Wait a minute, where is my master?

"Senior Yan, do you have something you want to say?"

Jin Xu saw the old dean's expression and didn't speak, directly sending his voice into the other's mind.

"Ah!? What ... cough, this old man ... this old man also thinks this method of punishment is good."

Yan Chu was obviously thinking and when he suddenly heard the young Taoist's telepathic message, his reaction was somewhat flustered.

But fortunately, even though he was flustered, he responded with telepathy, and didn't blurt it out loud.

"In this world, the only ones who could silently steal pills from the Shui Clan territory, other than Senior Chi who is in the True World Immortal Realm, I'm afraid you, the old dean, and the three seniors from the other Four Great Immortal Sects, also couldn't do it.

"And one hundred and twenty-three years ago, Senior Chi should have been in seclusion. Moreover, even if he was out of seclusion, according to his way of doing things, he would not steal pills from the Shui Clan territory without reason.

"Therefore, the one capable of this feat must be my master who wields the ink jade fishing rod. Although that rod in my hands is extremely unreliable, in terms of silently fishing for objects, it indeed can achieve that."

While telepathically communicating with Yan Chu, Jin Xu paid attention to the changes in his expression.

The old dean, now obviously on guard, managed to maintain a calm demeanor, revealing no clues.

But the more he did so, the more it suggested the young Taoist's guess might be correct.

So, Jin Xu continued to speak telepathically.

"Senior Yan, my master and you are old friends. If he never did such a thing, as his disciple, making such wild guesses, you would show some expression and refute it, wouldn't you?

"Moreover, when Little Yu was recounting the story, your expression already betrayed you, so you might as well tell me the truth.

"One hundred and twenty-three years ago, was it my master who stole pills from the Shui Clan territory? Are these fifteen thousand plus Heart-Clearing and Desire-Suppressing Pills left behind by Grandma Yu for him?"

Jin Xu's voice was gentle and humble when he telepathically communicated, but the gossip that had been at the bottom of his heart was becoming somewhat uncontrollable.

In the first six months upon his arrival in the Nine Provinces Realm, he had witnessed the benevolence and affection for the young reflected in the Tianxing Taoist as an elder;

Later, from the words of Xia Yunzhao's mother, he heard of the Tianxing Taoist's righteousness and chivalrous deeds amidst the mundane world;

After that, from the old dean, he came to know his master as an unreliable figure who had a predilection for delicious food and played the part of a mischievous glutton.

Just when Jin Xu felt he had gained enough understanding of his own master, Nalan Yuandao from Jingyu Building emerged, describing to him Tianxing Taoist's past that was both righteous and wicked, along with his hidden identity as the former owner of Jingyu Building.

All these things made the young Taoist even more curious about this old Taoist.

And today, the other party is suspected of having a new identity as a pill thief.

"Master, oh Master, you really haven't stopped making a stir in this Nine Provinces Realm," Jin Xu muttered silently in his heart.

Considering Grandma Yu's reaction upon learning that he was a descendant of Xuanxu Temple and uncovering clues about his master's whereabouts, he faintly felt that there must be more to this pill theft than meets the eye.

However, it would be challenging to uncover the hidden truth behind such matters without asking the parties involved or their very close relatives.

Therefore, having his master's old friend by his side now, the young Taoist boldly clarified things, hoping to unearth some insider information.

After hearing Jin Xu's telepathic message, the old dean was silent for a while before a bitter smile appeared on his face as he muttered to himself.

"Old Bull-Nose, this matter of pill theft wasn't pointed out by me but guessed by your disciple. If you are still alive and return someday, please don't blame me.

"If you're dead, then don't turn into a lonely ghost at night and come to disturb my dreams."

Having muttered that, the old dean then communicated telepathically to Jin Xu.

"Whether it's Tianxing, the old Taoist, I'm not too sure. However, more than one hundred and twenty years ago, the old Taoist did indeed go through a period where his mood was exceptionally peaceful, as if he had lost desire for everything.

