Su Xi's forehead once again showed a string of black lines as she heard Lin Qing's words.
Despite her inner frustration, Su Xi couldn't say anything to Lin Qing at the moment.
After all, she still needed Lin Qing's help with the subsequent matters and couldn't afford to create problems.
Seeing the expression on Su Xi's face, Lin Qing instantly understood her thoughts.
However, he also knew very well that now was not the time to bicker with Su Xi about other issues. The most important task was to find the person secretly targeting Su Xi. Everything else was secondary.
"Let's go. Since we already know who is behind this, we should act quickly," Lin Qing said, not wanting to waste any more time and preparing to find the culprit.
After all, now that he was back, there were other things he needed to do.
Su Xi was puzzled by Lin Qing's even greater sense of urgency than her own, but as long as the problem could be resolved, she didn't see any issue with it.
After all, the most crucial thing for them was to apprehend the person behind the scenes. Otherwise, if someone from the Ministry of War were to act, the consequences would be dire.
In a forgotten corner of the capital, stood an unremarkable courtyard.
As night had fallen, everything around was falling silent, making it appear no different from a slum.
Su Xi and Ouyang Chuge arrived at the entrance of a courtyard. Looking at the tightly shut door, a look of tension appeared on both their faces.
This place was their destination.
They had received information that this very location was where the person they were seeking resided. And that person was no ordinary individual.
There might be many enemies inside. Storming in rashly would significantly increase the risk.
However, knowing that the enemy was inside, Su Xi would not let them get away, even if danger lay ahead.
After all, this was the person the elder needed, and failure to capture them would mean they themselves would have no peace.
These people were still here precisely because of their existence.
"Let's go," Su Xi glanced at Ouyang Chuge, and together they charged in.
For them, the most important thing now was to find the person. Without the person, all other ideas were in vain.
"Bang!"
Su Xi and Ouyang Chuge kicked open the courtyard door and barged in.
As soon as they entered, a strong stench assaulted their senses, like a garbage heap emitting a pungent odor that made one feel nauseous.
Instantly, a wave of smell washed over them.
"What is this smell?" Su Xi covered her nose, looking incredulous.
At their level of cultivation, they should not be affected by such things. Yet, they were on the verge of vomiting from this intense odor, which was highly unusual.
After all, this smell was not something ordinary.
"Yuck!"
Su Xi pushed open the door and discovered that the room was filled with white bones.
These bones were scattered haphazardly on the floor, with some uncleaned flesh still clinging to them, and white maggots wriggling all over.
Flies buzzed incessantly overhead, emitting a grating sound.
The scene was utterly disgusting.
The smell hadn't been as strong outside, but upon opening the door and stepping inside, Su Xi was immediately hit by an overpowering, pungent odor.
"Damn it!"
Upon smelling that odor, Su Xi couldn't help but curse, feeling instantly unwell.
Seeing this, Su Xi became even more certain that she was in the right place for her investigation.
"Hahaha."
Just then, Su Xi and Ouyang Chuge heard a burst of hearty laughter from behind them.
The sound was not loud but carried a mocking tone.
Su Xi turned around, expecting an enemy to appear. To her surprise, a small child stood before them.
The child was young, perhaps seven or eight years old.
He had a small braid on his head, wore a red bellyband, and his chubby cheeks looked quite comical. He seemed entirely harmless and even somewhat endearing.
"Who are you?" Su Xi couldn't possibly associate this child with a murderer. She instinctively assumed he was someone who had stumbled in by accident.
The child rubbed his belly, looked at Su Xi and Ouyang Chuge, and said with a smile, "I never expected you to come to my place and still ask who I am."
"I thought I was going to starve, but it seems my luck is good now."
He hadn't eaten in a while, and Su Xi smelled quite appealing, making him a perfect meal.
Hearing Huo Yun Tongzi's words, Su Xi's heart confirmed that this child was indeed the murderer they were looking for, the one the elder had been searching for.
"You were the one waiting for us outside the Tianxiang Teahouse?" Su Xi asked again, unsure.
Without evidence, they couldn't just act rashly.
Hearing Su Xi's question, Huo Yun Tongzi nodded and readily admitted, "That's right, it was me. But the person at the door back then wasn't very tasty; they were a bit too chewy."
