System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

42: Mountain gates facing each otherAt the mountain gate of Tianfeng Academy, the atmosphere was solemn and chilling.

Disciples who usually stood guard only symbolically were now several times more numerous, each with a tough aura and eyes as sharp as eagles, alertly scanning everyone who approached. Above the mountain gate, the invisible Academy’s Protective Array also seemed to be in a semi-activated state, faintly emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations.

As soon as Ye Chen approached the mountain gate area, two Disciples wearing the attire of the Law Enforcement Hall immediately stepped forward and blocked his path. Both were at the Kaiyuan Realm Third Level, their expressions cold and stern.

”Stop right there!” the square-faced Disciple on the left shouted deeply, his gaze scrutinizing Ye Chen. ”Are you Outer Court Disciple Ye Chen?”

”I am.” Ye Chen stopped, his expression calm.

”By order of the Law Enforcement Hall Elder, you are summoned to the Law Enforcement Hall for questioning immediately!” the thin and tall Disciple on the right said in a forceful tone that brooked no doubt. ”Regarding the disappearance of Inner Court Disciple Lin Hong, we need your cooperation in the investigation!”

It was finally here. Ye Chen sneered inwardly; news traveled fast, and they had directly slapped on the labels of ”disappearance” and ”investigation.”

”Senior Brother Lin Hong is missing?” Ye Chen feigned surprise. ”I have been out on a mission recently and know nothing about this. I wonder why the Law Enforcement Hall is summoning me for questioning?”

The square-faced Disciple snorted coldly. ”Someone saw you and Senior Brother Lin Hong enter the Cangmang Mountain Range one after another. Now Senior Brother Lin Hong is missing without a trace, yet you have returned safely. You are the prime suspect! Stop quibbling and follow us quickly!”

With that, the two of them stepped forward, one on each side, seemingly wanting to take him into custody by force.

Seeing this, some Disciples entering and leaving the mountain gate stopped to watch and began to whisper.

”It’s Ye Chen! He’s back!”

”Senior Brother Lin Hong is missing? For real?”

”The Law Enforcement Hall came directly to take him. It seems this is no small matter!”

”Ye Chen is in trouble now; Lin Hong is Instructor Lin Batian’s biological nephew...”

Ye Chen’s eyes turned slightly cold. Without moving his body, an invisible surge of Qi naturally radiated out, gently pushing back the two Law Enforcement Disciples who were about to step forward.

”Senior Brothers, if the Law Enforcement Hall wishes to question me, I will go of my own accord. But where does this talk of ’taking me’ come from? Could it be that you have already decided I am guilty?” Ye Chen’s tone remained calm, yet it carried an inviolable majesty. ”I, Ye Chen, am an Outer Court Disciple. Even if there is an investigation, it must follow the academy’s rules and procedures. If there is no solid evidence, and you try to forcibly take me based solely on someone else’s word, I’m afraid that wouldn’t be in accordance with the rules, would it?”

The two Law Enforcement Disciples were pushed back, their expressions changing. Feeling the unfathomable aura from Ye Chen, they felt a secret chill in their hearts. The square-faced Disciple forced himself to remain calm and said, ”Ye Chen, do you dare to resist the law?!”

”It is not resisting the law, but maintaining my own rights,” Ye Chen said indifferently. ”If the Law Enforcement Hall has an order, please show the official documents or an Elder’s token. If not, I’m afraid I cannot comply.”

His response was neither humble nor arrogant, and it was well-reasoned, immediately putting the two Law Enforcement Disciples in a difficult position. They indeed did not have a formal arrest warrant; they were just ordered to intercept him here and try to give Ye Chen a show of strength. It would be best if they could just take him back to the Law Enforcement Hall directly.

Just as the two sides were in a deadlock, a majestic voice came from inside the mountain gate:

”What is going on? Why is there such a commotion here?”

