Dawn shattered the lingering darkness, washing the city in gold. Roosters crowed, the sounds of households stirring filled the air, and Baishan City gradually came to life.
This was what Xuan Tian appreciated most about the Human Realm—the fleeting beauty of mornings that mortals never took for granted. The first rays of sunlight, the crisp morning air, the sounds of people beginning their routines. It was imperfect, ever-changing, alive. And for a brief moment, it dulled the ever-present sensation of being sealed, the constant reminder that he was less.
He stood on the inn's balcony, arms crossed, letting the golden light wash over him, watching the city and its people move about their morning routines. He always made time for this whenever he visited the Human Realm. He could not do this in the Celestial Realm—where darkness could never touch.
Xuan Tian heard movement behind him. Without turning his head, he knew it was the inn's employees cleaning up the tables, preparing for breakfast. If he focused, he could hear the four doctors stirring as well, readying themselves for the day ahead.
Last night, they had divided their tasks. Zhao Zhi and Xu Yun would go to Zhang Family Clinic to apply as doctors. Lei Wen and Lin Qian would explore the city, searching for the people who had entered Baishan City alongside them. Xuan Tian's role was to escort them from a distance, ensuring their safety.
The doctors had tried to dissuade him from following them, but Xuan Tian had flatly refused. The fight from the previous night had only reinforced his resolve—Immortals clashing over a meaningless pill, their desperation both confusing, alarming, and pathetic. Was this truly what they had been reduced to? It was a stark reminder that his main duty remained unchanged. In the end, they reached a compromise—he would stay hidden, but there was no way he was letting them walk around unguarded.
Later that morning, Xuan Tian stood waiting in front of the inn, his gaze casually following the passing carriages and bustling pedestrians. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the approaching doctors.
As Zhao Zhi and Xu Yun neared, Xuan Tian repeated his warnings—firm and unwavering. "Stay vigilant. If you need help, use the jade tokens I gave you last night."
Zhao Zhi exhaled, offering a half-exasperated smile. "General, we're not children." He lowered his voice. "We're Celestials. We might not be at your level, but I'd say we're still among the strongest here."
Xuan Tian said nothing at first, his gaze lingering on them as they prepared to depart. Finally, he gave a slight nod. He watched their retreating backs, eyes narrowing as he scanned the street beyond them.
Standing nearby, Lei Wen and Lin Qian exchanged amused glances. Lei Wen leaned in, murmuring, "It's like watching a mother bird... except the chick's armed to the teeth and could level the street if provoked." He nudged his wife playfully with his elbow.
Lin Qian tried to suppress a laugh, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I heard that," Xuan Tian said flatly, turning his gaze toward them. Without missing a beat, he added, "We should go too."
The three set out, seemingly wandering the streets aimlessly. To an outsider, they looked like ordinary travelers enjoying a morning stroll. In truth, Lei Wen and Lin Qian were carefully scanning every face in the crowd, glancing at market stalls, peeking into shops, and observing passersby. Xuan Tian, meanwhile, trailed discreetly behind them, his presence blending seamlessly into the shadows as he conducted his own sweep.
Hours passed. Their search yielded nothing. No familiar faces. No leads. It was as if the people who had queued with them the day before had vanished into thin air.
Lei Wen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's like they never existed."
"People don't just vanish," Lin Qian murmured, frowning. "Not this many, not all at once. Maybe we're not looking in the right place. We should keep searching."
Lei Wen and Lin Qian shifted their focus from the bustling commercial areas to the quieter residential districts. As they moved through a mid-level neighborhood, the streets grew less crowded but remained lively with families going about their day.
They were passing a row of modest houses when a pair of wooden double doors swung open with a creak. A servant hurried out, mumbling to himself, "Find a doctor quickly... find a doctor quickly..."
Lei Wen exchanged a glance with his wife before stepping forward. "Excuse me," he called. "Are you looking for a doctor?"
The servant skidded to a stop, eyeing them warily.
"My name is Lei Wen," he said with a polite bow. "This is my wife, Lin Qian. We're traveling doctors. We'd like to help."
The servant's gaze darted between them. They certainly looked respectable—Lei Wen in a clean white robe, Lin Qian in an equally pristine dress—but skepticism lingered in his eyes. "You're both doctors?" he asked doubtfully. "But... where's your equipment? Are you really doctors?"
Lin Qian offered a gentle smile. With a smooth motion, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a compact wooden medical kit—the kind commonly used by traveling physicians.
The servant's eyes widened in astonishment. That bag had no business fitting in such a slim sleeve. Realization dawned on his face, swiftly replaced by respectful deference. Bowing deeply, he stammered, "I—I'm terribly sorry, Xianren! Please forgive me—I'm just a lowly servant. I failed to recognize your graciousness."
"It's fine," Lei Wen said, waving off the apology. "What's the situation?"
"It's urgent," the servant replied, already turning back toward the house. "Please, this way!"
When they were about to entered the residence, Lei Wen murmured under his breath, weaving a faint thread of silver Spirit Energy into his voice. "I apologize, General. I know we suddenly changed directions, but I am a doctor—and I couldn't ignore this."
Xuan Tian, hidden from sight and trailing at a distance, kept his gaze fixed on the doctors as they moved deeper into the residence. He didn't trust sudden changes—no matter how innocent they seemed. Vulnerability like this—a stranger calling for help in the middle of their investigation—was suspicious. His senses stretched outward, scanning for hidden threats. If anything felt off, he'd act without hesitation. Swiftly. Decisively.
The servant led them deep into the residence, passing a modest courtyard where potted plants lined the edges, their leaves gently swaying in the afternoon breeze. Eventually, they reached a simple room tucked away in the farthest corner. The faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, though it did little to mask the tension within.
Stopping at the doorway, the servant opened his mouth, ready to announce their arrival—
When suddenly, a heart-wrenching scream tore through the air, echoing from inside the room. The sound was raw, filled with agony, and cut through the air like a blade, freezing everyone in place.