Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 914 - 914 0553 Unable to Withstand Investigation_1

Chapter 914: Chapter 0553 Unable to Withstand Investigation_1 Chapter 914: Chapter 0553 Unable to Withstand Investigation_1 Chapter 0553: Vulnerable to Scrutiny

As a dignified Gold Core Realm powerhouse, nothing could unlock Xia Xiaoming’s Storage Bag without his permission—not even Gao Jinmei, another cultivator of the Gold Core Stage. In Xia Xiaoming’s view, though his Storage Bag lacked restrictions specific to the Gold Core Stage, he had slyly woven together various prohibitions. Intertwined, supporting each other, the combination of these measures was absolutely on par with those of the Gold Core Stage, and certainly not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could decipher. Zhang Ting’s cultivation level was indisputable, merely at the initial layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage, the very bottom of her tier. There was no way she could open his Storage Bag.

However, just when Xia Xiaoming was brimming with confidence, believing he had everything under control, he witnessed an incredible scene. He saw Zhang Ting reach directly into his Storage Bag and begin pulling things out.

The result dramatically changed Xia Xiaoming’s expression. He could not accept this outcome—on one hand, it was an undeniable loss of face, even a defeat; a feeling he had only experienced once before, when Qi Tian captured and compelled him to sign a Servant Pact. Qi Tian was now his master, and he could not resist, but Zhang Ting was a total outsider, and this made the situation even more unacceptable. On the other hand, his Storage Bag didn’t contain just any items. Apart from some cultivation resources exclusive to the Imperial Family Secret Territory, which Qi Tian had allocated to him, he also stashed some emergency items in his Storage Bag—items that could bring cataclysmic disaster upon him if discovered by the higher-ups of the Imperial Family Secret Territory.

The factors combined, sparking a chilling killing intent in Xia Xiaoming. His eyes twitched; he was certain that with the vast difference in cultivation between him and Zhang Ting, he needed only a single move to kill her.

However, just as Xia Xiaoming was about to make a move, Qi Tian’s voice transmission suddenly rang in his ear: “Do not act on your own, and you are especially forbidden from killing Zhang Ting. I have a use for her.”

Before Xia Xiaoming could respond, Qi Tian added another sentence, “Rest assured, if Zhang Ting takes your things, I’ll retrieve them exactly as they were taken. Don’t worry about causing chaos.”

After giving his instructions, Qi Tian continued to monitor Zhang Ting’s entire theft process with the sensory function of the Heavenly Dao Engine, keeping a close eye on her movements. He was already formulating a plan; with a little more time, he should be able to unlock the secret behind Zhang Ting’s thievery.

Zhang Ting quickly emptied Xia Xiaoming’s Storage Bag. Overwhelmed with excitement, she had not expected to find such a big catch. Although she couldn’t identify some of the items, the few she recognized were worth a fortune, no less valuable than those carried by the young master Xiang Bo.

Zhang Ting muttered, “I’ve long suspected you three were no ordinary people, and, as expected, you didn’t disappoint. The items you possess are comparable to Xiang Bo’s, enough to suggest that your identities are extraordinary; perhaps noblemen on a journey of experience? Ha-ha, crossing paths with me was your bad luck. Heh-heh, let’s see what the next fat sheep has in their Storage Bag.”

With that, Zhang Ting picked up Qi Tian’s Storage Bag—utterly deceiving in appearance, Qi Tian hadn’t actually placed anything of value inside, nor had he stored any potentially prohibitive items for emergencies. Despite that, Qi Tian still layered three protections over the mouth of the Storage Bag, each carefully chosen from among the upper-mid tier of restrictions available to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But even such triple-layered protections, under the touch of Zhang Ting’s hands, were as flimsy as a layer of film, powerless to hinder her; she still effortlessly reached into the Storage Bag and started to remove items.

Qi Tian shook his head inwardly, understanding one truth: never underestimate anyone. A minor Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator like Zhang Ting seemed but a tiny shrimp in his eyes, yet even such a shrimp could capsize his boat.

After Zhang Ting had finished with Qi Tian’s Storage Bag, she voiced her discontent: “I thought you’d be the biggest catch, but turns out you’re just a poor beggar, with so little to your name it’s embarrassing. If only I’d known, I wouldn’t have bothered with your Storage Bag, such bad luck.”

After spitting disdainfully twice, Zhang Ting picked up Gao Jinmei’s Storage Bag. Gao Jinmei had been aware of Zhang Ting’s theft all along; she just hadn’t intervened due to Qi Tian’s commands. When she saw Zhang Ting reach for her Storage Bag, a scornful smile played upon her lips.

Unlike Xia Xiaoming, Gao Jinmei, born from an assassin’s lineage, was exceedingly cautious and meticulous in all her actions. She would never store anything that might betray her identity inside her Storage Bag. The items she stored, whether in quality or quantity, were not even on par with Qi Tian’s. However, Gao Jinmei shared one thing with Xia Xiaoming: she treasured her Storage Bag deeply, ensuring it was layered with protections, even if only for show. Amongst these, several were designed for situations precisely like this. One such prohibition was an alarm; touching it generated a faint connection between her and her Storage Bag. Another linked restriction, once activated, caused the Storage Bag to emit a bright light, its intensity rivaling that of the moon in the sky.