Ma Su was worried or, at least, had been during the first two breaths of what would spell disaster, absolute elimination for the bandits Bai Qi had decided to hunt.

Not even she herself could understand the reasons for her worries or the relief she felt as Bai Qi dominated the combat with absolute ease. And indeed, why would she even be so worried about Bai Qi's well-being? Granted, she, with no pressure, had pledged herself to him as a follower, but it was more because of the spur of the moment, or if diggin' deeper, some feeling she couldn't comprehend.

But no matter what she could think, the facts were there. As Bai Qi decided to hunt the bandits, Ma Su attempted to dissuade him. Then even offered to deal with them herself. Still, as he refused, sending her to overlook the area, what else could she do? But as it would turn out, the brief moments of worry were meaningless. Bai Qi's strange spell, something above Ma Su's understanding, destroyed the defenses and injured or even directly killed the weaker part of the bandit group of seven.

The second breath, Bai Qi's lunge into combat, could be said to be the most worrying one, but it took him a single clash, not even an actual attack but merely the lightning qi cover of his, to leave nothing but a charred corpse in place of the bandit's leader. And the latter was a 6th level Warrior Lord! Granted, he felt weaker than the average cultivator at the same level, but in any case!

From there, Ma Su's senses barely managed to follow up after Bai Qi, who, as a ghost, a flash of lightning, in less than a single breath, eliminated the three injured bandits, their 1st and 2nd level Warrior Lord cultivations appearing as if nothing before a single movement of his.

A surprising moment would be the next one, as in place of killing the last remaining bandit in the same way, Ma Su saw how Bai Qi dispelled his lightning cover - {Did he reach his limit? But then why he dealt with the injured and not the 3rd level Warrior Lord?} - but Ma Su's thoughts turned out to be half-mistaken. Using this method of combat for the first time, Bai Qi indeed went over his usual expenditure, but he could have maintained the cover for a couple of breaths more, to no lasting issue. The reason? Bai Qi wanted to question someone, and with Won, the leader, unexpectedly dying from a single clash, Bai Qi had settled on the second strongest.

He would clash with the man just a moment after Ma Su wondered about his actions, and the result would be the same, Bai Qi winning in a simple, momentaneous exchange. But this time, with the difference that his opponent remained alive, not a charred corpse like the others.

***

Bai Qi's forced incursion into the mind of the shaved, dressed in a monk-like robe, and young 3rd level Warrior Lord was quick, done while the latter was unconscious, and ended with what Bai Qi had said since the start, death.

"So, this Do Tai is indeed the second in charge, though his position originally was equal to Won's until the latter took the pills his new friends or backers were preparing." The required memories found, Bai Qi nodded and murmured to himself, then finished with the knocked-out cold bandit, previously a monk of the [Layered Tower].

Between his assault and later collection of spoils, an observer could consider that Bai Qi was the bandit, as after recovering all storage treasures - the two leaders' [Storage] rings and the other five bandits' [Holding] pouches - Bai Qi took the air, releasing several explosive talismans, finishing the destruction of the main building and the remaining six corpses, Won's taken away by him. Although the deed wasn't one to be hidden, Bai Qi even used a couple of talismans more than needed - to dispel any trace of his aura.

{Done, now activate a [Concealing] talisman, and let's make distance from here.} Departing first, Bai Qi sent a qi transmission to Ma Su. Still, noticing the questioning look on her face, he added, {I didn't have the chance to check it for the leader, but Bo Tai had a connection to a [Life Sensing] talisman. So, I think someone will come to visit and check on them. And soon!}

Thanks to the memories he examined, Bai Qi was more or less aware of the strength and motivations of both surrounding powers, the only ones that could be even interested in such a small event as the destruction of an abandoned building and the death of a few bandits.

The [Layered Tower] would probably keep out of it, as they broke ties with both Won and Bo Tai five years ago, as the head monks banished both from the temple. Still, Bai Qi took into account the head monks in any case, deciding to avoid any links to the death of their two previously renowned devotees.

As for the [Ninety-fifth Breath of the Saint] dojo, Bo Tai's memories confirmed Bai Qi's suspicions. Thus, it was clear that the dojo's members, probably the instructor elders, would react and investigate the matter, especially after going so far as to create [Life Sensing] talismans.

{I will explain as we cover our tracks. While I have nothing to hide and we did the right thing, who knows if the dojo will agree?} The dojo was a 4th-tier power, and while a weak one even amongst the others of the same tier, Bai Qi had neither the resources, local connections, or actual desire to butt heads with the several Warrior Kings part of it.

***

"...so as you see, the two bandits agreed to the deal, though Bo Tai was more of scaring the villagers, not claiming any lives, as he had done with his group for these last years.

But Won was far more vicious, and with the pills - all of which he kept to himself - he quickly surpassed his companion's strength, becoming the only leader. And his ways quickly rubbed into the others, as they were sure of their safety. Indeed, who wouldn't? Acting under the patronage of the dojo, the only power to even patrol around!

I more or less understand the dojo's reasons, both for acting like this and why they desired the pills so much. Yet, I don't understand - Just how they got a pill master crazy enough to help? And recently as well." Finishing his explanation, Bai Qi shrugged.

Both of them landed on a small clearing half an hour, at full speed, from the farming estate and without worrying about any pursuers, at least below the Warrior Emperor realm, Bai Qi updated Ma Su on everything as he digested a low-rank Earth-tier pill. Valuable and powerful as the lightning cover had proved to be, it did drain Bai Qi's qi at an alarming rate, three breaths consuming over half of his reserves. And that's with Bai Qi having a pool equaling peak Warrior Lords!

