Luo Fengxue had managed to break out of the formation, but it was largely thanks to a stroke of luck.
Although she was only a step away from the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, she was still technically at the early stage. The power of the Five Spirits formation far exceeded her imagination, and she had been thrown into a state of near panic. She had initially thought she would be eliminated in the first trial, but discovered she was fortunate enough to have brought talismans that countered it. Thus, she passed through the trials one by one and successfully broke free.
Seeing the scene before her, Luo Fengxue was puzzled. Why were Senior Brother Ye and Bai Yanfei in conflict?
She addressed Ye Jingwen as 'Senior Brother' because they had both been grand-disciples of Dao Lord Jinghe in the past, and both were on good terms with Mo Tiange, leading to some interaction. She hadn't changed the form of address even now.
Looking at the two people opposite Ye Jingwen, she politely called out, "Junior Brother Bai." As for the person beside him, she actually recognized him—he was one of those she had pointed out to Mo Tiange earlier as someone to be cautious of. However, as she was now a disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator, she didn't need to greet him proactively.
When Bai Yanfei saw Luo Fengxue, he didn't recognize her and could only vaguely address her, "Senior Sister." Dong Shiyang, however, did recognize her and had no choice but to bow. "Uncle-Master Luo."
Luo Fengxue looked at the situation and asked Ye Jingwen in a low voice, "Senior Brother Ye, what's going on?"
Ye Jingwen replied helplessly, "They clearly came out from another stone chamber, yet they want to harvest the spiritual herbs from my area."
"Oh..." Luo Fengxue's eyes darted around. Seeing the adjacent stone chamber that was completely empty of any spiritual herbs, she roughly understood. However, her temperament wasn't as impulsive as Ye Jingwen's, and she still wore a smile. "Junior Brother Bai, it's just a minor matter. Why don't we all take a step back?"
Bai Yanfei had only acted on impulse in the heat of the moment. Now that Luo Fengxue had given him a way out, he agreed. "Well... since Senior Sister says so..."
Dong Shiyang, however, grew anxious. He had pulled Bai Yanfei along precisely to harvest more spiritual herbs. If they agreed now, wouldn't he lose out on the advantage? He spoke up, "Then let Junior Brother Ye apologize to our Uncle-Master Bai, and this matter will be settled."
This statement only made things worse. Ye Jingwen's face flushed with anger again. "What did you say?!"
Dong Shiyang, seeing that although Luo Fengxue held a higher seniority, her cultivation was lower, had already made up his mind. Ignoring Ye Jingwen's furious expression, he said, "You showed disrespect to Uncle-Master Bai. An apology is only appropriate."
Ye Jingwen, feeling trapped, said coldly, "If anyone should apologize, it should be Uncle-Master Bai. Seeing a junior from Zhaoyang Peak disregard the rules, and even leading the disruption himself—I haven't demanded an apology from Uncle-Master Bai. Instead, you demand one from me? Or are you saying our Xuanqing Sect has no principles to speak of, only seniority?"
Hearing this, Bai Yanfei, who had initially felt somewhat guilty, felt his temper flare up again. "You junior have no sense of propriety! Who allowed you to speak to me in such a tone? Does our Xuanqing Sect have no respect for hierarchy?"
"Junior Brother Bai, Senior Brother Ye!" Luo Fengxue quickly interjected, secretly glaring fiercely at Dong Shiyang while maintaining a smile on her face. "We're in the middle of a trial. Let's discuss this outside."
With Luo Fengxue mediating, both men calmed down slightly and were about to find a way to back down when another person arrived.
"Isn't this Senior Brother Bai? You, who pride yourself on your exceptional talent and lofty status, how could you possibly be arguing with a junior? It would be such a disgrace to Senior Uncle Zhenyang's reputation if word got out!"
A mocking female voice rang out. Everyone looked up. Luo Fengxue inwardly groaned. Why was Junior Sister Jiang here of all places? When these two met, it was like thunder clashing with fire—utter destruction.
Although Bai Yanfei had a fiery temper, he wasn't unreasonable. He already felt somewhat in the wrong, just unable to back down due to pride. Hearing Junior Sister Jiang's voice now, his reason vanished once more.
