Chapter 22

PS: Today there are still three updates! I'm asking for recommendations, favorites, and member clicks! Thank you all!

Wen Ningzhi shook his head with a smile: "Although Yan Zhaoge has astonishing potential, he is still insignificant at the moment."

"The important one is his father, Elder Yan." As he said this, Wen Ningzhi's voice became lower and his expression more serious: "The competition between Elder Yan and Elder Fang has reached a critical point. Any change could influence the final decision of the Sect Master."

"Yan Zhaoge is Elder Yan's weakness," Wen Ningzhi said with a cold laugh. "People say that a tiger father does not have a dog son, but I think the opposite is true. It is a tiger father with a dog son. Elder Yan will lose because of this troublemaking son, just as a long embankment can be destroyed by an ant's hole."

Wen Ningzhi stood up: "You will understand in the future that sometimes, evidence is not necessary. Suspicion alone is enough to affect one's perception of another."

"As for the inner crystal furnace, heh heh, how could a mere child who still smells of milk manage to create it?"

The person in front of him was taken aback: "Elder Wen, you mean..."

Wen Ningzhi said calmly: "Naturally, it is the work of Elder Yan."

"Either Yan Zhaoge took credit for his father's achievement to save face, or Elder Yan deliberately shared the credit with Yan Zhaoge to pave the way for his son."

"That's why I say Elder Yan will eventually be ruined by this boy."

As he spoke, Wen Ningzhi's face suddenly turned grim: "But he ended up dragging my master down."

The martial artist beside him lowered his head, not daring to speak.

As Wen Ningzhi's confidant, he knew that the Elder in charge of the Disciplinary Hall, Elder Cui, who had been dismissed and thoroughly investigated recently due to Yan Zhaoge, was Wen Ningzhi's master.

Although Wen Ningzhi's cultivation had long surpassed his master, he still respected Elder Cui greatly.

He had made many efforts and even asked the main elder of Dongtang, Yan Xu, to intercede, but could only make Elder Cui's life a little easier.

Even so, the position of Disciplinary Elder was lost for sure, and whether he could retire safely without punishment was still uncertain.

On one side was Elder Yan's own son, and on the other side was a middle-level personnel with almost no potential left. The efforts put in by both sides were clearly not on the same level.

Moving against Yan Zhaoge would have adverse consequences, and Elder Cui was prepared for this before he acted, but he did not expect to gain nothing and achieve no results.

The key was that not only did he fail, but he might also be seen through by Yan Zhaoge, exposing more of their intentions, which would mean no merit and only fault.

How could the higher-ups be willing to put in the effort to protect him?

"My master is old but not senile. He wouldn't listen to my advice and insisted on taking a risk to advance further. Who knew he would be dragged down by that Yan Zhaoge," Wen Ningzhi thought with great frustration and some resentment. "However, Master, the point you chose was good. A dog can't change its nature. Yan Zhaoge, who is used to being arrogant, ultimately fell into the trap."

The martial artist beside him said softly: "Yan Zhaoge is still Elder Yan's son. Even if you succeed this time, you will have to bear Elder Yan's anger afterward."

Wen Ningzhi smiled: "If I succeed, there will be people above me to protect me from Elder Yan."

"I have no flaws or handles for the other side to grab. It will be easy for the higher-ups to protect me."

"Alright, report this to Elder Yan. Also, send the news back to the mountain gate."

"Let's see how the Yan family's boy can get out of this unscathed. I must peel off a layer of his skin!"

...

After talking with Xu Chuan for a while, Yan Zhaoge took out something as if nothing had happened and placed it in front of Xu Chuan: "Is this cloud-patterned stone produced in the Spirit Wind Valley?"

It was a light yellow crystal with patterns on its surface, resembling clouds.

This was one of the local specialties provided by Xu Chuan after Yan Zhaoge arrived in Linyuan City. Placing it beside a martial artist during cultivation could have a calming effect, slightly improving the efficiency of cultivation.

