The following day, Shen Shiqi and his companions arrived in the small town where Yue'er had recently been. They wandered through the streets, confident in their gathered intelligence. "According to our information," Shen Shiqi declared, "that little girl was last seen in this town, but it seems she's no longer here. However, it's easy to figure out her next move, as there's only one road leading south out of town."
"In that case, let's go!" another companion said with a smile. "The big city is to the south. That little girl should be a member of a family in that city, so it should be easier to find her." He glanced around at the other cultivators, a shared determination in their eyes, and then continued on their way.
Meanwhile, Yue'er, believing that her pursuers wouldn't be able to track her, had relaxed her pace, feeling less weary. As evening approached and the sky began to darken, she spotted a village ahead, nestled amidst cornfields. She decided to seek rest and a meal there.
