"Are the two seniors joking with me? It's always dark here, and only those with Golden Core or higher cultivation can come. Ordinary cultivators would never venture here," Bai Qingjiang said with a wry smile. "I've been here for more than ten years, and I've only seen the two of you."
His expression was bitter and helpless, his demeanor seemingly genuine.
At least Yue Bufan believed him.
Seeing his despondent look, Yue Bufan patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Young one, don't be disheartened. A cultivator's life is long. Venturing into a secret realm alone could take decades or even a century. Consider this minor issue as tempering your will. It can only bring benefits, no harm."
"Thank you, Senior." Bai Qingjiang lowered his head slightly, concealing the wariness in his eyes, and thanked them respectfully.
After a few more words of comfort, Yue Bufan turned to Qing Lan and said, "Shall we continue searching?"
He was impatient. Since they couldn't find any trace of Bai Shengyi and the others here, they should hurry and move on.
Qing Lan nodded and walked forward alongside Yue Bufan.
Bai Qingjiang remained vigilant towards the green-clothed cultivator.
Compared to the kind and forthright bearded cultivator, the green-clothed cultivator standing beside him was young and handsome, but his gaze was cold and merciless, making Bai Qingjiang even more apprehensive.
Although he wasn't sure if the people they were looking for were related to Bai Shengyi, it was better to pretend ignorance just in case.
Seeing that both of them had turned away, Bai Qingjiang let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. However, before the sigh was fully released, the green-clothed cultivator suddenly turned his head.
"The people we are looking for are Bai Shengyi and Qin Si from Qianxiao Peak of Shenqi Academy." The green-clothed cultivator's gaze was fixed on Bai Qingjiang. With a glance from his clear, indifferent eyes, it seemed as though he had seen through all of Bai Qingjiang's thoughts.
He hadn't done anything, yet the pressure from a high-level cultivator still made Bai Qingjiang frown deeply.
Before he could devise a plan to cope, the other party waved his hand, and a flash of light appeared, showing portraits of a man and a woman in the darkness.
The male cultivator was distinguished and imposing, while the female cultivator was unrestrained and radiant. The two stood together, perfectly matched, making even the dark night seem brighter.
Bai Qingjiang's breath hitched.
Yet, he still said nothing more, keeping his head lowered.
"We have no ill intentions. I am Bai Shengyi's master, Qing Lan." Qing Lan stated calmly, a token of Shenqi Academy appearing in his palm.
If one were from the Shenqi Continent, they would naturally be very familiar with the token of Shenqi Academy.
Bai Qingjiang was no exception.
Moreover, he was actually more familiar with Qing Lan's name.
"Grand Elder Qing Lan?"
Bai Qingjiang's head shot up, and even the hand forming a magic seal couldn't help but pause. This time, he couldn't help but examine Qing Lan more closely.
Although he hadn't seen Grand Elder Qing Lan with his own eyes, every student who graduated from Shenqi Academy knew of Grand Elder Qing Lan's reputation.
The green attire, the ethereal mist… all matched the image of Grand Elder Qing Lan in the legends.
Bai Qingjiang's expression changed again. This time, it was much more sincere. "Bai Qingjiang, the sixteenth generation disciple from the Talisman Peak of Shenqi Academy, greets Grand Elder Qing Lan."
"This... Young one, you are also a student of Shenqi Academy? Do you know each other?" Yue Bufan propped up his chin, finally realizing what was happening. "Or, young one, were you lying to us just now?"
This young one looked so pure and clear, he didn't seem like a liar.
Yue Bufan stared at Bai Qingjiang with his tiger-like eyes.
Bai Qingjiang helplessly cupped his fists in apology, "Junior did not know that the two seniors were here for my daughter. Not knowing whether you were friend or foe, I dared not speak more, lest I cause unnecessary trouble."
"Your daughter?" Yue Bufan's voice suddenly rose, his tiger eyes instantly darkening.
"Yes."
Bai Qingjiang found the senior's reaction a bit strange. Why was he so agitated? Besides, even if he were agitated, shouldn't it be Ayi's master?
That's right, Ayi had actually taken Grand Elder Qing Lan as her master. When did that happen? He had missed too much of this child's growth.
Thinking this, Bai Qingjiang's sense of guilt towards Bai Shengyi deepened.
Qing Lan had not expected that the person he casually met would be Bai Shengyi's father.
He was not a very eloquent person to begin with, and what he said about being Bai Shengyi's father was his own wishful thinking. After all, because of him, Bai Shengyi had not yet held the ceremony to formally accept him as a disciple, so it was untenable to say that Bai Shengyi was his disciple. However…
Qing Lan thought of Qin Si's words, his long lashes drooping.
No matter what, Bai Shengyi could only be his disciple.
Qing Lan's thoughts churned as he became lost in his own world, remaining silent. Yue Bufan immediately connected this young man to the one who had charmed his daughter, and was shocked again and again, still trying to process it, and didn't speak.
Although Bai Qingjiang was Bai Shengyi's father, his cultivation was inferior to the other two, and he was also a junior, making it even more improper for him to speak first.
For a moment, silence spread among the three.
Finally, it was Yue Bufan who broke the silence.
He let out a cold snort, "So, young one, you know the whereabouts of Alchemist Bai and the others, don't you?"
Thinking that this brat had just lied to him, Yue Bufan looked at him from every angle, and found him increasingly displeasing to the eye.
How could Shuxin have found such a useless brat?
And this Penglai thread? Who was tied to the other end of this thread in the brat's hand?
Yue Bufan was not one to hold back his words, and so he asked what he was thinking.
"The other end of this thread is tied to my wife. There should be an independent space nearby. I am incapable and couldn't find the entrance to the secret realm. Fortunately, Ayi found it and has already entered the space…"
Before he could finish speaking, Yue Bufan's voice suddenly rose sharply.
"You let Shengyi go in alone?" He frowned and instantly vanished from his spot. "Brat, I'll settle accounts with you when I get back! Qing Lan, I'm going to find Shengyi first!"
Bai Qingjiang never expected Yue Bufan to react so strongly and urgently asked Qing Lan, "Grand Elder Qing Lan, is there a problem with this space?"
Even though he was a prominent figure in the Shenqi Continent and had ventured into countless secret realms, he was still inferior to Qing Lan and Yue Bufan and the others.
Qing Lan's brow furrowed slightly, "The only space within the Mustard Layer is the Heavenly Dao Ravine, also known as the Boundary Wall."
Bai Qingjiang's face turned pale, and he swayed precariously.
"Shuxin… Ayi…" Bai Qingjiang pleaded, "Grand Elder Qing Lan, could you take me into this space as well? Rest assured, junior will absolutely not drag you down…"
Qing Lan shook his head, "It's safer for you to stay outside."
Having said that, he asked again, "You didn't see Qin Si?"
"No."
Receiving the answer, Qing Lan's brow furrowed tightly.
However, soon he too vanished from his spot. For them, although the Heavenly Dao Ravine was difficult to find, it was not entirely elusive. Especially since Qing Lan originated from the Heavenly Dao Ravine and was even more familiar with it.
But this time, as soon as he entered this place, his gaze turned heavy.
Strange.