Immortality: Grinding Experience Starting as a Paper Craftsman

Chapter 101 Paper Crane Message, Thief Cries "Stop Thief!"

The latest work by the author "A Monkey from Huaguo Mountain," titled "Immortality: Starting as a Paper Craftsman to Gain Experience," is exclusively released for the first time!

As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight appeared.

After being cleansed by the dew overnight, the old locust tree in the courtyard has sprouted new, lush green leaves.

Song Hong was the first to get up. She was in the yard with a large broom, sweeping the falling leaves idly, her eyes occasionally drifting toward the main hall.

Inside the main hall, the aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Gu Yan held a purple clay teapot in his hands and poured out the freshly brewed tea.

"Senior brother, have you still not found the scabbard for the Karma-Severing Sword?"

Gu Yan took a sip of tea and looked at Xiao Chen, who was sitting on the threshold wiping his sword.

Xiao Chen was dressed in plain clothes, with the ancient bronze sword that had once pinned the Candle Dragon to the ground lying across his lap. The sharp blade did not reflect the morning light; instead, it seemed like a black hole, swallowing up the surrounding light.

"Ordinary iron is not worthy of it."

Without looking up, Xiao Chen carefully wiped the spine of the sword with a piece of white silk, sighed, and said, "Besides, it doesn't like being restrained."

"Indeed, severing karma is severing karma. If one has a hidden edge, how can one talk about severing karma?"

Gu Yan smiled, about to make a few more jokes, when suddenly he raised an eyebrow and put down the purple clay teapot in his hand.

A streak of light pierced the sky.

That wasn't a flying sword, but a paper crane the size of a palm.

The paper crane was made entirely of folded talisman paper, and its flapping wings produced the sound of wind and thunder. It carried an aura of superiority and pressure as it swooped down towards the Demon Suppression Bureau.

"That's the Flowing Cloud Sect's messenger crane."

Xiao Chen flicked his wrist, and the Severing Karma Sword was already in his hand, his eyes cold.

"Senior brother, don't be anxious. If they come to demand an explanation, it won't be a paper crane, but a flying sword."

Gu Yan stood up, dusted off the wrinkles on his official robes, and walked into the courtyard.

The paper crane hovered in mid-air, circling twice as if to confirm Gu Yan's identity, before spontaneously combusting.

From within the flames came an aged and majestic voice, a unique sound transmission technique of the Flowing Cloud Sect. The voice was as loud as a bell, making the old locust tree in the courtyard tremble.

"Commander Gu Yan of the Demon Suppression Division of Changning County, obey my command!"

"Luo Lie, the deputy head of the Enforcement Hall, and his twelve disciples all had their soul lamps extinguished in Changning County the day before yesterday, suggesting they may have met with some misfortune. This matter concerns the sect's reputation, and you are ordered to immediately investigate the truth, to find them alive or dead!"

"If there is any negligence, or if no evidence is found, you will be brought to justice!"

As the sound faded, the ball of flame exploded in the air, transforming into a crimson phantom token.

That was the highest order from the Enforcement Hall; it hovered for a moment before slowly dissipating.

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Song Hong's knuckles turned white as she gripped the broom. She didn't understand the profound ways of the cultivation world, but she clearly heard the menacing threat of "bring me your head."

"Does this mean we need to investigate?"

Song Hong was somewhat bewildered. She turned to look at Gu Yan, hesitating to speak, "They don't know that we are the ones..."

"Shhh."

Gu Yan put his index finger to his lips, his face showing no sign of panic, but rather a very strange smile.

That was the hunter's expression when he watched his prey walk into the trap.

"This is the arrogance of a major sect."

Gu Yan sighed, bent down to pick up a speck of ashes from the ground, and crushed it between his fingers. "In their eyes, I, Gu Changsheng, am nothing more than an ant in the Qi Refining stage, a good-for-nothing who only became a minor official because of good fortune. Luo Lie, on the other hand, is a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert, leading twelve elite soldiers. How could he possibly die at my hands?"

"So, in their logic, the murderer is someone else. And I, as a local bigwig, am the perfect candidate to run errands for them."

Xiao Chen sheathed his sword, a rare mocking smile playing on his lips: "Letting the murderer investigate the murderer, the Flowing Cloud Sect has certainly made a good move."

