Hou Wu stepped forward. "Boss Xiao, we've scouted the strongholds of the seven major sects. Only the Thousand Mechanism Sect's stronghold is protected by a magic array, and we can't get close. If Young Master Xi Wen isn't at the other sects, then he's likely at the Thousand Mechanism Sect."
"Another possibility is that he's dead... Ow!" Hou Liu was elbowed by his brother and bent over in pain. "Brother, why did you hit me?"
"Boss Xiao, please forgive him. My younger brother speaks without thinking. I believe Young Master Xi Wen is blessed with great fortune and will be fine."
"Alright, I know. You two can go back."
"Thank you, Boss Xiao." Hou Wu happily took Hou Liu away.
Poison Lady looked at Xiao Man. "Boss, should we go to the Thousand Mechanism Sect to investigate?"
"Tomorrow is the enrollment day for the seven major sects. The Thousand Mechanism Sect will also be recruiting on-site. Let's wait. If Xi Wen is at the Thousand Mechanism Sect, he'll find a way to send us a message. What I'm worried about now is Qi Hong."
"Boss, could Qi Hong... have defected to the Five Poisons Sect?" Poison Lady had originally wanted to ask if Qi Hong had betrayed them, but seeing the somewhat pale face of Shan Yun, she changed her words.
"On the surface, yes. I just don't understand why it's Qi Hong. He went from the seventh stage of Qi Refining to the Foundation Establishment stage so suddenly. He must have used some secret method. But what does Qi Hong possess that the Five Poisons Sect would put in so much effort for?"
Shan Yun and Poison Lady looked at Xiao Man in unison. If there was anything about Qi Hong worth coveting, it could only be Xiao Man herself. After all, Qi Hong came from the lowest tier, the Eight Tribes, and had nothing truly valuable to be sought after.
"If it's because of me, any one of you could have been taken. Why Qi Hong?" Xiao Man said slowly. "It wouldn't be difficult to capture any of you, but they chose Qi Hong, and in such a short time, they raised his cultivation to the Foundation Establishment stage. They must be after something he has!"
"What could they possibly be after on Qi Hong? Everything Qi Hong has, you gave him. Except for him himself..." Shan Yun stopped mid-sentence, then suddenly realized. "The Five Poisons Sect is after Qi Hong himself! But what's so special about Qi Hong?"
"That's something we'd have to ask the Five Poisons Sect." Xiao Man's eyes flickered. At this moment, she couldn't rashly go see Qi Hong. After all, she didn't know Qi Hong's thoughts. If Qi Hong had been completely won over by the Five Poisons Sect, her appearance would be exposing herself to danger.
"I'll go find him!" Shan Yun turned and walked out. She had to warn Qi Hong to be wary of the Five Poisons Sect.
"Stop," Xiao Man called out to Shan Yun. "If you go to him, what will you say?"
"Of course, I'll tell him to beware of the Five Poisons Sect! They're after him!"
"Do you think Qi Hong will believe you?" Xiao Man asked unhurriedly. In Qi Hong's eyes, he was someone who had nothing. But now, the Five Poisons Sect had given him everything he desired: power, status, glory. At this point, even if his own father told him the Five Poisons Sect wanted to harm him, he wouldn't believe it!
"Whether he believes it or not is his business, but speaking out is my duty," Shan Yun said stubbornly. "I can't just stand by and watch him become a tool for the Five Poisons Sect."
"Have you considered that this might be something he willingly accepted?" Xiao Man's tone was very calm. Even knowing that the Five Poisons Sect was after Qi Hong, she remained composed, as if speaking about someone unrelated.
"Boss, I don't know if Qi Hong is willingly being used by the Five Poisons Sect. I just want to tell him what I know, so I won't regret it later." After saying this, Shan Yun had already rushed out of the room.
Xiao Man rubbed her temples with a headache. "Every single one of them is so troublesome. Shi Lan, follow her and keep an eye on her... Forget it, I'll go myself. You take care of Xiao Qi."
When Ze Fang heard Xiao Man was going out, he immediately hugged her leg and refused to let go. Xiao Man had no choice but to take Ze Fang with her.
Gu Yu had been guarding outside the City Lord's mansion, watching Xiao Man go in and out but not seeing Ze Fang emerge. He also saw Xiao Man send people to search for Ze Fang. What surprised him even more was that he had searched the entire Boundless City and couldn't find any trace of Ze Fang. Gu Yu started to panic.
"Young Master, where on earth have you gone?" Gu Yu squatted outside the City Lord's mansion. Today was the last day. If his Young Master didn't appear, Elder Wu would beat him to death!
As Xiao Man left the mansion with Ze Fang, she saw someone squatting in a corner, muttering to himself. She couldn't help but glance over, thinking he looked familiar. After running a considerable distance, she suddenly stopped. She remembered where she had seen that person before.
Gu Yu was still troubled by not being able to find Ze Fang and was contemplating how to confess to Elder Wu and seek leniency. Unexpectedly, when he turned around, he saw Xiao Man standing behind him. He was so startled that he stumbled backward until his back hit the wall, with nowhere left to retreat. He then asked fearfully,
"What... what do you want?"
"You're Ze Fang's attendant, aren't you?"
"I am. Do you know where my Young Master is?" Gu Yu asked excitedly. If Xiao Man knew, he could take him back before Elder Wu found out. After all, at this time, due to a backlash, his Young Master's cultivation was very low, and he could still manage to take him back if he tried.
"I'm looking for him too. When I returned from outside, he was gone. I searched the entire Boundless City and couldn't find him. Since you're his attendant, do you know where he usually likes to go?"
Where does the Young Master like to go? Gu Yu was speechless. He didn't know where Ze Fang liked to go. Although he was Ze Fang's servant, Ze Fang rarely went out except for sect missions. In other words, he didn't have a favorite place. It was only after coming to Boundless City and meeting Xiao Man that he became unpredictable.
"The Young Master usually doesn't go out," Gu Yu said softly.
"When was the last time your people saw him?" Xiao Man inquired.
Gu Yu looked up at Xiao Man. He wanted to say it was three days ago, but if he said three days ago, it would expose his contact with Ze Fang. He immediately said, "In the Roland Mountain Range, I was knocked unconscious, and the Young Master disappeared. That was the last time I saw him, over half a month ago."
Xiao Man's gaze fell on Gu Yu. Gu Yu's hands clenched nervously, and his eyes shifted to the side. He was lying. The last time he saw Ze Fang was definitely not half a month ago. He must have seen him recently, but now he didn't know where Ze Fang was.
"Does Ze Fang have any friends in Boundless City?"
Gu Yu subconsciously stared at Xiao Man. Xiao Man immediately understood. In Boundless City, Ze Fang only had her as a friend!
"I understand. If Ze Fang contacts you, please let me know." With that, Xiao Man turned and left quickly.