"Those two named Wu Xiuluo and Gai Huatian come from very mysterious origins. No one knows their identities right now. What did they talk about when they met with Lin Tian and Instructor Ning?" Xu Feibai gazed at the night sky outside, his voice ethereal.

"I... I didn’t hear clearly. After Lin Tian destroyed the Gu Worm last time, I followed the master’s orders to keep a safe distance wherever Lin Tian was to avoid angering him. So, the Blackbird stayed a bit far, and didn’t catch everything." Yasuo’s eyes showed some anxiety, seemingly fearing Xu Feibai’s reprimand, but his true thoughts were his own.

Xu Feibai was noncommittal, not showing any anger, and his expression remained unchanged: "Has that Gai Huatian left the school?"

"Yes, master, he left around Mid-Autumn and his whereabouts are unknown, but it seems he and Wu Xiuluo are looking for someone." Yasuo replied respectfully.

"As long as they don’t disrupt our affairs, ignore them. Also, has the rift been fully explored?" Xu Feibai finally turned back, staring at Yasuo with his question.

This action placed immense pressure on Yasuo, who quickly lowered his head, stuttering in response: "In... in reply to the master, it... it hasn’t been fully explored yet..."

"Why?" Xu Feibai frowned, appearing displeased.

Yasuo bowed his head lower, shivering as he spoke: "There... there seems to be mysterious forces blocking under the rift, the Gu Worm loses contact once it descends, unable to reach the bottom. The curse’s power is limited now; I’m afraid to act rashly."

Mysterious forces? Xu Feibai pondered for a moment as if contemplating something. Neither the masked man nor Yasuo dared to interrupt with their voices.

After a while, Xu Feibai waved his hand to Yasuo, saying: "Bring out the Gu Worm."

"Yes, master." Yasuo nodded respectfully, then took out a small black porcelain jar, opened its lid, and a worm crawled out from within.

The worm had a pair of small translucent wings, seemingly able to fly rapidly with just a flutter.

Not knowing Xu Feibai’s intent, Yasuo held it up obediently in front of him. Xu Feibai did not take it but instead produced a small glass bottle, opened its lid, and with a single-handed motion, thin threads of blood drifted out from the bottle.

The blood threads drifted over, landing on the worm, which originally silent began to squeak restlessly, trembling continuously. Yasuo watched with surprise as the worm’s dark color was suddenly streaked with blood patterns.

"Has it evolved?" Yasuo asked incredulously.

"Go ahead, use it to continue exploring the rift, ensure the situation at the bottom is clear." Xu Feibai packed away the bottle, speaking lightly, as if he’d done something trivial.

"Yes, master." Yasuo accepted the order respectfully and prepared to turn and leave.

Yet Xu Feibai suddenly said again: "Also, keep an eye out during your search. There might be a passage leading to the rift’s bottom; we just haven’t found the entrance yet. After all, that place has been there for thousands of years."

"Thousands of years!" The masked man and Yasuo gasped in surprise.

"Master, we’ll take our leave now." Yasuo said respectfully.

Xu Feibai waved his hand, allowing Yasuo to leave, but signaled for the masked man to stay.

Once Yasuo left, Xu Feibai spoke: "Go investigate if there’s any news about the Ice Soul."

"Master, forgive my ignorance; what is the Ice Soul?" The masked man asked perplexedly.

"The Ice Soul is an Essence formed in Xuanbing. In the hands of powerful beings, its power is immense and can seal everything. You just need to look for clues." Xu Feibai responded indifferently.

The masked man expressed mild surprise, asking: "Could other parts of Jiang Chen Ancestor be sealed within the Ice Soul?"

"This matter is not for you to consider; go." Xu Feibai waved his hand again, indicating for him to leave.

The masked man bowed respectfully, exiting: "Yes, master, I thought too much."

The room returned to silence once more. After a while, Xu Feibai’s voice resounded: "Where exactly are the Ice Soul Crystal Coffin and Heavenly Cluster Cloud Sword?" Following this, the room plunged into deeper silence, void of even breathing sounds.

Lin Tian and his companions returned to Wu Xiuluo’s dormitory where Xiao Manxuan and Ning Wenbin had been waiting for a long time.

"Cousin, Lin Tian, what did you talk about? I’ve had several cups of tea; it’s been too long." Ning Wenbin asked gloomily, his bladder full but unwilling to relieve himself at the Goddess’s house, causing him discomfort.

"Nothing much, let’s go." Ning Luoxi gave no explanation to him, for he was too unreliable usually.

"Senior Sister Xiuluo, we’re leaving now." Lin Tian waved goodbye to Wu Xiuluo, who merely nodded without much response.

After the four descended stairs, Xiao Manxuan couldn’t hold back her curiosity, asking: "Lin Tian, what did you guys really talk about? So mysterious."

"Senior Sister Xiuluo hinted at how to find Luoxi’s Cultivation Technique; it’s a clue at least." Lin Tian simply satisfied the little girl’s curiosity but did not discuss details.

"That’s really great; Sister Luoxi can rest assured now. Speaking of which, Senior Sister Xiu Luo has helped so much, yet she never asks for anything in return; her mindset is so high." Xiao Manxuan first expressed relief, then admiration.

Ning Wenbin proudly lifted his head, looking smug: "Of course, the woman I fancy is just that amazing."

Lin Tian amusedly glanced at him: "Don’t get lost in your own world; go back to your dorm first. I still need to escort your cousin back."

"Alright, I’ll head out then." Ning Wenbin glanced at his cousin and took off.

But after only a few steps, Ning Luoxi called out: "Don’t think about going abroad this winter break; remember to undergo training."

A loud noise followed, and Ning Wenbin ran even faster, with his wailing echoing from afar: "Ah, heavens, thunderstrike me!"

Ning Luoxi seemed unaffected, turning to Lin Tian: "With Ning Wenbin also sent off, do you have something to say?"

"Uh, I can’t hide anything from your gaze. Yes, things are serious." Lin Tian contemplated twice, his expression growing solemn: "You might need to learn about the old area of the campus..."

Lin Tian narrated the complete story, including the rift, the worm, and the incident in the life sciences lab.

As expected, Ning Luoxi frowned deeply, taking some time to digest Lin Tian’s words, and said seriously: "Is Jiang Chen about to emerge?"

"Whether Jiang Chen emerges is beyond our control, but those worms affected by mysterious forces have mutated, becoming highly destructive. A friend’s father, a professor, is researching those worms, fearing some unforeseen changes." Lin Tian was indifferent to Jiang Chen’s emergence, more concerned with friends’ safety.

"Sister Luoxi, those worms resemble Gu Worms; should we ask Granny Li for her opinion, or perhaps Lingyu could help?" Xiao Manxuan curiously suggested.