"Is this some major mission? Even Senior Brother Jing Fei and Senior Sister Bai Xia, who have been away for a long time, have returned?"
"Look quickly! Fairy Sanxiang and Fairy Youyue are also here!"
"Get real, Fairy Youyue? Haven't you heard about what happened on Refinement Peak some time ago?"
"Stop arguing. Look, Fairy Sheng Yi is here too. What exactly is going on?"
...
Amidst the discussions of disciples coming and going at the main peak's mission hall, cultivators with considerable renown in Shenqi Academy arrived one after another, further fueling the chatter.
By the time Bai Sheng Yi arrived, Yun Youyue and Jin Ling Feng had just gotten there as well.
Seeing Bai Sheng Yi, Yun Youyue's expression immediately darkened, and she moved aside. It was obvious to everyone that she harbored ill feelings towards Bai Sheng Yi.
"Youyue, don't be angry. I'll teach her a lesson for you once we enter the trial secret realm," Jin Ling Feng vowed confidently.
Not long ago, under the pressure from Qianxiao Peak, Refinement Peak had been forced to issue a notice to the entire peak, refuting the rumors that Bai Sheng Yi had stolen Yun Youyue's treasure. They had also compelled Yun Youyue to apologize to Bai Sheng Yi, who was in seclusion.
Yun Youyue had not only lost significant prestige among the disciples below but her standing within Refinement Peak had also diminished, leading her to resent Bai Sheng Yi deeply.
Yun Youyue said indifferently, "Mm, thank you, Junior Uncle."
Receiving the rare soft tone from the beauty, Jin Ling Feng was as overjoyed as a man in the desert who had been parched for a long time finding water. He smiled broadly.
"No need to be so polite with me, Youyue. In my heart, you are the best. That Starfall Imperial Ring rightfully belonged to you."
Their conversation was not subdued, and Bai Sheng Yi couldn't help but let out a cold laugh upon hearing it.
The elder leading this mission was Wen Jiuyin. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he summoned the Immortal-Staying Ship and instructed them to board.
As Bai Sheng Yi stepped onto the Immortal-Staying Ship, she heard a panting voice.
"Sheng Yi! Grandfather is in trouble, where are you going? Aren't you coming home?"
Bai Si Cheng had been searching for Bai Sheng Yi since receiving the message from home. However, he couldn't enter Qianxiao Peak, and Bai Sheng Yi rarely left Qianxiao Peak. Upon finally getting word that Bai Sheng Yi was at the main peak, he rushed over in a panic.
Seeing that Bai Sheng Yi showed no reaction and allowed the Immortal-Staying Ship to ascend and depart, he was deeply disappointed.
"Third sister, why have you become so cold? How will I explain this to Mom and Dad?"
On the other side, aboard the Immortal-Staying Ship.
Bai Sheng Yi only saw a somewhat familiar person rushing out and calling her name. Before she could clearly hear what was being said, she heard Wen Jiuyin calling all the seed disciples.
"The place we are heading for trial this time is the Sanghai Secret Realm. I'm sure you are all aware that only by successfully emerging from the secret realm can you proceed to the Shenqi Grand Gathering."
As soon as Wen Jiuyin finished speaking, someone asked, "Elder Wen, what if we don't make it out?"
Wen Jiuyin, who was usually protective and lenient with his students, was rarely so solemn and serious: "Either you die, or you come out."
"Hiss..."
Many people gasped.
"I hope you remember, this is not your child's play assessment, nor is it a secret realm trial with elders presiding. This is your personal path of cultivation."
This was why the academy had only dispatched one elder.
Yet, despite such danger, no one present wished to withdraw.
The Shenqi Grand Gathering! The Outer Continent!
Who wouldn't aspire to break through to the Golden Core realm one day, shattering the jinx of Shenqi Continent having no Nascent Soul cultivators, and henceforth roaming vast mountains and seas to stir up trouble?
"One day outside is one month within the secret realm. I hope you all seize this rare opportunity. Alright, we have arrived at the secret realm."
Without giving the crowd time for surprise or exclamations, Wen Jiuyin's words fell. A dense, fragrant scent wafted over, and all the seed disciples on the Immortal-Staying Ship suddenly vanished from their positions.
