Jade Spring True Person took his leave of Shen Haotian. Even as he reached the door, he did not forget to leave a parting threat, telling Xu Qingtong to watch his step outside and not trip over a stone!
Xu Qingtong smiled faintly and said, "No need to trouble yourself over me, Sect Leader Yuquan. If some blind stone really does trip me, I'll grind it to dust underfoot!"
Jade Spring True Person's expression changed. Without another word, he left Juxian Academy.
"Qingtong, finished blowing your own trumpet? Come see Senior Zhong with me!" Shen Haotian said, casting Xu Qingtong a sidelong glance.
Xu Qingtong scratched his head and said, "I've already paid my respects to Master. Why do I have to go again?"
"Senior Zhong asked for you. If you have any objections, ask him yourself when you see him!"
"Uh, forget it. I'll go with you, all right?" Xu Qingtong muttered.
The two arrived at Zhong Ziqing's cave abode. After paying his respects, Xu Qingtong stood to one side.
"Qingtong, you were gone for twenty or thirty years on this trip back to Qingzhou. What exactly happened?" Zhong Ziqing asked.
Xu Qingtong pondered for a moment, then gave Zhong Ziqing a detailed account of what had happened after he went to Qingzhou, leaving out the parts related to the Witch Clan.
"You said someone destroyed the Teleportation Array leading to Qingzhou?" Zhong Ziqing asked.
"Yes! Otherwise, I would have returned long ago. I wouldn't have needed to travel through the Demon Realm and spend several years making my roundabout way back to Central Province!"
"Who do you think is the most likely suspect?" Zhong Ziqing asked.
Xu Qingtong considered briefly, then said, "By my reckoning, anyone capable of destroying the Teleportation Array just after I teleported must have