Chapter 1325

People left the city one after another; during this, Ye Zhangqing saw that several people were merely suspected and were apprehended on the spot, then taken straight to the city jail.

Only after confirming their identities in the jail would they be released.

Such strict inspection made everyone nervous, after all, who wouldn't fear being wrongfully accused, ah.

When the time comes to go to the prison, who knows how much suffering one will have to endure.

Mingled in the crowd, we waited until the sky was completely dark before it was finally Ye Zhangqing's turn.

At this time, the city gate had been fitted with many night pearls; even in darkness, it was illuminated as bright as day.

There is basically no such thing as sneaking through under cover of night.

"Name."

"Li Qing."

"Come over."

As usual, they asked for name and basic info, but this time the cultivator in charge of the inspection directly took Ye Zhangqing aside.

Then they carefully inspected Ye Zhangqing's cheeks, looking for any traces of disguise.

On the surface, Ye Zhangqing was as steady as an old dog, but inside he was still somewhat panicked.

Fortunately, this person found nothing suspicious, and also didn't notice any problem with his aura.

As for height and build, Ye Zhangqing is now completely different from before.

So, after going through a tedious inspection, that cultivator finally nodded at Ye Zhangqing.

"Let's go."

Hearing that, Ye Zhangqing nodded in thanks and stepped toward the outside of the city.

He didn't show urgency; in such moments, one must stay calm, at least appear untroubled.

In the process of leaving the city, Ye Zhangqing brushed past the leading old man who was a Great Saint Realm cultivator.

The old man had a pair of triangular eyes, giving an unusually cold and sharp impression.

As they passed each other, the old man unintentionally glanced at Ye Zhangqing.

He didn't think much of it; he had observed the entire inspection just now, and this person had no issues.

Watching Ye Zhangqing leave, the old man also didn't speak to stop him.

Ye Zhangqing successfully exited the city, arrived at the designated spot, and waited for Li Tie Niu, Li Tie Dan, and the two spirit chefs.

Meanwhile, inside the city, Li Tie Niu and the other three also queued up one after another for inspection to leave the city.

With the help of disguise, aura-concealing, and bone-shrinking techniques, the three of them left the city quite smoothly.

However, the last spirit chef, although there was nothing wrong during the inspection, was so nervous inside that his expression became very strange.

That old man looked at the spirit chef's extremely tense expression and frowned slightly.

Although many people show nervousness during inspection, it's absolutely impossible to reach this degree—his legs couldn't stop trembling.

"This person has a guilty conscience."

The old man quickly made that judgment, continually watching the spirit chef's every move.

Appearance, aura, height—none matched the information sent from the Blood King Palace.

But this person definitely has a problem.

After a full inspection, the spirit chef was found to have no issues and was ultimately released.

Upon hearing that, this person finally relaxed inside, and unconsciously sped up his steps toward the city's exterior.

This is the final checkpoint; as long as they pass it, they can enter the Bai Song Gu territory and no longer have to be anxious all day.

Little did he know, the old man had been watching his every move.

So, just as the spirit chef was about to walk out of the city gate, the old man suddenly appeared and blocked his retreat.

Seeing the old man block his path, the spirit chef shuddered but still forced himself to ask.

"Sir, is there anything else?"

Although he was already trying hard to restrain himself, it must be said that the spirit chef's mental fortitude and acting skills are really not good.

The old man had already determined that this guy definitely has a problem.

With a grim, cold expression, his triangular eyes fixed on the spirit chef, he spoke in a cold voice.

"Speak, where are the others?"

"Sir, what are you saying? I don't understand."

"You don't understand? Fine, I'll make you understand."

"Come, take him to the prison; I will interrogate him personally. From now on, the city gate is closed—only entry allowed, no exit."

"Yes."

Following the old man's order, two cultivators immediately stepped forward, wanting to subdue the spirit chef.

At the same time, the city gate was slowly being shut.

Seeing this, the spirit chef completely panicked and, for a moment, made the most foolish decision.

Only to see him suddenly erupt, repelling the two approaching cultivators with a single strike, then rushing rapidly toward the city gate, hoping to burst out before it closed.

But as soon as he moved, the effect of his aura-concealing technique vanished instantly, and his own aura was exposed.

"As expected, he's with Ye Zhangqing's group—seize him."

The spirit chef, also panicking and without a plan, made a foolish choice, while hundreds of cultivators surrounded him, and even a Great Saint was overseeing the situation.

With his minor accomplishment in the Dharma Aspect Realm, how could he possibly escape?

Before he even reached the city gate, he was captured.

At that moment, the city gate slammed shut.

Afterwards, he was taken to the dark prison.

Looking at the spirit chef before him, whose appearance bore no likeness to the portrait, and whose height and build were also different; if not for having exposed his aura, his aura would have been different too.

The old man asked in a gloomy tone.

"Have you disguised yourselves?"

"Sir, I really don't know what you're talking about, I..."

He still wanted to argue, but the old man wouldn't let him finish, waving his hand.

"It's fine, if you don't want to talk now, I'll help you. Come on, let him see what we can do."

The old man had no time to waste; since this spirit chef appeared here, Ye Zhangqing was likely nearby as well.

If he were in the city, it would be fine; I've already ordered that no one can leave, only enter, so sooner or later we'll find him.

But if Ye Zhangqing had already left the city ahead of time, that would be troublesome.

Once out of here, one could reach the Bai Song Gu territory directly; then it would be hard to pursue him.

So the old man needed to confirm Ye Zhangqing's whereabouts as soon as possible.

The Blood King Palace values Ye Zhangqing above all; the order is to capture him if possible, but the other four can be let go if not caught—yet Ye Zhangqing must not be allowed to escape.

For a moment, shrill screams echoed from the dungeon.

To quickly learn Ye Zhangqing's whereabouts, the old man spared no means, employing every technique he had ever learned.

Under such inhuman torture, the spirit chef ultimately could not endure and confessed.

"First, resume your original appearance."

Seeing the spirit chef beg for mercy, the old man ordered his subordinates to stop, then said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the nearly-dead spirit chef silently performed a spell; his appearance soon changed, gradually revealing his true face.

Upon seeing the spirit chef's true appearance, the old man's eyes lit up—indeed, he was one of Ye Zhangqing's companions.

The old man had long memorized the portraits of the five individuals, and the person before him was exactly one of the two spirit chefs.

Having confirmed his identity, the old man wasted no time and immediately pressed for Ye Zhangqing's whereabouts.