At the center of the mountain forest lay a vast clearing. Many cultivators had already gathered around its edges—disciples from all three factions—each eyeing the others with hostility, maintaining a wary vigilance.
Mo Tiange arrived with Murong Yan, and all eyes turned to them. Yet no one made a move, for they all feared upsetting the delicate balance. Although there were many Zixia Sect disciples present, each valued their own life. The Yunwu Sect and Golden Blade Sect disciples, clearly at a disadvantage, dared not strike first either; it would be too great a loss to throw their lives away without even killing their enemies.
Ignoring the gazes upon them, Mo Tiange found a corner near her fellow sect members and pulled Murong Yan over.
Seeing the two of them settle, the onlookers shifted their attention away, focusing instead on any new arrivals.
Mo Tiange cautiously scanned her surroundings. The Zixia Sect's main branch had indeed suffered heavy losses; there were fewer than a hundred of them present. Even including those who hadn't arrived yet, the number likely wouldn't exceed two hundred. The combined forces of the Yunwu Sect and Golden Blade Sect numbered about sixty or seventy, each bearing bloodstains and fierce expressions.
Among those she recognized, only Jiang Shanghang was present. He had clearly been through a bitter fight and was now meditating in a chosen spot. The others—Qin Xi, Liu Yidao, and Xu Jingzhi—were nowhere to be seen.
Mo Tiange frowned slightly. She was worried. Judging by the numbers present, probably more than half of the cultivators who had entered had perished. She couldn't be certain those three were still alive.
At that moment, Murong Yan gently tugged her sleeve and whispered, "Junior Brother Ye."
Seeing her pale complexion, Mo Tiange offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry."
Here, Murong Yan knew her own skills and judgment were inferior, so she obediently complied.
Mo Tiange looked up at the sky. The darkness was fading, giving way to the first light of dawn. Once day broke, the exit formation would appear here, and they could leave.
Finding a patch of clean grass, she pulled Murong Yan down to sit. Outwardly, she appeared to be meditating and regulating her breath like the others, but in truth, she was fully focused on observing her surroundings. She believed many others present were equally on guard. At this final juncture, no one wanted to lose their life.
Another group of Zixia Sect cultivators arrived. Mo Tiange glanced over them and frowned, for she spotted the old man who had escaped from the Poison Spring among them. However, she had no intention of taking action. First, although they had clashed, there was no personal enmity between them. Second, making a move would shatter the balance, and she still wanted to keep her life to return.
The old man also noticed her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he, like her, pretended not to see—likely the same strategy many here employed. Revenge could wait for the future; it wasn't worth dying for now.
More and more people arrived. As the Chen hour approached, cultivators occasionally emerged from the woods, finding their respective factions and taking their places. Sometimes enemies appeared together, glaring at each other with hatred but refraining from action.
Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting the formation's activation, a furious roar suddenly echoed: "You wretched girl! Finally found you! Give me back my brother's life!" A figure then lunged toward Murong Yan.
Mo Tiange frowned, pulling Murong Yan aside with one hand while summoning her Azure Wood Sword with the other to block the attack. Looking closely, she saw it was the elder brother from the pair of brothers who had captured Murong Yan earlier.
Damn it! Mo Tiange glanced around and saw the atmosphere in the clearing shift instantly. All eyes were on them, and many had already quietly summoned their spiritual artifacts. She was furious. This big oaf—she had thought them foolish from their earlier conversation, but it seemed he was simply brainless! Showing no mercy, she retrieved a Cracked Earth Talisman with her other hand and hurled it.
Though slow-witted, the oaf's reflexes weren't slow. He somersaulted backward, dodging her attack.
Their clash immediately ignited the tension. Several Yunwu Sect disciples moved to assist, prompting the Zixia Sect side to react. Before anyone could reach them, the two sides were already fighting.
Mo Tiange ignored the ensuing chaos. Looking up, she saw the oaf pull out a Purple Sphere the size of a pigeon egg, ready to throw it.
Her heart sank in alarm. Murong Yan's face turned deathly pale. They had both witnessed the destructive power of this object firsthand; if thrown, they stood no chance of blocking it.
As the opponent was about to hurl the Purple Sphere, Mo Tiange, in a moment of desperation, slapped a high-grade defensive talisman. A protective barrier instantly materialized, enveloping both of them.
A deafening "BOOM" shook the air, accompanied by the agonized cries of other cultivators. Mo Tiange channeled her Spiritual Qi, bracing for impact. Yet the force that struck next was surprisingly easy to withstand.
Huh? She opened her eyes, stunned.
"Stop daydreaming! Come help!" Qin Xi snarled through gritted teeth. He was holding a sword, pouring Spiritual Qi into it as he stood shielding them.
Mo Tiange snapped out of her daze and quickly channeled her own Spiritual Qi, sharing part of the impact.
Moments later, the oppressive force finally subsided.
Seeing they had withstood the blast, the oaf flew into a rage, howling and charging at them again. Having nearly lost her life, Mo Tiange showed no courtesy. She immediately unleashed an Ice Condensation Talisman. Murong Yan wasn't idle either, driving her spiritual artifact forward. Qin Xi cast a Blazing Fire Technique.
Though the oaf was not weak, he couldn't withstand the combined assault of three. Dodging the Ice Condensation Talisman, he was struck by Qin Xi's spell. Slowed for a moment, he was solidly hit by Murong Yan's spiritual artifact. Staggering, he collapsed.
Only after confirming he was dead did the three of them relax. That Purple Sphere was truly formidable. Besides them, everyone nearby had suffered collateral damage; some were even blown to bloody pulp. Only a few had managed to block the impact.
