Chapter 232: Divine Powers Association Investigation Team! You

Jiangnan Province, Jinzhou City.

Maoshan Avenue.

As dawn just broke, a black car sped along a straight road, its tail lights leaving a trail of light, the wind it stirred scattering dead leaves by the roadside.

"Senior Brother, is Old Yu really safe? The Dao Alliance's investigation team is coming down—might they trace it back to him?"

Jiang Hu was driving, glancing through the rearview mirror at Fang Fang Changle, who sat in the back, eyes closed, cultivating stillness.

The pond where Old Yu was hiding lay near Maoshan; Zhang Fan had already warned Jiang Hu to keep an eye on him.

After all, every thread led back to Xu Qinglai from Mount Qingcheng Mountain, whose pursuit of Old Yu triggered it all.

Now, a chain reaction has grown into a storm.

Xu Qinglai is dead. Lan Lan Tingzhu is dead.

Even Meng Meng Qinghuan is dead. If the higher-ups dig deep, they may pull Old Yu out of hiding.

"Your boss really picked a good spot—that pond's a fengshui treasure, blessed by Maoshan. Who dares stir trouble there?"

Fang Fang Changle still sat with eyes closed, yet his lazy voice drifted softly through the car.

"Good." Jiang Hu exhaled in relief, but then his face darkened again with worry.

"Zhang Fan really is… wherever trouble brews, he's there… how did Meng Meng Qinghuan die right in front of him? This mess won't shake off."

Meng Meng Qinghuan was a supervisor sent by the Dao Alliance headquarters—like an imperial envoy in ancient times—and she was also a disciple of Qiyun Mountain, a master of the Great Sage realm, and an intern beside Jiang Your Majesty…

With such tangled ties and background, her death could never be swept under the rug—someone must answer for it.

As the sole witness and survivor, Zhang Fan bore overwhelming suspicion.

One could even say it all began because of him.

If he hadn't clashed with Mount Qingcheng Mountain's disciples, they wouldn't have summoned Meng Meng Qinghuan; if she hadn't intervened, she might still be alive.

Now, rumors were swirling wildly.

Some claimed the killer was an ultimate master from Wu Wei Sect; others whispered the murderer was the leader of the Thirteen Zodiacs…

Xiao!!!

With such suspicion thickening, Zhang Fan grew even more conspicuous.

"Precisely because of this, I brought you back to Bai Yujing City overnight," Fang Fang Changle slowly opened his eyes, a grave light deep within them.

"Do you know who's leading this investigation team to Bai Yujing City?"

"Who?" Jiang Hu asked, glancing sideways.

"I've heard word—the investigation team is composed of members of the Divine Powers Association."

"The Divine Powers Association!?" Jiang Hu's brow shot up, his expression startled.

The Divine Powers Association was an independent body under the Dao Sect, with unique status.

That this team was led by them carried deep implications.

"Those old foxes in the Dao Alliance know Jiangnan Province's waters run deep—Lou Lou Hechuan has held power here for years, his grip too strong to break," Fang Fang Changle analyzed calmly.

"If we sent the Dao Alliance's own enforcement squad directly, and things spiraled out of control, there'd be no turning back…"

"So they sent the subordinate Divine Powers Association ahead—officially to investigate, but in truth, the boundaries can still be bent."

"Besides, every member of the Divine Powers Association is a master who has awakened a Divine Power—each arrogant, ruthless. First, they command the scene; second, they can warn Jiangnan's Dao Alliance."

"Lastly, Meng Meng Qinghuan was originally a member of the Divine Powers Association—so procedurally, everything's flawless. If anything goes wrong, no one will be held accountable."

As he spoke, Fang Fang Changle slowly closed his eyes, his aura as the senior disciple of Maoshan fully manifest.

"That's so complicated," Jiang Hu muttered, his head spinning.

"In any system, isn't everything complicated? But once you see through it, it's simple," Fang Fang Changle said lightly.

"Without eight hundred tricks, you can't survive in government service."

"Jiang Hu, your talent isn't weak—you've already grasped the secret of drawing talismans midair at your age. When you return to Maoshan, you'll surely deal with these people, these matters."

Fang Fang Changle advised.

In his view, Qi Ji, Jiang Hu, and even the still-raw Ji Ji Fengting were all promising seeds—with great potential to become his right-hand men, expanding Maoshan's influence and negotiating with other mountain sects within the Dao Alliance.

"Senior Brother, I heard the Divine Powers Association holds supreme status—each member has awakened a Divine Power. They must be hard to handle," Jiang Hu couldn't help saying.

"Of course they're hard to handle," Fang Fang Changle said gravely.

"Divine Power—Divine Power—this force is heaven-given, each one unique, each a child of heaven. That's why the higher-ups sent the Divine Powers Association," Fang Fang Changle said firmly.

"Only they can control the situation in Jiangnan Province."

"What about Zhang Fan…" Jiang Hu worried: "Will they come for him?"

