"Qiu Long, Li Yuan?"
Lin Fei regarded the two Martial Saints assessing him from a distance. The communication stone vibrated. Instantly, he discerned their identities.
Qiu Long and Li Yuan. Two Martial Saints were dispatched by the Ancient Origin Sect to the Imperial City of the Tianqi Country. Each a venerable Martial Saint over four hundred years old. Facing imminent demise, they arrived at Tianqi Country's Imperial City to relish life's pleasures.
Qiu Long and Li Yuan hurriedly approached, bowing in respect, "We're not certain which True Disciple you might be?"
True Disciples held an extraordinary status within the Ancient Origin Sect. Even the Inner Sect Elders were inferior to True Disciples.
Lin Fei calmly stated, "Outer Sect Elder, Lin Fei."
"Outer Sect Elder?"
The pair blinked in mild surprise. Of course, they understood the term 'Outer Sect Elder'. Though Outer Sect Elders were Martial Saints, the rank primarily encompassed ordinary Martial Saints. There were none among them who were top-tier Martial Saints. How could the Sect allow an ordinary Martial Saint to undertake an Imperial City mission?
Qiu Long seemed to seek further confirmation, asking again, "Elder Lin, are you here for a mission?"
"Indeed, the Imperial City Disappearance Case, ten thousand contribution points. I'm Lin Fei. I'm here to unravel the mystery of it."
Upon hearing Lin Fei's confirmation, Qiu Long and Li Yuan exchanged a glance. Their eyes concealed an undeniable disappointment.
Lin Fei, being able to accept this mission, perhaps had some distinctive traits. But, what use could they be?
The current Imperial City Disappearance Case involved a Foundation Establishment True Person capable of turning Martial Saints into zombies. What use could an Outer Sect Elder be?
Lin Fei perceived the disappointment in Qiu Long and Li Yuan's eyes. He could guess why. The two, no doubt, had not heard his name before, which was reasonable. After all, they had been in the Imperial City for quite some time. Their information wouldn't be up-to-date. Moreover, it was only recently that Lin Fei defeated Ao Yunxiao. His name had just begun to circulate throughout the Ancient Origin Sect. It was forgivable if the two were unaware.
"Have there been any new developments in the Imperial City Disappearance Case, honorable Martial Saints?" Lin Fei inquired.
"Well..."
Qiu Long and Li Yuan hesitated. Even if they explained, what use could Lin Fei be? However, Gu Lin didn't know the considerations within the Martial Saints' minds. She only knew that someone from the Ancient Origin Sect had finally arrived and possibly a top-tier Martial Saint! Perhaps he could deal with the enigmatic Foundation Establishment True Person.
Therefore, Gu Lin quickly intervened, "Elder Lin, we already have leads in the Imperial City Disappearance Case. It involves a mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator. He has captured many Martial Saints and turned those Martial Saints into zombies. My father has also been captured and is now likely in grave danger. I beg you, Elder Lin, to kill this Foundation Establishment cultivator, to avenge my father and the numerous Martial Saints of the Imperial City!"
With a choked voice, Gu Lin collapsed to her knees.
Lin Fei glanced at Gu Lin. His expression remained tranquil. He stated, "I am here only to investigate the Imperial City Disappearance Case. If it pertains to the case, I will take action. Other matters are not of concern to me. Esteemed Elders, is her account accurate?"
Lin Fei turned his gaze toward Qiu Long and Li Yuan. Both Martial Saints gritted their teeth and nodded, "Elder Lin, every word Gu Lin uttered is true. Her father is Gu Yujian, the King of Leisure, also a Martial Saint who vanished abruptly a few days ago. We investigated together and happened to find the Marquis of Yang Martial also disappeared.
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We followed a trail to a graveyard, where we discovered zombies of Martial Saint strength. Two Martial Saints from the royal family could not withstand even a single strike. To deal with such zombies, only top-tier Martial Saints might stand a chance. And there are true culprits behind the scenes. So, we planned to report to the Ancient Origin Sect, requesting that they dispatch top-tier Martial Saints to deal with the situation."
This matter pertained to a mysterious Foundation Establishment True Person who's kidnapping Martial Saints in the Imperial City. The Ancient Origin Sect would undoubtedly not turn a blind eye. A Foundation Establishment True Person running rampant in the Imperial City was almost an affront to the dignity of the Ancient Origin Sect!
