An Chen and Ye Xinning looked at each other, finding the sight awkward.
One had the face of a literature teacher, while the other had a common face that would disappear in a crowd.
"Why are you using this face?"
An Chen pinched his chin, looking at Ye Xinning suspiciously.
"I can't help it, I'm more familiar with this face…"
Ye Xinning also felt a bit embarrassed, lowering her head slightly.
"Next time, I'll specifically remember a few strangers' faces to make it easier for me to disguise!"
"Alright, let's go."
An Chen pulled Ye Xinning along, continuing to rush in Su Xiaojiu's direction.
The two of them sticking together didn't actually serve much purpose.
After all, Ye Xinning was only Cultivation level four, not as strong as him, so the two of them combined weren't much more formidable.
Ye Xinning might have something life-saving given by Hong Shan, but he didn't.
He still needed to find someone powerful to rely on.
...
Wind Valley, South Entrance.
The Senior Brother leading the Qingfeng Sect team was currently standing on high ground, his gaze sweeping around as he counted the number of people present.
Several hours had already passed.
Wind Valley was in the center of the Secret Realm, and logically, those who were teleported in would be closer to the center of the map, not too far off, but at this moment, several Disciples had not yet arrived.
Such things often happened in previous years, but most of the Disciples who hadn't reached the meeting point were either entangled by Yao Beasts or had found a spiritual plant field and forgotten the time while harvesting.
In short, it was always due to personal reasons.
However, what made this Senior Brother frown was the absence of one person: An Chen.
The Grand Elder had specifically instructed the strongest few in the team to protect this Junior Brother well within the Secret Realm; doing so would earn rewards, but failing to protect him would lead to the Grand Elder's punishment.
What kind of punishment would the Grand Elder inflict? It was nothing more than the "convincing people with virtue" method he learned from the Fire Phoenix Sect's Sect Master.
Thinking of this, the Great Master's body trembled.
"Senior Brother, it's getting late, we should depart."
Someone beside him reminded him.
"Four hours, no waiting after the time limit, wasn't that the rule we discussed before departing? Those who fall behind, we can't blame ourselves."
But this Senior Brother still frowned and shook his head.
"We can't say that; who hasn't encountered an accident? I'll make the decision: we'll wait for another half an hour. If they don't come by then... then we can't do anything about it."
He also couldn't delay the main group's time for the sake of a few individuals.
He hoped that within this half an hour, that Junior Brother would be able to arrive.
However, to his disappointment, half an hour later, only two Disciples who had been fighting Yao Beasts on the way arrived, thanking him profusely.
The Junior Brother still hadn't appeared.
"Senior Brother."
The person beside him reminded him again.
If they waited any longer, the time they wasted would be significant.
"..."
After a long silence, just as he was about to give the order to depart, he noticed two people emerging from the forest not far away. His face lit up with joy as he looked up, only to find that they were two Disciples of the Fire Phoenix Sect dressed in red.
His expression immediately darkened.
"What are you Fire Phoenix Sect Disciples doing here? Wind Valley has no treasures; could it be that you came looking for us?"
Wind Valley is perpetually swept by strong winds; the winds are like knives, and Cultivators who enter immediately get cut by them.
Once, a Cultivator at Qi Refining Peak entered Wind Valley and emerged covered in wounds, but with almost no gains.
Therefore, Wind Valley was merely a landmark, not a treasure trove.
So, these Fire Phoenix Sect Disciples were clearly coming for them.
But the two of them acted as if they hadn't heard anything he said, walking straight past the Qingfeng Sect Disciples and stopping not far from the leading Senior Brother.
"Have you seen the Fire Phoenix Sect's Young Miss Nine, Su Xiaojiu?"
The Senior Brother raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
So, the Fire Phoenix Sect Disciple raised his voice and asked again.
"I asked if you've seen Su Xiaojiu!"
These two Fire Phoenix Sect Disciples were only at Cultivation Level 11 of Qi Refining, while the Qingfeng Sect's Senior Brother was already at Qi Refining Peak, yet these two showed no respect for him whatsoever.
"No! Don't your Fire Phoenix Sect have positioning stones? Why can't you find her yourselves?"
The two's expressions darkened.
"After entering the Secret Realm, Su Xiaojiu's positioning stone aura has not appeared. The rest of us have already gathered; only she hasn't been found!"
The Great Master sneered.
"So, you think it's our Qingfeng Sect's doing?"
"Su Xiaojiu was the first person from the Fire Phoenix Sect to enter the Secret Realm. The only ones who entered before her were your Qingfeng Sect!"
Although this statement wasn't explicit, its meaning was very clear.
Only your Qingfeng Sect entered this Secret Realm earlier than her. If something truly happened to Su Xiaojiu, then it must be related to you.
"Don't slander us! If you have proof, bring it out!"
The Great Master was also getting angry now, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
"Are you trying to make an enemy of my Fire Phoenix Sect?"
The Fire Phoenix Sect Disciple sneered.
"You should also consider whether your Qingfeng Sect is worthy. It's true this is your Qingfeng Sect's Secret Realm, but if you dare to act today, tomorrow, both your Qingfeng Sect and this Qingfeng Secret Realm will belong to the Fire Phoenix Sect."
This statement could no longer be described as impolite; it had to be described as arrogant and presumptuous.
The Grand Elder had instructed the Great Master to protect An Chen well, and Elder Kong from the Fire Phoenix Sect had also given a strict order to protect Su Xiaojiu at all costs.
These two were very important to both Sects.
"Empty words!"
The Great Master snorted coldly.
"We haven't seen anyone from your Fire Phoenix Sect! Go back quickly! Don't be an eyesore here!"
Although the Fire Phoenix Sect Disciples acted very tough, the Great Master understood that within the Qingfeng Secret Realm, the Fire Phoenix Sect people truly wouldn't dare to make the first move. Furthermore, they had no evidence to prove that the Qingfeng Sect had harmed Su Xiaojiu, and starting a conflict would be bad for everyone.
It wouldn't sound good for the esteemed Fire Phoenix Sect to bully a small Sect, especially since there was also the Water God Palace in the East Continent.
The three major powers of the East Continent—Water God Palace, Fire Phoenix Sect, and Hou Tu Sect—the former two were like fire and water, often in conflict. If all these small Sects sided with the Water God Palace, it would not be a good thing for the Fire Phoenix Sect.
The Fire Phoenix Sect Disciple took out two sound transmission talismans and threw them over. The Great Master reached out and caught them.
"These are sound transmission talismans. If you have any information about Su Xiaojiu, tell us."
The Great Master nodded and waved his hand.
"Great Master, are you just going to tolerate this?"
The person beside him looked at the Great Master in disbelief.
The Great Master said nothing, but after the two disappeared into the forest, he silently used the sound transmission talisman he had just received and then cursed into it.