After flying for some time, Shucao finally saw the outline of Ningzhou City.
She flew higher into the sky to avoid drawing attention, then quietly descended above the city and walked straight into the Welcoming Crane Pavilion.
“Miss Shucao, you’re back.”
The shop assistant hurried over as soon as he saw her.
“Yesterday after you and Miss Xiao left, we didn’t hear anything from you. We didn’t know what to do. Eh, this is…”
Noticing the unconscious Xiao Simeng on Shucao’s back, the shop assistant exclaimed in shock.
“Is that… Miss Xiao on your back? What happened to her? Do you need any help?”
“No need.”
Shucao waved her hand at the worried shop assistant.
“She’s just exhausted and fell asleep. I’ll take her upstairs to rest.”
Hearing this, the shop assistant relaxed slightly.
“I see. Please make sure both of you get proper rest.”
Shucao carried Xiao Simeng up to her room and laid her on the bed.
She then covered Xiao Simeng’s body with magic power to perform a check.
“Strange.”
After examining her with magic power, Shucao said in confusion.
“Xiao Simeng’s external injuries have already healed, so why hasn’t she woken up yet?”
Hearing Shucao’s doubt, An Qianhua guessed.
“Perhaps it’s related to her using that spiritual item earlier. According to her, it was something she prepared for her Foundation Establishment. For a Qi Refining cultivator to forcefully use such an item, the toll on her body must have been enormous. That’s probably why she still hasn’t woken up.”
“Maybe that really is the reason.”
Shucao withdrew her magic power and left Xiao Simeng’s room.
“I should go find Senior Bai first and tell her about Simeng’s condition as well as what happened with the Sharp-Horned Demonic Spiders. See if she has any solutions.”
After arriving at the Illusory Light Pavilion, Shucao went straight to the wall with the restriction.
She used her jade token to open it and descended once more into the underground space.
“Steward Chen.”
Shucao approached the underground counter and cupped her hands toward Steward Chen, who was reading a book.
“I’d like to request a meeting with Senior Bai.”
Steward Chen put down his book, returned the greeting, and said.
“The boss usually cultivates in the quiet room over there. Just go to the door and ask. If she’s willing to see you, she’ll respond.”
“Thank you, Steward Chen.”
Shucao walked to the stone chamber where she had previously met Bai Yumo, bowed, and said respectfully.
“This junior Shucao wishes to meet with Senior Bai. May I ask if Senior is available right now?”
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard Bai Yumo’s voice transmission, and the stone chamber door slowly opened.
“Come in.”
Entering the stone chamber, Shucao saw Bai Yumo still seated upright on the meditation cushion.
She cupped her hands and said respectfully.
“Senior Bai, I’ve come this time to report some matters concerning the Blood Fiend Sect.”
Hearing Shucao’s words, Bai Yumo’s expression shifted slightly beneath her hood.
“No need to be so formal. Speak. Have you discovered something new?”
“Yes.”
Shucao recounted everything that had happened when she and Xiao Simeng went to the abandoned mine to hunt the Sharp-Horned Demonic Spiders, as well as the fact that Xiao Simeng still hadn’t woken up.
“That’s the situation. Senior Bai, do you have any way to help Simeng? Also, what are your thoughts on the Blood Fiend Sect’s array disk?”
“Mm.”
Bai Yumo lowered her head and pondered for a moment before speaking.
“It seems the Blood Fiend Sect’s array isn’t just for storing absorbed blood qi. Perhaps they’re using this array to transmit blood qi underground through spirit veins, concentrating it at a certain location for their higher-level cultivators to use for cultivation.”
“So that’s how it is?”
“It’s only a guess. However, this would perfectly explain why the Sharp-Horned Demonic Spiders in the mine vein were affected by blood qi. The blood qi being transported through the spirit veins happened to pass through the spiders’ nest, causing them to become corroded.”
“I see. That does sound very plausible.”
“Mm. As for Xiao Simeng…”