20 minutes later, Hu Xiaobei, Bai Xuening, and Xie Ling'er had arrived together at a gazebo in the backyard of the Bai Family residence.

The Bai Family estate was extensive, with several streams flowing through it...

The Bai Family had constructed several differently styled gazebos along these streams, which were quite eye-catching from a distance...

Like the gazebo where Hu Xiaobei and the others were, it was beautifully carved and painted, exuding an ancient charm...

As the host, Bai Xuening settled herself before starting to arrange the tea set, and soon, the delicate fragrance of tea pervaded the entire gazebo...

"A master of the tea ceremony indeed!"

Watching her unhurried manner, Hu Xiaobei couldn't help but exclaim in admiration...

"There's nothing too special about the tea at home, so if the taste isn't too good, please be a little understanding!"

As she spoke, she began to pour the tea...

After pouring, she lazily stretched out her fair fingers...

The next second, she picked up some fish food and threw it into the babbling creek below...

As the fish scrambled for food, Bai Xuening turned to Xie Ling'er and said, "Xie Family Head, we can now have a proper conversation!"

Hearing Bai Xuening's words, Xie Ling'er shifted her gaze from the plump koi fish!

Soon, she spoke with an open expression, "Firstly, here, I must apologize! The incident five years ago, although not directly related to me, was still caused by our Bai Family, and for that I am truly sorry!"

After she spoke, Xie Ling'er bowed earnestly...

Feeling Xie Ling'er's sincerity, she gently waved her hand and said, "It's been so long since that incident; there's no need to bring it up again. Let's talk directly about the matter at hand!"

"Okay! Bai Family Head, I have a very serious matter I want to discuss with you, I believe you should know the reason our Hidden Families exist!"

Hearing Xie Ling'er mention the secretive matter, Bai Xuening looked at her and said, "About that, I had investigated it before. Although I didn't find anything specific, it seems to be to guard something very important! However, what exactly it is, I'm not quite sure!"

The Bai Family and other families had been hidden here for thousands of years, so the reasons for being hidden were not so easy to clarify anymore!

After becoming the Family Head, Bai Xuening had carefully investigated, but hadn't really found any clear information...

She only knew they were here to guard something...

But as to what exactly they were protecting, there was much speculation!

Hearing Bai Xuening's somewhat hesitant voice, Xie Ling'er said, "Actually, it's normal you don't know now, because our Xie Family intentionally kept it a secret. Now I'll tell you, all our families here are guarding a site, no, accurately, a formidable Array!"

"Array?"

Nodding her head, Xie Ling'er continued, "Yes! Many years ago, our family's ancestors, while traveling through this area, stumbled upon a very bizarre place on a vast desert, which was bizarre because the area was littered with broken walls and ruins. Curious, many people entered those ruins to treasure hunt, and afterwards, many died inside. To prevent more deaths, our family's older generation decided to declare it a Forbidden Land and to guard it from then on."

After listening to Xie Ling'er's description, Hu Xiaobei squinted his eyes and said softly, "Something doesn't add up! If that place is really that dangerous, you could have just left; why guard it?"

"I'm curious about that as well!"

Bai Xuening pondered and quietly agreed...

About this, she was indeed very curious.

Xie Ling'er offered no explanation but went straight on, "Bai Family Head, do you know where our families' Array Masters learn their Array knowledge from?"

"That... mostly from your Xie Family! Honestly, if it hadn't been for the raid on your family's Scripture Pavilion five years ago, our family's Array Masters wouldn't have made such significant progress!"

About this, Bai Xuening truly felt grateful!

Various Hidden Families had information related to arrays, but it was very limited...

Five years ago, they had occupied the Xie Family.

After that, they went to the Xie Family's Scripture Pavilion and found various Array Books.

Since that time, every family had diligently studied and thus bred numerous Array Masters...

Glancing at Bai Xuening, Xie Ling'er spoke again, "Do you know where our Xie Family got those Array Books from?"

"I... I really hadn't thought about it!"

"Actually, the answer is simple, it's from those ruins! Although dangerous, the ruins also hold various benefits, and every so often we discover assorted Array Books scattered around the outskirts!"

"Is that true? Just outside you can find such books? Then... if one enters inside, wouldn't there be all sorts of treasures!"

"Yes! It's possible that many treasures are indeed hidden inside the ruins, but it's utterly useless because it's too dangerous! For many years, our family has sent many geniuses inside, but none has succeeded."

"That's so, then why don't you give up?"

Good things are good, but one must be alive to enjoy them!

Bai Xuening understood this, so in her view, since it was so dangerous, there was no need to continue sacrificing lives.

"Give up, we would love to! But it's too late now! Simply put, it's not about whether we want to or not anymore, there's an extremely urgent matter at hand!"

"What is it?"

"In the past, our family's ancestors, to prevent others from entering, set up a huge array outside! This array completely sealed off the entire ruins. Now, this array is slowly being eroded, and I feel like something inside is trying to break out."

As she spoke, a trace of horror appeared on Xie Ling'er's face!

Seeing her absolutely terrified expression, Bai Xuening's complexion changed!

"You... what do you mean? Are you saying something lives within those ruins?"

"Yes! Although I don't know what they exactly are, there definitely are some creatures inside, to prevent them from coming out! I must now find someone and together with the two Grandmasters of arrays in our family, reinforce the slowly eroding array; otherwise, those unknown creatures might break out! If that day really comes, all of us Hidden Families won't be able to escape, even those families who aren't hidden will be affected!"

As she spoke, she glanced at Hu Xiaobei...

Hu Xiaobei understood her meaning...

In that moment, Hu Xiaobei's heart sank...

He knew if what Xie Ling'er said was true, they really needed to treat it seriously, otherwise, his loved ones might get harmed...

"Xie Family Head, is... is what you're saying true?"

Feeling Bai Xuening's fear, Xie Ling'er knew she had truly been scared!

She really wanted to say she was joking!

But she knew, she shouldn't say that because she needed the truth...

Thinking this, she somberly said, "It's true! I can't joke about such a life-threatening matter! To be honest, it was actually to find a suitable collaborator to help reinforce the array that I initiated combat with all your families! I knew if I didn't push you to the brink, you wouldn't reveal your true capabilities, so, I really was prepared to force your hands! Of course, now, there's no need to continue! Because I have found the right collaborator!"

As she spoke, she looked straight at Hu Xiaobei...

"That's so!"

Having heard all the secrets, Bai Xuening felt chillingly cold...

Quickly, she looked helplessly at Hu Xiaobei, "Xiaobei, after hearing everything, are you willing to help?"

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