The patrol teams were organized by the Lianying Hall, composed of disciples dispatched from various sects and forces. Although they wore the uniform attire of Lianying Hall while on duty, each disciple carried the emblem of their respective sects, making it easy to identify their affiliations.
As Yuan Qing passed by the second patrol team, he indeed spotted the emblem of the Tianxuan Sect among them, though he didn't recognize any familiar faces. With plenty of time left before the Fu Master Conference commenced and concluded, he wasn't in a rush.
After confirming that the Tianxuan Sect had arrived in Banshang City, Yuan Qing began exploring the city's layout and routes, gathering more information about the upcoming conference. After all, he had promised Lin Xiao and the others that he would act as their guide, and he intended to keep his word.
Observing Yuan Qing shift from a cautious and vigilant demeanor to a more relaxed and inquisitive state, Yuan Zhiyun decided it was time to approach him. Spotting him turning into a relatively secluded alleyway, she quickly followed and, seeing that no one else was around, stepped forward and gently tapped his shoulder.
"Little brother?"
Startled, Yuan Qing turned around to see the familiar face of Yuan Zhiyun. He froze momentarily before instinctively uttering, "Elder sister..."
Realizing that he was currently in disguise and worried about being overheard, Yuan Qing quickly closed his mouth and began walking toward the city outskirts. Noticing his apprehension about being recognized, Yuan Zhiyun chose not to speak further but followed him at a respectful distance, her brows slightly furrowed.
Watching his thin and frail back, Yuan Zhiyun felt a pang of heartache. They were not siblings by blood; Yuan Qing had lost his parents at a young age, and her mother had taken him in out of compassion, caring for him for some time.
As an only child, Yuan Zhiyun had been intrigued by the sudden arrival of a younger brother nearly twenty years her junior. She enjoyed playing with him and gave him numerous peculiar toys. In the entire Yuan family, she treated him the best.
It was Yuan Zhiyun who first taught Yuan Qing how to guide spiritual energy into his body. Later, when the Tianxuan Sect recruited disciples and allocated slots to the Yuan family, Yuan Qing's spiritual root aptitude placed him within the quota, and he was sent to the Tianxuan Sect before he was even ten years old.
Although he had been raised for a time by the Yuan family's matriarch, their bond naturally waned over time. While his provisions as a Yuan family disciple were never lacking, and the matriarch occasionally provided extra support, genuine care and concern were scarce.
Understanding this, Yuan Qing never reported his troubles to the Yuan family, and his biannual letters home were always filled with good news, omitting any hardships. Only Yuan Zhiyun, his elder sister from a distant branch of the family, would visit him at the Tianxuan Sect every one or two years, bringing him nice things.
However, as the Yuan family's young master, Yuan Zhiyun had numerous responsibilities and studies, making her occasional visits to him quite precious. Yuan Qing remained deeply grateful to the Yuan family's head household. The period when he was under Yuan Zhiyun's mother's care was one of the few truly happy times in his relatively short life.
The two walked one after the other, maintaining a casual distance until they reached a secluded forest outside the city. Yuan Qing weaved through the trees until they arrived at a particularly isolated spot. Only then did he turn around, remove his disguise, and say, "Elder sister, long time no see..."
It had been over a year since their last meeting. Yuan Qing addressed Yuan Zhiyun as "elder sister" at her insistence, as she enjoyed the feeling of having a younger brother.
Noting his pale complexion and obvious signs of recent illness, Yuan Zhiyun frowned and asked, "What happened to you? Did someone bully you?"
Yuan Qing wasn't adept at lying, but he didn't want to reveal the truth to her. Knowing her temperament, he was certain she would stand up for him if she knew the facts. However, as this involved internal matters of the Tianxuan Sect, her interference could attract criticism and disfavor from the sect, upon which the Yuan family depended.
After a long pause, he finally concocted a reason, "I... encountered a group of ferocious demonic beasts while traveling outside. They chased me, and I had to use the secret technique you taught me, burning my essence blood to escape..."
Having trailed him for most of the day, Yuan Zhiyun didn't believe his explanation. However, suspecting the issue was related to the Tianxuan Sect, she chose not to press further and instead asked, "Where are you staying now? We haven't seen each other in so long; would you like to stay with me? The cave dwelling next to mine is still vacant."
Yuan Qing hesitated. He had other matters to attend to, and staying next door to her would make it difficult to come and go unnoticed. Yet, he genuinely wished to spend time with his elder sister. After a moment's deliberation, he replied, "Elder sister, I recently promised some fellow Daoists to act as their guide and am currently lodging with them. Perhaps once they become familiar with Banshang City and the Fu Master Conference, I can come find you. Would that be alright?"
Observing his expression and sensing sincerity in his words, Yuan Zhiyun nodded decisively, "Since you've made a promise, you should honor it first. Come find me when you're free."
With that, she provided him with the location of her cave dwelling.
By the time Yuan Qing and Yuan Zhiyun returned to Banshang City together, Lin Xiao and the others had already come back to their residence laden with the day's abundant spoils.
Entering the cave dwelling, Yuan Qing was greeted by the sight of Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu lounging comfortably on couches, each soaking their feet in buckets filled with hot water.
Momentarily stunned, Yuan Qing found his voice after a brief pause, "Fellow Daoists, you are..."
Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu were sprawled lazily, a large basket filled with various snacks placed between them, and a small table beside them held a pot of freshly brewed tea.
In the half-filled buckets on the floor, the hot water bubbled gently—not from boiling but due to a miniature array they had recently developed for foot massage purposes.
Their feet floated leisurely in the warm, bubbling water as they occasionally munched on snacks and sipped tea, exuding an air of complete relaxation.