Due to the immortal characteristic of gods, even if their bodies are smashed, turned to ash, and their divine souls scattered, a god still won't die. This is also why Behemoths are called gods; this special immortality alone is worthy of the title "god".
It is precisely because of this characteristic.
Even if the soul has dissipated, the consciousness is indestructible.
These consciousnesses linger on the lands of Yan for a long time, and over time, they transform into demon beasts and evil spirits, causing trouble throughout Yan. These demon beasts and evil spirits are generally not strong; any Constable with a bit of strength can basically handle them. If they encounter slightly stronger ones, they can seek help from the Ministry of Rites, Tianshi Fu, or the Dali Temple.
This demon beast was one that had recently been roaming Shangshu. It was neither human nor monkey, capable of using Arts to transform into human form, and fond of sucking the essence from men.
"Arrest it!"
Lin Qingyan waved her hand and ordered sharply. The Shangshu Constables, who had been watching the show, scrambled into action, stepping forward to tie up the convulsing demon beast on the ground.
They were just ordinary people and didn't know what had happened.
They only knew that this demon beast had taken an ordinary person, whom Lady Lin Qingyan knew, as a hostage, and then inexplicably started bleeding and convulsing. Their admiration for Lin Qingyan grew even deeper. As expected of a Celestial Master from the court's Dali Temple, her Arts were truly beyond compare for ordinary people. They didn't even know what happened, and the demon beast was subdued. Truly amazing.
Lin Qingyan herself didn't know what had happened either.
She just assumed the God had personally intervened.
The demon beast was dragged away. Lin Qingyan placed a soul-imprisoning talisman on it and then had the Constables escort it back to the special cage in the yamen.
After her subordinates had left.
Lin Qingyan looked at Lucas Reeve again.
A different fluctuation flickered in her gaze, but it was quickly suppressed, leaving only the impartial calm of a Dali Temple official.
"Why are you here?"
Lin Qingyan questioned him sharply, as if interrogating a criminal.
"Tsk tsk..." Laurentina couldn't help but click her tongue. "So this Celestial Master lady is into this kind of thing? The interrogation style? As expected, you can't judge a book by its cover."
The others looked at Laurentina: "???"
What are you talking about?
"Just tourism." Lucas took a small sip of tea and said.
"Hmm???" A question mark flashed over Lin Qingyan's head.
"Do you think I believe you?"
Immediately, she made a gesture with one hand, and the long spear behind her flew into her hand as if it had a soul of its own. After a twirl, the spear tip aimed at Lucas.
"Confess honestly!!"
It wasn't that Lin Qingyan was cold-hearted, but she had to be this way.
After all. Their identities were completely different.
She was an official of the Dali Temple, her Master was a Great Celestial Master of the Ministry of Rites, and her all-powerful Grandmaster was the legendary Old Celestial Master. Lin Qingyan's identity no longer belonged to just herself; it represented the new generation successor of Yan's Celestial Master lineage, one of the future pillars of Yan's Celestial Masters.
Lucas, on the other hand, was a Divine Fragment.
Although Lin Qingyan really wanted to sit down and ask him properly, or... as her Senior Sister had said, have a nice long chat.
But... their different identities made it difficult for them to have the opportunity to sit down and talk properly.
Moreover. On this trip, Lucas...
Four Divine Fragments, plus two white-haired girls whose strength was no less than that of a powerful Celestial Master. A total of six people. The strength of each of these six people was, at the very least, top-tier in Yan, even surpassing the Imperial Guard Instructors.
This was no small matter for any country.
However. This wasn't what made Lin Qingyan the most nervous.
She knew all too well the Sui Regulator Commission's attitude towards Divine Fragments in recent years. If they were discovered, regardless of the reason, they would inevitably be treated as a huge threat, and Celestial Masters and the army would be dispatched to annihilate them...
If it were like last time, in a remote mountain village in Yan, it might not be a big deal.
But Shangshu was the heartland of Yan...
"Alright, I'm accompanying Nian and Dusk to Shangshu to visit relatives."
Lucas told the truth.
"Hmm!!!"
Hiss....
Lin Qingyan felt her scalp go numb...
If they were really here for tourism, she might be able to help explain it away. But visiting relatives...
A Sui Beast Fragment's relatives in Shangshu?
Besides that Ling... who else could it be!
