Li Bufan frowned, turned, and descended from Formation Peak, heading straight for Blade Peak.
But when he found Xie Qisha's residence, the same thing happened again. Xie Qisha was absent too.
A strange feeling rose in Li Bufan's heart.
He returned to Morning Sun Peak, intending to ask Chu Feng what was going on, but Chu Feng was absent as well.
He went to look for Yan Kuanglan, Lin Gong, and the others, but their residences were equally deserted. The entire Morning Sun Peak was so quiet that it seemed abandoned.
Standing atop Morning Sun Peak, Li Bufan swept his gaze over the empty courtyards and cave abodes, his confusion deepening.
What exactly happened? Did something happen to Songhe Gate while I was away?
After a moment's thought, he turned and headed toward the Outer Disciples' residential area.
When he reached the Outer Disciples' quarters, however, the situation was completely different.
The place was still bustling. Low-ranking disciples came and went, some practicing in the training grounds, others fetching water by the stream, and still others drying medicinal herbs outside their houses.
They bowed in greeting when they saw Li Bufan. Clearly, quite a few still recognized him.
Li Bufan stopped a young disciple whose face looked familiar and asked, "Has something happened in the sect? Why are all the True Disciples gone?"
The disciple froze at his question, then understanding dawned on his face. "Senior Brother Li, you haven't heard? The Hidden Dragon Tournament started early! The Peak Masters and True Disciples from every peak have already left. They've been gone for almost a month!"
Li Bufan's pupils contracted slightly. The Hidden Dragon Tournament.
But according to the date he had originally heard, that grand event should not have begun for at least another two or three months. How