Chu Xinghui quickly calmed down, then quickly accepted the fact that he had to be blind for a while.

Then he pulled away from Xie Liufeng’s arms and noticed something else, asking: “You went to Yongning City to find someone before, right? How did you get here so fast?”

Xie Liufeng held his hand, sounding somewhat helpless: “It’s because some people always encounter strange bad luck every time they go out, making me anxious and forcing me to rush over quickly.”

Chu Xinghui pretended not to understand who “some people” referred to and continued asking: “Did you find anyone?”

Xie Liufeng nodded and told Chu Xinghui the cause and effect before he came here.

Chu Xinghui sorted out the logic: “So… it was because Senior Brother Zheng hinted that I might be in danger that you quickly found out I was in trouble?”

Xie Liufeng, afraid he would overthink, added: “Don’t worry, his stance is unclear, and what he said isn’t necessarily reliable.”

That was true.

At the moment, people from Bihai Taohua Island, from the oldest to the youngest, all communicated with difficulty and weren’t very trustworthy.

Even those disciples from Bihai Taohua Island they had met seemed not very harmonious and looked quite scheming.

Nobody knew where Bihai Taohua Island gathered so many hidden dragons and crouching tigers from.

Chu Xinghui was indifferent to the prophecy that he would get into trouble or possibly have a tragic ending.

If he believed such prophecies, he might have already died in Lingxiang Sect.

He cared about another matter.

“That Senior Brother Zheng hinted you and I would be in danger, and then I really got into trouble, so now you came to Hanshui Marsh,” Chu Xinghui frowned: “But both Senior Brother Zheng and the black-robed man are from Bihai Taohua Island. If they have a connection… is this targeting not me, but you?”

This trick had already been played once by Yue Yao.

Xie Liufeng hadn’t never thought of such a possibility, but—his tone rarely revealed some pride matching his strength: “Do you think I would be afraid?”

Chu Xinghui poked him: “But I’m afraid. So if you stay in Hanshui Marsh to handle things here, you must be careful.”

Xie Liufeng: “…”

He felt this conversation sounded familiar.

It seemed like last time he also said something similar to Chu Xinghui.

Chu Xinghui waited a moment, and seeing Xie Liufeng still didn’t speak, urged: “You haven’t promised me yet.”

Xie Liufeng was puzzled: “Promise what?”

Chu Xinghui seriously said: “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

Xie Liufeng was somewhat helpless but also wanted to laugh, then repeated: “Okay, I’ll be careful.”

Chu Xinghui nodded, feeling satisfied, then continued asking about the details of the matter.

When Xie Liufeng spoke about the formation patterns, Chu Xinghui suddenly squeezed his hand once.

Xie Liufeng knew he might have thought of something and patiently waited for him to speak.

Chu Xinghui indeed associated some things.

He inexplicably recalled the bright red formation patterns beneath the black mist he had “seen” earlier in the cave.

A sudden flash of inspiration passed through his mind.

Chu Xinghui shook Xie Liufeng’s hand and said: “Say it again.”

Xie Liufeng was stunned for a moment: “You mean the effect of the formation patterns?”

Chu Xinghui shook his head: “No, it’s the story that Senior Brother Zheng told you.”

He asked Xie Liufeng: “Senior Brother Zheng said, what was the original purpose of these formation patterns created by that ancestor of Bihai Taohua Island?”

Xie Liufeng carefully recalled all the clues and understood his meaning: “You mean… to defy fate?”

Although it was not entirely impossible that the black-robed person created so many snakes with this formation pattern to let Bihai Taohua Island disciples see them and collect his body after death,

But now the black-robed person was only a black mist, without a proper body, and it didn’t seem like someone needing their remains collected after death.

So, did these formation patterns really have no function, or was it because… they hadn’t yet discovered the true purpose of these patterns?

Ning Yuanzheng quietly walked outside Chu Xinghui’s tent and made a hand gesture to Xie Liufeng.

He had already arranged the manpower.

Xie Liufeng nodded at him.

