Even though Su Xuan had become a man of luxury because of the system, he had never forgotten his roots.

In his heart, he still held fast to the virtues of austerity and hard work. Having dealt with those who pursued him, it felt only right to reap some benefits for his diligent efforts.

The three took a short rest in their room. Soon, the sky began to lighten faintly. The Innkeeper didn't do anything out of line, to Su Xuan's slight disappointment.

Afterward, the three of them left the inn. Qi Li took the lead to meet with the post station's staff. This time, they set off not by motorized vehicle, but by horse-drawn carriage. The mountain roads were extremely difficult to navigate; ordinary vehicles simply couldn't pass, and even the carriages bumped and jostled along the way.

Su Xuan still had no complaints about this, wearing an expression of curiosity.

On the third day, the last post station brought them to a mountain range shrouded in swirling mists.

"Su Xuan, we've now officially entered the Mountain World," said Qi Li.

"Here, you can forget the order of the world below," said Lu Dongshan. "Just consider this place what you call 'a world beyond the ordinary'."

"Alright!"

Su Xuan looked up at the distant, mist-enshrouded mountain range.

"For safety's sake, let's not take the main road," Qi Li continued. "I know a hidden path back to the sect. We'll take that."

"Let's go!"

Su Xuan followed Qi Li.

The journey took another day. During this time, Su Xuan saw many animals on the mountain that he had never seen in the world below, from adorable purple-furred monkeys to fierce jackals, tigers, and leopards. However, all of these animals were extremely skittish and would scamper away in panic upon seeing someone approach.

These animals must often be harassed by the people of the mountains, Su Xuan figured.

"The status of sects in the Mountain World is also clearly defined."

"Those located on the outskirts of the mountains hold a lower status, belonging to the smaller sects."

"The more powerful sects are situated deep within the mountains."

"Our Floating Cloud Sect is among those on the periphery of the range."

Qi Li continued educating Su Xuan along the way. She didn't belittle the Floating Cloud Sect for being a minor sect and even joked, "Being on the edge has its perks. We'll be there soon."

When it was around eight or nine o'clock at night, they arrived at the base of a mountain, where a flight of stone steps emerged from beneath the cover of the dense forest.

Seeing those stone steps, both Qi Li's and Lu Dongshan's expressions turned grave.

"Is this the Floating Cloud Sect?" Su Xuan asked.

"Yes!" Qi Li nodded. She walked up to a tree and traced a finger over the deep scratches on its bark. "Something's not right here."

It wasn't just that tree; the surrounding tree trunks had also suffered varying degrees of damage. Some even bore the faded traces of blood, washed out by the rain.

"Clearly, a battle has taken place here," Lu Dongshan said, clenching his fist. "I wonder what the sect's casualties are... Or if..."

Lu Dongshan didn't finish his sentence.

But Su Xuan knew what he wanted to say. He was wondering if the Floating Cloud Sect had already been overrun.

"Su Xuan," Qi Li suddenly said, pointing to a mountain opposite the stone steps. "The Spirit-Taming Sect is on that mountain."

"You're indeed very close to each other."

Su Xuan looked up at the mountain, but because it was night and clouds obscured the view, he saw nothing. The two sects were like two hotels located too close to each other; contention over interests was inevitable.

"Yes! Very close!"

Qi Li then stepped onto the stone stairs and began ascending the mountain.

Su Xuan followed Qi Li onward, through the mountains' damp, cool air.

After climbing the winding stone steps for a full hour, Su Xuan's attention was suddenly captured by a towering archway. It stood tall on the mountain path, like a guardian deity.

As they drew closer, Su Xuan could make out three words on the arch: Floating Cloud Sect.

"This is our sect's gate," Lu Dongshan said, pointing at the arch. "Once you're through this gate, you're truly back in the sect."

"Mm."

Su Xuan nodded, following Qi Li and Lu Dongshan through the mountain gate.

He had barely stepped through when two figures emerged from the darkness, blocking their way. Each of them held an unsheathed longsword.

"It's Junior Sister Qi Li and Senior Brother Lu!"

"They're back from the world below!"

Upon seeing Qi Li and Lu Dongshan, the two figures became noticeably excited. They slung their longswords behind their backs, but upon seeing Su Xuan, their gazes filled with confusion and wariness.

"They are the Gatekeeping Disciples," Lu Dongshan explained to Su Xuan, then rapidly fired questions at the two. "Why is no one on watch at the foot of the mountain? When did the battle start? How many of our people died?"

"Well..."

The two disciples hesitated, looking as if they wanted to say more but were holding back.

"How is my father?" Qi Li also asked them.

"You should return to the sect and see for yourselves," one of them said with a troubled expression. "There are some things we can't really talk about."

"What is there that can't be talked about?" Lu Dongshan's face darkened. "Are Junior Sister Qi and I outsiders?"

The two disciples lowered their heads.

"Let's go back and see!"

Qi Li's expression had already soured. No longer pressing the two Gatekeeping Disciples, she quickened her pace forward.

"Who are you?"

Su Xuan, however, was stopped by the two Gatekeeping Disciples.

"Do not be disrespectful to him!" Qi Li quickly turned and scolded. "He is an honored guest of our sect!"

The two disciples seemed to want to say something, but after exchanging a glance, they swallowed their words and allowed Su Xuan to pass.

After another ten to fifteen minutes of walking, Su Xuan saw a dense cluster of buildings, their interlocking eaves illuminated by flickering lights, with blue bricks and green tiles. He felt as if he had suddenly stepped into ancient times.

But he saw very few disciples of the Floating Cloud Sect. It seemed as though everyone had already retired to their rooms to rest. This gave him the distinct feeling that the atmosphere in the Floating Cloud Sect was strange.

"Brother Lu, take Su Xuan to the guest hall and have them arrange the best accommodations for him," Qi Li said to Lu Dongshan as she stepped onto a plaza paved with stone bricks. "I'm going to see my father first to get a clear picture of the situation."

"Alright." Lu Dongshan nodded, then glanced at the bag in his hand. "Should he come with you?"

"Just look after him for now, and don't hand him over to anyone." After instructing Lu Dongshan, Qi Li turned to Su Xuan with an apologetic look. "These are extraordinary times. Please forgive us for not being able to fully play the proper host."

"Go do what you need to. Don't treat me like a stranger," Su Xuan said, unconcerned.

Afterward, he followed Lu Dongshan to arrange for his accommodations.

Qi Li went straight to find her father.

What struck her as odd was that her father was not in his residence.

She hurriedly went to check the council hall, thinking perhaps her father was in a meeting, but the hall was completely empty.

She then swiftly went to find an elder.

The elder dropped a bombshell.

"Your father... is missing."

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