Star Iron: I, who forged my own armor by hand, ascended to the cycle of reincarnation.

Are your people so anxious to take care of you? Are you sure they don't just want you dead?

Chen Jie smiled and reassured him, "Yes, I think the Vidyadharas of Luofu are just as easy to talk to as the Vidyadharas of Yaoqing, adaptable and understanding of human nature."

Easy to talk to, flexible, and understands human nature?

On the other side, Jing Yuan felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. What do you mean by easy to talk to, adaptable, and understanding of human nature? Didn't you tell me that Yao Qing's Chi Ming was very stubborn and would secretly torture them before handing them over to the Ten Kings Division?

Knowing the cruelty of human nature, and being tactful and honest, is the only way to finally talk things out and confess the truth.

Bai Lu was unaware of Jing Yuan's thoughts, but knowing how Long Shi had treated her in the past, she immediately shook her head in denial.

"Huh? No way! Master Long's mouth is so foul and stubborn. He keeps saying he needs to think about the future of the Dharma and that he needs to work hard. It's giving me a headache. He's just an old stubborn man. I'm still so young, and he wants me to shoulder such a heavy burden. Humph!"

Seeing Bai Lu starting to sulk, Chen Jie wasn't surprised by these words; on the contrary, it was exactly what he expected.

Basically, none of the Vidyadharas in Luofu were any good; they were all scoundrels with impure intentions, the kind whose lives were unfortunate but whose deaths were a pity. After all, the prestige of the Vidyadharas had deeply penetrated the hearts of the Vidyadharas in Luofu.

Although Bai Lu is nominally a Dragon Lord, she possesses none of the true power of a Dragon Lord and has long since become a product of the power being usurped by the Dragon Master of Luofu.

"Yes, of course! I believe the Dragon Master of Luofu is reasonable. Alright, you can wander around here for a bit. The Dragon Master is already waiting for Jingyuan and me ahead."

Faced with the smiling dust, Bai Lu, who had been feeling down, instantly felt much better. Looking up, she saw an old man not far ahead, hunched over and leaning on a cane, seemingly waiting for someone.

Even a blurry figure, Bai Lu could recognize who it was.

"Ah, it's Long Shitaoran? He's usually the strictest with me, so I'll hide first."

"Keep it up, Brother Chenjie and General! Although the chances are slim, Bailu is here waiting for you."

The two smiled and waved to Bai Lu, only becoming serious after watching her disappear in a flash.

"What do you think?"

Glancing at Jing Yuan's serious expression, Chen Jie's face revealed deep disdain and contempt. He scoffed, "What else can it be? This old man's name is Tao Ran, right? He has a hint of the [Abundance] scent, but it's so faint it's almost gone."

"We can confirm that the other party is related to the secret teachings of the Medicine King, but if we make a move now, that aura might disappear before we even reach the Pill Refining Division. It seems they took special measures before waiting for us here."

Although he had prepared for the worst, it would be a lie to say that Jingyuan wasn't hurt when he heard the answer.

Look at the state of Luofu Chiming now! Let's set aside their unknown alliance with the Medicine King's Secret Teachings for now, but they actually dare to align themselves with the Great Lord of [Destruction]! Have they abandoned their own home? There are still many Chiming eggs here!

"Can't figure it out?" Glancing at Jing Yuan beside him, Chen Jie strode forward.

"They have clearly reached the pinnacle of their power, and their collusion with the Medicine King's Secret Sect is simply to maintain that power. As for their collusion with [Destruction], perhaps it's a requirement of the Medicine King's Secret Sect's cooperation."

Jing Yuan slowly shook his head. He felt that the current internal structure of Chiming was rotten to the core, and a major purge was necessary. Otherwise, if the Luofu Immortal Ship encountered the same situation in the future, it would inevitably explode in a cataclysmic event.

"Let's go and see what this Master Tao Ran has to say to us."

As the two approached and drew closer, Tao Ran's hoarse laughter soon echoed from ahead.

"Hehe, this old man would like to thank the General and this guest in advance for spending the day with Bailu. I apologize for the trouble they have caused you both."

"The path isn't exactly troublesome, huh?"

Jing Yuan, who had initially planned to proceed gradually to see if he could find a weakness, was pulled back by Chen Jie before he even began his traditional polite conversation.

This sudden turn of events seemed to surprise Tao Ran, and his eyes began to become unreadable: "Hmm? This guest, is there something urgent you wish to discuss with this old man?"

