Above the Great Dao

Chapter 1540 714: Eldest Senior Brother

Fan Xiao walked out from the Beidi Province Government Office in the North Sea, slightly furrowing his brows.

These days, he still hasn't been able to find the whereabouts of Chen Shi.

He employed the Heavenly Mechanism Divine Calculation to deduce Chen Shi's whereabouts, but Chen Shi's skill in the Heavenly Mechanism surpassed his. The locations he calculated were all wrong, and when he went to search, he often came up empty.

Fortunately, being a disciple of the Immortal Emperor, he wielded considerable power in the North Sea, a place distant from the Jade Emperor's reach, almost making him a local ruler of sorts.

The North Sea is under the jurisdiction of the Ziwei Emperor of the Beiji, under whom the four Divine Emperors, Tian Peng, Tian You, Yi Sheng, and True Martial serve. The North Sea is guarded by Emperor Tian Peng, commanding 360,000 divine beings, with countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, ruling over the North Sea and its surrounding areas like the Northern Continent.

However, in recent years, the Beiji Exorcism Institute's control over the lower levels has weakened, causing the power of the Immortal Court in the North Sea region to grow, and even many immortals in the Beiji Exorcism Institute are from the Immortal Court.

Fan Xiao mobilized the Immortal Court's forces here to search for Chen Shi's whereabouts.

In his opinion, Chen Shi must have come to the North Sea to mine for the best Immortal Ore to refine treasure, and just by inquiring from those Immortal Ore merchants, one could find clues about Chen Shi.

However, Chen Shi's mining was truly mining and not to purchase exotic treasures.

The esteemed Great Marshal of the Heavenly Court, who would be called a Heavenly King, and the Crown Prince of Houde Palace, favored by East King, surprisingly mined like a slave day after day without using any power or abilities beyond those of an ordinary immortal.

Such a matter, even if told, not only Fan Xiao but others would refuse to believe it.

"Strange, even the Beiji Exorcism Institute can't find Chen Shi's whereabouts. Could it be that they deceived me? Perhaps Chen Shi is currently in Penglai West, enjoying himself with his beloved wife while laughing at my foolishness for seeking him in the North Sea!"

Fan Xiao, growing annoyed at this thought, was tempted to return immediately to Golden Turtle Island to question Little Dun Fairy about the truth.

"Mr. Fan, wait a moment!"

Fan Xiao halted and turned back, seeing a minor official from the Beiji Exorcism Institute running out to him, saying: "Mr. Fan, we haven't found Chen Shi buying jade and Immortal Ore, but the records from the mines mention a mining immortal named Zhong Wuwang who recently redeemed himself and left the Black Water River Mine Area. This Zhong Wuwang looks similar to the man you're seeking, Chen Shi."

Fan Xiao was slightly stunned and asked: "Where is the Black Water River Mine Area?"

"In the Dao Wang County of Yanzhou. On the outskirts of Dao Wang County, there's a vast mountain range with numerous black streams flowing out from within. That's the Black Water River Mine Area."

The officer continued: "The Black Water River Mine Area is governed by the Daoist King True Master, and the area is divided into different zones, each watched over by a Golden Immortal. Mr. Fan, you must be cautious there, as the power of the Heavenly Court is significant."

Fan Xiao thanked him and departed on his own.

Soon after, he arrived at Dao Wang County, where an immortal officer was already waiting with the mine boss of the fourth mining area. Upon seeing his arrival, they quickly presented Zhong Wuwang's work records compiled by the mine boss to Fan Xiao.

Fan Xiao skimmed through them and exclaimed in surprise: "This indeed is Chen Shi. But why did he sell himself to the Black Water River Mine Area, work for eight months, earn some money, and then redeem himself?"

He couldn't quite understand, carefully reading through it all before summoning the mine boss and saying: "It mentions here that he sold a woman into the mine; could it be that he had a romantic involvement with her?"

The mine boss replied: "I do not know. However, when Zhong Wuwang left, he inquired about the woman's whereabouts. Not finding her, he seemed somewhat disheartened. Some even saw him wiping tears outside the mine area."

Fan Xiao chuckled: "Could it be he fell for her?"

"That I cannot say."

"What about the woman?"

"Probably dead. The bodies in the mine aren't cleaned up; they're just thrown into the Black Water River, where Alien Bugs completely consume them."

Fan Xiao pondered silently.

He recalled Chen Shi's methods; his four junior brothers and sisters all perished at Chen Shi's hands. Despite his young age, he became the General of the World just thirty years after his ascension. It's unlikely he would shed tears over a mere romance.

"Take me to the mine area," Fan Xiao commanded.

The mine boss immediately responded, "Sir, allow me to have those lowly ones vacate the area first so as not to offend you!"

Fan Xiao shook his head and said: "I want to see his real experience; why would a fearsome figure like him weep? If you clear them out, what am I going to see?"

The mine boss dared not contradict him and smiled: "If you wish to observe his experience, you'll need to change your attire. I'll prepare a set of mining clothes for you."

Fan Xiao nodded.

When the mine boss provided the clothes, Fan Xiao examined them closely and couldn't help but frown: "This is the coarse hemp robe he wore in the mine area?"

The mine boss smiled apologetically: "Everyone wears this in the mines. When it wears out, just buy another set; it's cheap and not worth fussing over."

Fan Xiao stifled his discomfort, changed into the clothes, and followed him to the fourth mine area.

Fan Xiao joined these mining immortals, delving deep into the mountain to observe their mining methods but saw nothing particularly unusual. After spending two days there, he emerged from the mine area, changed back into his own clothes, and summoned the mine boss: "Did Chen Shi ever uncover some treasure mine?"

"Never. He only mined a few medium-grade jades, not very valuable," replied the mine boss.

Fan Xiao speculated: "Could Chen Shi have found treasure mines and kept them hidden?"

The mine boss chuckled: "Sir, what is this person's background that you're investigating him personally?"

He didn't know Fan Xiao's identity but noticed how respectfully provincial immortals treated him, naturally assuming a significant figure was involved. It's rare for someone of high status to come investigating a miner.