Xiaoxiao.

Chapter 172 The Closest Detective

Why does Ling Qi possess such strong self-confidence?

As long as one can obtain a treasure that can replenish energy at any time, one's strength will surely achieve another qualitative leap.

The reason for this is actually closely related to the high-pressure policies that Zhuxian has implemented for many years.

Back then, Zhu Xian went to great lengths to curry favor with Ling Qi and the others because he needed the support of the seven elders to consolidate his position.

However, as time passed, when Zhu Xian finally secured his throne and broke through to the sixth level, the situation suddenly changed dramatically.

He not only took back all the favors he had previously bestowed upon Ling Qi and the others, but also instantly vanished the promises of high-ranking positions and generous salaries that he had once solemnly pledged.

Not only that, but the seven elders were also stripped of their powers.

Not only that, even the treasures and valuables that Ling Qi and the others had collected were ruthlessly looted by Zhu Xian.

Zhu Xian's ruthless actions were aimed at eliminating the threat from the seven elders at its root.

Therefore, he went to great lengths to keep these seven elders under his watchful eye.

If any elder's strength increases, he will spare no effort to suppress and contain them in all aspects.

Who could have imagined this!

The seven elders of the prestigious Wild Mouth Ridge couldn't even fully satisfy their need for the most basic cultivation skill: beast cores.

For the beasts, beast cores are the source of power. Without a sufficient supply of beast cores, they are like rockets without fuel, unable to obtain a continuous source of energy.

Although they can also obtain energy from the flesh and blood of wild beasts, the energy from flesh and blood is not only complex but also scarce compared to the beast core.

Wild beasts also have the ability to absorb the essence of the sun and moon, but relying solely on absorbing the essence of the sun and moon for cultivation is far too slow.

Because by the time these essences of the sun and moon finally arrived at Penglai Planet after a long period of time, the energy they contained was already negligible.

Therefore, relying on the energy of the sun and moon for cultivation makes it difficult to achieve significant breakthroughs and improvements in strength.

Therefore, apart from the weakest and most vulnerable beasts, the rest of the wild beasts have no need to rely on hunting to increase their strength.

By strictly controlling the supply of beast cores, Zhu Xian firmly kept these seven elders under his control.

Not long ago, the two humans who had absorbed the Twin Vermilion Fruits suddenly appeared in the wilderness, giving Zhu Xian hope for another breakthrough.

So he sent his men to begin a full-scale search, but as the strength of those humans continued to increase...

This made it impossible for ordinary disciples to resist, so Zhu Xian had no choice but to send an elder out to carry out the capture mission.

Unfortunately, the capture, which seemed certain, ended up being a complete failure.

Ling Qi, as the captain of the arrest team, was not punished on the surface.

In reality, his already meager supply of beast cores was completely cut off this time.

As a result, Ling Qi, who could barely maintain his daily needs, completely lost the possibility of relying on beast cores to sustain himself, or even breaking through to the next realm.

That's why, when Ling Qi accidentally discovered a mysterious treasure that could replenish energy at any time during the pursuit, a burning desire immediately ignited in his heart, and he was determined to possess it.

Because it concerns whether he can avenge himself in his lifetime!

Although he had been incredibly humble and respectful to Zhu Xian on the surface since that banquet.

But in reality, he has never forgotten the harm that Zhu Xian caused him.

On this very day, in the secluded chamber where Ling Qi resided, a secret conversation, unknown to anyone else, unfolded as scheduled...

"...Therefore, the remaining two humans are still missing."

The person who spoke at this moment was a young man who bore an eight or nine-tenths resemblance to Ling Qi.

After listening, Ling Qi said with a worried expression, "Could it be that those two really met with misfortune? But who could have done such a thing?"

He couldn't accept this guess; it represented all his hopes.

At this moment, he was like a gambler who had lost his mind, unable to tolerate any failure.

This result left him completely stunned, plunging him into deep thought.

Time passed slowly, and all was quiet.

After an unknown amount of time, Ling Qi, who had been silent all along, finally came to her senses.

