In the grand hall of the Justice Department, Lu Ye chatted casually with Cheng Xiu, who inquired about Lu Ye's whereabouts over the past two years. Lu Ye simply explained that he had been trapped in a small secret realm and only recently managed to escape.

The affairs of the Blood Refinement World were too bizarre to elaborate on.

Cheng Xiu couldn't help but sigh. Being trapped in one place for two years would be unbearable for anyone. In his mind, he imagined a dark, solitary, and cramped environment.

"By the way, Junior Brother Lu, you were away for so long that the Justice Department has relieved you of your captain position. Xiao Xinghe is now the captain of Team D-9."

Lu Ye nodded, "As it should be."

He had anticipated this, so it didn't come as a surprise.

"Currently, various places in Bingzhou are in need of manpower. Your return is timely, Junior Brother. Several teams are short on staff. See which team you'd like to join, and I'll arrange it for you."

Cheng Xiu had the authority for this; otherwise, Qian Wudang wouldn't have put him here to handle affairs.

Of course, major decisions were still directed by Qian Wudang.

Lu Ye then activated his spirit force.

Cheng Xiu's eyes widened, "Junior Brother, you are now in the Divine Sea?"

"Two years in the small secret realm, it was a blessing in disguise," Lu Ye explained.

Cheng Xiu was stunned for a while before regaining his senses: "Junior Brother, your cultivation speed is truly beyond reach."

Over two years ago, his cultivation was much higher than Lu Ye's. But now, their levels were equal. Though it was known that Lu Ye's cultivation was advancing rapidly, this was too extraordinary.

After calming himself, Cheng Xiu said, "Since Junior Brother is now in the Divine Sea, it's inappropriate to place you in any squad. The Lord Department Chief should return in a few days. Rest for a few days and wait for him to decide on your placement."

The squads in the Law Enforcement Hall were composed of True Lake Realm cultivators. Once promoted to Divine Sea, it was unsuitable to team up. Acting alone was more efficient.

Lu Ye had previously encountered such Divine Sea cultivators during missions. They acted as overseers and had jurisdiction over any squad in the Law Enforcement Hall.

Lu Ye had no objection and requested, "Senior Brother Cheng, I'd like to gather some resources. Can you authorize this?"

Cheng Xiu asked, "For public or private use?"

If for public use, it had a public quota; if private, a private quota. The two were not interchangeable.

"For public use!"

Cheng Xiu nodded, "What resources do you need, and in what quantity?"

Lu Ye listed several artifact refining materials, "As for the quantity, the more, the better."

"No problem," Cheng Xiu responded quickly, immediately signing an authorization, pressing the seal from the Department Chief next to him, "I am only temporarily managing departmental affairs, with limited authority. You can access a certain amount now; if it's insufficient, you can ask the Lord Department Chief when he returns."

He didn't inquire further about Lu Ye's intentions. Since it was for public use, Qian Wudang would naturally look into it later, so there was no fear of embezzlement.

Lu Ye left the grand hall of the Justice Department and went to the Military Supplies Department with the authorization from Cheng Xiu.

The place was always guarded by Divine Sea Realm cultivators. Lu Ye had been here before to collect supplies for Team D-9, so he was familiar with the process.

The cultivator guarding the Military Supplies Department had left an impression of being a bit stingy. Guarding the vault, he seemed like a Pixiu, eager to hoard all the treasures inside, unwilling to let anything out.

Perhaps it was this very nature that had him assigned to watch over the treasure vault of the Military Supplies Department.

Fortunately, the resources Lu Ye needed this time weren't precious, and the quota wasn't large, so the process went smoothly.

He received the materials and hurried back to his courtyard.

The courtyard was empty, not a person in sight. The stone table and chairs in the courtyard were covered in dust, showing that Team D-9 hadn't returned to Haotian City for a long time.

He felt a twinge of regret. Initially, he pulled together Team D-9 intending to grow and progress with familiar friends. But things didn't go as planned; the team barely formed before he was no longer the captain.

Now, having advanced to the Divine Sea Realm, it was impossible to act with Team D-9, and given his cultivation pace, the gap between him and the others might just widen.

But regret was futile, a price of growth.

He pushed open the door and sat in his familiar spot, contemplating before sending out several messages.

Having disappeared for two years, the sect master, Second Senior Sister, and Master were surely worried. Previously, being in Ten Thousand Demons Ridge wasn't truly returning, so he hadn't thought to contact them. Now being in Haotian City, it was time to report his safety.

The first reply came from Second Senior Sister.

"Yiyi already messaged me, waiting for you to assure your safety. The Insect Race has already taken over the Nine Provinces!"

Though her tone was reprimanding, Lu Ye felt her deep concern.

He quickly replied, "I was busy these past days and just found some time. Please don't be angry, Senior Sister."

Second Senior Sister, of course, wouldn't truly blame him. She was just annoyed that he didn't message her immediately. This сhаptеr wаs mаdе pоssiblе by thе соmmunity аt

"How is the situation at the sect headquarters?" Lu Ye asked.

