"Shall we continue or return to the sect?"

Baili Xijiang squatted beside the fire, waiting for Wanqiji to grill the fish.

Surprisingly, despite Wan Qiji's tall and aloof appearance, the grilled fish, rabbit, and pheasant looked incredibly tempting.

"It depends on whether you want to compete for rankings." Pei Xiang'an was very clear about his own position. He wasn't particularly familiar with them, so he waited for their ideas.

"Those rewards are nothing to me, I'll listen to you," said Baili Xijiang, a wealthy and powerful man.

Recently, Qin Xi seems to be troubled by something, and he often takes out the sound transmission stone.

She lowered her eyes slightly. "Whatever."

Song Tingwan glanced at her again, wondering if she was worried about her aunt whom she had mentioned that day.

"What is Aji thinking?"

The rest of them had nothing to lack, but Wanqijique was visibly lacking.

Baili Xijiang and Qin Xi, who had been speaking casually, paused for a moment, then looked at the person focused on grilling fish for them and immediately stated their opinion: "Why don't we continue? We shouldn't refuse any reward we can win."

They were afraid that Wan Qiji would be too embarrassed to speak up.

Wan Qiji smiled, a rare occurrence, and handed the fragrant grilled fish to Baili Xijiang.

"Let's go back to the sect; we can take on some more missions there."

They care about his feelings, and he doesn't want to affect them either.

Baili Xijiang and Qin Xi wanted to persuade him again, but Wan Qiji said he was going back as soon as he said it, and after he finished speaking, he smiled faintly and didn't say a word, ignoring their attempts to persuade him.

Holding the fish that Wan Qiji had grilled, they looked dejected and planned to treat Wan Qiji to several more spiritual meals when they returned to their sect.

.

After reaching an agreement, they landed in a city the next day, planning to take a stroll and buy some things before returning to their sect.

The two girls walked ahead, browsing jewelry, cosmetics, food, and clothing. Baili Xijiang and the other two exchanged glances and obediently accompanied them.

Suddenly, an old man approached them silently, startling them.

Wanqiji drew his giant sword and used it to block the man in front of him.

"Who is it?"

The old man had an ordinary face, but he wore a low-key, high-quality robe. He had a very low profile, but he gave people an inexplicable sense of danger.

This old man's cultivation level is unfathomable.

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators thought so.

Qin Xi, who was smiling while holding a candied hawthorn, turned around and her expression changed slightly when she saw the old man.

Song Tingwan had been watching the old man since he appeared. His gaze was fixed on Qin Xi, but he showed no intention of attacking her.

The old man smiled at them, then stopped and bowed respectfully to Qin Xi from afar, calling out, "Miss."

The group of people were taken aback and all looked at Qin Xi.

Her complexion wasn't good, her smile faded, she patted her dress, took two steps in that direction and stopped, "Uncle Li."

The old man, addressed as Uncle Li, sighed but still smiled politely at them, saying, "There's no place to talk in this bustling city. Would you young friends like me to have some tea?"

The others remained silent. Song Tingwan stepped forward to Qin Xi's side and said to Uncle Li with a smile, "Qin Xi is in charge. If she is not happy, we will not drink even if it is Baiyuanchun."

Hundreds of wishes for spring, tea.

A tree formed from millions of wishes is said to be made into tea, which, when drunk, can revitalize the body and provide an opportunity for sudden enlightenment.

Uncle Li was not angry. He was happy that his young lady had made friends who were willing to protect her, and he looked at his young lady with a gratified smile.

"I wonder if Fairy Yuanyuan could do Uncle Li the honor of apologizing to you?"

Like coaxing a child, Baili Xijiang laughed out loud without giving Qin Xi any face, which earned him a glare.

Being called by her nickname in front of her best friend made Qin Xi stomp her foot in embarrassment and anger, and she angrily said, "Let's go."

The group walked from the street to the best restaurant in the city and sat down. Uncle Li took out several top-grade spirit stones and had the best tea and dishes served.

No need for alcohol, a bunch of kids can't drink.

"What exactly is going on, Qin Xi?"

Baili Xijiang was the first to ask, unable to hold back any longer.

Even Song Tingwan and Wan Qiji couldn't help but look at her.

Qin Xi pouted, glanced at Uncle Li, and then lowered her head again, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I joined the Sword Inquiry Sect without my family's knowledge."

"I promised not to tell my family, but Uncle Li betrayed me."

She's been receiving so many communication talismans these past few days that they've almost exploded.

Uncle Li smiled apologetically, "Uncle Li has been keeping it from everyone else, but your aunt feels something's wrong. She's been complaining of chest pain and discomfort, so—"

She understood the implication: her aunt was taking advantage of her serious illness and being bedridden; if he didn't speak up, her 'condition' would only worsen.

Qin Xi was both amused and exasperated. While others were already wallowing in self-pity, her aunt was making jokes about her own body.

This is not Uncle Li's fault.

Qin Xi realized he had taken his anger out on someone else, but his anger had subsided by the time he had walked the whole way.

"So they... know I'm asking the Sword Sect what to say."

She asked hesitantly.

Uncle Li sighed, unsure of what to say.

The lady was furious at the cold stare and left in a huff. The sect leader was also angry that she hadn't gone to her own sect but instead went to the Sword Inquiry Sect.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Elder Rongxian and Elder Fuyin sighed, saying nothing more, but their expressions showed obvious pity.

Qin Xi's gaze flickered as he listened.

She knew she was going against the grain, and that when she returned, the elders would surely berate her mercilessly.

But she didn't want to stay at home.

"I understand. So, what brings you here today?"

Uncle Li glanced at the young lady's friends, then carefully spoke up: "Young lady and your friends are going back to the sect? It's on the way home, why don't you take your friends home for a visit?"

"Elder Rongxian's health... is getting worse and worse."

As Uncle Li spoke, his voice lowered slightly.

These days, Elder Rongxian has been in a deep sleep every day, and has lost all his cultivation.

Many people in the family are saying that he is probably nearing his death.

This is why he informed his family of the young lady's whereabouts.

Qin Xi stood up abruptly, her eyes red and her voice trembling, "How could that be? My aunt was in good spirits when I left. Come on, let's go back."

Uncle Li was more rational than her. He pulled her back before looking at Song Tingwan and the others, who hadn't said much.

"Young friends, we're traveling the same way. Would you like to come to my home for a visit?"

Song Tingwan and the others exchanged glances. Given the state of Qin Xi's home, it was not a suitable place to visit.

"No, I'll visit you another time when I have the chance."

"Farewell, and I hope Qin Xi's aunt recovers soon."

The group parted ways on the spot, and after seeing Qin Xi off, the atmosphere became slightly somber.

After discussing it, Song Tingwan sat at the bow of the lotus boat, while the three men squeezed in behind.

The lotus-shaped boat trembled and floated in the air, so heavy that it no longer possessed any ethereal beauty.

Song Tingwan, meanwhile, drifted off into thought as the wind blew past her ear.

Should Qin Xi's aunt use the pretext of pillow sleep to make a move?