Quick, Hurry and Leave!

In the bamboo forest, two more figures appeared.

No, actually three figures.

It was just that two were standing, while one was being carried on someone's back.

This person's face was like gilded paper, with blood staining his mouth and nose. He looked like he was breathing his last, appearing extremely weak.

"Cui, Cui Yunqi!" Xu Wenyuan suddenly reached out, pointing at the person in surprise.

The scene fell silent. The scholars of Jichuan County were stunned, as were everyone from the neighboring county.

After a moment, someone exclaimed, "He, how did he get injured like this?"

"It's terrifying. So this is the danger of breaking through the formation to seek an audience with Mr. Zhou!"

"We didn't enter the formation, so we actually saved ourselves?"

"..."

Discussions erupted, noisy and chaotic, like overlapping ripples, washing over Cui Yunqi's ears.

Cui Yunqi frowned, feeling as though he had fallen into a deep nightmare. He knew clearly that this was a nightmare, warning him to wake up. Yet, he felt as if he were being crushed by countless mountains, unable to wake.

Until, amidst the chaotic discussions, a voice anxiously said, "Chen Xu, Brother Chen also entered the formation. Could he be injured too? Why hasn't he come out yet..."

Hearing Chen Xu's name, Cui Yunqi's eyes snapped open.

Gathering some unknown strength, he shouted, "Go! Hurry, Zicheng, Peng Xuan, hurry and take me away!"

Wen Zicheng and Peng Xuan exchanged a look. Wen Zicheng hesitated, "Yunqi is seriously injured; I'm afraid traveling won't be advisable..."

"Hurry and go!" Cui Yunqi's eyes widened in anger, and blood began to seep from his nose and mouth again.

Wen and Peng no longer dared to hesitate. Peng Xuan quickly put Cui Yunqi on his horse.

The two who had fallen onto Lin Yuan earlier were also being helped up by the crowd. Their faces showed surprise and daze.

Seeing that several companions were about to leave, the two disregarded their earlier absurdity and hastily cupped their hands towards Lin Yuan, saying, "Apologies for bumping into you earlier, brother. We will repay you another day."

Before their words had even fallen, they covered their faces with their sleeves and quickly mounted their own steeds.

"Giddy up!"

The group spurred their horses and left. Some of the Jichuan scholars behind them called out, "Hey, everyone, there's still a horse here!"

It turned out that Cui Yunqi's Snow-Treading steed was riderless and standing alone. This was a top-tier steed, worth more than many people's lives, and couldn't just be abandoned.

Wen Zicheng, on his horse, tugged at the reins, about to turn back to fetch the horse.

Just then, Xu Wenyuan's surprised voice rang out from the edge of the bamboo forest, "Brother Chen, it's Brother Chen! That's great..."

At this, Cui Yunqi immediately roared, "Go! Forget the horse, let's go quickly."

Clip-clop, clip-clop, hooves kicked up dust.

Chen Xu was still somewhat dazed. In his haze, he felt the mountains and rivers recede. With a glance back, the white-haired scholar and the skinny, ugly monkey had vanished.

He could only hear the rustling of bamboo leaves by his ears. It seemed he had returned to the small bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain at some unknown time.

The wind blew, and the human voices were dense, like pearls rolling and leaping.

Everything on the mountain, whether it was the moon in the cup or the withered scholar, seemed like nothing more than a dream.

Much like Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly.

Only the warmth and comfort emanating from the wound on his right leg reminded Chen Xu that this was not a dream.

He shook his head to clear his mind and happened to hear Xu Wenyuan's disappointed voice, "Brother Chen, you didn't pass the formation either?"

Chen Xu looked up, finally realizing that Xu Wenyuan had been asking him if he had passed the great formation's test.

Chen Xu had just experienced a wondrous shift in time and space and hadn't noticed Xu Wenyuan's question at all.

His subconscious shake of the head had instead led Xu Wenyuan to misunderstand.

Chen Xu was momentarily speechless.

Seeing his silent demeanor, Xu Wenyuan sighed, suppressing his disappointment, and instead comforted him, "Brother Chen, you don't need to blame yourself too much. This great formation is so dangerous; it's fortunate that Brother Chen could come out safely.

It's just Brother Muxian... Brother Muxian's illness... alas, perhaps it's fate."

"No!" From behind, Lin Yuan was helped to his feet. He gritted out, "I don't believe in fate! I still need to ask Mr. Zhou..."

He struggled forward, about to kneel again.

Chen Xu suddenly stepped forward and chopped at the side of Lin Yuan's neck with his hand.

His strike was powerful. Lin Yuan couldn't react at all, only managing to widen his eyes and utter a single word: "You..."

Thump!

His head lolled to the side, and he fainted.

Someone nearby immediately caught Lin Yuan and exclaimed in shock, "Chen Xu, what are you doing?"

Chen Xu sighed, his voice filled with pity, "Brother Lin Yuan is possessed with saving his brother. As his friends, how can we stand by and watch him torment himself further?

It's better to let him rest. Moreover..."

He hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Xu Wenyuan couldn't help but ask, "What more?"

Chen Xu said, "No one knows how much longer Brother Muxian can hold on. None of us are doctors, and we are powerless against his illness.

In our current situation, I'm afraid Brother Muxian won't be able to make it. If Brother Lin Yuan can't accept this reality, he might hurt himself. Knocking him out was just to give him some time to buffer and accept reality."

At these words, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

Wang Mochuan, who had always been quite respected among the students, said, "Brother Chen's consideration is indeed thorough. It should be done this way.

Since we can't see Mr. Zhou now, it's better to send Brother Lin Yuan home. Firstly, by accompanying Brother Lin Yuan, we can comfort him and prevent him from losing control.

Secondly, perhaps our trip there might just..."

His voice gradually became difficult, but he still managed to utter the last sentence: "Instead of doing useless things here, it's better to escort Mu Xian. It's also to prevent him from... being lonely. Alas."

As he finished speaking, everyone sighed.

Half an hour later, everyone appeared at the Lin residence, carrying the unconscious Lin Yuan.

Such a large group of people, bringing an unconscious Lin Yuan, nearly terrified everyone in the Lin residence.

Wang Mochuan stepped forward to explain, "Brother Lin Yuan fainted from excessive worry about seeing Mr. Zhou. It's nothing serious. Everyone, please don't be anxious. Quickly prepare a bed for Brother Lin Yuan so he can rest well."

So, the servants reported the situation, and others prepared bedding—

Actually, there wasn't much to prepare. Lin Yuan was returning to his own home; wouldn't he have a comfortable place to stay?

Lin Yuan was sent back to his room, and several familiar students, including Wang Mochuan, stayed to guard him.

Chen Xu and the others went directly to visit Lin Qi.

In Lin Qi's room, everyone also met Lin Qi's mother, Madam You.

After exchanging greetings, Madam You, wiping away tears, made way and said, "Since you are all Qi'er's good friends, you may go and see him. If he were awake, he would surely be happy to have so many people visit him."

Chen Xu, along with everyone else, approached Lin Qi's bedside. However, in his mind, he was recalling the method taught by Mr. Zhou that could kill Lin Qi!

The person on the bed had a face as pale as white mud, completely devoid of color.

Yet, his lips were a dark red, emitting an indescribable, strange, fishy odor that made anyone who got close feel inexplicably uncomfortable.