Wait a minute, where is my master?

Near Gusu City, deep underground.

"Is everything arranged?"

"Rest assured, I've trapped that old man from the Zhao family deep in Five Dragon Mountain. The measures I've set up this time should delay that little Taoist... for at least an hour!"

Hall Master Xia flicked the strand of hair by her ear and spoke confidently.

"An hour, is that enough time?"

A cold, coarse voice asked.

"Considering the negative emotions collected in the Transformation Pond, an hour is more than enough to initiate the plan. Moreover, once the plan is fully activated, even if that little Taoist rushes back, I'm afraid he'll be helpless."

"Good, then I'll go and arrange it."

Hall Master Zou said and was about to turn around and leave.

"Don't rush, wait for the dark agent's word. The little Taoist hasn't left the city yet. The Third Elder has decided to initiate the plan early this time; we can't afford any slip-ups at the last moment."

After hearing this, Hall Master Zou stiffly nodded, evidently recalling Jin Xu's terror. His body involuntarily shuddered before he spoke.

"True, it's better to be cautious. By the way, what exactly did the Third Elder give you to trap that Taoist for an hour?"

"Let me tell you..."

Hall Master Xia's charming voice gently echoed in the depths underground.

...

In Gusu City, Li Mi and Officer Lin, among others, had a disagreement.

He first tracked Zhao Qian's personal items through the Thousand-mile Sky Patrol Device to confirm that Zhao Qian was indeed also in Five Dragon Mountain.

Suddenly, a dispute started among them.

"Knowing there's trouble, and with Gusu City already so short on manpower, why waste more resources walking into a trap?"

Great Commander Zhou Fengyu said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the people from the Li, Liu, and Zhao families turned gloomy.

The Gusu City officials clearly didn't regard them, the cultivation families, as important.

Commander Zhou does have a point: the city is currently short on manpower; it would be better to deal with the Demon Sect matters first before dispatching a rescue team," Officer Lin chimed in from the side.

Zhao Dabao hadn't yet spoken when the head of the Li family couldn't hold back. In his view, the three families should stand united and help each other.

"Officer Lin, that doesn't seem right. We of the three families have contributed both manpower and effort, only to be treated like this? And aren't you, the Officer, supposed to be overseeing the city's civil affairs? Shouldn't you first clear up the matter of Mr. Song's death rather than sticking your nose into this?"

The head of the Li family dared not confront the Great Commander of the city guard directly, but he was less courteous to a newly appointed officer.

Officer Lin, face reddening with anger upon hearing this, was at a loss for words and could only turn his gaze towards Zhou Fengyu.

Although he held office, his cultivation was not high. Here, holding office was only a ticket to the meeting; cultivation determined the weight of one's words.

"Master Li..."

The Great Commander of the city guard began to speak but was interrupted.

"Enough, I didn't call you here to discuss whether to rescue the Zhao family cultivator or not. We must rescue him. Now, we need to discuss how to rescue, how to proceed, and who should go!"

Li Mi was annoyed, not knowing why Officer Lin and Zhou Fengyu would speak in such a manner in front of the three families.

What he didn't know was that the Great Commander of the city guard and the Great Elder of the Zhao family were sworn brothers, and Zhao Qian was on the opposite side of this bond.

Upon learning of Zhao Qian's mishap, the Great Elder of the Zhao family had specially approached Zhou Fengyu to obstruct the efforts by any means, ideally letting Zhao Qian die at the hands of the Demon Sect.

As for why Officer Lin spoke to hinder, whether he was short-sighted or had other reasons was unknown.

But no one really cared about him; if not for holding the temporary position of Officer, he wouldn't even be sitting here today.

After Li Mi set the tone of the meeting, a new round of disputes began.

The Great Commander persisted, arguing that since they knew it was a trap, they shouldn't send anyone in, but should respond to all changes with unchanging readiness, relying on the City Protection Array of Gusu City as the best option. Officer Lin continued to support him.

If someone really had to be sent, then his city guard would definitely not make a move.

The Li and Liu families suggested sending rescuers, but their highest cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul Realm, so reliance on the government was still necessary for rescue.

Zhao Dabao, on the other hand, had been silent the entire time, for Jin Xu had already made him a promise before he entered.

"Alright, I'll take a trip to Five Dragon Mountain."

The Taoist spoke calmly, having decided in his heart to lessen future dealings with these troublesome government families.

He was so annoyed he wanted to launch a Hand Palm Thunder for some peace and quiet.

After more than a dozen days, everyone present knew the identity of the Taoist and had heard the legends of his interventions.

So when Jin Xu spoke, everyone quieted down.

"Jin Xu."

Li Mi spoke up, trying to dissuade him. Although he wanted to send someone to Five Dragon Mountain, he hoped Jin Xu would remain in Gusu. But there really was no better option at the moment.

After all, with the Hall Master from one of the Demon Sect's Twelve Halls, who used many covert tactics and was not low in cultivation, sending an ordinary person at the Void Refinement Realm might just result in disaster at Five Dragon Mountain.

"Mr. Li, I have already promised Brother Zhao."

The Taoist didn't wait for the other to finish his attempt at dissuasion, continuing to speak.

"...In that case, Taoist Jin Xu, please be extra careful, and if there's anything Li can assist with, please let me know."

Seeing that Jin Xu was determined, Li Mi dared not say much more, but instead he considerately asked if there was anything he could assist with.

"Emmm...do you have a map of Five Dragon Mountain?"

"...Yes, yes."

The Taoist didn't know the way.

Li Mi prepared all the terrain maps around Gusu City for the Taoist, and Zhao Dabao gave Jin Xu a Flying Boat and the method to control it.

He remembered how the Taoist had said he couldn't fly. With Gusu City a thousand miles from Five Dragon Mountain, he couldn't let Jin Xu run there.

Everything was ready, and the Taoist was prepared to depart.

"Young master."

Yu Yaoer hesitated and looked at Jin Xu, blinking her bright eyes.

"What is it, Little Yu? Haven't I already told you that you and Little White wait for me in the city?"

Jin Xu had instructed earlier to have the two ladies stay well within the city. He was afraid of another incident like what happened at the old Zheng family mansion if he took them to Five Dragon Mountain.

"No, young master. I heard that Five Dragon Mountain produces a kind of Spirit Fruit. If you happen to see them, could you pick a few for me?"

Yu Yaoer said, handing Jin Xu a jade token that recorded the appearance of the special Spirit Fruit from Five Dragon Mountain.

"...Okay."

The Taoist reluctantly agreed.

"Temple master, temple master."

"What do you need to bring?"

"No, I just wanted to remind you to stay safe. Also, are you sure you don't want to ride me there?"

Jin Xu heard this and stretched out his hand to pat Little White's head, appreciating finally someone who cared.

"Just stay here quietly and wait for me to come back."

After speaking, he stepped onto the Flying Boat, gave Zhao Dabao a reassuring look, and then gently infused a stream of golden spiritual power into the center of the Flying Boat.

With a whoosh, the Flying Boat disappeared into the sky.

Zhao Dabao, standing at the city gate, watched as Jin Xu rode away on the Flying Boat, feeling that something was amiss.

"Can our own Flying Boat fly so fast?"