"So what's next? Should we attempt to find more? Maybe track this [Scholar] person you mentioned? Find who the 3rd or 2nd tier power above the dojo is, and involve them?" Ma Su was not innocent - her career as a bandit, slaver, and what else proof of that. Yet, since she started following Bai Qi, she attempted to change that. And so her questions were genuine, not an act, even if she inwardly thought they had nothing to do with all of this and so could ignore it.

"We will resume our journey. After leaving a couple of messages." Busy as he may have been talking, digesting the pill, and analyzing the battle, Bai Qi's mind had already broken through the only protected [Storage] ring.

And while the spoils weren't much, he found six pills he had suspected to be the reason and a few herbs of the ones he wanted. That was pretty much enough for him, and the pills he did plan to show to who he would consider upright, at least to the degree of not desiring to use such methods and being able to clear this mess.

"...messages?" Once again, Bai Qi managed to surprise Ma Su, his actions appearing absolutely illogical.

"If I had to guess, you wonder why I suddenly decided to brush the matter aside?" As Ma Su nodded in confirmation, Bai Qi continued, "I haven't. Won's ring contains six [Three Rabid Paths] pills, and I will send them to who I feel can be trusted to dig into this. I am considering sending them to [Zihoadao] via the first teleportation formation we reach. Lord Yi's is upright, and he owes me for that mess of celebration and parading he force me into!"

"Understood, the [Yi Clan] suffered a lot, yet their influence now is stronger than never. Especially with the [Great Forest] failing to protect their only non-1st-tier direct vassal!" While the plan carried its own risks, Ma Su understood Bai Qi's reasons, especially as the pills weren't of such interest to any but the weakest powers. Indeed, the [Three Rabid Paths Pill] granted a way to increase cultivation quickly and at nearly no cost. But! As Won's 6th level Warrior Lord proved, it was far from authentic cultivation.

"It will be just the issue of finding with whom to send it if you don't plan to go personally." Ma Su continued her previous observations, as while she could go herself, she didn't even consider it, her place being next to him, at least until he decided otherwise.

"Oh, that is no problem. I already have some ideas. Now to the messages I mentioned, I plan to..."

Four days later, [Baoshi Hua], a city on the western edge of the [Goddess Clearing].

After finishing everything in the [Shi Zixing Yezi] village area, Bai Qi and Ma Su restarted their travel. Yet this time, Bai Qi was more cautious, or maybe was worried about something, as the journey had them stopping to recover, never allowing their qi to fall under nine-tenths and circling around all local powers, villages, or else to avoid any more incidents or tasks.

Even so, Bai Qi and Ma Su reached [Baoshi Hua], at a distance of four thousand miles from their starting point in just three and half days, showing incredible speed and [Sky Walk] control, Bai Qi maintaining the same pace as Ma Su, with their cultivations having an entire realm of difference!

And when they entered the city Bai Qi appeared even more stressed, as if he found out something to confirm his previous worry. Using this as a signal to ask, Ma Su, did, to which Bai Qi responded, though using qi transmission to avoid anyone on the busied street overhearing him.

{First, the [Void Palace] and then [Zihoadao], even if the latter wasn't one of the [Demon Worshippers] raids. Wouldn't you think we would see at least some patrols, checkpoints, or else? High-tier powers use their [Teleportation] formations, and the lower-tier ones rarely leave their own regions. But the attackers and raiders would use roads and hide in the wilderness to reach their targets, so why there's only the sensation and talk of war but no actual measures taken inside the region?} And Bai Qi shared his thoughts without holding back.

{No matter how many cultivators left their powers on the [Great Forest Sect] summons, wouldn't it be even more logical for them to reinforce patrols? And look, we met nearly no one, on the roads, except for what appeared to be rogues or bandits.} Bai Qi continued, pointing out that all paths were absolutely unguarded, and indeed, only some outlaw-looking people walked on them. The latter Bai Qi and Ma Su avoided as everything else. Mostly out of fear of being stalled by them as their levels were not of a threat even to Bai Qi.

But still, that raised the questions Bai Qi now shared, why wasn't there even a single power cultivator around? As if they stopped patrols, training, and even missions entirely!

And now that they arrived at [Baoshi Hua], entering the city without any check, just paying the toll of a small spirit stone each, Bai Qi's doubts grew even more.

As Bai Qi explained, Ma Su started to doubt the same thing herself. As a bandit, she would always avoid using common paths. Even so, it was pretty often to meet some power cultivators anywhere else, which was the main reason for most bandits keeping to smaller regions, where the risk of someone from a high-tier sect or else was far lower. Now, they had crossed over half [Great Forest] region from west to east, and except for when entering cities, they had seen not a single cultivator sporting the colors of a power!

{I am unsure, but maybe we can find something here in the city?} Thus, Ma Su could only say something like this, hoping they would find some information here.

{We will have to find a way to contact the [Delicate Forest Palace] as well, no matter if I have a friend there, I doubt you can just come and knock on their door, especially I.} Hinting at his sex, Bai Qi lightly chuckled, his first laugh in several days.

{You are right, and I am far from a welcome face there as well. Still, [Baoshi Hua] is one of the principal markets for the Palace's herbs, at least the low-tier ones, so there's bound to be at least an elder present.} Ma Su analyzed the situation in the same way as Bai Qi, considering that if they were to contact the Palace by barging into their territory unannounced, their prospects would be far from good.

"Then it's settled. Let's find a place to find out a little more first." Having decided on their actions, Bai Qi stopped their qi transmission and started toward the nearest visible gathering spot, a tavern named [Fragrant Stream House].