Huo Yun Tongzi said with distaste, then his gaze turned to Su Xi, a look of interest appearing in his eyes, "You two should taste good. Let me have a good try later."
Since the opportunity had presented itself, he didn't want to miss it.
Su Xi felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing Huo Yun Tongzi's words.
A child speaking such terrifying words was truly unsettling.
However, Su Xi only felt uncomfortable, not afraid. And since they had found the person, they couldn't let it go.
Capturing this person was the key to breaking free from their shackles.
"Since you really killed people, you should come with me," Su Xi said to Huo Yun Tongzi, uttering words she herself didn't fully believe.
Huo Yun Tongzi couldn't help but laugh at Su Xi's words.
Did these two mere "foods" in front of him actually think they could capture him?
This was even more laughable than any joke he had ever heard.
Seeing the mockery on Huo Yun Tongzi's face, Su Xi knew he didn't trust her, but there was nothing she could do.
For them, the current situation offered no other useful course of action.
"Let's begin."
Continuing to talk would devolve into a verbal sparring match.
Therefore, Su Xi did not hesitate and began to act.
Su Xi drew her Meteor God Sword and swung it at Huo Yun Tongzi.
Although Huo Yun Tongzi looked very young, Su Xi showed no mercy, unleashing her full strength.
She intended to give Huo Yun Tongzi a stern warning.
Before the Meteor God Sword could even approach Huo Yun Tongzi, it suddenly erupted with a powerful radiance. An intensely hot aura instantly enveloped Huo Yun Tongzi.
This intense heat was enough to melt steel.
Yet, Huo Yun Tongzi not only showed no discomfort but also appeared excited by Su Xi's fiery attack.
Such intense heat was a great tonic for him.
Su Xi's face showed shock and disbelief as she saw her Solar True Fire being completely absorbed by Huo Yun Tongzi.
She had encountered many enemies in her life, and while some might not fear her Solar True Fire, none had ever absorbed it so easily.
Seeing this, Su Xi knew she couldn't wait any longer.
Otherwise, she might face great danger.
Therefore, facing Huo Yun Tongzi's attack, she gestured to Ouyang Chuge to act quickly.
Even if Huo Yun Tongzi was immune to Solar True Fire, he couldn't possibly counter Ouyang Chuge's techniques.
Ouyang Chuge hesitated no longer. With a swift movement, he lunged towards Huo Yun Tongzi's chest.
His speed was rapid and urgent, accompanied by a powerful fluctuation. If struck, Huo Yun Tongzi would have no chance of survival.
"Pfft."
Ouyang Chuge's dagger quickly pierced Huo Yun Tongzi's chest, but instead of the expected gush of blood, it felt as if he had stabbed cotton.
"???"
Just as Ouyang Chuge was bewildered, he suddenly felt a powerful fluctuation appear in the air.
Then, he felt a tremendous force strike his chest, sending him flying backward.
If his body were not as resilient as it was, that one blow would have been enough to split him in two.
"Huh?"
Seeing that Ouyang Chuge was not torn in half by his attack, Huo Yun Tongzi looked puzzled.
At this moment, there were still people who could negate his attack. Ouyang Chuge was indeed not an ordinary person. It seemed that eating his fill today would not be easy.
Seeing how formidable Huo Yun Tongzi was, Su Xi dared not be careless any longer. She urgently shouted, "Master, act quickly! We can't hold on much longer."
They were here today entirely because Lin Qing was with them.
Without Lin Qing by their side, they would have had no means to fight. Facing such a powerful individual, they would have had to flee, let alone engage in combat.
Hearing Su Xi's words, Lin Qing no longer concealed himself.
He suddenly descended from the sky, and a series of blue lotuses began to appear at his feet, slowly materializing before Huo Yun Tongzi.
In an instant, Huo Yun Tongzi felt an inexplicable pressure.
"Who are you?"
He had never felt such immense pressure before, and his expression turned serious.
His advance, which could have easily led to the deaths of Su Xi and Ouyang Chuge, now halted.
Lin Qing looked at Huo Yun Tongzi, having no intention of engaging in further conversation. He slowly raised his hand and said, "You ask too many questions. I suggest you save your energy."
With that, a white light erupted from Lin Qing, instantly freezing the entire courtyard.