The rain, formed from the mournful cries of the spirit race's souls, had lasted for ten days and still showed no sign of ending.
While the downpour did not reach the Dan Sect, it felt as though the heavens themselves were weeping and mourning for the final dragon and the spirit race. Even the sky around the Dan Sect had been overcast for days, with no hint of the clouds parting.
Pacing incessantly before the alchemy furnace, You Siqi finally couldn't help but turn to Shen Muzhi beside him and ask, "Muzhi, Yun Xiang and the others have been gone for so many days without returning. Could they have run into some trouble?"
Shen Muzhi paused when he heard the question, pursed his lips, and remained silent for a moment, not answering You Siqi.
It had been over ten days since they had left.
From any perspective, something must have gone wrong.
However, for them, as long as Liu Buli had not yet emerged from the furnace, they should not be distracted by other thoughts. Thus, instead of worrying fruitlessly, it was better to pretend ignorance. Maintaining their current state, other matters could wait until Liu Buli successfully emerged.
As Shen Muzhi pondered these thoughts, You Siqi, like a foolish child, paced back and forth several times before his gaze fell upon the ball of light that had appeared by the furnace days ago and had been circling it ever since. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Muzhi, do you know what this ball of light is? It's been here for days. Shouldn't we study it a bit?"
Upon hearing his question, Shen Muzhi raised his eyes to look at the ball of light.
In fact, he had sensed it the day it appeared. The ball of light clearly emanated Yun Xiang's aura. Coupled with the fact that neither the girl nor the dragon had returned for so many days, Shen Muzhi already had a vague answer in his heart as to what had happened.
This cultivation world was not as peaceful as it seemed.
Shen Muzhi knew all too well the consequences that would arise if outsiders discovered Ao Lie's existence.
However, while Yun Xiang and the others hadn't returned, at least that ghost hadn't returned either. This proved that their objective in going out had at least been accomplished.
Even if they were dead...
At least they could die with their eyes closed.
He had guessed everything, but he didn't want to tell You Siqi so soon.
After all, unlike their situation, You Siqi placed great importance on matters of life and death.
Furthermore, the lives of friends were something that even cultivators like them couldn't easily move past. Therefore, there was no harm in knowing about such sorrowful matters a little later.
With these thoughts in mind, Shen Muzhi also knew that if he didn't respond, You Siqi might go mad from the suppressed anxiety.
So, with a long sigh, he looked back into You Siqi's eyes and said, "That ball of light came looking for Liu Buli. It will wait obediently there until Liu Buli emerges from the furnace. So, don't bother with it, don't touch it, just let it stay there peacefully. Don't break it."
You Siqi pouted and nodded in agreement, but not without adding, "With my meager abilities, I wouldn't be able to break it even if I tried. But you're finally willing to talk to me. Can you sense Yun Xiang's aura? I've had a strange feeling these past two days, but it feels a bit inauspicious to say it, so..."
"Siqi," Shen Muzhi interrupted You Siqi's rambling with a rare tone of seriousness and gravity. He said, "Once Liu Buli awakens, this cultivation world is likely to undergo a massive upheaval. What I'm worried about now is where I should send you then. If Liu Buli declares war on the entire cultivation world, then even within the Dan Sect, there might be no safe place. I will help him fight against those cultivators, but what about you? I'm afraid you'll get hurt."
He was even more afraid that, like Yun Xiang and the others, he would disappear from their lives without even giving him a chance to help or protect him.
Hearing Shen Muzhi's question, You Siqi was stunned.
No matter how foolish he was, he finally understood what Shen Muzhi was trying to convey.
His expression stiffened, and You Siqi remained silent for a long time, finally struggling to ask with disbelief, "It... it might not turn out that badly, right? Maybe... maybe they're just still fighting, or perhaps they were taken back to the Ghost City by that ghost? After all, the dragon is important, you know that. Cultivators want it, and perhaps the Ghost King wants it too. So..."
"Yes, maybe they just went to the Ghost City. But once they're in the Ghost City, will the Ghost King let them live?" Shen Muzhi managed a bitter smile, unable to even utter a comforting lie.
He stared deeply at You Siqi for a moment, then said, "However, all of this is just speculation. I know you don't want to believe it, and I don't want to believe it either. So, let's think positively. Perhaps things haven't escalated to the worst-case scenario. Perhaps if we just wait a little longer, Yun Xiang and the others will return. Perhaps..."
In the end, Shen Muzhi couldn't continue with such self-deceptive words.
You Siqi was completely deflated. He walked over and sat down beside him. He opened his mouth, intending to suggest that Shen Muzhi watch the furnace while he went out to gather some information.
But the words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back.
Even if he gathered information, what good would it do?
It would only make them feel more stifled and pained, and they couldn't even seek revenge right now...
So, sometimes, self-deception wasn't a bad thing.
At least, without this method, he didn't know what he would think to keep his chaotic thoughts going.
They sat in silence for a long time.
Finally, Shen Muzhi spoke again. He said, "Siqi, don't overthink it. Instead of worrying about those things, think about what I just told you. When the war with the entire cultivation world breaks out, how can I protect you? Friends are very important to me, but honestly, the one I fear losing the most has always been you."