"Xu Xiaoshou hadn't contacted you for several days, had he?"
Near the coast of Southern Abyss, two graceful figures, one in black and one in white, waded through the water. Liu Fuyu suddenly spoke, a trace of worry between her brows.
She did not know where this worry had arisen from, but it left her restless and uneasy.
Perhaps it was because her own sword had shown an abnormality earlier, nearly being drawn toward the Central Region? She did not know.
Liu Fuyu lowered her head. At her waist hung a flawless three-foot white sword—Guard, one of the Twelve Swords of the Sword Tower.
She gazed into the distant northern night, lightly tightening her grip on Guard. Only then did her heart settle somewhat.
"Mm."
Yu Zhiwen nodded slightly.
Lifting the hem of her black gauze dress a little, she lowered her head and felt the cool seawater with her toes, letting the fine, soft sand slip beneath her feet.
The night breeze was clear and tranquil. The nearby sea of Southern Abyss was particularly serene.
Faint roars of sea beasts drifted over from afar. Whenever they did, waves would roll in, and pure moonlight spilled across the rippling surface, shimmering into illusion and fading away.
"Five days ago, he left with Li Fugui to search for traces Sword Immortal Hua left behind in the Ghost Buddha Realm."
"At first, when they found no leads, he contacted me occasionally through the Golden Apricot. After they found something, no more messages came."
As Yu Zhiwen spoke, she lifted her head. Her long black hair cascaded to her waist and fluttered faintly in the sea breeze. Turning her face slightly to the side, she asked softly, "What is it?"
Liu Fuyu glanced at her as well.
The young girl beside her was