Qi Yuntian shook his wide sleeve, and without needing to recite a mantra, the green light that had been holding the reverse-flowing water column in place suddenly contracted and transformed into a small green branch, which disappeared into his sleeve. Fixing his gaze on Zhang Yan, he said with a gentle expression, "According to the reports of two junior brothers, there were seven others with Junior Brother Zhang. I wonder, where are they now?"
Zhang Yan sighed deeply, a look of sorrow appearing on his face. He said, "On the day we sent Brother Xie and the others out, several senior brothers perished on the spot. Later, after several skirmishes with the Blood Essence Sect disciples, I am now the only one who remains."
Qi Yuntian nodded slightly, his expression calm and unsurprised. Upon entering the Demon Cave and seeing only Zhang Yan, this outcome was more or less within his expectations. He asked again, "Have the Blood Essence Sect disciples appeared in recent days?"
