After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Lin Zhixu's face darkened completely after hearing this.

He never imagined that the outside world would become so chaotic during his seclusion.

Although Zhou Tong is a bit lively, he is never the kind of person who would disappear without a reason.

If you can't get in touch with someone for three days, there's a good chance something bad has happened.

He suppressed the surging anxiety in his heart and tried to soften his tone: "Don't be hasty. Do you know what mission he took on? Where did he go?"

Chu Yan nodded quickly: "I know, he mentioned it to me before he left. He said something happened at the human palace and he was sent to investigate."

"He was gone for seven days in total. I could still contact him for the first two days, and he even told me that the palace was very boring and had a lot of rules. But on the third day... I suddenly couldn't contact him anymore."

Lin Zhixu frowned even more deeply.

The Imperial Palace.

These two words made him think more deeply.

According to his preconceived notions from his previous life, the imperial palace in the human world has always been deeply connected with things like dragon veins and national destiny.

With the world in chaos and evil cultivators rising up everywhere, it's understandable that the imperial palace would be targeted.

If Zhou Tong was caught up in a struggle related to the dragon vein's fortune, then it's not just a simple disappearance.

Lin Zhixu pressed further, "Did he go alone?"

Chu Yan shook his head: "No, he went with Senior Brother Jiang. But we can't contact either of them right now."

"Elder Xuanqing was also very worried, but he had to stay at Dan Peak to treat the injured disciples and couldn't leave, so..."

Without hesitation, Lin Zhixu took out a communication talisman from his sleeve, activated his spiritual power, and left a message for Yu Linzhou, telling him that he had urgent business to attend to and needed to go down the mountain.

Then he looked at Chu Yan, "Don't worry, Zhou Tong will be fine. I'll go down the mountain to find him now."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yan immediately said, "I'll go too!"

Lin Zhixu shook his head: "You stay here and wait for my news. If Zhou Tong's situation is worse than expected, you can still notify the sect to send reinforcements. If everyone leaves, who will go to get help?"

Chu Yan thought for a moment, then finally nodded: "Then be careful. If anything happens, prioritize your own safety."

Lin Zhixu nodded in agreement.

He turned around, took two steps, then stopped and looked back at the direction of Qiyue Peak.

The mountaintop was shrouded in mist, and the two of them were the only people on the vast peak. With Yu Linzhou gone, the peak would truly feel deserted.

Yu Linzhou hasn't returned yet, and we don't know if he's also encountered trouble at the black market.

Lin Zhixu withdrew his gaze, drew his longsword, leaped up, and disappeared into the horizon as a streak of light.

As he flew on his sword, he looked down.

The once bustling towns and villages are now much quieter, with only ruins remaining in several villages, and the black smoke has not yet completely dissipated.

Occasionally, a few ragged civilians would look up and see the glint of his sword. They would be startled at first, then numbly lower their heads and continue their staggering journey.

Lin Zhixu felt as if a stone was pressing on his heart.

In times of chaos, it is always the unarmed ordinary people who suffer the most.

Hopefully this conflict will end soon, so that fewer people die and fewer families are broken.

The palace was soon reached.

From afar, the vermilion palace walls appeared particularly imposing in the twilight. Guards stood on the city towers, with a sword-wielding guard every few steps. The palace gates were heavily guarded, and anyone entering or leaving had to present a token to verify their identity.

It's obviously impossible to walk in openly and honestly.

Lin Zhixu landed in a secluded corner outside the palace wall, concealing himself. He was pondering whether to climb over the wall or knock out a guard, change his clothes, and sneak in when he suddenly sensed footsteps approaching from behind.

Without a second thought, he drew his sword with a backhand motion, and in a flash, the blade was already at the man's neck.

"Wait! Don't attack! They're on our side!"

The next second, Lin Zhixu saw the man's face clearly, and the tip of his sword stopped abruptly just inches from the man's throat.

Lin Zhixu was stunned.

"Why is it you guys?"

Master Qingcheng's face turned deathly pale, his eyes widened, and his body stiffened.

He tremblingly stretched out his finger and gently tapped the sword against his neck, then pointed at himself. He opened his mouth a few times, but was so frightened that he couldn't utter a sound.

Lin Zhixu then realized what was happening and quickly sheathed his sword.

Master Qingcheng's legs went weak, and he slid halfway down the slope. Fortunately, Master Yunhe was quick-witted and caught him, preventing him from kneeling on the spot.

Looking at Qingcheng Daoist's pale face, Lin Zhixu felt somewhat apologetic and coughed lightly, "Sorry. But next time, you'd better not suddenly appear behind me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that my sword will always be so lucky as to stop in time."

Master Qingcheng patted his chest, catching his breath for a long time before finally finding his voice. He glared at him, still shaken, and said, "Who suddenly appeared behind you! We were trying to stop you! To prevent you from entering the palace!"

Lin Zhixu frowned slightly: "Why?"

Master Yunhe sighed, glanced around, and lowered his voice, saying, "This is a long story. About half a year ago, a mysterious person suddenly appeared in the palace, claiming to be a celestial being descended to earth to undergo tribulation."

"His Majesty initially did not believe it, thinking it was just some charlatan trying to freeload. But the man displayed several extraordinary skills, which His Majesty witnessed firsthand, and from then on, he believed him without a doubt, immediately appointing him as the Imperial Advisor."

Master Qingcheng continued, "His Majesty has donated a lot of incense money to our Qingfeng Temple every year, and he also buys some purifying pills from me every year to strengthen his body."

"His Majesty's health was never good to begin with. He ate delicacies every day and didn't exercise much, so his constitution was already weak. Only after taking the elixirs I made over the years has he slowly started to recover."

"But ever since that damned Imperial Preceptor arrived, His Majesty has complained that my elixirs are too slow to take effect, saying that they are not as effective as the Imperial Preceptor's magic. Now he won't donate money to our Qingfeng Temple anymore, and he won't let me deliver the medicine either."

"Every day, I followed that national teacher's instructions, saying that sincere offerings could prolong life and even grant immortality over time."

Master Qingcheng grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, finally spitting on the ground: "That's pure nonsense!"

"I've never seen any elixir that can grant immortality! Even if it did, an emperor, a mere mortal, would have exploded and died long ago if he had taken it. That imperial advisor must be a fraud!"

"While I wouldn't dare call the pills I make panaceas, they are at least effective and have gradually helped His Majesty rebuild his health over the years."

"But ever since that damned imperial advisor took over, the emperor may appear radiant on the surface, but anyone with a little knowledge of Taoist magic can see that he's been forced to look so healthy, his vital energy completely depleted. If this continues, he won't last long before he collapses!"

Master Yunhe pressed down on his shoulder, signaling him to lower his voice: "Master Qingcheng's words may be rough, but they make sense. We always feel that the methods that the Imperial Preceptor used were a bit off."

"Moreover, a large number of heretical cultivators suddenly emerged in the world during this period, causing chaos everywhere. The timing of this national teacher's appearance is too coincidental."

"We have to think this through. That imperial advisor is probably involved with heretical practitioners."