He cast a cold glance her way and said, "Whether I disgrace my master's reputation or not has nothing to do with you, Junior Sister Jiang. As long as I don't disgrace Flowing Cloud Peak, that's enough. Or perhaps... you wish I were disgracing Flowing Cloud Peak instead?"
These words carried a hidden implication. If the two had no relationship, of course it had nothing to do with Flowing Cloud Peak. If it would disgrace Flowing Cloud Peak, then naturally the two must have a relationship. Moreover, he added 'you wish,' subtly implying that this Junior Sister Jiang wished to be associated with him.
Even an ordinary woman would be angered by such words, let alone this Junior Sister Jiang, who was notorious for her willfulness. Without a word, she drew a colored ribbon, clearly preparing to fight.
"..." Luo Fengxue was at a loss for words. She could mediate the conflict between Ye Jingwen and Bai Yanfei, but when it came to a clash between Junior Sister Jiang and Bai Yanfei, it was best not to intervene regardless of her status, lest she get dragged into the mess.
So, upon seeing this scene, she quietly pulled Ye Jingwen back.
True to expectations, Junior Sister Jiang swung her colored ribbon, attacking Bai Yanfei. Her cultivation was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, but this colored ribbon was a magic treasure, truly formidable. Bai Yanfei didn't dare underestimate it. His crescent-shaped curved blades crossed, their gleaming edges reflecting each other as they tore through the spiritual qi barrier of the ribbon.
The two exchanged blows, spiritual qi crisscrossing within the stone chamber.
Seeing this, Dong Shiyang didn't know whether to be happy or distressed. If someone in a stone chamber hadn't broken the formation, the chamber would maintain an illusion array, hiding the spiritual herbs. That was why he had wanted to mooch some from Ye Jingwen earlier. But now, with people breaking out of formations one after another, mooching became difficult. It would be better to try his luck elsewhere, but Uncle-Master Bai was engaged in a fight, making it hard to leave.
As Dong Shiyang anxiously paced, Luo Fengxue took a dislike to him. She gave Ye Jingwen a meaningful look and shouted, "You, surnamed Dong! How dare you attack me?!"
Ye Jingwen, having already received her signal, immediately picked up the thread. "Dong Shiyang! Attacking me is one thing, but why would you ambush Junior Sister Luo! Junior Sister Luo is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment!" With that, he pointed his flying sword and attacked Dong Shiyang.
Dong Shiyang's face changed. "You—" He had no time to say more as Ye Jingwen's flying sword was already before him.
This was the scene Mo Tiange encountered as she made her way over while harvesting spiritual herbs.
She was momentarily stunned. What was going on? Bai Yanfei and that Junior Sister Jiang were fighting, Senior Brother Ye was engaged with a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Luo Fengxue wore a secretly pleased expression...
"Tian Ge!" Luo Fengxue spotted her first and called out. "Come quick, someone's bullying me!"
Hearing Luo Fengxue's call, Mo Tiange had no choice but to approach. "What's wrong?" She was full of suspicion. Did Luo Fengxue's expression look like someone being bullied? Besides, although this cultivator was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, his combat skills were mediocre. With Ye Jingwen here, how could he possibly bully her?
Luo Fengxue wore a smile and winked at her, but her voice sounded panicked. "That person just ambushed me! Luckily, Senior Brother Ye was here!"
Mo Tiange caught her signal. Looking at the man, she recognized him as one of those Luo Fengxue had warned her about earlier and began to understand. She played along, "Don't worry. If he dares bully you, we'll make him suffer!"
Dong Shiyang was quite slippery. Seeing Mo Tiange arrive—another late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator—he immediately cried out, "Junior Brother Ye, Uncle-Master Luo, it's a misunderstanding! I didn't, I didn't..."
Ye Jingwen showed no mercy. Seizing the opportunity while Dong Shiyang was speaking, his flying sword stabbed repeatedly, its sword energy sharp and fierce, tearing through Dong Shiyang's defenses and piercing his right arm.
"Ah!" Dong Shiyang cried out in pain.
Ye Jingwen retrieved his flying sword and said coldly, "Consider this a lesson. It's better to behave with some propriety!"
Dong Shiyang lay on the ground. Seeing Bai Yanfei locked in combat with no time to spare for him, and Ye Jingwen, Luo Fengxue, and Mo Tiange watching him coldly from the side, he didn't dare say another word. Not caring about losing face, he scrambled to his feet and fled.
