Pei Xianqiao acted without hesitation, crushing the golden talisman in her hand. This was something Mu Jialing had left for her. Crushing the talisman meant she was in danger. No matter where Mu Jialing was, he could immediately sense her location.
She knew clearly in her heart that anyone who could harm Elder Shang was far beyond her ability to confront. Golden sunlight shimmered as Pei Xianqiao and her companions quickly withdrew.
Mu Jialing appeared in the golden glow, carrying Yu Zhenyan.
"Pei Daoyou, what happened?" Mu Jialing rushed straight to Pei Xianqiao's side.
Yu Zhenyan deployed a protective shield and glanced around, her voice sharp and scolding. "Pei Xianqiao, why did you call us here?"
Before her words finished, a surge of black smoke suddenly rose from the courtyard ahead. Thick and foul-smelling, it swayed with the wind like a clawing, gnashing evil spirit.
Yu Zhenyan's expression changed dramatically. "What is that thing?"
The black smoke clashed with the serene beauty of Yan Family Fortress. The swirling mist seemed like a beast roaring from the abyss, twisting as if it wanted to tear them to pieces.
Pei Xianqiao immediately pushed aside He Huatao, who was shielding her. "Buddha Son, take them away from here!"
He Huatao was stunned. "Xian Qiao, how could I leave you here!"
Mu Jialing gazed deeply at the mist in the courtyard, a trace of worry in his eyes.
What exactly lurked in the dense fog?
Was the secret of Yan Family Fortress about to be revealed today?
"Big Brother, you all go! I promised to lead you out safely. Don't worry about me—I have my own way to escape!" Pei Xianqiao deftly drew the Cangling Snow Sword. Its brilliant light dazzled the onlookers for a moment.
"Xian Qiao..." He Huatao's eyes were filled with reluctance, concern, admiration, and respect.
"Xian Qiao was just a young girl, yet in the face of life and death, she disregarded danger to protect a group of unfamiliar loose cultivators. She was truly reckless!"
"You, take the Daoyou of Wuxiang Sect and leave. I will stay here with Xian Qiao to fight to the end!" He Huatao drew his twin Thunder Hammers, arcs of red light tracing in the air, his expression solemn and commanding.
"Senior He!" The loose cultivators behind them were deeply moved.
Cultivation as a loose cultivator was difficult. Without a sect for protection, making genuine friends was even harder. They followed He Huatao only because he was the strongest and his character reliable, but never expected that their temporary leader and a Wuxiang Sect female cultivator would risk their lives to shield them from a terrifying unknown force.
In an instant, the loose cultivators' psychological defenses collapsed. They drew their own magical instruments, advancing instead of retreating, ready to fight alongside them.
"Senior He, Pei Daoyou, we're not leaving! If anyone goes, we all go together!"
"You all..." He Huatao was both shocked and moved.
Pei Xianqiao, touched, also did not want everyone to risk themselves. "Senior Brother Yu, Senior Sister Shen, take them away from here!"
"Junior Sister Pei, let us stay with you!" Yu Wei and Shen Fang exchanged a glance and silently chose to stay.
The group's determination moved Pei Xianqiao deeply.
Yu Zhenyan, standing to the side, watched their unity and began to slightly reassess her underestimation of Pei Xianqiao.
Why was she willing to save a group of strangers?
Yu Zhenyan, startled, summoned the Fiery Sun Fan, no longer avoiding the situation.
He Huatao glared at the black smoke on the roof, swinging his Thunder Hammers with imposing might. "Charge!"
"Charge! Charge! Charge!" the others shouted in unison.
Their voices seemed to shake the clouds above, surging toward the heavens.
Their hearts burned with courage, their morale soaring!
-
Yan Family Fortress Square
"Charge—ah—"
The sounds of the loose cultivators echoed across the square, reverberating endlessly.
Yan Shanyi, preparing for the grand sacrificial ceremony, lifted his gaze coldly. His eyes were dark and still, like stagnant water, sinister and eerie.
"These outside guests can't help themselves, can they?" Yan Shanyi smiled cruelly, his split red tongue greedily licking both cheeks.
Clatter, clatter, clatter...
Mu Jialing, silent until now, suddenly unfolded a golden wall, blocking the charging group completely.
"Buddha Son, do not try to persuade us. Our minds are made up. We will fight this monster to the death!"
"Exactly! We are not cowards! If a small female cultivator dares to risk her life, we, who have lived decades or centuries, cannot lose to her!"
Pei Xianqiao watched the determined strangers and felt a warmth in her heart.
Who said loose cultivators are all timid and greedy?
Even without seeing their true hearts before, even in the cultivation world, there were still many good people!
At this moment, Pei Xianqiao felt that everything she had done was worth it.
"Buddha Son, what's all the noise outside? Don't tell me it's because I caused an explosion, just say Old Man Yang... No, you wouldn't lie, so let's say nothing!"
At this moment, Yao Ranran's crisp voice came again from the Heart Jade. Mu Jialing's expression softened slightly.
If nothing was said, these cultivators would charge in on their own...
Who would have thought the thick smoke was just from an alchemical furnace?
Mu Jialing remained calm, standing gently on the golden shield. "Everyone, there are no monsters in the courtyard, and no real danger."
"Charge… hmm? What?"
The group was confused, their magical instruments held high, casting brilliant lights across the sky.
"Listen carefully. Elder Yang is an alchemist. The black smoke is from the furnace, and the foul smell is from discarded pills. Once the smoke clears and the discarded pills are burned, everything will return to normal."
Mu Jialing explained gently, his eyes pure and serene, calming everyone.
"Guests, what brings you all together here?"
A cold, eerie voice suddenly appeared.
Everyone was shocked, turning to see Yan Shan Yi standing behind them with a warm smile, holding a cold-bladed cleaver.
Every hair on their body stood on end, as if they could sense the hidden killing intent in Yan Shanyi's words.
Yu Zhenyan reacted first, twisting her wrist and holding the sharp side of her fan toward herself. She gently waved it, smiling. "The weather seems a bit hot today..."
Everyone thought: This person changes face so fast!
"Pei Xiaoyou, your sword is...?" Yan Shanyi's gaze shifted, smiling as he stared at the Cangling Snow Sword.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
All magical instruments were quickly retracted. The loose cultivators behind Pei Xianqiao moved away discreetly, pretending to casually admire the scenery, as if nothing had happened.