Do you really think you can get me with just a banana?

The weather outside changed suddenly today. It was sunny in the morning, but it became cloudy in the evening and it looked like it was going to rain.

As Ah Nian listened to their conversation, she casually glanced out the window and noticed the wind had picked up, accompanied by a light rain. She quickly and quietly tugged on Master Yang's sleeve. Master Yang turned to look out the window, startled and slapped his head. "Everyone, we have to go! My cloth is still hanging out in the yard, and this rain will ruin it all. I have to go back and collect it."

Seeing this, everyone quickly responded. Master Yang said goodbye to everyone in a hurry and took Anian home.

Li Qi watched Master Yang leave, and suddenly remembered something. He turned to Guan Shanyu and asked, "Shanyu, when are you planning to return to the sect?"

Guan Shanyu thought for a moment, then looked at Yan Ruchen, who remained silent, and replied, "We have to leave almost tomorrow. We can't delay it for too long."

After hearing this, Li Kang sighed and said with emotion: "After this departure, I don't know when we brothers will get together again." Guan Shanyu listened, just lowered his head silently, and said nothing.

At this time, Qiu Ling, who usually kept her mouth shut, suddenly spoke up to remind them, "If you're going on the road tomorrow, be careful on the road. It's best not to let anyone know that you're cultivators."

When these words came out, all the disciples were stunned. Jin Yu was the first to ask curiously, "Sister Qiu Ling, why is this?"

Qiu Ling looked at Li Qi, then looked out the door. She lowered her voice and said, "In recent months, many people have disappeared inexplicably. It's better to be careful."

Everyone was shocked when they thought she was talking about the incident at Wangshuiling.

Su Yi and the others immediately laughed and said, "Is that so? We really need to be careful then. Haha, thank you Sister Qiu Ling for the reminder."

Seeing that the disciples didn't seem to take it seriously, Li Qi and the others explained, "I know that you cultivators always have to deal with ghosts and spirits. Some disciples can't handle them, and casualties are inevitable. But what my wife wants to say is that you shouldn't mention that you are cultivators. This is because many reactionary cultivators have mysteriously disappeared recently."

Upon hearing this, the disciples looked at each other in confusion.

The disappearance of disciples at Wangshuiling has been somewhat resolved. It's clear that those missing, whether abducted or entering the area on their own accord, became prey to the black-robed figure and the spirit turtle that drained their magical powers. This theory, based primarily on intelligence from various sects indicating that the missing were all accomplished inner disciples, leads to theorized that the murderer's motive was to "absorb the magical powers of others to enhance their own strength."

But are there other people missing as well? If they are reactionary cultivators, then aren't they just ordinary people?

Could the disappearance of ordinary people be related to the Wangshuiling incident?

Yu Kunliang asked anxiously, "Brother Li Qi, can you tell me in detail?"

Li Qi nodded, glanced out the window to confirm that everything was fine, then lowered his voice and told everyone the story.

It turned out that Li Qi and his companions had opened a small shop here, primarily catering to the merchants who came and went. As they met more people, they heard more anecdotes. They learned that in addition to those who yearned for and worshipped the immortal cultivation, there were also those who opposed it. These people would gather privately among the people, making reactionary speeches with the intention of overthrowing the immortal cultivation sects.

"Actually, even if we knew about it, it wouldn't have mattered much. These opponents are like some people who support sweet tofu pudding, while others support salty tofu pudding. Some like one, while others like the other. Besides, they don't dare to really speak out publicly, but only secretly make small moves to discredit the major sects. So even if the disciples of the immortal family knew about it, they wouldn't take it too seriously. But because we have all visited the immortal mountain to worship masters, we sometimes pay more attention to these people. It was this month that we discovered something strange."

The disciples listened attentively. Li Qi took a sip of tea and continued, "Some people practiced cultivation in a reactionary way, but nothing happened. They went out on the streets and encouraged others to do so. However, some people who participated in the reactionary activities on the streets disappeared the next day. In our town alone, three of them disappeared."

Guan Shanyu asked: "Missing means missing?"

Li Kang nodded in agreement and said, "He just disappeared."

After hearing this, the disciples fell into deep thought. Yan Ruchen, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly asked, "How do we determine if he's missing? It's possible he's gone somewhere else with the reactionary forces, or perhaps he's gone on a long journey?"

When Li Qi and the others saw him speak, their expressions instantly fell. They made some impatient "tsk" sounds, glanced at him and didn't bother to explain. Guan Shanyu coughed violently a few times and signaled him with his eyes, "Don't be like this, be nicer."

Seeing this, Li Qi reluctantly opened his mouth and explained: "Do you think we are stupid? Of course we know. Since they are missing, it must be true. Those people are all old residents of the town. They have been rooted here for generations. How could they leave easily without saying goodbye? Even if they really have to go a long way, they will leave a letter to report their safety. There are two who are missing. They said before that they would go to Tianxuan with us to learn from the master, but they disappeared without a trace. Shanyu, do you still remember Zhao Fengshou? The one who always followed us around when we were young, with a long snot hanging from his nose, and Yan... cough, do you remember?"

Guan Shanyu frowned and his heart skipped a beat.

