Li Xiaowan May Be Dead

After leaving the Merit Hall, Luo Hong felt uneasy, repeatedly going over whether he had left any loose ends.

I was too careless. I thought that with the sect handling more than a hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones each month, they wouldn't care about a loss of ten or twenty thousand. Who knew it would cause Such a Big Stir?

Along the way, Luo Hong kept berating himself for not being cautious enough. When he returned to Fanghua Garden, he found Liu Jing waiting at the entrance to the protective formation.

If Liu Jing had not looked anxious rather than furious, Luo Hong would have turned around and left.

"Uncle-master Liu, do you need something from this junior?"

"Nephew-disciple Luo, I finally found you! Tell me, do you know where Li Xiaowan and the others went?"

Liu Jing skipped all pleasantries and questioned him directly, his face full of expectation.

I'm screwed! Li Xiaowan must have already couriered off my Yellow Dragon Pills!

"They seem to have gone somewhere called Wu Mountain."

"Wonderful, you really do know! But I've never Heard of this Wu Mountain. Could it be outside the Yue Kingdom? Why would Junior Disciple Li go so far?"

Liu Jing had discovered the Sound-Leaving Talisman related to Luo Hong in the alchemy room where Li Xiaowan refined pills. That was why he had come to Fanghua Garden to try his luck. He had not expected to actually find a pleasant surprise.

"Wu Mountain is not necessarily outside the Yue Kingdom." Luo Hong recalled what he knew and muttered to himself.

"What else do you know? Tell me everything, quickly! The wisp of soul flame Junior Disciple Li left in her Soul Tablet has already become extremely weak. We must find her as fast as possible."

Perhaps realizing that his manner had been somewhat rude, Liu Jing briefly explained what had happened.

"The Situation is actually this dire! Unfortunately, this junior does not know much either. I only learned from a conversation between Senior Sister Li and her younger sister that they found Wu Mountain on an Ancient Map. So I guessed that Wu Mountain might be an ancient place name."

Naturally, Luo Hong did not want his Yellow Dragon Pills to go down the drain, so he told Liu Jing everything he knew.

"I see. Nephew Disciple, you've been a tremendous help. I'll search the ancient maps for clues at once!"

Having obtained an important lead, Liu Jing was overjoyed and immediately prepared to fly away.

"Please wait, Uncle-master Liu! Senior Sister Li has shown this junior the kindness of refining medicine for me. Now that I know she is in trouble, I am truly frantic with worry. I hope to offer what little help I can. Please allow it, Martial Uncle!"

Luo Hong had said those words entirely on impulse.

If it worked, he could temporarily leave Yellow Maple Valley with Liu Jing and avoid the valley's strict investigation into the inferior talismans.

If it did not, he could still earn a great deal of Liu Jing's goodwill. There was no downside.

"It is rare for a nephew disciple to value loyalty and friendship so highly. Good, come with me."

Luo Hong's words had struck right at the heart of the matter. Liu Jing immediately viewed him in a new light. Cultivators as righteous as him were truly rare. Though Luo Hong was only at the Qi Refining Stage, Liu Jing already felt as though he had found a kindred spirit.

With Liu Jing's Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivation, his flight speed was extremely fast. In moments, he brought Luo Hong to Heaven and Earth Pavilion, which specially stored geographical records of the Cultivation World.

Seeing Liu Jing about to head straight for the second floor, which was open only to Foundation Establishment stage disciples, Luo Hong hurriedly called out to him.

"Uncle-master Liu, Junior Sister Li found the location of Wu Mountain. Let us search among the ancient maps on the first floor."

"Ah, I was looking in the wrong direction! Many thanks to Nephew-disciple Luo for the reminder."

Though a junior at the Qi Refining Stage had pointed out his mistake, Liu Jing neither felt embarrassed nor held a grudge. Instead, he sincerely thanked him. He truly was an elegant gentleman.

While they were searching through the maps, a handsome young male disciple and a white-haired Old Man entered Heaven and Earth Pavilion.