"Since there are orders from above, we have to comply."

Gu Yan turned around, waved his hand, and his originally lazy demeanor changed, giving rise to the official air of Gu Qingtian.

"Senior Sister Song, bring me pen and ink. I need to write a memorial that is so earnest and moving that it will bring tears to the eyes of all who hear it."

"Also, senior brother, I'll have to trouble you to accompany me to the crime scene."

"Where are you going?" Xiao Chen asked.

Gu Yan narrowed his eyes, looking at the verdant Burial Dragon Mountain Range in the distance, and said softly, "Go and build a stage for this play."

……

Half an hour later, the two returned to the ancient path leading into the mountain.

The original battlefield had already been cleaned up by Gu Yan; the corpses turned into spring mud to nourish the flowers, and even the bloodstains were absorbed by the newly grown wild grass.

But to those with a keen eye, traces of the battle from the previous day still remain here.

Gu Yan stood at the spot where he had killed Luo Lie, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed the lingering aura in the air.

"The residual power of Luo Lie's fire dragon spell is still there; there's a sulfurous smell in the air."

Gu Yan opened his eyes and took out the dragon pearl he had obtained from the bottom of the pool from his pocket.

The Dragon Ball is crimson, and inside it seems to be a sea of ​​fire sealed.

"Senior brother, may I borrow your sword energy?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen drew his sword and slashed without saying a word.

He suppressed his cultivation level with this sword strike, using only the purest and most violent killing intent, the murderous aura he had accumulated during his eight years of hardship in Changning County.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Yan activated the Divine Demon Taiji Diagram within his body.

This time, however, he did not use the golden light of divinity, but instead mobilized the black demonic energy of the Myriad Ghosts Devouring the Heart, which originated from the resentment of the Candle Dragon.

"go."

Gu Yan flicked his finger.

A wisp of extremely pure, ancient and weathered demonic energy drilled into the sword mark, and then spread rapidly like ink dripping into clear water, eroding the surrounding vegetation.

The once lush green weeds withered and turned black, emitting a nauseating stench of decay.

After everything was over, Gu Yan took out a few pieces of clothing he had taken from Luo Lie from his storage bag, casually threw them in the grass, and even rubbed them with mud to make them look old.

"Perfect."

Gu Yan clapped his hands, looking at his masterpiece with satisfaction.

"What does this mean?"

Xiao Chen frowned as he looked at the sword mark that exuded an eerie aura.

"Didn't the Flowing Cloud Sect want to know the truth? This is the truth."

Gu Yan pointed to the sword mark and began his deductive performance: "Deacon Luo Lie and his group were ordered to investigate the rare treasure. When they arrived here, they unfortunately encountered a demonic master who had been lurking for a long time."

"This demon is at least at the Core Formation stage. He is ruthless and broke Deacon Luo's battle formation with a single sword strike. Although Deacon Luo fought back desperately, the difference in strength was too great, and he ultimately sacrificed himself heroically. Even his body was dissolved by the demon's corpse-dissolving water, leaving only these few pieces of his clothes and demonic energy all over the ground."

Gu Yan looked at Xiao Chen and blinked: "Senior brother, what do you think of this story?"

Xiao Chen remained silent for a moment before giving a fair assessment: "Very reasonable."

That makes perfect sense.

The earth's veins in Changning County have been restored, and a rare treasure has emerged, which naturally attracts the covetous eyes of demonic masters.

Luo Lie and his group were ambushed and wiped out. Only a cultivator at the Core Formation stage could have caused such an attack that they didn't even have time to call for help.

Moreover, Gu Yan had taken advantage of the divine sense that had previously severely injured Luo Wen from a distance.

The mysterious figure, a being that embodies both god and demon, perfectly reflects the lingering demonic energy here.

The truth and the falsehood are intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

"Let's go, it's time to go back and write the report."

Gu Yan took one last look at the fabricated battlefield, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "This can only buy us time. The Flowing Cloud Sect isn't stupid; they'll be suspicious and will test us. But as long as they haven't figured out the true nature of that mysterious demon, they won't dare to launch a major attack on Changning County."

……

Back at the county government office, Gu Yan went straight into the study.

