The interlude on the official road caused the originally planned five-day escort mission to end abruptly. Third Senior Sister had no more mind to "secretly" follow, and together with Xiaoqi, employed movement techniques, rushing back to Qingxu Temple at full speed. Three hundred li of journey, under two Foundation Establishment cultivators' full-speed rushing, took only most of a day before that familiar mountain gate enveloped in dense spiritual energy appeared in the distance.
Entering the mountain gate, the two didn't delay at all, heading directly toward the Temple Master's grand hall at the main peak's summit. Third Senior Sister had special status and was a Foundation Establishment disciple, requiring no announcement, directly leading Xiaoqi into the hall.
At this moment, it wasn't a time for discussion, so the grand hall was quite empty, with only Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person and Transmission Elder present, seeming to be discussing something. Seeing Third Senior Sister leading a grave-faced Xiaoqi rushing in, both were startled.
"Liuyun, Xiaoqi, what matter requires such haste?" Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person put down the jade slip in his hand, his gaze peacefully watching the two. But when his sight swept over Xiaoqi's not-yet-fully-calmed aura and the lingering alertness in his eyes, his brows slightly knitted. The Transmission Elder also cast an inquiring gaze.
"Temple Master, Elder, something has happened!" Third Senior Sister, with her impatient nature, spoke first, rapidly narrating the encounter with robber cultivators on the official road and the astonishing inside information extracted from them, omitting nothing. From the robber cultivators being instigated by someone, to the clear target being Xiaoqi, to the strange demand to "test the white light technique"—every detail was covered.
Xiaoqi stood quietly to the side, adding some details about the "bamboo-hatted man's" characteristics as described by the one-eyed leader, as well as the speculation that the opponent might have late Qi Refining or even Foundation Establishment cultivation.
As the two recounted events, the Temple Master and Transmission Elder's expressions gradually became serious, and the hall's atmosphere seemed to freeze.
When hearing "test the white light technique," a sharp light suddenly flashed through Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person's eyes. He exchanged a glance with the Transmission Elder, both seeing understanding and heaviness in the other's eyes.
"...That's the situation." Third Senior Sister finished, still angry. "Those people were clearly targeting Xiaoqi! And the target was that technique he obtained in the secret realm! Temple Master, Elder, this must be those Shadow Serpent Pavilion ghosts who just won't let go! Their claws have reached too far!"
Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person didn't immediately speak. He slowly stood, pacing a few steps in the grand hall, his fingers unconsciously twisting the jade handle of his fly-whisk, lost in thought. The Transmission Elder looked at Xiaoqi, his gaze carrying scrutiny and an imperceptible worry.
After a moment, the Temple Master stopped, turning to look at Xiaoqi, his voice grave: "Xiaoqi, describe to me again the detailed circumstances of employing the purification technique to save people at the secret realm exit that day, especially who was present and the possible range of news that might have spread afterward."
Xiaoqi didn't dare neglect, again carefully recalling and describing the scene at that time, including who the rescued fellow disciples were, which other sects' disciples nearby might have seen, and approximately what range the discussion about this matter had spread to within the sect after returning.
After hearing, the Temple Master nodded slightly, saying to the Transmission Elder: "It seems news leaked faster and more widely than we expected. Shadow Serpent Pavilion's ears and eyes are probably more ubiquitous than we imagined."
The Transmission Elder sighed: "Holding a treasure invites guilt. Xiaoqi's purification technique has too significant an effect against demonic energy. Once exposed, being targeted by Shadow Serpent Pavilion was inevitable sooner or later. Just didn't expect them to move so quickly and use such low methods—hiring low-level robber cultivators to probe."
"This wasn't just probing." Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person's eyes were deep, as if able to penetrate heavy fog. "This was even more a warning, or rather, a declaration. They're telling us they know, and have already begun acting. Hiring robber cultivators costs little, and even if they fail, it can't be traced back to them, yet can effectively alert the prey, disrupting our sightlines, making us disorder our own positions."
He looked at Xiaoqi, his tone heavy: "Xiaoqi, now it seems you're not just bearing an opportunity, but have become the focal point of certain forces' gaming. Shadow Serpent Pavilion is determined to obtain you, or rather, the power of purification you possess. After this probe's failure, they absolutely won't give up. Subsequent methods may be more hidden and more dangerous."
Xiaoqi's heart trembled, bowing: "This disciple understands. This disciple will certainly be more cautious in speech and action, working hard to improve cultivation, absolutely not failing the sect's protection."
