Xu Lingtian smiled upon seeing this:

"This trip won't be in vain. Xu has come to the Patrol Division this time because he has gathered some evidence and would like to have a face-to-face confrontation with Chen Yuan, the Patrol Envoy of the Patrol Division.

What does Master Tao think?"

Tao Qingyuan frowned upon hearing this, and then his expression turned cold:

"What does Headmaster Xu mean by this? How can arresting thieves lead to the Patrol Division? Don't you think it's absurd?"

"Master Tao, don't be anxious. Xu just has some questions he wants to ask," Xu Lingtian said in a deep voice.

Tao Qingyuan sneered:

"Headmaster Xu wants to interrogate a court official? Who gave you the authority? Is the Dragon-Tiger Sect too presumptuous? Is this Nanling Prefecture owned by the Dragon-Tiger Sect?"

Xu Yongnian seemed to have anticipated Tao Qingyuan's reaction and tapped his fingers on the table:

"Master Tao, this world belongs to the imperial court. Don't arbitrarily accuse the Dragon-Tiger Sect. We have no malicious intent. We just want to make friends with Patrol Envoy Chen.

It is said that Chen Yuan is a rare genius in Nanling Prefecture in the past thirty years. This old man has heard of him for a long time and naturally wants to see him."

"Brother Xu, is that really the case?"

Tao Qingyuan's gaze lingered on Xu Yongnian for a moment.

"Master Tao, don't you think so?"

"Hehe..."

Tao Qingyuan chuckled. Suddenly, a notification came from outside. A Patrol Guard walked into the hall with a bow and said:

"Master, Patrol Envoy Chen requests an audience."

Tao Qingyuan's eyes flashed, and he smiled:

"What a coincidence. Speak of Chen Yuan, and Chen Yuan arrives. Very well, let Patrol Envoy Chen in."

He didn't feel much surprise. With Chen Yuan's current status, many people within the Patrol Division wanted to befriend him, and he had informants all over the Patrol Division.

Wearing a black cloud uniform and carrying a wild goose quill saber, Chen Yuan looked extremely heroic. Tall and slender, with a calm expression, he slowly entered the Patrol Hall with Yue Shan.

His aura was extraordinary.

As soon as he entered, Xu Yongnian and Xu Lingtian fixed their eyes on Chen Yuan without moving, their eyes meeting as if conveying some information.

Xu Yongnian frowned slightly. Perhaps he had been prejudiced by what Xu Lingtian had said before and believed that the thief was Chen Yuan. Now that he saw him, he did feel a strange sense of familiarity.

A person's figure can change, and their appearance can be disguised, but it is difficult to hide their overall aura.

Chen Yuan walked to Tao Qingyuan with a blank expression and cupped his fist slightly:

"Subordinate Chen Yuan greets the master."

"Subordinate Yue Shan greets the master."

Tao Qingyuan nodded, raised his hand slightly, signaling Chen Yuan to rise, and said:

"What is the important matter?"

"Nothing major. I just wanted to come and chat with the master," Chen Yuan casually fabricated an excuse.

"You are quite free."

Tao Qingyuan pointed at Chen Yuan and laughed.

Xu Lingtian's heart stirred. From the attitude between Chen Yuan and Tao Qingyuan, it was not difficult to see that the two seemed to be infinitely close to an equal footing.

It was just that Tao Qingyuan's official position was higher.

Most importantly, Tao Qingyuan didn't say much, as if he approved of this mode of interaction.

The rumors were indeed true. Chen Yuan was highly valued by Tao Qingyuan, who intended to cultivate him.

Chen Yuan smiled, his gaze lingering on Xu Lingtian and Xu Yongnian for a moment. He had met Xu Yongnian once before, but this was the first time he had seen Xu Lingtian.

However, Chen Yuan was no stranger to him.

Back in Ping An County, he had heard about him several times from Zhao Nanshan and even had a portrait of him. He was not much different from what was rumored.

He was nearing middle age but didn't look old at all, wearing a blue shirt with an extraordinary aura.

As for Xu Yongnian, his hair and beard were all white, and his face was sallow. Although his aura was extraordinary, he must be nearing the end of his life as rumored.

"Who are these two?"

Chen Yuan's eyes were scrutinizing, pretending not to recognize them.

"This is Xu Lingtian, the Headmaster of the Dragon-Tiger Sect, and this is Xu Yongnian, the old Headmaster of the Dragon-Tiger Sect."

Tao Qingyuan introduced them.

"So it's the two of the Dragon-Tiger Sect. I've heard of you for a long time. Instead of pursuing the mysterious expert who wreaked havoc in the Dragon-Tiger Sect, what brings you to my Patrol Division?"

Chen Yuan nodded and gave them a burst of output as he looked at them.

Tao Qingyuan couldn't help but purse his lips.

This Chen Yuan...

