"Chen Zhou disappeared?" Master Ding looked at the second disciple standing in front of him, his gaze slightly focused as he asked.
Chen Zhou was his registered disciple. The bloodline of Chen Zhouâs dragon-type spirit pet was quite pure, and he planned to formally accept him as a disciple after some time.
A few days ago, Chen Zhou came to him, wanting to enter the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven. Since Chen Zhou offered a substantial price, speaking a word wouldnât lead any cultivator to have objections, so he agreed.
After ten days passed, Chen Zhou had not been teleported out of the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven.
"Master, I have already checked the records of Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven; he hasnât left the cave!" Yuan Xun replied, bowing.
He didnât care about Chen Zhouâs life or death, only paying attention to Chen Zhou because Master Ding had thoughts of formally accepting Chen Zhou as a disciple.
With Chen Zhouâs disappearance, he was somewhat relieved inwardly; after all, who would like another junior brother drawing away the masterâs affection.
"Who was in Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven during this period? Have you checked?" Master Ding asked in a deep voice.
As long as cultivators donât actively attack spirit beasts in Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven, the spirit beasts wonât attack them, meaning the cave isnât dangerous.
The real danger likely comes from the cultivators. Since the cave lacks sect monitoring, incidents of insiders harming each other have occurred before.
Later, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect paid attention to such incidents, reducing the number of simultaneous entrants to minimize occurrences of mutual killing.
"Master, Chen Zhou followed Li Shizhen into the cave. At that time, only Li Shizhen was in the cave, and now that Li Shizhen has left, he has returned to his abode!" Yuan Xun answered, prepared.
Regarding Chen Zhouâs targeting of Li Shizhen, not only did Yuan Xun as his senior brother know, but even Sect Master Ji had warned Chen Zhou.
However, Chen Zhou was intent on merging Li Shizhenâs dragon-type spirit pet, relying on Master Ding as his backing, disregarding Ji Sectâs warnings.
"Go fetch Li Shizhen for me!" Master Ding instructed indifferently.
He was disinclined to investigate further; as long as Li Shizhen was captured, everything would be clear.
Just as Yuan Xun turned to leave, a communication technique flew over, landing in front of Master Ding.
Master Ding opened the communication technique, his expression slightly changing.
"Wait!" He quickly gestured to stop Yuan Xun.
"Master, do you have other instructions?" Yuan Xun asked, puzzled, turning back.
"Li Shizhen has already been accepted as a disciple by Hu Hongan. Let me see Li Shizhenâs information first!" Master Ding shook his head as he spoke.
The communication technique was from Grandmaster Hu, regarding accepting Li Shiming as a disciple.
Master Ding could disregard a Nascent Soul Early Stage practitioner but couldnât ignore Grandmaster Hu.
Li Shiming was Grandmaster Huâs formal disciple, while Chen Zhou was Master Dingâs registered disciple. To capture Li Shiming because of a registered disciple, especially without evidence, would not let Grandmaster Hu simply let it go.
"Master, Iâve investigated Li Shizhen before; here is his information!" Yuan Xun offered a jade scroll, bowing.
"You are considerate!" Master Ding nodded, satisfied, taking the jade scroll.
Hearing the masterâs praise, Yuan Xun smiled, having done all this not for Chen Zhou but to align with the masterâs preferences.
Whatever the master favored, he would favor too, even if internally he disliked it; he would display a favorable attitude.
Master Ding examined Li Shimingâs information, pondering why Grandmaster Hu would take Li Shiming as a disciple.
The matter of Grandmasters accepting disciples is not simple; the sectâs Grandmasters donât have many disciples, mainly because their influence is vast, and if accepted disciples arenât up to par, it would affect the Grandmasterâs reputation.
Moreover, Grandmastersâ disciples consume more sect resources, so Grandmasters intentionally control their disciplesâ numbers.
"Alchemy Master, when did Old Hu start caring about this?" Master Ding muttered to himself.
No matter how exceptional Li Shimingâs alchemical talent, as long as itâs a sect Alchemy Master, wouldnât the master, upon request, help with alchemy?
"Master, Li Shizhen has just advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, likely lacks the capability to kill Chen Zhou!" Yuan Xun reminded at this point.
"Anyone worthy of Old Huâs attention isnât to be considered with ordinary reasoning!" Master Ding replied casually, while still looking at the information.
Perhaps if Grandmaster Hu hadnât accepted Li Shiming as a disciple, Master Ding, after assessing the information, would think Chen Zhouâs disappearance had little to do with Li Shiming.
However, with Li Shiming being accepted by Grandmaster Hu, it indicates Li Shiming isnât an ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivator but possesses talents even Grandmaster Hu recognizes.
"Go meet Li Shizhen, directly inquire about Chen Zhouâs disappearance, and hear his answer!" Master Ding ordered after some thought.
Though Li Shiming canât be approached now, the matter canât just end; letting Yuan Xun approach is to stir the snake from the grass, observing Li Shimingâs attitude.
"Yes, Master!" Yuan Xun bowed in acknowledgment.
After Yuan Xun left, Master Ding showed a faint killing intent. Anyone daring to kill his disciple, even a registered disciple, must face his wrath.
Sending Yuan Xun has another purpose; to lull Li Shiming into thinking investigations are still ongoing.
Master Ding doesnât require any investigation; he believes Li Shiming killed Chen Zhou, meaning Li Shiming must pay the price.