Qu Changzhi bid farewell to Mrs. Zhao, and after leaving the Golden Bell Hall, quietly departed Xisheng Mountain, rising with tunneling light, heading towards the southwest.
Half a day later, he arrived at a desolate ridge in the western suburb, where dwellers often wore animal skins and lived on raw meat and blood, largely unnoticed by Cultivators due to the scarce Spirit Veins, which was now the temporary abode of Hui Xuan.
Qu Changzhi descended to the cloud's edge before a stone cave, cast a spell to unlock the Prohibition, and walked inside. The cave lacked Bright Pearl lamps, resulting in dim light. After a dozen steps, he saw an old Daoist sitting cross-legged on a rock, bowed and said, "Master, your disciple has returned."
Hui Xuan opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Did you meet Zhao Ru on this journey, disciple?"
Although he appeared calm when asking, there was an unmistakable hint of urgency in his tone.
