“Qin Si, Bai Shengyi, Shenqi Academy… and Qinglan, just you wait!” Yun Youyue coldly watched in the direction Qin Si disappeared, her gaze deep as ink.
With a flick of her sleeve, three-headed black jiaos swam out from the distance.
However, two of its heads were gone, and it was crooked and even uglier.
Yun Youyue didn't mind. She stepped onto the head of a three-headed black jiao, and the person and the jiao disappeared into the Heavenly Dao Ravine.
…
“Has Alchemist Bai not returned today?”
In Nvgui City, at the Shenqi Academy residence.
Alchemist Hongni looked at the person blocking his way, his face already darkening.
“Feng Wuya, are you truly not deceiving this old man? The finals of the alchemy competition are almost here, and Alchemist Bai is still not back?”
This was the fifteenth time Alchemist Hongni had come here.
He had no choice but to come. This morning, when he woke up, he found that the purple pattern had spread to his thigh.
Although he had also refined an antidote, the pill could only manage for one day. The next day, the purple pattern would continue to spread.
Moreover, starting from the day before yesterday, his limbs had been experiencing a dull ache, but upon careful examination, he couldn't pinpoint the source.
Alchemist Hongni had gone to see Rong Xuelan of the Xile Sect. Rong Xuelan had completely recovered, but Alchemist Moni, who had been poisoned with her, had long since become a pile of white bones.
He naturally wouldn't allow himself to end up in that state.
Facing Alchemist Hongni's strong demeanor, Feng Wuya still had a smile on his face.
“Senior Alchemist Hongni, this junior is truly not deceiving you. Our captain is really not here.”
Feng Wuya added, “Furthermore, Yueqingshan issued a notice yesterday. Not only was the talisman competition suspended, but the finals of the alchemy competition were also postponed. Our captain is attending to her personal affairs, and we can't control that.”
During this period, it wasn't just Hongni who had visited Bai Shengyi. Even Alchemist Xuanfang of the Xuannv Sect and Dong Wuyu of Dongyang Mountain had come looking for her.
Feng Wuya genuinely didn't know where Bai Shengyi had gone.
Ever since Bai Shengyi had said she was going out with Qin Si for something, the two of them had never returned.
Let alone others wanting to see Bai Shengyi, he himself wanted to see her.
If Shengyi didn't return soon, Er Gou would scratch him to pieces.
“Senior Alchemist Hongni, perhaps you could visit again next time?” Feng Wuya smiled innocently.
Alchemist Hongni, with a dark expression, flicked his sleeves and left.
“Senior Alchemist Hongni.”
As he reached the doorway, a male cultivator suddenly called out to him.
“Senior Alchemist Hongni might not know me. I am a seed from Shenqi Academy this time, named Wei Menglong. I also participated in the alchemy grand competition and ranked two hundred and first,” Wei Menglong said respectfully.
Alchemist Hongni responded indifferently, “Oh. What is it?”
Someone who hadn't even made it to the finals was not worth his attention.
Wei Menglong was unfazed by Alchemist Hongni's arrogant attitude and continued humbly, “Junior called out to Senior because I hope Senior will not be deceived by them any longer!”
“Oh?”
“Senior, you may not know, but Feng Wuya and Bai Shengyi are friends. He definitely knows where Bai Shengyi is. They are currently colluding and deliberately playing a trick on Senior.”
Alchemist Hongni roared, “How dare he?”
Wei Menglong said softly, “They are both key seeded disciples of the academy. With the academy backing them, what is there that they wouldn't dare to do?”
“This is simply lawless! This is the Shenqi World, and Shenqi Academy has no right to run rampant here!” Alchemist Hongni was furious.
Especially at this moment, the snake-like biting pain in his limbs made him involuntarily think of the poison on his body, further fueling his anger.
Wei Menglong had achieved his goal. He suppressed the corners of his lips and said in a low voice, “Senior, please do not be angry. Junior is willing to help you. As long as something happens to Feng Wuya, Bai Shengyi will naturally be willing to come out.”
“Oh?” Alchemist Hongni rested his chin on his hand, considering it.
On the other side, Feng Wuya returned to the courtyard and saw Qin Sanxiang walking over.
“Fairy Sanxiang, is something the matter?”
Hadn't Qin Sanxiang been hovering around Hua Xueji all this time? Why did she have the mood to look for him today?
“It’s nothing much, just to tell you that Yueqingshan just sent someone to inquire about the captain’s whereabouts.”
Qin Sanxiang yawned.
“Yesterday, I was still telling Bai Xia that the captain's absence didn't have a big impact, but I didn't expect so many people to be looking for her.”
After all, the seeded disciples participating in the grand event were all proud prodigies who cultivated and practiced diligently without needing supervision. As for miscellaneous matters, Elder Yun handled them. Therefore, Bai Shengyi's presence or absence didn't really matter.
“Who said it didn't? I’m already annoyed to death. No, I'm going into seclusion too,” Feng Wuya grumbled.
Qin Sanxiang: “We’ll have to wait then. None of us are as good at talking as you. If you go into seclusion, who will deal with those annoying people?”
Feng Wuya fell silent.
It was indeed like that.
Bai Xia and Jing Fei were low-key, Qin Sanxiang was boisterous, Li Xiaoxiao was timid, Hua Xueji was aloof, and Ximen Hongchun was even more cold. Originally, Li Shiqing and Chu Tianle were suitable, but those two had already gone into seclusion.
After much thought, he, as an alchemist, was the most suitable.
“Fellow Daoist Feng, Sanxiang, you are both here,” Bai Xia said with a smile as she walked out from inside. “I want to go out and buy some materials for refining artifacts. Can you accompany me?”
Feng Wuya frowned. “Fairy Bai Xia, what materials are they? Let me see if any of our seeded disciples have them. Elder Yun said that Nvgui City is not very peaceful during this period, so it’s best if we don’t go out if we don’t have to.”
The Shenqi Grand Event had abruptly stopped. Not only the major sects were affected, but also the rogue cultivators who came to Nvgui City to seek opportunities.
Although battles were not rampant in the city now, it was still not safe.
However, it was fortunate that the organizer this time was Yueqingshan, whose management methods were swift and decisive. Otherwise, Nvgui City would likely be even more chaotic.
Elder Yun, considering Shenqi Academy's special status, had specifically instructed everyone not to go out unless necessary.
Bai Xia said helplessly, “I recently refined something for the captain and managed to successfully refine a mid-grade Earth-tier spiritual artifact. I had some insights and wanted to try again, but I was short of one Jinlingyu ore for the materials. I asked others, but they didn’t have it.”
Qin Sanxiang frowned and thought for a moment.
“This Jinlingyu ore is only unique to the outer continent, isn't it?”
Bai Xia nodded.
There was no other way now.
“Then I’ll go with you, and Wuya will accompany you. I’ll call Jing Fei too,” Qin Sanxiang said after thinking.
Bai Xia quickly stopped her, “Jing Fei is refining medicine, and it’s said to be an eighth-grade pill. We shouldn’t disturb him, should we?”
Hearing Bai Xia's words, Qin Sanxiang and Feng Wuya were both astonished.
They asked in unison, “Senior Brother Jing Fei is about to break through again?”
“I don’t know,” Bai Xia smiled with pursed lips.
“Alright then, we’ll go out with you,” Qin Sanxiang decided firmly.
Feng Wuya asked someone to inform Elder Yun, and the three of them went out towards the direction of Wanbao Pavilion.
As soon as they went out, Wei Menglong saw them.
“Senior Alchemist Hongni, Feng Wuya has gone out.”