Inside the hall, Long Jingyue frowned in deep thought, her delicate head propped up by her right hand, motionless as a statue. She didn't react as Li Muzhan entered, as if unaware.

Li Muzhan stood opposite her, observing. He looked at her radiantly beautiful face but refrained from using the Ta Xin Tong (Mind-Reading Technique); his master’s cultivation was too profound, and rashly employing it could lead to unpredictable consequences.

After a long moment, Long Jingyue seemed to snap back to attention, lifting her gaze to spare him a glance, and said lightly, "Wuji, have you rested sufficiently?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I was just growing bored. Master, what are your orders?"

Long Jingyue was quite pleased with his discerning nature and allowed a slight smile to grace her lips. "Indeed, this matter requires you to make a trip."

"Yes."

Long Jingyue clapped her hands, and the sound of light footsteps followed as Zhu Ling drifted in gracefully. "Pavilion Master."

"Ling'er, you shall accompany Wuji on this journey," Long Jingyue commanded.

Zhu Ling nodded obediently. "Yes, Pavilion Master."

Li Muzhan glanced at her with a smile. Usually, when she was with Lin Shaobai, she was lively and spirited; she was a different person now. It seemed the Master's authority was profoundly weighty.

"Master, what exactly is the matter?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Long Jingyue said, "News has arrived from Mingqiu's location; the situation is not right."

Li Muzhan frowned. "How is Senior Sister?"

Long Jingyue’s jade face darkened, and she shook her head. "Her circumstances are not good. You must hurry your journey."

"Master, are the two of us too few to go?" Li Muzhan asked.

Bai Mingqiu's martial arts were extremely high; if she encountered danger, it wouldn't be a common threat. Though he was confident, this world was saturated with Spiritual Qi, making the realms of masters even stronger; he might not be able to overpower everyone. If he inadvertently caused the loss of his Senior Sister's life, regret would be too late. Therefore, for prudence's sake, sending more people would be better.

Long Jingyue shook her head. "There is no one available at this moment."

Li Muzhan's brow twitched. Long Jingyue continued, shaking her head, "The situation here is complex and cannot be explained quickly. In short, the only ones usable are the disciples of your generation, including all the inner sect disciples combined. If all of them went, it would only spoil things!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Master need not worry. I will do my utmost."

"Wuji, your resolve is exceptional, and your martial arts are not lacking. I am very confident. Go!" Long Jingyue urged. "Let Ling'er explain the specifics to you. Do not delay any longer."

"Understood." Li Muzhan nodded and turned. "Senior Sister Zhu, shall we go?"

"Mm." Zhu Ling agreed obediently.

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in salute, then drifted out of the grand hall with Zhu Ling.

The two descended the mountain directly without delay. Zhu Ling urged him on throughout the journey. Once the location was made clear, they quickly left the mountain and headed north.

Li Muzhan gradually increased his speed, and Zhu Ling began to fall behind.

Li Muzhan sighed in resignation, unbuckled his scabbard, and handed it to Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling hesitated for a moment before gripping the other end of the sheath. "What are you doing?"

Li Muzhan said, "The situation is urgent; we must move faster."

"Yes," Zhu Ling nodded vigorously. "Senior Sister Bai could be in danger at any moment."

Li Muzhan said, "I can move much faster. Let me take Senior Sister Zhu with me!"

"Fine," Zhu Ling shot him a look but agreed nonetheless.

Li Muzhan’s speed suddenly surged, causing Zhu Ling to cry out before immediately biting back the sound. Before her were only distorted lines of light and the biting, fierce wind.

Fortunately, her Gang Qi (Hard Aura) protected her body, warding off the wind’s erosion. It was early summer, the weather warm and making one sleepy, but Li Muzhan’s extreme speed transformed the gentle breeze into an icy gale that felt like being cut by blades against her skin; she had to circulate her protective true energy.

Zhu Ling kept pointing the way, while Li Muzhan propelled them forward, like a mere shadow gliding across the earth. What Zhu Ling initially estimated to be a full day’s journey was covered in just two hours... They entered a massive city—Haozhou City. Entering the city was easy for them. Zhu Ling had kept up the trail of secret signals for Li Muzhan along the way.

Following the signals, they soon located an inn and arrived at a room, but it was empty, deserted.

The two quickly questioned the waiter; the people had disappeared three days prior. They hadn't checked out, nor had they paid the room fee. It was unclear if they had fled deliberately.

Haozhou City was extraordinarily prosperous, teeming with life; slipping away to find pleasure elsewhere and then trying to return without being noticed was difficult. Others had spent two days until their funds ran out, squandering everything in the city, then skipping out on the bill. They saw such incidents often and didn't pay them much mind.

Li Muzhan’s expression darkened. He inspected the room again, finding Bai Mingqiu’s satchel inside. Zhu Ling recognized it instantly.

"Could Senior Sister Bai have...?" Li Muzhan frowned, examining the cyan satchel. It contained very little—just two changes of clothes.

Zhu Ling quickly shook her head. "No, even if Senior Sister encounters danger, she possesses the means to survive!"

Li Muzhan looked up at her. Zhu Ling stated with certainty, "No one can overcome Senior Sister in a short time. We just don't know where she is trapped."

"I will try to find a connection," Li Muzhan said.

He picked up the two garments, closed his eyes, and stood motionless. Zhu Ling watched him quietly. Li Muzhan was highly respected by the inner disciples, and Zhu Ling held him in deep admiration.

After a while, Li Muzhan opened his eyes and frowned in thought. "Let's try this. Head east."

"Let's go." Zhu Ling agreed to try, as there were no other leads now. The contact signals had vanished, either erased or not left in time.

