When Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan finished their lunch, it was already 2 PM.
Qin Qingwan had originally wanted to spend more time with Xu Ming and then visit White Moon Pool in Baiwa City. She had heard from the locals that, in the evening, the White Moon Pool glows as bright as the moon and is as beautiful as a painting.
However, her jade token lit up with a message from her sect senior, Xia Donghua, urging her to return immediately for an important human alliance meeting.
Qin Qingwan felt rather unhappy about it.
She hadn't had enough fun yet, but she couldn't skip the meeting.
"Well, it's fine. There's plenty of time in the future, and I really do need to go back and prepare the formation," she thought to herself, trying to convince herself to leave.
"Xu Ming, I have to go back now." Without even realizing it, she had stopped calling him "Xu Gongzi" (Young Master Xu) and was now simply calling him "Xu Ming."
"Alright, let's part ways here. I'll leave the formation's preparations to you," Xu Ming said, cupping his hands in a polite gesture.
"That's it?" Qin Qingwan asked.
"Hm?" Xu Ming looked at her, confused.
"I mean…" Qin Qingwan took a step closer to him. "You're just going to leave like this? Aren't you going to see me off?"
Xu Ming hesitated. "...Shall I escort you back to the inn?"
"Hmm~ Let's go." Without any reservation, Qin Qingwan happily took the lead, walking ahead.
Watching her cheerful demeanor, Xu Ming couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
---
"Junior Sister, you're finally back. The human alliance meeting is about to begin, and it's incredibly important this time."
Just as Xu Ming escorted Qin Qingwan to the inn where she was staying, a man stepped out.
Xu Ming recognized him—it was Xia Donghua, the son of the head of Tianxuan Sect. A classic second-generation cultivator.
"And who might this gentleman be?" Xia Donghua asked, his gaze falling on Xu Ming with a faint frown, a trace of vigilance rising in his heart.
Earlier that morning, he had heard from someone that his junior sister had gone out dressed up beautifully, which was rare. And now, she was returning with a man.
What's more, no matter how outgoing and friendly Qin Qingwan's personality was, she always maintained a certain distance from men. But with this man, they were standing so close that their shoulders were nearly touching.
In Xia Donghua's memory, this was absolutely unprecedented.
"Xu Ming of the Wu Kingdom," Xu Ming said, cupping his hands politely.
"Xu Ming…" Xia Donghua murmured, the name sounding vaguely familiar to him.
"Could you be the Xu Ming who wrote Butterfly Loves Flowers and The Resignation Letter?" Xia Donghua suddenly remembered.
"That's me," Xu Ming replied, a little surprised at how well-known he was.
It made sense for people from White Deer Academy to know him, as he had gained fame through his writings, and White Deer Academy collected outstanding literary works. But for someone from Tianxuan Sect to recognize him was unexpected.
"It's an honor to meet you, Brother Xu. My name is Xia Donghua, son of Xia Hai, the head of Tianxuan Sect," Xia Donghua said, returning the courtesy.
"An honor to meet you too," Xu Ming replied politely, though in truth, he had never heard of Xia Hai before.
"Junior Sister, what business do you have with Brother Xu?" Xia Donghua asked, still unsure of their relationship.
"I had some matters to discuss with Xu Ming today," Qin Qingwan said nonchalantly. She then turned to Xu Ming with a smile. "Alright, you've escorted me this far. You can head back now. I'll come find you tomorrow. And don't forget to reply to my messages!"
"Alright," Xu Ming nodded. He then cupped his hands toward Xia Donghua. "Brother Xia, I'll take my leave now."
"Why don't you stay a little longer, Xu Gongzi? Our Baiwa City Human Alliance meeting is about to start. Would you like to join us and listen in?" Xia Donghua asked.
He felt uneasy.
It wasn't just here in Baiwa City—back at Tianxuan Sect, he had tried several times to invite his junior sister to go out with him, only to be rejected every single time.
Yet now, his junior sister was taking the initiative to meet another man.
"There's no need." Before Xu Ming could respond, Qin Qingwan answered for him. "Xu Ming, you should head back and rest. If anything comes up, I'll talk to you about it tomorrow."
You are joking, right? If Xu Ming stayed at the inn, what if others greeted him and accidentally revealed her true identity?
"I was thinking the same," Xu Ming said with a nod. "If you need my help with anything, just let me know. I'll assist however I can."
Though Xu Ming said this, whether or not he would actually help depended on the situation. Such polite formalities were understood on both sides.
"Alright then, safe travels, Brother Xu," Xia Donghua said, though a trace of displeasure lingered in his heart. He felt that Xu Ming wasn't giving him enough respect.
After Xu Ming turned and left, Xia Donghua wanted to get closer to Qin Qingwan, ask where she had gone today, and perhaps probe into her relationship with Xu Ming.
However, before he could speak, Qin Qingwan smiled and tactfully created some distance, heading straight into the inn.
The entire inn had once again been booked out by human cultivators.
Everyone's expressions were grim.
In the past two days, more beams of light had descended upon Baiwa City, and over ten human cultivators had vanished without a trace. No one knew whether they were alive or dead.
No one could say if they would be the next to disappear.
Qin Qingwan scanned the room briefly before finding an empty seat and sitting down.
Even though Xia Donghua was still concerned about Qin Qingwan's relationship with Xu Ming, he knew there were more pressing matters to address.
He stepped to the front of the room, and the low hum of murmurs gradually died down as all eyes turned to him.
Xia Donghua addressed the gathering:
"I know what's on everyone's mind. Over the past two days, more human cultivators have gone missing, and the same is happening to the demon clan. None of us know if we'll be next.
But today, I've gathered you all here because I've found a way out!"
As his words fell, everyone's eyes lit up with hope.
Xia Donghua looked around at the crowd and continued:
"This afternoon, two cultivators from the Tianyin Sect informed me that Baiwa City's focal point of spiritual energy is located at the Toad Temple within the city.
Moreover, there's said to be a hidden treasure in the Toad Temple! Even if we set aside the treasure, as long as we break through the Toad Temple and set up a Spirit Stone Void Formation inside, we'll be able to leave this cursed place!
So, if you want to leave this place—or if you're after the treasure—join me tonight!"