Xu Yongnian remained silent, his eyes slightly cold. Xu Lingtian took a deep breath and squeezed out a smile:

"There are already some clues about the mysterious expert. Xu has come this time to ask the Patrol Division to help catch the person."

"Is that so? That's easy to say. As long as the Dragon-Tiger Sect offers sincere conditions, I don't think the master will be stingy," Chen Yuan chuckled.

"That would be best."

Xu Lingtian stood up, his eyes blazing as he looked at Chen Yuan and said:

"The thief who wreaked havoc in my Dragon-Tiger Sect that day was only at the Celestial Astral Realm, but he could fight against a Profound Passageway Realm expert. His movement technique was astonishingly fast, his temperament was ruthless, and his saber technique was unparalleled.

He knew the terrain and situation near Nanling Prefecture like the back of his hand. May I ask... what does Patrol Envoy Chen think of this person?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow and said in surprise:

"A Celestial Astral Realm expert fighting against a Profound Passageway Realm expert, with an extraordinary temperament, swift movement technique, and a cold saber technique. Are there such strong people in Nanling Prefecture? If I find him, I would like to see him."

Xu Lingtian: "Patrol Envoy Chen is a master of playing dumb."

"What does Headmaster Xu mean by this?"

Xu Lingtian put his hands behind his back and said lightly:

"There are not many people in Nanling Prefecture, or even the entire Qingzhou region, who meet the above conditions. And within Nanling Prefecture, I'm afraid only Patrol Envoy Chen meets them."

Chen Yuan looked directly at him:

"Headmaster Xu suspects that I am the mysterious expert who wreaked havoc in the Dragon-Tiger Sect that day, causing the Dragon-Tiger Sect's prestige to be greatly damaged?"

"Xu didn't say that."

"But that's what you mean," Chen Yuan's expression remained unchanged, not panicking at all. He continued:

"You can suspect me, but Headmaster Xu needs to produce evidence. Who knows if someone is trying to frame me? Or is the Dragon-Tiger Sect unable to find that expert and wants to use me, Chen Yuan, as a scapegoat!"

"Patrol Envoy Chen is exaggerating. Xu is only here to understand the situation,"

"Understand what?"

Xu Lingtian took out a portrait from his sleeve and suddenly opened it. A handsome black-clothed man was on the paper:

"Doesn't Patrol Envoy Chen think you two look very similar?"

Chen Yuan took the portrait:

"Where is the similarity?"

"The figures are similar."

"There are many people in the world who look similar, but the faces are completely different."

"There are also many ways to change faces in the world," Xu Lingtian said with a faint smile.

"Does Headmaster Xu mean to say that this person is me?"

"Mainly because the combination of several situations can only fit Patrol Envoy Chen. To be honest, Xu has admired Patrol Envoy Chen for a long time and really doesn't want that person to be you."

"What a joke," Chen Yuan sneered and said:

"Accusations are easily made. The Dragon-Tiger Sect's abilities are truly heaven-defying, daring to publicly throw dirt on this envoy. I say he's not me, but you insist he is me.

Is there justice in this world? Is there law?"

Chen Yuan's face was full of righteous indignation.

"Patrol Envoy Chen's words are a bit too much. The Dragon-Tiger Sect has never thrown dirt on you. We just want to know the truth. For example, what was Patrol Envoy Chen doing when the Dragon-Tiger Sect had an accident that day..."

Xu Lingtian's attitude was not aggressive but rather gentle, but it was also barbed.

Although the Dragon-Tiger Sect was strong, it was far inferior to the Jinshan Temple. Naturally, he didn't dare to be as arrogant as them. Even if it was his own fault,

he could easily resolve it.

If he was really aggressive, Tao Qingyuan would probably have already taken action.

The purpose of his visit this time was not to fight.

But to connect Chen Yuan with the thief who wreaked havoc that day, so that the Dragon-Tiger Sect and the Azure Flood Dragon Society could rightfully invite the high monk of Jinshan Temple to 'uphold justice'!

At that time, even the aloof Divine Firmament Hall would probably have to get involved.

As long as the waters were muddied, he would be able to achieve his goal.

If Chen Yuan killed someone in a fit of anger, it would be even more to their liking. Only in this way could they take action, wanting a just and righteous reason.

Otherwise, publicly coercing and threatening a court official, or even a well-known genius, the imperial court would protect Chen Yuan to the death, even for the sake of face.

And if they were angered, they might even take the initiative to attack them and conduct a purge!

"The truth? Speaking of which, I also want the truth. According to reports from my spies, the Dragon-Tiger Sect has been colluding with heretical demonic cults for many years.

Can Headmaster Xu give me an explanation for this matter!"

Chen Yuan looked at Xu Lingtian with cold eyes.

He was very skilled at assigning blame!

Xu Lingtian's face changed immediately upon hearing these words:

"Patrol Envoy Chen, don't spout nonsense."

"Spout nonsense? Wasn't Headmaster Xu spouting nonsense before?" Chen Yuan's tone suddenly increased a bit.

