Mo Tiange stood atop the mountain peak. Gazing at the dense forest below the cliff, she slightly furrowed her brows.
Things were a bit troublesome. On the day they arrived, the Yu Family had said that there was a group of demon beasts nearby. They had already fought a battle a few days prior, which had nearly destroyed the Yu Family's defensive formation. It was estimated they would return in a few more days.
After that, she and Luo Fengxue had been preparing for the upcoming battle within the Yu Family compound, while Senior Martial Sisters Han Qingyu and Wei Jiasi had been exchanging information with the Yu Family, verifying the situation with the demon beasts.
The movements of this group of demon beasts were indeed as the Yu Family had described. They seemed to be monitoring them, yet maintained a distance—sometimes appearing ready to attack, other times seeming to withdraw. The Yu Family had too many mortals and low-level cultivators. Han Qingyu felt it was better not to take the initiative to attack, lest those who went out to fight be isolated and those left behind lack sufficient strength, falling prey to a divide-and-conquer strategy.
Wei Jiasi, however, believed that low-rank demon beasts couldn't possess such intelligence. But Han Qingyu said it was better to be safe than sorry.
They had come to fight, originally for the purpose of protection. While exterminating the demon beasts would be ideal, the safety of the Yu Family was more important.
However, for several days after that, these demon beasts had not launched an attack.
The Yu Family's defensive formation had already been modified by Mo Tiange. She didn't think the demon beasts could break in. The problem now was that the feeling of having demon beasts watching covetously from the side, yet being unable to resolve the situation, was too uncomfortable. Moreover, they were here on orders to provide aid. How could they be dragged down here indefinitely?
Today was her turn to patrol. Now standing on this mountain peak, she once again detected the aura of demon beasts. The pressure wasn't overwhelming, but it was dense and extremely close. She hesitated for a moment, took out a communication talisman, spoke a few words, and with a wave of her hand, sent the talisman flying down towards the Yu Family courtyard.
Not long after, a streak of light rose from the Yu Family. Wei Jiasi approached on her flying sword and asked indifferently, "What is it?"
Wei Jiasi's attitude towards her had never been particularly good. Mo Tiange was long accustomed to it and didn't feel the need to improve their relationship. She replied just as indifferently, "Senior Martial Sister Wei, look over there. They've appeared again."
Wei Jiasi turned her gaze, stared for a while, then closed her eyes to extend her divine sense. After a long time, she opened her eyes, her expression grave.
"Senior Martial Sister Wei, what should we do?"
According to Mo Tiange's divine sense perception, there were at least five or six second or third-rank demon beasts in that area.
Wei Jiasi frowned and said, "Let's go take a look." She hadn't even dismounted from her flying sword, directly transforming into a streak of light as she flew towards the source of the demonic aura.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange shook her head helplessly, summoned a white silk handkerchief, stepped onto it, and followed closely behind.
Descending the mountain peak and flying into the dense forest, Mo Tiange's white silk handkerchief was a gift from Zhong Muling. This item was both a defensive magical treasure and a flying magical treasure. She hadn't yet tested its defensive functions, but its flight capabilities were outstanding. It required little spiritual energy, was fast and stable. In her estimation, if she were to flee, few Foundation Establishment cultivators could catch up.
Moreover, she had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for some time now. Especially after setting out for battle, she had already found time to refine that batch of magical treasures and tools. Among them was an Earth-Escape Ruler, which even Zhong Muling had praised for its ingenuity. Even if she encountered something, escaping a thousand li in an instant wouldn't be particularly dangerous.
However, Wei Jiasi's expression at this moment was quite unpleasant. Her flying magical tool was merely a flying sword. Although it was bestowed by her master and better than ordinary flying swords, it had no special features. Entering the forest, affected by the terrain, her flying speed greatly decreased. But Mo Tiange remained steady and extremely agile. Wei Jiasi considered that she herself had been in the Foundation Establishment stage for over eighty years. Although she remained at the mid-stage, her understanding of spiritual energy techniques was beyond that of ordinary cultivators. Now, to be outdone by Mo Tiange, even if it was due to the magical tool, was still hard to bear.
