Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
Aside from his daily cultivation, Li Xiao spent those days handing over as much of Flying Cloud Peak's business as possible to Chen An.
Though Chen An was young, the experience he had gained lately had made him increasingly composed when handling paperwork and coordinating affairs. Whenever he encountered something he was unsure about, he took the initiative to ask, and he rarely made mistakes anymore.
Seeing this put Li Xiao considerably more at ease. At least Flying Cloud Peak's daily operations would not run into any major trouble while he was away.
On the evening of the fifth day, Li Xiao was practicing the Iron Wire Fist in his courtyard when the Jade Talisman tucked inside his clothes suddenly grew warm.
He stopped, took out the Jade Talisman, and infused it with true qi. Zhou Bai's clear voice came from within:
"I've reached the Northern Border. We can meet tomorrow."
Li Xiao put down the Jade Talisman and wasted no time, going to see Elder Shi that very night.
After hearing why he had come, Elder Shi asked no further questions. He merely offered a few reminders to be careful on the road before letting him leave.
Li Xiao then went to the Flying Cloud Peak Master's residence to report his departure from the sect in person.
Seated behind his desk, the Flying Cloud Peak Master shook his head helplessly after hearing him out, his tone caught somewhere between laughter and tears:
"Li Xiao, you're already a Candidate Saint Son now. Why are you still rushing about like a whirlwind?
"Wouldn't it be better to stay in the sect and cultivate in seclusion, striving to break through to round marrow as soon as possible?"
Somewhat helpless himself, Li Xiao cupped