Then he turned back, told Chu Xinghui to lie down, and wrapped him with a blanket: “I remember everything you said. Now rest here, don’t move until you recover. I’ll go out for a while first.”

Chu Xinghui instinctively reached out and tugged him once, confirming: “Where are you going?”

Xie Liufeng reported his whereabouts: “Didn’t you just hear? I promised Senior Brother Ning I’d go with them to check that cave.”

His tone slightly cooled: “And… see if I can get revenge for you.”

This matter was closely related to the formation array, and Xue Heng also hurried over from the sect.

After all, normal people couldn’t fall through the seal. Xie Liufeng and Xue Heng’s group followed the path Chu Xinghui floated out from the water, eventually reaching the flooded cave.

The black mist inside the cave had indeed fled.

Unable to get revenge for Chu Xinghui for now, Xie Liufeng felt somewhat regretful and had to note this debt for later.

They first drained the water from the cave, then began to inspect its condition.

Before leaving, the black-robed person had cleaned the cave very thoroughly, leaving almost no trace.

Xie Liufeng searched carefully and finally found some torn and water-damaged papers in a corner, the content illegible.

He dried the papers with spiritual power and thoughtfully touched the paper’s texture.

Xue Heng glanced at the scrap in his hand with some disdain: “What are you doing with that?”

“Isn’t the saintess of Bihai Taohua Island still visiting the sect?” Xie Liufeng raised the papers: “Let’s show her, maybe it’ll remind her of something she has forgotten.”

Xue Heng didn’t quite understand such scheming people, so he went to the center of the cave to study the strange formation drawn there.

The bright red formation pattern Chu Xinghui “saw” was still on the ground, but the black-robed person seemed to have deliberately damaged the formation before leaving, leaving only residual traces.

This place was the source of the snake disaster in Hanshui Marsh recently. After the formation was destroyed, the endless flow of small snakes disappeared as well.

Xue Heng couldn’t restore the complete formation for the time being, so he took a jade slip and recorded the remaining patterns, planning to study them later.

Xie Liufeng stood nearby, watching him carve the formation and shared some of the previously obtained information and Chu Xinghui’s guess.

When it came to serious matters, Xue Heng’s expression turned serious as well, confirming: “A formation to defy fate?”

Xie Liufeng replied calmly: “I don’t know much about formations and have never heard of such a formation. But since that Bihai Taohua Island deserter told such a story, whether true or not, it is at least a direction to consider.”

Xue Heng put the jade slip back into his storage bag, frowned, and pondered for a moment.

Seeing his expression wasn’t right, Xie Liufeng asked: “Senior Brother Xue, do you know about this matter?”

Xue Heng furrowed his brows even tighter: “A formation to defy fate… I’ve never heard of it, but whoever tries such a formation must have deep research in formations and divination. Do you remember when Cultivator Baiyun visited the sect back then?”

His topic changed abruptly. Xie Liufeng thought for a moment: “I remember Cultivator Baiyun didn’t know much about formations.”

At least in the few limited meetings he had with Cultivator Baiyun, she had shown that impression.

Xue Heng shook his head: “No… she understood formations. Back then, I stayed late reading formation charts in the library and forgot to leave on time, so I slept there overnight. The next morning when I woke up, I saw her flipping through formation manuals on a bookshelf two rows away. Her expression showed she was very familiar with formations.”

At that time, she saw that I had woken up, and she took a formation manual to ask me about related things, as if she only had a simple understanding of formations. So later, I kept doubting that I had been confused while asleep, and since the Beiyue Sword Sect did not have much contact with the Bihai Taohua Island, I forgot about this matter.

The bottom two floors of the Beiyue Sword Sect’s library stored miscellaneous books, and there were no special restrictions on them. Both sect disciples and outside guests could freely browse.

Cultivator Baiyun had gone missing after traveling outside because she glimpsed heavenly secrets a hundred years ago. She was proficient in both divination and formations.

Now, a black-robed man who had already transformed into a black mist appeared in Hanshuize. He was from Bihai Taohua Island, and judging from the cave conditions, he was also skilled in formations.

