Fu Xingzhi thought for a long while before stammering, "Master, I haven't decided yet!"
"Hmm, very well! Take your time thinking it over. I'll be going away for a while soon. Once I return, I'll help you refine it!" Xu Qingtong said.
Hearing this, Fu Xingzhi hurriedly bowed in assent.
"After I leave, take good care of my cave abode and the Medicine Garden behind it. All right, you may go!" Having given his disciple these instructions, Xu Qingtong dismissed him.
Sitting inside his cave abode, Xu Qingtong pondered for a long time, going over everything he could think of. Once he was certain he had overlooked nothing, he sent Du Siwen a voice transmission.
A short while later, Du Siwen appeared at the entrance to Xu Qingtong's cave abode. "Little Junior Brother, did you call me here because you're ready? When are we leaving?"
Du Siwen still wore a fiery red robe, her hair tied high. Her snow-white collar set off her long neck, making it look as smooth and lustrous as jade.
Xu Qingtong stared blankly for a moment before saying, "I'm ready. We can leave right now!"
Du Siwen reached out and tugged Xu Qingtong along. "Then what are we dawdling for? Let's go!"
The two left the sect grounds, boarded the Ink Cloud Shuttle, and sped north toward the Great Marsh Sea.
Du Siwen had wanted to go to the Valley of the Dead, but Xu Qingtong had refused. He felt that, for one thing, the Valley of the Dead was far too dangerous, with little to gain. For another, he had an obsession: he had always wanted to find a route to the Central Province. Thus, they ultimately chose to go to the Great Marsh Sea.
Since they were out to gain experience, there was