bookbashuk Chapter 83 Disappearance
Chapter 83 Disappearance
The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Zhao Fan had already finished getting ready.
After breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Refining, his whole state was completely renewed. His spiritual energy flowed freely within his body, and his senses were much sharper than before.
He pushed open the door, took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, and counted the days in his mind. Today was the anniversary of his master's death. Since he had nothing else to do, he might as well go back to the old cave to pay his respects to his master.
Last time I left in a hurry, although the Su family repaired my master's grave, I didn't personally go to offer incense. Now that my cultivation has broken through, I should go and inform my master.
He was just about to go out when he saw Su San's figure coming from the other end of the mountain path.
"Fellow Daoist Su?"
Zhao Fan was somewhat surprised and went to greet him.
"I was just about to go to you to resign, as I wish to return to my old cave to pay respects to my master today."
Su San stopped, a gentle smile on her face as usual, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; there was a hint of weariness and seriousness between her brows.
Zhao Fan keenly sensed something was wrong and tentatively asked.
"Fellow Daoist Su, has something happened?"
Su San remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly and finally spoke.
"Since Fellow Daoist Zhao has asked, I won't hide it from you. That girl Zixuan went out alone a few days ago and hasn't returned yet."
"Su Zixuan?"
Zhao Fan frowned slightly.
"She said she wanted to go to Yulin Mountain Market. I initially disagreed, but she repeatedly assured me that she would be careful, and I was busy with other things, so I let her go."
Su San's voice was low and heavy, filled with exhaustion and helplessness.
"I thought she would come back in a day or two at most, but it's been five days now and there's still no word from her."
"The people sent to Yulin Mountain to look for her came back and said that she stayed in the market for a day and left early the next morning."
Zhao Fan understood perfectly. He had clearly seen her attitude towards the young master that day, and she must have gone to see that young master again.
However, since he hasn't returned for so long, something must have happened.
"Although the area around Yulin Mountain is not too dangerous, it is indeed easy to have an accident if you are alone."
"Exactly."
Su San rubbed her temples.
"I just hope she was just having fun and forgot the time, and that she didn't actually run into any trouble."
Zhao Fan looked at Su San's tired face and immediately spoke.
"Fellow Daoist Su need not worry too much. I am going back to my cave to pay respects to my master today. It is not too far from Yulin Mountain. After I finish paying respects, I will head towards Yulin Mountain and search for him. Please be careful along the way."
Upon hearing this, Su San's eyes flashed with gratitude, yet she hesitated.
"Your injuries have just healed, and your cultivation has just broken through; how could I trouble you?"
"It's alright."
Zhao Fan waved his hand.
"My injuries have fully healed, and I was just looking to stretch my muscles after the breakthrough. Besides, it's just a search along the way, and there's no danger at all."
Su San pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.
"In that case, thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhao. If you can really find her, I will be extremely grateful."
"Fellow Daoist Su, you're too kind."
Zhao Fan clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"There's no time to lose, I'll set off now. If there's any news, send a message back immediately."
"it is good."
Su San took out a light blue communication talisman from her bosom and handed it to him.
"This talisman can transmit messages to me one-way, and can be delivered within a radius of 500 li. If you obtain anything, please let me know."
Zhao Fan took the communication talisman, carefully put it away, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Su San, asked Su Ziyun for Xiao Er back, and then turned and went down the mountain.
The green leaf boat transformed into a pale blue streak of light, speeding eastward close to the treetops of the mountains and forests.
Since the last time the flying boat was destroyed, Zhao Fan had not had time to repair it. He was currently piloting a flying boat of the same model that Su San had temporarily borrowed.
Although it's not as handy as my own, it's faster and saves energy.
After flying for an hour, Zhao Fan saw the familiar mountain peak. He controlled the flying boat to descend slowly and landed at the foot of the mountain.
The scene before him was not much different from what he remembered. Zhao Fan took out the array plate, poured in spiritual power, and the mist dissipated, revealing the narrow canyon.
He walked slowly in, passed through the canyon, and suddenly the view opened up before him.
The valley remained unchanged, and the medicinal herbs in the spirit field were growing well, clearly indicating that someone was taking care of them.
The simple thatched hut by the pond is still there, and the master's grave stands quietly under an old tree next to the sacred field.
Zhao Fan stood before the tomb, gazing silently at the cold stone tablet.
After a long while, he slowly knelt down, took out three incense sticks from his storage bag, lit them with his spiritual power, and respectfully placed them in front of the tomb.
Then he took out several kinds of spiritual fruits and pastries that his master loved to eat and arranged them one by one.
"Master, your disciple has come to see you."
His voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the silent valley.
"In the past year or so, I have experienced a lot. I went to Zhoujia Market, encountered a Tribulation Cultivator, entered the cave of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and almost died inside."
He paused, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.
"There were several times when I thought I was going to die, but each time I gritted my teeth and pulled through."
"I am currently living well in the Su family."
He lowered his head and looked at his hands.
"Master used to say that there are no good people in the cultivation world, only bad people who haven't been discovered yet. I didn't believe it at first, but now I do."
A gentle mountain breeze stirred the wildflowers in front of the grave, causing them to sway slightly.
"I have now reached the sixth level of Qi Refining. If Master were here, he would be very happy."
A slight smile appeared on Zhao Fan's lips.
"I will continue to work hard and strive to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. I will come back to tell Master when that time comes, so that Master can be happy too."
He knelt for a few more moments before rising and solemnly bowing three times to the tombstone.
"Master, I'll be leaving now. I'll come again next time and bring you even better wine."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away.
Leaving the old cave, Zhao Fan piloted his flying boat straight towards Yulin Mountain.
According to Su San, Su Zixuan disappeared after leaving Yulin Shanfang Market.
Therefore, the focus of the search should naturally be on the places around the market that she might go to.
She was alone, so it's very likely that she encountered a cultivator undergoing tribulation. Although her strength wasn't particularly high, it wasn't weak either, so she still had a chance of surviving if she encountered a cultivator undergoing tribulation.
In any case, we should first search around Yulin Mountain.
After flying for half an hour, Zhao Fan landed in a mountain hollow.
The terrain here is relatively open, with a stream meandering through it. The banks are lush with vegetation, making it a beautiful place. Of course, it's also a good place for murder and robbery.
Zhao Fan put away the flying boat and walked slowly along the stream, scanning his surroundings while carefully spreading his divine sense.
The terrain here is complicated, making it difficult to search for people. Fortunately, Zhao Fan has just broken through, his mind is clear, and his spiritual sense has greatly increased, making the search much more efficient.
However, Zhao Fan searched the mountains thoroughly but found nothing.
After confirming that there was nothing unusual in the mountains, Zhao Fan descended the mountain and headed towards another one.
As Zhao Fan walked, he pondered the situation. He had encountered Jiexiu cultivators before, and they usually only made their moves when they were forty or fifty miles away from Yulin Mountain.
There shouldn't be any on the nearby mountains.