"Even when I mentioned finding rare gourmet ingredients in the Nine Provinces and suggested cooking for him, he wouldn't come out of the Taoist temple."

The old dean was still somewhat reserved in his expression.

But after hearing this, Jin Xu could almost confirm in his heart that the pill theft was indeed done by his master with the fishing rod — there was no doubt about it.

"It seems that Master and Grandma Yu have a story between them..." Little Taoist pondered silently in his heart.

Then, he withdrew his attention from the gossipy thoughts.

At this moment, the large golden light ball had already arrived at the outskirts of a barren wasteland.

Half a month ago, after discussions with Jin Xu and Senior Chi, they had chosen this location to heal the Big Willow Tree.

The eight-thousand-mile wasteland was desolate and uninhabited, so if something did go wrong, there would be a buffer zone to prevent harm to innocent civilians.

Moreover, this place was open and empty, making it extremely convenient to set up formations like the Unrivaled Qi Condensing Array.

"Little Yu, Little White, you guys wait here for me.

"This is my first time using the Strengthening Pill, and I'm not too clear about its exact potency.

"Although we've made many preparations, to prevent any accidents and to handle them better, it'll just be me and the Old Dean, along with Senior Guan Ling, heading to the center of the wasteland to set up the formation," Jin Xu said.

Yu Yaoer and the others knew their own strength and realized they could potentially hold back the little Taoist during critical moments, so they readily agreed.

Therefore, after leaving a golden light shield for the two women and the elephant, Jin Xu summoned the long-missed mobile Taoist shrine.

Together with Yan Chu, they flew swiftly toward the center of the eight-thousand-mile wasteland.

Less than half a teacup's time later.

The little Taoist maneuvered the Taoist shrine to land.

Array Master Liu Laoliu, who had already been waiting on the ground, quickly put on a sycophantic smile when he saw the shrine appear.

He approached Jin Xu and the two others to greet them.

"Greetings to the young Taoist Master and to the Old Dean of Qingmu Academy."

After spending half a month understanding why he couldn't address Jin Xu as "Royal Uncle," Liu Laoliu naturally changed his form of address.

"Array Master Liu, you must have worked hard. How is the formation here?" Jin Xu asked.

"Young Taoist Master, rest assured. My brothers and I brought out all of our best array plates. We've set up all the formations we could, like the Unrivaled Qi Condensing Array, the Nine-Turned Soul Cleansing Array, the Reversed Heavenly Origin Array, and so forth. I guarantee that in all of Great Xia, no, the entire Nine Provinces Realm, there is no place better suited for calming and purifying one's mind."

Liu Laoliu said this in a flattering manner, then looked at Jin Xu with a hopeful smile.

Hearing this, the little Taoist smiled gently and handed over the pre-prepared spiritual liquid and other gifts.

"Please convey my thanks to the array masters for their hard work, a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it."

"Eh, young Taoist Master, you are too kind. It is our duty as Great Xia's servants, so there's really no need for this. Eh, young Taoist Master... young Taoist Master..." Array Master Liu said as he began to wave his hands in refusal while simultaneously opening up his storage bag.

Seeing this, Jin Xu's smile grew even wider.

With a flick of his hand, the item Jin Xu was holding accurately flew into the other's storage bag.

"Array Master Liu, once the formation is activated, there'll likely be a big commotion, so..."

The little Taoist meant to suggest that Liu should swiftly use the Flying Escape Skill to leave and wait at the edge of the wasteland for safety. Once Liu was there, he would then communicate via the Communication Jade Token before starting to heal the Big Willow Tree.

But before he could finish speaking.

Liu Laoliu had already smartly sent out a stream of spiritual power beneath his feet.

"Young Taoist Master, rest assured, I, Elder Liu, didn't want to cause any trouble for you, so I was well-prepared. This is a one-way Teleportation Array, leading directly to Shangjing City. Go ahead and activate the formation without worries..."

Before he could finish his words, a flash of white light enveloped the Array Master's feet, and he disappeared from the barren wasteland.