They turned to him. “What is it?” Luo Shi asked. His eyes sparkled. He likes Cheng Sheng since Cheng Sheng always brings up novel ideas.

“Teleportation Array.” Cheng Sheng answered.

“Tele… port… ation?” they said.

Cheng Sheng nodded and continued writing on the ground. Earlier, he asked for them to stop and he started writing on the ground. They watched him, confused. Suddenly, Feng Mo exclaimed. “Eh? Cheng-shidi, that’s… familiar?” he said and pointed what Cheng Sheng written on the ground.

They finally reacted. “Looks like from the Cleansing Talisman.” Wu Yuan commented.

“But, it’s not the same…” Sun Yi said.

“I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere…” Chen Han said, his brows knit.

“Chen-shixiong. We saw this in the Dongxin Town!” Feng Mo said, excited.

“Ah!” Chen Han said and nodded. He turned to Cheng Sheng. “Are you making a Distance-Shortening Array?” he asked Cheng Sheng.

Cheng Sheng nodded as he finished writing. He dusted off his hands. “Yes.” He answered. “The Distance-Shortening term is commonly used. Let’s keep things simple.” He told them. “I’ve noticed that teleportation arrays are rarely used.” He said. He only saw one or two arrays in the years he’s been in this world.

“Since arrays are taxing to create, and only alchemists can make them.” Ming Ye said. “Also, we can use our sword to fly.” He added.

Cheng Sheng nodded. “That’s why I think I should create one for myself.” He said. “Running is also taxing, so…” he said and stopped when he saw their gaze. He coughed. His laziness kicked in again.

Li Tian chose to change the topic. “Cheng-shidi. How did you make this?” he asked. “I thought that you need higher level of power to create an array?” he said.

“Not necessarily.” Cheng Sheng said. “What’s the use of your power if you can’t even draw?” he asked, then paused. Ah. He thought and looked at them when he saw their hurt expression. Right. They have higher level of cultivation than him but they can’t draw an array. He coughed to break the awkward silence and he continued. “However, I can only draw. I don’t have enough power to activate this array.” He explained.

“We’ll activate it.” Chen Jing said. They turned and saw him and Wu Fan standing behind them. After Ming Ye and Luo Shi left, there was nothing for them to talk about and so they decided to also see the disciples.

“Chen patriarch.” They greeted and bowed. “Sect leader Wu.”

“Father.” Chen Han called as he and Cheng Sheng bowed.

Chen Jing smiled. “I knew that Sheng-er will find a way.” He said as he looked at Cheng Sheng, his eyes filled with admiration.

Cheng Sheng only lowered his head, looking shy but actually he didn’t know what to say. Wu Fan broke the silence. “Now that you have a way to travel, you should prepare for your departure tomorrow.” He told them.

“Yes, sect leader Wu!”

The next morning.

“How do this connect to the Dongxin Town?” Feng Mo asked as Wu Fan and Chen Jing activates the array. Ming Ye and Luo can’t use their power since they have to reserve their energy. He’s referring to the array.

“I matched the array with the one I draw at Dongxin.” Cheng Sheng answered as he chewed on the lotus seeds Fei Yin gave him last time.

“Then, what if we’re at the Xinfaxian Sect and we wanted to go to the Dongxin?” Li Tian asked. “But, there’s also a similar array here…” he said.

“Although the Dongxin and the Youxiwang Sect’s arrays I made will be similar, but not entirely.” Cheng Sheng said. “Of course I need to consider their locations, so I put their coordinates on the array.” He explained. “So there would no need for the confusion later.” He said.

“Coord… inates…” they muttered, puzzled.

Cheng Sheng shook his head and looked at Wu Fan and Chen Jing who finished activating the array. Wu Fan’s face was slightly pale. They were shocked when Wu Fan’s body wobbled. “Fan!” Chen Jing immediately caught him before he could fell on the ground.

… ‘Fan’? They thought. However, there was no time for them to ask about the ambiguous atmosphere between the two. They immediately entered the array. “Be careful – ” Wu Fan told them as they were covered in a bright light that extended to the sky.

They nodded and left. The light on the array died, just as another light shot to the sky on the other side of the giant boat carrying the gigantic pagoda. Their forehead knotted and were confused. Who activated their sect’s array? Their confusion was answered when a disciple ran towards them, panicking. “Sect leader! Sect leader!”

