After many days, the cave that Gu Xiu had previously cleared out was now covered in a thin layer of dust. The corpses of the three cultivators slain by Gu Xiu and Ye Hongling were long gone.

However, Nian Zhaoxi could still analyze the situation through the traces left behind and her own divination arts.

“Little Junior Brother fled here with a companion and took refuge in this cave to rest!”

“That person should have been an injured cultivator, originally at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but whether due to injuries or poisoning, their cultivation was difficult to exert.”

“Three people tracked them to this place!”

Thinking of this, a trace of worry appeared in Nian Zhaoxi’s eyes. She immediately walked to the entrance of the cave. After carefully examining it, she made a discovery.

On the stone wall, there was an extremely faint mark—a few splattered drops of blood. Due to the passage of time, the mark had become very weak; if one didn’t look closely, it would easily be overlooked. Yet Nian Zhaoxi still managed to find clues.

“This is where Junior Brother Gu intercepted a powerful enemy!”

“The opponent wanted to enter the cave, but Junior Brother Gu shattered their heart meridian with a single strike, cutting off their life force!”

“This move…”

“Is ‘Startling Swan’!”

“It’s the Startling Swan sword technique that Little Junior Brother created himself five hundred years ago!”

Suddenly, Nian Zhaoxi felt a surge of joy. From these faint bloodstains, she had discovered the origin of the technique—it was precisely the sword art Gu Xiu had created!

Graceful as a startled swan! Supple as a swimming dragon!

Nian Zhaoxi had seen Gu Xiu perform the Startling Swan Sword five hundred years ago. This strike seemed simple—just a single slash to defeat an enemy—but it was exceptionally difficult. It required compressing spiritual power to a single point, making it erupt with thunderous force, allowing one to unleash power far beyond their cultivation level!

When Nian Zhaoxi witnessed this sword back then, it was nothing short of stunning!

Because this sword required not just technique but also extraordinary combat experience—the ability to anticipate an enemy’s move before they made it and accurately find their weakness to deliver a fatal blow!

Recalling the shock of seeing this sword for the first time, Nian Zhaoxi felt emotional. Junior Brother Gu back then truly resembled an immortal descended to earth! Brilliant and peerless!

But immediately after, Nian Zhaoxi felt joy again. The reappearance of the Startling Swan Sword meant her guess was correct—Little Junior Brother had already set foot back on the path of cultivation! Although he hadn’t recovered to his former peak, he had broken through his shackles!

And moreover…

“Compared to five hundred years ago, this Startling Swan Sword seems even more refined. The force does not spill over, the energy does not scatter; after piercing the opponent’s heart meridian, it didn’t even damage the stone wall in the slightest!”

“This is the realm of ‘Entering the Subtle’—this Startling Swan has reached perfection!”

Nian Zhaoxi clenched her fist; there was no better news than this!

Junior Brother Gu had recovered his cultivation. This meant that once he returned to the Qingxuan Holy Land, Master and her junior sisters would surely no longer hold prejudices against him!

Even now, Nian Zhaoxi still sought to bring Gu Xiu back and return everything to how it once was.

But… could they really go back?

Nian Zhaoxi had a premonition in her heart, but she didn’t dare think too much about it. Nor did she want to.

“Junior Brother Gu is being pursued along with someone else!”

“The urgent task now is to find him first; I absolutely cannot let anything happen to him!”

Nian Zhaoxi collected her thoughts and performed divination again. A moment later, she walked out of the cave and quickly chased in a certain direction.

But just as she stepped out, the sect jade pendant on her person emitted a buzzing sound. This was Master Guan Xuelan urgently summoning her back to the sect.

Last time, Nian Zhaoxi had been called back. But this time…

Nian Zhaoxi merely frowned slightly, then tapped the pendant with her finger, silencing it immediately. She showed no intention of returning. Instead, she turned once more toward the direction she was pursuing!

