After Shen Zhilan left, Baili Muchen said to Xiao Baidao and the other two, "Although Zhilan can be somewhat narrow-minded at times, she wouldn't do something harmful to the human race.
Moreover, there's no conclusive evidence at the moment. For my sake, let her remain confined for now.
If solid evidence truly emerges in the future, I will absolutely not shield her."
Xiao Baidao said meaningfully, "Sect Master Baili, I'll say it again, character is more important than aptitude.
If you indulge her like this, beware of raising a tiger that will bring disaster upon you."
Baili Muchen's face darkened, but being in the wrong, he could only remain silent.
Feng Xi blinked, "Sect Master Baili, forgive my bluntness, but Shen Zhilan really is a jinx!
In the future, important matters of our human race shouldn't involve her. It would be best not to let her even know about them, lest something go wrong."
Hu Wankui nodded, "Xiao Xi is right, it's better to be safe than sorry. For now, let her remain isolated from external affairs!"
Baili Muchen's expression shifted several times before he ultimately agreed.
To be honest, suspicion had begun to take root in his heart.
Once or twice could be a coincidence, but why did someone suffer misfortune every single time she obtained an opportunity?
Wasn't that exactly the jinx that Feng Xi described?
No matter what,it's better to confine her for a while first!
Back in her quarters, Shen Zhilan smashed everything in her room to pieces in fury!
That old bastard Baili Muchen would rather believe what Feng Xi said than believe her!
And she had always treated him with the utmost respect!
After venting her anger, she gradually calmed down.
She must form her Golden Core as soon as possible!
Once she succeeded, Baili Muchen would surely value her again.
No matter how scheming Feng Xi was, she's still only a Qi Refining Stage trash!
Sooner or later, she would kill her with her own hands!
Meanwhile, Baili Muchen and the others began discussing countermeasures.
First and most importantly, strengthen patrols around the abyss. Not a single disturbance could be overlooked.
Second, investigate the origin of the gray mist and the formation suppressing it.
Third, find an opportunity to test the demons and see whether they knew anything.
Feng Xi timidly raised her small hand, "Sect Master Baili, Shen Zhilan previously obtained the treasure vault of Yunxiao Sect, there might be relevant records inside. You could ask her.
Of course, I suspect she would say that there are none. If there were, wouldn't that contradict her earlier statements?!
Sigh! Your disciple truly causes you endless worry.
What a pity we weren't fated as master and disciple. If you had accepted me back then, you wouldn't have so many troubles now."
Baili Muchen: "..."
After everyone left, Feng Xi began giving the Heaven-and-Earth Banner a thorough ideological education.
By the end, the Heaven-and-Earth Banner was sobbing uncontrollably. It had actually opposed such a kind and noble master before, how utterly disgraceful!
From now on, it would redeem itself, serving its master faithfully, charging into battle and laboring tirelessly!
Feng Xi thought the timing was right and said, "Little Banner, you must have quite a few good treasures, right? It's not safe keeping them with you, you'd better let me safeguard them."
The Heaven-and-Earth Banner sniffled, "Master, all my treasures were already taken away by you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you to return the rewards earlier."
Feng Xi: "...Not even a little left?"
"Only some worthless bottles and jars remain."
Feng Xi gritted her teeth, "Then do you have any offensive abilities?"
The Heaven-and-Earth Banner perked up instantly, "Of course! I am the Heaven-and-Earth Banner, I can hold mountains and rivers, I can hold the sun and moon, I can hold all things in the world!"
Feng Xi: Why does that sound so familiar?
That's right, Feng Xiaotian also used the same line to sell me a dream back then!
Through clenched teeth, she said, "Explain in detail, how exactly do you 'hold' things?"
"For example, when you're fighting someone, I can draw both of you into the Heaven-and-Earth Banner. Then I'll command formation beasts to assist you, we'll crush whoever comes!
Once my rank rises further, I won't be limited to two people. I could absorb an entire sect!"
Feng Xi's heart leapt, that ability was actually impressive!
Then she heard it continue, "However, I expended too much cultivation this time, so I need to recover.
Master, don't worry. It won't take long, just a few decades.
For you cultivators, that's but the flick of a finger."
Feng Xi: "..."
So after all that effort, I brought home a useless relic?!
Sensing her mood shift, the Heaven-and-Earth Banner hurriedly added, "Master, in emergencies, I can still risk my life to pull someone inside.
But afterward, I may need to go into slumber for a while."
Feng Xi considered that acceptable. After all, it was equivalent to having one extra life-saving opportunity.
Within her sea of consciousness, the little black ball and the little fat bird exchanged a glance.
A worthless piece of trash! Not worth fearing at all!
Feng Xi then checked on the Fire-Swallowing Qiu's situation. Good grief, this fellow was still asleep, snoring thunderously.
She counted the rewards she had obtained inside the Heaven-and-Earth Banner, then took out some earth-element spiritual plants and chewed them down.
Her earth spiritual root was too weak, she needed to nourish it well.
Then she saw the other four spiritual roots form into two… tiny heart shapes.
Feng Xi: "..."
She quickly ate some other spiritual plants as well.
Although these spiritual roots were all somewhat dog-like in temperament, at critical moments they really could save her life!
At that moment, the little black ball popped up to make its presence known.
"Master, why hasn't Hunyuan Sect discovered their treasury was robbed yet? Their security is really lacking!"
Feng Xi thought it was quite normal.
Hunyuan Sect's treasury was heavily guarded day and night, with multiple layers of formations, there's no need to inspect it frequently.
They probably conducted inspections only periodically, and with multiple people present to prevent internal theft.
Thinking of the treasury, she sighed.
Although she had plucked plenty of wool inside the Heaven-and-Earth Banner this time, she was still poor!
But right now, cultivation was the priority.
She needed to quickly catch her earth spiritual root up to speed so her dantian could fully recover.
Once her dantian was healed, she would need to consider establishing her foundation.
Sigh!
After being a Qi Refining Stage little trash for so long, the thought of advancing to establishing her foundation made her feel oddly reluctant!