Senior Sister Fan, I'm going out to check things out. Send me a message if there's any situation on your end. Dong didn't have a definite answer for Xuan Qingwei, which was undeniable. However, waiting around like this wasn't suitable.

Zhang Guodong, who possesses the "Nine-Story Pagoda," has cultivated a mutated divine sense that can silently cover an area of ​​ten miles. This is far beyond what Xuan Qingban can do; even those high-level old monsters can only cover three to five miles at most.

But this was the venue, and Zhang Guodong was maintaining the secrecy of the plant cultivation world; he couldn't allow anything strange to happen here. Without waiting for Xuan Qingban to object, Zhang Guodong got out of the patrol car and strode away.

Xuan Qingban opened her cherry lips slightly, but ultimately said nothing. She glanced helplessly at the patrol car, her brows furrowing. She didn't know how to drive it; was she just supposed to stay in there for half a day?

The fact that Xuanqingban was stumped by the patrol car was something Zhang Guodong hadn't considered.

On the other end.

Zhang Guodong and Xuan Qingban were both service and security personnel, so they had free access to all areas except the meeting room where the meeting was being held. They quickly passed through the checkpoint by swiping their special badges on the machine and walked out of the passage.

"With Senior Sister here, even if a level 40 cultivator comes, they can be delayed until I arrive. However, that's probably impossible! To deal with a mortal, given the dignity of cultivators and their arrogance in regarding mortals as ants, what comes would only be a lackey, right?"

Zhang Guodong wondered, "Who exactly is this 'Mr. Long'? A cultivator interfering in the political changes of mortals. This is not a good sign. However, this matter shouldn't involve the five great families. Given Xuan Qingban's personality, he wouldn't tolerate his disciples interfering in the political changes of mortals."

This is similar to interfering in the succession of imperial power; if handled poorly, it could lead to divine punishment during cultivation. Perhaps one's cultivation will never break through? Or perhaps one will suffer a qi deviation during a breakthrough? In any case, interfering in the succession of mortal regimes greatly conflicts with the cultivator's philosophy of "following the natural course."

This manifests as significant risks in cultivation.

"Besides the five great families, there are now other political forces with cultivators." Zhang Guodong quickly came to this conclusion.

Those who can intervene in provincial and ministerial-level leadership transitions, especially at the provincial party secretary level, are most likely powerful figures at higher levels. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that some lower-level officials might take the risk to support them.

A gentle, warm breeze swept by, and Zhang Guodong felt himself instantly enveloped in it. The feeling was wonderful; the wind seemed to bring vitality, like a gentle spring breeze.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The "seed of the Law of Life" in his mind suddenly stirred slightly, and Zhang Guodong felt profound insights merging into his Purple Mansion. His understanding of the "Law of Life" became much clearer.

This is what is called sudden enlightenment or a stroke of luck. Like a spring breeze that brings boundless vitality to the earth, only one of these moments aligns with Zhang Guodong's level of understanding.

This caused Zhang Guodong to unconsciously stop in his tracks, completely absorbed in the moment.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

That "seed of the law of life" began to beat rhythmically, like a heart that was beginning to revive. With each contraction and expansion, that clarity continuously merged into Zhang Guodong's understanding of the law.

The invisible spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed into Zhang Guodong's body, transforming directly into magical power and storing it somewhere in his Purple Mansion.

This spiritual energy of heaven and earth did not come from the surrounding trees, but from the distant starry sky. It was as if the sky had opened up, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth poured down recklessly.

It is invisible to mortals and also to cultivators. Why?

That spiritual energy of heaven and earth was tightly restrained, with not a single trace leaking out. It was likely that only Zhang Guodong, the person directly involved, could truly feel it. Of course, at this moment, Zhang Guodong was immersed in it and unable to perceive any of this.

The magical power surged upwards with incredible force, but the guards nearby remained unmoved, oblivious to everything. They only occasionally glanced at Zhang Guodong, a hint of confusion in their eyes.

"What's this colleague doing there?"

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth came and went quickly; it seemed that in just a few short seconds, Zhang Guodong broke free from that state.

"Huh, what's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly lost in thought?"

Zhang Guodong was utterly bewildered. However, he had felt quite comfortable just now.

Upon closer inspection, the magical power within his body surged, more than doubling its previous level, and he had unintentionally broken through to level thirty-nine! What was going on?

This breakthrough left Zhang Guodong both amused and exasperated. It happened so unexpectedly. Was cultivation really that difficult? For the first time, Zhang Guodong began to doubt it.

Even if the time were any more than a minute, in that state, it would probably be less than twenty seconds.

"No! My understanding of the 'Law of Life' is clearer now, much more than before!"

Zhang Guodong finally discovered the root cause: it turned out he had gained more insights into the "Laws of Life," and now the truth was revealed.

Zhang Guodong truly began to take his understanding of the "Law of Life" seriously. It actually helped his cultivation immensely; he broke through from level thirty-eight to thirty-nine in an instant!

It lasted only ten or twenty seconds; if only it could have been longer! Zhang Guodong had no idea how rare and precious this opportunity for enlightenment was, something most people never experience in their lifetime!

With a slight shake of his head, Zhang Guodong scanned the area within a ten-mile radius with his divine sense. Apart from Xuan Qingban, he did not detect a second cultivator. His momentary epiphany did not affect his business.

