Early the next day, Zhao Yunxiao left his residence after completing his usual morning practice. Unlike most other days, the sect grounds were already bustling with activity despite the early hour.
Many of the celebratory parties had lasted throughout the night, and there were plenty of disciples who were only just heading back to their residences now.
At the same time, the delegates from the subordinate sects were also leaving Purple Plum Mountain today. Because of that, there were also Black Tortoise Sect disciples going around to bid them farewell.
Zhao Yunxiao greeted a few familiar faces as he headed for his first stop – the Lightwind Pavilion. Here, he was intending to bring along some of the food that had been stored away by Gu Qiansi.
“Why are you packing this much food? Are you going on a long trip?” Hua Xian remarked as the fairymist flower continued swaying lightly by the edge of the pond.
“I won’t be gone for long,” Zhao Yunxiao said curtly. “So, don’t even think about doing anything funny in the meantime.”
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You have also said that before already,” Hua Xian sighed. “How distrustful. Is that really how you think of me? As a mere troublemaker?”
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As for Hua Xian, perhaps the most significant change that it had brought to the Lightwind Pavilion was still in the visual aspect. The mist that it created made this place look a little more mystical, but that was about it.
After performing a thorough examination of the array that was suppressing Hua Xian, Zhao Yunxiao finally left for the meeting location mentioned by Fei Weng.
This time, the group would be meeting outside a large hall in the Inner Grounds that was commonly used to host guests from other factions. And as always, Zhao Yunxiao arrived earlier than the appointed time.
Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Hua!” Zhao Yunxiao immediately stepped forward to greet him.
Considering how he was one of the more influential inner disciples in the Feng Faction, perhaps it was not surprising that Hua Shui had been selected to come along.
In fact, this wish to do well did not purely stem from the fear of getting punished, but also because he subconsciously wanted to gain Hua Shui’s approval.
Even if one disregarded Hua Shui’s usual reputation, he was still one of the three disciples who had created the greatest waves during the recent opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm.
By forming and leading a coalition that included members from the other three great symbol sects, he successfully defeated a powerful monster on the level of the Serpent Mammoth. This news was a source of pride for all disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect, and Zhao Yunxiao was no exception!
Having fought the Azure Dragon Sect’s Thousand Blade Ren Qiansha to a draw, Armed Ape Tower’s Xiong Yekong once again proved that he was deserving of his reputation as someone who had reached the level of the core disciples of the Four Great Symbol Sects.
Perhaps he would get to witness this rising star showing off a thing or two during the trip!
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That’s good. Make sure you remember everything and act accordingly. Elder Feng has little tolerance for incompetence,” Hua Shui cautioned. “Work together with Junior Martial Brother Gan on this matter, and play to each of your strengths.”
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Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Hua! You are as dedicated as ever, having arrived so early!” a familiar voice just about instantly confirmed Zhao Yunxiao’s suspicions.
Gan Luozhi stepped forward and was about to clasp his fists towards Hua Shui when he suddenly stopped in his tracks, having noticed Zhao Yunxiao who was standing right there with Hua Shui.
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At the same time, he could only silently curse in his heart.
Well, considering the latter’s relationship with Hua Sheng, perhaps it was not too surprising that he had been selected for this trip. Regardless, he could only hope that the other party would put aside their little argument from three weeks ago, and focus on completing the job at hand!
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Remember that,” Hua Shui reiterated in a stern manner.
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Oh? So, Hua Shui will be coming along as well?” Elder Xiong Yan exclaimed in surprise. “How reassuring! I will be relying on you to bail us out if we get stumped by any unexpected problems!”
Elder Xiong’s words are too kind. With Elder Feng around, there is no need for me to meddle at all,” Hua Shui said before turning back to Elder Feng Wanjia. “Everything is prepared. We can depart at any moment now.”
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That said, apart from the way that it had appeared, the house itself might not look all that impressive to most, considering it was just a building made entirely of bamboo.
How could it be that simple?
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The members of the Armed Ape Tower were right behind him, followed closely by Elder Feng Wanjia and those from the Black Tortoise Sect.
As the last person to enter, the door gently closed behind Zhao Yunxiao. At that very moment, Zhao Yunxiao felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was an inexplicable sense of loss – as though he had just been cut off from the rest of the world.
The physical appearance of the door felt like just a facade, and what it truly symbolised was an entire world that now stood between him and the outside world.
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With that, the members of the entourage retired to their assigned rooms for the time being.
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From the looks of it, this trip was likely to end up being a lot more troublesome than he had originally hoped!