The two soon left Haozhou City, facing vast, rugged mountains before them. Li Muzhan offered a wry smile. Zhu Ling frowned. "Can Junior Brother Li really find her?"

Li Muzhan offered another bitter smile. "I will try."

He had recently discovered that this world held countless secret arts, thanks to the abundant Spiritual Power. These arts were varied and intricate, all methods exploiting spiritual energy.

Seeing that he could locate their direction, Zhu Ling didn't find it too strange. As cultivation deepens, intuition grows sharper; sensing the mysterious, predicting fortune and misfortune, and avoiding harm were not considered miracles.

Li Muzhan led her into the mountains. After scaling two high peaks, Li Muzhan stopped as they reached a valley, his expression solemn.

Zhu Ling remained silent until now, then asked, "What is it, Junior Brother Li? Did you find something?"

Li Muzhan frowned, surveying the valley before him, and slowly nodded. "It seems to be right here."

Zhu Ling also scanned the surroundings. Instead of rushing in, she first darted up into the trees and circled around before landing again, shaking her head. "I can't see anything unusual. Is Senior Sister Bai really inside?"

Li Muzhan replied, "It is my sensing. Senior Sister Bai should be here."

"Good," Zhu Ling said. "Let's go in and see!"

Li Muzhan cautioned, "Whatever could trap Senior Sister Bai likely involves an ambush."

"Then we fight!" Zhu Ling snorted defiantly.

Li Muzhan suggested, "In my view, Senior Sister Zhu should return first and report to Master."

Zhu Ling shook her head. "I'm not going back. Let's hurry inside and see how Senior Sister Bai is doing!"

Li Muzhan made a subtle marker and led her inward slowly. After only about ten steps, Li Muzhan abruptly stopped, frowning as he surveyed the area.

"What is it?" Zhu Ling urged impatiently.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "This isn't right."

Zhu Ling retorted crossly, "What isn't right? We haven't even seen anyone yet!"

Li Muzhan mused, "The terrain here is strange!"

He sensed a formation before him because what his Void Eye perceived was entirely different from what his physical eyes saw. He vaguely felt the danger ahead. Formations actually existed in this world; well, in a place so rich in Spiritual Qi, how could formations be absent?

"The terrain is strange?" Zhu Ling frowned, forcefully suppressing her impatience. "Could it be a Talisman Array?"

Li Muzhan turned to look at her. Zhu Ling elaborated, "Some Talisman Arrays can trap people. Could Senior Sister Bai have fallen into one?"

Li Muzhan asked, "If it is a Talisman Array, what is its power?"

"Some can kill," Zhu Ling huffed. "But Senior Sister's protective true energy is powerful; a Talisman Array might not be able to touch her. Besides, Senior Sister has protective artifacts."

"What protective artifacts?" Li Muzhan asked.

Zhu Ling explained, "They might also be Talisman Arrays." Before Li Muzhan could ask more, she pouted. "Junior Brother Li, it seems you truly lack experience. Senior Sister Bai seems to have a set of Jade Talismans capable of sealing Talisman Arrays. Once activated, they can deploy an array in the surrounding area."

Li Muzhan slowly nodded and smiled. "With that, I needn't fear Senior Sister is in dire straits."

"Talisman Arrays are not omnipotent," Zhu Ling countered. "If the external force is too strong, they can be broken. So, finding Senior Sister Bai sooner is best!"

Li Muzhan looked around and shook his head.

Zhu Ling anxiously asked, "Why are you shaking your head? What's wrong?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Give me a moment; I need to deduce the workings of this Talisman Array."

"Junior Brother Li, you understand Talisman Arrays too?!" Zhu Ling asked in surprise.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Though I have not seen this specific one, the Dao of Heaven and Earth is fundamentally interconnected. Let me give it a try!"

"Very well, I won't speak then!" Zhu Ling knew better than to interrupt.

She stood motionless, watching Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan moved his ten fingers as if calculating something, then squatted down, picked up a tree branch, and drew lines on the ground—interlaced and crisscrossing—until Zhu Ling’s vision blurred. She decided to stop watching and simply observe the surrounding scenery.

After a long while, she grew increasingly impatient and was about to urge him on when she turned to glare, only to see Li Muzhan drop the branch, clap his hands, and stand up. "Done!"

"Done?!" Zhu Ling was overjoyed.

Li Muzhan instructed, "Senior Sister Zhu, wait a moment. I will try it out. If it works, Senior Sister can follow me in; if it fails, Senior Sister should return to the Pavilion to find Master!"

"Alright," Zhu Ling agreed immediately without argument.

Li Muzhan flashed away, entering the woods of the valley, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Zhu Ling stared with wide eyes, unable to see anything, and strained her ears, hearing nothing at all.

After another spell, she called out loudly, "Junior Brother Li?!"

Li Muzhan's voice sounded right beside her ear. "Senior Sister, take two steps left, then two steps right, maintaining an even pace. Then take three steps forward and one step back, moving like that sequentially."

Zhu Ling’s spirits lifted, and she quickly followed Li Muzhan's instructions forward. After walking a while, her vision suddenly brightened. Before her was a small lake, spanning about a hundred meters wide. Li Muzhan and Bai Mingqiu stood by the shore.

"Senior Sister Bai!" Zhu Ling exclaimed with great joy.

Li Muzhan quickly waved his hand. "Senior Sister, change your steps: three forward, two back!"

Zhu Ling immediately halted her steps, daring not to be careless, convinced by the effectiveness of Li Muzhan’s previous steps.

She soon approached Li Muzhan and saw Bai Mingqiu sitting motionless on the lush green grass, seemingly asleep. She immediately asked, "What happened to Senior Sister Bai?"

Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed without speaking.