Sheng Qingjun was shocked. It was impossible that the spiritual energy would disappear completely one day.
But after she thought about it carefully, she realized that if she could not find the reason why the spiritual energy disappeared, this day might really come.
For a moment, she felt mixed emotions and didn't know what to say.
If that day really comes, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth will completely disappear. Even if she has the cultivation level of Nascent Soul, the strength she can exert will be extremely limited.
She was silent for a long time, and finally sighed.
"You're right. I didn't think long enough. Sitting and waiting for death is not the best strategy after all."
Xu Chunniang shook her head and said, "Master is just worried about my safety. After all, the Hundred Thousand Mountains you mentioned are not a good place.
If the disappearance of spiritual energy is really related to the Western Region, then I must go on this trip."
Sheng Qingjun knew that she couldn't persuade her, so she stopped trying.
"When do you plan to leave?"
Xu Chunniang thought for a moment and said, "Don't be in a hurry. Let's wait until everything in the sect is on the right track."
The Xiaoyao Sect still needs her to take charge, so she naturally would not choose to leave at this time.
Although the Blood Infant Monster's strength has been greatly reduced after using a secret method to escape, he will not easily show up in the short term.
But in addition to the Blood Infant Monster, Hunyuan's chief disciple also escaped, and the possibility of revenge on the Xiaoyao Sect cannot be ruled out.
If Grandmaster Sheng relies on himself alone, there will inevitably be some negligence.
Xu Chunniang planned to set up a new sect protection formation before leaving.
However, with her current level of formation skills, she is unable to arrange a fourth-level formation. If she wants to rearrange the sect protection formation, she has to wait until her attainments in formations break through to the grandmaster level.
After hearing her plan, Sheng Qingjun felt relieved.
The further you go into the formation, the more profound and difficult to understand it becomes.
It takes time to break through from a third-level formation master to a grandmaster level.
Even if Xu Chunniang is talented, it will take several decades.
"Then next, do you plan to go into seclusion and concentrate on studying the art of formations?"
Xu Chunniang was silent for a moment and then spoke slowly.
"I want to go back to my home in the secular world first."
Sheng Qingjun understood, but couldn't say anything to comfort her.
Once you embark on the path of spiritual practice, you and your worldly relatives will become people from two different worlds.
However, mortals have short lifespans and are destined not to be able to accompany them for too long.
After practicing for hundreds of years, she could hardly even remember what her parents looked like.
"You've been away for so long, it's time to go back and take a look."
Xu Chunniang nodded, bid farewell to her master, and then set out down the mountain alone.
When I was in the Qi training stage, it took me three months to get home, but now I can get there in just a few days.
Following her past memories, she stepped into Wuchang County.
But as far as the eye can see, everything has changed.
Looking at the teahouses and taverns on the streets, which were very different in style from a hundred years ago, she suddenly felt the passage of time.
Xu Chunniang stood on the street corner, looking at the people coming and going on the street, and suddenly she had the urge to turn around and leave.
A hundred years had passed since she last returned home.
Not to mention her elderly mother, even her brothers and sisters, younger brothers and sisters, and even her two young nephews are most likely no longer alive.
Maybe the Xu family is still there, but no one remembers her anymore.
Xu Chunniang suddenly burst into tears. She had practiced very hard over the years and became the Yuanying Zhenjun that everyone admired. But when she returned to her hometown, there was no one waiting for her.
"Girl, what difficulties have you encountered?"
An old voice was heard. It turned out that the old woman selling silk flowers nearby heard the crying and asked questions.
Xu Chunniang raised her head, her eyes slightly red and swollen.
Seeing that the person asking the question was a kind-looking old lady, I couldn't help but feel some trust and goodwill towards her.
She wiped her tears, sat on the stone steps beside the stall, and told the old woman selling silk flowers about her worries.
"I left home when I was young and have not been home for many years. I cried just now because I was worried that my family members were no longer alive."
"I see."
The old woman selling silk flowers sighed softly and looked at her carefully again.
"You look young, even if you've been away from home for many years, your parents should still be there."
Xu Chunniang hesitated to speak, and finally said, "My father passed away when I left home last time, and my mother is already old..."
"Are there any brothers or sisters in the family?"
Xu Chunniang was about to nod, but then she thought of something and her expression became gloomy. She just shook her head without saying anything.
"I see, he's a poor kid."
The old woman looked at her, her expression full of tenderness.
"When we live in this world, we must always look forward. A day of peace and prosperity is a day, and a day of sorrow and hardship is also a day. Life goes on as usual."
As she spoke, she picked up a bright silk flower from the stall and gently pinned it in Xu Chunniang's hair.
“You can cry all you want, but you are in your prime, so you still have to keep moving forward after crying. There is no hurdle in life that you cannot overcome.
You are still young now, and one day you will understand what your mother-in-law said."
Xu Chunniang was a little embarrassed. In terms of real age, she was older than her mother-in-law.
It's just because of her practice that she looks younger.
In fact, she understands all these principles.
But since I am in the situation, I am reluctant to see through it.
Xu Chunniang slowly wiped away her tears and thanked the old woman solemnly.
"Thank you, mother-in-law. I feel much better now."
The old woman smiled, and the wrinkles on her face deepened, but it made her eyes look more kind.
“Go home! Even if your family members are gone, your home is still there. Even if it has moved to a new place or changed its appearance, the home in your heart will never change.”
Xu Chunniang nodded, and moved her fingers slightly. Spiritual energy overflowed from her fingertips, penetrated into the old woman's body, and quietly improved her physique.
Then she took out a jade hairpin and handed it to the old woman.
"I got this jade hairpin from a very spiritual place. Wearing it can keep you safe. Just think of it as money to buy the silk flower."
Seeing that the jade hairpin was very delicate and smooth, the old woman quickly waved her hand to refuse.
"This is just an ordinary silk flower, not worth much money, how can I accept such a fine hairpin from you."
"The silk flowers are worthless, but my mother-in-law's thoughts are very valuable. The jade hairpin is worthless, but it's just a small token of my thoughts."
After Xu Chunniang finished speaking, she put down the jade hairpin and walked away without waiting for her to refuse.
The old woman picked up the jade hairpin and was about to chase after her, but when she looked up, there was no trace of the girl.
She held the jade hairpin and felt a gentle warmth in her hand.
Looking down carefully, the hairpin is so exquisitely crafted, without any trace of artificial carving, which makes it even more extraordinary.
The old woman recalled that the clothes worn by the woman just now looked ordinary and unremarkable, but they were natural and she didn't know what material they were made of.
All these strange things made her have a hunch that the woman just now must be either rich or noble.
However, after Xu Chunniang left the old woman's silk flower stall, she searched the entire Wuchang County but could not find the small Ping'an County.
The place where Xu's mansion was originally located in Shuanggui Lane, Ping'an County, has long since changed its appearance.