Li Qingqiu and the other two had traveled in fits and starts along the way. Only when the ten-day deadline drew near did they finally take to their swords and fly. At last, on the evening of the tenth day, they made it back to Qingxiao Mountain.
Shen Yue's face was flushed, while Mo Jiuhong was panting heavily. Sustaining sword flight with his Origin Energy for so long had been far too taxing for him.
After they returned, Li Qingqiu had Yuan Qi ring the bell.
The bell at Lingxiao Courtyard had been newly installed to make it easier to summon the hall masters at short notice.
At Profound Heart Hall meetings, the lowest-ranking attendees were hall elders. At Lingxiao Courtyard meetings, only hall masters were allowed to attend.
As night fell, one hall master after another arrived. When they saw that Li Qingqiu and Shen Yue were safe and sound, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did those demon trees really come from the same demon?"
Yang Jueding sat across from Li Qingqiu and asked curiously.
Li Qingqiu was busy dealing with Li Dongyue and Li Sijin, so he answered casually, "Let's wait until everyone's here, then I'll tell you all at once."
Yang Jueding nodded. As long as Li Qingqiu had made it back, that was good enough.
Truth be told, during the days Li Qingqiu had been away, he had felt rather anxious. Even though the sect had remained peaceful, he still couldn't put his mind at ease.
At some point, he too had started relying on this kid.
While they waited, Yang Jueding noticed that Shen Yue's aura was a little unsteady, so he asked with concern, "Senior Shen, are you injured?"
Shen Yue glanced at him. "The tree demon was the sect master's to