those criminals were vicious evil cultivators, not beasts that eat and sleep.

If they achieved their goals, they would naturally retreat quickly, and any delay would mean catching nothing.

Chu Xingchen nodded and called out towards the side room:

"Li Xingtian!"

Li Xingtian, who was cultivating, heard his master's call, quickly opened his eyes, got up, and pushed open the door, scanning the courtyard with a slightly puzzled tone:

"Master, what are your orders?"

Chu Xingchen wrapped the envelope in his hand with spiritual power and flicked it towards Li Xingtian, yawning as he said:

"Read it yourself. Meet me at the fishing spot tomorrow morning... uh, better make it noon. Tonight, go with her to investigate."

His disciple's cultivation technique was more unorthodox than the evil cultivators', able to absorb Golden Cores even at the Foundation Establishment Stage, crushing those evil cultivators with his cultivation technique alone.

If it's just some small Foundation Establishment pests, it's perfect for Li Xingtian to gain experience and level up.

Saving some spirit stones is always good.

Moreover, the protective talisman that can defend against Golden Core attacks is still with Li Xingtian, and he still has the teleportation talisman.

Even if things go wrong, he can still escape.

Li Xingtian caught the flying letter, quickly scanned it for key information, and confirmed:

"Understood, Master."

Li Xingtian looked at Zhao Wanqing standing nearby and asked, "Miss Zhao, do you have a target now?"

Zhao Wanqing hesitated. She originally came to invite a Golden Core cultivator to oversee the situation... but oh well, it's good enough that he's willing to come tomorrow at noon.

And this Li Xingtian's cultivation is also at the Foundation Establishment Stage, with a strong aura, likely at the late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Stronger than most squad leaders, and sufficient for tracking.

In any case, this was the only Golden Core cultivator Zhao Wanqing could invite at the moment.

With no other choice, she had to accept it.

Zhao Wanqing cupped her hands towards Li Xingtian and said, "Yes, I found an evil ritual procedure near the crime scene. We can start investigating from there."

Li Xingtian nodded in response, "Lead the way, let's go."

Chu Xingchen watched the two prepare to leave and reminded them, "Xingtian, be careful. If anything happens, remember to use the talismans."

"Don't worry, Master."

Li Yingling watched the two leave, then looked at Chu Xingchen and said, "Master..."

If Chu Xingchen didn't understand what his first disciple wanted to say, he would be a fool, so he bluntly said:

"Go to sleep! Don't follow your junior brother, or you'll just hold them back."

Li Yingling was infuriated, "What do you mean by holding my junior brother back? I'm the senior sister! My cultivation isn't any worse than his!"

Chu Xingchen wanted to laugh at that. Her cultivation wasn't bad, but without him around, no one could restrain this curious cat. If they were to investigate a case, instead of Zhao Wanqing directing Li Xingtian, it would likely be his first disciple directing Li Xingtian to investigate everything.

His first disciple only listened to him when he was around. Without him, as Li Xingtian would say, she was very independent.

That was probably the only positive term Li Xingtian could come up with, which translated to plain language meant—I'll do whatever I want.

But Chu Xingchen had plenty of experience in dealing with his first disciple:

"So, do you want to sleep and go with me tomorrow at noon, or do you want to go with them now?"

"Then... then I'll sleep and go with you tomorrow, Master. Just remember to take me with you!"