"Of course they will. He's the only witness and survivor—any investigation starts with him," Fang Fang Changle said coolly.

"This…" Jiang Hu hesitated.

If Zhang Fan had nothing to do with this from start to finish, then investigating him was fine.

But knowing Zhang Fan as he did, Jiang Hu couldn't guarantee the man was clean in this matter.

In fact, since leaving Zhenwu Mountain until today, Zhang Fan had tangled with countless incidents—but this one, he could swear on his life, had nothing to do with him.

He'd just finished dinner with friends, was walking home, got blocked by strangers, then suddenly someone appeared and killed everyone.

No matter how you spun it, he had nothing to do with it.

"Jiang Hu, this is Jiangnan Province—it's Maoshan's foundation."

At that moment, Fang Fang Changle seemed to pierce Jiang Hu's thoughts.

Since ancient times, the struggle between central authority and regional powerhouses ran through every dynasty.

The Dao Alliance headquarters stood high above, yet Maoshan was itself a member of the Dao Alliance—Jiangnan Province remained its bedrock.

"If we can't even protect him, how can Maoshan's Dao flourish?"

Fang Fang Changle's words filled heaven and earth, vast and boundless.

Hearing this, Jiang Hu felt slightly reassured, pressed the accelerator, and the car surged forward.

…

Bai Yujing City.

Jiangnan Province Dao Alliance Headquarters.

At this moment, Lou Lou Hechuan's office received a group of visitors.

Two men and one woman—all young. The lead man wore a jacket, a green jade ring on his right pinky finger, his face pale and refined.

The man seated on the sofa wore a Daoist robe, tall and thin, his eyes narrowed to a single thread, as if only a sliver of light passed through.

The only woman had a cold, elegant beauty, dressed casually, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"Master Lou, our team still needs time to sort through the files—thank you for your patience," the jacketed man smiled lightly, his tone respectful toward Lou Lou Hechuan.

"Little Song, I didn't expect that after years in the Dao Alliance, you've grown into someone who can stand alone," Lou Lou Hechuan said, his brow slightly furrowed as he looked at the young man.

Song Song Yunqi, a disciple of Bai He Guan, was far less famous than rising stars like Xia Xia Weisheng, An Wuyang, Qi Qi Delong, and Qi Dongqiang.

Yet Lou Lou Hechuan knew: the quieter and more obscure a Bai He Guan disciple, the deeper their cultivation.

"Master Lou, you flatter me. It's all thanks to leadership giving me chances to train for two years—I still have much to learn before your elders," Song Song Yunqi said, glancing at the file directory, then pausing. "Master Lou, the dossier on this Zhang Fan doesn't seem to be among the transferred files."

"Oh, that young man has nothing to do with the case. Besides, he's connected to our Jiangnan Dao Alliance—he helped solve many cases. Last time we captured Yin Hu, he contributed greatly," Lou Lou Hechuan said casually.

"Our orders are to investigate all suspicious individuals."

At that moment, the man on the sofa spoke. His voice was icy, devoid of any emotion—but these words made Lou Lou Hechuan's face darken instantly.

"Ji Ji Haishan!"

Before Lou Lou Hechuan could react, Song Song Yunqi's brow rose sharply.

"Show respect before your elders. Have you forgotten how to speak since leaving the capital?"

As he spoke, Song Song Yunqi turned to Lou Lou Hechuan with an apologetic look. "Master Lou, forgive him—he cultivates the Forgetting Emotion Method. His mind isn't quite right."

"Forgetting Emotion Method!? He's from Mount Sanqing Mountain?" Lou Lou Hechuan stared at Ji Ji Haishan, startled.

"Forgetting Emotion" isn't heartlessness—every thought, every emotion drains one's essence and damages the spirit.

Thus, among the Ten Great Dao Mountains, Mount Sanqing Mountain had a method called the Forgetting Emotion Method.

In one…

All thoughts vanish, all emotions forgotten, one's vital energy locked, nurturing the spirit—profound and mysterious.

Yet this method isn't ordinary—it's rare in history for anyone to truly master it.

Lou Lou Hechuan didn't know if this young man had succeeded—but choosing such a path meant his mind was at least somewhat damaged.

"Master Lou, please hand over Zhang Fan's dossier. We're only investigating—no guilt or innocence has been determined," Song Song Yunqi spoke politely, yet his tone carried undeniable authority.

Lou Lou Hechuan looked at Song Song Yunqi—the young man's gaze was bright, meeting his without flinching.

"Truly, the younger generation is formidable."

Lou Lou Hechuan sighed softly, pulled a file folder from his drawer, and placed it on the table.

Song Song Yunqi picked it up and flipped through it casually.

"A disciple of Zhenwu Mountain? From a orthodox sect?" Song Song Yunqi smiled faintly, his expression unreadable.

"Yan Qiu…"

At that moment, Song Song Yunqi called out.

The only woman slowly rose and walked over.

