Zhang Rongfang listened, initially with a smile on his face, but when he heard the word "isolation investigation," his expression turned somber.

"Is this necessary?" he asked with a frown.

"There’s no choice, this procedure must be followed. Don’t worry, nothing will happen, we just need to verify some things," Zhou Yan said solemnly.

"If that’s the case... then fine. When do we start?" Zhang Rongfang understood.

"Now. We’ll take you to another place for a separate examination," Zhou Yan replied.

"Then, I’ll first go back to explain a couple of things and pack some clothes," Zhang Rongfang responded.

"I’m afraid that’s not possible," Yuan Chang chuckled from the side, "What if you escape midway? Where would we find you then?"

Zhang Rongfang’s expression tightened, sensing malice from the other party.

"Then forget it."

He quickly chuckled casually.

"In that case, I won’t cooperate with you. Do as you please, gentlemen."

Zhou Yan’s eyebrows furrowed, sensing something amiss.

Due to Sect Leader Yue, this visit was indeed intended as a mere formality on the surface. He had made things clear, yet the other party’s attitude...

"Daoist Zhang Ying, it’s best not to act on impulse, as I’m the one in charge of this trip. The examination will only take three or four days, which is not long," he urged in a subdued voice.

"Are you sure? Only three or four days?" Zhang Rongfang stared at him. "Can you guarantee that during these three or four days, everything will remain unchanged when I return?"

"I will guarantee it!" Zhou Yan affirmed firmly.

"Very well! I will trust you this once, General Zhou!" Zhang Rongfang nodded.

"Daoist, there’s no need to worry, a few days will fly by quickly when focusing on cultivating Literature and martial arts," Yuan Chang from the Western Sect said with a smile.

The man’s words were ambiguous, making it hard to discern his true attitude.

Zhang Rongfang glanced at him without further comment.

The strong lineup of these few people seemed to be targeted at the local Jade Void Palace’s Grandmaster.

Otherwise, given his reputation outside, there wouldn’t be a need to dispatch so many experts.

Moreover...

Up till now, the Prefect of the Upper Official hasn’t shown up... which also signifies the attitude of Master Uncle Jin Yuyan.

Perhaps... she has started to doubt him too.

A hypothesis flashed through Zhang Rongfang’s mind.

But it’s okay; time is on his side. The longer things drag on, the better it is for him. As long as he isn’t proven guilty, no one would dare to make a move against him.

*

*

*

A thousand miles away from Ze Province, in the vice-nation of the Great Spirit—the United Nations.

The capital, Flabia.

In the vast white sandy martial field, snowflakes fluttered and swirled.

Two tall figures clashed repeatedly like cannonballs, breaking apart, clashing, and breaking apart again.

Like two brown bears clad in heavy armor.

One was shrouded in thick brown leather armor, covering the whole body, with hair tied into numerous small braids. The face was rugged and powerful, with a green oil-painted stripe across the nose.

The other had short, cropped hair, wearing metallic armor with horned shoulder guards, wielding a large warhammer. By the armor style, she was clearly a woman.

However, the woman’s muscle mass was even greater than the man’s opposite. She stood at two meters and six, with arms comparable in size to an average person’s thigh, wielding a warhammer over a meter long, its head wrapped in thick leather, the size of a watermelon.

Boom!

They charged and collided again, their immense force scattering streams of air, blowing away the falling snowflakes, and even raising snow dust from the ground.

"Hahahaha!!" The man laughed, gasping for breath and halting.

"Enough, enough, age has caught up, not as good as before after all."

"Prince, you’re already very strong, Anise is merely benefitting from worship," the woman responded steadily.

"That’s still impressive. By now you must be on the verge of becoming a Grandmaster, just one step away. What a pity," the man sighed.

"There’s nothing to pity. As a Guard, this level of skill is enough," Anise replied.

The two ceased fighting and moved towards the rest area. They took warm towels from the hands of maids and guards to wipe their sweat.

"For someone over seventy, Prince, to keep up with Captain of the Guard Anise, it’s truly remarkable!"

In the rest area, a towering man clad in full armor, face obscured by a helmet, clapped and spoke out.

"Your Excellency Cosimo, you’re flattering. This level of skill is negligible compared to yours," the Prince smiled.

He was Prince Mu Li—Bo’er Zhijin Xialin, one of the four sons of the late Emperor Lingzhi.

"The world speaks of me leading troops to the Great Capital with intentions to contest the throne, yet who would have thought I remain in the United Nations," Prince Mu Li said, sipping a cup of ginseng tea, rinsing his mouth before spitting it out.

"What a pity about the Sect Alliance. Just one step away from a decent position," Cosimo sighed.

As the lone Spirit General of the Sect Alliance, he had nearly rallied all forces to form a faction opposing the Great Dao Teaching, but unfortunately... Yue Dewen acted too swiftly and ruthlessly.

"It’s a minor setback for us, but it doesn’t matter. The Sect Alliance was merely meant to delay and preoccupy them. What we truly rely on isn’t those scattered forces...." Prince Mu Li consoled.

"Now Prince Yan Shun has gone into hiding, I’ve sent a decoy to the Great Capital, and the others aren’t easy either. The situation won’t change in the short term. The real breakthrough lies with the Spirit Generals, the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, and those noble Spirit People,"

"Mainly it’s the Spirit Generals, considering the backing of the four Spirit Generals is the Flying Spirit Sect," Cosimo nodded. "How many we can win over depends on everyone’s ability."

