Chapter 97: Returning through an Array

Chapter 97: Returning through an Array When things finally calmed down, Xu Tao asked Jehanne, "So... why are you out here in the desert?" Right. They were currently far from their actual base. By all logic, Jehanne and Pepe shouldn’t have been anywhere near this area. And yet, here they were. "It’s... a long story," Jehanne muttered. "It started on the day when you sent Sir Pepe to get backup, ten days ago..." From her recounting, Jehanne spent an entire night searching for Xu Tao’s location. However, since there were no landmarks anywhere, she failed to find it in the end. The following day, she even dragged the recovering Pepe along, but despite that, they still failed to return to the place where Xu Tao was "stuck." ’Well, even if they did find the exact location, I wasn’t there anyway, so it ruins the point.’ he thought. "After that day, I’ve been going out with Sir Pepe or Ms. Excalibur near dusk to check the area around the array platform you set up... hoping that you’d return to it one day," Jehanne said, wrapping up her story. "I see... I made you worry." Xu Tao shook his head. "It’s fine, really. I did it because I wanted to, not because someone told me to," Jehanne added with a bright smile. Seeing her current expression, it was hard to believe how bloodthirsty she had been just minutes ago. In fact, Yifa—who had already returned to their side—was still wary of her, keeping her distance and hiding behind Xu Tao. "Well, I guess that’s enough chatting," Xu Tao said, stretching as he stared at the setting sun. "It’ll be pitch dark and freezing soon if we don’t get back." As if finally remembering that they were out in the open, Jehanne jumped to her feet. "Ah, right! Follow me, Sir Tao, I’ll lead the way!" "Pui, pui!" And as if to say ’leave the guiding to me’, Pepe rushed to Jehanne’s side. "Let’s go too," Xu Tao said to Yifa, who nodded meekly behind him. And almost as if to protect her from Jehanne, Excalibur floated near her, trailing slightly behind. Just like that, they all started walking forward, heading roughly in the mountain’s direction. Thankfully, their walk didn’t take too long. About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the spot Xu Tao had previously created. A clearing with blocks of sand arranged into a small platform—one with formations etched into them that prevented sand from gathering on top. "Looks like it’s working properly," Xu Tao nodded with a smile. Given that the sand couldn’t settle directly on it, the particles should’ve been piling around the formation... But thanks to Jehanne, who had been cleaning the surrounding area during her rounds, it never built up enough to bury it. "Yes, it is," Jehanne nodded, returning the smile. "In fact, with the help of Sir Tao’s disciples, I’ve been using it to go from the base up to here." "..." To use the Thousand Li Steps formation that he’d drawn, the user needed to infuse a certain quantity of Qi into it. Jehanne, unfortunately, had no cultivation whatsoever. Thus, she normally shouldn’t have been able to use the formation on her own. But with the help of the Azure Dragon Sect’s outer disciples—who could barely muster enough Qi to activate it when five of them worked together—she was able to use it for a one-way trip, at least. "Well, the way back is on foot, though," she laughed heartily. "But it’s a good way to hunt too, so it works either way~!" "...You really worked hard." Xu Tao sighed, a mix of guilt and quiet admiration settling in his chest as he felt the effort and dedication she had poured into it. "But with me here, we can use the formation to go back instead, so that’s a plus." With his Qi—being someone at the 2nd Stage of Qi Gathering—he could activate the formation a couple of times before running out. Moving three people and two "objects" shouldn’t be a problem at all. "First, Jehanne, Pepe, and Excalibur." Xu Tao motioned toward the platform. "Please get inside." As the one activating the formation, Xu Tao had to go last. Yifa couldn’t go first either, as she was an "outsider" from everyone else’s perspective. Thus, sending Jehanne first was the only choice. "Yes, Sir Tao!" Thankfully, she didn’t object and jumped right in. "Pui!" Pepe and Excalibur also flew over the formation without hesitation. "Then, stay still..." After confirming their positions, Xu Tao used the fan in his hand to tap one of the sand blocks, channeling his Qi through it. With a slight delay, the formation activated without issue! The next instant, the Thousand Li Steps activated, sending Jehanne and the other two away in a flash of light. "...Next, Yifa." Xu Tao turned to the little maid. "Don’t worry, I’m sure Jehanne won’t bother you anymore," he added, trying to reassure her. "R-Really...?" Although their interaction had been short, it was intense. Thanks to that, Yifa had already developed some mild trauma toward Jehanne. Xu Tao, of course, could see this clearly—so he added some "extra" protection. "Wear this robe. The Azure Dragon Sect’s disciples should be wearing similar ones, so that should help protect you," he said, handing her a robe in blue, white, and yellow. Although slightly apprehensive, Yifa still accepted the robe and put it on carefully. The size was... a bit large, making it look baggy, but it shouldn’t cause any issues with movement. After that, with shaky legs, she stepped onto the formation as Xu Tao instructed, and stood still. "You might feel disoriented or nauseous after arriving there, so brace yourself," he warned, then poured more Qi into the sand blocks. Thankfully, it activated again without issue. Yifa’s body was briefly wrapped in light before vanishing from sight. "...Alright, my turn." Now that he was the only one left, Xu Tao stepped into the center himself. He stood tall, then poured Qi through his feet into the formation. A second later, it began to glow. Then, a flash of light robbed him of his vision for a moment—accompanied by the sensation of weightlessness and his sense of direction flipping upside down. When his vision returned, he was already on the other side. "..." But aside from Yifa, Jehanne, Pepe, and Excalibur, many others were present around the array... Yes, far more than he had expected—at least a hundred of them, all armed and poised to fight. Seeing this sudden spike in population, Xu Tao couldn’t help but stagger slightly in shock. "What the...?" But... that still wasn’t the biggest surprise.