Once he was gone, Ye Jingwen sheathed his flying sword and walked back to greet Mo Tiange. "Tian Ge, what a coincidence you're here too."
Mo Tiange smiled. "If it weren't a coincidence, I would have missed this show." She lowered her voice. "What are you all up to?"
Luo Fengxue then quietly explained what had happened.
After hearing the story, Mo Tiange couldn't help but laugh. "Turns out you're not so honest either."
Luo Fengxue covered her mouth. "These kinds of things are common among disciples. Might as well borrow the tactic occasionally. That man has ill intentions; it's no great injustice even if we wronged him a little."
Fighting fire with fire. Mo Tiange offered no opinion, her gaze shifting to Bai Yanfei and Junior Sister Jiang, who were still fighting. Unexpectedly, this observation revealed something interesting.
Bai Yanfei was fine; his cultivation was higher than Junior Sister Jiang's, so he wasn't in danger, but constrained by sect rules, he didn't dare injure her. And this Junior Sister Jiang was also somewhat strange, clearly holding back at every turn...
Luo Fengxue noticed her gaze and leaned in to whisper, "You noticed it too, didn't you? That's why I said they were bound to end up together."
Truth be told, Bai Yanfei wasn't a bad match. Aside from his somewhat childish personality, he was good-looking, had high aptitude, his cultivation would advance rapidly, and he had Dao Lord Zhenyang as his backer. Junior Sister Jiang had some discernment. If she didn't pick Bai Yanfei, given her personality and standards, there probably wasn't anyone else she would consider.
The three of them stood watching for a while. Just as they were about to leave, chatting and laughing, they heard Junior Sister Jiang shout from behind, "Don't you dare leave!"
Mo Tiange and the other two stopped, exchanged glances, and turned around. Luo Fengxue asked, "Is something the matter, Junior Sister Jiang?"
Junior Sister Jiang's gaze swept over them and finally settled on Mo Tiange. She lifted her chin and asked, "So you're that Senior Sister Mo?"
'That' Senior Sister Mo? Mo Tiange noted her tone and replied, "That's right. Is something the matter, Junior Sister Jiang?" Her tone was amiable; she had no intention of making an enemy.
This Junior Sister Jiang looked Mo Tiange up and down, then turned to glare at Bai Yanfei. "So this is the Senior Sister Mo you used to pursue? What does she have that I don't?"
Bai Yanfei, seeing Mo Tiange, felt embarrassed and pretended not to see her. Now, being questioned so directly by Junior Sister Jiang, he couldn't maintain his composure and snapped, "What's it to you?!"
Hearing this, Junior Sister Jiang's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up. She swung her colored ribbon, stirring the spiritual qi. "Bai Yanfei! I just don't understand. What about me, Jiang Min, do you find so objectionable? In terms of cultivation, aptitude, age—where do I fall short? Yet you keep thinking about Senior Sister Mo. Hmph! You look down on me, but weren't you looked down on by Senior Sister Mo? Who's any better than whom!"
Her tone carried three parts scorn, successfully making Bai Yanfei's face flush red. He glared fiercely at Jiang Min. "I don't want to form a cultivation partnership with you. Why do you keep pestering me? Are you that desperate to marry me?"
Junior Sister Jiang, however, wasn't angered by this. Her gaze remained full of disdain. "I just find it strange. Do you feel humiliated by Senior Sister Mo's rejection, so you're trying to get back at me? Bai Yanfei, does that make you feel better?"
"You—" Bai Yanfei's face turned from red to purple.
Junior Sister Jiang wasn't done with him. "Does rejecting me make you feel comforted? 'Look, you all looked down on me for being rejected by Senior Sister Mo. Now you see, Junior Sister Jiang has been rejected by me too!'"
Her imitation of Bai Yanfei's tone in that last sentence was remarkably accurate, causing Mo Tiange and the other two to burst out laughing.
Although this Junior Sister Jiang was willful, in a certain way, she was actually somewhat endearing.
[Note: Corrected an earlier error. Luo Fengxue should address Bai Yanfei as 'Junior Brother Bai,' not 'Senior Brother Bai.']