"...Mo Tiange!"
Hearing her name called, Mo Tiange stepped forward. Standing beside her were seven or eight other cultivators—those whose names had been called alongside hers, assigned to the same mission.
Perfected Person Xuanyin swept a stern gaze over them. "Your team will have Wei Jiasi as captain. Your mission is to rescue injured comrades. Understood?"
"Yes!"
With a wave of her hand, Perfected Person Xuanyin said, "Go."
Mo Tiange then silently followed Wei Jiasi away from the spot.
Their team of Foundation Establishment cultivators consisted of either the wounded or those with slightly weaker cultivation. It was clear Perfected Person Xuanyin had deliberately assigned them a lighter task.
Flying away from Falling Goose Cliff, the battle had not yet begun. The eight of them stood on the hillside for a moment before seeing demon beasts, running or flying, approaching one after another. Cultivators from Falling Goose Cliff also emerged to engage them.
A moment later, Mo Tiange heard Luo Fengxue whisper, "Look over there."
Mo Tiange looked up and saw a long-tailed demon beast appear in the sky. Judging by its aura, it was likely at least Fifth-Rank. It was fighting over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators yet was not at a disadvantage in the slightest.
This long-tailed demon beast's tail was several *zhang* long. With each sweep, if someone couldn't dodge in time, they would fall from their flying artifact. Seeing this, Wei Jiasi ordered, "Go rescue them."
The eight of them flew closer, lifting those who were severely injured and delivering them to the rear of Falling Goose Cliff.
Once the battle commenced, this area became a place for treating the wounded. As soon as they delivered people, someone would come forward to meet them.
Wei Jiasi called out, "Senior Brother Kuang!"
The newcomer also wore the disciple robes of the Xuanqing Sect. He was at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage. His attitude was aloof, yet every move exuded an air of elegance. The man merely nodded to Wei Jiasi before turning and shouting, "Xiao Bai!"
An Early-Stage Foundation Establishment youth ran over from behind. "Senior Brother Kuang Zhu."
As others had already taken over the wounded, this Senior Brother Kuang walked inside while speaking. "Are all the healing medicines prepared? They've started fighting!"
"Mm." The youth also just nodded to them before heading inside.
Despite being treated so coldly, the usually proud Wei Jiasi showed no sign of displeasure. She merely glanced at them. "Continue."
Mo Tiange followed behind her as they flew away, continuing to cooperate with Luo Fengxue, searching for wounded and bringing them to the rear.
Once they were farther from Wei Jiasi, Luo Fengxue whispered, "Are you curious?"
Mo Tiange glanced at the nearby battlefield and nodded.
Luo Fengxue smiled mysteriously. "You could say Senior Brother Kuang Zhu is the top Foundation Establishment disciple, the most popular male disciple in the sect aside from Uncle-Master Shoujing."
"Really?" In terms of appearance and bearing, this Senior Brother Kuang was indeed handsome and elegant.
"Of course…" Luo Fengxue started to say, but seeing Mo Tiange still seemed distracted, she sighed. "Forget it, I won't try to cheer you up. It is a bit difficult for you right now."
"Senior Sister Luo…" Mo Tiange knew perfectly well Luo Fengxue meant well, but how could she possibly muster a smile under the current circumstances?
Luo Fengxue signaled her not to say more. The two silently made trip after trip, searching for the wounded. Sometimes, when they saw dismembered corpses, Luo Fengxue's face would turn pale, which worried Mo Tiange. Fortunately, she adapted quickly.
As time passed, the Dharma Combat grew increasingly intense. Occasionally, when a demon beast above Fifth-Rank approached, a Core Formation senior would engage it. Combat at that level shook the earth and moved mountains, inevitably affecting low-level cultivators. Mo Tiange had no choice but to split up with Luo Fengxue to rescue people.
While rushing, a gust of fierce wind swept towards her. Mo Tiange lost her footing on the flying sword and nearly fell. She quickly stepped on the sword, making a turn, only to see a Third-Rank demon beast chasing her from behind. A cold sweat broke out on her back.
