Chapter 67

In the courtyard.

After Cang Li walked out of the inner hall, his gaze quickly searched for Yuan Yao's figure, only to see her at that moment surrounded by the disciples of the Carefree Sect.

He let out a sigh of relief.

Good thing she didn't sneak away.

He stepped forward toward them.

And the disciples of the Carefree Sect also saw Cang Li; they immediately raised their hands in a salute and called out, "Senior Brother Cang."

Cang Li nodded with a smile.

"Third Senior Brother!" Yuan Yao crossed her arms, arrogantly lifting her chin slightly, as if saying: I didn't sneak away, okay.

Seeing her smug look, Cang Li teased, "Keeping one's promise is a virtue of being human."

Yuan Yao gave a light hum, then curiously asked, "How is the situation in Yunmeng City now? Quickly tell us!"

Cang Li recounted everything he had heard about Yunmeng City in the inner hall to them.

And just as he finished speaking——

Representatives from all the sects walked out of the inner hall.

Leading the way was none other than their Carefree Sect's Second Elder, Zong Rao.

Zong Rao and the others stood still; then she swept her cold, stern gaze around and finally said in a deep voice, "Everyone, this time the elders of all sects will venture together into Yunmeng City to investigate. During this period, you shall remain outside Yunmeng City, awaiting good news. If after three days no one returns from the city, or there is no word at all, then please quickly send word to all sects so reinforcements can be dispatched promptly. Remember not to act on your own, lest complications arise."

"Understood?"

The disciples present were startled and all agreed.

Afterward, the elders each gathered their disciples and gave them instructions.

And Zong Rao came before the Carefree Sect's group, looking at Cang Li: "If I haven't come out after three days, immediately send word to inform your master."

Cang Li nodded to show he understood.

Zong Rao paused, then added, "Your master asked me to tell you that above all, your own safety comes first."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao's heart trembled slightly.

She suddenly felt somewhat guilty toward her master, for before descending the mountain she had neither bidden him farewell nor concealed nothing from him.

Cang Li glanced at Yuan Yao and said, "All right, we understand."

"Little Yuan Yao." Zong Rao reached out and patted Yuan Yao's shoulder, "Your master doesn't mean to blame you; it's just… because he worries about you."

Zong Rao couldn't help but laugh as she said that.

She had known Qian Jing Shan since childhood, so she knew Qian Jing Shan was actually an emotional person; though he appears cold and ruthless outwardly, his heart is soft.

However, only those who enter his inner heart can feel his genuine tenderness.

Zong Rao restrained her smile and told the other Carefree Sect disciples, "Protect your little junior sister well."

"Don't worry, Second Elder, we will surely protect the little junior sister well! … cough… cough cough…" A boy as thin as a bamboo pole patted his chest, causing himself to cough violently.

Zong Rao looked at the boy, her mouth twitching, "I really fear you'll pat yourself to death."

"Hehe." The bamboo‑pole boy gave a simple smile and scratched his head.

Zong Rao knew that this bamboo‑pole‑thin boy was the fourth personal disciple of Sect Master Bai Li Mo, named Ao Su.

Ao Su joined the sect at ten, reached Foundation Establishment at thirteen, and Golden Core at seventeen. Now eighteen, he is one of the outstanding disciples of Heaven Inquiry Peak.

Zong Rao said, "All right, let's first go to the outside of Yunmeng City."

Afterward, the teams of all major sects headed toward the outside of Yunmeng City.

…

About a quarter of an hour later, all the teams had arrived outside Yunmeng City.

Yuan Yao looked up and saw that the entire Yunmeng City was shrouded in a thick black mist, emitting a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.

Although it was daytime, there was no warmth to be felt, only a chill as if falling into hell.

Yuan Yao stared at the tightly closed city gate, then softly asked the Cang Li beside her, "Has someone set up a formation barrier around Yunmeng City?"

Upon hearing this, Cang Li was stunned for a moment, then immediately followed her gaze to look.

"Is there?" he said, not being very familiar with formation barriers.

But soon, he saw the elders, as they approached the city gate, their bodies all passed through the formation barrier.

Cang Li raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, turned his head to Yuan Yao, and asked, "How did you know?"

Even he, an Initial Golden Core cultivator, failed to notice it, yet she, a mid‑Foundation Establishment cultivator, could see it.

Yuan Yao extended a finger and smiled, "Because I have done a little research on formation barriers."

"How come I didn't know?" Cang Li exclaimed in astonishment.

"Because I never told you."

Cang Li: "……"

At that moment, the bamboo‑pole boy Ao Su spoke up: "This formation barrier should be one‑way—allowing entry but not exit—its purpose being to seal the unknown mist inside Yunmeng City and prevent it from leaking out."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao nodded in agreement.

"Senior Brother Ao is right."

Ao Su, hearing that, laughed and scratched his head, "Hehe."

"Little Junior Sister, I've heard your temperament has changed greatly lately and you've taken a liking to cultivation."

"Have I really changed that much?" Yuan Yao was taken aback, "I merely have come to like cultivation."

Ao Su said, "Before seeing you, I really thought that, but after meeting you, I feel you're still you."

【Target: Ao Su, Awakening Value reaches 16.】

After hearing the system's voice, Yuan Yao's heart jolted; she turned her head and stared fixedly at Ao Su.

Ao Su: "?"

Yuan Yao saw that he wasn't blushing or getting red-eared, and her heart instantly let out a sigh of relief.

All good, all good.

However, she hasn't even started to pursue him, yet his Awakening Value is already so high?

"Ao Senior Brother, why have you gotten thin again?" Yuan Yao said to Ao Su.

"Is that so? I feel I've gotten a bit fatter lately."

Cang Li smiled and said: "Ao Su, would you like me to sell you some Great Tonic Pill? Guaranteed that after you eat it, you'll be white and fat, tender and juicy, lovable."

"Tender and juicy?"

"This sounds kind of weird."

Ao Su hurriedly shook his head, let out a long sigh, "I still prefer my bony figure."

Yuan Yao, Cang Li: "......"

Just then, a 'creak' came from the city gate entrance, and the big door was seen opening.

The black mist wanted to rush out of the gate.

But it was suppressed and blocked by several Elders working together.

Afterward, under everyone's tense gaze, these Elders sank into the black mist.

The next moment——

The city gate sounded a loud 'bang' and closed again.

It completely blocked everyone's gaze that wanted to explore.

Although Yuan Yao was curious about what exactly happened inside Yun Ming City, her cultivation was too low; sneaking in would only be a hindrance.

She pursed her lips and said: "I hope Eldest Senior Brother and everyone else are safe."

Ao Su spoke to soothe: "Junior Sister, don't worry, they will definitely be safe."

At that moment, a senior sister smiled gently: "Junior Sister, would you like some candied haws or roasted bird eggs? I can go to Remnant Mountain City to buy them for you."