Master, why is Junior Sister Su crying like this? We asked her, but she couldn't give a clear answer.
What exactly happened?
Seeing that everyone had gathered, Shen Qi, as the eldest senior brother, was the first to speak.
Lu Guichen looked grim, his eyes filled with heartache.
This kind of heartache was just like back then when he learned that his fourth disciple, Leng Shuxue, had been afflicted with a demonic poison in his legs and could never stand up again.
Lu Guichen let out a long sigh and spoke in a deep voice, The liaison disciples from the Death Demon Forest have reported that your fifth junior brother, Ji Yunzhao, has not responded for a long time.
Subsequently, his shattered personal magical artifact was found on the outskirts of the Death Demon Forest. That artifact was connected to his divine soul. With the artifact broken, I'm afraid his divine soul has met with disaster...
Lu Guichen didn't finish his sentence, but the heartache in his words deepened.
On the side, Su Lingxi cried even more sorrowfully.
Her pitiful little face was pale with agony, evoking sympathy from anyone who saw it.
In an instant, everyone looked at each other in dismay.
Those summoned to the main hall included not only several personal disciples of Qingyun Peak, but also a few inner sect disciples with official duties, as well as several stewards.
At this time, someone in the crowd spoke up first.
It's been over half a month since Ji Yunzhao harmed Junior Sister Yuan Shu and was banished to the Death Demon Forest. Are we only just now realizing he's missing?
Another person followed up, When did he go missing? And where exactly did he disappear?
Ji Yunzhao is a dignified Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Although he isn't considered extremely strong, it would probably be impossible for an opponent to kill him silently, right?
Just who exactly holds a grudge against him?
The crowd discussed the matter heatedly.
As a personal disciple of Qingyun Peak, Ji Yunzhao held a certain status in the Falling Immortal Sect.
Ordinary junior disciples wouldn't dare to offend him easily.
Besides his recent unpleasant fallout with Yuan Shu, he had no deadly enemies.
However, Yuan Shu's strength was still at the Qi Condensation stage, and she lived a secluded life, rarely leaving her courtyard.
It couldn't possibly be Yuan Shu who killed him, right?
As soon as this thought formed in their minds, everyone tossed it out.
How could a low-level Qi Condensation cultivator possibly kill a Foundation Establishment disciple?
Ji Yunzhao was no ordinary newly-advanced Foundation Establishment disciple!
Yuan Shu stood in the crowd, watching the inner sect disciples and stewards, who were filled with righteous indignation and flushed cheeks, already spouting harsh words against whoever killed Ji Yunzhao.
She silently lowered her head, looking at her nose, focusing on her heart, presenting an image of an obedient and sensible girl.
Only Su Lingxi, with tear-filled eyes, looked at her with suspicion and uncertainty.
For some reason, she had a gut feeling that Ji Yunzhao's disappearance was inextricably linked to Yuan Shu!
But Ji Yunzhao was at the Foundation Establishment stage, while Yuan Shu was only at the Qi Condensation stage.
There was an insurmountable chasm of strength between them; it was simply impossible for Yuan Shu to defeat Ji Yunzhao!
She couldn't figure it out. She had seen him off perfectly fine, still counting on him to return to Qingyun Peak in the future so she could farm more affection points from him.
Yet he was just gone like that?
The more Su Lingxi thought about it, the sadder she became, actually shedding a few genuine tears.
Enough!
Lu Guichen slammed his palm on the table, interrupting the discussions below, rubbing his temples and gently shaking his head.
As long as Yunzhao's body has not been found, I will believe that he is not dead!
Gathering you all here today is for another matter as well!
Lu Guichen paused, raised his eyes, and swept a cold, stern gaze over everyone present.
Shen Qi seemed to think of something, suddenly looking up at Lu Guichen, Master, could it be because of... the demon race?
Even the fourth junior brother, Leng Shuxue, who had been recuperating in the back mountain of Qingyun Peak, had been summoned.
It could probably only be because of the demon race.
