In Taiyi City's teleportation square, dawn had barely broken.
Three figures stood before the large Teleportation Formation bound for the northwest. Crowds bustled around them, yet an invisible barrier seemed to shut out the noise.
"Junior Brother, the northwest is Dark Profound Cult territory, nothing like the lands under Taiyi Immortal Sect. Be careful in everything you do."
Yun Qianzai wore a moon-white robe, his expression unusually grave.
He toyed with a jade token engraved with formation patterns. It was a byproduct of his recent research into the Carrying Teleportation Formation. Though it could not truly teleport someone instantly, it could trigger a short-range spatial shift in a crisis—perhaps enough to save a life.
"Take this Void-Escape Jade. Channel your spiritual power into it to activate it once. It will teleport you to a random spot a hundred li away.
The distance isn't great, and you can't control the direction, but it should help you shake off pursuit or escape a desperate situation."
Ji Yuan accepted the jade. It felt warm in his hand, and the intricate spatial patterns within showed how far his second senior brother's mastery of formations had advanced.
"Thank you, Second Senior Brother."
He did not refuse, slipping the jade into his Storage Ring.
Feng Zhitáo stood beside them, her fiery red dress stirring in the morning breeze. She bit her lip, plainly worried about Ji Yuan venturing into danger alone.
"Junior Brother... you must come back safe."
Her voice caught. She took a sachet embroidered with a Phoenix from her robe and pressed it into Ji Yuan's hand.
"It holds Crimson Sun Warm Jade Powder I've collected over the years. Wear it to ward off chilling, malevolent energies.
The Nine Nether Rift is thick with baleful yin. You... you must be careful."
Ji Yuan looked