Qingmu Domain, Medical Immortal Valley.
This place is famous for its abundance of Rare Flowers and Exotic Herbs and plants and its Spiritual Qi atmosphere. The ancient buildings in the valley are mostly constructed of bamboo and wood, blending seamlessly with nature.
The Xiao Family members, along with a few others including Li Dagang who had some connection with Zhang Yu in the past, were temporarily settled here.
They secretly evacuated from the capital of Wei, and with Hu Qingxuan's help and cover, they hid in the Valley of the Immortals, which is known as a "Shangri-La".
At first, the disciples in the valley were somewhat curious, but out of respect for Hu Qingxuan, they treated her with courtesy, providing her with food and lodging, and did not disturb her.
However, in recent days, the situation has quietly changed.
Emperor Xiao Zhengfeng of the Wei Kingdom, the former ruler of a nation, now had a deep and unyielding worry on his face.
He stood by the window, his gaze warily sweeping over the guards of the Medical Immortal Valley outside the courtyard, who appeared to be walking around casually but whose eyes were actually frequently glancing at this place.
He lowered his voice and said to Xiao Xuan, who was sitting cross-legged on the futon, meditating with his eyes closed:
"Old Ancestor, something seems amiss."
"Look outside, there are more disciples patrolling, and... the way they look at us is very different from before."
Xiao Xuan slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them before being replaced by deep worry.
How could he not have noticed?
In recent days, not only has the surveillance outside the compound become increasingly blatant, but even the steward in the valley, who is responsible for liaising with them, has become much colder and more perfunctory in his attitude.
Most importantly, Hu Qingxuan, the young woman who brought them into the valley and promised to provide shelter, has not been seen since she left in a hurry three days ago, and her messages have gone unanswered.
Something's definitely not right.
Xiao Xuan said in a deep voice, his gray eyebrows furrowed tightly together:
"Miss Hu left in a hurry, as if she had something difficult to say."
Now she's completely out of contact, and the attitude of those in the valley towards us has changed drastically...
I fear that something unexpected has happened outside that we are unaware of, or... the Medical Immortal Valley is under unimaginable pressure.
Xiao Fenghua was dressed in plain clothes, which were a little thinner, but her eyes remained firm.
She walked to Xiao Xuan's side and asked softly:
"Old Ancestor, has there been any news from Zhang Yu... Young Master Zhang?"
There was a hint of barely perceptible anticipation in her voice.
The image of that man has never faded from her heart over the years.
Especially during this turbulent and uncertain time, it was a faint but persistent glimmer of light in her heart.
Xiao Xuan glanced at her, sighed inwardly, and slowly shook his head:
"I tried to contact them during the previous crisis, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea."
Now... there's been absolutely no news of them.
He knew Xiao Fenghua's thoughts, but reality is often cruel.
Xiao Meier, standing to the side, pouted upon hearing this, her tone tinged with resentment and self-deprecation:
"Sister Fenghua, please stop asking that heartless fellow."
How many years has it been?
He's probably long forgotten about us, probably enjoying himself somewhere.
Besides...
Her voice lowered, tinged with bitterness:
"The ones now issuing warrants and pursuing us are the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty and the Confucianism."
What a colossal creature it was!
No matter how powerful Zhang Yu is, can he possibly stand against the entire Divine Dynasty and the Sacred Land of Confucianism and Daoism all by himself?
Perhaps it was wiser for him not to show up.
Xiao Xuan remained silent. Although Xiao Meier's words were unpleasant to hear, they revealed a cruel reality.
He held Zhang Yu in extremely high regard, even speculating that he might be the Great Being Reincarnation, possessing Fortune.
However, the power of an individual ultimately appears insignificant when faced with a behemoth alliance like the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty and the Confucianism.
Zhang Yu's absence might be due to unwillingness or inability, but in Xiao Xuan's view, it was "understandable."
After all, who would risk confronting that towering wave for the sake of these remnants of the defeated Wei Kingdom?
Just as the group was feeling heavy-hearted and discussing whether they should take the initiative to seek information from the valley manager—
"Bang!"
The guesthouse's not-so-sturdy wooden door was violently kicked open from the outside.
The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang, sending wood chips flying everywhere.