If it were just for tourism, maybe... it could barely be explained. After all, there were quite a few gods in Yan who were officially allowed to travel freely. But... looking for another Divine Fragment, and one that was under strict surveillance by the court...
Who would believe what your specific purpose was...
On a normal day, it might not be this severe, but it was different now.
Due to the two Sui Beast fragments meeting and leaving without authorization, the court had no idea what they were plotting. To prevent this from happening again, more personnel had been deployed to Shangshu just a few days ago. Both the Ministry of Rites and the Sui Regulator Commission, responsible for Behemoth affairs, had dispatched more manpower to be stationed in Shangshu, including Celestial Master Bai, whose strength was on par with Lin Qingyan's Master, and even some Celestial Masters of the next tier down.
"The Laws of Yan!"
Lin Qingyan felt a little anxious. She was afraid Lucas and the others would be discovered by her Senior Uncle, which would lead to their annihilation by the Sui Regulator Commission. She had spent time with Lucas and the others and naturally understood Lucas's character; he wouldn't possibly cause destruction. But others didn't know that, and even if they did, no one could guarantee it. After all, if Lucas *were* to wreak havoc, no one could bear that responsibility. Divine Fragments were not mortals.
If they wanted to cause destruction, tens of thousands of civilians would be sacrificed.
"Sui Beast Fragments are not allowed to meet privately. Foreign Divine Fragments must report to the Ministry of Rites in advance and be supervised by designated personnel to be allowed entry into Yan! Please leave immediately!!"
Lin Qingyan's meaning was obvious.
Yan is very dangerous right now; you all should leave quickly.
Lucas naturally understood. He looked at Nian beside him, confused.
How is this different from what you said at the beginning?
Nian also shrugged, indicating she didn't know.
Since the actual situation differed from the plan, it seemed this wasn't a problem that a trade permit could solve. Lucas was considering what to do next. Leave Yan? Or...
Just as Lucas was pondering.
Suddenly. A powerful pressure bore down on them like the sky was collapsing.
Lin Qingyan's expression changed slightly. Speak of the devil...
With a loud bang.
The wall of the private room suddenly exploded under a blast of lightning.
Nian's and Dusk's expressions also changed drastically, while Skadi and Laurentina were somewhat bewildered.
Outside. A figure in a black robe stood in the air, facing the crowd through the wall that had been blasted to smithereens. He looked quite old, perhaps in his seventies, with a full head of black hair that flowed like an immortal's. However, there were few wrinkles on his face. His amber eyes flashed with orange arcs of electricity.
"Celestial Master Li!"
Lin Qingyan's expression turned ugly.
If it had been her Senior Uncle, Celestial Master Bai, who had come, she might have been able to say a word or two. But the one who came was Celestial Master Li of the Sui Regulator Commission.
Celestial Master Li's strength was slightly weaker than Celestial Master Bai's, but only by a thin margin...
Although the Sui Regulator Commission was once a subordinate department of the Ministry of Rites, its status had risen in recent years, to the point where it could almost stand on equal footing with the Ministry of Rites. Due to their different philosophies on handling Behemoths, the Celestial Masters of these two departments didn't get along well.
The Ministry of Rites advocated for peace, treating Divine Fragments amicably. Divine Fragments naturally belonged to Yan and should rightfully be subjects of Yan's True Dragon. As long as the Divine Fragments didn't intentionally cause destruction, the Ministry of Rites wouldn't impose too many restrictions, and might even invite them to serve the court as officials.
But the Sui Regulator Commission's philosophy was relatively radical.
They believed that the Sui Beast Fragments were one of Yan's unstable factors. Only by eliminating this unstable factor could Yan achieve long-term peace and stability. The Sui Regulator Commission had even once proposed a crazy idea:
Hunt down all the Divine Fragments and demon beasts in Yan's territory. Those that couldn't be killed would be suppressed in the Demon-Sealing Pagoda.
Of course. This crazy concept wasn't even submitted as a memorial; it was directly rejected by the Grand Tutor.
The reason given was. Yan is a nation of etiquette, a nation of benevolence. All under heaven are children of the True Dragon.
"Sui Beast Fragments! Just as I thought, you have ill intentions! Repeatedly defying the laws of Yan, even colluding with a foreign god to invade our Yan's territory!"