He traveled through time and space after visiting Xianyuan Village. How could he remember any NPC from his childhood?

But he still nodded with a stiff neck.

Li Kang quickly put his hands to his mouth and said in a low voice, "It's him, from the blacksmith shop at the corner of the street. He's been missing for half a month. His wife reported him to the police, but they've been searching for him for over ten days with no news."

The disciples frowned and looked at each other. Li Qi then added in a low voice, "Some people have been criticizing the cultivators recently, and they suspect you're seeking revenge. Everyone, please keep a low profile when you go out. When I brought you back this morning, I said you were relatives from the countryside visiting to avoid any trouble."

Guan Shanyu nodded in agreement, and when he saw Yan Ruchen lowering his head in thought, he turned around and politely thanked Li Qi and the others.

At this moment, a muffled thunder suddenly sounded outside the house, "boom" sound, the sky became increasingly gloomy, foreshadowing the coming of heavy rain. Li Kang suddenly remembered that the windows at home were not closed, and was worried that the rain would enter the house. Thinking that it was almost time to reminisce about the past, he quickly stood up and said: "Shanyu, it may rain heavily outside. I'm going back first. You should also rest quickly. I heard from Li Qi that you are seriously injured. After this meal, go and rest quickly."

Guan Shanyu nodded and said, "Okay, go back quickly. I think it's going to rain soon."

As Li Kang walked out, he reminded Li Qi: "Li Qi, Shan Yu and the others are now in your care. If you need any help, feel free to call me."

Li Qi said with a smile as he sent him off: "Don't worry, I will definitely call you."

After everyone burst into laughter, the disciples saw Li Kang off to the door. Before the drizzle came, he hurried onto the long street, and his figure quickly blended into the twilight at the end of the street.

Li Qi turned around and asked everyone to continue sitting. Qiu Ling gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered a few words. He immediately slapped his forehead and laughed, "Oh, I almost forgot something important!" Everyone looked puzzled, and he hurriedly explained, "My wife reminded me that the roof of the chicken coop hasn't been repaired yet, and she's afraid the chickens will get wet in the rain. I'll go take care of it first. You guys continue eating, and then go upstairs to rest. The beds are ready. Just leave the dishes on the table for us to clean up."

Before the disciples could even express their gratitude, Li Qi had already thrown back the curtains and rushed to the backyard. Qiu Ling was left behind. Unaccustomed to such situations, she seemed somewhat bewildered. Seeing this, Guan Shanyu gently offered a word of caution, "Sister-in-law, you're feeling unwell. Go rest for a while. We'll be back up after dinner."

Qiu Ling smiled shyly and bowed slightly: "I have washed and dried your clothes. I will put them in your rooms right away."

Jin Yu quickly stood up and said, "Sister Qiu Ling, don't bother. I'll go with you!"

The two walked to the back room together, and the front hall suddenly became quiet. Guan Shanyu saw that he still had seven or eight wontons in front of him, so he sat down and continued eating, hoping to finish quickly and go to rest.

Yan Ruchen hadn't said much since arriving, his eyes wandering, his thoughts unclear. Guan Shanyu wondered if he was also unhappy with Li Qi and the others, after all, they had bullied him in the past. He just hoped that since Li Qi and the others had helped him this time, he wouldn't attack them again.

The other disciples were silent for a while, and it was Su Yi who broke the silence first, saying: "Shan Yu, I have been wanting to say this. Although you look average in martial arts, you recover really fast. You were injured so badly, but after taking medicine and resting for an hour, you are back to being full of energy. Look at Su Benzhi, he injured his throat and swallowed at least a pound of medicine powder, but now he still can't make a sound."

Su Benzhi was suddenly called out at the side. He looked embarrassed for a moment and bowed apologetically, saying that he was sorry for the embarrassment.

Guan Shanyu swallowed a mouthful of wonton and secretly glanced at Yan Ruchen. Seeing that he didn't react, he laughed awkwardly and buried his head in eating.

Why did he recover so quickly? Isn’t it because he had accumulated forty years of cultivation?

Qing Fan was stirring the soup in the bowl with a spoon. Seeing Guan Shanyu's little action, he asked curiously, "Shanyu, I noticed that you really like to secretly visit Brother Ruchen."

Guan Shanyu was stunned, and Yan Ruchen turned his head and looked at him suspiciously.

Damn, my subconscious guilty conscience was discovered.

Guan Shanyu reacted quickly and replied, "Ruchen carried me all the way here. I don't know if I was a burden to you when I was unconscious, so I'm a little... well."

He couldn't come up with a specific description for a moment, but the other disciples understood what he meant and nodded in understanding. Yan Ruchen didn't show any expression, but replied in a gentle tone: "It's only natural to help each other. Don't take it to heart."

Guan Shanyu finished his last wonton, feeling guilty, nodded, and continued in silence. Yu Kunliang, standing beside him, suddenly gave a wry smile and shook his head.

The disciples looked at him in confusion, and Qing Fan asked, "What's wrong?"

Yu Kunliang continued stirring the soup in the bowl and said, "I don't know what to do when I return to the sect tomorrow."