Unforeseen Path

Xiao Bai heard no window shatter, saw no Sleeve Arrow, and felt no spiritual pressure from the Foundation Establishment Stage.

He only saw a vast patch of lush green vines crawling up from beneath his feet to his lower abdomen.

Amid the dense vine leaves was tangled a black Sleeve Arrow...

Xiao Bai tore away the vines and took out the Sleeve Arrow.

He knew nothing about concealed weapons, but he could tell that this Sleeve Arrow faintly radiated spiritual pressure far surpassing the Qi Refining Realm!

And the vines that had suddenly climbed over him seemed to be some kind of Wood Element Spell.

"Senior Sister?"

After piecing it together, Xiao Bai vaguely guessed what had happened—

After Zhao Hanwu failed, an expert who had lain in ambush beforehand and was unwilling to reveal their identity had attacked him.

Senior Sister Mu Yun had released vines to block it...

That meant Mu Yun was nearby.

At this thought, he slapped his thigh.

"Senior Sister, how foolish!"

Mu Yun, who had chased into the bamboo forest beyond the window, quickly returned to the Healing Cave. Seeing Xiao Bai covered in blood, she asked:

"Are you all right?"

The blood all over Xiao Bai was not his. He had long since swallowed his own blood into his stomach.

"Senior Sister, you shouldn't have saved me first. With an elder's pills protecting me, I wouldn't have died. You should have gone after the culprit behind this immediately."

That had indeed been Mu Yun's original plan.

But when Xiao Bai was truly attacked, she had suddenly gone muddleheaded and changed her mind.

"This is a little more complicated than I imagined. Master treasures you dearly. If you were truly hurt, I wouldn't be able to answer to her either."

Faced with Xiao Bai's doubts, the girl in the smoky robe casually brushed them aside.

His close friend had died miserably, and they had failed to catch the mastermind. Xiao Bai could not help feeling somewhat dejected.

"This arrow... can you tell anything from it?"

Mu Yun took the Sleeve Arrow and examined it for a moment.

"This Sleeve Arrow is also a Talisman Artifact. It prevents the user's own spiritual power from being exposed. The person is either highly cultivated or familiar with the sect's terrain and formation veins. Otherwise, they could not have escaped from my hands."

Xiao Bai vaguely understood what his senior sister meant.

"You mean..."

Mu Yun said:

"A close friend taking possession, a deacon coming to the rescue, killing you without a soul knowing or a ghost noticing... If they needed to put on such an elaborate play, then the other party may be someone inside the sect."

Xiao Bai shook his head and sighed.

He understood as well. The Snow Flame Sect stood deep in the belly of enemy territory; undercurrents surged within the sect, and flashing blades and clashing swords were only natural.

But Senior Brother Li had died because of him, and he himself had walked through the gates of hell.

That feeling was not easy to bear.

"I thought it was that Sect Overseer."

Xiao Bai said, forcing himself to remain calm.

Mu Yun was startled. She had not expected Xiao Bai to know about that too.

"Who knows? Even I want to kill you. There are far too many people who want you dead."

Xiao Bai said:

"..."

In truth, Xiao Bai's performance in battle had far exceeded Mu Yun's expectations.

Just now, several times when she had been about to intervene, Xiao Bai had miraculously turned the tables and killed his opponent.

Had no one launched that final sneak attack, her trip today would have been for nothing.

Mu Yun scrutinized Xiao Bai carefully from head to toe, yet still could not see the source of his bizarre talent.

Yet she deliberately put on a calm face and said:

"You're rather composed. You actually managed to kill a Qi Refining cultivator alone."

Composed, my ass!

The sect is too dangerous. I want to return to Chaoge. The roads in Chaoge aren't slippery, and it's easy to make money and start a family.

Xiao Bai's face was full of worry.

"I think this goes beyond a crime of passion. Elder Yuhu's identity may not be so simple."

Mu Yun rolled her eyes at Xiao Bai, as if your identity were simple.

That Fox Demon is simple enough. What is going on with your physique?

None of the Human, Demon, and Monster Races have ever seen someone like you.

"Knowing it now is too late. Resign yourself to fate."

"Ah."

Xiao Bai pretended to sigh, changed into a spare Deacon's Robe, and left the Healing Cave with Mu Yun.

Seeing that the girl in the smoky robe was Core Disciple Mu Yun, the laborers watching from not far away finally gathered at the cave entrance.

"Martial Uncle Xiao... what happened inside?"

"You'll be getting a new deacon."

Xiao Bai knew any explanation from him would be useless, and he could not be bothered to say more.

Mu Yun had no choice but to explain:

"Zhao Hanwu conspired with two laborers to assassinate Junior Brother Xiao, but failed. They have already been dealt with."

The Laborer Disciples were shocked.

Only after a long while did someone ask:

"Then what about Senior Brother Li? Just now, it seemed we heard Deacon Zhao mention possession..."

Mu Yun was becoming impatient and casually said:

"Li Feiyu died two days ago. As for the specifics, my second senior brother will need to come verify them."

Without explaining much more, the two soon left the Errand Disciple Quarters amid the wind and snow on their swords.

In the air.

The wind gradually died down, and the snow grew gentler.

Xiao Bai's Talisman Spell Sword was only at the Qi Refining Realm, so its Sword Riding speed was far too slow.

For safety's sake, Mu Yun had no choice but to carry him on her sword.

Her sword flew so fast that Xiao Bai could barely keep his footing, so he could only steady himself with one hand on her petite shoulder.

The enormous difference in their heights meant Xiao Bai had to stretch out his arm straight just to reach Mu Yun's shoulder.

It was not only Xiao Bai who was tired; even Mu Yun felt as though he were looking down on her.

"Can't you stop holding onto me?"

Xiao Bai said helplessly:

"Can't be helped. Senior Sister's speed... your Sword Riding speed is too fast."

The corner of Mu Yun's eye twitched slightly, and she shouted:

"Don't touch my shoulder!"

Xiao Bai immediately understood. He reached both hands forward and silently held her slender waist.

"This feels much steadier..."

Xiao Bai was steady now.

But Mu Yun's sword began to wobble.

Her face flushed. Though he was holding only her waist, she felt every bone in her body turn soft. How could she still have the mind to control her sword?

"Don't hold my waist either!"

Xiao Bai was now in a difficult spot and asked timidly:

"You're so small. Where else can I hold?"

Mu Yun was so furious that her red face darkened. Her tone abruptly became lofty and icy:

"Kneel down and grab my feet!"

Xiao Bai shook his head helplessly.

One day, sooner or later, I'll make this Demoness kneel and sing Little Duckling.

For now, he did not kneel. Instead, he sat down cross-legged and held his senior sister's slim, beautiful, smooth ankles with both hands.

Once seated, Xiao Bai's center of gravity became extremely stable, and he was instead calm and composed.

And it had to be said, the feel of this Bamboo Membrane White Silk was truly unparalleled.

What was lost by the mulberry trees at dawn was gained by the elm trees at dusk.

What an unforeseen path...

"..."

Mu Yun wore a complicated expression.

Just as Xiao Bai had said, what had happened was indeed no simple crime of passion. Someone had already realized Elder Yuhu's importance.

She vaguely felt that today's incident would very likely become the fuse that ignited a series of major events to come.

The Snow Flame Sect's good days were nearing their end.