Sure enough, as soon as Shen Qi finished speaking, Lu Guichen said, Traces of the demon race have been found in multiple locations within the Death Demon Forest.
This matter has already been reported to the Sect Master, but since it is the disciples of our Qingyun Peak stationed at the eastern outpost of the Death Demon Forest this quarter.
I hope our people can be the first to investigate the reason for the demon race's appearance. On the other hand, I also hope someone can find the whereabouts of your martial brother, Ji Yunzhao.
Therefore, I have decided to dispatch several small teams to search the outskirts of the Death Demon Forest.
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.
The outskirts of the Death Demon Forest were not highly dangerous; anyone with a cultivation base at or above the Foundation Establishment stage could come and go freely.
However, this time, because of the traces of the demon race, teaming up was a safer approach.
Inside the main hall, the other disciples were already looking for teammates.
And almost simultaneously, Shen Qi and Shu Linyuan turned to look at Yuan Shu, speaking in unison.
Seventh Junior Sister, team up with me?
Hearing each other's voices, Shu Linyuan and Shen Qi exchanged a glance, both of their expressions looking rather unpleasant.
Although it was supposed to be fair competition, the two still seized every opportunity, neither willing to yield to the other!
Shu Linyuan, you have only recently entered the Golden Core stage. It's safest for Yuan Shu to follow me!
As soon as Shen Qi finished speaking, Shu Linyuan followed up unwilling to show weakness.
Eldest Senior Brother, although your strength is greater than mine, you are the eldest senior brother. You have many tasks on your shoulders and might not be able to take good care of Yuan Shu!
I'm different. I will definitely prioritize her safety and won't let her suffer any harm!
Shen Qi frowned. As the eldest senior brother of Qingyun Peak, he naturally couldn't just think of himself; there were so many junior disciples under him that needed his care.
This Shu Linyuan was precisely banking on the fact that he was very busy, wasn't he?
But he was unwilling to accept this. How could he let Yuan Shu be alone with Shu Linyuan?
Seventh Junior Sister, come with me, I can protect you!
Seventh Junior Sister, better come with me, I have the time to always stay by your side!
Two pairs of eyes stared unblinking at Yuan Shu, both waiting for her answer.
Leng Shuxue, who was quietly watching all of this from the side, furrowed his brows. Was Yuan Shu actually this popular among the junior brothers?
No, how could that be acceptable?
His person, he should be the one to protect!
No one had more experience dealing with the demon race than him!
Eldest Senior Brother, Sixth Junior Brother, I feel an affinity with Junior Sister Yuan. Why not let her team up with me?
Leng Shuxue had a cold and aloof temperament, his voice was light, but his tone was very serious.
His sudden interruption made Shen Qi and Shu Linyuan pause slightly, looking up at him in confusion.
They didn't understand why Leng Shuxue was suddenly interfering with matters outside of cultivation and the demon race.
Hasn't he always been uninterested in anything else?
Not far away, seeing this scene, Su Lingxi gritted her silver teeth.
Eldest Senior Brother and Shu Linyuan both actually went to invite Yuan Shu?
She had been busy lately trying to accidentally run into the second senior brother, and had forgotten to continue building her relationship with them.
Wait, hasn't this affection shifted too quickly?
Hadn't she given Shu Linyuan gifts many times before and carefully curried favor with him so many times?
And Shen Qi, she had always played the role of an obedient good girl in front of him. Whenever he assigned tasks, she was always the one who completed them the best.
Shen Qi had praised her many times and looked at her in a different light.
She was certain that Shen Qi and Shu Linyuan had favorable feelings toward her.
Since when did this favorable impression suddenly disappear?
Instead, the two of them seemed to care more about Yuan Shu now?
And what about Xiaobai, whom she had sent to follow Shu Linyuan? It had been so many days, why wasn't there any news at all?
She felt a bit panicked.
Ji Yunzhao's death had truly caught her off guard.
There were only five left of the six senior brothers; she had to make sure she maintained a good relationship with every single one of these five!