It was not the same as before. Chen Yuan no longer needed to be tolerant when facing Profound Passageway Realm martial artists. On the contrary, those people should be tolerant!

He needed to be tolerant before his cultivation reached the Profound Passageway Realm, but if he still needed to be tolerant after his cultivation reached the Profound Passageway Realm, then wasn't his cultivation in vain?

It was undeniable that Chen Yuan had some tyranny in his bones, and he was also a vindictive character. His previous patience was only for better revenge.

Profound Passageway Realm cultivation, plus Chen Yuan's strength combined through physical body, saber technique, secret techniques, and movement techniques, even if he had just entered the first aperture of the Profound Passageway Realm, he could burst out with strength far beyond the same level.

He knew Xu Lingtian's information very well, but he had only broken through a few years earlier than him. What qualifications did he have to be verbose in front of him?

If they really fought, Chen Yuan was quite confident that he could suppress him!

Tao Qingyuan glanced at Chen Yuan in slight surprise. He didn't seem to expect his reaction to be so great. Before, when facing martial artists who were far stronger than him,

Chen Yuan was quite calm.

Could it be that he felt that he was here and was sure that Xu Lingtian wouldn't dare to attack?

Faced with Chen Yuan's impoliteness, even Xu Lingtian, who was usually well-mannered, was a little angry. His aura rose, and he approached Chen Yuan step by step, whispering:

"Patrol Envoy Chen, Xu is asking, what were you doing when the thief wreaked havoc in my Dragon-Tiger Sect?"

As he spoke, his aura began to bear down on Chen Yuan.

Tao Qingyuan's expression was displeased, and he frowned slightly. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Chen Yuan take a step forward without dodging, looking directly at Xu Lingtian and saying:

"What I, Chen Yuan, do in my life, I don't need to explain to others!"

Chen Yuan's cultivation was not revealed, but his aura was not weaker than Xu Lingtian's. In Tao Qingyuan's view, the two were somewhat evenly matched.

As soon as Chen Yuan's voice fell, the entire Patrol Hall was silent. It seemed that no one had expected Chen Yuan to be so tough and dare to say such arrogant words.

Yue Shan's eyes were full of excitement. He only felt that Chen Yuan was too domineering!

Worthy of him risking his life for him.

Such momentum was stronger than that of Lord Zhang back then.

Although Zhang Xuan had a deep background and was not weak, he had definitely never faced a Profound Passageway Realm expert head-on. Now, his heart was full of admiration.

Of course, he didn't know that Chen Yuan had already successfully broken through.

These things gave Chen Yuan confidence. Even if Tao Qingyuan was still wary of some situations and was unwilling to take action, he would find a way to take action himself.

He had endured for so long, and the readers were already impatient!

Ascending to a high position in the imperial court and controlling one side was Chen Yuan's goal, but after having initial self-preservation strength, Chen Yuan's choices were more than just that.

Even if he raised the flag and became his own, Chen Yuan could still live well.

Profound Passageway Realm, the highest realm of the Lower Three Realms, and one step further would be a grandmaster-level figure in the martial world. With such strength, running rampant in a prefecture was no problem at all.

Moreover, he was not fighting alone. Apart from the Dao Divine Palace, he also had a certain foundation of subordinates.

All of this gave Chen Yuan the confidence to be no weaker than the Dragon-Tiger Sect.

Xu Lingtian's expression changed slightly. If he had still had a trace of doubt about Tang Qian's words before, then now, judging from the momentum Chen Yuan was displaying, there was no doubt at all.

Being able to maintain a calm expression in front of him and utter harsh words meant that his strength must already be comparable to a Profound Passageway Realm martial artist.

That person was definitely him!

Thinking of this, Xu Lingtian's eyes already had an uncontrollable killing intent and greed, wanting to obtain the Dragon Vein Qi in Chen Yuan's hands.

"What, does Headmaster Xu want to attack?" Chen Yuan's mouth deliberately moved slightly, which in Xu Lingtian's eyes was like ridicule. He reached out and grasped the wild goose quill saber at his waist:

"If you want to attack, I'll accompany you! Perhaps I don't have the ability of that mysterious expert to wreak havoc in the Dragon-Tiger Sect, but I can definitely satisfy Headmaster Xu."

At this moment, the situation in the Patrol Hall was extremely tense. Yue Shan reached out to draw his saber, and the Patrol Guards guarding the door looked at each other without blinking.

Azure Envoy Tao Qingyuan's face was gloomy, and he just looked at Xu Lingtian's figure, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Cough cough..."

Xu Yongnian coughed lightly, looking at Tao Qingyuan's gloomy face, reminding Xu Lingtian to pay attention to the current occasion and not go too far.

——————

Some deletions have been made, and the word count is insufficient. Here, I specially wish all my fellow readers all the best and everything goes well.

In addition, everyone's skipping subscriptions are a bit serious. Please support the poor author.

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