"My esteemed seniors, this is the residence of the Fire Talisman Sect. The grand ceremony will commence in three days. During this period, you may rest in your quarters or move about freely. Should you encounter any issues, please do not hesitate to call upon us."
"Very well, we appreciate your assistance."
"You are too kind, senior. This junior will now take his leave."
After watching the Xuanji Gate disciples depart with an unyielding demeanor, the members of the Fire Talisman Sect instantly let out a collective sigh of relief, their once-straightened spines slumping downwards.
They had been utterly stifled just moments ago, not daring to even take a full breath.
Seeing this, Zhan Fei silently shook his head, refraining from any words of reprimand.
"Alright, after many days of travel, I imagine you are all quite weary. Retire to your rooms and rest. Tomorrow, we will visit the vicinity and see if we can forge connections with disciples from other sects."
Zhan Fei dismissed his disciples, then beckoned the elders of the North and South to his chamber.
"Although we have arrived at Xuanji Gate, we must not become too complacent. We need to constantly monitor the movements of our disciples and absolutely ensure that none of them are left alone."
The two elders displayed expressions of confusion. "Sect Leader, we are already on Xuanji Gate's territory. Why are you still so worried?"
The elders did not understand why the Sect Leader had been so exceptionally anxious throughout their journey, and now, upon reaching Xuanji Gate, he still appeared preoccupied.
On the continent of Jiuzhou, was there any place safer than Xuanji Gate?
Zhan Fei frowned and said in a low voice, "I cannot quite explain it, but I have an ominous feeling that this sect grand ceremony may not be entirely peaceful.
In any case, we must be exceedingly careful and never allow anyone an opportunity to exploit us."
Zhan Fei believed in the strength of Xuanji Gate, but he was more inclined to trust his own intuition.
It would not hurt to be cautious.
"Yes, we will most certainly keep a close watch on the disciples."
Seeing Zhan Fei speak with such gravity, the two elders earnestly agreed.
Zhan Fei nodded, then had them dismissed, letting out a long sigh.
He hoped his worries were unfounded.
...
Xuanqing Sect's encampment.
Within his room, Long Haotian suddenly opened his eyes, a flicker of vexation crossing his brow.
He had repeatedly cautioned himself in his mind not to overthink things during this period, yet upon reaching the territory of Xuanji Gate, he found himself utterly unable to cultivate with any peace of mind.
He rose and pushed open the window. The cool moonlight bathed the room, adding a layer of desolation to his mood.
After some thought, he finally decided to go out for a walk, to clear his head.
Harboring a secret anticipation that he himself had not yet noticed, Long Haotian stepped out of his room.
With no particular destination in mind, he casually chose a path and ambled along slowly.
It was then that a shadowy figure flashed past in front of him.
"Who's there!"
Long Haotian called out in a low voice, his hand striking his storage bag, summoning his magical artifact.
Seeing that the other party remained silent, Long Haotian advanced further. "If you don't come out, I will take action."
"Senior Brother Long, it's me. Don't make a move, I'll come out now."
The shadow emerged from around a corner, dressed in the attire of a Xuanqing Sect disciple, his shoulders hunched, presenting a timid and subservient demeanor.
Long Haotian frowned, scrutinizing the person before him and recognizing his identity.
"Junior Brother Liu, why are you not in your room at this hour? What are you doing out here?"
Junior Brother Liu gave an awkward smile. "Senior Brother Long, I, I was just a bit bored, so I came out for a casual stroll. I'm just walking around. I'll be heading back now."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Stop!"
Junior Brother Liu's body instantly froze in place.
Long Haotian quickly strode forward, reaching him. Without a word, he simply stared intently at him.
Junior Brother Liu let out a dry chuckle. "Senior Brother Long, do you have any other instructions?"
Long Haotian pondered for a moment before saying, "Nothing of consequence. I merely wished to remind you that it is late, and you should return soon."
"Understood, I'll head back to my room now."
Junior Brother Liu quickly agreed, then bolted in another direction.
Long Haotian watched Junior Brother Liu's retreating back, his furrowed brow not unfurling; rather, it tightened further.
Something was wrong.
Junior Brother Liu was behaving very strangely.
He seemed very nervous upon seeing him.
Why?
Was it fear of punishment, or had he done something to merit a guilty conscience?
The more Long Haotian thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He quickened his pace, intending to pursue and interrogate him further, but was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Don't go. Be careful not to startle the snake."
Long Haotian's eyes went blank for a moment, then he abruptly turned around, exclaiming, "What are you doing here!"
Xu Yi smiled wryly. "I followed your Junior Brother Liu here. As for you, why are you still wandering outside so late instead of resting in your room?"
"I..." Long Haotian was about to explain, then, recalling something, he awkwardly lowered his head. "What I do outside should have no bearing on Old Ancestor Xu, right?"
Xu Yi paused, then looked at Long Haotian with suspicion.
What was wrong with Long Haotian?
His words were so peculiar.
Could he have been ensnared by the demon race as well?
Xu Yi glanced down at the Spirit Demon Bead in his hand. No, the Spirit Demon Bead showed no reaction.
Long Haotian felt flustered under Xu Yi's gaze, and realizing he was in the wrong, he huffily cupped his hands in a bow. "Old Ancestor Xu, this junior will take his leave. Farewell."
He walked past Xu Yi, striding purposefully towards his room, his pace gradually slowing.
Did Xu Yi not notice he was angry?
Why didn't he call him back?
Had he been too excessive?
Long Haotian's mind raced with thoughts. Seeing that he was getting further away and about to reach his room, he gritted his teeth, turned around, and walked back to Xu Yi's side.
"What did you mean by following Junior Brother Liu?" Long Haotian asked, his gaze darting about, his teeth gritted.
Xu Yi was not surprised by Long Haotian's capriciousness.
In Xu Yi's eyes, Long Haotian had always exhibited some issues with his mental state.
Regarding this, Xu Yi considered himself a very magnanimous person, capable of tolerating Long Haotian's shortcomings.
"Didn't you already discover it just now?" Xu Yi replied with a half-smile.
If she had not spoken up to intervene, Long Haotian would have already caught up.
"Does he truly have a problem?"
Long Haotian's attention was diverted by Xu Yi's words, and he immediately forgot his previous embarrassment.
"Yes," Xu Yi nodded gently, her gaze sharp as a knife. "His mind has been enthralled, and his body is no longer under his control."
"What?"
Long Haotian was greatly shocked.
He had indeed felt that Junior Brother Liu was problematic, but he had never expected such a outcome.
"When did you discover that he was not right? Why did you stop me just now? Did you already anticipate that something like this would happen?"
Long Haotian's reaction was swift.
Xu Yi's presence here indicated that she had sensed something unusual long ago. Then why did she not prevent this from happening, allowing Junior Brother Liu to be harmed by the villain?
"You have too many questions," Xu Yi said, looking at him. "I am about to continue my pursuit. If you are truly desperate to know the truth, then go and ask Sect Leader Qinglian. He will tell you."
Xu Yi smiled at Long Haotian, then her figure flickered, disappearing before him.
Long Haotian clenched his fists in anger and rushed towards the place where his father was staying.