The demon beast's eyes gleamed with ferocity. It clapped its palms together, and a red light shot towards her.
Mo Tiange maneuvered the flying sword to dodge in all directions. With one hand, she held a talisman at the ready; with the other, she threw the Flying Sky Shuttle she had been gripping.
The Flying Sky Shuttle transformed into a golden light, then changed into a shower of fine needles, densely shooting towards the demon beast.
A Third-Rank demon beast was equivalent to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. After her advancement, Mo Tiange had not yet engaged in combat. Now, she was extremely cautious, controlling the Flying Sky Shuttle while throwing out the talisman from her other hand.
These talismans had been issued by Uncle-Master Xuanyin before their departure. When they arrived here and she and Luo Fengxue went to pay their respects, she had given them even more for self-defense.
"Windswept Rain," "Wind Scatters Clouds"—several high-grade wind-element spell talismans struck, forcing the demon beast back a few steps. Mo Tiange immediately recalled the Flying Sky Shuttle, activated her flying sword, and fled at high speed.
But demon beasts had thick hides; attacks against them often lost potency. After a mere moment's delay, the demon beast caught up again.
Mo Tiange glanced back. To the left and right, battles raged fiercely. No one was paying her any attention. And this demon beast was extremely fast, clearly about to catch her. She raised her hand and released the Flying Sky Shuttle again.
This demon beast was Third-Rank; its intelligence differed from that of a wild beast. Knowing the Flying Sky Shuttle was formidable, it immediately slapped its front paws, releasing a fire-element spell.
Mo Tiange manipulated the flying sword to circle the demon beast, deploying and retracting the Flying Sky Shuttle to constrain its movements. When the beast attacked, she retreated somewhat; during the gaps in its spellcasting, she directed the golden needles to stab at it. After several rounds of this, the demon beast was provoked into a frenzied rage.
Flames rained down from the sky. Mo Tiange was shocked; she hadn't expected this demon beast to know such a spell. She dodged forward at top speed, but a pain shot through her back—she hadn't avoided it completely and was struck squarely.
Mo Tiange's hand shook, nearly losing control of the Flying Sky Shuttle. Just as the demon beast's massive paw was about to swipe at her, a flying sword suddenly shot in from the side, piercing the demon beast's head solidly.
The demon beast cried out in pain. Seizing the opportunity, Mo Tiange gathered the Flying Sky Shuttle, directing all the golden needles into the beast's head. With another point of her finger, the golden needles burst out from its body. The demon beast roared once and finally collapsed.
She turned her head and saw the cold figure of Wei Jiasi standing to the side.
"Thank you, Senior Martial Sister Wei." Mo Tiange gratefully clasped her hands.
Wei Jiasi gave a light humph, offering no reply, and turned to leave.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but wryly smile. Even though she had saved her, this Senior Martial Sister Wei still clearly disliked her.
However, watching Wei Jiasi's retreating figure, Mo Tiange gradually furrowed her brow. That direction…
She didn't have time to think it through. Ignoring the pain in her back, she followed.
During the fight with that demon beast, she had already strayed far from the main battlefield. She had originally thought Wei Jiasi happened to pass by, but now it seemed that likely wasn't the case.
Although it appeared Wei Jiasi was chasing a demon beast, Mo Tiange knew Wei Jiasi's current responsibility was rescuing the wounded; there was no need for her to do this.
Not far ahead, she spotted Luo Fengxue's figure. After a moment's thought, she sent a sound transmission talisman.
Upon receiving it, Luo Fengxue looked up, located her position, and flew over.
"What is it, Tiange?"
Mo Tiange pointed into the distance. "Look, it's Senior Martial Sister Wei."
Luo Fengxue glanced over, still not understanding. "What about Senior Martial Sister Wei?"
"Look at the direction she's heading!"
Luo Fengxue turned to look carefully for a moment, her expression changing. "Senior Martial Sister Wei is leaving!"
Mo Tiange nodded. "Senior Martial Sister Wei is wounded. She doesn't need to be responsible for fighting this time, so why chase a demon beast? And there's no one in that direction."
Luo Fengxue pondered for a moment. "Let's follow and see."
