When Yan Zhen returned a while later with a map in his hand, he could feel the shift in the room's tone. It had become more alive, vibrant, filled with excitement. People were more animated. When he looked at Luo Heng for an explanation, all he saw was his friend giddy in his seat, like a child who had just received the biggest tanghulu.
The map was spread out on the table. Everyone was eager to see what Xuan Tian was about to do. Han Zhaofeng had an idea but wasn't sure if his guess was correct.
Luo Heng couldn't hold back his curiosity anymore. "Xuan Tian Shengzun, what are you going to do? Are you really going to search for Captain Bai on the map?"
Xuan Tian looked at him. "Do you know how to scan your surroundings with your spirit energy?" He glanced at everyone else in the room.
They all nodded.
Luo Heng wasn't satisfied with Xuan Tian's answer. "Are you planning to scan for Captain Bai? How? The Capital is so big. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. It will deplete your spirit energy before Captain Bai is found."
Wu Zhenhai warned him, "Luo Heng."
Doubting Xuan Tian was the same as disrespecting him.
"It's alright. His questions are valid, and I will answer them," Xuan Tian said good-naturedly.
"You're right. Scanning the entire city would require a significant amount of spirit energy—even more so if you don't know what you're looking for."
Han Zhaofeng spoke up. "Then let me do it, Shengzun. You need to conserve your spirit energy for the actual mission. I'll be recuperating here."
"I cannot allow you to do that, Han Shengzun," Lin Qian cut in.
"It is true you will not join the rescue mission. But you still need spirit energy if you want to heal completely. You've just experienced qi deviation. It will require a significant amount of spirit energy to control the aftermath."
Lin Qian crushed any hope Han Zhaofeng had of participating in the rescue mission.
Xuan Tian looked at him. "Doctor's orders, Shengzun. I dare not disobey."
He continued, "As I said, if we don't know what we're looking for, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. But we do know what to look for. Anyone?"
Wu Zhenhai and the other two Enforcers looked at each other, then at Xuan Tian, shaking their heads.
Idiots. Jing Xue rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe the humans couldn't answer such an easy question.
"Barrier."
All heads turned to Mu Qingran.
She looked back at them proudly. She was sure she was right. Han Zhaofeng had taught her how to do this. Even though her core was considered small, she knew how to scan.
Xuan Tian looked at her in a new light. "The Princess is right."
"The Alliance is arrogant, but not stupid. Now that they've laid the trap, they intend to catch all of us. They do not want to lose Captain Bai. The surest way to do that is by setting up a barrier—at least around Captain Bai."
"This barrier will be set up by the strongest person they have. It should be Jian Wushuan. He's a Saint, isn't he? A barrier set up by a Saint is strong enough to withstand most attacks. It can only be destroyed by another Saint—which they are sure ICEB doesn't have. Because they believe Han Zhaofeng Shengzun will not risk ICEB's future."
"This arrogance will be their downfall. The barrier—no matter how small—if set up by a Saint, will act like a beacon. Those at lower cultivation levels cannot detect it."
Yan Zhen lit up like a student. "The lower the cultivation, the less they can detect. The closer the cultivation to that of a Saint, the more they can—but they won't be able to make out exactly what it is."
Xuan Tian looked at him appreciatively. "Exactly."
Han Zhaofeng scoffed. "Jian Wushuan is very arrogant. But he's also powerful, and good with swords. He will set up the strongest barrier he can."
"And that will backfire," Luo Heng finished the explanation in satisfaction.
"Yes," Xuan Tian nodded.
"I'll start now."
Xuan Tian moved his arms and circulated his spirit energy. A very subtle series of spirit energy waves spread across the entire city like ripples in water.
No one made a sound. They didn't want to break Xuan Tian's concentration. After a while, he stopped scanning and opened his eyes.
"Found it." He pointed to a location on the map.
When the Enforcers saw where Xuan Tian's finger landed, they all cursed.
"They are crazy."
"But you have to admit, it's very like them."
"Those bastards."
Lin Qian leaned in to see where it was.
Mu Qingran's jaw dropped. "How can that be?! Does Imperial Father know this? What does it mean?"
Han Zhaofeng, enraged, "How dare they!"
Xuan Tian lifted his finger and saw the location—Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince's palace.
He exhaled. "Well, it looks like things are getting more interesting."
He lifted his head and addressed the room, "I have a plan."
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Dark. Hot. Humid.
Rotten stench. Sweat. Smoke. Burn.
Chains clanking.
Screams—raw, broken.
Ragged breathing. Blurred vision.
Laughter. Twisted. Loud.
So loud, her ears rang.
Blood—dripping.
I can't give up. They can't break me.
Silence.
Then a voice—familiar.
"I'm here to rescue you."
A pair of eyes came into the light.
Bai Xunli's eyes widened.
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The moon hung high in the sky, casting its light over Yuling City. Unlike Baishan, Yuling was still alive with nightlife. Lanterns glowed everywhere—lining the streets, decorating buildings, swaying from carriages. Each carriage had at least one lantern hung, dancing with every wheel turn.
A shadow perched atop one of the city's tallest buildings, watching the scene below. From that height, the lanterns looked like drifting fireflies.
The view was spectacular.
The shadow was, of course, Xuan Tian. He was on his way to the Eastern Palace, traveling from rooftop to rooftop. It felt different from flying—he liked it.
Flying was just wind against his face, hair, and body. But moving like this, every muscle worked in sync, like a well-oiled machine. In one beautiful harmony.
Xuan Tian loved physical work. He never got enough of it. In the Celestial Realm, they used spirit energy for everything. Not Xuan Tian.
The Imperial Palace was in his peripheral—massive complex, lit with lanterns. Imperial soldiers patrolled in groups of six, each unit carrying two lanterns: one at the front, one at the back.
Dressed completely in black with mask covering his face, Xuan Tian kept dashing along rooftops toward the Eastern Palace.
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"Hey. Don't dawdle. Keep your vigilance."
"Is it true those idiot Enforcers are coming tonight?"
"That's what the higher-ups said."
"Why would they risk it for one woman? Is she Han Zhaofeng's lover?"
Mocking laughter echoed.
"Could be. Have you seen her? She's hot!"
"Yeah, I agree. That old bastard Han sure knows how to pick them."
"Ha ha ha ha ha."
A shadow slid past them, unnoticed.