The dead and injured were all Yunwu Sect and Golden Blade Sect disciples. Though the instigator was dead, they were furious. Raising their spiritual artifacts, they charged at the Zixia Sect disciples. The Zixia Sect disciples, with their superior numbers, were not about to back down and surged forward to meet them. Spells and spiritual artifacts filled the air.
"Junior Brother Ye!" Qin Xi called out after dealing with a sneak attacker, waving them over.
While remaining vigilant, Mo Tiange pulled Murong Yan toward him.
"Senior Brother Qin, thank you."
"Save the thanks," he said, pulling out a large handful of talismans as if they were free and stuffing them into their hands. "Hold on a bit longer. The exit should open in about a quarter of an hour."
Mo Tiange knew this was no time for courtesy. Accepting the talismans, she turned and hurled a Blazing Flame Talisman at an oncoming Zixia Sect disciple.
This great melee was the largest and most intense event with the most participants of the past day and night. Spells, talismans, and spiritual artifacts filled the sky, indistinguishable as friend or foe. There was no way to dodge; they could only rely on spells and talismans to endure. In the end, the three of them had no choice but to each applied a defensive talisman, enduring the barrage of attacks.
Finally, a white light began to glow at the center of the clearing. It grew brighter and brighter, slowly coalescing into the shape of a formation, shimmering with flowing light and brimming with Spiritual Qi.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the formation. Even the fighting ceased. In an instant, they swarmed toward it.
Mo Tiange intentionally hung back, but people pushed from behind, creating a chaotic crush toward the formation.
Soon, they were swept onto the formation. Darkness, then light. The surroundings transformed.
Mo Tiange looked up and immediately saw three Core Formation Cultivators with livid expressions. Disciples continued to teleported out onto the cliff one after another, almost all covered in blood, looking wretched, some even gravely wounded.
Murong Yan leaned closer to her and whispered, "Junior Brother Ye, will we..."
Mo Tiange shook her head, replying softly, "Don't worry."
Although these Core Formation Cultivators looked furious, she sensed no murderous intent. They probably wouldn't make an example of the disciples. Besides, after that final melee, probably only a third of the original disciples had survived. If they were to be punished now, the sects might as well start recruiting all over again.
Free from the life-and-death environment, no longer needing constant vigilance, Mo Tiange felt utterly exhausted. Her body swayed, almost collapsing. But when she turned her head, she saw Murong Yan intently staring at the formation.
A thought struck Mo Tiange. She suddenly remembered she hadn't yet told her about Murong Zi.
"Senior Sister Murong..."
Murong Yan gave a soft acknowledgment but didn't look at her, her gaze still fixed on the formation.
Mo Tiange took a deep breath, suddenly hating herself for having to deliver such cruel news. "Actually, I encountered Senior Brother Murong."
Hearing this, Murong Yan whipped her head around.
Gritting her teeth, Mo Tiange said, "Senior Brother Murong has passed away."
Murong Yan stared, as if unable to believe it, then her face gradually paled. She suddenly grabbed Mo Tiange's hand. "Junior Brother Ye, you... say that again?"
Mo Tiange sighed and repeated, "I encountered Senior Brother Murong. He has passed away."
Murong Yan's face whitened further, but she didn't let go. Instead, she stared intently. "Do you have proof, Junior Brother?"
This time, Mo Tiange said nothing. She simply handed over Murong Zi's Qiankun Bag.
Murong Yan took it with trembling hands, opening it eagerly. When she saw the familiar spiritual artifacts inside, grief finally showed on her face. She released Mo Tiange's hand and covered her face.
Although she bore no responsibility for Murong Zi's death—they had fought side by side when he fell—seeing Murong Yan so heartbroken made Mo Tiange feel terrible.
Qin Xi patted her shoulder and shook his head, as if comforting her that it wasn't her fault. She forced a smile but didn't feel any better.
"Senior Sister, please don't grieve. Before he passed, Senior Brother always thought of you achieving Foundation Establishment. You..." She couldn't continue. How could a few dry words of comfort compare to the pain of losing a loved one?
After a long while, Murong Yan finally lowered her hands. Her face was tearless now, ashen and somber. She had once been a lively, lovely girl, but after this series of blows, none of her former brightness remained.
"I'm sorry, Junior Brother Ye. It's not that I didn't believe you, it's just..."
"I understand." Mo Tiange took out a Jade Box and handed it to her. "These are Senior Brother Murong's ashes. Senior Sister, please don't grieve too much. The departed are gone. We must live on, and live well."
Murong Yan accepted it, storing both the Jade Box and the Qiankun Bag. A sorrowful smile touched her lips. "Junior Brother Ye, please tell me. How did my elder brother die?"
Mo Tiange said, "I happened to meet Senior Brother Murong. He had already been ambushed and was severely injured. While he was still recovering, we first encountered a Second-Rank Iron-Toothed Crocodile, then ran into three others. Senior Brother Murong finally couldn't hold on and perished together with one of them." After this brief account, she added emphatically, "Senior Sister, please don't think of revenge. This debt... it's impossible to settle clearly now."
How could Murong Yan not understand this reason? Yet, she couldn't help feeling resentful. After another long moment, she wiped away the traces of remaining tears, her expression turning resolute. "Junior Brother Ye, rest assured. I'm not the immature girl I used to be. I know what must be done." Then she gave a self-mocking laugh. "Though we weren't blood siblings, Big Brother always doted on me since childhood. Whatever I wanted, he would find a way to get it for me... And now, he found a way to get me a Foundation Establishment Pill. But I never imagined... the price would be his life."