Under Pan Feng’s scrutiny, Zhou Yu remained very calm, neither evading nor asking questions.

After some examination, Pan Feng glanced at Aunt Fang and discreetly nodded slightly.

Aunt Fang smiled gently, looked at Zhou Yu, and said:

"May I ask where Mr. Zhou comes from?"

Zhou Yu had prepared in advance, repeating his story of following his master for training in the deep mountains and accidentally getting caught in the space rift.

This explanation was reasonable and flawless.

The listeners couldn’t extract any useful information from it.

Aunt Fang, not satisfied, tried asking several indirect questions but still couldn’t get the answers she wanted.

For someone else saying this, it would surely raise suspicion.

But Zhou Yu was different.

His bone age was indeed only in his twenties.

In the Heavenly Origin World, it’s common to not leave home until one is in their thirties, especially those geniuses who are well protected by their families.

They rarely leave their family or sect. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Thus, for these people, knowing little about the outside world is very normal.

At this moment, Que’er spoke up:

"Aunt Fang, on our way back, we found the City Lord’s grandson, Little Lin. If there’s nothing else here, Zhou Yu and I will take Little Lin back to the City Lord Mansion."

"They must be very worried."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Fang nodded.

"Alright then."

"You may go."

"Return promptly after completing the task."

"The city is still not very safe right now."

"Okay."

"Thanks for your concern, Aunt Fang."

Que’er smiled sweetly and then took Zhou Yu’s hand, leading Little Lin away.

And naturally, Liu Tang followed closely behind.

After Zhou Yu and the others left, the room had only Aunt Fang, the man named Luo, Pan Feng, and his fellow disciples.

The man named Luo spoke:

"Aunt Fang, I see you’re quite interested in this youngster, could it be... you want him involved in that matter?"

As soon as he spoke, everyone else looked at Aunt Fang.

Aunt Fang smiled slightly and said:

"This young man, at such a tender age, has achieved the Fourth Layer of the Body Refining Realm, which shows his exceptional bodily talent."

"Moreover, he is not a native of the Heavenly Origin World; after the matter is over, we can discreetly resolve him without attracting any trouble!"

"Isn’t this the perfect candidate we’re looking for?"

"I’ve already met the three people that Brother Luo and Feng’er found."

"Although they are rare talents, compared to this boy, they fall short."

"You must remember, our mission for that item has been planned for so long; it must go perfectly without a hitch."

"The cost of failure is unbearable for anyone."

"Especially, if that monster gets alerted, none of us might survive."

"What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded.

"Aunt Fang is right, I agree."

Everyone expressed their approval.

Seeing this scene, Aunt Fang immediately gave her son Pan Feng a glance.

Pan Feng caught the hint and looked at the man in the purple robe beside him, bowing:

"Senior Brother Qing, if we successfully acquire the item this time, you will definitely be able to form a Golden Core."

"In the future, we’ll depend on you for protection, Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, the purple-robed youth called Senior Brother Qing laughed.

"Of course."

"Rest assured, once I successfully form the Golden Core and become an Inner Sect disciple, I will ask my master to assist you in forming your Core."

Receiving Senior Brother Qing’s promise, Aunt Fang and Pan Feng were both filled with gratitude.

The others also wore smiling faces.

The room was filled with cheer and laughter.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhou Yu, heading to the City Lord Mansion, was unaware that he had unknowingly fallen into someone else’s scheme.

Zhou Yu’s attention was mostly focused on being wary of his surroundings.

Though the sandstorm black wind had retreated, quite a few flying ants remained.

These flying ants would occasionally emerge from unknown corners within the city to attack humans.

For Zhou Yu, these flying ants were not troublesome, but for ordinary people and cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm, they were quite terrifying.

Occasionally, someone would succumb to the flying ants.

Interestingly, these flying ants seemed particularly interested in Little Lin beside Zhou Yu.

Once they noticed Little Lin, they fiercely attacked.

Although Little Lin felt no fear, he tightly clung to Zhou Yu, as if only Zhou Yu could provide him with sufficient security.

Of course, these flying ants were nothing to Zhou Yu, and he killed them effortlessly, no matter how many came.

After half an hour, Zhou Yu and the others finally crossed the city’s ruins and arrived in front of the City Lord Mansion.

At this moment, the City Lord Mansion had become very dilapidated.

Many people were busy repairing it.

Just then, an old man saw Zhou Yu and crew arriving.

His expression changed, then turned into ecstatic excitement as he rushed over.

"Young Master Lin, Young Master Lin, it turns out you’re safe..."

The old man hurried over, kneeling before Little Lin, eyes filled with tears of joy.

Meanwhile, two maid-like girls followed suit, rushing over excitedly to kneel as well.

In just ten seconds, a large group from the City Lord Mansion rushed out and knelt on the ground.

These people were crying tearfully in excitement.

Evidently, Little Lin held an extremely important position in the City Lord Mansion.

At this moment, Little Lin finally released Zhou Yu’s hand and approached the group, waving for them to rise.

The old man trembled as he stood, holding Little Lin’s hand, then looked at Zhou Yu.

"Sir, were you the one who saved Young Master Lin?"

"Please step inside the mansion, and when my lord returns, I will surely report to the City Lord to reward you heavily!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu raised his eyebrows and asked:

"May I know where the City Lord is now?"

The old man shook his head in distress:

"On the day Black Sand City was in most danger, the City Lord personally went after a terrifying flying ant to safeguard the city, but hasn’t returned yet."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu pondered and nodded.

"In that case, we’ll take our leave."

He then looked at Que’er.

"Miss Que’er, shall we go!"

Upon hearing this, Que’er had no objections.

"Okay."

With that, they turned and left.

Seeing this, the old man wished to persuade them to stay, but Zhou Yu resolutely refused.

But then, Little Lin suddenly came in front of Zhou Yu; although he didn’t speak, his eyes showed reluctance.

Even though their interaction was short, he had developed some attachment to Zhou Yu.

Looking at Little Lin, Zhou Yu reached out, patted his head, and said:

"See you again if we’re destined!"

With that, he didn’t linger longer and strode away.

Soon, Zhou Yu and his companions returned to the small courtyard.

Aunt Fang and others were in the courtyard, and Zhou Yu nodded slightly, preparing to head to his room.

But just then, Aunt Fang suddenly spoke:

"Mr. Zhou, could you stay for a moment? There’s something good you might be interested in!"