Strange Phenomena

As they got closer, Gongsun Zhiruo and the others immediately recognized her. It was Zi Gui!

But Zi Gui looked to be in terrible shape. She was hunched over, dragging her feet as she trudged through the snow, as if she might collapse at any moment and never get back up.

And she was alone.

Everyone hurriedly helped Zi Gui into a tent and brought her some hot water. It took quite a while before she seemed to come around.

Gongsun Zhiruo and Lu Yu stayed with her in the tent. After a long while, Bai Xi and Han Juanjuan returned, covered in snow and looking grave.

"How did it go?" Lu Yu stood up and asked anxiously.

Bai Xi shook his head gravely. "Teacher Zi Gui was the only one there. We followed the direction she came from for a while, but didn't find any trace of Mister Jiang and the others. We didn't dare go too far, so we came back."

There was a blizzard outside. They were afraid that if they went much farther, they might never make it back.

Hearing them talk, Zi Gui suddenly burst into tears. Her next words left everyone stunned. "We ran into a Starving Ghost. Mister Jiang and the others... They were killed trying to save me."

"What?!"

"We were behind a snowdrift, not far from here. But when we came out from behind it, you were gone."

"No." Zi Gui suddenly raised her head and stressed, "The entire camp had disappeared!"

"We followed the direction we remembered, and then we suddenly ran into a Starving Ghost..." Zi Gui choked out. She was a strong woman, doing her best to suppress her grief.

Lu Yu crouched in front of Zi Gui, her eyes red-rimmed. "Teacher Zi Gui, please don't be sad.