Zhan Fei shot a look at Chi Xiaoxi, then turned to Xu Yi. "Fellow Daoist Xu, you've come to find me, likely for important matters. Shall I have my disciple withdraw?"
"Sect Master Zhan has sharp eyes. Xiaoxi is your beloved disciple, so it's fine for her to stay," Xu Yi said courteously before stating her purpose. "I recall Sect Master Zhan mentioning that among the deceased cultivators were your old friends."
"That's correct. The Sect Master of Qing Hui Sect and I were acquainted for many years. When the news of his death reached me, I personally paid my respects."
At that time, Zhan Fei had no idea his old friend had died by human hands, not by accident.
"Do you have any other acquaintances in the Qing Hui Sect?"
Zhan Fei's heart stirred. He seemed to understand Xu Yi's intentions.
He nodded. "A few elders in the Qing Hui Sect were also on good terms with me."
"Sect Master Zhan, I have a request, though it is perhaps an imposition."
Before Xu Yi could finish, Zhan Fei couldn't help but curl his lips upwards.
He didn't fear Xu Yi asking for his help; he feared her not asking.
Relationships were maintained through mutual interaction.
The more Xu Yi interacted with the Fire Talisman Sect, the more likely it was that Xu Yi would not stand idly by if the Fire Talisman Sect encountered any unexpected trouble in the future.
One could infer this from Xu Yi's treatment of Wen Yi.
Therefore, as soon as Xu Yi finished speaking, Zhan Fei eagerly replied, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please speak your mind. Zhan Fei will do anything to oblige."
Zhan Fei's earnestness made Xu Yi feel slightly sheepish. "Fellow Daoist Zhan, you are too kind. I wish to ask you to go to the Qing Hui Sect once more and persuade the elders there to open the coffin for examination. I have urgent matters requiring my immediate return to Xuan Ji Sect, so I cannot accompany you. Thus, I must entrust this important task to you."
Zhan Fei had not miscalculated. Ever since Xu Yi inquired about the Qing Hui Sect, he had a general idea of what she wanted to say.
He felt a pang of regret. He had originally hoped for Chi Xiaoxi to interact more with Xu Yi before revealing her talent. Now, it seemed he would have to wait for another opportunity.
"Very well. I will do my utmost to fulfill this trust."
Hearing Zhan Fei agree, Xu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. She had initially planned to visit various sects herself. However, the emergence of the Demon Lord made her realize the urgency of the situation and the need for a swifter response. She intended to return to Xuan Ji Sect as soon as possible to discuss the next steps with Ji Buwang, Elder Qingfeng, and others. Simultaneously, she would investigate the Vermillion Bird Tomb. Matters concerning the Demon Lord would have to be handled by Zhan Fei.
"Thank you, Sect Master Zhan."
After confirming the time of her departure with Zhan Fei, Xu Yi left the room and returned to her own dwelling to meditate and recuperate.
"Master."
Chi Xiaoxi watched Xu Yi's receding figure with longing eyes. She turned back to look at her master with a wronged expression, on the verge of tears. Senior Xu was leaving so soon, and she hadn't even managed to exchange a few words with her. Chi Xiaoxi was filled with regret, wishing she had been more proactive earlier.
Zhan Fei gently patted her head. "Don't be sad. You will meet again."
"Really?" Chi Xiaoxi tilted her head up.
"Yes. As long as you train diligently, Fellow Daoist Xu will surely notice your efforts sooner or later."
Zhan Fei decided to use this opportunity to inspire Chi Xiaoxi to improve. Chi Xiaoxi had considerable talent, but precisely because of this, she focused more on the spirit plants in the medicinal garden, neglecting her own cultivation. In the past, Zhan Fei had indulged her, allowing Chi Xiaoxi to cultivate according to her interests. However, with the growing unrest in the Nine Provinces Continent, he was no longer confident in his ability to protect the Fire Talisman Sect amidst the turmoil. To have a better chance of survival in the future, Chi Xiaoxi had to rely on herself.
"I understand, Master. When we return to the sect, I will cultivate diligently!"
Chi Xiaoxi clenched her fists, her eyes burning with fierce determination. She would work hard for Senior Xu's sake.
Zhan Fei felt a sense of relief mixed with a touch of melancholy. Xu Yi's charm was immense, captivating all his disciples, who, in turn, seemed to have forgotten their own master. Truly, alas!
The next morning, as the sky began to lighten, Xu Yi waved goodbye to everyone under their watchful gazes and set off on her return journey. As Xu Yi departed, Chi Xiaoxi and Wen Yi couldn't help but weep.
Fei Hua, standing nearby, was puzzled. "Senior Sister Xu is just returning to the sect. Why are you crying?"
"You wouldn't understand! We're reluctant to part with Senior Xu!" Chi Xiaoxi shot an indignant glance at Fei Hua. "Right, why are you still here? Why aren't you leaving with Senior Xu?"
"Xiaoxi!" Zhan Fei frowned. Chi Xiaoxi's words were impolite.
However, Fei Hua was not angered. "Senior Sister Xu wanted to escort me back to the Beast Taming Sect, but I refused. I want to go to the Qing Hui Sect with you all. I haven't been there before." With no senior brothers or sisters around, Fei Hua was naturally reluctant to return too soon. He took out Xiao Bao from his embrace. "Besides, Xiao Bao also wants to see the Qing Hui Sect."
Upon seeing Xiao Bao, Chi Xiaoxi's eyes flickered. She let out a soft哼 and ceased her bickering with Fei Hua.
Seeing that the young disciples had finally quieted down, Zhan Fei shook his head gently. He had a premonition that the journey ahead would be quite lively.
...
Xuan Ji Sect.
Pu Tao and Yang Mei were sitting on a giant tree in the back mountain, their heads close together, whispering secrets.
"It's so boring," Pu Tao said lazily, swinging a branch in her hand.
Yang Mei propped her chin on her hand. "Exactly. Why aren't the elders letting us leave the sect? I haven't been out in so long." Yang Mei had lived in a gathering place for rogue cultivators since childhood. Although she had adapted to sect life, she occasionally reminisced about her previous life, often visiting the cities near Xuan Ji Sect. Now that the sect had issued a ban prohibiting unscheduled departures, she hadn't set foot outside Xuan Ji Sect's territory for a long time, let alone visited a city.
"It must be because something big has happened," Pu Tao guessed, not knowing the details.
Yang Mei suddenly sighed wistfully. "I really envy our Ancestor. She's probably still out adventuring and must have visited many interesting places."
"Speaking of our Ancestor, I haven't seen her in ages. I wonder what she's doing now," Pu Tao also sighed. The last time their Ancestor lost contact for thirty years, it had terrified her. But after contact was restored, they could barely exchange a few words before the Ancestor went off to attend to other matters. Pu Tao hadn't had a proper conversation with her. Pu Tao pouted and irritably plucked a leaf from the branch.
"Me too. I miss her." In Yang Mei's heart, the person she most admired was her master, True Master Jiugong, but the person she was most grateful to was Xu Yi. It was Xu Yi who had rescued her from Bagua City and enabled her to become a disciple of True Master Jiugong. One could say that without Xu Yi, Yang Mei would not be where she was today. However, she had never had the opportunity to thank Xu Yi again. Xu Yi was too busy, so busy that Yang Mei dared not disturb her. Only when no one else was around could she confide her feelings with Pu Tao.
"Pu Tao, are you perhaps mistaking the tree branch for me and pulling at it? Are you trying to make me bald?"