Chen Jie rubbed his fingers together, a hint of displeasure in his eyes: "Has anyone ever told you that you should treat people with sincerity when you talk to them? You don't know what happened up there just now? Or do you not know why we're here?"

"Getting straight to the point and skipping unnecessary steps is better for everyone, don't you think?"

Tao remained silent for a long while, then that unpleasant, hoarse laughter rang out again.

"Hehe, I've long heard that General Yaoqing is decisive and a man of his word. I never imagined that you, as a former Heavenly Strike Guard, would also have learned this skill. It seems I was just being presumptuous."

"As for your and the General's ideas, I can only apologize for refusing. Bai Lu is still young and her identity is sensitive. She cannot run around recklessly. If she were to be abducted by someone with ulterior motives, it would bring another disaster to Luofu."

After speaking, Tao Ran seemed to glance meaningfully at Chen Jie.

Chapter 151 Assassination

At this moment, the scene suddenly became somewhat quiet.

Tao Ran is clearly implying, in a roundabout way, that Chen Jie currently has no connection with the Immortal Ship Alliance, fearing that Chen Jie might have ulterior motives.

Looking at that wrinkled old face, Chen Jie's eyes revealed a strong sense of disgust.

"Taoran, right?"

"The Star Core was sent into the Lin Yuan Cave Heaven without any news. Putting aside whether there are problems within your Chi Ming organization, the series of adverse reactions caused by the rebirth of Jianmu are greater than whether you admit it or not?"

Tao Ran frowned and remained silent.

Chen Jie glanced at Jing Yuan, then silently retreated to the back. The following topic was no longer suitable for him, an outsider, to discuss; indeed, it was inappropriate, and he couldn't give Tao Ran any opportunity. For now, he only needed to stand behind and fill in any gaps.

Jing Yuan understood this principle and immediately stepped forward.

"Master Taoran, there's something I've always been puzzled about. Why didn't I see a single warrior of the Vidya clan when the Cloud Cavalry advanced into Lin Yuan Realm? Wasn't the place where the injuries and battles took place a Vidya stronghold?"

Tao Ran was speechless, his wrinkled old face growing increasingly grim. He truly hadn't expected Jing Yuan to launch an attack from this angle. Fortunately, the other dragon masters in the clan had considered this possibility and made preparations.

"On that day, all of us Chiming clansmen were on Luofu Mountain. Chiming clansmen generally do not come to Lin Yuan Cave Heaven unless their time is coming up. Since the Yunqi Army arrived before us, we naturally chose to trust the Yunqi Army."

Hearing this, Chen Jie nodded silently, his expression of approval making Tao Ran feel insecure.

What is this mortal being thinking? He clearly came for Bai Lu, so why is he nodding in agreement with my words now? Something's not right, there's something wrong.

Suddenly, Chen Jie looked at Jing Yuan and said, "Let's add another crime. Faced with the abominations of [Abundance] and [Destruction], Luo Fu Long Shi discussed and concluded that they should avoid battle and choose to let the Cloud Cavalry charge ahead alone."

Tao Ran: ? ? ?

Upon hearing this, Tao Ran panicked instantly. With a formidable enemy at hand, to cower and avoid battle was an absolute crime within the Immortal Boat Alliance, punishable severely.

"That's not the case. It's because there was no time left, so we chose to hand the battlefield over to the Cloud Cavalry. After what happened last time, our Ming Clan doesn't have many warriors left, and not many people are willing to take up arms again."

The two were stunned by his words, looking at Tao Ran as if he were a fool. It was indeed shameless, sounding like utter nonsense, but within the current Chiming organization, the Dragon Master held absolute power, and such absurd words were the best response given the current situation.

It sounds like nonsense, but it's not entirely without merit.

Seeing that Jing Yuan was still trying to coax him, Chen Jie shoved him aside and said sternly, "Stop playing dumb. I don't have time to play with you."

“This incident is very serious. Yao Qing’s Tianfeng Jun and Zhu Ming’s Yanting Jun are already preparing to inspect the internal affairs of your Luofu Chiming. Luofu Chiming Dragon Lord Bailu needs to recuse herself. At my suggestion, the other four Dragon Lords have two votes in favor.”

"You should think carefully about how to survive. We're here to inform you, not to send anyone, but you won't listen to our good advice."

"Think of a solution yourself. I'm taking Bailu with me, understand?"

