Where's Yuan Qing?

"Master, Martial Aunt!"

At the right moment, Li Yang flew out of the cave with Youqin Xuanya, looking excitedly at Old Daoist Qi Yuan and Fairy Jiujiu.

Youqin Xuanya hurried forward to pay her respects as well. "Greetings, Martial Uncle Qi Yuan. Greetings, Martial Aunt Jiujiu!"

"Ah, there's no need for formalities. No need."

Old Daoist Qi Yuan was the first to respond. His face alight with excitement, he jumped down from the clouds and strode over to look at his second disciple, then at Youqin Xuanya. He raised his Dust Whisk, but lowered it again and turned to Youqin Xuanya with a kind smile.

Li Yang narrowed his eyes, a bad feeling rising in his heart.

Sure enough, as soon as Old Daoist Qi Yuan finished smiling kindly at Youqin Xuanya, he turned and brought his Dust Whisk down on Li Yang.

"Look at you! Your cultivation is so low, yet you dared to run off to the Northern Juru Continent. Do you think being a genius means you can throw your life away?"

Old Daoist Qi Yuan was truly furious. Unlike in the Original Novel, where he had been careful when beating his senior disciple, now he was giving Li Yang a merciless thrashing.

"Ow!"

Li Yang clutched his backside and howled miserably, but not one person there helped him.

Li Yang's talent was simply too extraordinary. At only eighteen, he had already reached the Ninth Stage of Spirit Transformation. If he died here, it would break Old Daoist Qi Yuan's heart—and the Immortal Crossing Sect would feel the loss, too.

Clutching his backside and yelping, Li Yang hurriedly tried to defend himself.

"Master, I came with Senior Brother. Who knew something like this would happen? It's not my fault!"

That only made Old Daoist Qi Yuan angrier. He whipped Li Yang with the Dust Whisk until he spun like a top, cursing as he struck.

"And you've got the nerve to bring up your senior brother? Don't worry, he won't escape punishment either. That fool has even less sense than you do. Once we get back, I'll teach him a proper lesson."

Meanwhile, Fairy Jiujiu bounded down from the clouds and scooped Youqin Xuanya up in her arms, spinning around on the spot as she cheered.

"Xuanya, I'm so glad you're safe! You scared me half to death!"

"Martial Aunt, Martial Aunt..."

Youqin Xuanya was rather reserved, and her aunt's exuberant display made her blush. She called out softly, but Fairy Jiujiu still didn't put her down.

Jiu Wu remained on the clouds, watching the scene below with a smile as he stroked his beard.

It was a heartwarming sight. He hadn't felt this way in centuries, not since that girl Jiujiu had grown up.

After they had been at it for a while, everyone finally settled down. Only then did Jiu Wu descend from the clouds, carrying an old Daoist. He gave his wrist a light shake, and the old Daoist in his hand convulsed a few times before his aura completely dissipated. Then, as if nothing had happened, Jiu Wu tossed him into the nearby woods.

Li Yang knew the old Daoist's soul had been shattered completely.

He recalled the many details he knew about Jiu Wu. Jiu Wu is short, childish by nature, resourceful, and utterly devoted to the sect. He likes alchemy and brewing wine—he probably took up brewing because of Martial Aunt Jiujiu.

He's Fairy Jiujiu's fifth senior brother and a Personal Disciple of Venerable Wangqing, one of the Immortal Crossing Sect's great figures. He's been cultivating for over two thousand years, has reached the peak of the True Immortal Realm, and is half a step into the Heavenly Immortal Realm...

In front of someone like him, I just need to act like the senior brother did in the Original Novel.

Jiu Wu went over to Youqin Xuanya and asked, "Xuanya, do you know where Yuan Qing is?"

Youqin Xuanya shook her head. "Martial Uncle, Junior Brother Li Yang and I stayed hidden in this cave the whole time, so we don't know."

"You don't know?"

Jiu Wu furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes. A glint flashed in them.

