If on the way to report to Luoyi, Ye Zhen could travel with ostentation without worrying about any danger.

Then the return journey to the North Sea would become exceptionally perilous.

On the way there, although Ye Zhen’s entourage was small, both above and below ground, he was monitored by the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Secret Overseer’s forces, ensuring his safety.

However, on the way back, there would be no such treatment.

Although Ye Zhen eradicated the hidden dangers left by the massacre of the Shahe City Branch Temple, gained some benefits, and took control of the Barbarian Spirit Hall with Princess Changle, achieving a great victory.

Yet, from the Heavenly Temple, particularly the two holy lands, Sun and Moon Heaven and Thunder Prison Peak, there was significant hostility toward Ye Zhen. Green Dawn Peak, on the other hand, maintained goodwill toward Ye Zhen because of the treasure Yimu Spiritual Communication Technique that he possessed.

Meanwhile, in the Ancestor God Temple, he had also completely offended the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin, and the Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna regarded Ye Zhen as an enemy.

If a small fry makes a highly powerful and respected figure extremely displeased and vengeful, affecting many of this figure’s interests.

What is the best course of action for this eminent figure?

Is it to do everything possible to contend for interests?

No!

It’s to stomp the small fry dead!

With the small fry dead, everything is settled, the grievance is avenged, and there’s no need to contest for interests, which can be retrieved effortlessly.

Currently, Ye Zhen is that irksome small fry, and the Second and Seventh Grand Power Sacrifices of the Heavenly Temple and the Ancestor God Temple are the powerful figures.

This was something Ye Zhen had long anticipated.

Because if the roles were switched, he would do the same.

Who would engage in intrigues and struggles with a small fry like you?

A slap to kill you is the most satisfying and convenient!

Therefore, the return journey might be extremely perilous.

However, Ye Zhen himself also held a position in the Heavenly Patrol Department, while his subordinates, Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, managed affairs of the West Patrol Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy for the past few years.

It might be more accurate to say these two managed affairs rather than Ye Zhen, and over the years, they have gained considerable experience.

According to Spirit Scout Niu Er, their proficiency in various reconnaissance, counterintelligence, ambush, protection, assassination, and stealth methods of the Heavenly Patrol Department has reached a comparable level to Niu Er’s, lacking only in experience.

Thus, a few days before Ye Zhen’s return journey, Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi prepared three return plans and routes for Ye Zhen.

The three plans each had their merits.

The first plan was the most reliable: Ye Zhen would create an Illusory Body to openly appear in the entourage, accompanied by Ling Qianbi, Big Ears, Liu Feng, and Gu Tieqi, as well as three hundred Sacrificial Guards from the Barbarian Spirit Hall, to draw the enemy’s attention.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhen would disguise himself and swiftly return to North Sea County.

This strategy had an almost one hundred percent safety rate.

The reason being, Ye Zhen’s Illusory Body technique could not even be seen through by Dao Realm Experts, and with a troop to divert attention, Ye Zhen would be absolutely safe. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The only downside was that if the enemy forcibly attacked, Ye Zhen’s entourage could suffer unpredictable casualties.

However, Ye Zhen did not choose this nearly one hundred percent safe first plan but opted for the third plan provided by Liu Feng and others.

The people Ye Zhen brought along, whether Liu Feng, Gu Tieqi, Big Ears, or Ling Qianbi, were extremely important to him. Losing even one would be unbearable pain for Ye Zhen!

Acting separately, creating chaos, deceiving everyone.

Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi would leave openly with the entourage, while another team of three hundred Sacrificial Guards from the Barbarian Spirit Hall would depart separately. After leaving Luoyi, when reaching the Ancient Teleportation Formation on Dragon Swimming Plain, Ye Zhen would create several Illusory Bodies and teleport in different directions using the formation.

Ye Zhen executed this plan but made small modifications.

Soon after leaving Luoyi, Ling Qianbi and Big Ears vanished into thin air.

By the time they reached the Ancient Teleportation Formation at Dragon Swimming Plain, Ye Zhen had already disappeared into the bustling crowd.

The transfigurations done by Achou, the Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit, using Ancient Mirage Qi, couldn’t be seen through even by Dao Realm Experts. Disappearing in a place bustling with people was exceedingly convenient.

With the meticulous route planning by Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, Ye Zhen appeared in the Ancient Teleportation Formation of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom just a day and a half later.

Nevertheless, Ye Zhen did not immediately return to County City of North Sea.

All affairs of County City of North Sea were entrusted to Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, as well as Governor Qiao Fu and County Captain Tang Biao, who had guaranteed their loyalty to Ye Zhen.

Furthermore, the three hundred priests from the Barbarian Spirit Hall under Ye Zhen’s command would provide additional strength, ensuring peace of mind.

With the five-year term approaching, the most crucial thing was strength.

It had to be top-notch strength!

The initial five-year term was essentially the Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long giving Ye Zhen a five-year period to grow.

Even the Ren Venerate Emperor probably didn’t expect Ye Zhen to be so mischievous.

In under five years, Ye Zhen had not only irked the Heavenly Temple thoroughly but also offended the two Grand Power Sacrifices of the Ancestor God Temple.

The Ren Venerate Emperor had mixed feelings towards an official like Ye Zhen, both loving him and holding grudges.

Loving him for being able to handle and stir things, hating him for being a drain on resources, and one mishap could lead to a major incident.

He was loved for being able to cause such a significant commotion under Xio Qiangu’s West Patrol command.

Originally, the Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long just intended to plant a nail, but now that nail has the potential to grow into a big tree.

Upon leaving Luoyi, the Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long sent Yu Chaoen to ask if Ye Zhen needed an expert to protect him.

After considering it, Ye Zhen declined.

According to Yu Chaoen, he could assign a Dao Realm Expert to Ye Zhen as a mainstay force.

Yet, Ye Zhen had many concerns.

Dao Realm Experts possess unpredictable divine skills and incredible abilities, which Ye Zhen indeed urgently needs.

But Ye Zhen harbors numerous secrets that cannot see the light of day. If a Dao Realm Expert belonging to the Royal Family were following him, Ye Zhen’s secrets could be exposed unintentionally.

If any critical secret is exposed, be it the secret of the Mirage Dragon Pearl, the War Soul Blood Flag, or the Demon Marshal’s Avatar, or the True Profound Continent, the revelation of any would lead to unexpected changes.

Ye Zhen estimated that these things might even stir improper thoughts in the Royal Family, let alone a Dao Realm Expert.

Thus, Ye Zhen declined the Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s kind offer to dispatch a Dao Realm Expert.

Ye Zhen’s idea was that his own strength mattered the most.

Therefore, Ye Zhen planned to take advantage of the more than half a year ahead to diligently cultivate, elevating his own strength and combat power.

In the Mirage Dragon Pearl Space, under the effect of Temporal Power, more than half a year equates to at least five years of arduous cultivation.

Five years of cultivation is more than enough for Ye Zhen to significantly enhance his strength and combat power.

Therefore, this time Ye Zhen intends to return by entering from Haiyuan City to North Sea, heading straight for Xiansheng Water Mansion!