Entering the dense forest, they were already in demon beast territory. In the past, this place had only first-rank demon beasts, but now second or third-rank demon beasts occasionally appeared. Yet, along their flight path, they hadn't even seen a single low-rank demon beast.
"Huh, Senior Martial Sister Wei!" Mo Tiange suddenly stopped and called out.
Wei Jiasi, already somewhat annoyed, snapped, "What is it?"
"The demonic aura has disappeared."
Wei Jiasi was startled. She hurriedly extended her divine sense and found it was indeed so. Because she had been caught up in feelings of comparison, she hadn't even noticed this until Mo Tiange reminded her, which only added to her shame and irritation.
"Even if it disappeared, we should still go to that place to see what's going on."
Hearing this stiff statement, Mo Tiange shook her head inwardly and followed behind Wei Jiasi, continuing towards the original location.
She had already learned from Luo Fengxue the reason for Wei Jiasi's hostility towards her. But she didn't think she was in the wrong. Upon careful thought, she was actually rather disappointed in Wei Jiasi. To be so entangled in emotions yet unable to discern the reason—even though this Senior Martial Sister Wei had been persuaded by Luo Fengxue, she would likely find it difficult to achieve much in the future with such a character flaw.
After a moment of random thoughts, the two of them reached their destination.
Following slowly behind Wei Jiasi, Mo Tiange quietly took out the Sky-Soaring Shuttle, stepped off the white silk handkerchief, held it in her hand, and advanced lightly, stepping on dry branches.
Suddenly, her footwork shifted. Her body floated up slightly and rolled to the side.
At the same time, Wei Jiasi also twisted her form, leaping high into the air.
A bolt of lightning exploded in their original position.
Mo Tiange and Wei Jiasi exchanged a glance, seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
To be able to conceal their aura and possess such a powerful spell, making it impossible for them to locate the caster—this opponent was not simple, unlike ordinary second or third-rank demon beasts.
The two of them cautiously stood back-to-back, each summoning their magical tools.
Mo Tiange had the white silk handkerchief and the Sky-Soaring Shuttle, one for defense and one for attack. Wei Jiasi took out several spirit talismans and a small silver ring. Her Water Spirit Banner had been destroyed. But as a personal disciple of Perfected One Xuanyin, how could she be poorly equipped? This Ruyi Ring was also a formidable magical tool of note.
The two of them each observed their surroundings with their divine sense. After an unknown length of time, they suddenly moved simultaneously. Wei Jiasi threw the Ruyi Ring, which collided with a bolt of lightning. Mo Tiange threw out the white silk handkerchief. The handkerchief instantly changed shape in the air, transforming into blocks of brick and stone that fell with a series of *thuds*, piling up into a wall in front of her, also blocking the lightning.
The difference was, Wei Jiasi was forced back a step, while Mo Tiange didn't move at all.
Wei Jiasi shot another glance her way, her eyes filled with shock. She could naturally tell that Mo Tiange possessed both magical tools and magical treasures. The tools were one thing, but the treasures were naturally better than hers. Yet she hadn't expected them to be so capable. Based on her estimation, this bolt of lightning was much stronger than a typical Foundation Establishment spell. So even though her own strength was considerable, she was still forced back a step. But Mo Tiange had handled it so easily.
A few days ago, after Mo Tiange disappeared for several days and returned, she had suddenly advanced from the early Foundation Establishment stage to the mid-stage, naturally arousing suspicion among those who knew her. However, their master had explicitly ordered them not to inquire, so no one asked further. But everyone knew she must have encountered some kind of opportunity. This matter had further spurred Wei Jiasi to cultivate diligently. Yet, despite her deep research into combat techniques, she hadn't expected that Mo Tiange hadn't just advanced in cultivation level—her combat prowess had also surpassed hers.