"Temple Keeper Yan, I've come to tell you that from now on, the cooperation between the Fierce Pursuit Hall and the Slaughter Goddess Temple will likely have to come to an end."

"That Grand Duke Lu cannot tolerate any sand in his eyes."

"His mission to Great Jing caused quite a storm, and he displayed power at a level I cannot even begin to touch. For safety's sake, I hope you can understand me..."

The Slaughter Goddess Temple—the first two characters of its name already confirmed how sinister this place was.

The inheritance of this temple shared remarkable similarities with Fu Yun, whom Lu Ding had killed back in the Third Circle.

Both grew stronger through 'killing.'

It's just that Fu Yun's method was simpler and more direct, leaning toward the purest instinct and devouring.

The Slaughter Goddess Temple, however, was far more complex.

And this 'life,' aside from secret, free hunting, mostly came from the supply provided by the Fierce Pursuit Hall, an underworld-involved organization.

The woman addressed as Temple Keeper Yan wasn't like those in classic plots who blindly lost their temper, failing to read the situation.

Instead, she nodded seriously. "I have similar thoughts."

"The Slaughter Goddess Temple must temporarily rein itself in. At the very least, we must wait until the conflict between Lu Ding and that She Fei concludes. Who wins and who loses will determine how the Slaughter Goddess Temple conducts itself in the future."

Xue Hen didn't say anything on the surface.

But secretly, he thought to himself.

Although I don't like Lu Ding and even have a grudge against him.

I've never doubted the outcome.

How could She Fei possibly compare to Lu Ding!?

A guy with no tactics, no mental fortitude, just empty cultivation realm and strength. He might be okay for tasks assigned by 749, but in the current new city with such high degrees of freedom, this kind of person is utterly useless.

Of course, She Fei wasn't as worthless as Xue Hen thought. If he truly were, the Jinghe Autonomous Region 749 wouldn't have sent him over.

It mainly depends on who he's being compared to.

With their intentions aligned.

Xue Hen immediately took out an account book. "Then this should be temporarily destroyed, right?"

"If we have a chance to cooperate again in the future, we'll rewrite it."

"To avoid betraying each other, Temple Keeper Yan, what do you think?"

The woman also produced an account book. "That would be excellent."

The moment the words fell.

The account book in the woman's hand burst into flames, while the one in Xue Hen's hand shattered into pieces.

The two had no further communication.

Xue Hen turned and left.

After he left.

The woman flipped her hand and took out another account book identical to the previous one.

"Hall Master Xue, no one is a fool. Leaving aside the ruthless Grand Duke Lu, even his assistant investigator and secretary, Fu Xinghe from the prestigious Fu family of Hanjing, is no pushover. What we've done, perhaps in the details, because we handled them cleanly, might escape their notice a little."

"But it's impossible to leave absolutely no trail. If caught, then I'll have no choice but to produce the account book and sacrifice you."

On the other side.

Xue Hen, having walked out of the Slaughter Goddess Temple, also pulled from his chest the account book he had clearly just destroyed.

"Women, they're always a bit short on brains. Destroying the account book is nothing but covering your ears while stealing a bell. Your copy is destroyed, but my copy remains. When the time comes, I'll actively hand the account book to Lu Ding as leverage to pledge my loyalty, then turn around and bite you, contributing to Lu Ding's complete takeover of the Lady's Temple."

"Yu Miaoyin of the Yu Family sold out her father for glory, cutting off her tail to survive. How could I, Xue Hen, not do the same!?"

Just thinking about how Yu Miaoyin schemed against her own father, Yu Xiao, to hand Lu Ding a pledge of loyalty, and now secured the construction and development rights for the Path of Dry Bones and White Ridge, plus the delegated authority from 749, made Xue Hen's eyes burn red with envy!

He did have a good relationship with the deceased Grand Guardian, and a sense of loyalty still remained in his heart.

But seeking revenge and upholding loyalty shouldn't be equated with seeking death, right?

He himself hadn't provoked Lu Ding.

Just as Xue Hen returned.

On the other side, at the Lady's Temple station.

The train slowly pulled into the station and came to a stop.

The doors opened.

A pair of black-topped, red-soled leather shoes stepped out. The Sin Dragon golden seal appeared for a moment before steadily stamping down on the ground.