A middle-aged man dressed in the robes of an inner disciple of the Immortal Medicine Valley strode in, accompanied by two guards with considerable aura.
His gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over the Xiao Family members and Li Dagang and the others in the room, whose expressions had changed drastically. Without the slightest politeness, he coldly commanded:
"Get up, all of you, and come with me."
The atmosphere inside the room froze instantly.
Xiao Xuan's heart sank; his worst premonition seemed to be coming true.
He forced himself to remain calm, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Fellow Daoist, where are you taking us?"
But what are your instructions, Miss Hu?
"Miss Hu?"
The middle-aged man's lips curled into an undisguised sneer.
"Where did all this nonsense come from?"
"Just leave when I tell you to. If you keep nagging, don't blame me for being impolite."
He clearly didn't take this group of "stray dogs" seriously, his tone extremely impatient and arrogant.
"How... how dare you talk to me like that!"
Xiao Meier, young and impetuous, couldn't help but speak up in rebuttal:
"We are, after all, Miss Hu's guests. Is this how your Medical Immortal Valley treats its guests?"
When Miss Hu returns, I will definitely explain everything to her..."
"Smack!"
Before she could finish speaking, a crisp, loud slap rang out!
The middle-aged man moved with ghostly speed. Xiao Meier had no time to react. She only felt a blur before her eyes, and then a tremendous force slapped her hard across the cheek.
She staggered backward from the blow, crashing into the wall. Half of her cheek instantly swelled up, revealing a clear five-finger mark, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"Mei'er!"
"Miss!"
Xiao Fenghua, Li Dagang, and the others exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to support Xiao Meier, their eyes filled with anger as they looked at the middle-aged man.
"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"
The middle-aged man shook his hand, as if he had merely brushed off some dust, a cruel sneer on his face:
"It seems they won't shed tears until they see the coffin."
"Guards, seize them all and tie them up!"
At his command, his two guards, along with four or five disciples from the Medical Immortal Valley who rushed in from outside, pounced on the Xiao Family and Li Dagang and his group like wolves and tigers.
What do you want to do?
Xiao Xuan's hair and beard bristled, and he roared, unleashing the aura of a Grandmaster Realm in an attempt to intimidate his opponent.
After ten years of arduous training, he has broken through to the Great Grandmaster realm.
"Want to resist?"
They're really courting death!
A fierce glint flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. Facing Xiao Xuan's explosive aura, he advanced instead of retreating, and seemingly casually struck out with his right palm.
This palm strike was light and seemingly devoid of any physical force, yet the air around it emitted a low hum.
Xiao Xuan felt an overwhelming surge of True Essence energy, far surpassing his own, crushing down upon him. His Great Grandmaster- level Body protection aura shattered like paper!
"Puff--!"
Xiao Xuan was struck as if by a heavy blow; his chest caved in, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His face turned ashen, and he was sent flying backward.
"Old Ancestor!"
"Senior Xiao!"
The Xiao Family members and Li Dagang and his group were filled with rage and grief, and instinctively wanted to fight to the death.
"Stop! Don't move!"
Despite the excruciating pain, Xiao Xuan roared in a weak voice, which carried an undeniable authority.
He coughed up blood, struggled to lift his head, and looked at the middle-aged man. His eyes were filled with resentment and despair, but even more so with reason.
He could tell that this middle-aged man was at least at the Feathered Realm Cultivation, far beyond their ability to contend with.
Resisting at this moment would only increase casualties and serve no purpose.
"That's right, a wise person knows when to yield."
Seeing that Xiao Xuan had stopped everyone, the middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, his mocking expression deepening.
He waved his hand. "Tie them all up and take them away!"
The fierce disciples of the Immortal Medical Immortal Valley swarmed forward, binding everyone tightly with specially made ropes that could imprison True Essence, and shoving them out of the guesthouse.
"Old Ancestor, where... where are they taking us?"
What are you going to do to us?
Xiao Fenghua supported the injured Xiao Xuan, her beautiful eyes filled with worry and fear, and asked in a low voice.
Xiao Xuan, the blood still wet at the corner of his mouth, shook his head weakly and sighed in a barely audible voice:
"Man is the butcher, I am the fish... I'll just have to leave it to fate."