CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: YUAN SHANGLONG’S INTERCEPTION AND INTERROGATION

"This junior respectfully sees off the True Man!"

Ji Haoyuan respectfully bowed again towards the direction where Master Binghuo disappeared.

The people around couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled.

This fellow actually garnered the favor of that Golden Core True Man.

It wasn’t hard to tell, especially with the token the True Man had given him.

Coupled with the strength he had displayed earlier here...

At this moment, many thoughts, whether they should have them or not, gradually extinguished in the hearts of many people.

Ji Haoyuan at this time didn’t pay them any attention and instead, with Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan, proceeded directly elsewhere.

Currently, the most precious third-level Spiritual Objects within this herbal garden were no more.

But there should still be other Spiritual Objects present.

They must gather as many as possible.

The more, the better.

Moreover, another reason he did not continue to linger here was that he was already quite injured.

Even though he had never shown it from start to finish.

Or rather, he never let himself show the slightest sign of weakness.

But he knew himself best.

The strike of a Golden Core True Man is not something one can easily withstand.

Even a mere remnant of their power could seriously injure or even kill you.

And this is the chasm-like gap between Golden Core and Foundation Establishment.

Ji Haoyuan’s eyes flickered.

Golden Core... One day, I too will step into that realm.

Then, Master You Ying...

The golden light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

Ji Haoyuan stopped thinking about those things, and while traveling with Liu Hongyu and the others, he took out a few Healing Pills from his own person and swallowed them.

About half a day later.

Ji Haoyuan and his group finally exited that herbal garden.

By this time, the Spiritual Objects within the herbal garden had basically been searched clean by everyone.

Meanwhile, within this half day of adjustment, most of his internal injuries had healed.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that during the remaining half day, Ji Haoyuan and the others did not encounter any new cultivators entering.

This includes cultivators from both the Crimson Sunset Sect and the Netherworld Sect.

Perhaps it was because the earlier confrontation between the two Golden Core True Men frightened most people away.

Until when they had traveled a certain distance from the herbal garden, they suddenly saw figures flying towards them.

Judging by their attire, they were undoubtedly cultivators of the Crimson Sunset Sect.

This made Ji Haoyuan and his companions frown slightly.

Not for other reasons, but because the demeanor of these people seemed somewhat off.

Leading them was none other than the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall they had seen in the Council Hall before, Yuan Shanglong.

At this moment, his expression was noticeably somber.

Seeing Ji Haoyuan and his group ahead, he immediately and unceremoniously blocked them.

In this situation, Ji Haoyuan and his companions did not speak.

Ji Haoyuan looked at them calmly, unperturbed.

Just then, a young man in black beside Yuan Shanglong said, "Were you guys coming from the herbal garden ahead just now?"

Hearing this, Ji Haoyuan and his group exchanged a glance.

Ji Haoyuan nodded.

"Yes, may I ask what advice this fellow Daoist has for us?"

Although he was addressing the young man in black, his eyes were already on Yuan Shanglong beside him.

He was well aware that among these people, the one who truly has the say is still the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.

However, Yuan Shanglong acted as if he hadn’t seen Ji Haoyuan’s gaze and said nothing.

Instead, the young man in black beside him spoke again:

"Then did you see Senior Brother Zhou Feng and Senior Brother Ma Qiulin from our sect in that herbal garden earlier?"

As expected...

Hearing the inquiry, Liu Hongyu and the others beside Ji Haoyuan couldn’t help but tense inside.

Only Ji Haoyuan remained inwardly unruffled.

He replied calmly, "You mentioned Daoist Friends Zhou and Ma; we indeed met in the garden earlier.

But later we parted ways due to having different destinations.

Why? Is there something you need with Daoist Friends Zhou and Ma?"

He knew clearly that some things couldn’t be hidden.

Instead of covering up, it’s better to acknowledge generously.

Of course.

The so-called "acknowledgment"—how much and what to admit—was up to him.

At this moment, upon hearing Ji Haoyuan’s response, the expression on the young man in black’s face immediately turned serious.

He fixed his eyes on Ji Haoyuan and his group, speaking slowly and clearly:

"Just before we came here, there was a transmission from the sect saying that the Soul Tokens belonging to Senior Brother Zhou and Senior Brother Ma within the sect had shattered.

What this means, I believe you are well aware.

Therefore, we hope that you will cooperate and recount everything that happened in the herbal garden clearly to us.

Including allowing us to check all your Storage Bags in detail, one by one."

"What? Even our Storage Bags need to be handed over for inspection?"

Upon hearing the young man in black’s final request, Liu Hongyu and the others beside Ji Haoyuan could no longer maintain their composure as their expressions changed.

This must be some sort of joke.

A cultivator’s Storage Bag is their most private possession.

Unless dead, under normal circumstances, they’d never allow others to see it.

Not even if the other party was their mentor or close kin.

Of course.

If it were their mentor or close kin, they wouldn’t demand such a request.

This only illustrates that a cultivator’s Storage Bag is their most essential possession.

Asking to inspect their Storage Bags is undoubtedly touching on their bottom line.

"What now? Is there an issue?"

However, the young man in black acted as if unaware of this.

He looked a bit colder.

The words he spoke gradually became more curt.

"This is an order from the Crimson Sunset Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall. Are you planning to defy the orders of the Crimson Sunset Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall?"

As soon as he finished speaking, except for Yuan Shanglong, the others had already encircled Ji Haoyuan and his companions.

Seeing this, Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan’s expressions turned very grim.

However, they didn’t say much but turned their inquiring gazes toward Ji Haoyuan.

Ji Haoyuan’s demeanor remained very calm.

He looked at the young man in black and said softly, "Is this your idea or Hall Master Yuan’s?"

As he spoke, Ji Haoyuan’s gaze shifted to Yuan Shanglong.

"If I refuse to comply, Hall Master Yuan, what will you do then?"