Nine days later, early morning, at the northernmost edge of Mist Forest.
In front of a valley filled with peach blossoms, an octagonal pavilion stood amidst the peach trees.
Inside the pavilion, two Taoists were leisurely playing chess and chatting.
Chen Mu ran hurriedly into the valley and stopped by the pavilion.
His clothes were scorched with blackened holes in several places, and two strands of hair on his forehead were damp with sweat, making him appear utterly disheveled.
"Stop! Which sect are you from?"
"Show me your sect's Jade Token," the middle-aged Taoist in the pavilion barked.
The elderly Taoist across from him flashed a smile. "No need to ask, he's from the Hundred Illusion Sect."
"Elder Mao, you know him?" The middle-aged Taoist was curious.
"Heh! How could I not? This one almost became your junior disciple."
The white-haired elder looked at Chen Mu with a playful expression. "Going in circles, you still ended up at Taoshan Temple."
