Mu Xin was beyond worried. Yi Ling's soul, who had been sleeping inside his chamber, had disappeared. He had accompanied her and helped ease the pain she was undergoing for so many nights.
By the third day, he felt that the process was almost over and that she would wake up soon, just like when he broke her First Seal. However, the next day, when she was due to wake up, her soul had disappeared. Her body was still alive and well, sleeping in the room they had rented in Feng Kingdom, but her soul was gone, leaving behind only an empty shell.
He panicked and ordered Linyu and Tefei to search for her. He used some of his remaining powers to allow them to sense her soul if she was nearby. By the seventh day, they still hadn't sensed her soul. Mu Xin was devastated. He should have never kept his distance from her. He thought that maybe she had made the wrong concoction, causing her soul to disappear.
Mu Xin felt useless, unable to leave the ring and search for her himself. He was grumpy the whole time, and Tefei and Linyu were wise enough to keep their distance. As Yi Ling's contracted beast and herb, they could still feel the connection, but it was blurry, and they couldn't pinpoint where she was. They could feel that she was alright but weak and vulnerable due to the pain she went through to break the Second Seal.
Linyu suggested bringing Yi Ling back to the Abyss. With Mu Xin's formation there, it would be much safer. He didn't like the dangers lurking around Feng Kingdom. Ever since the news broke out about the Spiritual Water, it caused a sensation in Feng Kingdom. Rumor had it that even the Mo Family had gained a bottle of spiritual water from the same person who auctioned it. Many people were now hunting Yi Ling's company, and it was only a matter of time before someone found them.
During this time, the Mo Family helped them cover their tracks, but they couldn't keep them away for long.
Mu Xin understood the situation very well and believed it was the best solution for now. Until they found her soul, her body must not be in any danger. So, in the middle of the night, Linyu carried Yi Ling and hopped on Tefei's back. Tefei was now at the 7th Rank of Qi Condensation, and Yi Ling's concoction had raised his rank twice. He was now so big that he could carry two and was faster than a normal mount. They traveled through the night without being spotted.
"Ling'er, where are you?.... Please don't leave me again... I beg of you, even if you won't love me in this lifetime. I just want to be beside you and protect you..... I will always be here for you....." Mu Xin's fist was trembling, and tears were falling down his face.
Yi Ling would always be his weakness. This could never change, not even in a million years. He drank his sadness away, knowing he had to be strong for her.
Before, he thought he had to gain his strength back to make her realize they were destined to be together. But now, all he wished for was her happiness and for her to live well. He sighed. His punishment was too rough. But if it made his wishes come true, so what? He'd rather be stuck in a place like this than have the thought of never being able to see her again.