Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 1955 - 948: Shen Shouxing_3

Following that, Mo Hua continued to hold the Compass, acting as the guide while the rest of the group flanked him. Together, they ventured deeper into the heart of the tomb.

...

Upon a desolate ridge on Solitary Mountain.

Both Fan Jin and Master Gu carried heavy, somber expressions.

Personnel from the Taoist Court, the Shen Family, and the Refinery Shop were busy clearing away the surrounding debris and gravel.

Beneath the stones, a layer of dark, crimson blood had already soaked deep into the earth.

Severed limbs were scattered across the ground.

The deaths of these cultivators had been brutal and tragic.

Once the area was roughly tidied, the Enforcement Leader approached and cupped his hands in a respectful salute, reporting:

"Reporting to the Supervisor, the casualties are all Shen Family cultivators, among whom are two Golden Cores and several at the Foundation Establishment stage. However, we found no sign of the 'Young Master Mo' mentioned by the Supervisor, nor of the Shen Family's Young Master Qing..."

Fan Jin and Master Gu both felt a secret sense of relief, yet the shadows of anxiety on their faces did not fade.

Mo Hua and Young Master Qing remained missing.

Furthermore, the "murderers" had vanished without leaving a single trace.

What was even more alarming was that these killers possessed the strength to slay two Shen Family Golden Cores, suggesting their power exceeded the Golden Core level.

This situation had clearly escalated beyond the capabilities of the Solitary Mountain Taoist Court.

Against such terrifying assassins, the chances of Young Master Mo and Shen Qingsheng escaping were slim; it was far more likely they had been abducted.

If a rescue was not possible, their situation would undoubtedly become a matter of life and death.

In Master Gu’s mind, the fate of Shen Qingsheng mattered little; his primary concern was Mo Hua. As a benefactor of the Refinery Shop, Mo Hua could not be allowed to suffer any harm.

From Fan Jin’s perspective, Mo Hua was an elite disciple of the Taixu Gate, while Shen Qingsheng was a direct bloodline descendant of the Shen Family. Should anything happen to either, it would spell disaster for his career as Supervisor.

Forget about future promotions; he would be lucky to even keep his current position as Supervisor.

"Do we have any leads on where the murderers went?" Fan Jin inquired.

"An entrance to a mine was located nearby, with remnants of a Formation found at its edge," the Enforcement Leader replied.

"Hurry!" Fan Jin ordered. "Lead the way."

The Enforcement Leader guided Fan Jin to the mine, where they indeed found stray footprints in a corner alongside the residue of a sealing Formation.

"Are you able to dismantle it?" Fan Jin asked.

"I cannot," the Enforcement Leader admitted. "A Shen Family Formation Master has already examined it. The tunnel is cramped and the rock walls are unstable. If the Formation is forcibly broken, the walls will cave in, sealing the stone entrance entirely. No one will be able to enter from the outside, and those trapped within will have no way out."

"Blast it..." Fan Jin cursed under his breath, his brow furrowing. He then asked, "What about the mine itself? Where does it lead?"

"The mine is also obstructed."

"Then find the mine records immediately to see if any tunnels lead further underground."

"That is the problem..." The Enforcement Leader wore a troubled look. "The local mine maps are strictly held by the Shen Family and are forbidden to be viewed by outsiders."

Fan Jin went silent, his frown deepening further.

Master Gu stared at the mine and then at the surrounding mountain peaks, his eyes flickering as he contemplated the situation.

"Let us head to the Shen Family to see if we can request access to those maps," Master Gu suggested.

Fan Jin considered this for a moment and sighed, "Very well, we have no other choice but to pay them a visit."

Just as they prepared to depart, a disturbance broke out in the distance as a large contingent of people arrived. At their head was a man of unremarkable features but possessing a domineering aura and an extraordinary presence. This was Shen Shouxing, a powerful Elder of the Shen Family at the Late Golden Core stage.

"Shen Shouxing..."

Fan Jin and his companions traded glances, their moods growing even more grim.

Though Shen Shouxing had not yet attained Feather Transformation, his vast contributions to the Shen Family granted him immense authority.

Solitary Mountain had always fallen under Shen Shouxing’s jurisdiction.

Now, with his son missing and potentially murdered here, his presence was inevitable.

However, his personal arrival also signaled that the situation had reached a critical point; without a proper resolution, the consequences would be dire.

Knowing he could not avoid the confrontation, Fan Jin steadied himself and cupped his hands, "Elder Shen."

"Supervisor Fan," Shen Shouxing’s voice was icy, his fury barely contained beneath the surface. "What exactly has transpired here?"

Fan Jin could only explain, "A band of tomb robbers appeared suddenly here at Solitary Mountain. While excavating, they likely crossed paths with Young Master Qing, leading to a violent clash. These robbers are no ordinary thieves; they slaughtered all of Young Master Qing’s guards. It appears Young Master Qing was taken by them and is currently... missing..."

As Fan Jin finished, he saw Shen Shouxing’s face darken ominously. "Are you claiming... they were tomb robbers?"

"Indeed..."

At first, Fan Jin hadn't overthought his words, but now a chill ran down his spine.

He realized he might have walked into a trap; the very trouble he sought to avoid had caught up to him.

Nevertheless, Fan Jin maintained his composure, showing no outward signs of distress.

Shen Shouxing’s focus was not on Fan Jin. After a brief silence, he declared firmly:

"Everyone is to withdraw; my Shen Family will handle this investigation personally."

Fan Jin felt a wave of relief wash over him.

However, Master Gu, standing nearby, spoke up. "Elder Shen, the Gu Family also has someone we must rescue."

"The Gu Family?" Shen Shouxing frowned. "And who is it you seek to save?"

"Mo Hua," Master Gu answered.

Shen Shouxing’s pupils narrowed. As a high-ranking Elder of the Shen Family, he was well aware of the significance and identity of "Mo Hua."

"I see..." Shen Shouxing replied. "Young Master Mo’s standing is indeed noble. My Shen Family will ensure he is rescued as well. Master Gu does not need to worry."

"And what is Elder Shen’s plan for the rescue?" Master Gu pressed.

Shen Shouxing answered, "If they are tomb robbers, they will surely tunnel into the mountain. Such digging will inevitably lead them into the mines. My family possesses the mine maps; by following those routes, we will certainly track down these criminals."

Master Gu stated, "In that case, there is strength in numbers. I shall accompany Elder Shen into the mine."

A look of clear displeasure crossed Shen Shouxing’s face.