Chapter 1361: Unexpected Outcome

Chapter 1361: Chapter 1361: Unexpected Outcome

Different? Hearing this, Pei Yan’s tightly closed eyelids twitched slightly, recalling the scene when he first met Zhou Yinnong years ago. At that time, he was still a novice who had just entered the Daoist Plane, without an accurate understanding of Zhou’s power. Looking back now, Zhou should have had at most the seven-level Human Path power, no more than the Asura Path. Could it be that he was hiding his strength?

After pondering for a moment, Pei Yan spoke again, puzzled: "Does he have Heavenly Dao power? Even if so, it shouldn’t have let him escape! I’ve clearly told you all about his importance. During this cautious period, you should have adopted the mindset of a lion hunting a rabbit and sent Heavenly Dao cultivators to capture him."

"That’s exactly what we did! Because we had to deploy operations to annihilate the White Deer Institute, we were short on manpower, but even so, we borrowed three Heavenly Dao elders, eight Asura Path elders, and more than forty seven-level Human Path elites from other sects of the Immortal Palace as the main force for the capture. Additionally, the local Six Guards garrisoned troops to cooperate in the siege. According to the information we obtained, we have taken the opponent very seriously with such a setup." Xiang Zixiong explained, his face flushed.

"Hmm?" Hearing this number, Pei Yan’s heart sank. If what Liu Xuanji said was true, this lineup indeed gave Zhou Yinnong due recognition, but it failed. Thinking of this, Pei Yan murmured: "Could someone have stepped in to rescue him? Or is it possible that his power has already reached the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm?"

"Exactly so! Mr. Pei, that Zhou Yinnong possesses the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm power! Not only that, people close to him are also in the Heavenly Dao, and several of his attendants have equally impressive power. This wasn’t a capture operation but an ambush!" Xiang Zixiong said, lowering his head in resentment: "According to the aftermath, Zhou Yinnong had already discovered our surveillance of him, but he remained stationary until we decided to capture him. He entered the ambush circle he had prepared long ago. The entire capture team had only one Heavenly Dao elder escape using a sect-specific Secret Technique. After severely being injured and surviving, he reported detailed information to the sect before falling into a coma. When we tried to gather more personnel again, that location was already deserted. Whether Zhou Yinnong is now in the Daoist Plane or fleeing to other planes, we do not know."

"Heavenly Dao Peak Realm? How could it be the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm? How old is he?" Pei Yan was stunned and incredulous. It must be noted that Pei Yan, Xia Yu, and others attained their current power level through exceptional measures. With the Master of Origin personally granting them power to become the Child of Origin, even so, Pei Yan is the only one truly approaching the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm. Gu Shenghui and Ye Ruozai are slightly inferior, and this result still required the Investigation Hall’s significant resource investment and focused cultivation from Lin Junzhao.

In any plane, the seventh level is a watershed. Before reaching the seventh level, one can rapidly enhance power by relying on resources, Cultivation Techniques, and personal efforts in a short time. But entering the seventh level, one is subjected to the Heavenly Dao’s suppression and focus. Wanting to break through one’s power no longer solely depends on these factors; it requires one’s talent and unique opportunities for assistance. Without these, one can only steadily accumulate Source Qi and temper oneself, developing over time to break through levels for advancement. This is why high-level cultivators could only reach the Asura Realm in the Investigation Hall before, and why many agents stop at the sixth or seventh level during special training now.

The seventh level is like this; being the power ceiling of a plane, the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm has even more stringent conditions. To break free from the Heavenly Dao’s binds and touch a hint of Celestial Secrets, anyone at this level is a peerless genius backed by a strong sect. Based on Pei Yan’s calculations, the number of people achieving this level in the entire Daoist Plane definitely does not exceed a hundred. This includes those Supreme Elders nearing the end of their lives in various sects as well as Original Spirits born from heaven and earth, not accounting for human cultivators. If considering only contemporary figures like Liu Xuanji reaching the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm, it would shrink to less than thirty individuals.

There are only a hundred people reaching such a level in one plane, and the youngest among them is over eight to nine hundred years old. According to intelligence, Zhou Yinnong has been practicing for only over six hundred years, during which he frequently traverses between different planes. Factoring in the time difference between the Foundation plane where he spent time, this cultivation duration would be considerably reduced. On what basis did he accomplish reaching the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm?

"Did he expose the aura of the Child of Origin during the battle?" Pei Yan lightly rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache.

"This is still unknown because the elder who escaped was severely injured. He barely managed to explain the battle’s events before he couldn’t hold on and passed out. These details haven’t been passed on yet, but according to the investigation by elders who arrived later and examined the remaining Source Qi from the fight, there was no Original Spirit aura from other planes found. He should not be the Child of Origin, but this does not rule out the possibility of him specially covering for Source Qi aura." Xiang Zixiong replied cautiously, choosing his words with deliberation.

"I originally thought I had already paid a lot of attention to his existence. In the end, I underestimated his importance! For him to reach the Heavenly Dao Peak Realm, it must be a result of the White Deer Institute and Blood Asura’s full support. A merchant, a seemingly insignificant trader, receives such value, indicating that what he does is far more important than we imagined."

Referring to this, Pei Yan asked urgently: "When did this happen?"

"More than an hour has passed since the incident occurred." Xiang Zixiong noticed dissatisfaction on Pei Yan’s face and quickly added: "The message just arrived because we were caught in the heat of battle, so neither you nor the commander could break free. As soon as the fighting finished, I came to report."

"Your commander knows?" Pei Yan understands that he cannot be excessively harsh with the other party about this matter, so he asks offhandedly while containing his anger. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"Yes, he sent me to seek your opinion."

"Alright! Since you’re asking for my view, I’ll speak frankly. First, raise Zhou Yinnong’s investigation level, make it a top priority. Upon discovery, notify immediately and handle promptly; any delay in action will be severely punished."

"Understood!" Xiang Zixiong nodded in agreement.

"Ah, and one more thing!" Pei Yan paces back and forth, pointing with his hand: "You may escape the monk, but not the temple! Zhou Yinnong travels frequently across planes, yet he has quite a few business associates. He may have fled, but those subordinates scattered among the trade lines won’t relay news that quickly. If I remember correctly, the shopkeepers of the stores here hail either from the Celestial Secret Pavilion or the White Deer Institute. Capture them! Leave none behind! I’m sure we can uncover some information!"

"Understood!"

"Also, convey this matter to the other three planes quickly! Inform them immediately! Detail all events thoroughly, emphasize the significance repeatedly to heighten awareness. Anyone who has conducted business or maintained close relations with Zhou Yinnong across planes, including those responsible for acquisitions locally—grab every single one, no exceptions. Simultaneously issue a region-wide warrant for his arrest, and thoroughly investigate all traceable actions he’s taken across various planes."

"Understood!"