"But…" Mo Tiange hesitated, "we still need to search for injured comrades…"
"Our small team isn't the only one responsible for finding the wounded. Besides, the battle is almost over now; our absence won't matter."
Looking around, she saw that the battles had indeed mostly concluded with winners and losers. Mo Tiange nodded. "Alright."
The two then concealed their auras and followed Wei Jiasi at a steady, unhurried pace.
After crossing several low peaks and entering a dense forest, Wei Jiasi suddenly accelerated her flying sword, intercepting a fleeing Second-Rank demon beast ahead. A small flag appeared in her hand. With a wave of the flag, thunder rumbled, and the demon beast ahead instantly fell.
Mo Tiange and Luo Fengxue exchanged a look. They were both even more convinced now. Wei Jiasi could clearly have easily eliminated this demon beast, yet she had chased it all the way through the forest. There was definitely a problem.
Sure enough, after dispatching the demon beast, she did not turn back but continued forward. Her speed was so fast they almost couldn't keep up.
The trees grew denser and denser, and they ventured deeper into the forest. After an unknown length of time, Wei Jiasi finally stopped, looking around as if searching for something.
"This won't do!" Luo Fengxue whispered urgently. "We're too far from Falling Goose Cliff. It's too dangerous. We must call Second Senior Sister back first."
Mo Tiange quickly grabbed her. "But if you stop her now, we'll never know what she intends to do."
Luo Fengxue fixed Mo Tiange with a piercing gaze and asked seriously, "Tiange, do you suspect Second Senior Sister is plotting against us…?"
"Of course not!" Mo Tiange interrupted her, her expression conflicted. "…Senior Martial Sister Wei just saved me. I know her temper isn't good, but she's not a bad person. Yet her current actions are truly too bizarre."
Luo Fengxue fell silent for a moment but still said, "No matter what Second Senior Sister intends to do, I believe in her." With that, she sped after Wei Jiasi.
Mo Tiange wanted to stop her, but her movement had already alerted Wei Jiasi. With no other choice, she could only follow.
"Second Senior Sister!"
Seeing them, Wei Jiasi's face turned cold. "You—"
"Second Senior Sister!" Luo Fengxue looked around; there seemed to be traces of Dharma Combat. "What are you looking for?"
Wei Jiasi said coldly, "It's none of your business."
Luo Fengxue suddenly turned back, staring at her. "Second Senior Sister, are you looking for Uncle-Master Shoujing?"
Hearing these words, not only Wei Jiasi, but Mo Tiange was even more shocked.
Luo Fengxue continued slowly, "I heard that a few days ago, Uncle-Master Shoujing went missing in this direction. At the time, he ordered all you Foundation Establishment disciples to return first. Since there are traces of Dharma Combat here, I guessed you must be looking for Uncle-Master Shoujing."
Wei Jiasi's expression shifted through several emotions before she finally gritted her teeth. "What I do is none of your concern, Fengxue. Go back!"
"I won't go back!" Luo Fengxue looked at her resolutely. "Second Senior Sister, wake up! Uncle-Master Shoujing and we are completely different kinds of people. Some things aren't achievable just because you wish for them."
Wei Jiasi snorted. "I'm not wishing for anything."
"If you're not wishing for anything, then come back with us! As for Uncle-Master Shoujing's whereabouts, Uncle-Master Qingyuan is naturally responsible. What use is it for you to sneak out? If Uncle-Master Qingyuan can't find him, do you think you can?"
Perhaps the accusatory tone angered her. A look of fury rose on Wei Jiasi's face. "I said it's none of your business!"
"Then Uncle-Master Shoujing is none of your business either!" Luo Fengxue showed no mercy. "Second Senior Sister, someone as proud as you, how can you not see this clearly? Think about it yourself. Your aptitude isn't worse than First Senior Sister's. First Senior Sister entered Late-Stage Foundation Establishment ten years ago, yet you're still lingering at Mid-Stage! Do you think Master doesn't know? Master hopes you'll come to realize it yourself!"
"Luo Fengxue!" Wei Jiasi was furious, glaring at them with deadly intensity.