"Did you really have to announce us like that?"

Shen Yi glanced sideways at Lin Qingyang, faintly exasperated.

If that fox got scared off, the Implement Sect had better be prepared to have itself emptied out as compensation.

"Commander Shen, he wanted to let the Qingqiu Perfected Master know this represents the court's position. Please don't hold it against him." Madam Lin explained quietly.

The fox demon was powerful, with substantial backing.

Without invoking Great Qian's authority, there was genuinely no standing to hold an equal conversation with it.

Whatever scheme it was running.

The fact that Commander Shen had come representing the court would make clear to it that the War Temple already knew — it would be wise to rein things in.

"..."

Shen Yi shook his head, and a golden light rose in his eyes.

He pushed the Mountain-Seeking Qi-Gazing Method to its full extent.

All across the Implement Sect's mountain, white mist and golden light alternated — but not a trace of demon qi showed itself anywhere.

His gaze settled on the middle-aged man at the mountaintop, dressed in his pale blue-green robes.

No presence came off the man whatsoever.

Like an ordinary mortal.

That had to be the one — what kind of upstanding person would refine their qi-concealment technique to this level? If not out of a guilty conscience, what else?

Perfected Master Hu held Shen Yi's gaze without the slightest concern, even managing a smile and a small nod. "Hu Jin of Qingqiu."

He hadn't removed his robe — so for now, he remained a cultivator.

"Mm."

Shen Yi nodded in acknowledgment and descended slowly onto the mountain.

He hadn't actually planned on invoking Great Qian's name at all. The original plan was to locate the fox, deal with it, and leave.

If anyone asked, he'd say he didn't know anything.

Moving on it openly right now was a touch inconvenient, though — the War Temple had treated him well, and he couldn't go around creating unnecessary trouble for them.

With that in mind, Shen Yi's expression remained composed. "Shall we find somewhere…