"Alright, I can't believe you've been fooling me for so long." Yang Han said, feeling frustrated.
"Hehe, I had to do it to hide my identity before. But now it's fine. Let me formally introduce myself—my name is Jiang Xin." The brat grinned.
"Jiang Xin?" It was the first time Yang Han had heard the brat's real name, and he muttered in disbelief.
"Yeah, just call me Xiao Xin." Jiang Xin (the brat) smiled.
Yang Han muttered a bit before sighing, "I never thought you'd also have the surname Jiang."
"Yeah, and there's something else you won't expect." Jiang Xin smiled.
"Oh? What is it?" Yang Han was curious.
"I'll tell you later. You'll find out when the time comes." Jiang Xin put away her smile and said.
"Fine, tell me when you feel like it. But what about you—why are you in such a hurry to find me?" Yang Han wanted to ask more, but seeing her refuse, he didn't press and instead grew curious about her urgency.
Jiang Xin put away her smile and said, "Something happened to the Shadowhand Guild."
"?" Yang Han hadn't been to the Shadowhand Guild in years. Hearing something had happened there for the first time, he looked at Jiang Xin in surprise.
Jiang Xin then explained to Yang Han the changes over the past few years.
It turned out that after Yang Han left, the Shadowhand Guild's formation kept getting attacked by many outsiders as usual. Until one year, someone accidentally discovered the formation, and by the time the Shadowhand Guild noticed, several experts had already entered.
To preserve the Guild, the Shadowhand disciples destroyed the formation. The disciples who stayed inside fought those experts in a fierce battle, eventually resolving the crisis. But the Shadowhand Guild was once again cut off from the outside world.
Jiang Xin took the opportunity to leave the Guild and managed affairs outside. Recently, she heard that the Blue Clan Patriarch and several Spirit‑Wandering experts had joined forces, planning to execute a powerful Spirit‑Wandering Joint‑Strike Array in a few years.
The so-called Spirit‑Wandering Joint‑Strike Array requires at least five Spirit‑Wandering experts to combine their power. The resulting attack can surpass even peak Spirit‑Wandering strength, and this force might break the already unstable Immortal‑grade grand formation.
After receiving the news, Jiang Xin searched everywhere for Yang Han, hoping he could secretly set up a new formation and transfer the people inside. After all, these are Spirit‑Wandering experts—if the array really breaks through, the Shadowhand Guild would face destruction.
That's why she was so eager to find Yang Han.
After hearing everything, Yang Han asked doubtfully, "Why are they using this kind of array now?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe the Blue Clan Patriarch still thinks you're in the Shadowhand Guild, so he's using this chance to break the Guild's defenses and gather others who want in." Jiang Xin answered.
"That's probably the only explanation. The Blue Clan and I are mortal enemies—they'd never let me roam free." Yang Han sneered coldly.
"So what do we do now?" Jiang Xin wanted Yang Han's opinion.
"How long have they been preparing? When are they making their move?" Yang Han asked curiously.
"From what I've found out, they've been preparing for half a year. They're planning to strike in three years." Jiang Xin replied.
"Three years? That's so soon." Yang Han knew his cultivation wasn't enough to match Spirit‑Wandering experts yet. Even three years from now, he might not reach their level.
"Yeah, so when will you have time to help the Shadowhand Guild set up a new formation?" Jiang Xin asked.
"Let's go take a look now." Yang Han thought for a moment, then said. Jiang Xin excitedly led Yang Han away.
Meanwhile, Gai Xiaoguai and the others were worried since Yang Han hadn't returned for a long time. Just as they were about to search, a beggar brought back a message—sent by Yang Han himself—saying he had urgent business and was leaving Wandu for now.
"Urgent business?" Gai Xiaoguai muttered, puzzled.
After Yang Han left, he had no idea that even though Gai Xiaoguai got the message, he was still worried and kept searching for Yang Han's whereabouts.
Yang Han and Gai Xiaoguai stopped a few mountains away from the Shadowhand Guild. "Looks like we'll have to set up the formation here," Yang Han said.
"You're not going in?" Jiang Xin asked curiously.
"No need. If we go any further, those Spirit‑Wandering experts might notice us." Yang Han smiled.
"Alright." Jiang Xin accepted Yang Han's explanation and then asked what materials he needed.
Yang Han took out some spare materials from his own space, then used Jiang Xin's message stone to contact Li Binglong inside the Shadowhand Guild. Soon, just like last time, he finished setting up the formation.
The two of them walked inside.
Seeing the scene inside, Yang Han was stunned. There used to be scenery and houses, but now it looked like everything had been destroyed—many buildings had vanished or collapsed entirely.
"Sigh, it's all trouble caused by those experts barging in." Jiang Xin said helplessly.
"How much did the Shadowhand Guild lose?" Yang Han asked curiously.
"Not much, but three elders died." Jiang Xin said bitterly.