Starting as a prodigy wanting milk? A world-destroying deception in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhen and the others returned to the Jingxie Division.

Lei Lie and Han Yan returned before them, all of them looking tired and downcast.

The suspicious outposts they were responsible for clearing out were already deserted, leaving not a single valuable clue behind.

"Damn it, are they dogs?! They all left beforehand." Lei Lie cursed as he reported to Ling Buyu.

Han Yan frowned slightly, her voice cold and clear:

"Each stronghold was kept spotless, and even the slightest trace of residual psychic energy was deliberately erased."

Ye Zhi Qiu, fanning himself with a folding fan, leaned close to Han Yan, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery:

"Captain Lei is right. These heretics do have a keen sense of smell. They probably got wind of it a long time ago and made a quick getaway."

Han Yan ignored him and turned her gaze to Shen Zhen and his group who had just entered, nodding slightly.

"Little Shen's back! How are things on your end?" Lei Lie was the first to perk up, then bowed respectfully to Shen Zhenglan, his tone filled with reverence.

"Lord Shen, it's kind of you to make the trip in person."

Shen Zhenglan nodded slightly, his expression calm:

"I stopped by to check on things, just in case these young people can't handle it."

Although he has retired, his influence remains, and the people of the Jingxie Division still hold him in high esteem.

Shen Zhen stepped forward and gave Ling Buyu a detailed account of what had happened at the Forget-Worry Winery.

From the discovery of the evil wine workshop and the capture of the heretic, to the appearance of the man in black robes, his silencing, the fierce battle, and his eventual escape, the story is clear and complete.

After he finished speaking, Shen Zhenglan calmly added:

"That man in black robes has extremely high cultivation, already at the peak of the late stage of the sixth rank, and his cultivation method is strange."

At this moment, Shen Zhen took out the jade pendant engraved with strange patterns and handed it to him with both hands:

"Chief Ling, this is an item we found on the leading elder. Its patterns are peculiar and highly similar to the totems of the western barbarian tribes."

Ling Buyu took the jade pendant and after a long while slowly spoke:

"The patterns do indeed bear a five or six-point resemblance to some of the totems of the western barbarian tribes recorded in ancient texts..."

But this heretical group, acting in a treacherous manner, seems to have some connection with the barbarians?

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Shen Zhenglan.

"Lord Shen, once again it's thanks to your timely intervention that the tide was turned."

Otherwise, if Xiao Shen and his group had encountered such a formidable enemy, their chances of survival would have been slim.

These words were spoken subtly, yet carried a hint of caution.

The hall fell silent instantly.

Lei Lie frowned, Han Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and Ye Zhi Qiu's fanning motion slowed down.

Shen Zhenglan could not possibly fail to understand the implied meaning.

His expression remained unchanged as he calmly met Ling Buyu's gaze. An invisible aura emanated from him, exerting a heavy pressure on everyone present. His voice was steady yet carried an undeniable force:

"Does Chief Ling suspect that I, Shen Zhenglan, have ulterior motives?"

Do you still think that I, Shen Zhenglan, am not even qualified to care about my own son's safety?

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Ling Buyu's face:

"Although Mr. Shen is no longer in office, as a father, he cares about his son's safety and secretly follows him to prevent any unforeseen events. What is wrong with that?"

Could it be that Chief Ling thinks that I, Shen Zhenglan, would collude with those treacherous heretics to stage a self-inflicted injury?

If Chief Ling feels that my actions have overstepped his bounds, then I will avoid any further involvement in the affairs of the Cleansing Evil Division and will not interfere.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.

Upon hearing this, Ling Buyu immediately put on a slightly embarrassed yet relieved smile, laughed heartily, and stepped forward to pat Shen Zhenglan's arm:

"Lord Shen, you flatter me. I had no such intention!"

Your righteous act saved several of our company's elite soldiers. I, Ling, will forever remember this kindness and gratitude!

However, this matter may involve far-reaching issues, and the heretics are cunning. My professional habit kicked in, and I said an extra word. Please forgive me, sir!

He skillfully steered the conversation back to the jade pendant, his expression turning serious.

"This is crucial evidence. Xiao Shen, immediately send this jade pendant to the Ceremonial Court for Lord Wang Juan to examine in detail."

"Yes." Shen Zhen replied, carefully putting away the jade pendant, and then briefly exchanged information about their investigations with Lei Lie, Han Yan, and the others.

