No one could stop the Longevity Body from leaving the sect, but with Elder Shen Song’s protection, Elder Mo was still very confident in Lin Jing’s safety.
He handed the information about the mission that the sect had gathered to Lin Jing, who was packing, and to the Pine Leaf Rat.
"Snow Moon City is currently on lockdown; the demon cultivator should still be inside."
"I suggest not making any big moves for now," Lin Jing said as he took the intelligence report. "If the Law Enforcement Hall cultivators and sect elders all storm in, it will likely alert the demon cultivator and cause him to hide. It’s better if I go alone."
"The sect should only guard Snow Moon City in secret, ensuring no one leaves!"
"How do you plan to investigate?" Elder Mo asked.
"Several inner sect disciples went to investigate the ’missing spirit beasts’ in Snow Moon City, but only Senior Brother Ouyang met with an unfortunate fate. As Elder Mo said, he might have discovered some clues. I want to start by backtracking his activities in the city," Lin Jing said. "Of course, just like that, it’s unlikely to yield much. Now I can only rely on Elder Shen Song’s divine techniques."
"With its cultivation realm, it should be able to detect any anomalies immediately."
Lin Jing went through the intelligence, which stated that after arriving in Snow Moon City, Senior Brother Ouyang only visited three places according to the letter from the Beast Valley in Snow Moon City.
First, the City Lord’s Mansion.
Second, the Beast Valley.
Third, the Lotus Pavilion.
Senior Brother Ouyang went to the City Lord’s Mansion to gather more information about the missing spirit beasts in Snow Moon City. Apart from the task issued by the Beast Taming Sect’s inner sect, the City Lord’s Mansion also offered a reward.
It’s said that the Snow Moon City Lord, Tang Qinghan, somehow learned that Ouyang Hao was highly favored by the Beast Taming Sect Leader and had the potential to become a true disciple. Therefore, he personally received Ouyang Hao.
"Snow Moon City Lord Tang Qinghan, early-stage Golden Core, with an acquired ice spirit body, cultivates the ’Heavenly Frost Cold Soul Technique’. He has been the City Lord for over sixty years. The Tang Family is deeply rooted in Snow Moon City and has great influence, but their reputation is excellent and they are dearly loved by the populace."
Lin Jing continued reading. The Beast Valley is an industry of the Beast Taming Sect, raising many snow rabbits prized for their fine meat. Special secret techniques are used, and they are in great demand throughout the Great Wilderness Domain. This is one of the primary income sources for the Beast Taming Sect. The "missing beast mouth" investigation tasked to Senior Brother Ouyang stemmed from the disappearance of these snow rabbits reported from there.
"Beast Valley Master He Xu, late-stage Foundation Establishment, is the third disciple of Elder Jiang, well-versed in the art of pet beast husbandry."
The Lotus Pavilion is the largest commerce association spread across the Celestial Essence Ancient Country, doing business even beyond the Ancient Country in places like Qingzhou and Martial Emperor City. The Lotus Pavilion in Snow Moon City is just a very small branch. According to investigations, Senior Brother Ouyang only went there to buy some yang-boosting pills. Because of the City Lord’s introduction, he was warmly received by the Pavilion Master.
"Snow Moon City Lotus Pavilion Master Hua Qian Dao, late-stage Foundation Establishment, with an acquired fire spirit body, cultivates the ’Fire Lotus Scripture’ and has been the Pavilion Master of this branch for a decade."
The best-selling items of the Lotus Commerce Association are undoubtedly the elixirs.
"These three, they are the highest-cultivation individuals that Senior Brother Ouyang interacted with after arriving in Snow Moon City. Let’s first rule out Valley Master He... The Snow Moon City Lord and Hua Qian Dao, with their power and status, likely wouldn’t stoop to such underhanded deeds. It seems there are parts of Senior Brother Ouyang’s activities that remain unknown." Lin Jing pondered.
"The intelligence is indeed lacking," Elder Mo sighed.
"No problem," Lin Jing said. "I have another plan. I’ll use the Thousand Forms Transformation to become a snow rabbit, blend into the Beast Valley, and transform into various rare snow ice spirit beasts to roam around. Since the culprit has a fondness for snow ice beasts, I’ll become such a beast and use myself as bait."
Elder Mo was speechless, what kind of plan is this!
This is truly your real plan, isn’t it??
When the culprit shows up, Elder Shen Song will then make a move!
Although Lin Jing intended to head to Snow Moon City alone, the sect had some preparations in place. To speed up Lin Jing’s journey, they provided him and the Pine Leaf Rat with a Heavenly Feather Crane to ensure they reach Snow Moon City within half a day. Meanwhile, Elder Shen Song would protect Lin Jing in secret.
"Such a large... order." This immortal crane was someone Lin Jing was very familiar with, as it was the one in charge of delivering various resources throughout the sect and had a unique accent. It turned out to have the cultivation level of early-stage Foundation Establishment.
Lin Jing retracted the Pine Leaf Rat, sitting cross-legged on the immortal crane. He nodded at Elder Mo, who was watching him leave.
"Return safely," Elder Mo said. "Ouyang Hao and the others will be watched over temporarily by Elder Shen."
"Let’s depart then, please, take me to Snow Moon City as quickly as possible," Lin Jing took a deep breath, looking at the distant clouds, speaking softly as it was his first time leaving the sect!
"Absolutely!!!" The crane let out a loud cry, instantly flapping its wings with great speed into the clouds. Lin Jing sat cross-legged on the crane, closed his eyes, and started cultivating.
As the crane flew faster, Lin Jing felt his body growing colder.
The Great Wilderness Domain adjoins the Snowfields, with several cities affected by the Snowfields’ perpetual snow cover.
Snow Moon City is one of them.
The present situation in Snow Moon City might be the work of a demon cultivator or possibly a snowfield cultivator...
"Oh no." Suddenly, the Heavenly Feather Crane let out an exclamation, prompting Lin Jing to open his eyes and ask, "What is it, Crane Bro?"
"Just now, some guy flew past me at incredible speed!"
"So what?" Lin Jing asked.
"Do you want to overtake him?"
"You do get me." The Heavenly Feather Crane said, then burst forward with even greater speed, making Lin Jing’s lips tremble. Soon, a black dot appeared in Lin Jing’s vision. It was a... White horse with dragon horns, galloping with effort in the cloud sea.
And on its back lay a young man dressed in black, fast asleep.
"How can anyone sleep at such speed?" Lin Jing wondered, rather amazed.
As the Heavenly Feather Crane neared, the white horse glanced sideways at the crane and silently picked up speed. The crane refused to be outdone, and the two kept racing through the air, their fierce competition finally rousing the black-clad youth. He leaned over the edge and vomited into the sky.
Once finished with retching celestial nectar, he stared around in confusion, then looked at the flying crane and Lin Jing on its back.
"Brother, where are you headed so urgently?"
Lin Jing replied, "You seem to be in more of a hurry."
Upon hearing this, the young man in black said, "Indeed, I am in quite a rush."
"I’m Gao Sheng from the Demon Extermination Bureau. I heard rumors of a demon in Snow Moon City and came specifically to investigate.
If I’m even a moment late, more innocent citizens and cultivators could be harmed. Hence, I must hurry."
Lin Jing said, "Since when did a ninth-level Qi Cultivation rank become enough for a Demon Exterminator?"
He glanced at the Foundation Establishment white horse underneath the youth, wondering which Second Generation Immortal not only brought their "White Dragon Horse" but came here to experience life. Lin Jing enviously looked at the "White Dragon Horse" across from him.