Otherworldly Affairs Office

Pei Yan stared at the twelve neatly arranged corpses on the ground, all presented to everyone after being summoned by the cultivators of the Immortal Palace.

Upon observing, he noted that the clothing on these bodies was almost identical to that of Yang Xiujin and his group, suggesting they belonged to the same organization. Yet, they had long lost the ethereal elegance they once had in life, even though their corpses had been somewhat tidied by later arrivals.

However, it couldn't conceal their blackened bodies and shocking wounds. Among them was one person with only a torso, headless. Upon seeing this corpse, Pei Yan and others exchanged glances, recalling the head that first rolled out from the dimensional rift.

"Scholar Gu, do these corpses dispel your suspicions? We came here because we received an alarm from the Immortal Palace guardians at the dimensional rift. By the time we arrived, all we found were these corpses strewn on the ground. I hope Scholar Gu does not think we would fabricate such a matter," Yang Xiujin explained, pointing at the bodies and staring at Gu Shenghui. It was only out of respect for that esteemed person that he was willing to explain patiently. If the other side dared to question the Immortal Palace further, he would uphold the Palace's dignity even at his own peril.

"I wouldn't dare, but I still have some doubts and hope Envoy Yang can clarify them for me." Gu Shenghui shook his head repeatedly, indicating he wouldn't. From the other party's response earlier, it seemed these people truly didn't know about the other-dimensional invasion. Moreover, since the other side already offered an explanation, further aggressiveness on his part would only worsen the relationship between the two parties, which would be unwise.

"Please speak."

"I noticed that when Envoy Yang arrived, he immediately identified and intended to take away this perpetrator, suggesting the Immortal Palace had already speculated about who was behind the incident. Am I correct?" Gu Shenghui stepped forward two steps, observing Yang Xiujin's expression as he asked.

Some have cultivated so far that their brains seem out of order, unable to conceal their emotions, or perhaps they simply disdained hiding them before him. Yang Xiujin's actions made it obvious he harbored no suspicion towards anyone present, not against other cultivators, those odd individuals, or even the Investigation Bureau personnel, immediately recognizing the culprit as the black-robed man.

If the Immortal Palace wasn't involved in this dimensional attack, Gu Shenghui could believe it. However, to claim that the Daoist Realm's sovereign Immortal Palace was entirely oblivious to this matter seemed frankly laughable.

Facing Gu Shenghui's questioning, Yang Xiujin lowered his head to ponder momentarily before looking up to respond, "We vaguely know his origins, but this pertains to our Daoist Realm affairs, so I cannot speak further. Allow me to take this person and the four mutated demons back for now. The remaining four demons and three cultivators shall be left with you for interrogation. After the events, I believe the Immortal Palace will provide you with a satisfactory explanation."

"Sorry, Envoy Yang, but we cannot agree to these terms. Given such a threat, our Investigation Bureau cannot simply let him go with just a vague answer. I believe thoroughly understanding the affair's ins and outs is crucial for both us and the Immortal Palace." Gu Shenghui decisively rejected Yang Xiujin's proposal.

"Oh, so Scholar Gu insists on brushing off the Immortal Palace's dignity? Humph, indeed the Investigation Bureau truly exudes great prestige. This world has relied on the Immortal Palace for thousands of years, yet your Bureau's mere decades of existence sees you daring to haggle with us." Yang Xiujin raised an eyebrow with suppressed rage, sarcastically retorting.

"The Immortal Palace never safeguarded our world but rather feared its own status collapsing. Although the Investigation Bureau was established a short time ago, we neither intend nor are empowered to challenge the Immortal Palace's respect. However, we do possess the right and capacity to ensure peace across the lands where we and our ancestors have lived for generations!" Gu Shenghui responded resolutely to Yang Xiujin's ridicule, neither humble nor boastful.

"So there's no room for compromise!"

"This person must remain here for interrogation, yet we agree to have both parties assign personnel to jointly oversee it. This is our final limit."

Seeing Gu Shenghui's firm stance, Yang Xiujin realized that unilaterally stirring conflict might disrupt the Hall Master's plans, and even as a captain of the Immortal Palace's Law Enforcement Team, he couldn't escape responsibility.

Considering this, Yang Xiujin nodded and said gravely, "My orders are to bring him back. However, given your resolute stance and the gravity of the situation, I cannot decide arbitrarily. May I report back to the Immortal Palace before making a decision?"

"Of course!"

A moment later, returning once more to the Daoist Plane and then coming back, Yang Xiujin approached Gu Shenghui with an even more respectful demeanor, bowing deeply. "The Hall Master commands, stating that peace and trust between the two realms hinge upon this matter. Director Gu's proposal for a joint interrogation is approved. We shall remain here to assist your Bureau in detaining this felon. The Immortal Palace will send delegates through the dimensional passage in three days to participate in the joint inquiry."

"Our Investigation Bureau sincerely appreciates the foresight of the esteemed Immortal Masters, making the most beneficial judgment for interrealm relations," Gu Shenghui said, visibly relieved, stepping forward to return the courtesy with insincere politeness.

After their exchange, Gu Shenghui glanced back at the Upper Star Squad standing foolishly not far behind, waving a hand: "You all head back and rest for now. Somebody will later oversee the dimensional rift repair here."

"Got it!" Ye Jiumu, the highest-ranking member still injured, nodded in acknowledgment and threw a glance to his companions, then turned to leave.

The group first returned to Upper Star, where Elder Lin instructed them to leave while he continued treating Shangxing, indicating that others would soon carry him away.

Despite their immense worry, Pei Yan and the others knew it was no place to linger any longer and patiently waited until Ye Jiumu activated the protective array for everyone to leave together.

Changed out of mechanical gear and into new clothes, Pei Yan stood amidst the group, supporting the limping Wang Wenze. From the start, he had felt like someone was watching him. Looking around, he finally spotted the person: the little girl who had snatched the black-robed man's magical artifact and slapped Yang Xiujin across the face with a fish.

Seeing Pei Yan look her way, the little girl tilted her head and grinned at him. Uncertain of how to act towards someone who had indirectly saved him and silenced the arguing elders, Pei Yan quickly returned a smile he believed was the sincerest and most perfect.

The next moment, he saw the little girl casually sort through several fish she had beside her, picking the largest one and tossing it towards him.

Initially perplexed by her intentions, upon seeing her motion to throw the fish, he was startled enough to reflexively prepare his helmet's defenses. However, the fish's flight was faster than his reaction, seemingly teleporting right before him. His vision went black, and he fainted.

"Pei Yan!"