The very person the ICEB was wondering about still lay unconscious on his bed in the cavern. Beside him, slumped forward in a round chair, was Ling Yu. She had fallen asleep in an awkward position, her arms resting near the bed, her breathing slow and steady. It didn't look comfortable at all.
Zhao Zhi entered the chamber to check on Xuan Tian and sighed when he saw Ling Yu. She hadn't left Xuan Tian's side. If this continued, she would exhaust herself and fall sick.
He stepped closer and patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Ling Yu," he whispered. "Don't sleep here. Go rest in your own bed."
Ling Yu stirred slightly, mumbling a drowsy, "Hmmm," before slipping right back into sleep.
Zhao Zhi exhaled, shaking his head. She was truly worried about Xuan Ge.
Turning his attention back to Xuan Tian, he reached for his wrist and checked his pulse—a routine he now performed twice a day. No change. Not surprising. After forcing himself to break the seal, his Celestial Core had suffered damage.
It would take a long time for Xuan Tian to fully recover.
Unless—he could soak in a Spirit Nourishing Pool.
There was one in the Celestial Realm.
Zhao Zhi exited the room and headed toward the ruined stone bed chamber.
Inside, Gu Tianzhu sat cross-legged, cultivating. His condition had not only improved, but his cultivation was progressing. If not for the guilt gnawing at him over using an Immortal Core to aid his recovery, he might have already broken through and ascended to the next realm—Immortal Saint.
When he first discovered that his first disciple, Shen Qingyu, had used Tie Yanfang's core to heal him, he had been horrified. Yet, he understood why Shen Qingyu had done it. Gu Tianzhu wasn't a hypocrite—if their positions had been reversed, he might have done the same. The moment he was out of danger, he had stopped absorbing the core's energy.
But he had to use it again—for Chen Zhaoyun.
His second disciple had suffered not only internal injuries but severe damage to his Immortal Core. If Gu Tianzhu hadn't used Tie Yanfang's core to stabilize him, his disciple's core might never have recovered.
He sensed Zhao Zhi entering the chamber and opened his eyes, offering a faint smile. Despite Zhao Zhi's comical demeanor, Gu Tianzhu held deep respect for the doctor. He had been working tirelessly, checking on everyone's conditions without pause.
"Doctor Zhao," Gu Tianzhu said, rising to his feet. "You should rest. You haven't stopped since Shengzun collapsed."
Zhao Zhi smiled wryly. "I can't help it. I still feel guilty that Xuan Ge had to handle everything himself."
His expression darkened, sorrow flickering in his eyes. "If I stop, I'll start thinking about Lei Xiong, and—" His voice hitched. "I can't stop."
Gu Tianzhu's gaze softened. "Then at least let Qingyu and Li Ran assist you."
"They already are. Shen Qingyu has taken over caring for the awakened victims. Li Ran has been preparing meals for them."
"That's the least they can do," Gu Tianzhu nodded in approval.
He continued, "But we can't stay here much longer. This cavern is no longer convenient for us. The ICEB Enforcers will arrive soon. I know their captain—she's a good person. She'll help us relocate."
Zhao Zhi nodded in agreement. "Gu Zhenren, you'll need to help us move Xuan Ge."
Gu Tianzhu's demeanor shifted from relaxed to solemn. Straightening his posture, he brought his right fist into his left palm and saluted with deep respect. "This lowly Immortal would do anything to assist Shengzun."
Before, when Gu Tianzhu called Xuan Tian 'Shengzun,' it was not entirely out of respect—part of it was fear. He had never seen Xuan Tian in action, but he had witnessed the aftermath – twice, and somehow, that was even more terrifying.
After Tie Yanfang, Gu Tianzhu had completely changed his mind. It no longer mattered who Xuan Tian truly was—Gu Tianzhu had already, subconsciously, pledged his allegiance to him. He would gladly give his life for him.
Suddenly, Gu Tianzhu sensed two cultivators climbing the mountain. He smiled faintly. It seemed the ICEB Enforcers had arrived.
