107: Undercurrents flow beneath the surface, each going its own way.

On the outskirts of the Luoyun Mountain Range, Lin Xuan, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu watched Su Wanqing's sword light vanish into the horizon, her cool, aloof presence seemingly still lingering in the air.

"Alright, Sister Su has left. Junior Brother Lin, what should we do next?" Qu Feiyan gracefully walked up beside Lin Xuan, her red lips curving slightly, gazing at him with seductive eyes, her tone carrying a hint of lazy intimacy. Having now achieved a Breakthrough to the Mid-stage Golden Core, her aura was even more restrained, making her allure more aggressive.

Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to calm. He glanced at Qu Feiyan, not rejecting her proximity, and said lightly, "As planned, we head to Tianshu City. It's a place where Dragons and snakes mix, with excellent information networks—a good spot to gather intelligence on the Guixu Cult and seek Opportunities." He paused, then looked at the somewhat constrained Gongsun Yu, "Junior Sister Gongsun, be careful on your way back to your Family. If anything unusual happens, contact us immediately via your communication jade talisman."

Gongsun Yu nodded vigorously, her small face filled with reluctance: "Big Brother Lin, Sister Qu, you two must take care as well. Once I've made arrangements back home, I'll come find you!" Saying this, she summoned a Flying Boat Magical Artifact given by her Family, jumped onto it, waved goodbye to the pair, and transformed into a streak of light flying in a different direction.

At this point, the four-person team temporarily split, each embarking on a different path.

Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan exchanged a look, said nothing further, moved their bodies, and transformed into two swift streaks of escape light, heading toward Tianshu City, one of the largest Cultivator cities in the Eastern Region.

Along the way, Lin Xuan communicated with the System in his mind while flying.

"System, after entering Tianshu City, continuously scan for abnormal energy fluctuations within the city, focusing on marking auras related to the Guixu Cult's Devilish Qi and the power of 'Xu'. At the same time, monitor large trading venues and intelligence agencies, filtering for valuable information and potential investment targets."

[Command confirmed. Upon entering the Tianshu City area, the comprehensive environmental scan and information filtering module will be activated. The energy database has been updated (including the characteristics of the Guixu Cult and the power of 'Xu' obtained from the Thunder Emperor Palace).]

Several days later, a colossal, majestic city with walls soaring into the clouds appeared on the horizon. The city walls were constructed from enormous black stones with a metallic sheen, inscribed with complex Formation patterns that faintly emitted powerful spiritual energy fluctuations. The city gate was bustling with activity, Cultivators traveling back and forth like weaving threads, their cultivation ranging from Qi Refining to Golden Core, and occasionally one could even sense the hidden aura of a Nascent Soul Old Monster. This was Tianshu City, the transportation hub and commercial center of the Southern Eastern Region.

After paying the entrance Spirit Stone fee, Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan entered the city. The streets inside were wide, lined with countless shops. Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and Cultivation Techniques were dazzlingly displayed. Selling cries and discussions were constant, presenting a scene of great prosperity.

Qu Feiyan naturally linked arms with Lin Xuan, the soft sensation transferring through. She smiled charmingly: "Junior Brother Lin, since we've just arrived, how about we find a place to settle down first, and then slowly gather information? Sister knows a few good inns, you know." She seemed to truly enjoy the feeling of walking side-by-side with Lin Xuan, appearing intimate.

Lin Xuan's arm stiffened slightly, but he didn't push her away. He naturally understood Qu Feiyan's intentions. After everything they had been through, he wasn't completely indifferent to this enchanting Senior Sister, but Su Wanqing's cool, aloof figure always lingered in his heart. He nodded: "That works."

Guided by Qu Feiyan, the two arrived at an inn named "Cloud Depth Pavilion." The inn offered a secluded environment and featured independent courtyards suitable for Cultivators, meaning the price was naturally quite high. Lin Xuan was wealthy now and didn't care about such expenses, so he booked a quiet small courtyard.

After settling down, Lin Xuan immediately instructed the System: "Start scanning."

[Scanning initiated... Coverage area: Tianshu City core region.]

[Multiple energy gathering points detected (City Lord's Manor, major merchant associations, auction houses, underground black market). Multiple Cultivator auras at Golden Core Stage and above detected.]

[Three areas of abnormal energy fluctuation found: Western city slums (accumulation of faint Death Qi and resentment), Southern city abandoned mine pit (unstable spatial fluctuations), deep beneath the City Lord's Manor (high-intensity concealment Formation, unable to penetrate deeply, unknown energy shielding present).]

[Information filtering in progress... Keyword 'Guixu' related discussions captured (extremely low frequency, mostly linked to several recent Cultivator disappearance cases and rumors of minor Sect annihilation). Attempting to trace information source...]

Sure enough, there were clues! Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. The concealment Formation deep beneath the City Lord's Manor, as well as the rumors related to "Guixu," all suggested something unusual.

"Junior Brother Lin, what are you looking at? You're so absorbed." Qu Feiyan walked over holding a cup of spiritual tea, handing it to Lin Xuan. Her body naturally leaned closer, bringing with it a fragrant breeze. Following Lin Xuan's gaze toward the bustling street outside the window, her seductive eyes flickered, "Do you want to go gather information, or... do you want to go sight-seeing? Sister can accompany you, you know."

Lin Xuan took the tea cup, his fingertips brushing hers slightly. Sensing the warmth in her gaze, he sighed inwardly. He took a sip of tea, put the cup down, and said seriously, "Senior Sister Qu, the main business is important. I just sensed a few suspicious locations that need investigation: the City Lord's Manor, the western city slums, and the southern city mine pit."

Seeing his serious expression, Qu Feiyan also put away some of her playful intent and nodded: "Alright, I'll follow your lead. However, the City Lord's Manor is heavily guarded, and since we just arrived, we shouldn't force our way in. How about we start with the western city or the mine pit?"

"Mm." Lin Xuan agreed with her assessment. "Let's check the western city first. The aura there is mixed; perhaps we can find some clues."

After a brief rest, the two left the Cloud Depth Pavilion and headed toward the western city slums marked by the System.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away, at the Qinglan Sect.

Su Wanqing brought Zhao Ming and quietly snuck back near the Sect. She did not return directly to the mountain gate but stopped in a hidden valley on the outskirts. Looking at the familiar Sect mountain range in the distance, which seemed shrouded in a layer of haze, a flicker of pain and determination crossed her icy eyes.

She took out the communication jade talisman that Lin Xuan had given her, inserted a stream of Divine Thought, and briefly explained that she had arrived safely and begun secret investigations. She believed that Lin Xuan would understand her situation once he received the message.

Putting away the jade talisman, Su Wanqing said to Zhao Ming: "Junior Brother Zhao, you should heal your injuries here first. I will go contact a few trustworthy Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers to inquire about the internal situation. Remember, you must not expose your whereabouts."

"Yes, Senior Sister Su! Please be careful!" Zhao Ming replied respectfully.

Su Wanqing nodded, her figure merging into the shadows of the forest, like an elf beneath the moon, silently sneaking toward the interior of the Qinglan Sect. Her frost silence sword vibrated slightly within her, seemingly sensing its master's heavy heart and firm resolve.

Three paths proceeding simultaneously, a storm was quietly brewing. And Lin Xuan and his beauties would face the dark shadow emanating from "Guixu" on their respective battlefields.