These words caused Tao Ran's face to turn as black as the bottom of a pot, his chest heaving rapidly. His gaze towards Chen Jie was filled with hostility, but deep within his eyes lay terror and shock.

"Hehe, it seems the general and this guest are well prepared. In that case, I have nothing more to say. Please make yourselves at home; I have other matters to attend to."

Seeing that Tao Ran was about to leave, his destination was obvious, but at the very least, given that the situation had already been laid bare, they couldn't let Tao Ran go back and cause trouble so easily.

“Stand there. Who said you could leave? The situation within Luofu Chiming is currently unstable and unclear. It would be better for Master Taoran to come with us to the Prison of Imprisonment for trial. This will not only prove his innocence but also ensure his own safety. Why not?”

Tao Ran's eyes widened upon hearing this: "I haven't done anything wrong, so why are you sending me to the prison?!"

Dust Calamity scoffed, "Are you misunderstanding something? Both Dragon Venerables Tianfeng and Yanting are investigating you."

"Once you're in the Prison of Darkness, those two will naturally call to project their communication and ask for clarification. This interrogation will be handled entirely by your own organization, just like the alliance oath. The Cloud Cavalry will not interfere; at most, they will only provide escort."

"Let's go, or do we have to come and invite you?"

At this moment, Tao Ran's hand, which was leaning on his cane, was trembling with anger, but he knew very well that he couldn't resist the current situation. Two of the other four Dragon Lords had already expressed their intention to investigate Luo Fu Chi Ming, something he, and even they, had never expected.

"Then I'll trouble you two to lead the way."

As if resigned to his fate, Long Shitao's emotions suddenly calmed down, his face filled with an eerie composure, a scene that Jing Yuan couldn't understand.

Just a moment ago they seemed furious and unable to accept it, how come they're suddenly so calm? There's a problem.

Lost in thought, Jing Yuan subconsciously glanced at Chen Jie, wanting to gauge his thoughts. Unexpectedly, Chen Jie also appeared completely calm, which puzzled him.

How is this going?

Just as Jing Yuan was filled with doubt, a shrill scream from a doll suddenly rang out, growing louder as it approached. Instantly, Jing Yuan's expression changed, and Chen Jie's eyes lit up.

With lightning-fast reflexes, he grabbed one of the two withered dragon horns on Tao Ran's head, and dragged him forward by the horn.

"Kuai Jingyuan"

Realizing what was happening, Jing Yuan seemed to understand something from Chen Jie's actions, and anger began to surface in his eyes.

"Ah! You damned barbarians, let go of my hand! I can walk by myself!"

Dust Calamity frowned, and as he ran, his body suddenly staggered. Tao Ran felt as if his dragon horns had been forcefully snapped, and blood was even seeping from them.

An old man and a young child, their cries echoing each other from both sides.

Soon, the two saw Bai Lu running towards them, sobbing. Behind her followed a group of people from the Medicine King's secret lineage, roughly a dozen or so.

"What? How come you're here so quickly!"

The leader of the cultivators was shocked to see Chen Jie and Jing Yuan arrive so quickly. Wasn't it agreed that you would hold off Jing Yuan and Chen Jie to give us the opportunity and enough time to make a move?

Less than a minute?

The cultivator wasn't stupid. He was indeed an elite of the Medicine King's secret teachings, and he was determined to dedicate himself to them, but that didn't mean he would lead his men to their deaths.

"On my command, everyone retreat!"

"Thunder punishment!"

Seeing Jing Yuan already drawing his sword, the cultivator hurriedly channeled his power into the spear, creating golden lightning, and then hurled the entire spear towards Bai Lu.

Chapter 152 Go, Dragon Master

Golden lightning shattered the ground, and the spear, imbued with this lightning, flew forward like an arrow released from a bow, arriving behind Bai Lu almost instantly. The golden light illuminated Bai Lu's pale face, her eyes filled with terror and despair.

Am I... going to die?

The cultivators who witnessed this scene breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least for them, the mission was accomplished, and they had killed their target right in front of General Luofu.

Unconsciously, a feeling of pride welled up in his heart.

not good!

Seeing this, Jing Yuan was extremely anxious. He immediately raised the Stone Fire Dream Body in his hand to throw it, but unexpectedly, a figure was faster than him.

Compared to the pride and ease of the shape refiners, and Jing Yuan's anxiety and worry, Chen Jie appeared very excited.

"Go, Dragon Master Tao Ran!"