Cao Yi, standing to the side, looked at Yun Xi with an expression full of approval. Meanwhile, Zhang Lingrui and Lin Keyang were silently digesting the possibility Yun Xi had just proposed. After a moment, Cao Yi said,
"Junior Sister Wei's speculation is probably correct. Xiao He wiped out the Xiao family using a formation, and this formation could only have been taught to him by an evil cultivator."
Lin Keyang asked directly, "Senior Brother Cao, what's so special about this formation?"
Cao Yi explained,
"This formation is also an evil formation. It's somewhat similar to the one that previously drained Wei Lingkai's vitality, but this one is clearly far more powerful. It doesn't just extract vitality — it also drains the cultivator's spiritual power, and stores it."
A collective hiss escaped the three of them. Just hearing about it made their scalps tingle.
Yun Xi took a deep breath and asked,
"If a cultivator's spiritual power and vitality are completely drained, there's no way they could survive. So does that stored energy help the evil cultivators increase their cultivation or extend their lives?"
Cao Yi nodded.
"Yes, and Xiao He might even be using it to repair his damaged dantian."
The rest didn't need to be said aloud. Everyone understood.
Yun Xi muttered,
"If I'd known it would turn out like this, I should have just killed him back then. Now I've made myself a new enemy."
"You didn't kill him at the time because you hoped to track down the evil cultivators. You weren't wrong."
Cao Yi could only offer this kind of reassurance.
"Should we report this to Xiao Yuan Zhēnjūn?" Yun Xi asked.
"You can inform Zhēnjūn about what your spirit pet Dian Dian discovered. As for the formation, the City Lord's estate probably already suspects something. There's no need for us to grandstand.
As for the speculation about Xiao He repairing his dantian, we don't have any concrete evidence — no need to bring it up.
But we need to be aware of it. We should tell Elder Wei and your little uncle. Some dangers have to be guarded against in advance. We can't always show up in time to save people."
"Yes, Senior Brother Cao. I understand."
Yun Xi fully grasped what Cao Yi was implying.
The four of them didn't enter the Xiao estate. After a brief pause outside, they returned to the City Lord's estate.
Xiao Yuan Zhēnjūn had already heard about their movements and was just about to question them when Wei Chenyin arrived to request an audience.
Wei Chenyin had come for two reasons: to bid farewell, and to inform the City Lord of the findings the group had uncovered. Regardless of whether the information would help capture Xiao He, they had done their part.
After hearing Wei Chenyin's report, Xiao Yuan Zhēnjūn's expression softened.
"Elder Wei's information will be very helpful in tracking down the massacre at the Xiao estate. Since you are leaving Xiaohe City, I won't stop you. Someone will deliver compensation to your courtyard shortly. Still, I must remind you all to be cautious on your journey."
"Thank you for the reminder, Zhēnjūn."
Wei Chenyin offered a respectful bow before departing.
Once they left, Xiao Yuan Zhēnjūn immediately deployed people to pursue Xiao He and Xiao Lei.
Xiao He, however, had long since left Xiaohe City. At this moment, he wore a robe black as ink. His complexion had an eerie, unnatural flush. Standing beside another cultivator clad in black, he gazed from afar at Xiaohe City.
A powerful aura emanated from the man in black robes, clearly in the Nascent Soul stage. He said calmly,
"Xiao He, I hope you won't regret today's decision."
Xiao He gave a sardonic smirk at the words, his voice hoarse as he replied,
"Someone once told me the same thing."
"Oh? And do you regret it?"
Xiao He stared long at the distant Xiaohe City but didn't answer. Instead, a nearly inaudible sigh slipped from his lips.
"Let's go. You've already made your choice — don't give yourself the chance to regret it."
With that, the Nascent Soul cultivator flicked his sleeve, taking Xiao He with him as they vanished.
Back in Xiaohe City, Yun Xi and the others remained for another three days. Then they accompanied Wei Chenyin and Wei Lingkai to the teleportation array that would take them back to Haoran Sect.
Yun Xi chose to travel back to the sect with the remaining three, using the journey as a training opportunity.
Wei Chenyin, however, looked uneasy. She offered a stern warning,
"Yun Xi, Xiao He has completely disappeared. He's like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting to strike. You must not let your guard down."
"Yes, Senior Sister. I understand."
Yun Xi replied respectfully.
Though Wei Chenyin was worried about Yun Xi, she knew Wei Lingkai urgently needed to return and enter seclusion to recover. With no better option, she finally stepped into the teleportation array as the four looked on.
Only after confirming the array had activated properly did Yun Xi and the others leave the teleportation hall.
Zhang Lingrui rolled his shoulders and asked,
"So, where are we going next?"
Cao Yi said,
"Not far from Xiaohe City is Yuxing City. There's a rare array crafting material found there. Interested in digging up a few?"
Zhang Lingrui perked up immediately.
"How much is it worth?"
Cao Yi grinned.
"It trades for mid-grade spirit stones. You tell me."
Zhang Lingrui's eyes lit up.
"Then Keyang and I are both in. Training while earning spirit stones? You don't get chances like that every day."
Lin Keyang also nodded with interest. Yun Xi, the youngest of the group, naturally had no objections, though she suspected the chance to earn spirit stones was the real reason the other two agreed so quickly.
Zhang Lingrui was a sword cultivator. Everyone knew sword cultivators focused on one thing: their sword. Aside from necessary healing pills, nearly every spirit stone went into upgrading their natal sword. It was no surprise he was often broke.
Lin Keyang was a body cultivator. Advancing in that path required constantly tempering the body, and medicinal baths were the most basic support method. Back at the Feng family estate, she had taken one — even at the Qi Refining stage, it required thirty different spirit herbs. It was easy to imagine how many herbs a Golden Core stage bath would need, not to mention the age requirements for each. That kind of upkeep meant body cultivators usually couldn't save spirit stones either.
Yun Xi felt rather fortunate in comparison. By pure chance, she had started with a solid foundation thanks to the Feng family. Later, she regularly consumed Milk Fruits to strengthen her body. When her overly powerful divine sense nearly tore her body apart, she had reforged her physical form. Even the Interstellar Body Refining Art she practiced afterward had proven extremely efficient, saving her quite a few spirit stones.
Once they agreed on a plan, the four set out that same day, leaving Xiaohe City behind.
Yuxing City wasn't far, so they chose not to use a flying boat and traveled on foot. Along the way, Yun Xi took the opportunity to exchange insights with the others on formations, sword techniques, and body cultivation. Everyone gained something from the conversations.
Zhang Lingrui remarked with admiration,
"Junior Sister Wei, I didn't expect you to be so well-rounded. You're definitely not just a dual cultivator of the body and spells. Judging from your understanding of swordsmanship, your sword skills are no joke either."
Yun Xi smiled as she replied,
"The sword is the most commonly used offensive tool in the cultivation world. I just figured it made sense to know the strengths and weaknesses of such a popular weapon."
"A smart approach. Otherwise, the two of us wouldn't have lost to you, huh?"
Zhang Lingrui added with a playful tone.
Yun Xi chuckled.
"Just a bit of luck."
As they chatted, a fireworks signal exploded in the sky — a brilliant cloud-shaped flare. The group immediately fell silent.
Yun Xi recognized it instantly. It was a distress signal.
She found it a little surreal. Once upon a time, she was the one setting off such flares. Now, she was the one going to save others.
Cao Yi had already located the source of the signal. His figure flickered — and vanished.