Spread out the Xuan paper and grind the thick ink.

He picked up his pen, paused for a moment to gather his emotions, and then began to write with great flourish.

He wrote this reply very slowly, carefully considering every word.

He began by describing with great sorrow the shock and fear he felt upon receiving the order, and expressed his condolences for the deaths of his fellow sect members.

Next, the results of the on-site investigation were reported in detail:

"...The scene was filled with demonic energy, the vegetation was withered, and the remaining sword intent was sinister and vicious, not the methods of our righteous path. My cultivation is low, and I felt my blood surging and my soul about to be torn apart when I approached the sword mark within ten feet. Based on this, I deduce that the murderer is probably an old demonic monster in the Core Formation stage, who took advantage of the earth's ley lines to infiltrate our territory..."

Then came a long lament, describing Changning County as an isolated island in turmoil, on the verge of being swallowed up by the demonic forces, pleading with the sect to send experts to guard it or to bestow upon it a protective formation.

Of course, this was also part of Gu Yan's calculations.

If a sect expert really comes, as long as they are not at the Core Formation stage, it will be perfect for them to contribute to their Tower of Babel.

If he hadn't come, then the funds and materials for this city-protecting formation would have ended up in his pocket.

Finally, at the end of his signature, he deliberately stamped the bright red seal of the Demon Suppression Bureau, its force penetrating the back of the paper.

"Senior Sister Song."

Gu Yan blew the ink dry and called out.

Song Hong pushed open the door and entered, carrying a bowl of freshly cooked ginseng soup.

"Finished writing?"

"Finished writing."

Gu Yan folded the letter, put it in an envelope, dripped sealing wax on the seal, and stamped it with his personal seal.

"Find the fastest courier and send it to Liuyun Sect by express courier. Remember, he must act as if he is terrified. Tell him that a terrible demon has appeared in Changning County and many people have died."

Song Hong took the letter and rolled her eyes at him: "You're as cunning as a honeycomb briquette, full of holes."

"That's called the art of officialdom."

Gu Yan picked up the ginseng soup and drank it all in one gulp, feeling the warmth spreading through his stomach, and sighed comfortably.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Gu Yan called out to Song Hong, who was about to leave, his expression turning serious and his tone solemn: "From today onwards, the Demon Suppression Division will expand its recruitment."

"Expanding enrollment?" Song Hong was taken aback.

"With the earth's veins connected, Changning County will become a piece of prime real estate. Senior Brother Xiao and I alone cannot protect these thousands of homes."

Gu Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

"Those rogue cultivators who were previously suppressed by the major families, those talented but poor students who couldn't afford to study..."

"As long as they have a clean background and a kind heart, bring them in."

"I want to build a true immortal city for mortals in Changning County."

Song Hong looked at Gu Yan, the sunlight from the window shining on his profile, making his originally delicate features appear even more resolute.

She suddenly realized that the commander who had been relying on her so much when he first came to Changning County, and who often showed a simple and honest smile, had truly become a great tree that could shelter this land from the wind and rain.

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

Song Hong nodded heavily, turned and left, her steps much lighter than when she arrived.

Gu Yan sat alone in the study, looking through the window at the few leisurely white clouds in the sky.

He knew that once this letter was sent, it would mark the beginning of a new game.

Luo Wen, having suffered such a great loss, will certainly not let this go easily.

The mysterious monk Wuchen disappeared without a trace after leaving behind his scriptures, which is also a variable.

As for the Blood River Sect, his clone, Blood Swordsman, although he has become the sect leader of the Blood River Sect, is also having a headache in order to prepare resources for Core Formation.

Gu Yan played with the Dragon Ball in his hand, feeling the surging power within, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Since you're afraid of demons, I don't mind becoming one for once."

Within the Qi Sea, the towering structure trembled slightly, as if responding to its master's ambition.

Gods and demons, officials and bandits, good and evil.

In this coming chaotic world, only power will be the only truth.

Gu Yan closed his eyes and began to circulate the "Withered Tree Grows Green Technique".

This time, he was no longer simply absorbing spiritual energy, but was trying to gradually integrate the power of the flames within the dragon ball into his own Dao foundation.

He was making final preparations for his upcoming Core Formation.