The Temple Master nodded, satisfied with his attitude, then ordered: "Liuyun, immediately go to the enforcement hall, compare the confession obtained today with the enforcement elder in detail, see if more clues about that 'bamboo-hatted man' can be found. At the same time, transmit my order—strengthen patrols and alertness levels around the sect, especially on all paths leading outside. Increase hidden sentries, strictly monitoring all suspicious persons."
"Yes, Temple Master!" Third Senior Sister accepted the order, turning to leave with swift, decisive movements.
"Transmission Elder," the Temple Master looked at the Transmission Elder again, "trouble you to notify all core elders. One hour from now, convene an emergency meeting in this hall. The agenda is discussing responses to Shadow Serpent Pavilion's infiltration, and... how to ensure disciple Tang Xiaoqi's safety."
"This old one will handle it immediately." The Transmission Elder rose, leaving the grand hall with a solemn expression.
In an instant, only Temple Master Xuanxuan True Person and Tang Xiaoqi remained in the spacious hall.
The Temple Master walked before Xiaoqi, looking at his young yet already resolute face, lightly sighing: "Child, do you feel great pressure?"
Xiaoqi raised his head, meeting the Temple Master's gentle yet wise gaze, speaking honestly: "Reporting to Temple Master, there is indeed some pressure. But more, I feel... I cannot implicate the sect because of myself, cannot implicate Master and senior martial brothers and sisters."
"Silly child." The Temple Master shook his head, "Qingxu Temple has stood for a thousand years, weathering storms. How would it be implicated by one disciple? The sect's purpose for existing is to protect its disciples and pass down the Dao lineage. Since you've entered my Qingxu Temple, you're part of Qingxu Temple, and the sect naturally should shelter you from wind and rain. Moreover, what you bear may not just be your personal opportunity."
His words had hidden meaning, seeming to imply something, but didn't state it clearly.
"What you must do now isn't blame yourself, but transform this pressure into motivation." The Temple Master instructed earnestly, "Cultivate diligently without stopping, improving your strength—that's fundamental. Only when you yourself are strong enough can you fear no conspiracies, can you truly control your own fate. The sect will win time for you, provide resources, but the path must ultimately be walked by yourself."
"Yes! This disciple remembers the Temple Master's instruction!" Xiaoqi was moved in his heart, bowing deeply again. The Temple Master's words were like a sea-calming needle, dispelling the trace of panic in his heart from being targeted by powerful forces, making his Dao heart even more determined.
"Go, return and cultivate well. Recently if not necessary, try not to leave the sect grounds. If there's any abnormality, immediately report to your master or me." The Temple Master gave final instructions.
"This disciple withdraws."
Xiaoqi exited the Temple Master's grand hall, slowly walking down the white jade-paved stone steps. The sunset's afterglow stretched his shadow long. Clouds on the horizon were dyed brilliant orange-red. The scenery remained magnificent, but his mental state was completely different from when he came.
Gone was the relaxation and curiosity from first taking the mission, and the tension and anger from encountering robber cultivators. Replacing them was a heavy sense of responsibility and urgency.
He knew he had already stood at the storm's center. Hidden enemies were like lurking venomous snakes, possibly striking fatally at any time. And the sect would be his solid shield, but also needed him to quickly grow up, possessing the ability to stand alone.
He touched the warm jade pendant on his chest, feeling the "Everlasting Spring Art's" peaceful yet resilient spiritual power flowing within, flashes of the frying pan's hidden spirituality passing through his mind, and the rabbit spirit's increasingly alert figure.
The road ahead was treacherous, but he wasn't alone.
Returning to that familiar little courtyard, closing the wicker gate, isolating outside disturbances and potential spying. Xiaoqi didn't immediately begin cultivation but quietly sat on the stone stool, watching the last glow of sunset on the horizon.
He carefully combed through everything that happened today from beginning to end in his mind. The robber cultivators' attack, the instigator behind, the Temple Master and elders' judgment... All clues pointed to a clear conclusion: the storm was coming.
He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming incomparably determined.
Since he couldn't avoid it, he would face it head-on!
He rose, walking to the open ground in the courtyard, slowly setting up the basic sword technique's opening form. This time, his sword moves weren't just familiarizing and practicing, but carried a desperate determination to sharpen the blade's edge.
Night deepened, sword light and starlight intertwining. The youth's figure in the small courtyard danced persistently, as if wanting to transform all pressure and crisis into forward momentum, cutting out his own path to immortality!