Just then, the young man standing to the side couldn't help but ask curiously, "Father, what's so special about those two ordinary humans? Why do you and the lord remember them so fondly?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Qi couldn't help but raise his head, his heart suddenly filled with shock!

He stared intently at his son, a man who was both incredibly familiar and suddenly felt somewhat strange.

A strange light flashed through my mind in an instant—a deep suspicion and undisguised grief.

Just now, a terrifying thought involuntarily arose in his mind—his own flesh and blood, like Elder Ling Yi, had long since completely sided with his mortal enemy, Zhu Xian.

It should be noted that ever since Zhu Xian took control of Noguchi Ridge, he has gone to great lengths to deal with anyone who might pose a threat to him.

Everyone has to depend on it to survive.

In such an environment, it's not entirely impossible that even one's own son might betray his father in order to pursue a better life!

Moreover, his son was raised by Zhu Xian, so he naturally felt close to Zhu Xian.

She could gain power and also please her adoptive father.

This makes sense logically.

Thinking of this, Ling Qi felt a chill run down his spine, making him shudder.

He was secretly annoyed. How could he have been so foolish as to involve his son, who had already betrayed him, in such a highly confidential matter?

This is practically offering your head to the executioner's knife!

Fortunately, his son had very limited information.

Therefore, the situation is not yet out of control, and there is still room for recovery.

Thinking of this, Ling Qi took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart.

He quickly composed himself and explained, "Actually, this matter was originally an official duty that the lord personally assigned to me."

What should have been a sure thing was ruined by your father, which is why you are so concerned about those two humans.

But there's still no news, so it seems we'll have to give up.

After saying that, he glanced meaningfully at his son standing beside him and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

He sighed deeply, saying, "Alas, time waits for no one, I'm really getting old! Ling Sheng, the lord trusted me so much and entrusted me with such an important mission, yet I have failed in my duty, I am truly ashamed!"

Perhaps it's really because I'm getting old; my energy and abilities are not what they used to be, and I'm no longer useful!

Hearing his father's self-reproachful words, Ling Sheng felt the turn of events was somewhat abrupt, but he didn't think much of it.

So he quickly comforted him, saying, "Father, please don't belittle yourself like that. In my opinion, those two were destined not to have this blessing and deserved to die far from home, becoming wandering ghosts."

You have done your utmost to handle this matter and have a clear conscience; that is enough. Why hold onto any resentment? If Father has no further instructions, then I will take my leave. I must remain on night duty tonight and cannot stay any longer. Farewell, Father. Please take care of yourself and rest early.”

After speaking, Ling Sheng bowed respectfully to his father.

"Good, good, child, you are now in your prime, full of energy and quick-witted."

What's even more commendable is that he enjoys the lord's trust, and should do his utmost to solve the lord's problems. "Go, I'm all right," Ling Qi said with a loving expression, earnestly encouraging his son.

"Yes, Father, your son will always remember your teachings!" Ling Sheng bowed respectfully to Ling Qi, then turned and left.

Once he was sure his son was gone and had disappeared from sight, Ling Qi breathed a sigh of relief. But then he felt a chill run down his spine – his back was soaked with cold sweat.

"I never expected this... I never would have guessed it!"

Ling Qi muttered to herself, her face full of disbelief.

He never imagined that the biological son he had raised with such care was actually one of Zhu Xian's men.

Thinking about it this way, Zhu Xian's surveillance of their family over the years has been so pervasive and impossible to guard against!

Ironically, he thought everything was flawless. If Ling Sheng hadn't inadvertently revealed his true colors, he would probably have already been escorted to Zhu Xian by now!

Thinking of this, he was both furious and relieved.

He thought to himself: Luckily, I reacted quickly enough and noticed the abnormality in time. Otherwise, if there had been one or two more secret conversations, Zhu Xian would probably have known everything that I had worked so hard to hide.

Upon thinking of this, Ling Qi broke out in a cold sweat!

"It is better to have a few plans than many"—the ancients were right!

Ling Qi deeply understood the profound meaning contained in those words.