He bid farewell to everyone and went straight to the Ceremonial Hall.

Inside Wang Juan's duty room in the Ceremonial Court, the fragrance of cypress wafted through the air, refreshing and delightful.

Wang Juan was discussing the connections between several recent aberration activities with Liu Xubai and Shen Moyan.

Upon seeing Shen Zhen arrive, all three of them stopped talking.

"Lord Wang, Instructor Liu, Uncle," Shen Zhen bowed respectfully.

Liu Xubai was the first to laugh:

"Xiao Shen is here. You look rushed, so it must be something important."

Shen Zhen hummed in agreement, and without further ado, handed over the jade pendant:

"Lord Wang, this was found at a heretical stronghold. It appears to be a totem of a barbarian tribe from the western frontier. We would like to ask for your help in taking a look."

The jade pendant was passed from hand to hand among the three. Wang Juan examined it most carefully, his fingertips even glowing faintly as he used his mental power to sense its material and any traces of energy that might remain inside.

Liu Xubai and Shen Moyan also had solemn expressions.

"The material is indeed the unique Nether Jade of the Western Frontier," Wang Juan finally said, putting down the jade pendant and pondering.

"But the patterns... do have some resemblance to barbarian totems, yet they have been significantly altered, making them ambiguous. They could be... an encrypted symbol, or a symbol of a newly emerging secret cult."

Based on this item alone, it is difficult to determine whether it was made by the royal court of the western barbarian tribes.

Perhaps it's a displaced tribe, or perhaps it's a force acting under the guise of barbarians.

He looked at Shen Zhen, his eyes filled with approval.

"You have done another great service this time. Discovering this clue is crucial, as it has at least pointed us in a possible direction."

However, the western frontier is vast and sparsely populated, with numerous tribes and complex situations. The temple's influence there is relatively weak, and a long-term plan is needed.

I will immediately draft a document and submit it to the Grand Temple, requesting the Chief Celestial Official to decide whether to send a special envoy to investigate.

This matter cannot be rushed; it requires careful planning.

Liu Xubai looked at Shen Zhen, a trace of reminiscence and emotion flashing in his eyes:

"He is calm and composed in the face of adversity, has keen insight, and can keep his composure in critical moments, much like your mother did back then."

Shen Moyan nodded and patted Shen Zhen on the shoulder:

"He's a promising talent, but the road ahead is fraught with danger, so be careful in everything you do."

Shen Zhen felt a warmth on her heart and solemnly said:

"Thank you for your guidance, elders. I will remember it in my heart."

He then chatted with the three elders about his cultivation confusions, and after receiving their guidance, he took his leave and departed from the Ceremonial Academy.

In the following days, the capital seemed to have returned to a rare period of peace.

No new strange cases occurred, as if those heretics had all vanished.

As usual, Shen Zhen spent his days handling the daily affairs of the Cleansing Evil Division or leading patrols in the city, and his evenings devoted himself to cultivation without fail.

He also took the time to visit Lu Renjia's family, bringing them some money and daily necessities to comfort their grief over the loss of their son.

I visited my mentor Yi Tianxing's residence again to convey my father's gratitude.

Yi Tianxing was very happy to see him. The two chatted for a long time, and Yi Tianxing also gave him some subtle tips on the operation of mental power.

That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Shen Zhen sat cross-legged in his quiet room, focusing his mind on his body.

Within his dantian, the river of mental energy surged ceaselessly, several times more powerful than when he was in the mid-stage of the first rank.

However, the barrier to the late stage of the first tier always felt like there was a tough membrane between us, which was difficult to break through.

He tried to use conventional methods to guide his mental energy to attack the barrier again and again, but he felt powerless. The barrier remained unmoved, and he even felt a faint swelling pain from the repeated attacks.

If this continues, it will probably take several more months of painstaking effort to achieve a natural breakthrough.

"No, that's too slow."

A sense of anxiety rose in Shen Zhen's heart.

Time is running out for him.

The capital city appears calm on the surface, but the undercurrents are growing increasingly turbulent.

The emergence of clues in the western border region and the mystery surrounding his mother's old case made his desire for power even more urgent.

He remembered his unique talent.

That cold, violent, yet astonishingly penetrating and assimilating power of despair.

Last time, it was with its help that I broke through a desperate situation.

Dangerous, but powerful.

A bold and crazy idea rose in his mind:

"If conventional methods don't work, perhaps we can do it like last time."