Connecting these pieces of information formed a strange and chilling truth—perhaps the black-robed man was Cultivator Baiyun from a hundred years ago.

This speculation seemed very absurd, but so far, there seemed to be no way to falsify it.

Xie Liufeng and Xue Heng did not speak anymore, the atmosphere in the cave gradually grew heavy.

Ning Yuanzheng suddenly ran over hurriedly: “Two senior uncles!”

Xie Liufeng saw his unusual expression and immediately asked: “What happened?”

Ning Yuanzheng looked serious: “The evil spirit inside the seal is gone.”

Xie Liufeng exchanged a glance with Xue Heng.

Xie Liufeng immediately made a decision: “Return to the camp first.”

After the evil spirit escaped… the first to suffer would be the living closest to it.

Xie Liufeng and Ning Yuanzheng led some high-level disciples to find Chu Xinghui and the cave he had fallen into, while Ming Xiao stayed behind to guard the camp.

Although most disciples left in the area were not highly cultivated, the sect’s camp nearby was relatively safe, and usually there was no danger that they could not handle.

Ming Xiao walked around the camp, checked for hidden dangers, diligently arranged defensive formations around the camp, then strolled to Chu Xinghui’s tent.

As the temporary person in charge here, he felt he should inspect the injured disciples.

It was definitely not because he worried about Chu Xinghui’s condition.

Anyway, he lingered at Chu Xinghui’s door for a moment, and after getting permission, entered Chu Xinghui’s tent.

Ming Xiao just raised his chin but, thinking Chu Xinghui couldn’t see, lowered his head and deliberately clarified loudly: “I am not here to visit you!”

Chu Xinghui skillfully ignored his opening words and asked: “Did Senior Brother Ning not bring you along?”

He had mentioned that there was a strange formation in that cave, so Ning Yuanzheng should have brought two specialists over.

Ming Xiao did not wait for his invitation, found a place to sit, and explained: “Originally, I was supposed to go, but my master came over, so I didn’t go.”

After all, the earliest formation patterns were discovered at Daoyuan Peak, and now so many things had happened in Hanshuize. It was not strange that Xue Heng personally came.

Chu Xinghui found it very boring to lie here alone and heal, so he chatted casually with Ming Xiao.

Ming Xiao was suddenly attracted by the cloth strip on Chu Xinghui’s eyes.

He quietly walked to Chu Xinghui’s bedside, first observed the medicated cloth strip on his eyes, then reached out and waved his hand in front of Chu Xinghui’s eyes.

Seeing no reaction, he sneakily waved again.

He was concentrating on studying Chu Xinghui’s eyes when unexpectedly he heard Chu Xinghui’s faint voice: “Done looking?”

Ming Xiao was startled, stepped back cautiously, and wondered: “But you can’t see, right?”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He just couldn’t see, but he wasn’t dead.

When someone got so close, he could sense it even without spiritual awareness.

Ming Xiao immediately changed the topic: “Um… when will you get better?”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and answered truthfully: “I don’t know about my eyes, for the rest… probably another ten to fifteen days.”

He felt his recovery ability was quite strong. For example, he was not completely unable to hold a sword now.

It was just a bit life-threatening.

Suddenly, Chu Xinghui’s expression changed slightly.

He seemed to hear some sounds that shouldn’t appear nearby.

He concentrated for a while and then sat up from the bed.

Seeing him sit up, Ming Xiao was startled: “You… what’s wrong?”

He hesitated whether to put aside his pride and persuade his friend to lie down again.

After all, Chu Xinghui’s complexion still looked pale.

Chu Xinghui’s expression turned serious: “Something happened outside.”

Hearing this, Ming Xiao’s face changed too. He reached out to stop Chu Xinghui: “You stay here first, I’ll go check outside.”

After speaking, he didn’t wait for Chu Xinghui’s response and immediately ran out.

Chu Xinghui’s feeling was correct.

As soon as Ming Xiao stepped outside, he saw a huge, slender black shadow appear at the edge of the camp.

