But he still reached out to take the mask.
Once everything was ready, the two quickly arrived at the mountain gate barrier, only to see that it was already heavily guarded.
"What are you two doing at this hour?" Elder Wuzhu asked upon seeing them.
Yan Xiaohu sneakily pulled Elder Wuzhu aside and whispered, "Master Uncle, we have a secret mission. Please, keep it quiet."
Elder Wuzhu rolled his eyes at Yan Xiaohu.
Who would give a mission to someone as unreliable as you? Let alone bringing along someone as ordinary as Zhou Qing?
"Hurry back, or I’ll capture you as a spy!" Elder Wuzhu said.
Yan Xiaohu replied seriously, "It’s true, and it was given to us in secret by the Sect Leader. If you delay us, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility."
Seeing Yan Xiaohu’s earnest expression, Elder Wuzhu became suspicious. He immediately took out his identity token to inquire with the Sect Leader.
Yan Xiaohu swore, "The Sect Leader gave us the secret order and then got busy. You won’t be able to reach him."
Sure enough, the inquiry sent by Elder Wuzhu went unanswered for a long time.
"See? You still don’t believe me. Do I look like someone who lies? We’re leaving!" Yan Xiaohu said and started to leave, but Elder Wuzhu stopped him directly.
Frowning, he said, "I could believe it if someone else needed to go out, but one of you is unreliable, and the other has no spiritual power left. This seems suspicious no matter how I look at it. At such a critical moment, I cannot allow anyone to leave and bring potential danger to the sect."
Hearing this, Yan Xiaohu got upset and, with his hands on his hips, said, "What’s this about others being fine but not us? This is blatant discrimination..."
Before Yan Xiaohu could finish, Zhou Qing hurriedly pulled him away. Didn’t he see that Elder Wuzhu was ready to take action?
The Cyan Feather Immortal Sect’s barrier was compromised through internal collusion. From Elder Wuzhu’s perspective, he had every reason to suspect anyone and take precautionary measures.
"That old stubborn! You think this is the only way? I’ve got other tricks. Let’s go, Fourth!"
Yan Xiaohu snorted, then turned and left with Zhou Qing.
They quickly reached another spot, grumbling, "Only three chances, and we’ve wasted one on our own turf. Feels so heartache."
Yan Xiaohu took out a white jade bead about the size of a pigeon egg as he spoke.
Zhou Qing curiously leaned in, "Third Brother, what is this?"
Yan Xiaohu chuckled, "When you were out breaking through with the Master and Senior Sister, you think I served Brother-in-law for over forty days for nothing? This was my payment."
Zhou Qing was stunned.
Yan Xiaohu continued, "Brother-in-law has a bead as big as a fist, which can easily penetrate any barrier. That’s how he sneaked in back then. I had to pester him so much just to get this small one."
Zhou Qing couldn’t help but feel a shiver.
White Crane could use a bead to easily penetrate the Taiqing Sect’s barrier? If he had malicious intent, the sect would be in grave danger.
"No time to talk. Hold on tight!" Yan Xiaohu said, grabbing Zhou Qing’s arm tightly as the bead activated. They instantly disappeared.
When they reappeared, they were already outside.
"This is amazing! Next time I run into Brother-in-law, I must acquire more!" Yan Xiaohu said, admiring the outside scenery.
Zhou Qing was equally shocked.
After changing clothes, the two swiftly dashed towards the distant horizon.
Under the cover of night, eighteen figures moved at full speed towards the Cyan Feather Immortal Sect, smoothly passing through the areas where they expected an ambush.
Everything was evident.
"Go!" Cao Zhengyang suddenly changed direction, heading northwest.
That was where the Golden Thunder Sect was located.
The others were momentarily stunned, seemingly understanding something but saying nothing, simply following the Sect Leader silently.