"Go bring back this Zhang Fan for questioning."

Song Song Yunqi's tone turned cold, his wording shifting to "questioning."

"Can we search his spirit?" Yan Qiu said coolly.

"Insolent!"

At these words, Lou Lou Hechuan's bushy eyebrows shot up sharply: "What do you think this place is?"

"I already said Zhang Fan has nothing to do with the case. You came here representing the Dao Alliance—fine, you're investigating, so I'll cooperate. But how dare you search for his Nascent Soul? Right before my eyes, with no pretense?"

"My apologies, Elder Lou. My junior sister speaks without restraint," Song Song Yunqi hurriedly said with a contrite smile.

"Sister, be more careful in your methods. If they cooperate, there's no need to search the Nascent Soul."

Song Song Yunqi's gaze flickered sideways, his tone turning cold once more.

Lou Lou Hechuan was no fool—he saw clearly now: these youngsters, sent by the Dao Alliance's headquarters, claimed to be investigating Zhang Fan, but their real purpose was to make him, the head of the Jiangnan Provincial Dao Alliance, understand that the upper echelons were deeply dissatisfied with his work. This was a warning: strike the mountain to shake the tiger.

"I understand," Hua Hua Yanqiu nodded, walking straight out of the office.

"Young Song, I advise you to have your sister show more courtesy. Zhang Fan is still a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain," Lou Lou Hechuan said coolly.

"Elder Lou, rest assured—the Dao arts of Zhenwu Mountain are indeed formidable, but my sister… hehe…"

Song Song Yunqi smiled faintly, his confidence radiating plainly.

"Besides, we only asked Zhang Fan to return and answer a few questions. If he refuses to cooperate, there must be something suspicious hidden."

Song Song Yunqi stared at Lou Lou Hechuan, his words carrying an implied meaning.

"Hmph!"

Lou Lou Hechuan let out a cold laugh and fell silent, looking at this brash youth with deep, visceral distaste.

…

No. 316 Guangming Road.

Bujian Shan Coffee House.

"This is weird—I feel like you've changed."

The moment Lin Jianyue saw Zhang Fan, she felt a strange disorientation—a sense of emptiness, drifting, elusive.

Right before her eyes, Zhang Fan now appeared as countless flickering particles, gathering and scattering unpredictably, impossible to grasp.

Zhang Fan grinned slightly but said nothing.

He had unraveled the secret of the Golden Mist Treasure Box, attained the 【Great Master】 realm, and his Nascent Soul had transformed—his inner light born of mystery, his powers fully matured, his spirit soaring. Naturally, he was no longer the same as before.

"How's your pill refining coming along?" Zhang Fan asked casually.

He had once hoped Lin Jianyue would perfect the pills to help him strengthen his Nascent Soul and comprehend the mysteries of the Great Master realm—but now he no longer needed them, and the large sum of money remained untouched.

"Still researching," Lin Jianyue replied, her eyes darting over Zhang Fan as if trying to uncover some hidden flower.

"Then take your time," Zhang Fan smiled lightly.

"You called me out just to ask about that?" Lin Jianyue asked.

"Have you heard from Zhao Zhao Jiexuan lately?" Zhang Fan pressed.

This was his most pressing concern. Now that he had achieved the 【Great Master】 realm and unraveled the secret of the Golden Mist Treasure Box, he might attempt Soul Merging—and the success rate seemed high.

"No," Lin Jianyue said grimly. "Since I told you before, he hasn't contacted me at all."

She had already mentioned to Zhang Fan before that Zhao Zhao Jiexuan had vanished from communication for a long time—this silence was deeply abnormal.

"Completely unreachable!?" Zhang Fan frowned.

"Could something have happened to him?" Lin Jianyue couldn't help asking.

"Probably not," Zhang Fan mused. Zhao Zhao Jiexuan was his own Evil Spirit incarnate—his cunning, tactics, and strength were top-tier. The way he set up Li Li Changgeng's demise proved it.

Had it been anyone else, they would have been killed by his schemes ten thousand times over.

The odds of such a man meeting misfortune were slim—but if he did…

Zhang Fan would be dragged into it.

"Here's what we'll do," Zhang Fan considered briefly. "The atmosphere in Bai Yujing City is tense—likely, the Dao Alliance's investigation team will arrive within two days. Staying here isn't safe. Leave now and find out where this guy really is."

Lin Jianyue was the Rabbit of the Thirteen Zodiacs—her identity was far too sensitive. If the Dao Alliance's elite caught wind of her, disaster would follow.

"Alright," Lin Jianyue nodded, accepting Zhang Fan's suggestion.

The two exchanged a few more casual words, then rose to leave.

At the door, a coldly beautiful woman walked straight toward them—it was Hua Hua Yanqiu of the Divine Powers Association.

Her eyes gleamed brightly; when they met Zhang Fan's, she confirmed—this was the man she sought.

"You're Zhang Fan. Come with me."

(End of Chapter)