Chapter 776: Encheng (I)
Li Xizhi had understood early on that guarding the valley was no easy task. If the Tuoba Family sent some random subordinate, they would be fine. But if they sent a direct descendant, then he would need to prepare an escape route.
So he had inquired about the relevant rosters, memorized the approximate layout of the checkpoints surrounding Baixiang Valley, and organized a list of the cultivators stationed at each. Now, he followed the shortest possible route in his flight.
He rode past more than ten strongholds on Heavenly Glow. Most were minor hills and small formations. Some had been razed by devil cultivators, while others were simply too afraid to appear, remaining eerily silent.
He had passed two major formations. One remained sealed shut and the other was surrounded by devil cultivators. It had been too dangerous to approach. That one had originally housed members of the Yang Family, but they were either trapped or dead. No signs of life remained. He could only forge ahead blindly.
Now, his back was soaked with sweat, and his insides in complete disarray. His spiritual sea was nearly empty, and the Heavenly Glow had grown dim. He flew past another small mountain. Its formation was unresponsive, turning him away at the threshold.
Li Xizhi hovered lightly on the dim Heavenly Glow and glanced downward twice. His insides were in turmoil, as danger loomed. He steadied himself with a spell and thought to himself, More than ten formations, and not a single one familiar to my family? Is this just ill fortune... or deliberate plotting?
His Heavenly Glow was like the very image of a dying lamp. He only had one Autumn Convergence Pill left, but he could no longer afford to save it. He quickly calculated, There’s only one pill left, and Tuoba Chongyuan is closing in. The problem won’t be mana exhaustion anymore. I’ll be caught before I even reach Mount Bianyan...
A cold feeling crept across his heart. Chengdu Pass ahead was most likely under the guard of Yuan Huyuan, elder brother to his master Yuan Tuan. The two were already estranged.
The old man is timid and indecisive. He’s eager to keep the peace and please outsiders. Even someone like Yuan Chengdun dared to cut down his own family’s finest. There’s no hope he’ll act with clarity now, thought Li Xizhi.