Xu Chuan nodded: "Yes, it is produced in the Spirit Wind Valley."

Yan Zhaoge touched the cloud-patterned stone and nodded: "The effect is quite good."

Xu Chuan's expression remained unchanged, but he was slightly moved inside.

The Spirit Wind Valley was separated from Linyuan City by the Dragon Suppressing Abyss. Inside, there was no need to compete with other forces, and the resources produced were abundant. Although the guardian was also at the level of a Disciplinary Elder, it was one of the best positions in Dongtang.

Unlike Linyuan City, which was important but had a hard job and was easy to bear responsibility when something went wrong.

The Disciplinary Elder of the Spirit Wind Valley, Wen Ningzhi, was a confidant of the main elder of Dongtang, Yan Xu, and also belonged to the faction of Yan Zhaoge's second master-uncle.

Xu Chuan thought about this and his gaze fell on the cloud-patterned stone in Yan Zhaoge's hand. He had seen this thing many times, but no matter how he looked at it, he could not see anything special about it.

"Is there any secret to this little thing?" Xu Chuan was puzzled. "Or am I being too sensitive, and he is just genuinely admiring it?"

After seeing off Xu Chuan, Yan Zhaoge lightly tapped the cloud-patterned stone with his fingers, his expression half-smiling, half-serious.

A day later, Ah Hu came to report bad news: "Young Master, we just received news from the mountain gate in Tianzhong Continent. The Punishment Hall has dispatched an enforcement elder to Dongtang."

The person in charge of Guangcheng Mountain in Tiance Continent was an elder of Dongzhou. Below the elder of Dongzhou, there were main elders and disciplinary elders in various regions, as well as enforcement elders. In addition to being responsible to the elder of Dongzhou, they were directly accountable to the Punishment Hall of the sect, responsible for supervising the laws and regulations of the continent and enforcing the sect's rules and punishments.

Yan Zhaoge asked: "Do you know the reason?"

Ah Hu replied: "One reason is that the Great Sun Holy Sect caused trouble, and the second is the incident with Ye Jing."

He grinned: "Who would have thought that Ye Jing would be so unlucky and actually fall into the Dragon Suppressing Abyss. Someone must have taken the opportunity to make things difficult for you, Young Master."

Yan Zhaoge asked indifferently: "To the capital of Dongtang?"

"No, it will be here in Linyuan City. The main elder of Dongtang, Yan Xu, failed to catch the Old Ghost Axe and the Red Spirit Flag Leader is also missing. The tide in the Dragon Suppressing Abyss is intense, so he will return to Linyuan City to take temporary charge. The enforcement elder will also come to Linyuan City. In addition, representatives from Dongtang will also be present."

Yan Zhaoge stroked his chin: "Then we will wait here."

Ah Hu also stroked his chin: "Young Master, with your status, you wouldn't easily attract the attention of the Punishment Hall. The dispatch of an enforcement elder is not a good sign."

Yan Zhaoge spread his hands: "Grand Master has always criticized my arrogant personality. The incident with the inner crystal furnace had made him change his view, but now this incident will likely disappoint him even more. After all, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment."

"Grand Master may not side with Second Master-uncle's faction, but this time he probably wants to seriously discipline and warn me to prevent me from 'going astray.'"

Ah Hu clicked his tongue: "That's a tough one."

Yan Zhaoge crossed his legs: "Indeed, someone is going to have a tough time."

Soon, others also received the news, including Sikong Qing and the others.

As companions of Yan Zhaoge, they would also have to be questioned to provide corroboration.

Everyone looked at each other, their thoughts fluctuating.

As Ah Hu said, Yan Zhaoge's situation was special, and he would not easily come into contact with the Punishment Hall. Once he did, it meant the matter was serious and could not be easily resolved.

In the young generation of the sect, the powerful Yan Zhaoge, who could command the wind and rain, might really be in trouble this time.