By the time they set off again, the duo had turned into a trio.

A few days later, after rushing non-stop, Zhang Yiyi finally returned to the Wang family estate, where she hadn't set foot for nearly two years.

Fortunately, the return journey was exceptionally peaceful. Neither assassins from the Gates of Life and Death nor attackers from the Tang family appeared. However, Luo Qiheng was not at the Wang estate.

"Miss Han, you've returned!"

As soon as Wang Xiaodan heard Zhang Yiyi had arrived, she immediately came over, greeting her while glancing eagerly behind Zhang Yiyi, as if looking for someone else.

Clearly, she'd been hoping Han Qi would return along with his sister, but her expectation was quickly dashed.

Zhang Yiyi didn't miss the fleeting disappointment in Wang Xiaodan's eyes, instantly understanding whom she had come for.

Unfortunately, affection was one-sided. Faced with a wooden block like Luo Qiheng, who couldn't even be bothered to speak more than necessary, Wang Xiaodan was destined for disappointment unless she gave up early.

Zhang Yiyi hadn't brought Lu Qiao and Xia Luo inside the Wang estate. Since Luo Qiheng wasn't here, she naturally didn't intend to linger.

"Fifth Miss, long time no see. How have you been lately?" Zhang Yiyi greeted Wang Xiaodan politely, as if oblivious to the other's troubled feelings.

"Thanks for your concern, Miss Han. I've been quite well."

Wang Xiaodan quickly concealed her disappointment and continued, "According to Uncle Congshan's message, your efforts in handling the Chen family's issue were commendable. You've worked hard."

"You're too kind, Miss Wang. It's my responsibility as a guest retainer."

Zhang Yiyi wasn't interested in small talk, directly asking, "Do you happen to know my brother's whereabouts? If he's out on a mission, is there a way to inquire about his current location?"

Upon hearing Luo Qiheng's name, Wang Xiaodan became noticeably more enthusiastic. She quickly replied, "I do know something. About half a year ago, your brother voluntarily accepted a special mission assigned personally by the family head. Other than the family head himself, no one knows exactly where he went."

"So, during this half-year, he hasn't returned to the Wang family at all?" Zhang Yiyi pressed further. "And there's been no news from him either?"

Wang Xiaodan shook her head. "It seems not, but only the family head knows the exact details. If you're worried, perhaps you can ask the family head directly. But from what I heard, missions personally assigned by the family head tend to be challenging. Having no news for even three or five years is considered quite normal."

Actually, she had privately approached the family head about Luo Qiheng before but was reprimanded for interfering, so she no longer dared inquire further. However, now that Zhang Yiyi was back, as his younger sister, it was reasonable for her to ask. Perhaps the family head might be more willing to divulge some details to Zhang Yiyi.

Over the past half-year, Wang Xiaodan had been extremely worried about Luo Qiheng. Any bit of news, even a little, would ease her anxiety.

"In that case, when would be a convenient time for me to meet the family head?" Zhang Yiyi asked, fully aware that the head of the Wang family wasn't someone she could see whenever she pleased. Still, given the circumstances, she had to speak with him personally.

Seeing Zhang Yiyi's determination, Wang Xiaodan eagerly helped arrange the meeting. Her hopeful demeanor made Zhang Yiyi slightly uncomfortable.

Whether by luck or because of the Wang family's high regard for the siblings, Zhang Yiyi managed to see the family head within half a day.

The Wang family head greeted Zhang Yiyi warmly, praising her for her performance at the Chen family village. He personally presented Zhang Yiyi's accumulated rewards and stipend for the past year.

Regarding Luo Qiheng, he didn't conceal anything, openly expressing his appreciation and respect for the siblings.

"Your brother indeed took on a very difficult assignment half a year ago, but his capability was truly extraordinary. He completed it in just three months," the Wang family head explained patiently. "However, due to some complications, it couldn't be publicized. After he secretly returned and reported to me, he immediately left again, mentioning he needed to handle some private matters. I didn't inquire further at the time, assuming he went looking for you."

Now, it appeared the siblings hadn't contacted each other at all.

Nevertheless, the family head wasn't concerned for Luo Qiheng's safety. He knew the siblings' strength and assumed Luo Qiheng was merely caught up in something else.

After leaving the Wang family head's office, Zhang Yiyi didn't plan on staying any longer, heading straight for the gates.

She hadn't found him or any useful clues. Luo Qiheng seemed to have vanished entirely, making her inexplicably uneasy.

