Fang Yazi and Fine Waist Drum were unaware of the changes in Altar Cave Heaven, but they were not complacent. Fang Yazi was contacting the Sword Sect informants in Baolian City, while Fine Waist Drum was restoring her remaining connections.

Once the Stone Fetus was out, the most crucial thing for them was the current movements of the Wu Sect.

Several days later, an inconspicuous message reached their ears through the black market system,

"Someone in the black market sold a space-attributed Stone Sword to the Heartless Dao's Golden Core?" Fang Yazi realized the danger,

Fine Waist Drum was somewhat regretful, "Yes, I estimate it's the Stone Sword from the Wu Sect. They couldn't make the Stone Sword penetrate Heartless Dao's defenses, so they used the same method as us. Could they share the same thought?"

Fang Yazi's mind raced, "Although they do the same thing, their purpose might not be the same as ours. Don't forget, the Altar Cave Heaven has a Cave Spirit, meaning, when there is a form of life inside the Cave Heaven, it will first respond to the form of life's request rather than external summons. Oh no, the Wu Sect's intention is not to steal it while the Cave Heaven is closed, but to control it when the trial opens."

Fine Waist Drum was also a bit confused; this meant not only might their mission fail, but they could also lose the Stone Fetus.

"What should we do?"

Fang Yazi remained steady, "First, retreat from Baolian City."

Fine Waist Drum understood immediately, "If the Wu Sect cultivators also break into the Altar Cave Heaven, the Heartless Dao will soon find out, and they will immediately seal the city for a thorough search... But what about the Stone Fetus? If we leave now, the Stone Fetus might not be retrievable."

Fang Yazi was unconcerned, "Whether we can retrieve the Stone Fetus still depends on whether Huang Kexiu is suspected or not; it remains uncertain. Fine Waist, there's one thing you must understand—within our Sword Sect, people are always more important than artifacts. There's no rationale for sacrificing people for artifacts. If Senior Brother were here, he would have done the same thing. Get out first, then observe Baolian City's situation."

Both were decisive people, knowing full well that if they got caught by the Heartless Dao again, it would bring greater trouble to the Sword Sect. When doing such deeds, regardless of success or failure, not getting caught red-handed is the key.

Immediately discard miscellaneous items and leave the city, ignoring what might happen within the city.

Fang Yazi wrote down the events in a Wild Geese Letter and sent it back, waiting for Dushan's decision. This task was done rather ambiguously, but fortunately, both were safe, which wasn't the worst scenario.

Fine Waist Drum was remorseful, "Senior Brother, it was my suggestion to send back the Stone Fetus..."

Fang Yazi didn't look back, "It was my decision; you need not blame yourself. You must remember, this is not your time as a lone assassin. When I am present, do not think too much. When the day comes that you become a senior sister, you should also bear all the responsibility. Only in this way can the swords form a flock rather than a scattered sand pile."

Both waited idly for Dushan's message. They had expected it to take a long time, but unexpectedly, a secret message arrived just a few hours later. Fang Yazi opened it, surprised,

"Senior Brother wants us to sneak back into Baolian City after a few days when it relaxes, and if Huang Kexiu returns safely, we are to retrieve the Stone Fetus immediately."

Fine Waist Drum's eyes lit up, "I know he has a secret hideout in Baolian City, where he keeps a few concubines to bear offspring for him. One of them seems to be pregnant, blocking him there would be perfect; besides, we don't have to wait a few days to return to Baolian City. Going in now is actually the safest."

Fang Yazi nodded, recognizing that this woman was bold and capable.

… On Dushan, Hou Niao was chatting and joking with a group of friends, discussing the profound theories of swordsmanship; he enjoyed this atmosphere greatly. Every now and then, he would come out from seclusion to gather his friends and discuss each other's gains and losses in swordsmanship.

This process was enlightening for everyone, not only did his friends' swordsmanship improve rapidly, but he himself also benefited greatly from it each time.

Seeing the young people's lively expressions made the old folks feel gratified. Hou Niao stood along with Li Chuping and Yu Zhengxing, which he had persisted in doing for years. Regardless of any insights or experiences, he would share them with the two unreservedly, because, deep down, he was worried that one day, these two might fall behind.

The three casually chatted about everything under the sun, touching on the Heavenly Heart Pavilion Taihao Sect, and his little niece,

Yu Zhengxing carelessly said to Hou Niao, "Xintong has her own views, so you don't need to be too strict, or she'll develop a rebellious mentality. Let her enjoy divination and fortune-telling; Taihao Sect and Quanzhen have the same history and understand it better than you."

Hou Niao smiled bitterly, the rationale was clear, but concern led to chaos. How could he not worry? He seemed to have grasped a hint of a major change in the Jinxiu Continent but didn't dare discuss it with anyone.

"When she's a child, let her read and predict fortunes for others; having too wide an interest might lead to backlash and suffering."

Yu Zhengxing laughed, "Did Xintong predict your fortune and life span for her unreliable uncle?"

Hou Niao nodded proudly, "Not entirely accurate; a downturn about thirteen hundred years later?"

Thirteen hundred years, the lifespan of a Nascent Soul on Jinxiu Continent was only about twelve hundred years, implying he'd reach True Monarch status—so boastful it seemed almost real.

But by the side, old Li was venomous, "A downturn? Or maybe the grave was dug up..."

Yu Zhengxing roared with laughter. Just as they were joking, two Wild Geese Letters flew over, both required the Sect Hierarch's personal opening; Hou Niao raised his hand to summon them, his Divine Sense swept across, and his expression turned serious,

"These aren't good news; Baolian City's Grotto Heaven plot nearly failed, the Demon Clan information from Tuanzewa is vague, indeed a troubled time, take a look, Masters."

Older Li and Yu quickly scanned the Wild Geese Letters; as expected, they were all bad news.

Li Shipeng and his party were searching for the Demon Clan in Tuanzewa, killing and interrogating, threatening with force, yet could not extract much valuable information. It was unclear if the Black Python and White-headed Eagle belonged to Yuan Yi or Yaoguang. This wasn't because Tuanzewa's Earth Demon's resolve was particularly strong, but because those two Outer Space fierce demons were too cautious, leaving no clues back then.

The only vague good news was that Luo Yewang seemed not to have been entangled in the scene but was swallowed by the Black Python. To the Black Python, this might mean being eaten up or being taken away, and outsiders couldn't judge.

But Yu Zhengxing was quite discontent, "What's going on, what is Fang Yazi doing, going to Baolian City and losing both the wife and the army?"

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