The two Heavenly Master's Residence direct disciples leading the team had a difference of opinion.

The young Daoist waved his hand: “Holding our ground here isn’t a solution. Let’s search in a pincer movement toward the northeast or northwest!”

The other young Daoist said, “Junior brother, our duty is to guard this area. We shouldn’t abandon our post.”

The young Daoist replied, “Let’s just split into two groups. You and I each lead a squad—one stays here to guard, the other searches along the flank!”

Jason Reed and the other young Daoist acolytes were all quietly waiting nearby.

But just then, a sudden flash of light appeared in Jason Reed’s mind.

The glowing orb, which had been quiet for some time, now displayed text:

[Hunt the traitor, there are hidden truths, split up and act, life and death are up to fate.]

Then, three sticks flew out from the orb, each inscribed with a fortune:

[Upper-middle fortune: Take the initiative to hunt, press forward without complications, gain a sixth-rank opportunity, auspicious.]

[Middle fortune: Hold your ground, neither strive nor move, wait for the storm to pass, nothing gained, nothing lost, neutral.]

[Worst fortune: Take the initiative to hunt, change targets midway, fall into a deadly trap, certain death, extremely inauspicious!]

Chapter 6: My Junior Brother Is Just Too Reckless

Reading the fortunes, Jason Reed’s eyes flashed.

Hold your ground, do nothing wrong, don’t seek merit but avoid mistakes—the result is safety, no benefit but no danger either.

Take the initiative to hunt, but it could split into two outcomes: one auspicious, one disastrous?

“That Daoist acolyte is indeed capable, but with so many people searching for him and he’s still escaped for so long, there must be more to it.”

The young Daoist who advocated holding their post continued to persuade: “Junior brother, until the situation is clear, we should respond to all changes by remaining unchanged…”

The young Daoist shook his head: “I also suspect someone else is helping that little thief. That’s exactly why we need to get to the bottom of this quickly!”

He made up his mind, determined to split the team.

Though young, he was exceptionally talented and highly valued by his elders.

The other young Daoist had joined earlier, but they were not direct disciples of the same master, so he couldn’t forcefully override the young Daoist’s decision.

Beside Jason Reed, several acolytes from the Sixth Institute hesitated.

They wanted to follow the young Daoist and take the initiative, as it would give them a better chance to earn merit.

But the shadow of the explosion at Elder Foster’s altar a few months ago still lingered.

That Daoist acolyte surnamed Zhang had only just recovered from serious injuries, and thinking back on his own overzealousness, he still felt afraid.

Everyone was wondering if they should follow Senior Brother Reed’s example from last time…

“Jason Reed is ready to follow Master Carter’s orders at any time.”

A tall figure was the first to step forward, following the young Daoist surnamed Gao.

Everyone stared in shock at Jason Reed as he stepped out.

“Senior Brother Reed?”

A nearby acolyte whispered, “Last time you said to focus on your own duties first, then worry about other things…”

Jason Reed: “Whether we go or stay now, it’s all for the sect, all for Heavenly Master's Residence’s business.”

“Excellent!”

The young Daoist was delighted, gathered a few more people, and set off quickly.

Not long after they left, William Thompson came over, looking around: “Junior Brother Clark, why are you alone? Where’s Junior Brother Carter?”

The young Daoist explained, “Junior Brother Carter suspects the thief has an accomplice, so he took people to investigate and search.”

After hearing the list of those who went on the initiative, William Thompson didn’t say much, but sighed inwardly:

He had no desire to get involved in such matters, only wanting to lie low in his own little corner, but unfortunately, his master had given him this job before leaving.

As for Junior Brother Reed, he seemed quite driven.

“Young people, so full of vigor.”

William Thompson shook his head lightly. “But you can’t blame him. Life is short, you have to seize the day…”

But if anything happened to Jason Reed, he wouldn’t know how to explain to his own master or to Senior Sister Emily Grant.

……

Jason Reed and his group followed the young Daoist, searching everywhere, but found nothing.

On the way, they ran into other teams, and heard that the thief had tried to break through a checkpoint but failed. He hadn’t been caught on the spot and had vanished again, but fortunately the overall encirclement was tightening.

“With things like that and he still wasn’t caught, there’s probably someone helping him in secret.” The young Daoist was even more convinced of his judgment.

The team searched the mountains for a while longer.

As the encirclement shrank, they found more and more clues.

“He’s nearby!”

Before the young Daoist finished speaking, he suddenly noticed a flash of light in another direction among the mountains under the night sky, followed by a clap of thunder.

It was coming from the direction of the Daoist acolyte academy… Seeing this, Jason Reed fell into thought.

The young Daoist immediately reacted: “The Daoist acolyte academy… a diversion tactic!”

The thief being hunted did have accomplices. While everyone was out searching the mountains, they took the opportunity to target the now-vacant Daoist acolyte academy and go after other targets.

It looked like they’d been discovered, but it was unclear if they’d succeeded.

“This is the real big catch—we have to get them all in one net!” The young Daoist snorted.