An orange light flashed in Celestial Master Li's eyes. He formed a hand seal, and instantly, thunder rolled in the sky and the weather changed. At this moment, Celestial Master Li was like a god of heaven, his power seeming to be no less than Nian's.
Holy crap...
Lucas slowly stood up, a grave expression flashing across his face.
This was the first time he had seen one of Yan's legendary Celestial Masters...
This level of strength...
In Ursus and Columbia, Lucas had truly never seen an individual this powerful. Even Patriot in his Oripathy state might be far inferior. Perhaps only a Patriot who had reached the level of the Royal Court could compare.
"Celestial Master Li!!" Lin Qingyan gritted her teeth, preparing to speak up for Lucas.
However. Before she could finish.
"Say no more!"
"They have seriously violated the laws of Yan. I am just following the rules. Matters concerning Behemoths are not for the Dali Temple to manage."
Celestial Master Li said this casually.
His tone seemed calm, but as he spoke, thunder rumbled.
"Nian, didn't you say it was fine?"
Skadi and Laurentina were no longer just watching. This Celestial Master Li was too strong... perhaps even stronger than Second Captain Gladiia...
Nian was also blinking nervously at this moment.
"I... I don't know either! I remember Shangshu only had five Celestial Masters, right? And the strongest one, Celestial Master Bai, was from the Ministry of Rites' peace faction. As long as we explained, it would mostly be fine... Who... who is this Li guy? Isn't the Sui Regulator Commission a subordinate department of the Ministry of Rites? How do they have so much power?"
Dusk's expression also changed slightly.
After hearing Nian's words, Lucas couldn't help but roll his eyes.
What year is your intel from? It's long expired!
But, it was understandable.
A human's lifespan is only a short hundred years, a few hundred at most. Intel can become old after just a few months.
But gods are different. A god's lifespan is endless. Events from thousands of years ago can seem like they just happened. Perhaps... for Nian, intel from ten years ago still felt brand new.
"Foreign god, given that you have not caused any destruction, this Celestial Master will permit you to leave Yan immediately! However, the two Sui Beast Fragments are people of our Yan. My Sui Regulator Commission has the responsibility to slay them!"
"Tsk tsk..." Lucas didn't want to explain anymore. He was already planning how to run.
[Stardust] was hidden in the mountains just outside Shangshu. It had already received Lucas's command and was approaching. To be honest, the enemy wasn't *that* much stronger. Although this Celestial Master Li was very strong, he was at best on par with Nian, or perhaps could barely suppress her. The others were just ordinary Celestial Masters and soldiers.
Just then. Another terrifying aura pressed down.
A figure in a white robe, with flowing white hair, landed in front of Celestial Master Li.
Lin Qingyan breathed a small sigh of relief. "Senior Uncle!"
Celestial Master Bai slowly landed in front of Celestial Master Li.
At this moment. The surrounding common people had been completely settled, and the Celestial Masters and soldiers stationed in Shangshu had all rushed over.
Lucas also hadn't expected that accompanying Nian home to visit relatives would cause such a huge commotion.
After all, Lucas had only been to Yan once and had no idea about the situation. Besides, with so many gods living at Jessica's place, the Columbian government probably didn't even know. So, Lucas habitually applied the same thinking to Yan.
He hadn't expected the situation to be this serious.
It seemed they could only run. With so many Yan Celestial Masters and soldiers, his group stood no chance.
Just as the two sides were at a stalemate.
A sharp voice came from the distance.
"The Grand Tutor's decree! The Grand Tutor's decree has arrived!!!"
Upon hearing the Grand Tutor's decree, many of the soldiers present bowed. Even the two top-tier Celestial Masters had to land on the ground and receive it respectfully.
The Grand Tutor's position in Yan was second only to the Emperor, one of the Three Ducal Ministers.
If an Imperial Edict from the Emperor arrived, everyone would have to kneel to receive it. But for the Grand Tutor's decree, everyone only needed to bow. This showed the Grand Tutor's status in Yan.
"The Grand Tutor's decree!" The delivering official announced loudly.
"Let it be. Do not interfere."
Celestial Master Bai & Celestial Master Li: "???"
"Huh?"
This time, it was Lucas's turn to be confused.
The Grand Tutor... isn't he far away in Yan's capital city?
His group had only arrived in Yan today. How did the news reach the Grand Tutor's ears so quickly? And he even issued a decree immediately. How ridiculous was that?
Why did this feel... a bit fishy?