Wu Fan pushed Chen Jing away. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Sect leader!” the disciple said and bowed. “Chen patriarch!” he said when he saw Chen Jing. “Sect leader – ” the disciple said and turned to Wu Fan. “The common array activated. Someone from outside arrived. They – ” he said, panic in his eyes.

“Who are they? Speak.” Wu Fan said.

However, before the disciple could speak, a voice spoke. “Where’s… Xiao Sheng…?” it was weak and almost at the end of their breath.

Wu Fan and Chen Jing turned. They were shocked to see Fan Wen. His light green robes are filled with blood. “Elder Fan – !” the disciple exclaimed.

However, Wu Fan and Chen Jing caught Fan Wen who fell on the ground. “Fan-shidi!” they called. Chen Jing immediately gave Fan Wen spiritual energy while Wu Fan checked for Fan Wen’s wounds. His brows knit when he didn’t see Fan Wen’s wounds. He turned to his disciple. “What happened?” he asked.

“The Xinfaxian Sect arrived together with the Xinfaxian residents. They are all injured – ” the disciple immediately answered.

“What about sect leader Xie?”

“Sect-sect leader Xie – ” the disciple said.

“Lan…” Fan Wen called, his voice weak.

Wu Fan turned to Fan Wen. “Fan-shidi. What happened?” he asked.

“Lan… he saved us… these are his blood – ” Fan Wen coughed. He’s referring to Xie Lan’s blood on his clothes.

“Where is he?” Chen Jing asked, then turned to the disciple.

“Sect leader Xie was already sent to the infirmary. His wounds are serious. The elders and doctors were already notified and are on their way there.” The disciple answered.

“Xiao Sheng… Xiao Sheng… where is he?” Fan Wen asked and gripped Wu Fan’s sleeve tight. “Xiao Yin… Xiao Tian… Xiao Mo… Xiao Sheng – ” he called.

Wu Fan and Chen Jing looked at each other. “We’ve just sent them to the Dongxin Town through the Teleportation Array.” Chen Jing answered.

“No…!” Xie Lan’s voice came behind them. They turned and saw he’s covered in bandages and his wounds are bleeding.

“Lan…” Fan Wen cried. “We’re too late – ” he said.

“What? Why?” Wu Fan asked.

Xie Lan fell on his knees, holding his side. The doctors couldn’t stop him. “Xiao Sheng…” Xie Lan said, his expression murderous. “They’re after Xiao Sheng!” he said and punched the ground. His knuckles bled.

“What!?” Chen Jing said. “Why?!” he asked, mad.

Xie Lan shook his head. “I don’t know – ” he answered. “However, Xiao Sheng can’t be taken away by them. Can’t!” he said.

Shanliang, Shaliangde sect.

Atop the lofty mountains blanketed by the clouds, a man on his prime stoop upright, his wide sleeves along with his long, white hair fluttered as the wind blew. He looked at the outermost barrier of their sect, their sect’s logo of mountain covered in clouds appeared on the barrier as the barrier was hit by an unknown force.

“Sect leader. There are many strange corpses from all directions.” One of the disciple reported. “Elder Li, Elder Fei and Elder Xi are now taking care of them.” He said.

Fei Huang nodded. He continued watching the barrier. The disciples quietly excused himself and left. “These strange corpses, although strong, are nothing against your sect’s barrier. Am I right?” A man appeared behind Fei Huang.

Fei Huang raised his hand and caught the man’s wrist. He turned and glared at the man. “Is this your doing?” he sharply asked.

Mu Jun blinked. “Do I look like a demonic cultivator?” he asked. When Fei Huang didn’t answer, he frowned. “Hey. We’ve known each other for years now. You still don’t trust me?” he asked.

“I’ll never trust you.” Fei Huang said and let go of Mu Jun’s wrist. “As long as you don’t tell me where you came from, I will never let my guard down against you even just half a second.” He told him.

“Feisty.” Mu Jun said as he shook his wrist that ached. “I already told you I came from the spring. I’m the symbol of desire – whoa!” he said and laughed when Fei Huang tried to punch him.

“You’re nothing but a pervert of unknown origin.” Fei Huang told Mu Jun. “If I’d find out you are the one behind these attacks…” he said, warning in his voice.

“What? You’ll punish me? You’ll lock me inside a dark room?” Mu Jun asked.

Fei Huang pursed his lips. He waved his sleeves in irritation and left. “Lunatic!” he said.

Mu Jun chuckled and turned as he listened the corpses growling in the distance. His smile faded and his eyes narrowed.