Back at the infirmary, Bai Xunli was deep in thought. The rumors she had heard over the past few months had turned out to be true—Lingxu Immortal Sect had done something truly heinous.
When she first caught wind of the rumors, she hadn't taken them seriously. People would do anything, including spreading falsehoods, to get what they wanted. She had seen it happen too many times before.
But after everything she had learned from Lin Qian and Xu Yun, she knew she couldn't dismiss it any longer. She needed confirmation, but her instincts told her they weren't lying. They were hiding something—she could tell—but they had spoken the truth about Tie Yanfang and his core extraction operation.
Her first step was interrogating Mo Chaoren. Calling it an interrogation was almost an exaggeration—the once proud and arrogant cultivator could barely sit upright. His breath was wheezing, and for a moment, Bai Xunli worried he might keel over and die before answering her questions.
With great difficulty, Mo Chaoren told Bai Xunli everything he knew, repeating the same information he had previously revealed to Xuan Tian. He recognized Bai Xunli's reputation and understood that Xuan Tian would approve of him aiding her investigation.
Her second step, what she was currently doing, was writing a full report to Han Zhaofeng. The head of ICEB—and her mentor—needed to be updated as soon as possible. She knew that Lingxu Sect had been trying to spread its influence into the Imperial Court.
By the Empire's laws, cultivators were forbidden from participating in court affairs. Rules were rules—they could not be broken. But people always found loopholes. Directly holding positions in court was impossible, yet there were countless ways to manipulate those who did, including the Emperor himself.
The head of ICEB had been preoccupied with shielding the Emperor from unsavory influences, ensuring that the court did not fall into the hands of those who sought power through underhanded means. One of the strongest of these forces was Lingxu Immortal Sect.
Hurried footsteps echoed from outside her study.
She recognized them instantly—Yan Zhen. Bai Xunli frowned. Yan Zhen , while diligent, never rushed anywhere unless it was truly urgent. With a flick of her hand, she sent a faint pulse of spirit energy to open the door.
Yan Zhen entered immediately, saluting her before speaking hurriedly. "Captain, Princess Shenxing is here!"
Bai Xunli's frown deepened. "Why?"
Yan Zhen, still slightly panting, shook his head. "I don't know. But I heard the Emperor granted her a reward for successfully ascending to Low Immortal 2."
Bai Xunli rolled her eyes inwardly. "Ascending to Low Immortal 2 is easy."
"But I heard she did it in less than a day."
Bai Xunli sighed.
Princess Shenxing—Mu Qingran—was the Emperor's youngest child. Born to his favorite consort, Noble Consort Qian, she had been spoiled from birth. When Han Zhaofeng discovered her innate talent for cultivation at the age of eleven, it was considered late. Most gifted cultivators showed their potential much earlier. Still, Noble Consort Qian saw an opportunity and decided Mu Qingran should cultivate.
Since then, the Emperor had granted her the title 'Shenxing,' meaning the Divine Star, making her the only one among his children to receive a title before reaching adulthood.
As expected of a princess who had been indulged by everyone in the palace, Mu Qingran grew up arrogant, entitled, and shortsighted.
Ever since she began cultivating, even the ICEB had been forced to assign one of their best Captains to act as her bodyguard. The assignment came directly from Han Zhaofeng himself, and the Enforcer Captain, Wu Zhenhai, had no choice but to comply.
No one knew how the rumor of Mu Qingran being a cultivation genius started, but it had spread across the Empire like wildfire. Bai Xunli found it hard to believe, especially considering Mu Qingran had been discovered late. The Emperor himself had even helped fan the rumor by rewarding her achievement, allowing her to travel across the Empire with Wu Zhenhai.
Apparently, she had traveled here—to Baishan City.
Bai Xunli felt a headache coming. An arrogant, entitled, and shortsighted princess was the last thing she needed right now.
"Okay, just inform Captain Wu to be careful and not disrupt our investigation."
Hearing that, Yan Zhen's mood soured. "It's too late, Captain. I've received news from Captain Wu himself—they're heading to the cavern."
"What?!"