It was a giant snake, with distinct and familiar patterns clearly visible on it.

Ming Xiao had personally repaired the seal at the center of the Cold Pool, so he was not unfamiliar with this creature.

It was the evil spirit that had long been sealed in the Cold Pool.

The giant snake moved slightly, and the defensive formations Ming Xiao set up at the edge were mostly destroyed.

Ming Xiao acted decisively. He first sent a message to Xie Liufeng and Ning Yuanzheng, then quickly notified the disciples still in the camp to disperse and escape.

But the giant snake moved too fast.

Except for the disciples farther from the snake who escaped smoothly, most of the remaining disciples couldn’t escape in time and were forced to gather together to try to resist.

Ming Xiao’s expression was very grim.

Although he had sought help in time, with the giant snake appearing here, he feared that Xie Liufeng and Ning Yuanzheng’s group also encountered problems.

Even if they were not delayed by the situation, coming here to support would still take time.

He feared… casualties would occur.

The only somewhat good news was that this evil spirit had been weakened over the years by the formation, and recently the resentment around had been absorbed by the black-robed man hidden under the seal, so its power was much weaker than at its peak.

Cold sweat already appeared on his face. He could only throw a few formation plates at the giant snake’s feet, trying to delay time with all his might.

At the critical moment, a sharp sword light blocked the giant snake’s attack.

Chu Xinghui stood in front of Ming Xiao and the other disciples, the sword light aimed at the giant snake opposite.

Ming Xiao was startled and couldn’t help but shout his name: “Chu Xinghui!”

Chu Xinghui had no time to respond immediately but took the opportunity to stab a sword into the gap between the giant snake’s scales.

The giant snake flinched in pain and swung its tail at him.

Chu Xinghui judged the attack by sound and swiftly dodged it.

Knowing Chu Xinghui’s physical condition, Ming Xiao did not dare to count him as combat power. The more he looked, the more scared he felt. While helping nearby, he worried: “You… you’re blind, right?”

Moreover, his injuries weren’t healed yet… could he really fight now?

Chu Xinghui was quite used to this friend’s somewhat rough way of speaking. He stabbed the sword into the giant snake’s open mouth and briefly answered: “I’m blind, not useless.”

Although he temporarily couldn’t see, he still had spiritual awareness, and his sword was definitely not blind.

Estimating his current weak physical strength and spiritual power, Chu Xinghui said to Ming Xiao: “Take the people away first, I can’t hold on much longer.”

Ming Xiao understood his meaning and immediately led the nearby lower-level disciples to retreat from the camp without any more words.

The giant snake hesitated between the two groups but, driven by hunger, instinctively wanted to chase the group with more prey, but was forcibly blocked by Chu Xinghui.

Chu Xinghui feigned an attack on its vital spot, drawing its attention.

Although the evil spirit was no longer truly a snake, it still retained the instinct to protect its vital spot. When the spot was attacked, it immediately became enraged and charged at Chu Xinghui.

The place was open, and Chu Xinghui skillfully dodged its attack.

The giant snake changed direction and attacked him again.

Chu Xinghui avoided a direct confrontation and kept dodging.

After leading the giant snake around several times, it grew impatient. It spread its huge body and trapped Chu Xinghui in the middle.

Chu Xinghui had nowhere to dodge and had to forcefully raise his sword to block the attack.

He was still injured, after forcibly blocking, his spiritual power surged violently, and a bloody smell immediately appeared in his throat.

He wiped the blood spilling from his lips, sent out his spiritual awareness, and began searching for an escape route.

Calculating the time, others should have already left. He did not intend to die here and had to find a chance to shake off the snake.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar aura.

Chu Xinghui moved his heart and without hesitation threw his spiritual sword, stabbing the giant snake’s eye.

The giant snake’s eye hurt, and it instinctively flicked its tail.

Taking advantage of this moment, Chu Xinghui quickly broke free from the giant snake’s body trap and ran toward the source of the aura.

