Bai Xunli jolted back to the moment—she had completely forgotten Gu Tianzhu was still in the room. She had been so focused on 'fighting' against Xuan Tian's presence that it had consumed her entirely. Everyone else had faded into the background.
"I—" she began.
"Captain Bai, this Princess believes that's enough. You should apologize to Xuan Shengzun." Mu Qingran cut her off and turned to face Xuan Tian. She stepped forward and dipped into a curtsy—the standard salute for a female of the royal family.
"This Princess apologizes for her earlier behavior. This Princess's name is Mu Qingran, and This Princess is the youngest daughter of the current Emperor." She rushed through the words in a single breath, afraid she'd be cut off by a commoner.
Her concern was not unfounded. When she looked up from her curtsy, she found herself staring straight into Ling Yu's eyes.
Mu Qingran's eyes narrowed. She was going to rip this commoner apart.
But Ling Yu simply glared at her, then turned to Xuan Tian and put on her sweetest expression and voice.
"Xuan Ge," she sing-songed.
Xuan Tian instantly got goosebumps and closed his eyes.
"What is it?" he asked, eyes still shut.
"Why are we still here? I thought we were moving to the new residence?" Ling Yu was still using the same overly sweet tone.
Xuan Tian inhaled sharply, eyes still closed. "I'm sure we'll go soon."
"Yeah, I was wondering the same thing too!" Zhao Zhi's voice rang out in the bedstone chamber.
Ling Yu turned to him and smiled sincerely. "Zhao Ge! How's everyone? Are they ready?"
Zhao Zhi nodded. "Yes! They're ready. Me too."
He then walked up to Xuan Tian and, without hesitation, took his wrist to check his pulse. He exhaled loudly and slapped Xuan Tian's arm. "I'm glad to see you, Xuan Xiong!"
One corner of Xuan Tian's mouth curled up—a rare occurrence. "Thanks to you, Zhao Xiong."
The effect of that rare smile was instant. All the female cultivators were stunned silly. Mu Qingran's eyes glazed over in a daze, daydreaming. Bai Xunli's eyes widened; her heart began to race. Ling Yu zeroed in on his lips, and her thoughts returned. Oh no!
The male cultivators could only stare. Where did that cold man go? Who was this?
Only Gu Tianzhu remained calm and collected—but even he smiled widely. Shengzun's effect was incredible!
Zhao Zhi noticed the shift in the room, looked around, and lifted his eyebrow. "Xuan Xiong, you are—hmph!" He gave Xuan Tian a thumbs up.
Xuan Tian frowned slightly, confused, and looked around—but everyone was already scrambling to act normal again.
Ling Yu pouted and glared at him. He was staring at her, eyebrows raised. What did I do?
Xuan Tian's attention suddenly snapped toward the cavern entrance—his heightened senses had picked up the approaching footsteps and subtle energy signatures before anyone else. A beat later, Gu Tianzhu followed his gaze, then both Captains and Shen Qingyu, responding to the rising cultivation aura in the distance.
Moments later, Yan Zhen and Luo Heng appeared. They halted as soon as they saw multiple pairs of eyes locked onto them.
Their attention immediately shifted to Xuan Tian.
"You're here. Good," Bai Xunli said, 'rescuing' her assistants from the aftermath of the Xuan Tian Effect.
They snapped back to attention. Yan Zhen cleared his throat and saluted. "Captain. The residence is ready. The carriages are outside."
Luo Heng added, "We could only secure six carriages. We might need to make two trips."
"It won't be necessary," Xuan Tian interjected. "I won't use the carriage. I'm sure Gu Zhenren and his disciples also won't use the carriages. Ling Yu should—"
"Not use the carriage," Ling Yu cut in. "But I think you should," she added, looking at Xuan Tian. "You just woke up. What if you pass out on the way down?"
Xuan Tian deadpanned, "You can carry me. You're a cultivator now."
Gu Tianzhu added with a nod, "We won't need the carriage."
Bai Xunli spoke calmly, "I think it's safe to say the carriages will only be used for the awakened."
Zhao Zhi turned around. "Then I'll go and fetch the sick ones."
"Zhao Ge, I'll help," Ling Yu offered.
"I'll help too," Li Ran chimed in, trailing closely behind Ling Yu. Ever since she stood up to Mu Qingran, he'd seen her in a new light. Now he was following her around like a puppy.
