In the solemn and magnificent Grand Hall, tension filled the air.
Elder Ming Shao, who was in charge of leading the team, felt somewhat uneasy. He bowed to Peak Lord Helian to beg forgiveness.
A total of 5 direct disciples had gone missing this time, and Lingyun Peak alone had lost 2.
Even Mu Yunci, whom Peak Lord Helian regarded as his successor, was on the missing list.
“Have you sent anyone to investigate the cause?” Helian Chuxue’s tone was calm, without the slightest ripple.
“After receiving the voice transmission, we rushed over immediately. But the culprit came and went without a trace, leaving not a single spiritual energy fluctuation behind. We searched for a day and a night but still couldn’t…”
“For the safety of the other disciples, I had no choice but to send them back to the sect first.” After Elder Ming Shao explained the whole sequence of events clearly, he requested the sect master to send more people to continue the search.
Song Ming Shao was an adopted son taken in by Su Xiaofeng’s father. He had grown up in the sect and had a deep relationship with Su Xiaofeng.
Helian Chuxue slowly lowered his eyes and said coldly, “You are at the early Nascent Soul stage. Even the spiritual energy fluctuation of an Out-of-Body stage cultivator should not escape your notice.”
Su Xiaofeng was equally puzzled. “If the culprit’s cultivation is above the Spirit-Splitting stage, there would be no need to go to such trouble to capture a few Foundation Establishment disciples. A wave of their hand would be enough to take your entire team.”
Song Ming Shao instinctively glanced at Peak Lord Helian, hesitant to speak. “I… I’m not too sure either. Last time was the same… the culprit only targeted Foundation Establishment disciples. The several elders guarding the secret realm’s exit were completely unharmed.”
“Have other sects had disciples go missing?” Helian Chuxue’s expression shifted slightly. Propping his head on his hand, he asked the question with seeming indifference.
Su Xiaofeng shook his head gravely. “We asked the several major sects nearby last time. The Wenjian Sect, which has the most disciples, has not lost a single one. Even the Hehuan Sect, the weakest among them, said they had detected no trace of demonic cultivators.”
“It’s clear the culprit is targeting our Wuji Sect. But if they came for our spirit meridian, it’s truly strange that they only capture disciples and leave no message.”
“Elder Ming Shao’s cultivation is limited. In 3 days, I will go down the mountain myself and rescue the missing disciples.” Helian Chuxue’s sudden declaration made the sect master’s expression freeze slightly.
“The sect’s grand tournament is about to be held. If you leave, who will be in charge of Lingyun Peak?”
“There are still more than 2 months until the sect’s grand tournament. That is enough.” Helian Chuxue’s mind was made up. “Please, Senior Brother, recall all the elders and focus on preparing the tournament grounds.”
He gave the sect master a slight nod and left without expression.
Song Ming Shao’s expression was displeased. “Peak Lord Helian may be powerful, but to be so arrogant and make decisions on his own… Brother, aren’t you angry?”
Su Xiaofeng stroked his long beard and shook his head with a smile. “Junior Brother has never concerned himself with miscellaneous affairs. This matter was already thorny to begin with. He’s going in person… I’m delighted. Why would I be angry?”
“But your authority…” Song Ming Shao trailed off.
“Junior Brother Helian is single-minded in his pursuit of the Dao. He only wishes for immortality and to shatter the void. The sect’s power means nothing to him… like passing clouds. Ming Shao, you worry too much.”
Su Xiaofeng did not wish to say more and turned the conversation to the various matters of the sect’s grand tournament.
Two days later, Su Yanqing received a side mission temporarily issued by the system.
Side missions are not mandatory; they depend entirely on the host’s mood.
『Side Mission… Find the missing disciples. Reward: one Ice Soul Sword Spirit.』
“Strange. Didn’t Father send out all the elders to search for the disciples? Why would he suddenly have me complete this mission?”
Su Yanqing was somewhat puzzled. She was reluctant to disrupt her cultivation rhythm.
She had grown accustomed to her days of cultivation, soaking in the hot spring, and practicing sword arts. Every day, she looked forward to the sect’s grand tournament arriving sooner.
The moment she heard the words “Snow Soul,” she guessed that her natal sword would certainly be extraordinary.
Otherwise, Bai Xiaoru wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to steal it.
There were still 2 months until the competition.
If she went down the mountain to do the mission, she would very likely miss the chance to select her natal sword.
『Last time, to help you conceal your demonic qi, Murong Yi and Mu Yunci were punished with investigating the culprit. This time, they happen to be among the missing. The host may choose not to do the mission… after all, Mu Yunci is about to be written off anyway.』
Su Yanqing recalled the memories from her dream.
“Senior Brother is kind and upright; he shouldn’t die young. Murong Yi has the male lead’s halo, so he should be fine.”
After Su Yanqing accepted the mission, the system offered a friendly reminder:
『Bai Xiaoru will also go down the mountain to participate in this rescue mission. Given that the female lead’s halo is too strong, it is not recommended for the host to accompany her.』
“That’s not right. Wasn’t she punished with confinement and locked up?”
『Bai Xiaoru’s magical artifact can detect demonic qi, but it can only be activated by her personally. She pleaded to go down the mountain to rescue the disciples.』
『The Disciplinary Hall elder has a fondness for young female cultivators. After getting what he wanted, he pleaded with the sect master on Bai Xiaoru’s behalf, and approval has already been granted.』
“But a few days ago, the sect set up a barrier to prevent disciples from going down the mountain.”
“Without Master accompanying me, I can’t break through the barrier at all.”
“But if I go with Bai Xiaoru, I’ll feel uncomfortable all over.”
“Bai Xiaoru is petty and holds grudges. I slapped her once, and she’ll turn around and accuse me of colluding with demonic cultivators.”
“Now that she’s been demoted to an outer sect disciple, who knows how much she hates me!”
Just as Su Yanqing was caught in a dilemma.
She remembered the rewards the system had given her.
A plan immediately came to mind.