"Do you truly not know, or..."

"I truly don't." Youqin Xuanya was completely at ease, even meeting Jiu Wu's gaze. She genuinely had no idea.

She then recounted everything she had already explained to Li Yang, from beginning to end: how she had escaped using a teleportation talisman, how she had run into Li Yang, and how they had hidden in the cave until the others arrived.

Jiu Wu's gaze then shifted to Li Yang.

"Li Yang, is what Youqin Xuanya said true?"

Li Yang nodded. "To answer you, Martial Uncle, what Senior Sister said about everything after she met me is true."

He had no comment on what had happened before that.

Jiu Wu continued questioning him. "If so, how did you avoid the enemy's pursuit?"

Li Yang quickly stepped aside and pointed to the cave, its entrance wide open.

"Martial Uncle, I put up a lot of Miasma Averting Talismans, Concealment Talismans, and some divination-blocking talismans inside, so..."

There was no need for Li Yang to explain further. Everyone could see the countless talismans plastered all over the cave.

Seeing so many fairly valuable talismans put to waste, Jiu Wu's mouth twitched. No wonder they hadn't been able to divine the pair's whereabouts. With all those talismans, it would've been a miracle if the enemy had managed to find them.

Even Fairy Jiujiu's eyes widened as she stared at the talismans inside. After calculating the value, she grabbed Old Daoist Qi Yuan's arm.

"Senior Brother, Lesser Qiong Peak is actually so rich? Could you maybe... Hey, hey, hey!"

Before she could finish, Jiu Wu grabbed her by the collar and hauled her away.

That little rascal was shameless whenever she wanted a drink.

After temporarily silencing Fairy Jiujiu, Jiu Wu spoke. "On the way here, I searched the Origin Immortal's soul and learned the general course of events. Combined with Xuanya's testimony, the matter is essentially settled.

"Yuan Qing was overcome by wicked intentions. He brought a dispute over worldly power into the Immortal Crossing Sect and attacked a fellow disciple. His crimes are unforgivable. Once we return, I'll report the matter to the sect and let them decide how to handle it.

"For now, let's leave this place and join the other junior brothers and sisters.

"As for Changshou and Yuan Qing, we'll look for them after we've met up and exchanged information."

"We'll follow your orders, Martial Uncle (Senior Brother)!"

Everyone mounted the clouds. Jiu Wu remained cautious throughout the journey, and at last they all made it safely out of the Northern Juru Continent. They arrived at a barren mountain, where they notified the other fellow disciples and arranged to meet up.

About half an hour later, Wang Qi's master arrived with Wang Qi, Liu Yan'er, and Li Changshou.

"Master! Junior Brother!"

As soon as they arrived, Old Daoist Qi Yuan and Li Yang spotted Li Changshou. Li Changshou saw them too, and he grew so excited that—

"Ow..."

"You little brat! Your junior brother doesn't know any better, but you should! You even dared to bring him to the Northern Juru Continent, then dared to split up from him. If it weren't for..."

Old Daoist Qi Yuan's love was always so plain and simple. He immediately whipped the delighted, excited Li Changshou until he spun like a top. Everyone awkwardly turned their heads to look elsewhere.

Only Li Yang clenched his fists and cheered him on.

Master really hadn't lied. He did hit Senior Brother harder than he hit Li Yang. It was so satisfying.

Jiu Wu exchanged greetings with Wang Qi's master and asked about Li Changshou. He learned that Li Changshou had been hiding in town and had come out on his own when he saw them.

Two more hours passed before Youqin Xuanya's master, Jiang Jingshan, Yuan Qing's master, Daoist Lin Qi, and Liu Yan'er's master finally arrived.

Daoist Lin Qi, Yuan Qing's master, already knew that Yuan Qing was behind the incident in the Northern Juru Continent. But with everyone else present and Yuan Qing missing, he couldn't help asking:

"Where's Yuan Qing?"