Volume One, Chapter Forty: My Brother Has Escaped

Staring intently, Chi Xingwan realized that the dark aura surrounding Yu Dongli wasn’t actually hers—it had accidentally attached itself from someone else. Such dark aura would dissipate on its own, so she decided not to interfere.

With Wen Jing’s patient persuasion, Xu Mingyue and Yu Dongli calmed down, and peace returned to the dormitory.

A week flew by in the blink of an eye. Soon it was Saturday again, and as usual, Chi Xingwan went to the Xiao family to share a meal with Grandma Xiao.

After lunch, she accompanied Grandma Xiao for a walk in the garden.

“Xingwan, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you. Actually, Ah Yue isn’t dazed all day. Previously, every midnight, he would become lucid for an hour,” Grandma Xiao confided.

Chi Xingwan wasn’t surprised. Xiao Yue was only twenty-two; though the curse had taken effect, it hadn’t been long. Generally, the closer to thirty, the worse the symptoms would become.

Grandma Xiao continued, “But starting this week, his lucid period has grown longer. He now wakes at eleven in the evening and stays clear-headed for two hours.”

Chi Xingwan asked, “Are you wondering whether this is a good sign or a bad one?”

“That’s right,” Grandma Xiao admitted, a rare hint of nervousness in her voice.

Chi Xingwan replied, “It’s a good sign, I suppose, though it’s only treating the symptoms, not the cause. Only when the root problem is resolved can he fully recover.”

Grandma Xiao finally felt reassured. “Xingwan, I know you’re keeping some things from me. I trust you, and I won’t ask.”

Chi Xingwan’s heart warmed. “Thank you, Grandma. I promise to do my best.”

After their walk, Chi Xingwan was about to visit Xiao Yue when she unexpectedly received a call from Xiao Yu.

On the other end, Xiao Yu sounded frantic. “Sister Xingwan, can you come? We don’t know who else to ask for help.”

Chi Xingwan found an excuse to leave the Xiao household and headed straight for the private hospital, where Xiao Yu waited at the entrance.

Upon seeing Chi Xingwan, she blurted, “Sister Xingwan, my brother has run away.”

“What happened? Is he really that capable?” Chi Xingwan inquired.

Xiao Yu shook her head immediately. “He’s a weakling, he has no skills. We hired three bodyguards to watch him in shifts. Last night, two were on duty when he escaped. I have no idea how he managed it.”

“What do the bodyguards say?”

“They said they suddenly felt dizzy for no reason. When they came to, my brother was gone. They suspect they were drugged.”

Chi Xingwan pondered for a moment. “Take me to the ward.”

---

“Sister, is there something wrong?” Xiao Yu asked nervously.

Chi Xingwan replied, “I’ll know once I see.”

When they arrived at the ward, Chi Xingwan’s brows furrowed instantly.

The room was filled with spiritual energy—not the usual kind left by ordinary spiritual practitioners. It was laced with faint traces of dark aura, nearly fused with the spiritual energy.

Chi Xingwan’s expression grew grave. “Where’s your brother?”

“Ah Ming went to look for him at his usual hangouts,” Xiao Yu answered.

Chi Xingwan commanded, “Call him back.”

Xiao Yu, worried, asked, “Sister, is my brother in danger?”

Chi Xingwan didn’t sugarcoat it. “Most likely, yes. So call your brother back immediately—better to save one than lose both.”

Terrified, Xiao Yu’s hands trembled as she made the call to Xiao Ming.

Chi Xingwan also phoned the Spiritual Practitioners’ Association, explaining the situation. They quickly dispatched personnel.

Xiao Ming returned first, pushing open the ward door. “Sis, why did you call me back so suddenly? I still have several places left to check.”

“You don’t need to look anymore. Leave this to me,” Chi Xingwan answered.

Before he could ask why, the ward door opened again. Someone from the association entered—a familiar face, Dai Luming’s assistant, Cheng Fan.

Cheng Fan saluted Chi Xingwan. “Advisor Chi, I’m under your command today. Please instruct me.”

Chi Xingwan surveyed the room. “First, test for residual spiritual energy.”

“Yes.” Cheng Fan set down his briefcase, pulled out a device roughly the size of a phone, fiddled with it, and soon the results appeared.

“Based on the analysis, spiritual energy appeared in the ward around two o’clock this morning. Judging by the rate of dissipation, the culprit is at least a Grade A practitioner.”

Chi Xingwan asked, “What about the dark aura?”

“Dark aura?” Cheng Fan was puzzled.

Now Chi Xingwan was surprised. “You didn’t sense the dark aura mixed in with the spiritual energy?”

Cheng Fan scratched his head—he hadn’t. But the machine might detect it, so he adjusted the settings, and sure enough, a new analysis appeared.

---

“There really is dark aura!” Cheng Fan exclaimed in shock.

Chi Xingwan remained calm. “The perfect fusion of spiritual energy and dark aura is rare, mostly seen in fallen practitioners. Does the association have any records?”

“Please wait, Advisor Chi. I’ll check right away.” Cheng Fan, ever the capable assistant, quickly got to work after his brief surprise.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming finally found a moment to speak.

“Sister Xingwan, what are you all talking about? We don’t understand a word.”

“Right, our main priority is finding our brother, isn’t it?”

Chi Xingwan considered it and agreed. “You’re right. Let’s find your brother first.”

She took out a small incense burner from her inner world and placed it before Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming.

“Where did that come from? Sister, do you always carry this? Amazing—I never noticed such a large burner.” Xiao Yu was astonished.

“…That’s not the point. The point is, this incense burner can help you find Xiao Rui.”

The two straightened up. “What do we need to do?”

“Just drop a bit of your blood inside. The burner uses the blood tie to trace Xiao Rui.”

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming weren’t convinced, but since it was only a drop of blood, and desperation left them with few options, they pricked their fingers without hesitation and let the blood drip into the burner.

The incense burner emitted a dazzling light. When it faded, strands of red light appeared inside, varying in shade.

“What is this?” Xiao Yu asked, wide-eyed.

“These red threads connect people related to you both. The darkest two are your father and Xiao Rui,” Chi Xingwan explained.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming had no time to be amazed. Upon hearing it could locate Xiao Rui, they prepared to follow the red threads immediately.

Meanwhile, Cheng Fan found a clue.

“Advisor Chi, I’ve identified the suspect.” He sent an electronic file to Chi Xingwan.

“Su Tang, formerly a registered Grade B practitioner with the association. Her spiritual power once rose at an incredible rate, drawing attention. Investigation revealed she was practicing forbidden arts, and so the association issued a warrant. She is still at large.”