Moments later, Lu Zheng gathered the Cloud Qi, and Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai noticed that two figures had appeared beside them, slumped on the ground.

"The Golden Centipede King?"

"A mysterious person?"

An elder with gray hair and a somber expression, dressed in golden robes.

A man in black clothes with a sharp appearance, his small eyes shifting swiftly.

"Captured alive?" Duan Changzai looked at Lu Zheng, astonished, "So easily?"

Lu Zheng waved his hand, "Not easily, these two guys are quite formidable, more troublesome than capturing those Fish Demons last time."

Duan Changzai blinked, although he wasn't sure who the Fish Demons were, he sensed they weren't ordinary characters.

But, in just a few years?

Once needing to team up against a Scorpion Spirit, the White Cloud Temple's layman now could single-handedly capture a Thousand-Year-old Great Demon.

Duan Changzai reflected on this and exchanged a glance with Du Huanzhen, then turned back to the two men, focusing especially on the man in black.

Although the Golden Centipede King was formidable, he was merely a demon hiding deep within Ling Mountain. The true mastermind should be this black-clad man named Rongdong River.

"Who are you?" Du Huanzhen asked.

"His name is Rongdong River, a Fish Demon from the Southern Border, here in Great Jing intending to exacerbate flooding," the Golden Centipede King quickly replied.

Du Huanzhen's gaze shifted to Rongdong River and continued questioning the Golden Centipede King, "Whose subordinate is he?"

Rongdong River lured demons to stop the water flow, collaborated with the Golden Centipede King to ambush Chu Jin—all to exacerbate the floods, causing greater disasters.

For this, he expended many Elixirs, and surely paid a considerable price for the Golden Centipede King's assistance.

So, what's the benefit?

With Rongdong River's eight-century Dao Practice, causing such turmoil hardly pays off, and he lacks the capacity to fish for bigger rewards—even if Great Jing is destabilized, his Cultivation means he can only glean minor benefits.

Clearly, there's someone else behind him.

Someone willing to invest significant resources to destabilize Great Jing, a major player gaining substantial rewards if Great Jing crumbles.

Among Great Jing's enemies, who is this?

"He didn't disclose this, only showed me a Thousand-Year Poison Pill, which could aid my Realm Breakthrough, extending my lifespan," explained the Golden Centipede King.

Alright, now the reason for the Golden Centipede King's actions is known.

Lu Zheng glanced at the Golden Centipede King, noticing threads of white amidst his golden hair, a sign of waning vitality. Despite the Golden Centipede King's profound Magical Power, his lifespan was nearing its end, unable even to perfectly maintain his hair color.

Given his talent, his current Dao Practice is evidently at its peak. Without any unexpected changes, he's likely just a few years away from facing the end of his lifespan, leading to his demise.

By consuming a Thousand-Year Poison Pill, he could further advance and prolong his life.

After the Golden Centipede King spoke, all eyes turned back to Rongdong River.

Feeling their gaze, especially from Lu Zheng, whose profound Magical Power had easily captured him, Rongdong River's small eyes darted around before he swallowed nervously and began to propose terms, "I'm just a lackey, if the True Man promises to let me go, I will confess."

Lu Zheng's lips curved into a slight smile, blinking, he curiously inquired, "Did that Black Fish impose a Divine Soul Restriction in your spirit?"

"Boom!"

Rongdong River felt a massive shock in his mind, stunned for a moment before suddenly looking up at Lu Zheng incredulously, "How did you know?"

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Is it really Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo?"

He had truly just been guessing; after all, the toxin in Rongdong River's Black Water spell differed from the Restriction in those Black Catfishes' Sea of Consciousness, only assuming a connection since both were part of the Aquatic Race using poison.

Unexpectedly, it was true!

"Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo?" Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai exchanged confused glances, having clearly never heard of this name.

"A black fish from the Southern Border, immensely powerful," Lu Zheng explained, "possibly with nearly ten thousand years of Dao Practice."

"Boom!"

This time, it was Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai's turn to feel their minds blown.

Ten thousand years of Dao Practice?

What kind of concept is that?

Such a being stands at the pinnacle of existence, even in Great Jing, few dare claim familiarity, countable on fingers.

This kind of existence is already taking action against Great Jing?

"Really?" Du Huanzhen couldn't help but confirm again, not out of disbelief, but out of sheer shock.

Lu Zheng nodded, "Do you know about the recent Gui Lingjiang Water Mansion incident? Two Black Fish Demons occupied the Water Mansion, targeting the newly appointed Ao Kuo—I happened to be present then."

"We've seen the files and reports circulated from above; we know about this matter." Duan Changzai nodded, "But we weren't aware of the Southern Border Black Fish being behind those Fish Demons."

Du Huanzhen, shocked, chimed in, "Perhaps the opposition was too strong, ties too deep, so unsuitable for public files and reports, with our rank unable to access the details."

Lu Zheng blinked, then glanced at Si Lingxi.

Si Lingxi blinked back, returning Lu Zheng's gaze.

"Did I fail to inform Ao Kuo or the Anomaly Suppression Bureau about this?" Lu Zheng asked via telepathy.

"How should I know?" Si Lingxi rolled her eyes at Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng, "..."

Si Lingxi, "..."

"Ahem!" Lu Zheng coughed twice, glossing over the topic, continuing, "Possibly, I'm not sure of the specifics, but this person definitely works for the Southern Border Black Fish—his spirit likely contains an Old Demon's Divine Soul Restriction, so probing with a Spirit Secret Technique invites backlash."

Duan Changzai and Du Huanzhen were startled.

A joke—a thousand-year-old Demon's Divine Soul Restriction—any backlash would be intolerable, even for those with profound Dao Practice!

Especially Du Huanzhen, she felt relieved. Skilled in Spirit Secret Techniques, rashly casting spells on Rongdong River might have led to soul backlash, annihilating her spirit.

Lu Zheng glanced at them, asking, "Do you need to take this guy away?"

Duan Changzai brightened up, "Can we?"

"Certainly." Lu Zheng nodded, as long as his cultivation was nullified, handing him over to the Anomaly Suppression Bureau—though the gained Light of Fortune would be less than outright eliminating him, he's experienced enough for five or six parts.

Moreover, isn't there a complete one next to them?

"The Golden Centipede King seems worthless, I'll keep him, you can take this person away, alright?" Lu Zheng asked. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Of course!" Du Huanzhen readily agreed.

"That's settled; there's material for wine brewing." Lu Zheng nodded, raising his right hand then sweeping it heavily.

In the next moment, over seven hundred strands of Light of Fortune trickled into the Mind Jade Seal.