However, a moment later, Chen Xiao's eyes snapped open, revealing an expression of disbelief.
He discovered that his tracking spell had failed!
It was known that unless the old Taoist was currently a hundred kilometers away from Chen Xiao, this tracking spell would almost certainly not fail.
However, this possibility was exceedingly slim; the old Taoist was unlikely to be a hundred kilometers away from Chen Xiao at this moment.
Of course, there was another possibility.
That was that the old Taoist had discovered the tracking spell on him and had dispelled it.
If this were the case, Chen Xiao would have a headache.
It would mean that the old Taoist's cultivation level was very high, and his strength was unfathomable!
Furthermore, this old Taoist was clearly an enemy, not a friend, because Chen Xiao sensed an aura similar to Xuan Qingzi's on this person.
If this person was related to Xuan Qingzi and was tracking Chen Xiao, it was highly probable that he was seeking revenge.
That was why Chen Xiao had asked him by the river if he was there to collect a debt.
Now, it seemed, this possibility was extremely high.
However, the impact of this matter on Chen Xiao lasted only half a minute before he cast it aside.
When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth! What was there to worry about with a mere mortal!
Chen Xiao's mind cleared, and he drove home.
At the entrance of his apartment complex, Chen Xiao met Lin Zicong.
Lin Zicong was now following Chen Xiao and was responsible for Liu Zhen's safety.
Although Chen Xiao had persuaded her many times, he still couldn't stop Liu Zhen's enthusiasm for setting up a stall in the market.
Chen Xiao thought about it and agreed; Liu Zhen was not old, and staying at home all day would inevitably make her feel stifled, leading to psychological problems sooner or later.
If she wanted to set up a stall, let her do it; it was better than being forced into marriage.
However, Chen Xiao also knew that he had many enemies, so he assigned Lin Zicong to protect his mother in secret.
"How is it, Zicong? Did anything happen today?"
Facing Chen Xiao's question, Lin Zicong hesitated.
"Auntie encountered no danger today, but I can't say there were no problems."
Chen Xiao frowned: "What do you mean by that? Can you explain it more clearly?"
"It's just that there was an old Taoist who kept lingering around Auntie during the day. I thought he had something wrong with him, but whenever I went to find him, he always seemed to detect me and leave beforehand. This happened several times, and I felt like he was toying with me..."
Lin Zicong stammered, his tone filled with self-reproach and frustration.
He used to think of himself as a master, but after following Chen Xiao, on his very first day on the job, he was given a display of power and felt utterly helpless.
He didn't consider that since Chen Xiao was so capable, how could his opponent be weak?
After hearing his words, Chen Xiao immediately became vigilant.
"The old Taoist you're talking about, does he have white hair and beard, is he dirty all over, wearing ragged clothes, and looks like an old beggar?"
Lin Zicong said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, it's him! Brother Xiao, you don't know this person, do you?"
Chen Xiao shook his head: "I don't know him either. Don't worry about it. If you see him again next time, notify me immediately, understand?"
"Understood, Brother Xiao!"
Lin Zicong nodded respectfully, acting like a subordinate should.
"Alright, you can go. Notify me immediately if there are any problems."
Chen Xiao waved his hand, and Lin Zicong's figure disappeared into the darkness.
On his way home, Chen Xiao's face was stern and serious.
That old Taoist dared to follow his mother; that was his absolute limit.
There were a few scoundrels in the past who dared to offend his mother, and they had already turned to dust.
And this old Taoist was clearly not comparable to those scoundrels.
No, he had to resolve this trouble to prevent future complications!
Before entering the house, Chen Xiao added several protective spells to the amulet.
After dinner, Chen Xiao handed the amulet to his mother and said casually, "Mom, your birthday is coming soon. Your son has prepared a birthday gift for you in advance. You must wear it every day, as if I were by your side!"
Liu Zhen touched Chen Xiao's forehead: "You don't have a fever, do you? Son, what's wrong with you? Why are you talking nonsense? My birthday is still more than half a year away, what birthday gift are you talking about?"
Chen Xiao stammered: "As I said, I prepared this birthday gift for you in advance!"
Liu Zhen pouted: "Then you prepared it too far in advance!"
Then she asked seriously: "Son, tell Mom the truth, did something happen?"
Chen Xiao said: "Nothing really happened, don't ask anymore. Just wear it when I tell you to!"
"Alright, alright, I'll wear it, won't I? It's a gift from my son, I cherish it dearly!"
Seeing that his mother had finally put on the amulet, Chen Xiao's heart was finally relieved by more than half.
With this amulet, the old Taoist should not be able to harm his mother.
But this was still not safe enough; moving house must be put on the agenda.
Moving in with Gu Zhendong, if he wasn't home, and encountering danger, there would be someone to look after things.
Besides, Gu Zhendong was not useless. Right, and that Shi Ling, who Chen Xiao was still hiding in the bedroom.
It was a pity that Shi Ling's strength was far from what it used to be; otherwise, she would be a formidable combat force.
Then Chen Xiao brought up the matter with his mother.
Liu Zhen was slightly taken aback: "Is it that urgent? I haven't found a master to calculate an auspicious date yet..."
Chen Xiao said: "The hospital will send me on a business trip in a few days. I hope we can finish moving before then. Oh, and Uncle Gu and his daughter will also move with us."
Liu Zhen was very happy after hearing this: "I heard from Uncle Gu that Tongtong has become your disciple! I think it's great. Moving together means having a companion, a master and disciple, father and daughter!"
Chen Xiao's forehead was covered in black lines, thinking that his mother's crosstalk listening was not in vain.
Finally, Chen Xiao and his mother agreed to move in the next couple of days.
Actually, speaking of moving, given the state of Chen Xiao's home, which was as bare as a monk's cell, there wasn't much to move; it was almost like moving in with just a bag.
After discussing it, Chen Xiao returned to his bedroom to cultivate.
Chen Xiao's cultivation progress had been slow recently, but it had little to do with him. The main reason was that the surrounding spiritual energy was too thin, and the operation of the Nine Revolutions Azure Wave Art consumed an enormous amount of spiritual energy.
Without any fortuitous encounters, Chen Xiao could only cultivate step by step, his cultivation progressing like a snail.
Chen Xiao sat cross-legged on the bed. He suddenly felt that something was a bit off today. His cultivation was very smooth, and the concentration of spiritual energy around him seemed to have increased significantly.
He was overjoyed and quickly circulated the Nine Revolutions Azure Wave Art.
However, as he practiced, he discovered something else was wrong.
He suddenly opened his eyes and saw, under the gaze of his Blazing Kylin Eyes, that spiritual energy, as if tangible, was swirling around him.
However, that spiritual energy was black...