Afraid to Go Back

Western Oxen Continent.

At this moment, Daoist Yuyang was surrounded by a constant stream of jade slips, yet he still slightly raised his gaze to look at Chen Baiqing, who had arrived via an urgent teleportation.

Long-distance teleportation was quite costly; typically, goods or personnel would be gathered for a batch transfer, and the situation had to be extremely urgent.

After all, having money didn't mean one was a fool to be taken advantage of, not to mention that the cost of long-distance teleportation was enough to make even the Eighteen Immortal Sects wince.

Usually, short-distance teleportation arrays were used, with multiple hops.

The longer the distance, the consumption of spirit stones and materials increased exponentially.

It was extremely rare to teleport a single individual alone, which suggested another major event.

Chu Xingchen had already run off to the Central Continent, and he still wouldn't leave me, here in the Western Oxen Continent, alone?

Chen Baiqing stepped into the hall, first cupped her hands in salute, and then spoke:

"Is everything going smoothly for Uncle-Master Yuyang?"

"Aside from being swamped with endless troublesome matters, everything is fairly smooth," Daoist Yuyang placed a jade slip from his hand onto the table and said with a light laugh, "This time, have you come intending to handle business at my place first?"

Chen Baiqing naturally knew Daoist Yuyang was jesting. She did not engage with that remark, instead speaking with an extremely serious expression:

"There is a matter of utmost importance that requires Uncle-Master Yuyang's immediate supervision and execution."

Daoist Yuyang let out a soft sigh:

"Chu Xingchen really knows how to handle people, sending you here. If anyone else had said those words, I would have thrown them out."

Again, Chen Baiqing did not engage with the comment, getting straight to the point:

"Now, please, Uncle-Master Yuyang, immediately mobilize all Tribulation Transcension cultivators currently in the Western Oxen Continent. Head straight for Yuzhou City in the Southern Continent, without concealment, at the fastest possible speed. The matter is urgent. Please act with the utmost haste."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Yuyang's eyes fixed directly on Chen Baiqing, but he did not verbally agree.

The scene instantly fell silent.

Within the great hall, besides Daoist Yuyang, there were still other Tai Dao Sect cultivators working together, but they too had now fallen utterly quiet.

Those capable of working here were no fools; they naturally understood the absurdity of this order.

Seeing that Daoist Yuyang did not respond, Chen Baiqing cupped her hands once more:

"The matter is urgent. Please, Uncle-Master Yuyang, proceed immediately!"

Daoist Yuyang's gaze remained fixed on Chen Baiqing. He also shed his initially somewhat jesting tone, speaking with extreme seriousness:

"Is that the only thing? What about other arrangements? What about Wukong and the Buddha of the Great Vehicle teachings?"

"Master did not give any instructions regarding them."

"So, this matter was instructed by your master? It doesn't quite feel like it to me."

Daoist Yuyang's gaze held suspicion.

A smile appeared on Chen Baiqing's face:

"Does Uncle-Master Yuyang think I came here via urgent teleportation just to falsely relay my master's orders? Or does Uncle-Master believe what that monk said about me being a demoness is true?"

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Daoist Yuyang spoke:

"How could I take that monk's nonsense to heart? It's just that this matter doesn't quite resemble your master's arrangements. I have his emergency token here. It's not that I distrust you, but with such a major event, one must always be cautious. This arrangement seems too hasty. Let me inquire first."

Chen Baiqing immediately interjected: "Uncle-Master Yuyang, please wait. If the emergency token could be used, I wouldn't have spent such a great cost to come here. Master's situation currently prevents the use of the emergency token, or perhaps he cannot receive your emergency message."

Daoist Yuyang stopped his motion: "Then did Chu Xingchen give you any token?"

"Master said I am the token," Chen Baiqing replied swiftly. "My life was saved by Master. My growth to this day is also inseparable from Master's nurturing. Master trusts me. Perhaps he had already made such arrangements beforehand, which is why I initially followed Uncle-Master Yuyang. Today, it simply depends on whether Uncle-Master Yuyang trusts Master or not."

"Furthermore, once I confirm Uncle-Master Yuyang has made the arrangements, Baiqing will begin her breakthrough in cultivation realm right here."

"Please make the arrangements quickly, Uncle-Master. Time is of the essence!"

Daoist Yuyang lowered his eyes. He naturally understood that Chen Baiqing was placing herself here as collateral.

Only...

What a grand gamble.

Daoist Yuyang raised his head, his gaze intently fixed on Chen Baiqing. After a long while, he slowly spoke:

"I only hope your master's sincere treatment of you is not met with anything else! Otherwise, it would truly chill my heart on his behalf."

Upon hearing this, Chen Baiqing quickly lowered her head. These words made her heart ache terribly.

She was afraid of showing the wrong expression, that all her efforts would come to naught.

If Daoist Yuyang detected anything amiss, then everything would be over.

Only... it really... hurt so much.

She even felt somewhat dazed—Chen Baiqing had never been a good child.

She was also somewhat afraid. If everything were normal, how should she face her master?

She couldn't bear to see her master look at her with extreme disappointment.

Only, the abnormal Second Senior Brother seemed to truly know something.

Moreover, when Chen Baiqing questioned Second Senior Brother, she had also used her innate divine ability to probe his emotions.

That innate ability had been controllable since she built her foundation. Normally, Chen Baiqing wouldn't use it.

It was just that Second Senior Brother was truly too strange.

Second Senior Brother's inner emotions were extremely complex, yet all were negative.

Anxiety, sorrow, and... a hint of despair.

It was precisely that hint of despair that led Chen Baiqing to make her choice.

Perhaps it was also related to what Master had said—our sect is so small; if we cannot even trust our own people, then one can only be truly alone in this world. That would be somewhat lonely.

In any case, whatever the reason.

Chen Baiqing knew what she was doing, only the sorrow in her heart would not ease in the slightest because of it.

With her head bowed, she cupped her hands and said: "Please make the arrangements immediately, Uncle-Master Yuyang."

Daoist Yuyang stood up, his tone resolute:

"Issue the order! Request all Elders and Supreme Elders at the Tribulation Transcension stage still in the Western Oxen Continent to immediately depart at their fastest speed for Yuzhou City in the Southern Continent. No concealment. Only seek the utmost speed!"

An elder beside Daoist Yuyang seemed to send a voice transmission.

"The matter is urgent. I take full responsibility. Waiting for messages back to the Tai Dao Sect for a decision would be too late," Daoist Yuyang glanced sideways at the elder, not replying via voice transmission but speaking with firm determination:

"Master has authorized me to take full charge of this matter. Since this arrangement is my decision, I will naturally bear responsibility for the subsequent events."

The elder contemplated briefly, then spoke: "The Western Oxen Continent is not exactly a safe place either. Perhaps the Daoist Heir should also withdraw to the Central Continent first. Leaving people here for simple arrangements would suffice."

"If I leave, the Buddhist sects will truly see through it," Daoist Yuyang shook his head lightly. "They likely still wouldn't dare to do anything to me."

Hearing the reply, the elder did not continue to offer further advice.

Some pressure should come from above, not from him.

Daoist Yuyang's gaze returned to Chen Baiqing:

"The Western Oxen Continent is spiritually impoverished; it's hardly a good place for a breakthrough. If you wish to break through, you should return to the Tianyan Sect to do so."

Chen Baiqing remained silent, merely giving a light cupped-hand salute and standing still in place.

Daoist Yuyang let out a soft sigh:

"Fine, as you wish. Stay if you want to stay."

"Thank you, Uncle-Master Yuyang."

Chen Baiqing answered softly.

She actually also felt somewhat... afraid to go back.