After parting ways with the two senior sisters, Mo Tiange packed up her things and prepared to return.
Today's meal was truly worthwhile. Senior Sister Shen was very courteous, so presumably she wouldn't refuse if Mo Tiange needed a favor from her in the future. As for that Senior Sister Murong... she had eaten most of the roasted meat today. After eating Mo Tiange's food, her attitude became incredibly friendly, especially after discovering it was much tastier than what the cafeteria served. She immediately suggested they roast things together again whenever they had free time.
Mo Tiange didn't refuse. In this Senior Sister Murong, she seemed to see a shadow of Tian Qiao. Back in the day, Tian Qiao was always dragging her to do this and that. It was only when she was with Tian Qiao that Mo Tiange experienced the joys of childhood.
She hadn't walked far when she stopped. There were several auras up ahead that felt strange to her, seemingly hostile towards each other. Could it be that some disciples were having a private fight here?
She hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to conceal her aura and quietly approach.
"Second Brother, you really are capable. You actually managed to get in. However, it's a pity. You're just an ordinary disciple. Trying to snatch a Foundation Establishment Pill will be quite difficult."
Hearing voices, Mo Tiange quickly hid behind a large tree and peeked over. She saw several people standing in a clearing ahead. One of them looked somewhat familiar. It took her a few seconds to recognize him—it was Jiang Shanghang, the one who never interacted with them. Standing opposite him were several others, all young men who looked rather roguish. In comparison, Jiang Shanghang's gloomy demeanor didn't seem so unpleasant anymore.
Being some distance away, she couldn't clearly see Jiang Shanghang's expression. She only heard him snort coldly and say, "Jiang Chengxian, whether I can obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill or not is none of your business! You'd better watch yourself!"
"Second Brother, why are you so harsh to your fourth cousin? This isn't the demeanor of an elder brother. I'm afraid Uncle will get angry again if he sees this."
This sarcastic tone made Mo Tiange extremely uncomfortable. Xu Jingzhi had once said that Jiang Shanghang could have entered the sect directly, but his qualification was usurped by his cousin. Could it be this person? This person's cultivation really wasn't impressive. Even after usurping the entry spot, he was only at Qi Refining Level 7. However, the people around him were decent: one was also at Qi Refining Level 7, two were at Level 8, and one was at Level 9. Although none of the five had a higher cultivation level than Jiang Shanghang, many ants can kill an elephant. If all five attacked together, Jiang Shanghang wouldn't be able to withstand it. Moreover, he would have to worry about his life. The Yunwu Sect's rules stated that disciples must not harm the lives of fellow sect members, otherwise they would be expelled from the sect.
Of course, Mo Tiange had no intention of meddling in others' affairs. No matter how much Jiang Shanghang was bullied, he was still a member of the Jiang Family. As an outsider with no backing, offending a disciple of the Jiang Family, who held sway within the Yunwu Sect, would be asking for trouble. Besides, she had no friendship with Jiang Shanghang.
Hearing this sarcastic remark, Jiang Shanghang indeed couldn't hold back. He reached into his robe as if to take something out.
The group opposite immediately drew their weapons. However, the next moment, they saw Jiang Shanghang take out a handkerchief and wipe his hands, giving them a disdainful glance. "I was just wiping my hands. What are you all so nervous about?"
Mo Tiange almost couldn't hold back her laughter. This Jiang Shanghang was quite a character. After being mocked and ridiculed, a single action made that Jiang Chengxian opposite him turn green with anger.
Now it was Jiang Chengxian's turn to lose his patience. He exchanged a few meaningful glances with his companions and sneered, "Second Brother, I heard you were very impressive at the Immortal Platform Meet. I'd really like to learn from you!"
Jiang Shanghang snorted coldly. "Come at me together then! Let me see if you've made any progress since entering the sect!"
This was clearly a tone meant to teach a lesson. Jiang Chengxian's face grew even uglier. Relying on their superior numbers, he gave an order, and all five of them simultaneously took out spirit artifacts and talismans.
Jiang Shanghang's reaction wasn't slow either. The moment they moved, he had already taken out a talisman, slapped it onto himself, leaped up using the Lightness Art, flew into the air, and sent his spirit artifact flying out.
Jiang Shanghang's spirit artifact was a bell, or perhaps an enlarged chime. As he channeled a burst of Spiritual Qi into it, the bell emitted a "hum." Immediately, Mo Tiange felt dizzy. When she regained her senses, she realized this was a spirit artifact with hallucinogenic effects. She immediately focused her energy on her Dantian, and indeed, the headache subsided.
Jiang Chengxian's expression turned grim. He shouted to his companions, "Guard your Dantians! His bell will be useless then." He was only at Qi Refining Level 7 and was truly no match, so he could only focus on resisting the bell's sound. The two at Qi Refining Level 8 and Level 9 barely shook off the bell's control and manipulated their spirit artifacts to attack Jiang Shanghang.
Jiang Shanghang had no choice but to stop ringing the bell and dodge the attacks of the spirit artifacts.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange shook her head. The bell was indeed a good treasure, but unfortunately, its power wasn't very great. Against cultivators of similar cultivation level, breaking free from its control wasn't a problem; it was easily countered.
Sure enough, Jiang Shanghang put away the bell and took out a flying sword. A Qi Refining cultivator could only manipulate one spirit artifact at a time with their Spiritual Qi; this was a limitation in combat. Although the bell was a good auxiliary tool for battle, Jiang Shanghang had to abandon it.
However, this flying sword of his didn't seem ordinary either. Spiritual Qi surged around it. Even with three people surround and attack him, they couldn't gain the upper hand.
But Jiang Chengxian was vicious. While three people were already surround and attack Jiang Shanghang, he still took out talismans and threw them almost recklessly, as if money was no object. It was unclear what kind of mindset he held towards this blood-related cousin—he practically wanted his life!
Mo Tiange frowned. It wasn't that she wanted to meddle. She understood all too well that she wasn't qualified to stir up trouble, especially when the other party was the Jiang Family, who held power within the Yunwu Sect. However, Jiang Shanghang was, after all, someone she knew within the Yunwu Sect. Compared to that Jiang Chengxian, she still found him more agreeable.
Jiang Shanghang indeed couldn't hold on much longer. He could fight three opponents who were only one or two levels lower than him to a standstill, but with someone constantly throwing talismans at him from the side, dodging became strenuous. He could only choose to dodge everywhere instead of continuing to parry.
This Jiang Shanghang was also a tough character. Even though he was beaten into a sorry state, he didn't utter a sound. He just kept dodging everywhere, looking for opportunities to strike back, and regardless of the people surround and attack him, he only attacked that Jiang Chengxian.
By the time he was finally knocked down, Jiang Chengxian had also been hit by one of his spells. Seeing Jiang Shanghang motionless, Jiang Chengxian spat, cursed, and went over to kick him twice. These kicks held no restraint. Jiang Shanghang, lying on the ground, groaned but still didn't make a sound.
Mo Tiange watched from a distance with a frown. Fortunately, this Jiang Chengxian still had some scruples. Seeing Jiang Shanghang lying half-dead, he felt satisfied, mocked him a few more times, waved his hand, and swaggered off with his companions.
After waiting a moment and confirming the group hadn't returned, Mo Tiange finally emerged. She cautiously observed her surroundings before walking over to Jiang Shanghang.
"Senior Brother Jiang? Senior Brother Jiang!"
Jiang Shanghang's face was covered in blood, and his aura was weak. He opened his eyes, looked at her, and then closed them again.
Mo Tiange had no choice. She could only cast a spell to help him up, then activated the Lightness Art and flew towards the residential area with him.