Chapter 203: Speak No Nonsense

Two days later.

The alchemy competition ended, and Cang Li took first place in the alchemy competition.

This year the Carefree Sect dominated the scene, because in this sect-wide contest there were six top spots, and the Carefree Sect claimed three of them.

The top disciple in the disciple ranking was Ying Wuji.

The formation competition's first place went to Yuan Yao.

The alchemy competition's first place went to Cang Li.

Yuan Yao also used the sect competition to make a name for herself across the Ninth Province.

With the five contests concluded, the major sects began preparing to leave the Heaven and Earth Domain.

As for the sects that placed in the top three of the sect competition—the Carefree Sect, the Holy Gate, and the Chongxu School—they will remain in the Heaven and Earth Domain for now, and three days later will send disciples to the Celestial Palace Spirit Pool for cultivation.

Inside the Carefree Sect's Travel Hall.

Zong Rao said anxiously, "Sect Master, haven't we discovered the cause of the fire and collapse in the Heaven Prison yet?"

The Carefree Sect Master's expression grew solemn as he shook his head, "We've found a clue. According to the guards of the Heaven Prison, on the night Lu Xiangxiang was taken there, they vaguely saw a tall figure appear in Lu Xiangxiang's cell. When they tried to investigate, the figure vanished, and they thought they had imagined it. In hindsight, anyone who can move freely in the Heaven Prison must possess considerable strength."

"So that person is likely the mastermind who plunged the Heaven Prison into chaos, and his aim was to rescue Lu Xiangxiang amidst the disorder."

Zong Rao asked in confusion, "If that person truly moves freely, why didn't he silently rescue Lu Xiangxiang? Why go through such elaborate effort?"

The Carefree Sect Master slightly furrowed his brows, shook his head, and let out a soft sigh.

"I'm also unsure of his purpose."

Whenever Zong Rao thought of Lu Xiangxiang, she also recalled the deceased Li Hang, and her expression grew increasingly melancholy.

Zong Rao suddenly thought of something and said to the Carefree Sect Master, "Did Lu Xiangxiang disguise herself to enter the Carefree Sect merely to become a disciple of Jue Mountain? Or does she have another motive?"

The two exchanged glances, both recalling the theft in the Carefree Sect's forbidden area.

"She did this for…"

"The Taiwu Scroll!"

Both their faces turned cold.

Zong Rao said in a deep voice, "She wants to steal the Taiwu Scroll and secretly practice forbidden techniques. What exactly is she after? Could she be a spy sent by the Demon or Beast races?"

After a moment of silence, the Carefree Sect Master recalled something, "Did she ever say that after leaving the Carefree Sect she would go to the Seventh Province?"

"Yes." The content transmitted from Yuan Yao's voice stone confirmed that Lu Xiangxiang said so.

Zong Rao narrowed her eyes.

"Sect Master, I have some contacts in the Seventh Province; I'll send people to investigate Lu Xiangxiang's whereabouts. Once we have news, we must bring her back." Li Hang's death must be answered.

Moreover, if the person who previously entered the forbidden area to steal the Taiwu Scroll was indeed Lu Xiangxiang, then she must die!

"Jue Mountain…" the Carefree Sect Master looked up.

Zong Rao refocused, "I'll tell him."

…

Meanwhile, the First Province.

Within the sect, pavilions and towers were arranged harmoniously; on a nearby peak, celestial mist swirled, a waterfall cascaded like a silver ribbon, splashing water that formed a beautiful rainbow.

At the foot of the peak, a group of young disciples in uniform sect robes performed synchronized sword dances, their strokes fierce and grand.

In the sky, celestial cranes flew, their crisp calls echoing intermittently.

A young man rode his sword to the sect's gate, stopped outside, produced his identification token, showed it to the gate‑keeping disciples, and entered straight in.

The gate disciples were first dazzled by his appearance, then, after regaining composure, exchanged a glance.

"That's… Senior Brother Xie?!"

"Senior Brother Xie is back!"

As the youth made his way toward the main hall, surrounding disciples stopped and looked at him.

"Senior Brother Xie…" several female disciples were stunned, their hearts pounding.

The white‑clad youth did not linger, rushing straight to the Purple Palace Hall to report to the Sect Master about his recent mission and its results.

At the same time, Xie's return was like a massive bomb dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring countless waves and causing a huge uproar.

The news spread at astonishing speed, reaching every corner of the sect in a short time, becoming one of the hot topics of discussion.

Elsewhere, in a tranquil medicinal herb field deep within the sect, a woman in blue was fully absorbed in cultivating various rare and precious spirit herbs and medicines; she smiled faintly, as if she could cleanse the world's vanity.

At that moment, a rapid series of footsteps suddenly shattered the quiet atmosphere.

A petite, pretty, sweet‑looking girl hurried to the edge of the herb field and stopped.

She stood there panting, yet her eyes were full of joy.

From behind the tall fence of the herb field, she shouted excitedly, "Senior Sister! Xie is finally back!"

The blue‑clad woman's grip on her shovel loosened slightly; she looked up at Lin Xuantong and asked softly, "Really?"

Lin Xuantong replied, "It's true! Senior Brother Xie is already in the Purple Palace Hall."

Feng Xuanji felt a subtle joy rise in her heart, and her lips involuntarily curved upward.

She quickly got up, tidied herself, and performed a Clean Dust Technique on herself.

"Senior Sister, Xie hasn't returned for almost half a year; we don't know if he encountered any danger outside," Lin Xuantong said with a teasing smile, "If Xie is missing, you'd better ask around!"

Feng Xuanji's cheeks flushed a light pink.

"Xuantong, stop talking nonsense."

Having said that, she walked out of the herb field.

Lin Xuantong affectionately looped her arm around Feng Xuanji, "Senior Sister, I know you like Xie, but you also know many people like him, yet they never get a chance to meet him. You're different; you're his senior sister, so naturally it's different."

Feng Xuanji replied with a disapproving look, "Don't say those things outside."

"Alright, alright, I won't say it," Lin Xuantong hurriedly said, then added, "What exactly was Senior Brother X's mission that kept him away for half a year?"

Feng Xuanji heard this and seemed lost in thought.

…

Two hours later, the young man walked out of the Purple Palace Hall; he seemed to have sensed something and turned his head to look.

When Feng Xuanji met the young man's gaze, her whole body froze, her heart pounding like a drum; as she was stunned, Lin Xuantong behind her gave her a push, and she couldn't help but step a few paces toward the young man's position.

"Junior Brother," she forced down her emotions and called gently.

In her eyes, Xie Shidi seemed to have shed some of his naivety and looked even more handsome.

The young man's appearance was dazzling like a spirit, his skin whiter than snow, eyes as dark as ink, thin lips uncolored yet crimson; he was extremely tall, broad‑shouldered and narrow‑waisted, and even a single silhouette left an unforgettable impression.

"Senior Sister," the young man said with a detached expression, nodding slightly.

"Xie Shidi, have you been injured in the past six months?" Feng Xuanji asked concernedly, and as she spoke, she took a jade bottle from her bosom. "This is the Healing Wound Pill I refined; if it can help you…"

"No need," the young man cut off coldly. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister; if there is nothing urgent, I will take my leave now."