The mist in the cave grew more and more eerie.
Yan Miao’s eyes were red with anxiety.
Gritting his teeth, he bit down hard on the tip of his tongue.
The sharp pain jolted him awake, and he snapped his eyes open.
The cave was still the same brightly lit cave, the amber stone walls standing quietly, emitting a hazy glow.
A few wisps of ethereal smoke swirled around his body.
Looking at his companions, Mo Qin’s forehead was drenched in sweat, Bai Maomao frowned uneasily, and Lang Junxian’s face was full of ruthless determination.
Yan Miao was terrified, scrambling up to desperately shake them awake.
“Mo Qin,”
“Maomao.”
“……”
The anxious voice of the youth echoed in the cave, but the three sitting in meditation showed no response.
Bai Maomao was sitting high atop a Wutong Shu.
Xuan Yuan, dressed in black, sat cross-legged beneath the tree, a guqin resting casually on his knees.
With a gentle pluck of his fingers, melodious and lingering music flowed like water.
The piece “Feng Qiu Huang” was filled with intricate turns and endless affection.
Xuan Yuan’s usually sharp features softened, and he looked up expectantly at Lihuo, who was perched in the tree.
“Lihuo, be with me, I’ll treat you well.”
The youth on the tree tilted his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Bai Maomao opened his mouth to reply, but a piercing pain shot through his palm, and the words stuck in his throat.
“Zhujian, wake up…………”
Suddenly, a childish voice echoed in his mind, and a cool sensation spread through his brain.
At the same time, Yan Miao’s urgent calls rang in his ears.
Bai Maomao’s spirit jolted, his hazy gaze gradually clearing.
They’ve been caught!
Yan Miao saw him wake up, both shocked and delighted.
“Maomao, you’re finally awake! Quick, look at the other two, no matter how I call them, they don’t react.”
Bai Maomao circulated his spiritual energy, dispersing the strange mist around them, and set up a barrier.
After a moment’s thought, he took out the Biyu Zhuzhi he had previously obtained from Huangliang Zhu and placed it in the center of their group.
“Sit down and meditate.”
Yan Miao obediently sat cross-legged, immediately feeling a cool and gentle sensation spreading through his limbs and bones, completely dispelling the discomfort and confusion from when he’d first woken up.
Bai Maomao entered a meditative state, letting the cool aura of the bamboo branch flow through his body, quickly driving away the discomfort caused by the strange mist.
Looking again at Mo Qin and Lang Junxian, their expressions clearly became more peaceful.
The spiritual energy around Lang Junxian even began to stir, as if he was about to break through at any moment.
Bai Maomao quickly took out a Fa Qi from his Qian Kun Dai and set up a simple Zhen Fa, then stayed by Lang Junxian’s side, ready for anything.
After successfully establishing his foundation in Xiao Dongtian, and accumulating for half a year, comprehending the Dadao from the stone wall, and now being drawn into this illusion by the strange mist, using past memories to temper his mind, Lang Junxian’s cultivation had finally risen another level.
He had reached the stage of Refining Essence into Qi.
The spiritual energy in his Dan Tian spun rapidly, compressing and gathering until it formed an egg-sized sphere.
The sphere kept rotating, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy outside, becoming more solid and even faintly glowing with golden light.
Dan Tai, formed.
Outside the cave, the wind and clouds surged.
Three bolts of lightning, as thick as a child’s arm, struck down together but were blocked by the barrier above the Xuexiao.
Outside the barrier, the sky changed color, thunder and lightning continued to gather, and another three blinding bolts crashed down, but the barrier remained unmoved.
The teachers and students of the Xuexiao were startled, all coming out to witness this rare spectacle.
“Who’s undergoing tribulation?”
The Jiaodao Zhuren stroked his bald chin, a vague suspicion rising in his heart.
The Lei Jie continued, the final three bolts crashing down with immense force.
Even the school’s powerful barrier trembled, making the bald director wince in pain as he hurriedly ran toward the cave.
Inside the cave.
The rotation of the Dan Tai gradually slowed, the golden light growing stronger, as the spiritual energy surged through his meridians.
Lang Junxian slowly opened his eyes, meeting Bai Maomao’s worried gaze.
“I’m fine.”
Lang Junxian smiled.
Bai Maomao’s eyes curved into a smile.
Only Mo Qin had yet to wake.
Lang Junxian stepped forward to check, trying to send a stream of spiritual power into his body.
The energy disappeared without a trace, as if thrown into the sea.
Lang Junxian shook his head.
Yan Miao’s eyes reddened, looking pleadingly at Bai Maomao.
Bai Maomao hesitated, then took out Little Vine.
“Let Little Vine try.”