Once reported, the Ancient Origin Sect would certainly send a formidable Martial Saint to the Imperial City. The implication of their words was to let Lin Fei wait a while longer. To report together and wait for the arrival of the Martial Saints from the Ancient Origin Sect.
Lin Fei naturally understood what Qiu Long and Li Yuan meant. However, he neither agreed nor disagreed. He even disregarded it entirely and said directly, "Take me to the cemetery to have a look. If the real culprit behind this can be caught sooner, I can return to the sect earlier to hand over the mission."
Qiu Long and Li Yuan were stunned. Was Lin Fei really going to intervene in the Imperial City Disappearance Case? They had already made it clear. In the Imperial City, there was a powerful Foundation Establishment True Person. It might even be a top-tier Foundation Establishment True Person. Only a top-tier Martial Saint, or even a Limit Martial Saint, would be able to deal with them. If Lin Fei intervened now, wouldn't it be dangerous?
However, the two were now the only Martial Saints stationed in the Imperial City by the Ancient Origin Sect. Their status wasn't even equal to Lin Fei, an Outer Sect Elder. Therefore, after some hesitation, they still nodded.
"Elder Lin, let's be careful and go see what's happening at the cemetery."
So, the group of four quickly headed toward the cemetery. When they arrived at the cemetery, they discovered that the entire place was in ruins. Blood and corpses were everywhere on the ground. The thick stench of death permeated the entire cemetery.
"This is the cemetery. I don't know if the zombie is still here?"
Qiu Long and Li Yuan were still somewhat apprehensive. If they hadn't acted decisively and run fast, they would probably have been killed by the terrifying zombie by now.
Lin Fei took a step forward and "swoosh", he instantly entered the cemetery. Qiu Long, Li Yuan, and Gu Lin followed closely behind. The ground was littered with the corpses of the royal guards.
"We found them, these two were royal Martial Saints, blown up by a single strike of the zombie. Now they're just a pile of flesh and blood. But the zombie seems to have disappeared. Did it escape?"
The group only found the shattered corpses of the two Martial Saints. They didn't see the zombie. If it escaped, it was normal.
After all, if the mysterious culprit chose to hide, they must have some scruples. Once their whereabouts were discovered, they naturally had to hide.
"Could it be that mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator has escaped?" Gu Lin suddenly spoke.
Indeed, there was this possibility. After all, this incident had caused quite a stir. Perhaps the Ancient Origin Sect would send a powerful Martial Saint. After all, this was the Ancient Origin Sect's territory. No matter how powerful a Foundation Establishment True Person was, how dare they confront the Ancient Origin Sect?
"Since the mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator dared to risk kidnapping some Martial Saints in the Imperial City to turn into zombies, there must be a reason he had to do it. I think the goal of the mysterious Foundation Establishment has not been achieved yet, he might not escape for the time being. However, I fear he will become more frantic. He will definitely seize the opportunity before the Martial Saints of the Ancient Origin Sect descend from the mountain, to frantically capture Martial Saints. I'm afraid the entire Imperial City's Martial Saints are now in danger." Qiu Long said in a deep voice.
"That makes sense. However, as long as he doesn't leave the Imperial City, it's good news. Capture him or kill him, then the disappearance case in the Imperial City would be solved." Lin Fei calmly said.
"But how can we catch that mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator? Up until now, we have only seen his zombie. And that Foundation Establishment cultivator has not shown his face. Even a city-wide manhunt by the royal family hasn't found him." Gu Lin gritted her teeth as she spoke.
If it were that easy to find, she would have found his father long ago. Unfortunately, that mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator seemed very good at hiding his figure. So far, there had been no clues.
"As long as he's still in the Imperial City, I will definitely find him! Time is of the essence. To prevent the Foundation Establishment cultivator from escaping, I will have to go all out!"
Lin Fei's words left Qiu Long, Li Yuan, and Gu Lin momentarily stunned. They didn't understand what Lin Fei meant.
"Go all out? Elder Lin, you..."
Qiu Long was about to say something.
"Boom".
Suddenly, a white light instantly radiated from Lin Fei. And it quickly spread out in all directions. Everyone was enveloped by the white light. Even if they were Martial Saints, they felt their bodies trembling and broke out in cold sweat. Their bodies felt as if they were being weighed down by several mountains.
"This... is this... saber momentum?"
Qiu Long and Li Yuan looked up. Their eyes were filled with astonishment as they looked at Lin Fei.