C21 The Female Devil Was Trying to Trick Me!

Outside the formation, Bright Moon Elder was seething with anger. He could only watch as the formation neared collapse and the Jade Sun Sect faced extinction. Yet, he had never anticipated such an outcome.

"Master, what's our next move? Do we keep them surrounded?"

Han Bing was reluctant to give up, knowing they were so close to victory.

"Let's head back."

With a resigned sigh, Bright Moon Elder made the decision to retreat. The Bright Moon Sect had been besieging the Jade Sun Sect for quite a while, and it was likely that other sects had been alerted by now. If they didn't leave soon, they risked being encircled themselves.

At least, the assault had left the elder of Jade Sun Sect gravely wounded. Even if he survived, his powers would be greatly diminished.

Once Bright Moon Elder gave the order to withdraw, the disciples who had been relentlessly attacking the Mountain Protecting Great Formation outside regrouped in the Celestial Boat and swiftly ascended into the sky, vanishing from view.

With the departure of the Bright Moon Sect's Celestial Boat, the Jade Sun Sect finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. Cheers erupted as they celebrated the passing of their life-and-death crisis.

"Sect Master, how were you injured?"

The three elders were overjoyed to see the Celestial Boat leave, and though they were unclear about the details, their joy was palpable. They rushed back to the main hall and were outraged upon seeing Huang Feng's injuries.

"It's nothing serious. The retreat of the Bright Moon Sect is all thanks to Zhou Mu. We owe our survival through this Great Tribulation to him."

Huang Feng swallowed a healing pill to temporarily alleviate his wounds and nodded toward Xia Xuanji, who stood to the side with a calm demeanor.

"Doesn't she look familiar?"

Han Ye scrutinized Xia Xuanji's face, and his expression darkened, "You conniving thief, it's you? You dare to show your face? Prepare to die."

"Stop!"

"Elder, please refrain!"

As Han Ye lunged forward, a sword light surged towards Xia Xuanji, but Huang Feng and Bai Qianhe intervened hastily.

Xia Xuanji's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of her fingers, a torrent of Azure Sword Qi burst forth.

"You've got some nerve, thief."

Enraged, Han Ye channeled his Spiritual Force, forming a Seal Spell. The air thundered as a bolt of lightning, crackling with an intense Yang energy, hurtled towards Xia Xuanji.

Divine Thunder from the supreme Yang flashed, its lightning striking terror into the hearts of those who witnessed it.

Xia Xuanji let out a cold laugh. Had this been her true body, anyone daring to offend her would have been slain with a mere flick of her finger. Now, even with merely Level Three Qi Refining within her, she was not someone to be trifled with.

A Great Azure Lotus, large as a millstone, materialized on her chest, radiating a brilliant green glow, with endless Azure Sword Qi swirling around her. With a deft touch of her finger, she harnessed a vast amount of Spiritual Force from the void, channeling it into the Azure Lotus.

The lotus swelled in size instantly, boldly confronting the supreme Yang lightning.

A thunderous roar ensued as both the lightning and the Azure Lotus vanished into oblivion.

Xia Xuanji grunted and staggered back several steps, her heart seething with resentment. If only her power were greater, even without reaching the Foundation Stage, she would not have feared this elder.

"Elder Han, cease your attack at once!"

Huang Feng, relieved to see Xia Xuanji unharmed, swiftly interposed himself between them.

"Sect Master, this man is the thief who plundered the Medicine Refining Pavilion's Pills. Do not hinder me. Step aside and let me dispatch this criminal."

Han Ye was consumed with rage, having had the Medicine Refining Pavilion robbed under his watch not once, but twice, including the Pills he had meticulously crafted.

"How dare you! Do you realize that it was his ingenuity that spared our sect from disaster this time? Stand down immediately," Huang Feng commanded, his face marked with displeasure. "As for the matter of the stolen Pills, we will address it later."

"Sect Master, I..."

"Are you not stepping down?"

Huang Feng shot a pointed look at Bai Qianhe, signaling him to escort Han Ye away.

With an indignant huff, Han Ye turned and exited the grand hall.

Xiao Hee and Mo Fan were astounded upon learning of Xia Xuanji's actions. They could hardly believe that a disciple was behind the sect's brush with peril.

Moreover, the array that Huang Feng had so fervently lauded, capable of drawing Spiritual Qi from the void to replenish Spirit Stones, was nothing short of miraculous.

If their sect possessed such a technique, wouldn't they have an endless supply of Spirit Stones at their disposal?

Upon considering their options, the two exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes alight with eagerness. If the timing had been better, they would have already inquired about the wondrous formation before them.

Xia Xuanji was no ordinary individual. She had quickly recognized the covetousness in Huang Feng and the others for the formation. Nonetheless, this was advantageous; the body she inhabited was practically useless, and without access to Pills, reaching the Foundation Stage in a short time frame was out of the question.

This presented an opportunity to trade the Spirit Containing Formation for Pills from the sect. A minor formation like that was of little consequence to her.

"Sect Master, esteemed Elders, I am willing to relinquish the Spirit Containing Formation, but I'm curious about what the sect is willing to offer in return?"

Huang Feng and the two elders were thrilled at her proposal. "If you hand it over, you can have anything you desire from the sect."

"I require certain medicinal herbs and some materials for refining."

After a moment's thought, Xia Xuanji articulated her desired terms for the exchange.

She aimed to concoct a Turning Pill to enhance her physical constitution. The pill required an extensive array of herbs, which were beyond her means to procure given her current standing.

For the materials, she intended to craft a magical treasure for her body, ideally a Sword Formation, to afford it the utmost protection.

"Very well, rest assured, the sect will not shortchange you, especially since you've saved us," Huang Feng assured her without hesitation. What did it matter if he offered her an abundance of medicinal herbs and refining materials? With the magical formation in their possession, the Jade Sun Sect would possess the foundation for a meteoric rise.

"Sect Master, reinforcements from Hundred-flower Valley, Yellow Mountain Gate, and Wind Spirit Sect have arrived," Bai Qianhe reported as he entered the main hall, his expression bright with relief. The sect was now thoroughly secure.

"Understood, Zhou Mu. You may leave for now. We'll discuss this further in a few days."

Xia Xuanji acknowledged the situation, aware that the time for exchange negotiations was not upon them. She left the main hall and made her way back to her secluded valley.

Zhou Mu's vision blurred for a moment as he reappeared in the familiar valley.

Immediately upon his return, he was on high alert. He was well aware that the sect had been under attack during his transmigration. Despite his trust in the formidable female leader, he couldn't discount the chance of unforeseen complications.

"Thankfully, I'm still in one piece—what a relief." Zhou Mu, having detected no enemies, quickly examined his body and was relieved to find everything intact. With his worries eased, he finally had the chance to survey his small valley and was surprised to find that the houses had been rebuilt—and impressively so. They were no longer mere houses within a yard; this was a grand courtyard complex.

Stepping out of the room, Zhou Mu saw that the entire valley had been transformed. It was now a sprawling courtyard, a hundred meters across, complete with a quaint pond and a pavilion nearby.