After all, it was Little Vine who woke him up earlier.
Little Vine proudly raised its tip, eyeing Mo Qin like a predator.
Bai Maomao warned, “Just wake him up, nothing else.”
Little Vine nodded reluctantly, then wrapped itself around and gave Mo Qin’s palm a sharp prick.
Mo Qin’s body trembled, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and he collapsed limply.
“Mo Qin!”
Yan Miao rushed to catch him.
Bai Maomao was also startled, about to speak when he saw Mo Qin open his eyes, giving him a weak smile.
Lang Junxian stepped forward, wanting to take over.
“Let me, we should head back first.”
Yan Miao shook his head, gently pushing away his hand and carrying Mo Qin on his back.
Lang Junxian silently withdrew his hand.
Bai Maomao lifted the barrier, leading the way out.
Outside the cave, Jiaodao Zhuren noticed the commotion, his eyes flashing as he opened the barrier.
Bai Maomao and Lang Junxian stood side by side, just blocking Yan Miao and Mo Qin behind them, the two sides faintly at a standoff.
Jiaodao Zhuren smiled heartily, “How was your enlightenment?”
“Very good.”
Bai Maomao replied coldly, glaring at him with hostility.
Jiaodao Zhuren awkwardly rubbed his nose.
“Seems someone’s hurt. Go rest first.”
Bai Maomao snorted, heading toward the Su She.
Yan Miao followed closely behind, carrying Mo Qin, with Lang Junxian bringing up the rear, staying alert.
Someone behind them sneered, “Don’t know what’s good for you. Others would kill for such a chance.”
Yan Miao turned back in surprise, meeting the cold gaze of that person.
The four did not return to the Su She, but detoured to the Yi Wu Shi.
The doctor on duty checked them over, but found nothing serious, only saying that a few days of rest would suffice.
So Yan Miao had no choice but to carry him back to the Su She.
Mo Qin slept for a full day and night before finally waking up.
His body was basically fine, just extremely weak.
He was out of breath after just a few steps.
Yan Miao, distressed, forced him to stay in bed and borrowed the Kitchen from the Shi Tang to cook nourishing soup for him, giving him three meals a day.
Mo Qin was so “nourished” that his liver fire blazed.
Pointing with a trembling finger at the Lu Rong and Rou Gui in his soup, he said angrily, “I’m not that weak yet! Are you trying to test it on yourself?!”
Yan Miao’s eyes darted, feeling guilty and not daring to meet his gaze.
“The doctor said your qi and blood are depleted. You need to recover.”
Mo Qin was speechless.
“The doctor said to replenish qi and blood, not tonify the kidneys!”
“My kidneys are perfectly fine.”
Yan Miao pursed his lips and coaxed, “Then tomorrow I’ll make you some Wu Ji Tang.”
Mo Qin felt that sooner or later, this little rascal would be the death of him.
In the office.
“This is your so-called good plan?!”
Gong Zifeng slammed the ashtray hard onto the floor, the glass shattering with a crisp sound.
The shadowy figure in the corner shrank back, explaining nervously, “It was supposed to be foolproof. Who could have known they’d break through…”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses!”
The figure shut up, eyes lowered and filled with resentment.
“I’ll give you one last chance. Mo Qin, Bai Hongyuan, Lang Junxian, Yan Miao.”
Gong Zifeng’s tone grew heavier, “Not a single one of them can be missing.”
“Yes.”
The figure replied, trembling, “This time, I won’t let them escape.”
“Good,” Gong Zifeng’s expression eased as he sat down in his chair.
“Go.”
The figure bowed and respectfully withdrew.
“Wait.”
The figure froze, every muscle tensed, anxiously waiting for his next words.
“No need to confront them head-on. Pick the softest persimmon to squeeze.”
He changed the subject, “I see those four are pretty close.”
The figure’s eyes flickered, quickly understanding.
“I understand.”
“Heh.”
Gong Zifeng chuckled, slowly twirling his fingers.
After the figure left, the door behind him opened and someone walked in.
“Uncle.”
“Shaotian.”
Gong Zifeng looked at him.
“Are you satisfied with this outcome?”
Gong Shaotian’s eyes were filled with deep hatred.
“It’s not enough. I want to do it myself.”
“Especially Mo Qin. I want him to live in hell, unable to live or die.”
Gong Shaotian’s face twisted, his body trembling—his hatred clear as day.
If not for Mo Qin destroying his cultivation…how could he have ended up like this!
Even though his grandfather still doted on him, the position of head of the Gong Family was now forever out of reach.
Gong Zifeng chuckled, “Of course. Anyone who dares to insult the Gong Family must pay the price.”
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