In the wilderness.
A voice called out:
"Xu Jingchen is my honored guest. What are you doing?"
Xu Jingchen looked back.
Several dozen meters away,
Shangguan Hong was walking toward him with two white-haired old men.
"Nothing, big sister. I just came over to say hello."
Shangguan Hong smiled.
Dozens of Cultivators were nearby.
They had formed an expedition to explore and hunt for treasure.
Their leader—
the woman who had just spoken—wore a white Daoist robe.
Shangguan Yun.
The investigation had been divided into two teams, one led by Shangguan Yun.
The other was led by Shangguan Hong and Shangguan Xiaoyun.
Yet neither team leader knew the true purpose of this journey.
If they knew nothing, they could reveal no secrets.
That left room to retreat.
Even if the plan failed, it would not matter.
The Torch Dragon Residence's arrangements carried a deeper meaning.
Xu Jingchen watched the group approach and felt a little weary.
I'll just brush them off.
He no longer wanted anything to do with these people.
Shangguan Hong brought the two Nascent Soul Cultivators over to the group. He stopped opposite Xu Yuan and said:
"I hear you've been wandering all this time, Brother Jingchen. You haven't returned to the Zhurong Residence in years. Might I ask why?"
"Cultivation," Xu Jingchen said briefly.
"We had a chance to spar two years ago, but something came up and I couldn't make it to the Zhurong Residence. Now that you're out here, Brother Jingchen, shall we find a chance to try again?" Shangguan Hong asked with complete confidence. "We can do it now," Xu Jingchen said.
"Now?" Shangguan Hong smiled and glanced around.
"That's right..." Xu Jingchen smiled too, a faint light seeming to flow through his eyes.
The Gaze System's Gaze Upon was ready to strike.