At this moment, the relaxed atmosphere dissipated like mist, instantly shattered by Sparkle's final message.
Alarm bells rang loudly in Director Yanxi's heart. She absolutely refused to believe Sparkle had returned today merely to toy with the team.
At the same time, Yunli offered her own insight, her tone carrying unquestionable certainty.
"To be personally warned by Sparkle, the 'script' of this play definitely won't be simple."
Those words immediately caused everyone's hearts to tighten, urgency surging through them like a rising tide.
Recalling Sparkle's previous sudden appearance, Director Yanxi couldn't help secretly suspecting—
Could all of this be connected to the mysterious mastermind behind the mystic realm Mo Xin experienced last time?
Not long after Mo Xin joined the team and everyone became closer...
They eventually learned that, aside from Yunli's group, there had actually been other Ability Users inside the mystic realm Mo Xin accidentally entered before.
Originally, Director Yanxi hadn't thought too deeply about it.
But after Sparkle's actions today, she no longer believed it was mere coincidence that those Ability Users arrived before the Ability Bureau.
Could it be the Black Tiger Society? But what does that have to do with Sparkle's hint...?
"Sister Yan... are you okay?"
Seeing Director Yanxi scratching her head while frowning deeply, Mu Yao stepped forward worriedly.
Noticing everyone's concerned gazes, Director Yanxi realized she had lost her composure slightly.
She quickly adjusted herself and spoke.
"Let's... put this matter aside for now.
But everyone, stay vigilant and be extra careful lately.
As for the details... I'll notify all of you once I've finished investigating."
"Yes." ×5
...
"Master Yunli..."
"Aiya! You've already asked over ten times on the way back! Your Master Yunli isn't some encyclopedia! Even if you ask dozens more times, I still wouldn't know! Besides, deciphering complicated, brain-burning things is my grandfather's specialty—not this young lady's!"
Listening to the endless stream of questions beside her...
Combined with the frustration of being completely unable to figure Sparkle out today, Yunli finally snapped and let out an indignant shout full of grievance.
Realizing she had overdone it, Mo Xin slowly lowered her head.
Seeing this, Yunli sighed helplessly and clasped her hands behind her head with an indifferent expression.
"What are you overthinking for? As long as your Master and Old Mettle are here, no demons or ghosts will dare cause trouble!"
"That... actually makes sense..."
Although Yunli's words were reasonable, they still failed to improve Mo Xin's mood.
Chen Yuxuan and the others felt tense because of the unknown dangers potentially lurking within Muyun City.
But Mo Xin's anxiety stemmed from something entirely different—
The helplessness of being too weak.
Mo Xin o(TヘTo):I clearly decided to secretly work hard so I'd become strong enough to amaze... and protect my sister. But now...
It wasn't that she disliked Yunli's kindness.
She simply wanted the strength to protect her family with her own hands instead of always being protected by others.
Thinking this, Mo Xin finally couldn't help voicing the thoughts buried in her heart.
"Master Yunli, is there any way to become stronger quickly? I want to protect my family myself in the future, even if you're not around!"
Before she could finish speaking, Yunli leapt up and smacked her with a "chestnut."
Yunli ঌ(ᗜ`˰´ᗜ)໒:"Practicing the sword requires taking things one step at a time! Don't always dream about reaching the heavens in a single leap! Besides, with my personal guidance, you've already surpassed ordinary people in this world in such a short amount of time! Even among Ability Users, you'd probably rank around the middle tier now. With progress like that, instead of feeling proud, you're actually complaining to your master? If you're really that idle, then let's continue discussing your laziness from this morning—"
"Wait wait wait, Master Yunli, look over there! Let me buy you some candied hawthorn!"
"Hmph, don't think you can change the subject! But I'll accept this candied hawthorn as tribute from my Disciple!"
"Yes, yes."
And just like that, Yunli was effortlessly distracted.
As she happily ate the candied hawthorn skewers, she couldn't help glancing sideways at her silly Disciple.
Silly Disciple, your home is probably the safest place in all of Muyun City. What exactly would you even need to protect it from?
...
Meanwhile, inside the villa on the other side—
"Achoo!!! Uh... is someone talking about me behind my back again?"
Mo Xi rubbed her nose with a strange expression but didn't dwell too much on the sudden sneeze.
Soon after, she once again focused her mind and regulated her breathing, guiding qi into her Dantian as spiritual energy flowed through her meridians like a gentle stream.
When the timing felt right, she suddenly opened her eyes and let out a soft shout.
Bang—
She successfully broke through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
In an instant, a violent aura erupted from Mo Xi's body like raging waves.
Fortunately, having experienced this once before, Mo Xi quickly restrained the surging aura almost immediately.
In the blink of an eye, the terrifying pressure disappeared completely.
Aside from knocking over a few items in the room, no major disturbance occurred.
"Phew—"
After successfully breaking through, Mo Xi slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, as though releasing all the exhaustion and pressure accumulated within her body.
Feeling the abundant and purified spiritual energy after her breakthrough, a bright smile unconsciously bloomed across her face.
Thanks to the mysterious increase in spiritual energy concentration throughout Muyun City since last month—
She had managed to break through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment in barely over a month, even faster than she originally expected.
At first, she had even suspected some sort of "Spiritual Qi Revival" straight out of cultivation novels was happening in this world.
Yet in the end, the phenomenon seemed unique to Muyun City alone.
"But then again, that has nothing to do with me."
According to Old Meng, her current cultivation speed would already place her shoulder to shoulder with unparalleled geniuses even in his original world.
Thinking of this, joy flickered through Mo Xi's eyes as she stepped out of her room with a sweet smile.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
With light footsteps, Mo Xi happened to run into Acheron, who was also walking downstairs.
Acheron: (๑•. •๑)
Acheron paused and looked at Mo Xi with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.
After several seconds, she slowly spoke in a questioning tone.
"You are... Mo Xi?"
"...Yes. What a coincidence, Sister Acheron. You should still call me Xiao Xi or 'little sister' like before!"
Hearing the long-awaited correct response, Mo Xi suppressed the excitement in her heart and answered with a light laugh.
Acheron nodded slightly before continuing downstairs expressionlessly.
Mo Xi quietly watched her departing figure, emotions swirling deep within her eyes.
Ever since that particular night last month when Acheron returned home extremely late—
Sister Acheron's memory loss had suddenly and inexplicably worsened.
During the first half of the month, her parents had been extremely worried.
Looking at it now, Sister Acheron's condition seems much better already.
Still, there's no clue what caused it...
Speaking of which... last month...
Wasn't the sudden increase in spiritual energy right after that night?
Could it be...?
No, impossible. No matter how I think about it, there's no way it could be related to Sister Acheron!
My mind really isn't clear after cultivating for so long.
Maybe... the "balance between work and rest" Xiao Xin always talks about is actually necessary after all.
Watching Acheron's departing figure, Mo Xi shook her head and quickly dismissed those unrealistic thoughts.
Acheron (๑•. •๑)?:What's wrong with Mo Xi?
Unfortunately, walking ahead, she had no idea her younger sister was currently trapped in an intense mental brainstorm.
She merely shook her head silently and paid it no further attention.