"It’s difficult, with everyone currently unable to overrun the others, we’re testing each other, seeing who falters or exposes a weakness. The country cannot go a day without a monarch, someone will crack under pressure, and become impatient... when the time comes..." Prince Mu Li smiled and stopped his words.

Everyone understood that who decides the throne now lies with the Spirit General faction and numerous noble Spirit People.

However, unlike before, the alliance of various Sects led by the Great Dao Teaching now exerts significant influence, with strength and power not to be underestimated.

As such, the Spirit Generals and the nobles maintain ambiguous stances, sometimes leaning this way, sometimes the other, without firmly choosing a side.

These people just think about taking advantage everywhere, their greed knows no bounds, maintaining the balance of power.

In such a situation, sooner or later someone will be unable to hold on and will be eliminated.

The one who can endure to the end will ascend to the throne.

"Yue Dewen is powerful, so the divine generals and the nobles are more inclined towards the weaker side, everyone knows their thoughts. But there’s nothing that can be done.

Everyone is gathering all the forces they can muster, waiting for the final decisive battle," King Mu Li sighed.

"Always being suppressed by others, surely the Great Dao Teaching is quite unwilling, right?" Cosimo said with a smile.

"Of course, they’re unwilling, but after enduring for so long, they’ve gotten used to it." King Mu Li smiled again, "It seems only Prince Yan Shun and I are the weakest, so they don’t take us seriously. But in this case, it’s also good."

"Yes, in that way no one pays attention to us. Prince Yan Shun retreats to advance, he can do it and so can we," Cosimo laughed along.

"The people going to Qingchuan Prefecture should be arriving soon, right?" King Mu Li suddenly changed the topic.

"Almost. This time Yue Dewen killed so many of my experts, he should pay a price," Cosimo nodded.

Recalling the grievances of being overshadowed by Yue Dewen before, a hint of darkness flashed in his eyes.

"The Heaven-Governor guards the Tianxia Inspector Division, under the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, officially this matter involves his people, but in truth, it’s our people. When it’s done, a Fierce General of Snow Rainbow Pavilion will die there, I want to see how Yue Dewen will handle it."

Our Daoist has mastered the great secret of Eastern Sect restraining the worship, but no one believes it yet.

And with the Great Dao Teaching being so powerful, no one is willing to turn against them for this vague rumor.

But what if there is concrete evidence?

What if more stakes are added?

*

*

*

The night was slightly cool, the crescent moon slowly covered by clouds.

A few nightingales flashed across the sky, darting into the distant mountains and forests.

Zhang Rongfang stood in the courtyard isolated from surveillance, looking up at the hazy night sky covered by clouds.

This was the second day of isolation.

He was brought to this courtyard, provided with food and drink every day, but not allowed to leave freely.

These things didn’t bother him actually, with the Fasting Pills he carried, he could still basically maintain the acquisition of attribute points.

Except for one thing.

He looked down towards the main entrance of the courtyard, with his dim vision through the door panel, he could clearly see a person dutifully standing guard outside.

That person was none other than one of the top experts in the special envoy team, Daoist Congshan of the Zhenyi Sect.

The special envoy team’s strength was configured specifically against the Prefecture Lord, and each was absolutely a grandmaster, yet now one was singled out to guard him.

This itself was an oddity.

Zhang Rongfang pondered, too little intelligence to analyze, too few clues to be useful.

He planned to return to his room to rest.

Tomorrow was the third day, according to Zhou Yan’s promise, he could leave freely the day after tomorrow.

Not a big deal.

Plop.

Just as he turned around, a small paper ball was gently thrown over the wall beside him, landing at his feet.

Zhang Rongfang’s eyes narrowed slightly, he stopped, flicked the paper ball with his toe, and picked it up.

He glanced at Daoist Congshan outside, who remained unresponsive.

Judging by his breath, heartbeat, and flesh intensity, he was at least a grandmaster.

At such a close distance... it was impossible for him not to notice.

Yet he remained unresponsive, which meant...

Zhang Rongfang held the paper ball, opened it.

There was only a single line of small words.

’Quickly escape! Zhou Yan is going to target you!’

"?"

Zhang Rongfang recognized the handwriting, it was Celestial Maiden Tong Zhang!

At such a moment, how did she know he was here? Moreover, how did she know Zhou Yan had a problem?

Or is it that this handwriting was mimicked and forged by someone?

Zhang Rongfang’s mind raced with thoughts.

He put away the paper, crumpled it up, returned calmly to his room, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded.

"Zhang Daoist, are you asleep?" Daoist Congshan’s voice came from outside.

"Please come in." Zhang Rongfang frowned, got down from the bed and went to the door.

The courtyard door was slowly pushed open, Daoist Congshan strode in.

At this moment, he was completely different from before, with a serious expression, he looked around to ensure there was no one else.

"Zhang Daoist, the situation is not good this time, I am with the Society of Reversal, having received advance information, Zhou Yan might have already defected to other forces and is ready to target you at any time!"

He lowered his voice, speaking quickly.

"Quickly get ready now, I will cover your escape!"