The one-eyed leader, under the joint interrogation of Third Senior Sister and Xiaoqi using some secret techniques, quickly crumbled.
"DON'T... don't kill me! I'll talk! I'll talk about everything!" The one-eyed leader's face was pale as paper, his single eye filled with endless terror. Earlier, Third Senior Sister had used a secret technique to search his sea of consciousness, which was an extremely painful process. Even for a small character like him at the third layer of Qi Refining, if he hadn't revealed the information voluntarily, that secret technique might have directly turned him into an idiot.
"Speak. Who sent you? Why target our Qingxu Temple's caravan?" Third Senior Sister asked coldly, her hand still pressing on his shoulder, ready to use the secret technique again at any moment.
"Yes... yes... a man wearing a bamboo hat!" The one-eyed leader trembled as he spoke, "Three days ago, a mysterious man wearing a bamboo hat came to our stronghold. He... he was extremely powerful—just his aura alone made me, made us unable to breathe. He gave us a portrait, telling us to lie in wait on this section of the official road, specifically watching for a young cultivator from Qingxu Temple named... named Tang Xiaoqi!"
Hearing his own name, Xiaoqi's heart jumped, his expression instantly becoming grave.
"He said... that young cultivator likely knows some... white light technique. He wanted us to test him during the attack, to see if he'd use that white light technique. If... if he did, to try our best to capture him alive. If... if not, then... kill him." The one-eyed leader spoke with increasing fear, as if recalling the terror that bamboo-hatted man gave him, "But he also said, don't alarm the sect, don't expose... he would naturally know the results."
"That bamboo-hatted man's cultivation?" Third Senior Sister pressed.
"I... I couldn't see clearly! But that pressure... at least Foundation Establishment! Maybe even higher!" The one-eyed leader shook his head repeatedly, "He didn't stay long—just left these instructions and some spirit stones as advance payment, then disappeared."
Third Senior Sister and Xiaoqi exchanged another glance, both feeling the situation's gravity.
A mysterious expert, specifically targeting Xiaoqi, wanting to test the "purification technique"... This was clearly related to the purification technique's exposure at the secret realm exit! That intelligence had leaked, and someone couldn't sit still!
"Anything else?" Third Senior Sister continued asking.
"No... no more! I've said everything I know! Immortal Masters, spare my life!" The one-eyed leader wailed.
Third Senior Sister coldly snorted, knocking him unconscious again with a palm strike. She then took out a transmission talisman, sending the situation back to the sect.
"Xiaoqi, this matter is serious." Third Senior Sister's face was heavy, "Someone is specifically targeting you, and they've even found rogue cultivators to test you. That bamboo-hatted man is at least Foundation Establishment, possibly even higher cultivation. The forces behind this... I'm afraid it's not simple."
Xiaoqi nodded silently. He thought of his master's warning, thought of Shadow Serpent Pavilion that had always coveted the Xu family's purification source... Could it be them?
"Let's go back to the sect first." Third Senior Sister made a prompt decision, "This escort mission is cancelled. Your safety is more important. I'll have the sect send someone to handle the follow-up."
"Mm." Xiaoqi didn't object. The current situation was unclear, and continuing to escort the caravan would likely only bring trouble to these mortals.
Third Senior Sister found Steward Li, briefly explaining that sect matters required their return and that someone would come to handle the follow-up. She also left a few self-defense items for the caravan. Steward Li, though regretful, dared not disobey and repeatedly thanked them.
Soon, a streak of light flew from the direction of Qingxu Temple—an enforcement hall disciple arriving quickly.
"Third Junior Sister, Xiaoqi." The enforcement disciple was an inner court disciple at Foundation Establishment early stage, appearing capable and experienced. After Third Senior Sister briefly explained the situation, his expression became solemn.
"The sect has already received Third Junior Sister's transmission. The Temple Master has ordered me to come handle this immediately and have you two return quickly." The enforcement disciple looked at the fainted robber cultivators on the ground, his eyes flashing with cold light, "These people... dare to target our Qingxu Temple disciples. They must be severely punished!"
He waved his hand, taking out a rope-type magical artifact, binding all the robber cultivators including the one-eyed leader tightly. Then he said to Third Senior Sister and Xiaoqi: "Third Junior Sister, Junior Brother Tang, you also return to the sect quickly to report the details to the elders."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Third Senior Sister and Xiaoqi cupped their hands.
The enforcement disciple said no more, employing spells to completely immobilize the robber cultivators on the ground like dead dogs. Transforming into several sword lights, he took them and rapidly departed.
On the official road, calm returned, leaving only the messy traces of battle and that steel saber still deeply embedded in the tree trunk, silently telling of everything that had just occurred.
The sunlight remained bright, a gentle breeze passing over the fields, bringing the scents of soil and green grass. But Xiaoqi and Third Senior Sister's mood could no longer be as relaxed as when they departed.
Undercurrents were surging, and had revealed a fierce corner.
"Let's go, Xiaoqi. We're going back." Third Senior Sister took a deep breath, her expression returning to her usual crisp manner, but in the depths of her eyes remained an indelible worry.
Xiaoqi nodded, taking one last look in the direction the robber cultivators had disappeared, then turned with Third Senior Sister, stepping onto the road back to Qingxu Temple. His steps were more steady than when he came, and more determined.
The road ahead was destined to not be smooth. But he was prepared to face all challenges.