Fu Xinghe's voice sounded.

"Brother Lu, currently, the other half of the Lady's Temple is controlled by She Fei from Jinghe 749. This guy is quite principled. Even though we control the other half, delaying his progress toward unifying the Lady's Temple, he didn't take action against the Lady's Temple while you were away."

"What do you think..."

Lu Ding: "This person isn't bad, deserves some face. We can lay things out openly."

Of course, giving face was one thing. For the Lady's Temple, which was already in his pocket, Lu Ding definitely wouldn't yield an inch.

Let's compete fairly based on our own abilities.

Fu Xinghe led the way ahead. "Brother Lu, this way, please."

Lu Ding moved forward.

Of the more than six hundred investigators accompanying him.

Half remained guarding the train, the other half followed.

Until they pressed right up to the gates of the Lady's Temple 749.

Since the other side was principled, Lu Ding wouldn't break down the door today.

A glance signaled.

Fu Xinghe stepped forward to announce their identities, the gate guard reported.

In no time at all.

They saw She Fei, along with the Lady's Temple 749 Bureau Chief, Deputy Bureau Chief, and a group of investigators She Fei had brought from the Jinghe Autonomous Region 749, all flying out together.

Both sides sized each other up.

The Lady's Temple 749 side restrained their auras, making it impossible to gauge their depth.

In contrast, on Lu Ding's side, aside from Lu Ding and Fu Xinghe, the investigators behind him who had followed from Hanjing all had their auras fully unleashed, not holding back in the slightest.

Let's be clear.

They only submitted to Lu Ding, because they witnessed it firsthand. Just two words: awesome, no argument.

But these were all geniuses. Each one, even if they didn't have arrogant bones, had arrogant spirits, and they were from Hanjing.

Aside from Lu Ding, whom they would look up to from the bottom of their hearts, they looked at everyone else down their noses.

Just pure audacity.

A classic case of what kind of leader breeds what kind of troops.

This scene made the Lady's Temple side's hearts tremble.

"That one's Fourth Restriction, that one's also Fourth Restriction, that one's Fifth Restriction, that one's also Fifth Restriction, so many Fifth Restrictions, even more than Fourth Restrictions."

"Any single one of them pulled out is about the same level as our Bureau Chief."

"Are they going to fight today!?"

"Probably not..."

"If a fight breaks out... how do we fight???"

"The Bureau Chief and Deputy Bureau Chief, two of them handle two Fifth Restrictions, the Special Envoy has Grand Duke Lu to deal with. Those powerful individuals who came with Special Envoy She, even if they can tie down a hundred Fifth Restrictions, we'd still have to face..."

"A hundred Fifth Restrictions and a hundred Fourth Restrictions!?"

"You're saying we have to fight a hundred Fifth and Fourth Restrictions!???"

These words fell into Old Long's ears.

He didn't like hearing them.

What!?

Don't take this old man seriously!?

"Ahem..."

He coughed once, his cultivation aura unfurling, sweeping across the entire scene.

Well, that's it.

She Fei, who had been brimming with confidence, thinking his lineup was luxurious, and that after Lu Ding had been in the new city for so long, he had already figured out the usable people under Lu Ding's command—aside from Lu Ding himself, only the two Bureau Chiefs of White Ridge could make the cut in his eyes—was done for.

Now, meeting again today, how long had it been?

All of them could make the cut.

Over three hundred of them!!!!

This wasn't just making the cut; this was having a whole lineup, a row of them standing side by side.

At this moment, aside from a one-on-one fight with Lu Ding, She Fei had absolutely no chance of winning through any other avenue.

Thinking of this, he spoke first.

"Lu Ding, I've heard you're exceptionally talented. Coincidentally, I also have some reputation back in my hometown. I wonder if I could ask for a lesson or two!?"

Considering he had been quite principled before, Lu Ding's tone was gentle. "Of course you can."

He extended one finger. "On the premise that I let you strike first, if you can take one move from me and remain standing, I'll count it as your win."

She Fei felt a bit provoked. "I'm speaking to you seriously. Isn't talking like this a bit too disrespectful?"

Lu Ding shook his head. "If I looked down on you."

His gaze searched around and landed on a trash can in the corner.

Lu Ding continued, "I would tell you that in the next second, you'd be lying over there."