Then he directly jumped into the arms of the newcomer.

Xie Liufeng caught him steadily, placed him behind himself, and faced the chasing giant snake, drawing his sword.

They switched positions.

Chu Xinghui skillfully hid behind him and took a breath.

The giant snake looked at the newcomer, seemingly sensing danger, hesitated for a moment, and turned to flee.

But Xie Liufeng did not give it a chance to escape and slashed his sword.

The giant snake was cut into two without even making a sound.

Immediately after, a gold-red formation plate appeared beneath the giant snake, firmly locking the black mist around the snake’s body inside.

Xue Heng, who had come with Xie Liufeng, looked at the scene very unsatisfied and couldn’t help but scold: “Xie Qinghe, can you behave a little? Do you know that a severed evil spirit is much harder to seal than an intact one?”

Xie Liufeng, who had just finished dealing with the escaped evil spirit and was busy helping Chu Xinghui, did not look up and casually praised: “Senior Brother Xue’s mastery of formations is unrivaled. A mere severed evil spirit is naturally not a problem for him.”

Xue Heng’s expression quickly softened. He modestly confirmed: “You really think so?”

Xie Liufeng checked Chu Xinghui’s condition again and continued to affirm: “Of course.”

Xue Heng nodded: “Although you acted a bit impulsively, your judgment was indeed good. This minor problem is really not difficult for me.”

Xie Liufeng was still checking Chu Xinghui and didn’t hear clearly what he said, just responded with “Hmm.”

Xue Heng glanced at the two and vaguely felt he was being brushed off. Feeling out of place staying there, he rolled his eyes and started cleaning up the mess.

The evil spirit could not be completely killed and had to be resealed with a new method.

Only Xie Liufeng and Chu Xinghui remained in the original place.

Chu Xinghui’s condition was not bad, but unsurprisingly, he had several new injuries.

Xie Liufeng looked at Chu Xinghui, who had become quite shabby in less than a day, feeling both distressed and unable to help but scold: “Will you still act tough next time?”

Chu Xinghui earnestly reasoned with him: “Saving people isn’t acting tough.”

Besides, he had been careful during the fight, mainly dodging, and did not worsen his injuries too much.

At most, he just needed to lie down a bit longer.

Just after he said a sentence, Chu Xinghui frowned and couldn’t help but clutch his chest and cough twice.

Xie Liufeng sighed, held his hand, and helped him arrange the somewhat chaotic spiritual power inside him. Then he took out a bottle of pill and fed it to him: “Here, take it.”

Chu Xinghui raised his hand slightly but did not lift it up: “My hand hurts.”

Xie Liufeng paused for a moment and asked him: “Weren’t you just using your sword very skillfully?”

Chu Xinghui could not see his expression, selectively ignored the question, and continued: “I can’t lift it anymore.”

Then he finally revealed his intention: “You feed me.”

The two of them were at a stalemate for a moment.

Chu Xinghui coughed again.

Xie Liufeng was extremely helpless and softly said to him: “Open your mouth.”

Chu Xinghui obediently opened his mouth.

Xie Liufeng brought the pill to his lips.

Chu Xinghui, with poor vision, stumbled but swallowed the pill in his hand and incidentally bit Xie Liufeng’s finger.

It was unclear whether it was intentional or unintentional.

Xie Liufeng rescued his finger from his mouth and half-laughed, half-crying, tapped his forehead: “Why didn’t you swallow my hand together?”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and rejected the suggestion: “If I swallowed your hand, no one would feed me medicine anymore.”

He still understood the principle of sustainability.

Just after they said a few words, a spiritual sword was thrown over and directly stuck between the two of them.

It was the spiritual sword Chu Xinghui had thrown just now to stab the snake’s eye.

Xie Liufeng and Chu Xinghui turned their heads together and looked at Xue Heng standing between the two snake bodies.

Xue Heng looked at the two from a distance and couldn’t help but roll his eyes again.

Although objectively speaking, the two hadn’t offended him, he still couldn’t help wanting to separate them.

They looked really annoying.

 

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