The crowd parted, and a middle-aged man wearing deep blue Elder’s robes, with a solemn Face and eyes as sharp as knives, walked out slowly. His aura was deep and vast—he was actually a Linghai Realm Elder! It was exactly a powerful Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, Yan Song!

Seeing Yan Song, the two Law Enforcement Disciples acted as if they had seen a savior and hurriedly bowed. ”Elder Yan! Ye Chen has been brought here, but he refuses to cooperate and is suspected of resisting the law!”

Yan Song’s gaze was like lightning, instantly landing on Ye Chen as if trying to see through him. A powerful Spiritual Pressure, like an invisible mountain, crushed down toward Ye Chen!

If it were an ordinary Kaiyuan Realm Disciple, under the pressure of this Linghai Realm Elder, their mind would have likely trembled, and they would have knelt on the ground.

But Ye Chen’s body only swayed slightly before becoming as steady as a rock. Under the Luminous Sword Heart, although the opponent’s Spiritual Pressure was strong, it was like a gentle breeze blowing over a mountain ridge, unable to shake his foundation. He could even clearly perceive that within this Elder Yan’s aura, there was a trace of the same coldness that originated from Lin Batian.

”Hmm?” A flash of surprise crossed Yan Song’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Ye Chen to endure his pressure so easily. This boy indeed had some tricks up his sleeve, just as the rumors said.

”Ye Chen,” Yan Song spoke, his voice low and carrying unquestionable authority, ”Lin Hong went missing after entering the Cangmang Mountain Range three days ago and has not yet returned. Disciples have confirmed that you entered the same area right after him. How do you explain this?”

Ye Chen bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly. ”Reporting to Elder Yan, I indeed went to the Cangmang Mountain Range to perform a mission to explore an ancient Cultivator’s Immortal Cave. The Mission Hall has a record of this. As for Senior Brother Lin Hong’s whereabouts, I do not know, nor did I encounter him. Perhaps he encountered a powerful Yao Beast or some other misfortune. I ask the Elder to investigate clearly.”

He directly pushed the matter onto possible ”Yao Beasts” or ”misfortunes,” leaving no loopholes.

Yan Song’s eyes narrowed slightly. He clearly didn’t believe Ye Chen’s explanation, but he couldn’t find any flaws for the moment. After a moment of silence, he said coldly, ”Even if you didn’t meet him, you are still one of the people most likely to have seen him. This matter is of great importance. You must follow me back to the Law Enforcement Hall to explain the situation in detail and undergo an investigation!”

He no longer gave Ye Chen a chance to argue and directly gave the order in his capacity as an Elder. At the same time, he secretly gave the two Law Enforcement Disciples a look.

The two Disciples understood and stepped forward again, their attitude even more forceful this time. ”Ye Chen, Elder Yan has given the order. Please!”

The surrounding atmosphere instantly became tense. Everyone could see that Yan Song was determined to take Ye Chen away. Once he entered the Law Enforcement Hall, they feared that even white could be turned into black!

Ye Chen’s gaze gradually turned cold. He knew that if he allowed himself to be captured today, the consequences would be unpredictable. The Lin Family’s influence was deeply rooted in the Law Enforcement Hall, and this Yan Song was clearly biased toward the Lin Family.

Just as he was preparing to forcibly refuse, and even prepared to fight if necessary—

”Elder Yan, what a grand display of authority.”

A gentle yet faintly mocking voice rang out from behind the crowd.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw a middle-aged scholar wearing a moon-white robe with a refined Face. No one knew when he had arrived. It was Elder Liu Qingfeng!

Liu Qingfeng walked over slowly. His gaze swept over Yan Song and finally landed on Ye Chen, nodding slightly with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

”Elder Liu?” Yan Song frowned, his expression turning somewhat ugly. ”This matter is the responsibility of my Law Enforcement Hall. Does Elder Liu intend to interfere?”