Shen Qingyu and his shidis also stepped forward. "I guess we'll help too." He saluted to Xuan Tian and Gu Tianzhu. "Shengzun, Shizun."
After a moment, Bai Xunli turned to Xuan Tian. She bowed and saluted. "Shengzun, I deeply apologize. I had no intention of disrespecting you. I was too anxious to find out what exactly happened here."
Xuan Tian didn't flinch. His expression didn't change. "To me, it doesn't matter what you call me."
Mu Qingran, pleased that Ling Yu had left, slowly approached Xuan Tian. She believed she had done well and was about to speak when—
"I think it's better if the Princess returns to her residence," Xuan Tian said, locking eyes with her.
She swallowed. "This—"
Bai Xunli added firmly, "Agreed. Princess, you're not supposed to be here. This is a crime scene. If His Majesty finds out, he'll have our heads."
All four Enforcers bowed and saluted. "Please save our heads, Princess."
Mu Qingran pursed her lips. She knew she had lost. She had planned to invite Xuan Tian to ride with her in her special Imperial carriage. Her eyes stung. She turned quickly—she didn't want him to see her tears. She was hurt. Xuan Tian didn't want her there.
She left without another word. Wu Zhenhai saluted to everyone before trailing behind her.
Watching her leave, Xuan Tian unknowingly exhaled. He couldn't handle the interaction between Ling Yu and Mu Qingran, so he had to 'kick' her away. He found it strange—Ling Yu may have a sharp mouth, but she wasn't usually so hostile to others. And that was a child.
He turned to Bai Xunli. "Now, Captain, there's no one else but us. Is there anything else you'd like to know? Let's get this over with."
He took a seat on one of the chairs. Gu Tianzhu remained standing behind him like a silent sentinel.
Bai Xunli took the chair opposite Xuan Tian. Yan Zhen and Luo Heng stood behind her, one on each side.
"Shengzun, thank you for the offer. I really am curious. Did you really kill Tie Yanfang alone?"
"Captain, I've already answered. What's the point of talking if you don't believe me?"
"I find it really hard to believe that you alone killed Tie Yanfang—a Saint famous for his abundant spirit energy."
"Then I can't help you. This conversation is based on trust. If you're not willing to trust me, then you're wasting my time."
Xuan Tian moved to rise from his seat. Bai Xunli quickly clasped her hands in front of her.
"I apologize, Shengzun."
Xuan Tian's gaze didn't soften. "This is the second time you've apologized and called me 'Shengzun.' I can feel you don't mean it. Then don't say it. Insincerity is an insult I do not tolerate."
At his words, Xuan Tian's presence grew heavier, becoming increasingly unbearable for the three Enforcers nearby.
"Shengzun," Gu Tianzhu's gentle voice came like a spring in the desert. "I believe Captain Bai was merely too anxious and pressured by your presence. She didn't handle it well. I have heard of Captain Bai's reputation—she is a good Enforcer Captain."
Gu Tianzhu saluted. "Please, Shengzun, give her another chance."
Gu Tianzhu rarely went against Xuan Tian. This time, he did it to avoid a future clash between Han Zhaofeng and Xuan Tian. The Head of ICEB was significantly stronger than Tie Yanfang—not necessarily in spirit energy, but Han Zhaofeng was famed for his Severing Sword Techniques. If they clashed, Gu Tianzhu couldn't imagine the consequences.
Xuan Tian didn't respond immediately. His sharp gaze lingered on Bai Xunli a moment longer, weighing Gu Tianzhu's words. The pressure in the air didn't vanish, but it pulled back—just enough for the Enforcers to breathe again.
"I'm only tolerating this because Gu Zhenren asked," he said at last, voice cold and measured. "Don't mistake it for leniency."
He looked at Bai Xunli again. "You may call me whatever you want—with sincerity—or don't speak at all."
Xuan Tian consciously pulled back his aura again. He could feel it—his aura had become more powerful.
Which didn't make sense.
His cultivation had dropped. So how could his aura become stronger?
That kind of imbalance could become a liability. If he couldn't manage it, it would hinder future infiltration missions. He needed control. Complete control.
And yet, the source of this shift eluded him.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something had changed.
Something within.