At the exit of the mystic realm, over three hundred people had gathered, yet an unusual silence prevailed. Even the disciples of the Xuan Qing Sect had inadvertently ceased their conversations.
"Perhaps we should leave this place first?"
Xu Yi's voice suddenly echoed in Ji Buwang's mind.
"Are you worried about the situation becoming chaotic later?"
"Yes, some people are on the verge of losing control. This will undoubtedly become a brutal battlefield, and perhaps we'll all get caught up in it. But for now, I want to conserve our strength as much as possible."
The tense atmosphere gave Xu Yi a sense of unease.
"Alright."
After reaching an agreement with Xu Yi, Ji Buwang also communicated with Lu Ziang and Qu Xiaoxiao via telepathy.
Within a dozen breaths, the large team, consisting of nearly thirty people, began to retreat towards the periphery.
Their actions first surprised the others, and then stirred them into action. With the greatest hidden danger gone, it was the perfect opportunity to seize treasures by force.
Of course, there were also many who did not wish for a conflict. Seeing the Xuan Qing Sect's team withdraw, they also felt the urge to retreat. However, as soon as they moved, countless gazes fell upon them. Their steps faltered, and they no longer dared to move.
The situation once again fell into a stalemate.
"Senior Sister Xu, the exit of the mystic realm is closed. Can we still get out?"
Xu Yi and the others moved to a deserted patch of grass and stopped, sighs rising one after another. Qu Xiaoxiao, who had walked to Xu Yi's side at some point, asked softly.
Xu Yi looked at Qu Xiaoxiao and was surprised to find no trace of fear of death or worry about the future on her face. Instead, she appeared remarkably calm.
Xu Yi curved her lips into a smile. "I think we can."
Xu Yi did not believe she would die here. As long as she could subdue the Soul-Dispelling Bell, the current predicament could surely be resolved.
Xu Yi's smile invigorated Qu Xiaoxiao. Although this was her first time meeting Xu Yi, whether it was due to Wang Yi'an's previous praise or because Xu Yi had once saved her, she felt a blind trust in Xu Yi. As long as Xu Yi said they could, she was willing to believe it.
Qu Xiaoxiao returned to the Xuan Qing Sect's team with light steps.
"Xiaoxiao, what were you talking to Senior Sister Xu about just now?"
"Yes, can you tell us?"
"I also want to talk to Senior Sister Xu."
Qu Xiaoxiao had good relations within the sect. As soon as she returned to the team, people immediately approached her to inquire. Qu Xiaoxiao shook her head and casually said a few unimportant things, brushing them off. Although she trusted Senior Sister Xu, it did not mean all the disciples of the Xuan Qing Sect felt the same way. If things truly developed unfavorably, everyone might blame Senior Sister Xu. Qu Xiaoxiao did not wish to cause trouble for Senior Sister Xu.
Thinking of this, Qu Xiaoxiao suddenly froze. Unknowingly, she had learned to consider others. Indeed, experiencing the outside world could lead to faster growth. At this moment, Qu Xiaoxiao regretted not listening to her father's advice and confining herself to the Xuan Qing Sect. If she had experienced the harshness of the outside world earlier and made enough mistakes, she would not be a burden. Qu Xiaoxiao then thought of Jin Biao and Hong Shengyi, whose whereabouts were unknown, and her eyes gradually dimmed.
"Ji Buwang, after the Soul-Dispelling Bell appears, we can observe first. That artifact is somewhat sinister, and I'm not confident about it," Xu Yi said softly to Ji Buwang beside her, looking at the twilight glow in the sky.
Just as Ji Buwang was about to speak, a faint light flashed in his eyes, and he turned his head to look in another direction. "Jin Biao has appeared."
Xu Yi's remaining words were left unspoken. She looked at the direction Ji Buwang was looking with astonishment. Indeed, within a dozen breaths, a tall figure was approaching them. And in that tall figure's arms was a slender figure.
Jin Biao and Hong Shengyi had both appeared.
"Junior Brother Long, Junior Sister Qu!"
When Jin Biao's voice rang out, the Xuan Qing Sect disciples were stunned for a moment. Long Haotian and the others showed expressions of ecstatic joy.
"It's Senior Brother Jin's voice!"
"That's great! Senior Brother Jin is back!"
"Call out! It's Senior Brother Jin! It must be Senior Brother Jin!"
The Xuan Qing Sect disciples instinctively wanted to rush towards Jin Biao, but in the next moment, they were pushed back by a powerful surge of spiritual energy.
"Don't go, there's something wrong with him."
It was Ji Buwang who stopped them, but it was Xu Yi who spoke.
"Something wrong? What do you mean?"
"How could that be?"
"Senior Sister Xu..."
The Xuan Qing Sect disciples stood at their original positions, lost and confused. The joy on their faces had not yet faded, making them look somewhat comical. Long Haotian's eyes widened as he stared intently in the direction of the voice. His emotions were extremely complex. Rationally, he believed Xu Yi and Ji Buwang were not lying, but deep down, he hoped Jin Biao and Hong Shengyi were safe and sound. He wanted to use his own eyes to discern whether the person approaching was truly Senior Brother Jin.
Although it was night, the twilight glow illuminated the land. When Jin Biao's figure appeared, everyone could see him clearly. A commotion began to spread through the Xuan Qing Sect's ranks. They all recognized Jin Biao, and many had good relationships with him. The moment they saw Jin Biao, they instinctively smiled. This was Jin Biao; they wouldn't mistake him. And although Hong Shengyi was held in Jin Biao's arms, her resting expression was familiar, and her aura was also one they knew.
"Junior Brother Jin, it's great to see you all safe! Junior Sister Hong and I had a little accident earlier, but thankfully, we managed to escape. You must have been worried, right? Hahaha."
Jin Biao seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere, speaking with a hearty laugh as he approached the Xuan Qing Sect's direction.
"Stop!"
Xu Yi's cold shout, coupled with a ray of light from a ruler, forced Jin Biao to halt. Jin Biao frowned as he looked at Xu Yi, a flicker of confusion crossing his brows, followed by a look of realization. "Xu Yi, it's you. It's been a long time. Your cultivation has advanced again. But what are you doing? Did I offend you?"
Jin Biao greeted Xu Yi familiarly. Xu Yi was stunned. If Jin Biao could recognize her, didn't that mean there was nothing wrong with him? Yet, she felt a sense of discomfort from Jin Biao. Xu Yi instinctively looked at Ji Buwang and saw that he too was frowning as he appraised Jin Biao. Clearly, Xu Yi was not the only one who felt something was amiss with Jin Biao. The hushed discussions among the Xuan Qing Sect disciples grew louder, and some even began to show signs of discontent.
"Junior Brother Jin, what happened to Senior Sister Hong?" Qu Xiaoxiao suddenly stood out from the crowd, looking at Jin Biao and asking crisply.
Jin Biao's expression darkened. "We were captured by someone and taken to a cave, then our spiritual power was sealed, leaving us no way to escape. Only when the seal loosened just now and we sensed spiritual energy did we have a chance to get out." He glanced down at Hong Shengyi and continued, "It's just that for some reason, Junior Sister Hong suddenly fainted. I can only bring her out to meet you and have Elder Bai examine her after we return to the sect."
Jin Biao's explanation was logical and well-reasoned, even mentioning Elder Bai, leaving no room for suspicion. The Xuan Qing Sect disciples' guard began to drop. It turned out to be a false alarm.