What surprised and amused Zhang Guodong, however, was that Erduo was scrutinizing the patrol car, her eyebrows furrowed in a serious, arrogant expression. She had become entangled with this technologically advanced patrol car!

"interesting".

Not far from the provincial party committee building is a commercial street, mainly selling office supplies and food. This street looks much cleaner and brighter, probably catering to the staff of the provincial party committee.

However, parking is not allowed on either side of the street here. Zhang Guodong looked around, searching for a place to sit. At this moment, he wasn't hungry or thirsty. His eyes lit up as he finally found a place to sit outside.

There's a liangpi (cold skin noodles) shop there. Two large umbrellas stand outside, with two round tables. But don't get the wrong idea. These round tables aren't for customers to sit and eat at; they're for the owner to relax at. In this area, no shop dares to extend their business outside; it's fine to sit and relax occasionally.

Zhang Guodong walked over, saw an empty seat, and sat down.

"Young man, what would you like to eat? Please come inside. The checks outside are strict; customers aren't allowed to sit here!" The shop owner greeted us with a smile as soon as we sat down.

This place isn't far from the provincial party committee, and often, provincial staff and even leaders dine here. So, the business owners in this area are generally very friendly. Who knows, if their attitude turns sour... Maybe they've encountered a relative of some leader?

Harmony brings wealth!

They understood this statement very well.

"Boss, I'm not here to eat. Just a drink, please. I'll just sit for a while," Zhang Guodong said.

The shop owner was taken aback for a moment, then immediately replied, "Okay. Just a moment."

Very few people come here for drinks. But Zhang Guodong is dressed plainly. He doesn't look like a young provincial party committee cadre, yet he looks quite respectable, which is a bit strange.

,…Ten thousand

The shopkeeper brought over a bottle of fruit juice with a straw. Surprisingly, a few fresh orange and apple slices were stuck on the clean rim of the bottle, making it look much nicer.

"This drink is all homemade. Try it first."

Zhang Guodong was surprised for a moment, then nodded. Although it was just a small change, it showed that these people had put a lot of thought into doing business near the provincial party committee.

Zhang Guodong strolled around, sipping fruit juice. He casually glanced around, behaving like a leisurely idler. But in reality, he was seemingly lost in thought, his divine sense scanning the surrounding ten miles, including the conference hall and the plaza, all under his surveillance.

About an hour later, I checked the time and it was almost 11 a.m. The morning meeting was about to end when a silver sports car appeared at the other end of the street.

There are many sports cars or luxury cars like this here. This silver sports car isn't particularly eye-catching.

However, Zhang Guodong stared straight at it. The sports car turned and drove into an underground parking lot.

"It's finally here?"

There was no other reason than Zhang Guodong's observation: the owner of the car exuded the aura of a cultivator, not an ordinary person. However, what surprised Zhang Guodong was that this cultivator's cultivation level was not high, and his aura was not strong.

It was around level ten; was it this level ten cultivator who poisoned Ying Chenggong? Or perhaps this cultivator simply stumbled upon this place by accident?

However, Zhang Guodong wasn't careless. At this point, he'd rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. He was just slightly disappointed. He figured that since the senior sister had only reached level ten, yet two cultivators above level thirty had joined forces and treated him like a formidable enemy, she probably wouldn't give him a pleasant look.

A few minutes later, two people appeared in the parking lot.

Zhang Guodong was stunned. Wasn't that Wei Yunwang, the son of Vice Mayor Wei, a member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee? This person was involved in the attempt to break through the mountain with a group of people while competing with the protagonist for the Hundred Herbs Cauldron. (The information can be found in Chapter 112.)

There was only one person in the car who exuded the aura of a cultivator, while the other was just an ordinary person, so he hadn't paid any attention. He never expected it to be an "acquaintance." Ah!

Beside him stood a handsome young man. His face was arrogant, his gaze sweeping around, exuding an air of dominance. He seemed to think he looked down on everyone.

"Senior brother, I wonder when Master will implant my soul? Hehe, I can't wait any longer." Wei Yunwang's words piqued Zhang Guodong's interest.

"Hmm!" The young man grunted, then patted Wei Yunwang on the shoulder. He said with an air of righteous indignation, "Don't worry, I'll protect you from now on! After this mission is completed, I will definitely inform my master to formally accept you as my disciple."

"Ha! Thank you, senior brother. I'll prepare a few beautiful women to perform a new dance, a 'striptease.' I'm sure you'll love it!" Wei Yunwang exclaimed excitedly, his tone slightly obsequious as a way of repaying the favor.

"Junior brother, you've put in a lot of effort. Hehe! As long as you're not inferior to the women from last time!" The senior brother's eyes immediately lit up. Ever since his master brought him out of the small mountain village, he felt that the outside world was truly wonderful. There was plenty to eat, plenty to drink, and plenty of women—it was much better than being a little tyrant in the mountain village.

The two walked outside, speaking in hushed tones.

On the other end, Zhang Guodong stood up. He paid the bill.

"Senior Sister, the target has been spotted. However, the opponent is only a level ten minor cultivator." Zhang Guodong thought for a moment, then sent a message to Xuan Qingban, informing her of the situation.

This time, Xuan Qingban will have made a wasted trip. Hoping to snatch a "Golden Body Talisman" from a level ten cultivator? There are only twenty or thirty such spots, yet hundreds, even thousands, of cultivators with considerable strength are vying for them. Such a robbery is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Note: Next update will be later. ※