Liu Qingfeng smiled indifferently. ”Elder Yan overstates it. I am not interfering; I simply feel that when the Law Enforcement Hall handles a case, it must also seek evidence and follow the academy’s rules. Ye Chen is the Champion of this year’s Outer Court Competition and a Disciple the academy is focusing on nurturing. How can he be forcibly taken away like a criminal based on some groundless speculation? If word of this gets out, I’m afraid it will damage the reputation of our Tianfeng Academy and chill the hearts of other Disciples.”

His words were well-reasoned and even pointed out Ye Chen’s status and potential, immediately causing many surrounding Disciples to nod secretly.

Yan Song’s Face became even gloomier. ”Elder Liu, Lin Hong’s disappearance concerns the safety of an Inner Court Disciple. How can it be treated lightly? Ye Chen is the prime suspect. Taking him back for investigation is in accordance with the procedures!”

”Suspect?” Liu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. ”What evidence points to Ye Chen? Just because he went to the same mountain range as Lin Hong? Every day, no fewer than eighty to a hundred Disciples enter and leave that mountain range. Could it be they are all suspects? Elder Yan, this is not how you handle a case.”

He paused, his tone turning cold. ”Or is it that Elder Yan is acting on someone’s instructions to intentionally target Ye Chen?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Song’s pupils constricted, and he shouted sternly, ”Liu Qingfeng! Do not make such baseless accusations! I am enforcing the law impartially. Where does this talk of targeting come from?”

”If that’s the case, then let’s follow the rules,” Liu Qingfeng said, refusing to yield an inch. ”If the Law Enforcement Hall has solid evidence, I will certainly not stop you. If not, and you want to take someone based solely on speculation, as an Elder of the Instruction Hall, I have the right to intervene and protect the talents of our academy!”

The two Elders stood in opposition, their Linghai Realm auras faintly clashing, making the surrounding Disciples feel a sense of suffocation.

Ye Chen felt a warmth in his heart as he watched Liu Qingfeng stand up for him. He knew that Liu Qingfeng’s actions were not just out of appreciation for his talent, but likely because he saw the connection between the Lin Family and certain people in the Law Enforcement Hall and used this opportunity to give them a warning.

Yan Song’s Face was ashen. He knew that with Liu Qingfeng here today, it would be difficult to forcibly take Ye Chen away. Moreover, Liu Qingfeng’s words were reasonable. If things really escalated, it would not benefit him.

He stared intently at Ye Chen, as if to carve his appearance into his heart. Finally, he snorted coldly. ”Fine! Ye Chen, the Law Enforcement Hall will continue to investigate this matter! Until the truth comes to light, you are not allowed to leave the academy! You must be available for questioning at any time!”

With that, he flicked his sleeves harshly and, leading the two Law Enforcement Disciples, turned and walked into the mountain gate.

The storm temporarily subsided.

The surrounding Disciples breathed a sigh of relief, their gazes toward Ye Chen becoming even more complex. To have two Linghai Realm Elders confront each other in public over him—this Ye Chen really had a lot of Face!

Liu Qingfeng walked up to Ye Chen, patted his shoulder, and said gently, ”Do not worry. An innocent person has nothing to fear. Within the academy, some people cannot yet cover the sky with one hand. Go back and Cultivate well. Strength is the foundation.”

”Thank you, Elder Liu!” Ye Chen bowed solemnly.

Liu Qingfeng nodded, said no more, and drifted away.

Ye Chen stood where he was, looking in the direction where Yan Song and Liu Qingfeng had left, his gaze deep.

He knew that Yan Song would never let the matter go, and the Lin Family’s revenge would never stop. Today’s event was just the beginning.

The days to come would likely not be peaceful.

But he was fearless.

Clenching his fist, feeling the surging power within his body and the firm intent coming from the qingfeng sword, Ye Chen strode into the mountain gate of Tianfeng Academy.

The storm is coming; I shall cleave it with a single sword!