The sky gradually darkened during the cultivation process. Ci Xin had come to visit once, but she paused outside the courtyard gate. The aura from the west wing was overwhelming, making it clear at a glance that Xiao Yifei was still in a state of cultivation, so she did not disturb him further.

At around dusk, the gate of the courtyard was suddenly knocked on. Although Xiao Yifei was slowly cultivating, he was immediately alerted to the outside world. However, he was currently unable to move, as even the slightest motion could lead to deviation at best, or instant death at worst.

"I hope it's not something major," Xiao Yifei prayed in his heart. He was at a crucial moment in his cultivation and could not afford any mistakes.

"It's me." A robust voice sounded from outside the door, very familiar to the ear. Xiao Yifei quickly recalled; it was the voice of Ren Tianye whom he hadn't seen for a long time! Naturally, he must have come to discuss certain issues with Ci Xin.

"Creak," Ci Xin opened the door, looked at the man outside, and slightly raised the corners of her mouth to express gratitude—an expression rarely seen.

Knowing it was someone familiar, Xiao Yifei relaxed his vigilance and immersed himself further in his cultivation process. He left the rest to Ci Xin; the plan they discussed should be able to solve the problem.

"Has Xiao Yifei arrived?" was Ren Tianye's first question as he, led by Ci Xin, entered the hall and closed the door.

"Yes," Ci Xin replied casually, then frowned slightly, "He's still cultivating in the room..."

"That's great," Ren Tianye said with a smile. "With Xiao Yifei's help, I believe Qianxi will certainly return safely." He then noticed Ci Xin's slightly furrowed brows and asked, a bit puzzled, "Is there some problem with Xiao Yifei?"

"Hmm..." Ci Xin had a slight smile, but her concern was evident, "He went into the room to cultivate in the afternoon and hasn't come out since..."

"It's fine," Ren Tianye comforted, "The Green-eyed Silver-tailed Needle is an untold treasure of the Xiao Family. For outsiders, it might be a hot potato, but for Xiao Yifei, who has Xiao Family blood, it should be a trivial matter..." He wiped the sweat off his forehead, as it was impossible not to be tense.

Even with his extensive experience, he had never seen a cultivator take so long to refine an item. Xiao Yifei was their hope, and nothing must go wrong...

"Thank you, Mr. Ren," Ci Xin said apologetically, as if she had thought of something. "It's all our problem, involving you, Mr. Ren..."

"Hahaha..." Ren Tianye scratched his head awkwardly, "That organization only has a use for relationship with me, so I would leave eventually. I might as well help you out; after all, it might earn me a favor, hahaha..."

His hearty laughter echoed throughout the separate courtyard, resonating in the entire sky. The hearty personality of the Northeast Han also infected Ci Xin, adding more smiles to her face.

"It's just that it troubles Mr. Ren, given the current unrest outside; your movements are restricted, and I truly apologize..." Ci Xin knew that Ren Tianye's help indirectly betrayed his organization, and future life would certainly become more difficult, unless... they could wipe out the entire organization in one go!

"..." Ren Tianye said nothing, his eyes burning with ambition, not difficult to discern. To him, the best solution was a one-time removal of all apprehensions, but that would require Xiao Yifei's help. Gradually, his gaze moved to the green light emanating from the west wing.

The two continued to discuss the upcoming plan briefly, then went back to their rooms to rest.

"..." Under the bright white moonlight, Ci Xin's gaze seemed lost, filled with rage, helplessness, but mostly self-blame. Her daughter was kidnapped, but she was completely powerless; this helpless feeling was deeply painful for a mother.

The courtyard was particularly quiet at night. Besides Xiao Yifei who was still cultivating, the courtyard was so quiet that you could hear the sound of crickets and even the faintest breaths.

"Very good... very good, just like that," Xiao Yifei was in a critical moment, "Success or failure lies in this moment," guiding the Green-eyed Silver-tailed Needle back in place, controlling the five viscera and six bowels, protecting the heart and pulse, allowing the skill to stabilize completely.

Time passed slowly, the number of completed silver needles increasing, "One... two... ten… twenty…"

Bells chimed at midnight as Xiao Yifei was entering the "process of positioning eighty silver needles..." His mind suddenly jolted!

"Something's wrong!" His divine sense and five senses suddenly became alert!

Why did the originally quiet sounds in the yard suddenly have a rapid wind sound? This was clearly abnormal! Normal wind wouldn't be this rapid, naturally harmonious—it must be a night attack!

"Ah..." Xiao Yifei wanted to shout to warn the two friends, but his voice choked at his throat, unable to be released. His mouth couldn't open; he was in the crucial stage of cultivation, he mustn't panic. If he opened his mouth, the energy would spill out, causing significant issues!

Apart from deviation, being discovered and interrupted during cultivation by the attackers could be lethal! He quickly restrained his aura, becoming like an invisible man, praying internally that his two friends would wake up!

"Tap..." Judging through the manifestation of Qi, Xiao Yifei felt that there were four enemies! Landing silently, they were clearly experts! Wearing black clothes, they were like messengers of the night!

"Hmm..." With a simple gesture, the leader assigned three subordinates to the east, south, and north wings, while he himself strolled towards the west wing, perhaps out of an instinctual caution, feeling the west wing carried a greater threat!

"Tap, tap, tap..." Steps moving towards Xiao Yifei, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, it seemed he was careless, thinking that restraining aura would evade detection. He didn't expect such heightened awareness from the opponents—battle was imminent. He prepared for the worst! Even if he died, he would take one down with him!

The shadow reached the outside of the wing, even being able to hear the faint breathing, indicating a seasoned veteran, practically holding their breath in the night, which was troublesome.

The other's hand slowly touched the handle, about to push it open! Xiao Yifei swiftly circulated the energy in his Dantian, placing it in his mouth, ready to expel it the moment the door opened, ensuring the enemy would die on the spot! Of course, he himself might also perish.

"There's no turning back with the arrow on the string!" Just as Xiao Yifei was about to explode, a sudden "bang" sound came from the south wing, the wood splintering! The shadow standing in front of Xiao Yifei's door vanished instantly, relieving Xiao Yifei's tightly wound heart. The shadow had no idea how close they were to death!

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