Like Luo Hong, both were cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage. However, the young male disciple possessed Level 10 Qi Refining cultivation, while the Old Man was even more formidable. He had entered Qi Refining Level Twelve many years ago. Though he had grown so old that Foundation Establishment was no longer possible for him, he was more than enough to dominate among Qi Refining Stage cultivators.

Both had hurried over after receiving Liu Jing's Sound Transmission Talisman. After a brief introduction, Luo Hong learned their identities.

The young disciple was named Yu Ying. He was clearly especially concerned about Senior Sister Li Xiaowan. On the surface, he seemed to be the most anxious of the four.

The white-haired Old Man was a direct descendant of the Li Family, named Li Mingjing. He was Li Xiaowan's granduncle.

Since Li Xiaoqing had been able to find the place name, it naturally was not hidden very deeply. Before long, Yu Ying found the Ancient Map marked with "Wu Mountain."

"So Wu Mountain is Xiang Mountain. Board my Spirit Boat. At full speed, we can arrive in three days."

The boat-shaped Magic Artifact Liu Jing summoned differed from the one that had brought Luo Hong into the sect last time. Its hull was long and narrow, and its deck was small. Clearly, it was not a Magic Artifact designed for its rider's comfort.

Luo Hong jumped aboard without the slightest hesitation, completely unconcerned about the danger of the journey.

Don't ask. He had a True Treasure, so he was safe!

Yu Ying and Li Mingjing followed him onto the boat. At that moment, Yu Ying felt somewhat surprised. He had not expected this Junior Brother, whose expression remained perfectly calm, to be even more anxious than himself. Could it be—

"Junior Brother Luo, Senior Brother and Xiaowan have known each other for many years and interacted often. Yet I have never heard her mention you much. Why Do You care so deeply about her safety?"

Was I worried about Li Xiaowan's safety? I was in a hurry to run away!

"Nephew-disciple Luo is doing this Time for the sake of 'loyalty and friendship.' Though his feelings differ from yours, Nephew Disciple Yu, his sincerity is no less than yours."

Liu Jing believed that Luo Hong's fellowship toward a fellow disciple was no inferior to Yu Ying's feelings for a woman. Luo Hong should not have been subjected to Yu Ying's questioning, so he spoke up for him.

Hearing This, Yu Ying revealed an expression that was thirty percent sudden realization and seventy percent relief, then gave Luo Hong an inscrutable smile.

Luo Hong could not understand Yu Ying's change in attitude. He did not understand why Yu Ying, who had shown a hint of hostility toward him just moments ago, was suddenly acting friendly.

The Spirit Boat flew into the sky and, under Liu Jing's control, sped directly toward Xiang Mountain.

At this time, Li Mingjing, who had said little until now, took out four Jade Tokens and said to the other three, "Xiang Mountain spans a thousand li in every direction. To find little Wan, we must rely on the Soul Tablet's ability to sense her aura. During these three days of travel, this old man will divide the soul flame within the tablet into four portions and refine them into temporary Magic Artifacts for finding people. I ask the two young friends to protect me for a while."

"This junior will certainly give it his all!" Yu Ying rushed to declare.

Although Luo Hong also agreed, he was not as eager as Yu Ying. He sat down cross-legged, staring straight ahead as he considered his own matters.

This time, I have ostensibly volunteered but was actually forced to join the rescue party for Li Xiaowan. There is a strong chance I will face my first life-or-death battle with another Cultivator.

Although Liu Jing is trustworthy and possesses a trump card like a True Treasure, accidents are still possible. I cannot let down my guard or place my safety entirely in someone else's hands.

Pressing a hand against the Storage Bag at his waist, Luo Hong glanced respectively at Li Mingjing, who was fully focused on dividing the soul flame, and Yu Ying, who stood nearby with a solemn face.

This will be troublesome. I need to plan this carefully.

With that thought, Luo Hong closed his eyes.