Xuan Tian heard everything. His eyes sharpened. Someone was still conscious? The voice tugged at something in his memory, but something made it hazy, muffled—just out of reach. His mind moved past it—other concerns took priority. That was noteworthy, but not as pressing as the mention of 'escort' and 'delivery.'
So this place is only a collection point. I need to follow them to the delivery site to unravel everything.
Xuan Tian attempted to extend his spirit energy to scan the entire basement and the building above, but something obstructed him. His scan reached only the basement, blocked from going any higher.
Of course. A barrier. He had noticed it earlier when they first entered the basement, but now he could confirm its exact reach.
His eyes narrowed. As expected, it was similar to the one at the Zhang Family Clinic. That confirmed it—whoever was behind this operation was using the same techniques to control their activities. This wasn't a random group of criminals. This was an organized and well-structured system.
I need to update the doctors on this and my plan.
With that decided, Xuan Tian once again made a clone, he himself turned invisible, and stepped out of the cage. He walked stealthily towards the exit.
He suddenly heard locks being rattled, a cage door being opened. He quickly scanned ahead and found a young girl sneaking out of a cage near the exit. I was right. She's still conscious. How? Xuan Tian moved towards the girl.
Ling Yu stepped out of the cage, looking left and right. Making sure no one was around, she tiptoed toward the exit. I need to find the stairs heading to the floor above or outside. After exiting the underground prison, she expected to see the path they had come through—but instead, she found herself facing a maze of corridors. Her jaw dropped. This wasn't here before. The walls... they shifted. Her jaw dropped. Where is the exit?!
She then remembered that Chen Wei was still inside the cage. She turned back toward the underground prison, almost colliding with Xuan Tian. Luckily, Xuan Tian reacted fast and managed to avoid the collision.
Xuan Tian cursed internally. What is she doing?! He watched her fly past him. Xuan Tian was in a dilemma—he really wanted to get out, update the doctors, and come back. But he also knew that, in good conscience, he could not leave the girl.
Xuan Tian hesitated for a brief second. Logic dictated that he should leave, gather intelligence, and return. That was the mission. And yet, something else held him back—not duty, not strategy, but something deeper.
His blade may be sharp, but he was also a shield. Turning away would be the logical choice. But turning away meant leaving someone unprotected.
He exhaled sharply. Leaving meant securing vital intelligence, but the girl—whoever she was—was still conscious, still moving. His instincts nagged at him, an unfamiliar weight pressing down on his decision. He clenched his jaw. I can't leave her. With that, he turned back to follow Ling Yu.
Ling Yu crept forward, whispering, "Chen Wei… Chen Wei… where are you?"
A faint rustling broke the silence, and a shadow shifted behind the bars before a face emerged.
"Miss Ling Yu, over here!" Chen Wei whispered back.
Xuan Tian faltered. Ling Yu! I remember her! The 'blinking' girl! A wave of exasperation hit him like a brick, and he barely resisted the urge to facepalm. He was beginning to regret his decision to turn back.
Another one still conscious. How?! Xuan Tian's mind raced. He had already struggled to process Ling Yu's presence, and now there were two of them. It defied all logic.
Ling Yu quickly picked the lock on Chen Wei's cage and pulled him out. "We need to get out of here. We can't stay any longer. It's dangerous."
Xuan Tian stood a short distance away, arms crossed, watching with impatience. At least she's clear-headed. Let's go, children.
"I don't know the way. The walls changed. It's a maze now," Ling Yu admitted, frustration creeping into her voice.
Chen Wei visibly paled. "Then how can we get out?"
"By breaking the wall," Ling Yu said confidently.
Xuan Tian really facepalmed this time. This isn't happening.
Chen Wei's face somehow went even paler—if that was even possible. "B-Breaking the wall? What do you mean? And how? With what?"
Ling Yu gave him a look of pure pity. "With you."
"Huh?!" Chen Wei blinked in shock, completely lost.
"You're an Immortal now. You can break the wall," Ling Yu explained, her voice a strange mix of impatience, confidence, and pity.
Both Xuan Tian and Chen Wei stared at her, identical expressions of sheer disbelief frozen on their faces. It was as if she had just suggested flying to the heavens by flapping her arms.
Chen Wei stammered, "Me?! I told you I can't cultivate. I'm not an Immortal, let alone break a wall!" He looked truly helpless and lost.
Ling Yu, half pushing, half dragging him toward the maze, huffed. "And I told you, you have a core, meaning you are now an Immortal. Immortals are stronger than humans. You can break the wall with your Spirit Energy. If you don't believe me, try it."
At this point, Xuan Tian deeply regretted his decision. He was barely stopping himself from just leaving.
Somehow, Ling Yu's misplaced confidence seeped into Chen Wei. He followed behind her, still doubtful but unable to argue against her sheer conviction.
They arrived at the maze. Chen Wei was terrified. His confidence deflated like a punctured balloon. He turned to Ling Yu, eyes pleading for guidance.
Ling Yu patted his back, her expression full of unwavering belief. You can do it! her gaze seemed to say.
Chen Wei looked back at the maze, his mind completely blank. He had no idea what to do.
"Go on. Try it," Ling Yu urged encouragingly. "Focus. Concentrate. Feel your spirit energy surge into your hands and—" she gestured grandly, "just let it go towards the wall."
Xuan Tian stood behind them, leaning against the wall, watching the entire ordeal unfold with the weariness of a man who had seen too much. He exhaled another deep sigh, shaking his head.
Chen Wei hesitated but did as instructed. He closed his eyes, concentrating. He tried to 'feel' his Spirit Energy flowing into his hands. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his hand, flicked his palm towards the maze—
Nothing happened. The walls remained intact.
Xuan Tian sighed again, this time louder.
They tried a few more times. Still, nothing happened. Chen Wei was visibly growing more discouraged, his confidence fading with each failed attempt. But Ling Yu was relentless. She kept encouraging him with unshakable faith.
Xuan Tian had to applaud Ling Yu for her tenacity. But. He. Had. Enough. He finally made his move. But instead of using his Spirit Energy, he casually rotated a wall ornament, deactivating the defense mechanism. He had noticed it when the warriors led them to the dungeon earlier.