Ever since watching the Heavenly Secrets Reincarnation Mirror with Qin Moran, Nian Zhaoxi had made her decision.

Find Gu Xiu! Bring him back!

She could not wait any longer! She was unwilling to watch Gu Xiu suffer, and she did not wish for any danger to befall him due to her own negligence or delays caused by sect affairs. She would regret it for life.

As for Master’s urgent summons… Nian Zhaoxi understood that it likely wasn’t a major sect matter. Judging by the timing, Little Junior Brother Jiang Xun’s Dao Sword had been completed and required her empowerment.

If it were before, she might have found it difficult to decide. But now… it was merely empowering a personal sword. Perhaps it would become stronger with empowerment, but without hers, it certainly wouldn’t turn into scrap iron.

Besides…

“Junior Brother Jiang is a sensible person. Back at the sect, his relationship with Gu Xiu was the best. If he knew I failed to empower his sword because I was searching for Gu Xiu, I believe he would understand.”

Thinking this, Nian Zhaoxi hesitated no more. She increased her speed and chased after Gu Xiu’s trail.

Junior Brother Gu. Wait for me! Please don’t let anything happen…

…

While Nian Zhaoxi continued chasing Gu Xiu, on the other side, at the Qingxuan Holy Land, in the main sect hall.

Guan Xuelan, who had been waiting for a response from the communication jade token, suddenly darkened her expression.

The senior sisters below felt their hearts sink.

It was still Little Junior Sister Lu Qingyao who feared nothing and promptly asked, “Master, what did Eldest Senior Sister say? When can she rush back?”

Not asking might have been better; upon hearing this, Guan Xuelan’s expression grew even more unpleasant. “Your Eldest Senior Sister cut off my urgent summons. She’s not coming back.”

What???

Seeing Guan Xuelan’s expression, everyone knew something was amiss, but they had only thought Nian Zhaoxi was too far away to return. They never expected Eldest Senior Sister would actually defy Venerable Master’s summons!

“What is Eldest Senior Sister busy with? What time is it now? Little Junior Brother’s divine weapon is about to be finished. Is there anything more important than this right now?”

“Is there some misunderstanding? Eldest Senior Sister doesn’t seem like such a person.”

“I remember Eldest Senior Sister had a good relationship with Little Junior Brother. Did something happen? Otherwise, she would definitely rush back.”

The disciples below spoke one after another, frowning deeply.

This time, the Qingxuan Holy Land had turned out in full force. Not only were Third Senior Sister Xu Wanqing, Fifth Senior Sister Qin Moran, and Little Senior Sister Lu Qingyao present, but even Fourth Senior Sister Shi Siling and Sixth Senior Sister He Mengyun, who usually didn’t show themselves, had also arrived.

Apart from Nian Zhaoxi who was away and Second Senior Sister who was still forging the divine weapon, the core of the Qingxuan Holy Land was practically gathered.

Now listening to their words, Guan Xuelan’s face grew even darker. “What else could it be? It’s all because of Gu Xiu!”

Gu Xiu?

Xu Wanqing, Qin Moran, and Lu Qingyao roughly knew the situation. But Fourth Senior Sister Shi Siling and Sixth Senior Sister He Mengyun beside them were completely unaware.

Hearing Guan Xuelan mention Gu Xiu reminded them they also had a Junior Brother Gu. They immediately asked strangely, “What about Gu Xiu?”

“Did he do some evil deed again?”

But when Lu Qingyao explained that Gu Xiu had already left the sect and was no longer a disciple, both women were stunned.

“Gu Xiu signed an Abandon Sect Spirit Contract and left?”

“He actually withdrew from the sect?”

“When did this happen?”

Gu Xiu had left the sect for over a month, but such a period was less than what most cultivators spent in seclusion. These two senior sisters had been in seclusion all along and had no idea such a major event had occurred.

They directed their questions toward Qin Moran. She was a talisman master and a well-read scholar who could explain many things clearly.

But this time… Qin Moran found herself unable to speak.