Fortunately, Xu Qingtong had acted promptly and responded appropriately. By the time the people at the Heavenly Mystery Palace's Law City branch realized something was wrong, he was already ten thousand li away.
The Heavenly Mystery Palace sent people to investigate in Law City and searched within a thousand-li radius of the city, but found no valuable clues. The only thing they could confirm was that the Law City branch master was still alive, though his whereabouts were unknown!
Sitting in the Swiftwind Boat, Xu Qingtong checked the map and discovered that he had reached the vicinity of Shangshui City, less than a thousand li from Juxian Academy.
Once he entered Juxian Academy's territory, Xu Qingtong felt somewhat relieved. He had intended to rest briefly in Shangshui City, but feared another mishap. After all, there were still five or six people aboard the Flying Boat!
Xu Qingtong rallied himself and flew at full speed for over two hours, finally arriving at Juxian Academy's main gate.
He landed the Flying Boat and had everyone disembark and wait where they were, while he approached the guards at the gate.
Both guards were new, and he knew neither of them. Xu Qingtong showed his Identity Jade Token, entered the Academy, and headed straight for Cloudwater Retreat.
Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xu Qingtong appeared at the entrance to Cloudwater Retreat.
"Sect Master, Qingtong has returned and has come to pay his respects!"
"You're back, Qingtong! Come in and talk!" Hearing Xu Qingtong's voice, the Sect Master hurriedly invited him inside.
After entering, Xu Qingtong stepped forward and bowed. "My respects, Sect Master!"
"No need for formalities! Qingtong, you've been gone for three or four years. How did it go? Have you settled everything over there?" Shen Haotian