The conversation split into two sides.
Compared to Tang Xin’s team, which faced numerous disasters, the group led by Yi Rou smoothly arrived at Thunder Valley. After their investigation, they also set their sights on the Thunder River, where Su Ling had gone missing.
This team had no Saintess and no accompanying attendants, so they naturally prioritized safety above all else.
After waiting for some time on the outskirts of Thunder Valley, they finally dared to enter and explore once the elder from Xuanling Sect arrived.
Despite Tang Xin and the others appearing to move easily within the valley, the environment here was quite dangerous for most disciples and cultivators.
They preferred to explore fewer areas rather than risk the safety of the team.
Moreover, Yi Rou had no particular fondness for Su Ling, her direct disciple, and had little interaction with Elder Seven. She was only leading the search because of Su Ling’s status as the “chief disciple.”
Upon reaching the Thunder River, they found numerous traces left behind, some of which seemed freshly made, raising suspicions.
Before long, another group of people arrived.
Seeing this, Yi Rou couldn’t help but be taken aback.
These individuals were the Saintess’s accompanying guards, but each of them bore injuries, and more importantly, the Saintess was not among them.
After some conversation, she learned that the Saintess had been ambushed by unknown enemies, and both Tang Xin and Shui Qiu, two disciples of Xuanling Sect, had also gone missing.
The ambush on the Saintess was a serious issue.
Yi Rou even considered retreating; the forces capable of causing such a situation were far beyond what the disciples could handle, and it would be better to let higher-ranking elders from the sect take over.
But then she thought, isn’t this also a great opportunity to prove her own abilities? If she could help the Saintess resolve the crisis and rescue the direct disciples of Xuanling Sect, who could undermine her position in the sect in the future?
Moreover, with the Saintess’s subordinates nearby, their combat strength would significantly increase.
The sect also sent a message via jade token, directing everything towards the Graveyard Plain, where the Saintess and the others were likely located.
“Brothers and sisters, elders, and seniors from Sacred Immortal Mountain,” Yi Rou said with a smile, “We will definitely succeed in finding the Saintess and rescuing our companions!”
Looking at the team that followed her lead and obeyed her orders, Yi Rou felt that winning the chief disciple competition was already a done deal.
In contrast, Tang Xin, who was with the Saintess, had fallen into a trap, causing Xuanling Sect to bear pressure from the sect level, which would surely lead to a loss of points afterward.
Upon entering the territory of the Graveyard Plain, with the help of the strong from Sacred Immortal Mountain, Yi Rou successfully contacted Shui Qiu and the others using the sect’s jade token. She learned that the Saintess was temporarily safe, and the group hurried to the designated location.
In the wild.
“A bunch of useless fools,” Xu Lexian scolded his subordinates without holding back, “Not only did you let a spy infiltrate, but you’ve also been held up for so long. What good are you?”
As expected, the traitor was an older cultivator within the guard team, who was now nowhere to be found, presumably having escaped.
The guards found it hard to defend themselves; the enemy had prepared thoroughly, and their plan was meticulous, sending out only experts, making it indeed difficult to escape.
However, seeing that the Saintess was unharmed, at least the consequences of this incident were still under control.
“It’s good that the Saintess is fine,” Yi Rou stepped forward with a smile, “It’s dangerous outside; we should return to the sect first to avoid any further ambushes.”
The importance of the Saintess far outweighed that of a direct disciple of Xuanling Sect. Whether for personal reasons or the interests of the sect, the priority was to ensure Xu Lexian’s safe return to Xuanling Sect.
Logically speaking, this was the case, and the guards from Sacred Immortal Mountain all nodded in agreement.
“No,” unexpectedly, the Saintess directly refused, “We must rescue those talented cultivators who have been captured.”
To ensure the safety of the Saintess while withdrawing from the sect, this group of high-level cultivators must accompany and protect her. In that case, whether waiting for the next batch of reinforcements or returning, it will take a lot of time.
The rescue plan is likely to fall through.
“Saintess,” a guard called out, “the people who have been captured can be dealt with later, but if those guys strike again, they will definitely have a surefire plan. For now, we should…”
“I know,” Xu Lexian interrupted with an arrogant expression. “My situation is dangerous, but can the righteous cultivators just ignore it? Everyone is only thinking about themselves. How are we any different from the selfish demonic cultivators?”
“I have made up my mind. Those who think it’s too dangerous can go back on their own.”
Yi Rou, standing nearby, was filled with confusion.
How could a few ordinary geniuses be more important than the Saintess of Sacred Immortal Mountain? To put it bluntly, even a hundred of them wouldn’t be worth as much as her alone.
Even if they managed to rescue those people, aside from gaining a good reputation, the Saintess wouldn’t receive any substantial benefits.
And reputation… does the Saintess even need that?
Once the Saintess makes a decision, it cannot be changed. The guards of Sacred Immortal Mountain had no choice but to stay and participate in the rescue plan.
After both sides finished arguing, Tang Xin finally stepped forward to speak.
“The other side is very cautious and refuses to reveal the actual location of the captives, so we cannot act rashly until we obtain accurate information.”
“Tang, Tang Xin, you…”
Yi Rou was surprised to see that the chief of Xuanling Sect had already become a Golden Core cultivator.
Wasn’t she being chased alongside the Saintess? How did she find time to cultivate?
“Don’t be so familiar, call me Senior Sister Tang,” Tang Xin glanced at her and continued, “So I will find a way to see if I can locate the hiding place and relay the information, and then you can rescue everyone at once.”
She turned to Xu Lexian, who was checking the sect’s jade token.
“Can I use it for long-distance communication?”
“This is a high-level jade token made for Nascent Soul stage and above cultivators. If a Golden Core cultivator uses it, the distance will be limited… However, if my subordinates refine it a bit, it can give you one chance for long-distance use.”
“One person entering the enemy’s stronghold?”
Yi Rou and the others were too shocked to speak.
Isn’t this like a sheep entering a tiger’s den? Once any trace is revealed, the consequences would be unimaginable!
“Tang, Senior Sister Tang,” a disciple of Xuanling Sect stammered, “shouldn’t we think this over? The danger of this operation is really…”
“Huh? Do you have a better plan?” Tang Xin retorted with the usual bullying attitude of the chief senior sister. “Before we set off, you all swore to complete the sect’s mission and bring people back, but now you’re getting cold feet?”
“You guys can afford to lose face, but I can’t,” the senior sister disdainfully glanced at them. “As long as there’s a glimmer of hope, I will bring people back… that is the responsibility of the chief of Xuanling Sect!”
The disciples fell silent, and even Yi Rou found it hard to meet Tang Xin’s oppressive gaze, clenching her fists in secret.
It was this kind of arrogant attitude that always made Tang Xin stand out. Clearly, they were the reinforcements she brought, so why did it feel like they had to follow her orders?
Xu Lexian watched the performance of the two “chiefs” of Xuanling Sect, shook her head slightly, clicked her tongue, and then spoke.
“Prepare for action!”
