The man wearing the black robes turned when he heard the leaves rustled. He saw the leaves are swaying but there’s no one on the spot. He ignored it and continued walking away.

Xinfaxian Sect, Bamboo Pavilion.

“You said he saved Xiao Sheng?!” Xie Lan exclaimed as he rose from his seat in shock, only to yelp in pain and hold his chest where that mysterious man kicked him.

“Careful – ” Fan Wen told Xie Lan and helped him sat back.

Everyone felt their eyes were going blind. “Yes.” Fei Yin respectfully answered. Li Tian and Feng Mo were inside Cheng Sheng’s room along with Chen Han and Chen Qing, who went with Chen Jing and Wu Fan after they received Sun Yi’s message. They used the teleportation array and took the Xinfaxian residents with them.

“Disciple Fei. Can you tell us in details of what had happened?” Wu Fan said. Even though he went here, but it’s only for a short time. He won’t leave the sect unless it is an urgent matter.

Fei Yin turned to him and respectfully bowed. “When we left the Youxiwang Sect, we were teleported to the Dongxin Town.” He started. “We saw that everyone in the Dongxin Town were dead. The strange corpses roamed the town, and the demonic qi is present in the air.” He explained.

“The Dongxin Town…” Wu Fan said, his eyes narrowed.

“Continue.” Chen Jing told him. Sun Yi and Wu Yuan were sitting beside Luo Shi and Ming Ye who were on the side, listening.

Fei Yin nodded and bowed. “We were reserving our power in case we faced off against the enemy later. After killing some corpses, we rested our body. Then – ” he said. ” – the demonic qi that disappeared appeared again while we were resting. Cheng-shidi was on the guard at that time. He noticed the demonic qi’s presence with the use of the Cleansing Talisman. Then, he realized that it can make us muddle-headed. So, he used this to protect us – ” he said and showed them the sachet containing the powdered Qi Absorbing jade talisman. ” – Cheng-shidi has a low-level of cultivation, and he was affected. So, after creating a barrier around us, he gave this to Li-shidi to protect Li-shidi who has the weakest constitution among us. And this served as his clue to us.” He explained. “Then, Cheng-shidi disappeared after that. We figured he’d be in Xinfaxian, and so we hastily followed. We heard him screamed.” He took a deep breath, calming his emotions. “I – ” he balled his fists that’re resting on his lap. ” – I used my sword to fly and aid Cheng-shidi faster. Then, I saw him falling.” He raised his head and looked at them. “The man told me, if I didn’t arrive in time, Cheng-shidi might’ve died from that fall.” He said, his voice low.

Silence. “You spoke with the man?” Xie Lan said.

Fei Yin nodded. “He said he isn’t a demonic cultivator. I didn’t sense malicious intent on him.” He said. “I figured that Cheng-shidi really might be unconscious after the time he screamed. If the man didn’t protect him from the strange corpses…” he said. “The man then broke the barrier trapping the Xinfaxian, and the demonic qi disappeared. Then, he also disappeared.” He finished.

There was a long silence. “What is his intention of taking away Xiao Sheng?” Fan Wen asked, puzzled.

Fei Yin turned to him. “I asked him. He didn’t answer.” He said.

“Why do you know that that man wants to take away Sheng-er?” Wu Fan asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Fei Yin turnd to him and respectfully bowed. “He has been protecting Cheng-shidi. I think he has other intentions.” He explained. “Fortunately, he isn’t sinister.” He added.

“Then – ” Chen Qing spoke from behind them. “How did Sheng-er have a golden core?” she asked. Then, her eyes fell on Fei Yin. They also looked at Fei Yin, who haven’t mentioned about Cheng Sheng gaining a golden core.

“Xiao Yin…” Fan Wen said and sighed. He looked at Fei Yin, his eyes full of understanding. “Were you thinking we’d persecute Xiao Sheng?” he asked.

Hearing this, Chen Jing frowned. “Don’t be full of yourself.” He said and rose from his seat. He walked towards Fei Yin and looked at him from above. “No matter what Sheng-er will be, we will accept him. The Chen family leaves no one, unless they’ll give us a reason to.” He explained.

Xie Lan spoke. “Chen patriarch. Please calm down.” He said. “That’s not what Xiao Yin means. Like us, he only wants to protect Xiao Sheng, too.” He explained. “Let’s hear what Xiao Yin will say.” He added and looked at Fei Yin.

Fei Yin took a deep breath and calmly met Chen Jing’s gaze. “After I caught Cheng-shidi, I tried to wake him up. However, the man told me to let Cheng-shidi rest.” He said. His eyes are clear as they stared back at Chen Jing who was sizing him up. “When I checked Cheng-shidi’s condition, I discovered he gained a core. I asked the man how did it happen. The man answered – ” he said. ” – was not clear.” He told them.