No one noticed that a dark silhouette followed the vanishing stream of light of the seed disciples and pursued them.
"I hope you all can come out alive..." Wen Jiuyin murmured.
In the Great Ning Dynasty, the capital, Rongguo Duke's mansion.
The mourning hall was filled with solemn music, white veils fluttered, and passersby occasionally let out sighs.
"Just when he was about to enjoy the blessings of his descendants, his life was gone. This Rongguo Duke was not blessed!"
"With his Golden Core gone, Uncle Bai, who has been missing for so long, is likely also gone. Is the Bai family going to decline?"
"Let's see the movements from the palace. The Bai family is quite sought after right now."
...
Amidst the hushed discussions, a cultivator in white, dust-covered from his journey, arrived at the Duke's mansion.
"Young Master! You're finally back!"
The servant's voice pulled Bai Si Cheng's dazed thoughts back.
"Mm, take me to see Grandfather." As he spoke, he realized his voice had become hoarse from several days and nights of continuous travel.
The servant complied and led him inside.
"Second Uncle?"
Seeing Bai Yu, Bai Si Cheng was first surprised, and then his previously muddled thoughts calmed down, finally finding a pillar of support.
"Second Uncle, the housekeeper's message wasn't clear. What exactly happened? Grandfather was perfectly fine not long ago..."
As Bai Si Cheng spoke, his voice choked up.
Although Rongguo Duke did not dote on him and was even very strict with him, over the years, as an adopted son living in the Duke's mansion, Rongguo Duke had not treated him harshly and had given him a home.
Bai Yu had fallen out with Rongguo Duke years ago and had been distant from the younger members of the family in recent years. He asked coldly, "Where is Sheng Yi?"
Bai Si Cheng remained silent for a moment. "Sheng Yi is unwilling to come back."
Bai Yu frowned and stood up. His legs, which had been kneeling for a long time, were stiff and numb, but his expression was even colder.
"Is it unwillingness, or does she not know? Did you tell her about your grandfather's death?"
Bai Si Cheng was speechless.
"Give me her communication talisman imprint."
Bai Yu assumed that since Bai Si Cheng had been in the same academy as Bai Sheng Yi for so long, they would surely have contact information for their communication talismans. However, as soon as he asked, he saw Bai Si Cheng's face turn extremely awkward.
"You don't?"
Bai Yu's frown deepened. The accumulated frustration of the past few days almost erupted at this moment.
He could understand not informing Bai Sheng Yi of the specific situation. After all, the academy was so vast, and it was possible Bai Sheng Yi was out on a trial. Communication talismans required a certain cultivation level, and Bai Si Cheng's cultivation was insufficient, making it possible that he couldn't explain clearly or contact her. However, to have stayed in the academy with his own sister for so long and not even have a communication talisman contact method was simply outrageous.
"Bai Si Cheng! You..." He cut himself off, rubbing his temples. "Forget it. You stay and keep vigil for your grandfather."
Bai Yu left a sentence and went out to find the housekeeper. "Has Bai Yu Yue returned yet?"
"Not yet. Since the Duke's passing, many accidents have occurred at the medical clinic and pharmacies. Yu Yue has been unable to leave."
"Tell him to stop managing business matters. Get Sheng Yi's communication talisman imprint sent to me. I will contact Sheng Yi myself, she must return for a visit."
The housekeeper did not ask why he didn't ask the eldest young master directly, but quickly complied: "I'll go now. Second Master, you haven't rested for seven days. Please take care of yourself."
He had been in Rongguo Duke's mansion for over ten years. He had watched Bai Sheng Yi grow up and had also witnessed Bai Yu's gradual estrangement from Rongguo Duke and his break from the Bai family.
Recalling those past events and the unfortunate circumstances of this incident, he couldn't help but sigh.
Bai Yu remained silent and returned to kneel before the mourning hall.
He had been thinking these past few days. If only he hadn't left that day and had gone inside, would Bai Murong have had an opportunity? Would his father not have died?
If only after leaving that day, he hadn't gone to the East Yue Jungle to vent his inner frustrations, could the housekeeper have found him in time to save his father?
But there were no "if onlys."
He hated Rongguo Duke, but Rongguo Duke was dead, and he no longer had a father.