Unsheathed

Mao Qiulu smiled as she removed the bracelet of bells from her wrist, then handed them over to Chen Ping'an, who she was still yet to identify as a Qi refiner.

The old man beside her swept a sleeve through the air, and the Eight Triagrams formation on the surface of the lake instantly came together like a giant, silver net, forcibly transporting the little girl to the shore, while the other Azure Stone Residence cultivators retrieved the eight compasses.

"Make sure to keep a close eye on her, Young Master Chen. We're going to withdraw the formation, take care that you don't let her flee into the lake," Mao Qiulu cautioned.

"Of course," Chen Ping'an replied with a smile and a nod.

The formation instantly faded away, and Chen Ping'an stepped forward before lifting the little girl up by the back of her collar, suspending her in mid-air as she crossed her arms with a displeased expression.

Meanwhile, all of the people gathered in the valley were quickly packing up their belongings before hurriedly fleeing the scene, escorted by the monks.

The Azure Stone Residence cultivators strode over to join the monks of the Deity Visage Nation, clearly intending to help them evacuate everyone from the valley.

"You there! The armed escort!" Chen Ping'an yelled.

A young armed escort riding on a horse turned around to look at him.

While continuing to carry the little girl with one hand, Chen Ping'an conjured up a wine flagon in his other hand, then hurled it toward the young man on the horse, aiming his throw with such exceptional accuracy and the young man merely had to reach out a hand on horseback to catch the flagon.

After stowing the flagon away, the young man smiled and cupped his fist toward Chen Ping'an in a grateful salute.

"You're not coming with us, Young Master Chen?" Mao Qiulu asked.