Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Another City

When the three heard Yun Xi’s words, their expressions instantly grew serious. Whether or not Yun Xi’s speculation was correct, it was troubling news for them.

“No time to waste. Let’s check the other city gate first,” Mu Ning Zhu quickly decided.

Just as the four stepped out of the room, they encountered Zhou Lang Chen, clearly just returning from outside. Yun Xi glanced meaningfully at her companions, then stepped forward and cupped her hands, saying, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, did you rest well last night in the superior room? Have your injuries healed?”

Zhou Lang Chen paused for a moment, clearly puzzled, and replied gravely, “I only disembarked from the flying ship early this morning and just recently checked in here. What do you mean by ‘resting overnight’?”

Yun Xi didn’t directly answer him, continuing instead, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you remember that we gave up the superior room to you?”

Frowning deeply, Zhou Lang Chen responded, “This last superior room was reserved by Fellow Daoist Zuo for double the spirit stones. How could it have been given up by you?”

Yun Xi turned back to her companions, understanding clearly—Zhou Lang Chen had also lost a day’s memory. She felt weary, a deep loneliness overcoming her, as though everyone else was lost in dreams, leaving her alone awake.

She courteously took leave and returned to her companions, spreading her hands helplessly to indicate that even the second familiar person they’d encountered had fallen victim.

Mu Ning Zhu’s heart grew heavy. Yet, unfamiliar as they were, she couldn’t offer an explanation to Fellow Daoist Zhou. She gestured for the three to follow her, intending to confirm their situation once more.

However, this time it was Zhou Lang Chen who stepped forward, blocking their path. “Would you all mind joining me briefly in my room? Something seems suspicious, and I might have some clues.”

Mu Ning Zhu hesitated only a moment before nodding her agreement. Zhou Lang Chen followed behind as they returned to their room.

After sitting down, Zhou Lang Chen first introduced himself properly, then explained, “I was originally headed to my next training destination, but when the flying ship stopped here, my sect sent a message. Disciples from the Famed Sword Sect had gone missing in Twin Peaks City, and those sent to investigate afterward also disappeared. Soon after, we received a distress signal. I just used my sect token to pinpoint the location—the signal is coming from near the city lord’s manor. Hearing that the city lord’s heir was holding a bonding ceremony, I planned to enter using my sect’s name to investigate.”

Mu Ning Zhu’s expression tightened further upon hearing the word “missing,” knowing this was no simple matter.

Yun Xi’s mind also raced, connecting the dots. Perhaps these incidents were indeed related.

After finishing his explanation, Zhou Lang Chen carefully observed the four’s reactions, saying, “Based on what this fellow daoist said earlier, you seem to have made a discovery. Could you share it with me? It might help me find my missing fellow disciples.”

Yun Xi immediately looked toward Mu Ning Zhu. As their team leader, it was up to her to decide if they should share their discovery with Zhou Lang Chen.

Mu Ning Zhu pondered briefly before nodding to Yun Xi.

Yun Xi cleared her throat and explained how they’d all lost a day’s memory, with the other three confirming her words.

Zhou Lang Chen took a deep breath, now convinced these events were connected. It seemed likely that the Famed Sword Sect disciples had suffered similarly, and someone among them, like Yun Xi, hadn’t lost their memories—leading to their capture by the city lord’s people.

Zhou Lang Chen rubbed his fingers thoughtfully, saying, “I’ll join you to leave the city, to see if this hidden party makes a move.”

“We were already about to leave when we encountered Fellow Daoist Zhou,” Mu Ning Zhu clarified, quickly standing up. Their group of four now became five.

Their journey to the other city gate proceeded smoothly. They were briefly stopped by patrol cultivators asking their reason for leaving, politely recommending they stay for the upcoming bonding ceremony in two days.

Zhou Lang Chen cupped his fists politely and replied, “We would naturally wish to join such a joyful occasion. Unfortunately, our sect urgently summoned us, and we must leave immediately.”

“That’s truly regrettable,” the cultivator replied without much fuss. “Safe travels. Please visit Twin Peaks City again.”

After bidding farewell, they easily passed the city gate where cultivators lined up normally, easing their tension slightly.

Yet once they had walked some distance, Yun Xi frowned at the distant city gate, muttering, “Could we have guessed wrong?”

Mu Ning Zhu sighed with relief, “At least we’re out. We’ll report the strangeness to our sect upon our return. Let’s leave now.”

“Alright!”

Only Zhou Lang Chen didn’t move. He’d come to find his missing sect disciples. Having discovered nothing, he couldn’t simply leave.

Zhou Lang Chen began to excuse himself, “You can all go first. I need to return to investigate—”

Before he could finish, a formation flashed beneath their feet, and in the next instant, the five vanished from sight without anyone noticing.

Yun Xi felt a dreadful premonition as soon as the formation lit up. Yet, when the light faded, they found themselves exactly where they had stood before.

But now, the gate of Twin Peaks City was empty. Gone were the lined-up cultivators and the guards collecting spirit stones. The area was chillingly silent.

“What’s going on? Are we still in Twin Peaks City?” Qin Tong Shuang asked, gripping her sword tightly.

The others drew their weapons as well, cautiously scanning their surroundings.

Yun Xi released her spiritual sense, her expression growing stranger by the moment.

After a careful look around, Zhou Lang Chen spoke decisively, “We should enter the city. Perhaps we’ll find answers inside.”

Zhang Yan disagreed, cautioning, “We’d better stay away from here.”

Mu Ning Zhu eyed the dense white mist enveloping the area skeptically. Though doubtful, she knew the others wouldn’t rest easy without trying to leave.

Yun Xi patted her storage bag, retrieving the two red cords and handing one to Mu Ning Zhu. She quickly tied herself to Qin Tong Shuang, determined not to be separated if danger arose.

Understanding Yun Xi’s intent, Mu Ning Zhu similarly tied herself to Zhang Yan. Turning to Zhou Lang Chen, she said, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, we’ll try to leave first. If you aren’t in a hurry, wait here. If we haven’t returned after a stick of incense burns, you can enter the city alone.”

Zhou Lang Chen replied frankly, “I doubt you’ll leave successfully, or they wouldn’t have used a teleportation formation to trap us. I’ll wait here.”

Qin Tong Shuang cupped her hands politely, “Fellow Daoist Zhou’s reasoning is sound, but we still have to try, or we won’t rest easy.”

She then tugged Yun Xi, stepping into the white mist. Mu Ning Zhu and Zhang Yan followed after bidding farewell to Zhou Lang Chen.

Zhou Lang Chen felt somewhat isolated but trusted his judgment.

As expected, a quarter-hour later, Yun Xi and Qin Tong Shuang emerged from the mist, finding Zhou Lang Chen waiting patiently, his voice deep, “You’ve been gone exactly a quarter-hour.”

Mu Ning Zhu and Zhang Yan soon emerged afterward.

Not convinced, Qin Tong Shuang dragged Yun Xi into the mist twice more, each attempt ending identically.