Du Siwen scratched her head and said hesitantly, "The Ancestor Dongfang looked quite well to me. He should have recovered!"
As the two were chatting, Lei Wei came over as well. He cupped his fist toward Xu Qingtong and said, "Martial Uncle Xu, your safe return is truly cause for celebration!"
Gong Chu also realized that the man before his Third Senior Sister was none other than his Little Junior Brother, only somewhat older. He hurried over, took Xu Qingtong by the arm, and said, "Little Junior Brother, what happened to you? How did you end up looking like this? Ah, such a handsome young fellow, turned into a middle-aged old man! What a mess! What will we do if Junior Sister Dongfang sees you? How about..."
Xu Qingtong quickly cut Gong Chu off. "Fourth Senior Brother, stop! I have something to do. We'll talk later!"
While they were speaking, Yu Tiancheng returned. Xu Qingtong hurried forward and bowed. "Master, your disciple has returned!"
At the sight of Xu Qingtong, Yu Tiancheng first looked delighted, then his expression changed. He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately left it unsaid. He called to the Gloomwind Valley disciples, "A great battle is imminent. Hurry and make your preparations. Restore your magic power and divine sense to their peak, then await orders!"
Then he turned to Xu Qingtong. "Qingtong, come with me!"
Xu Qingtong silently followed Yu Tiancheng into the distance.
Only after a long while did Yu Tiancheng speak. "Qingtong, to escape Wang Kunshan with your life this time, you must have used a secret technique that consumes lifespan. But how much lifespan did using it cost you?"
Xu Qingtong said, "Master, I lost more than fifty years of my lifespan."
Yu Tiancheng considered this for a moment, then said,