The middle-aged Daoist and Min Chong rode their tunneling light leisurely, unhurriedly heading toward the riverbank. In less than a moment, they had passed over the water and arrived at the village where the Chen couple resided.
He surveyed the area and saw there were over a hundred farm households, with the sound of chickens and dogs echoing between them. Only at the eastern edge of the village stood a conspicuous large mansion with dark tiles and white walls.
Min Chong pointed at the mansion and said, "The Chen couple resides here."
The middle-aged Daoist did not rush forward but stood silently in the air, observing for a few moments. Only then did he descend from the clouds with Min Chong. However, upon landing in the courtyard, they noticed that it had long been deserted.
Min Chong tilted his ear to listen, then entered the house and made a quick circuit around it before hurrying back out. He said, "Grandmaster, they left not long ago; if we pursue them now, we should be able to catch up."
The middle-aged Daoist said nothing, silently staring at a patch of darkened bloodstains on the ground.
Min Chong froze for a moment, then took a few glances himself and sighed, "Manager Ji was killed here by that hideous child."
The middle-aged Daoist extended his hand and summoned a wisp of murky yellow Earth Qi from thin air, bringing it to his nose to smell. In a stern voice, he said, "There is demon energy here."
Min Chong was startled, "Demon energy?"
The middle-aged Daoist gave a cold snort, "The Chen couple are mere mortals. If no one else has passed through recently, then the demon energy may very well have come from that child."
Min Chong asked in confusion, "Could it be some kind of demon?"
The middle-aged Daoist lifted a corner of his sun scarf, revealing a pair of eyes that radiated brilliant spiritual light. He said, "Judging by this demon energy, it’s likely a little demon that has only recently transformed. I suspect it was sent by Lu Daoist before his departure to protect this couple, but it poses no threat to me. Min Chong, I will pursue them myself. Meanwhile, you are to search every corner of this mansion thoroughly, including underground. Pay extra attention to see if the Soul-Gathering Bell is hidden here, and remember—do not overlook anything."
Min Chong hastily replied with utmost sincerity, saying, "Grandmaster, your disciple will conduct a meticulous search."
The middle-aged Daoist nodded and flicked his robe sleeve, transforming into a green light and shooting away.
At this moment, the Chen couple had just reached the halfway point, still about ten miles away from Baofeng Temple. However, the rain grew heavier, rendering the road ahead increasingly muddy and making it difficult for the mule-cart to move forward.
Meanwhile, Zhang Pan appeared uneasy and restless. Being a spirit monster from the sea, he was particularly sensitive to the approaching danger in this wet and stormy weather. He glanced at the sky and took out a piece of talisman paper, chanting incantations as taught by Zhang Yan before throwing it into the air.
The talisman spun once in the air and then plunged toward the northwest, unexpectedly igniting into ashes in the pouring rain without any external flame. Zhang Pan’s face darkened, and he muttered, "Trouble—this is an ominous sign. A formidable pursuer is coming."
The Chen couple heard this and were struck with panic. Zhang Pan wasted no time, pulling out two Flying Cloud Talismans etched with golden patterns from his sleeve bag. Taking two quick steps toward the couple, he said, "These are Flying Cloud Talismans passed down by the master. They can carry you two hundreds of miles away. Remember, once activated, you must not open your eyes under any circumstances; otherwise, you will plummet from the clouds and shatter to bits upon impact."
These words left Chen Jishi pale-faced. He was about to refuse, but given the pressing danger, Zhang Pan had no time for argument. He quickly activated the talismans and slapped them onto the couple’s bodies. A flash of golden light followed, and two figures ascended into the clouds, vanishing within moments.
However, after the couple had departed, their maid Qiao’er remained behind. Overcome with fear, she clung to Zhang Pan’s sleeve, sobbing, "Little Daoist, what’s to become of this little servant girl?"
Zhang Yan had only entrusted Zhang Pan with two talismans, and there were no extras available. Seeing Qiao’er’s tear-streaked face, delicate yet beautiful despite her distress, Zhang Pan felt a sudden pang in his heart. Almost unconsciously, he retrieved an elixir pill and handed it to her, saying, "This elixir can warm your body and dispel the cold. You should go hide in the forest for now. The pursuer is after your masters—surely they won’t concern themselves with you. Once the rain stops, go to Baofeng Temple to seek them out."
Qiao’er found his words somewhat reasonable. She accepted the elixir pill, consumed it hastily, thanked Zhang Pan, and lifted her skirt hem, rushing toward the nearby forest.
Zhang Pan stood in place, gazing at the sky. The Flying Cloud Talisman could carry people away, but its tunneling speed was not particularly fast.
If the pursuer possessed high cultivation and exerted their efforts in chasing, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance they would catch up. Therefore, merely relying on these two talismans would not suffice to save the couple—he had to intervene and delay the pursuer personally.
As for whether he could successfully stop them, Zhang Pan had a certain level of confidence.