Ever since emerging from seclusion, she'd repeatedly attempted to reach him, yet her communication talismans all sank without response, like stones into the sea.

She knew Luo Qiheng wouldn't have sought her recklessly, given their earlier communications after returning from the Canglang Sea region. He knew her situation and wouldn't act impulsively.

Now, her biggest worry was that Tang Jin had found Luo Qiheng first and acted against him.

"Miss Han, where are you headed?"

As she approached the gates, Wang Xiaodan appeared again, asking anxiously, "Did the family head meet you? Did he mention your brother's whereabouts?"

"Fifth Miss..."

Zhang Yiyi wasn't surprised by Wang Xiaodan's reappearance. She knew exactly what Wang Xiaodan wanted. "The family head said my brother is still away on a mission and won't return soon. Since that's the case, I have other private matters to handle. Goodbye!"

Zhang Yiyi genuinely couldn't comprehend someone like Wang Xiaodan, who let personal attachments distract her from cultivation. It seemed meaningless.

"Wait, Miss Han!"

Seeing Zhang Yiyi preparing to leave, Wang Xiaodan hastily blurted out, "Did your brother truly never contact you even once all this time? You have no news at all?"

"Perhaps my brother finds it inconvenient to contact me right now," Zhang Yiyi said coldly, clearly unhappy at being questioned. "Fifth Miss, rather than wasting your time worrying about an outsider, it would be far more productive for you to focus on your cultivation. For cultivators like us, strength is the true foundation."

She didn't outright call her foolish, but the implication was clear enough. Wang Xiaodan's obsession was pointless, considering her weak cultivation and Luo Qiheng's obvious lack of interest. The gap between them was already huge and only widening.

She found this kind of one-sided pursuit meaningless and tiresome.

Zhang Yiyi didn't want to be overly harsh to a fellow female cultivator, but being unreasonably questioned had worn her patience thin. After delivering her advice, she didn't wait to see Wang Xiaodan's embarrassed face and swiftly left the Wang estate.

...

Upon reuniting with Lu Qiao and Xia Luo, Zhang Yiyi's expression remained unpleasant.

If she had known Wang Xiaodan was so foolish, she wouldn't have helped Luo Qiheng gain access to the Wang family back then.

Even if she knew where Luo Qiheng was, she wasn't obligated to inform Wang Xiaodan.

Thinking back, half a year ago, Luo Qiheng had sent her a message asking her to return to the Wang family, probably related to Wang Xiaodan's persistent pursuit of him.

Thankfully, the Wang family hadn't lost their senses and used their family's power to force a marriage between the two. Otherwise, staying with the Wang family would have been impossible.

"Hey, what happened? You just visited the Wang family; why do you look so upset?" Lu Qiao immediately noticed Zhang Yiyi's poor mood, curiously asking, "Didn't you go looking for your brother? Didn't you find him?"

Aware of Zhang Yiyi's status as a Wang family guest retainer, Lu Qiao and Xia Luo had stayed outside while Zhang Yiyi went inside alone.

Xia Luo also approached, jokingly suggesting, "Maybe your brother scolded you? Arguments between siblings are normal; you girls just overthink things and have bad tempers—"

Zhang Yiyi glared at him sharply, interrupting, "My brother wasn't even there. You're overthinking."

She walked off without sparing them another glance.

"Oh, you didn't find him? I misunderstood then—my bad! Where are we heading next?" Xia Luo shamelessly followed, showing no embarrassment.

Zhang Yiyi ignored him and signaled Lu Qiao with a glance.

After traveling together, Lu Qiao had become much sharper. She immediately understood Zhang Yiyi's intentions and stepped in, diverting Xia Luo's attention away from her.

After half a day, the trio arrived at a nearby trading market. Zhang Yiyi planned to sell some herbs obtained from the Tang family's secret realm at a shop owned by the Wang family.

For safety, she sold only a few relatively common herbs, yet the Wang shopkeeper was astonished nonetheless. Recognizing her status, he eagerly bought everything at a premium and discreetly handed her an invitation to a private auction scheduled for that very day.

Initially reluctant, Zhang Yiyi eventually agreed upon hearing of rare items at this exclusive auction. Lu Qiao and Xia Luo enthusiastically tagged along.

Inside, as the auction began, Zhang Yiyi glanced through the auction list and paused sharply at one item, her expression immediately darkening.

"What is it? Did you find something interesting?" Xia Luo leaned over, following her gaze. He curiously murmured upon seeing the item, "A three-legged crow? Doesn't seem too special. Does Miss Han intend to keep it as a spirit pet?"