The beasts surrounding the woman instantly sensed the threat in Xu Jiaqi's gaze toward their master and bared their teeth in a defensive warning display.

In response, Xu Jiaqi's body emitted killing intent.

"I don't have the time to joke with you today, Huyao." Xu Jiaqi uttered the next moment in a cold voice.

Sensing her killing intent, the beasts began to howl and roar, their cries echoing with aggression.

Seeing this, the woman named Huyao sighed, "Stop it, you idiots. You know I won't be able to avenge you guys if you fight her and perish, right?"

"..."

The magical beasts immediately calmed down after hearing her words. Huyao continued a moment later, "To answer your question—no, there's no way to bring back someone who'd entered such a rift. Why are you asking? Did someone you know enter a rift? It's been a long time since I have heard of someone entering one of those."

However, Xu Jiaqi didn't respond to her inquires and was even walking away.

"Leaving already? What's the rush?"

"If you don't have any helpful insights, I have no reason to stay here any longer." Xu Jiaqi said.

Huyao showed a mysterious smile and said, "Actually, now that I think about it, there might be a way."

Xu Jiaqi instantly halted her movement and turned around to look at Huyao, who continued speaking, "If someone as powerful and as capable as you enters a rift, perhaps you might find a way to bring them back."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed drastically as an overwhelming pressure was exuded by Xu Jiaqi.

"I thought I said I didn't come here to joke around?" Xu Jiaqi stared daggers at Huyao.

"That's none of your business."

"You made it my business by coming to me for advice."

"Who said I was joking? Most of the people that went to explore the rift were run-of-the-mill Immortals. If someone like you were to explore the rift, there's a good chance you might make it back." Huyao explained with a brave smile.

"..."

Xu Jiaqi remained silent, her expression contemplative, almost as if she were seriously considering the possibility presented to her.

Huyao's eyes widened at this, and she said, "Don't tell me you're actually thinking about it. Now I am really interested in this individual you're trying to save."

"That's none of your business."

"You made it my business by coming to me for advice."

"You think you're giving me advice? You've only given me nonsense."

Huyao shrugged and said, "Then let me tell you this. Even if you were to enter the rift to rescue this individual, you'd need to find a rift to enter. A rift only remains open for a few moments before disappearing, so you'd need to find a new one, which is only possible by destroying Infinite Beast Spawns, which has a very low chance of spawning."

"Once an Infinite Beast Spawn is destroyed, you will need to wait at least a decade before you get another chance, and the last time a rift opened up was several thousand years ago."

"I have no intention of entering the rift, but thanks for nothing." Xu Jiaqi left shortly after.

"Never easy to please that woman…" Huyao shook her head with a smile.

A few days later, Xu Jiaqi arrived at the Endless Beast Den. However, given her prominent status, she discreetly made her way into the Fourth Heaven to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

This time, the Sect Leaders of the Three Grand Sects made sure to pay attention to their surroundings and noticed Xu Jiaqi's arrival almost instantly.

"Who are they?" Xu Jiaqi pointed to those from the Three Grand Sects with her gaze.

Senior Bai gave her a quick explanation of their involvement.

After learning of the full situation, Xu Jiaqi's gaze remained on them for a few moments, her thoughts unknown.

The Sect Leaders were so nervous that none of them dared to utter a word without Xu Jiaqi's permission, and even their greeting was done in silence.

In the end, Xu Jiaqi decided to ignore them and asked Senior Bai, "Any news on Yuan or the rift?"

He shook his head and said, "Unfortunately not. What about your end?"

"Nothing useful," she sighed.

"So there's nothing we can do besides wait for Yuan to return by himself?" Xi Meili asked.

"..."

Xu Jiaqi silently nodded.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Xi Meili's composure shattered, and she began to weep, releasing a torrent of tears she had restrained for more than a week.

Seeing this, the urge to go after Yuan grew stronger inside Xu Jiaqi's heart.

However, just as they pondered how to comfort Xi Meili, they noticed several individuals approaching them from a distance. Four individuals, to be precise.

"Hm? Those ladies are…" Senior Bai recognized them, as he'd seen them at the Myriad of Techniques before.

They were Meixiu, Chu Liuxiang, Li Jinxi, and Lan Yingying.

"W-what are you guys doing here?" Xi Meili wiped her tears and forced herself to stop crying to ask them.

"Yuan told us to come here," Meixiu said.

"What? Yuan? How…?" Xi Meili wore a puzzled look on her face, as did everyone else there.

"Um… let's just say I have a method to contact Yuan even when we're far away from each other. Anyway, he wanted me to tell you not to worry about him."

"W-wait a minute. Let's slow down a little. Who are you guys? And where is Yuan now?" Xu Jiaqi stepped forward and asked.

"They're Yuan's friends. I have seen them with him at the Myriad of Techniques on several occasions." Senior Bai quickly explained.

Meixiu nodded and said, "But who are you…? We were only expecting Xi Meili."

She logged out of Cultivation Online several days after Yuan wrote the note. After reading it, she gathered the others and rushed to the Endless Beast Den to explain the situation to Xi Meili. However, only Xi Meili was mentioned in Yuan's note, and they weren't acquainted with anyone else there.

"This may be our first time meeting like this, but I have seen you guys before with Yuan at the Myriad of Techniques, which I own." Senior Bai said.

"They're from his faction, and they came here after what happened to Yuan." Xi Meili further explained.

"I see…" "Anyway, hurry up and tell us about Yuan. Is he okay? What's his situation like?" Xu Jiaqi inquired in an impatient manner.