Their forehead knotted. “What’s not clear?” Wu Fan asked.

Fei Yin turned to him. “The man said that Cheng-shidi…” he said, his voice calm and steady. “… awakened.” He answered.

They were even more puzzled. “What does he mean ‘awakened’?” Luo Shi spoke. “He meant Sheng-er awakened his talent in cultivation?” he said.

“Maybe.” Ming Ye said. “After all, Sheng-er now has a golden core.”

“But, that doesn’t explain how did Chen-shidi suddenly gained a golden core.” Sun Yi said.

Chen Jing turned to Chen Qing, his wife. “Qing-er. Have you found something from Sheng-er’s condition?” he asked. Chen Qing is a doctor.

Chen Qing shook her head. “I only found his golden core. It is normal. There doesn’t seem to be anything strange.” She explained.

They all sighed in relief. “So, this is fine?” Wu Fan asked.

“We don’t have any way to check how did Sheng-er gain a golden core.” Ming Ye said.

“Golden core can only be gained through cultivation.” Wu Yuan said.

They all nodded. “May this disciple excuse himself?” Fei Yin spoke. “I also wanted to see my shidi.” He told them.

Chen Jing stared at Fei Yin, sizing him up. “You may leave.” He told Fei Yin.

Fei Yin rose from his seat. He respectfully bowed to them before going to the direction of Cheng Sheng’s room. Fan Wen helplessly smiled while Xie Lan just shrugged. “Chen-shixiong…” Fan Wen called.

Chen Jing turned to Fan Wen and Xie Lan. “He’s a good kid.” He told the two.

Fan Wen sighed in relief while Xie Lan grinned. Sun Yi and Wu Yuan also left to see Cheng Sheng who was still asleep. Fan Wen and Xie Lan went to check the Xinfaxian residents who were left for the disciples to take care to. They were transported from the Youxiwang Sect back to Xinfaxian through the teleportation array, like when they left.

“I’ll be taking my leave first.” Wu Fan said and rose from his seat. Then, he went to the door and left. He can’t stay too long since he needs to go back the sect.

Ming Ye, Luo Shi and Chen Qing looked at each other. “Qing-shimei. Can you make us tea?” Ming Ye asked and smiled. “Fan-shidi and Xie-shidi are busy. We have to help ourselves.” He explained and rose from his seat.

“Ask for the kids’ help.” Luo Shi said and also rose from his seat. “Ming-xiong and I will be helping Fan-shidi and Xie-shidi to stabilize the teleportation array.” He explained.

Chen Qing smiled and nodded. “Then, I’ll head call the kids on the way to ask for their help in the kitchen.” She said and left.

“Huh?” Chen Jing said when the three left. He looked around and saw he’s the only one left. He sighed and walked towards the door to also help. However, he saw Wu Fan walking away. “Fan…” he called and followed him.

“Whew!” Wu Fan sighed and wiped his forehead. “Thank goodness we don’t need to ask for elder Fei’s help – ” he muttered.

“Why are you afraid to ask elder Fei’s help?” Chen Jing asked from behind.

Wu Fan turned and saw Chen Jing. His eyes widened when he saw Chen Jing walking towards him. Clearly, the man heard what he said. He was about to run but Chen Jing was fast. He pulled him to the side and trapped him with his arms both sides. The Xinfaxian sect disciples that passed by didn’t see them since they were blocked by the drapes.

Chen Jing stared at Wu Fan’s blushing face. Their face is so close to each other. He can see that Wu Fan was staring back at him. Then, they heard each other’s heart beating against their chest, thumping loudly. However, none of them moved. Their body is almost rubbing at each other, and they can feel the heat from their skin that’re touching. Their body trembled as their breaths mingled because of the close proximity, their lips quivering as they stared at each other’s lips.

Fan… Chen Jing thought.

Jing… Wu Fan thought. He lowered his gaze and pushed him away when he heard the Xinfaxian disciples left. He walked away and immediately went to the clear area in the seat. He took out his sword and flew away. He can’t use the teleportation array since the Xinfaxian residents are still using it, so he can only fly back to the Youxiwang Sect, or create another teleportation array himself. However, he was distracted by what happened just now. And so, he can only fly to clear his mind.

Chen Jing balled his fists and swung it. However, someone stopped him from hitting the wall. “You now know realized why Wu Fan doesn’t want to ask help from the Shanliangde Sect, not only to elder Fei.” Chen Qing said.

“It’s related to me.” Chen Jing said. “What did Fan do?” he asked and looked at his wife.