After absorbing the miasma from more than a hundred people, Ling Feng's elemental force did not suffer much loss. However, his physical strength and spiritual consciousness were heavily drained.

He sat cross-legged in the room and meditated for a while to regulate his breathing. At the same time, he continuously circulated the Sacred Mystical-Heaven Art to suppress the strands of evil qi lingering within the sea of mind. With his current ability, he still seemed unable to expel that evil qi completely. Once everything here was settled, he could ask Tianbai Emperor's spiritual manifestation for advice.

After all, that fellow specialized in the path of Soul Dao. His true self was also a mighty expert from the Immortal Domain. With such vast experience and knowledge, he would naturally have a way to help.

Before long, someone knocked on the door. Lin Moyao, the Second Young Miss of the Lin family, stood outside with a tray carrying a simple breakfast.

Ling Feng quickly opened the door. Lin Moyao looked at him with a mysterious expression and glanced left and right. When she confirmed that no one else was nearby, she leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"Mr. Ling, is it really you?"

Seeing how cautious she was, Ling Feng shook his head and gave a wry smile.

"Captain Moyao, there is no need to be so careful at home. Yes, it is me!"

Lin Moyao laughed softly.

"Being cautious never hurts. You probably do not know this, but in the past few days countless 'Ling Fengs' have been arrested throughout the imperial capital."

"I have already experienced that myself."

Ling Feng sighed quietly. As long as Yan Jinghong remained alive, the people of the imperial capital would never enjoy peaceful days.

Lin Moyao set the food box on the table.

"Mr. Ling, you should eat something first."

"Thank you!"

Ling Feng nodded slightly. After an entire night of "rescue operations", he truly was hungry.

Lin Moyao rested her chin on her hands and sat across from him.

"Mr. Ling, what do you plan to do next? The imperial capital has completely changed. To be honest, you really shouldn't have came back."

Ling Feng smiled faintly.

"I came back to solve the problem."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"I will go out later. You and Madam Lin should avoid leaving the house. I will set up an array around the Lin residence. Ordinary city guards will not be able to break in."

"Oh..."

Lin Moyao bit her lip.

"Just be careful!"

"I will!"

After finishing breakfast, Ling Feng spent some time setting up an array around the Lin residence. His array-formation skill was admittedly limited, yet he possessed a large number of elemental crystals. He simply piled those crystals into the array cores without hesitation. The power produced by such lavish use of resources was naturally impressive.

When everything was finished, Ling Feng finally felt reassured. After greeting the Lin sisters, he left the Lin residence alone.

Searching for Yan Jinghong's prison locations like a headless fly would be far too conspicuous. If one wished to gather information, there was an excellent place to go.

The Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce!

Yan Jinghong also seemed aware of his limits. The imperial family could be dealt with, but the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce operated across the entire Dongling Region. The power behind it far exceeded that of a small imperial.

Because of this, even though Yan Jinghong had thrown the imperial capital into chaos, he would not provoke the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce as long as it remained neutral.

The Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce had always maintained neutrality toward the rise and fall of empires. That principle was its core doctrine.

Since he currently had no other clues, Ling Feng decided to visit the Tianmeng Chamber of Commerce and try his luck. He might obtain some important information.

...

Meanwhile, as Ling Feng searched for clues throughout the city, the northern outskirts of the imperial capital told a different story.

Within the Cangqiong Mountain range lay a scene of desolation.

In the past, the Cangqiong Sect stood as the divine guardian sect of the empire. Its mountain gates were magnificent and its prestige unmatched. Now the entire place was filled with shattered walls and collapsed structures. Pavilion after pavilion had turned into ruins.

One location remained barely intact. It had been converted into a prison that held the elders and disciples of the Cangqiong Sect.

Even the sect leader's wife and the young lady of the Cangqiong Sect, Yue Yunlan, had fallen into captivity beneath the enemy's rank.

Like the others, demonic miasma had been implanted inside their bodies. Their elemental force was sealed. Escape was completely impossible.

Inside a dark and damp dungeon cell, Qiao Qiao trembled violently. Her face had turned pale and bluish. She looked as if she might freeze solid.

Yue Yunlan had already taken off her outer gauze dress and wrapped it around Qiao Qiao. She continued rubbing Qiao Qiao's hands to warm them. Unfortunately none of this helped much.

The dungeon was filled with heavy dampness. Their cultivation was sealed, which meant they had become no different from ordinary people. Under such conditions they could not resist the cold and moisture.

Qiao Qiao was not the only one suffering. Even Yue Yunlan felt a chill rising from the depths of her soul.

"Miss... I feel terrible. I am so cold..."

Qiao Qiao shivered as she spoke.

"Miss... will I end up like... like the other senior brothers and sisters? Will... Will I die until not even ashes remain?"

"Don't think nonsense. As long as we are alive, there is still hope!"

Yue Yunlan bit her lip while speaking those words. However, even she could not truly believe them.

Her father had always appeared invincible in her eyes. Even he had been defeated by Yan Jinghong and had become a prisoner beneath the enemy's rank.

Many elders of the Cangqiong Sect had died. Others were severely injured. What hope could remain?

Not far from Yue Yunlan sat Hong Lian, the sect master's wife. She hugged her knees and remained silent. Anxiety was written clearly across her face.

Yan Jinghong had taken Yue Zhonglian away. No one knew what inhuman torment he might be suffering.

Hong Lian and Yue Zhonglian had been married for many years and shared deep affection. Whenever she remembered that Yue Zhonglian had only just recovered from serious illness and now might be enduring brutal torture, her heart felt as though it were being cut by knives.

"Mother..."

Yue Yunlan looked at her mother yet could not find the right words to comfort her.

"Lan'er, don't worry about me."

Hong Lian turned her head toward Yue Yunlan and gently patted the back of her hand. She forced a faint smile.

"The wife of the Cangqiong Sect's leader is not so fragile!"

Yue Yunlan looked at her mother. At that moment a certain face suddenly appeared in her mind.

Whenever she encountered danger in the past, that person always arrived in time. He always helped her resolve every crisis.

Would he come this time as well?

Yue Yunlan shook her head and gave a bitter smile. Even if he came, what difference would it make? This time the enemy was someone even veteran Human Emperors could not defeat.

No. He must not come! He should not come!

He had already gone to the legendary Dongling Immortal Pool. Perhaps after he finished cultivating there, he would return to the Tianbai Empire. By that time, she herself might already be dead.

Yue Yunlan took a deep breath and spoke silently in her heart.

If he could remember me occasionally, even if only once in a very long while, that would already be enough. He will remember me, right?

Bitterness lingered in her heart.

She had once planned to travel to the Dongling Immortal Pool and follow his footsteps. That day, however, would probably never arrive.

Never again!