Xuan Tian put Ling Yu on a bed in one of the chambers of the cavern. He noticed that she was shivering slightly. Without hesitation, he removed his outer robe and covered her with it. He watched her quietly, half willing her to wake up, while the other half wanted her to keep resting.
Elder Mo stood near the entrance of the chamber, trying to make his presence as insignificant as possible. He was not a brave man to begin with—he bullied the weak while fearing the strong. And now, after witnessing Xuan Tian's overwhelming power, the thought of betraying him never even crossed his mind. Especially not now.
They remained still for a while, the chamber steeped in silence, until Elder Mo's head suddenly snapped toward the entrance.
Xuan Tian, his back still facing Elder Mo, spoke in a low voice, as if afraid of disturbing Ling Yu. "What is it?"
"Shengzun, the barrier at the cavern's entrance is sending an alarm. Someone's at the barrier," Elder Mo bowed and reported.
"You're expecting someone?"
"No, Shengzun. I am not expecting anyone. All of our men have the key. They can enter anytime," Elder Mo explained.
"Go see who it is. If they are your men, capture them and put them in the stone bed room," Xuan Tian ordered. "If it's anyone else, report back to me."
"Yes, Shengzun!" Elder Mo bowed again and exited the chamber, heading toward the entrance.
------------------------------
Outside the cavern, Lin Qian and Xu Yun were extremely anxious. Ling Yu had been gone for a while, and they hadn't heard any commotion inside.
"The barrier might isolate the noise," Xu Yun said more to herself than to Lin Qian. "We don't need to worry. I mean, the General is inside too."
"I know. But I can't help but worry," Lin Qian replied. "I've sent news to Lei Wen and Zhao Zhi. They should be on their way."
Xu Yun couldn't wait any longer. She reached out and touched the barrier.
"Xu Yun!" Lin Qian failed to stop her.
They both circulated their spirit energy, ready to defend themselves. Nothing—or no one—came out.
"Are we really going to barge in? Not wait for reinforcements?" Lin Qian asked.
"I know it's not a wise move, but I can't wait anymore. I'm really worried," Xu Yun replied apologetically.
"Alright. Let's do it."
Xu Yun's palm struck the barrier a few more times before it finally dissipated, revealing an elderly man.
"Yes?" the man asked. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The doctors looked at each other. This—this polite butler—was not what they expected.
Lin Qian decided to speak truthfully. "We're looking for a young girl about this high. She's wearing a pastel red dress with yellow ribbons."
The elderly man, obviously Elder Mo, recalled that the young girl who was now resting in a chamber with a tall Immortal Saint as her guard had been wearing something like that.
"Who are you to her?"
Lin Qian couldn't believe it! Ling Yu was really inside, and this man really knew her—or at least had seen her. She looked at Xu Yun, hope reflected in both their eyes.
Elder Mo went back to where Xuan Tian was. "Shengzun, there are two female cultivators outside looking for this young lady."
Xuan Tian turned around to face Elder Mo. "Bring them here."
Lin Qian and Xu Yun entered the chamber, their faces lighting up when they saw Xuan Tian standing unhurt, but their relief was short-lived when they noticed Ling Yu lying down. Xu Yun rushed to the bed, checking her pulse.
Lin Qian looked at Xuan Tian. "I'm glad you're okay."
Xuan Tian nodded, then turned back toward the bed.
Xu Yun looked up at them, smiling. "She's okay. She's resting."
"Stay here with her. I have something else to do." Xuan Tian took Elder Mo with him and went back to the stone beds chamber. The unconscious figures still lay sprawled across the chamber—another silent reminder to Elder Mo of just how powerful Xuan Tian really was.
"Tell me everything you know about this despicable operation." Xuan Tian's cold voice vibrated through the air. Elder Mo's ears began to bleed again.
He immediately knelt down, trembling. "This lowly Immortal's job is to harvest the cores and take them back to the sect. Twice a month."
Xuan Tian's eyes darkened. "Which sect?"
Elder Mo hesitated. "Lingxu Sect."
Xuan Tian felt his anger rising. "Lingxu Sect? The biggest, most powerful sect is behind this?!"
Elder Mo paled and trembled even more. "Please, Shengzun! This lowly Immortal only follows orders!"
Xuan Tian's voice was sharp. "Who do you deliver them to?"
Elder Mo gulped nervously. "The Head of Divine Elixir Peak, Tie Yanfang."
Xuan Tian gritted his teeth. "What is he doing with them?"
Elder Mo swallowed hard. "He—he makes pills with them, called Shengtian."
Xuan Tian continued grilled Elder Mo for information. The more he learned the details, the anger he became. This is beyond absurd!A prominent sect is actually doing something like this!
Elder Mo was getting more scared. He could feel Xuan Tian's anger building up. He didn't want to continue answering, but he couldn't afford not to. He just prayed that Xuan Tian will keep him alive when the interrogation's over.
Xuan Tian visibly trying to calm down. "Let me ask you one last question. Does everyone in Lingxu, including the Head of Lingxu Sect, involved in this pill business?"
Elder Mo bowed until his forehead touched the floor, "This lowly Immortal doesn't know, Shengzun. This lowly Immortal only responsible delivering the cores to Tie Yanfang."
Xuan Tian knew he wouldn't get more useful information out of Elder Mo. He really wanted to kill him, for what he has done. Xuan Tian barely holding his anger together, for some reason unclear to him.
Elder Mo suddenly lifted his head, his forehead was bleeding. "Sheng – Shengzun, this lowly Immortal believes someone at the cavern entrance."