Ming Zhitian patted his shoulder, "The fault is not yours, but mine. I failed to protect Xingchen."
At this moment, Bai Liao, who had heard the commotion, emerged from inside. He was being supported, and his pale complexion, as white as paper, was evident, indicating his extreme weakness.
Seeing this, Wu Shang Zunhuang rushed to help him, "Grandpa, why did you come out yourself? Are all the people dead? Where did they go? How did you take care of my grandfather?! Huh?!"
The servant had gone to the restroom and returned, terrified!
Bai Liao coughed, "Why are you yelling? Your grandpa isn't dead yet."
He then turned to Ming Zhitian and, with Wu Shang Zunhuang's support, cupped his hands in greeting, "Bai Liao pays his respects to the Immortal Emperor. May I ask the Immortal Emperor's purpose in visiting the Ancient Sect of Xingchen?"
Ming Zhitian frowned, "You don't know yet?"
Bai Liao asked in confusion, "Know what?"
Wu Shang Zunhuang winked at Ming Zhitian and coughed. Ming Zhitian understood, but still truthfully revealed, "Xingchen has been captured."
"Who?!" Bai Liao looked at Wu Shang Zunhuang in shock, "Why do I know nothing about this?"
Wu Shang Zunhuang lowered his head, "It was I who blocked the news, preventing you, Grandpa, from knowing, for fear of worsening your condition..."
"Slap!" Bai Liao slapped him across the face and reprimanded, "Bastard! Your sister is missing, and you're not even looking for her, but you wanted to hide it from me until when?! Do you still have any respect for me as the Sect Master of the Ancient Sect of Xingchen?"
Seeing that Bai Liao was about to slap him again, Ming Zhitian stopped him, "Grandpa, it's not his fault. Even I couldn't discern the identity of the one who captured Xingchen."
"What?" Bai Liao slowly lowered his raised hand, "There are people even you cannot see through?"
Ming Zhitian sighed, "I apologize."
Bai Liao wanted to invite him into Hengyang Hall, but Ming Zhitian refused, "As long as Xingchen isn't found, her danger increases. There's no time to lose. I must find her as soon as possible. Since she hasn't been here, she might be somewhere we can't see."
Suddenly, Bai Liao's strength failed him, and he fainted!
"Grandpa!" Wu Shang Zunhuang called out.
Ming Zhitian quickly took out several high-grade healing pills refined with Ziwei Starfire three days prior and administered them to him. He placed his palm on Bai Liao's body and channeled his immortal spiritual energy to help him absorb the medicinal power rapidly.
After a while, Bai Liao slowly regained consciousness, his complexion improved. Wu Shang Zunhuang helped him up, "Grandpa, how do you feel?"
Bai Liao nodded happily, "I... I'm fine, and my magic power has returned!"
Ming Zhitian cupped his hands in greeting, "Since Grandpa is well, I still need to search for Xingchen. Your grandson-in-law takes his leave."
...
Wu Shang Zunhuang said, "Grandpa, should we still search?"
Bai Liao glared at him, "She is your sister, what do you think? Immediately dispatch all the disciples of the Ancient Sect of Xingchen to turn the entire Cultivation World upside down. Do not return until you find Chenchen!"
"But..." Wu Shang Zunhuang said with concern, "Cousin's faction..."
Bai Liao straightened his back, "This old man isn't dead yet, who dares to disobey? It seems I also need to start rectifying the internal strife within the sect."
...
...
Ming Zhitian spent three days and three nights without rest, scouring the entire Cultivation World, yet found not a single trace of the Empress Xingchen.
He was bewildered, feeling so powerless for the first time. Even using his divine sense, the Eye of the Immortal Pupil... "Could it be... she is not in the Cultivation World?"
...
Under the moonlight, Ming Zhitian cultivated the "Shen An Longevity Art" while pondering where Empress Xingchen might have been taken. Unknowingly, without sleeping or even dozing, he fell into a dream.