"No need to worry about the sect headquarters. With Madam Yun and me present, no major issues will arise. It's a good opportunity for the disciples to gain some experience. Besides, the Ziwei Dao Palace has also sent people to help."

Lu Ye understood and felt relieved.

Mainly because the sect headquarters doesn't cover a large area; currently, only a few spirit mountaintops are inhabited, which makes them easy to defend. Unlike other sects with vast estates, larger operations require more manpower.

Next came a message from his master, containing just one word: "Good!"

It probably meant she was informed. She should be with the Second Senior Sister at the moment, so there was no need for more words.

Lu Ye sent his respectful greetings, fully adopting the demeanor of a dutiful disciple.

The sect master was the last to send a message: "Where are you?"

"In Haotian City."

"I have some matters to attend to, but once I'm finished, I will return to Haotian City. Stay there and wait for me."

This was to prevent Lu Ye from running off again. Although it was known that Lu Ye had returned safely, it was better to see him in person for peace of mind.

Lu Ye quickly agreed.

He checked the battlefield marking imprint but found no one else needing reassurance. So, he took out the supplies previously received from the Military Supplies Department and began crafting by activating his spirit force.

Three days later, while Lu Ye was working diligently, the guard token at his waist suddenly shook.

He quickly investigated and found that it was a message from Qian Wudang, requesting a meeting at the Justice Department.

Lu Ye tidied up his ongoing work and then stood up.

After a short while, in the great hall of the Justice Department, Lu Ye stepped in. Qian Wudang was sitting behind the desk, appearing deep in thought. Hearing the noise, he looked up.

"This subordinate greets you, my lord!" Lu Ye approached and saluted.

Qian Wudang smiled slightly: "It's good that you're back! These past two years must have been tough?"

Lu Ye thought about his various experiences in the Blood Refinement World and replied, "Not too bad."

It wasn't too tough; rather, many experiences were quite bizarre.

Qian Wudang sighed: "After you were captured, Veteran Thang and I kept searching for your whereabouts, but unfortunately, we had no leads. Fortunately, you have strong fortune and managed to escape on your own. Do you know who captured you and why?"

Lu Ye said, "The one who captured me was a woman named Yu Daiwei, but she had someone behind her she referred to as the Venerable Lord. I couldn't determine who that was."

He didn't tell the whole truth, not to guard against Qian Wudang, but because the matter of Mount Tai was too involved. Many years ago, it was the right-hand support of the Senior Brother. If brought up now, it would surely implicate the Righteous Blood Sect. Certain matters could be discussed with Qian Wudang, while others were reserved for the sect master to make a decision.

"As for their purpose…" Lu Ye smiled wryly, "Honestly, I don't know why they captured me. Not long after my capture, the small secret realm collapsed, and I was trapped in a mysterious space. Fortunately, I managed to find my way back through many trials."

"Yu Daiwei..." Qian Wudang frowned in thought, "I've never heard of this person. What is her cultivation level?"

"Divine Sea Level 8!"

Qian Wudang squinted slightly. If she were merely one or two levels in the Divine Sea Realm, it would be normal for him not to know her. The Nine Provinces is vast; even in the Bingzhou region, he might not recognize all Divine Sea Realm cultivators. New ones emerge each year, and who would keep track of them all.

But Divine Sea Level 8 is different. Such a powerful cultivator shouldn't be unknown, yet he hadn't heard of her at all.

After pondering slightly, many things were unclear. He vaguely sensed Lu Ye wasn't being entirely forthcoming, but without Lu Ye speaking, it wasn't appropriate to probe further. So, he changed the topic.

"I heard from Cheng Xiu that you've advanced to the Divine Sea Realm?"

"Yes."

"Then that's truly a blessing in disguise." Qian Wudang nodded slightly, not surprised at Lu Ye's rapid advancement. Influenced by Lin Yinxiu, he vaguely felt Lu Ye was akin to the Senior Brother of a few decades ago. Such individuals shouldn't be viewed through ordinary lenses. "While you were away these two years, the Nine Provinces' situation has turned upside down, with insect plagues rampant. You've probably already noticed."

"I witnessed it on my way back."

Qian Wudang assumed a serious expression: "With the urgent need for personnel everywhere, your return is timely. I have a task for you."

"My lord, please instruct."

"Craft Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, as many as you can!"

Lu Ye was secretly delighted. This task truly suited his inclinations. Even if Qian Wudang hadn't mentioned it, he would have actively requested it.

He had no choice. With the tumult in the Blood Refinement World and Empyrean Sea, he was now in need of a large number of fire spirit stones to refuel the Talent Tree and explore more spirit runes.

Now that it's an assigned task, it naturally comes with battle merit rewards. Additionally, crafting fire spirit stones itself earns battle merit, yielding even more benefits.

With the insect plague spreading now, Explosive Fire Spirit Stones can be crucial, especially to cultivators with lower cultivation levels. Having a few Explosive Fire Spirit Stones at hand can turn the tide at critical moments.