Li Xingtian, Go

The gate in front was tightly shut.

Zhao Wanqing took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and then lightly knocked on the door.

"Coming!"

A crisp female voice came from inside.

Zhao Wanqing quickly straightened herself, and the door was soon pushed open.

The one who opened the door was still Li Yingling, who looked suspiciously at the tall and elegant beauty 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 this be another one of Master's romantic interests?

Li Yingling stepped aside. After all, her cultivation wasn't high, and even if she came looking for trouble, it wouldn't be a problem.

"Come in, I'll call Master."

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

Li Yingling pointed to the stone table and chairs in the courtyard. "Take a seat first, I'll go get Master."

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

Li Yingling went to her Master's bedroom and lightly knocked on the door.

Chu Xingchen's annoyed voice came from inside. "What are you doing not sleeping at this hour?"

"Master, another woman is here to see you."

"...Again? How come I didn't know I knew so many people in Yuzhou City?"

Chu Xingchen opened the door and, following the meaningful look in his disciple's eyes, glanced toward the stone table.

There sat a woman with long black hair and a cold, elegant face, looking nervously in his direction.

Hmm... I don't recognize her.

Why is she so nervous?

Did I do something bad in the past and she's here to settle the score?!

Chu Xingchen quickly used his system to scan her profile.

【Zhao Wanqing】

【Cultivation: Mid Foundation Establishment】

【Blue Trait: Calm and Composed】

【White Trait: Decent Talent】

【White Trait: Somewhat Strategic】

【Temporary Black Trait: Unstable Mind】

【Does Not Meet Disciple Recruitment Criteria】

Not bad! Even if she's here to settle a score, it's fine as long as she's not some hidden powerhouse!

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

She couldn't sense his aura at all, which made it hard to believe that someone who looked so young was actually at the Golden Core level.

Could he also be from the Central Continent?!

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

"And you are?"

"Senior Yaoqin recommended me to come. This is what she asked me to give you."

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

Chu Xingchen breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she wasn't here to cause trouble, it was fine. But what's this about Yaoqin's recommendation? She should know I hate trouble.

But I owe her too many favors, so it wouldn't be right to refuse help now.

Chu Xingchen walked down the steps and stood in front of Zhao Wanqing, taking the envelope and opening it directly.

His eyes quickly scanned the contents of the letter, which was concise and to the point.

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

"Yes, I can immediately give you three hundred spirit stones," Zhao Wanqing continued. "If that's not enough, I should be able to gather another hundred spirit stones in a short time."

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

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

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

Seeing Chu Xingchen agree, Zhao Wanqing quickly relaxed. "If it's convenient for you, Senior, then naturally the sooner the better."

This was also why Zhao Wanqing had come to visit even at night.

The culprits were vicious and ruthless demonic cultivators, not some mindless beasts that slept after eating.

If they achieved their goal, they would quickly flee, and if they waited any longer, there would be nothing left to catch.

Chu Xingchen nodded and then called out toward a side room:

"Li Xingtian!"

Li Xingtian, who had been cultivating, quickly opened his eyes upon hearing his Master's call. He got up and pushed open the door, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard as he asked with a hint of confusion:

"Master, what do you need?"

Chu Xingchen wrapped the envelope in spiritual energy and flicked it toward Li Xingtian, then yawned and said:

"Read it yourself. Meet me at my fishing spot tomorrow morning... no, make it noon. For now, go out with her to handle the case tonight."

His disciple's cultivation technique was even more sinister than those of demonic cultivators. At the Foundation Establishment level, he could drain the life force of a Golden Core cultivator. In terms of cultivation techniques, he completely outclassed those demonic cultivators.

If it was just some minor Foundation Establishment-level foes, it would be a good opportunity for Li Xingtian to gain some experience and level up.

It would also save some spirit stones.

Besides, Li Xingtian still had that Golden Core-level defensive talisman on him, as well as a teleportation talisman.

Even if things went south, they could still escape.

Li Xingtian caught the flying letter and quickly scanned its contents. After confirming the key details, he said:

"Understood, Master."

Li Xingtian then turned to Zhao Wanqing and asked, "Miss Zhao, do you have any leads?"

Zhao Wanqing hesitated. She had originally come to ask for a Golden Core expert to oversee the case... but well, it was good enough that he was willing to come by noon tomorrow.

Moreover, this Li Xingtian was also at the Foundation Establishment level, and his aura was robust, likely at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

He was stronger than most squad leaders, and if it was just about tracking down clues, he would be more than sufficient.

In any case, Chu Xingchen was the only Golden Core expert she could hire at the moment.

No matter how reluctant she was, she had to accept it.

Zhao Wanqing cupped her hands toward Li Xingtian and said, "Yes, I found traces of a demonic ritual near the crime scene. We can start investigating from there."

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

Chu Xingchen watched as the two prepared to leave and couldn't help but add, "Xingtian, be careful. Don't get too carried out, and remember to use the talismans if needed."

"Don't worry, Master."

Li Yingling watched the two leave and then turned to Chu Xingchen. "Master..."

Chu Xingchen knew exactly what his eldest disciple wanted to say, so he cut her off without hesitation:

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

Li Yingling was indignant. "What do you mean, hold him back? I'm the senior sister! My cultivation isn't worse than his!"

Chu Xingchen almost laughed. Her cultivation wasn't bad, but when he wasn't around, no one could rein in this curious disciple. If she went along, it wouldn't be Zhao Wanqing directing Li Xingtian in the investigation—it would most likely be his eldest disciple bossing Li Xingtian around, poking her nose into everything.

His eldest disciple was obedient only in front of him. When he wasn't around, as Li Xingtian put it, she was "extremely opinionated."

That was probably the only compliment Li Xingtian could come up with, which, translated into plain language, meant "I do whatever I want."

But Chu Xingchen was quite experienced in handling his eldest disciple:

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

"Then... I'll go sleep. But Master, you have to take me with you tomorrow!"