"Wench! All you do is hide and skulk!" Immortal Lady Yuxia was hopping mad, directing her guards to attack fiercely toward wherever Bai Qingxue's aura appeared.
Bai Qingxue fought while retreating, seemingly forced deeper and deeper into the valley. In reality, she was leading Yuxia and her group into the formation's depths—her pre-planned... encirclement.
Just as Immortal Lady Yuxia, having attacked for so long without success, grew frustrated and prepared to expend more power using stronger magical treasures to break the formation, a sudden change occurred!
On the cliff faces on both sides of the valley, several spiritual lights suddenly blazed! Immediately after, five figures swooped down, landing in an area where the formation's mist was relatively thin, vaguely forming a counter-encirclement around Immortal Lady Yuxia's group of four!
These five all wore white robes with faint cloud patterns embroidered on their cuffs—three men and two women, all with cultivation at mid-to-late Foundation Establishment stage. The middle-aged woman at their head had an even more profound aura, having reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.
"Aunt Baiwei!" Seeing the arrivals, a ripple of emotion finally appeared in Bai Qingxue's eyes as she quickly retreated to the middle-aged woman's side.
The woman called Baiwei had elegant features, her resolute gaze tinged with the weight of experience. She quickly assessed Bai Qingxue, confirmed that though her injuries were serious she was in no immediate danger, and nodded slightly. Then her icy gaze locked onto Immortal Lady Yuxia, who was showing signs of panic in the mist.
"The Purple Sky Jade Family, what impressive prestige! Not only hunting down the orphaned survivor of my Bai family, but committing clan extermination in the mortal realm. Do you truly believe this world has become a place where your Jade family can do as it pleases?" Baiwei's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an air of righteous authority.
Only now did Immortal Lady Yuxia realize she had fallen into a trap.
Bai Qingxue hadn't been fleeing in panic at all—she had deliberately leaked her whereabouts to lure her here into an ambush.
This formation, these suddenly appearing reinforcements...
"You... you're the remnants of the Bai family!" Immortal Lady Yuxia was both shocked and furious. But seeing only five opponents, the highest at peak Foundation Establishment, while her own side—though hampered by the formation—consisted of four Foundation Establishment cultivators including herself at late Foundation Establishment with magical treasures in hand, she might not be without fighting power! Moreover, the Seventh Elder would arrive soon!
"So what if we are?" Baiwei said coldly. "Today, we shall first collect the blood debt for the dozens of innocent lives lost in the Wang family!"
"With just you people?" Immortal Lady Yuxia forcibly steadied herself, laughing shrilly though inwardly afraid. "A pack of homeless dogs dare speak such wild words! Once my clan's Seventh Elder arrives, none of you will have a burial place! If you know what's good for you, hand over Bai Qingxue and that object now, and I might leave your corpses intact!"
"Incorrigibly obstinate." Baiwei said no more, waving her hand. "Form the 'Minor Five Elements Sword Formation'! Qingxue, rest and stabilize your injuries. Leave this to us!"
"Yes!" The other four Bai family members responded in unison, quickly taking positions. Sword light flowed and their auras connected, instantly forming a small sword formation. Fierce sword energy locked onto Immortal Lady Yuxia's group of four. They were clearly well-trained and coordinated flawlessly.
Immortal Lady Yuxia knew she couldn't wait any longer—she had to end this quickly, breaking the stalemate before the opposing sword formation fully deployed. "Attack! Kill the leader first!" She shouted harshly, activating her Purple Lightning Pearl. It transformed into a thick bolt of purple thunder, blasting toward Baiwei!
The great battle erupted instantly!
Sword light and lightning interweaved; the thunderous collisions of techniques and magical treasures echoed through the valley. The sword formation of Baiwei and her four companions balanced offense and defense, with sword energy crisscrossing, separating Immortal Lady Yuxia's group of four. Meanwhile, the "Mist-Lock Spirit Formation" continued operating, persistently interfering with Yuxia's side, hampering their spiritual energy flow and causing delays in their coordination.
Bai Qingxue withdrew to the side, taking pills and meditating, her gaze fixed intently on the battle. She knew Aunt Baiwei and the others had rushed here at great risk after receiving her transmission. Though their strength was considerable, Yuxia had a spirit artifact in hand, and her guards were no pushovers. A prolonged battle might not favor them. They had to end this quickly!
True to expectations, Immortal Lady Yuxia managed to hold off Baiwei's assault with the Purple Lightning Pearl's power, but her three guards were struggling desperately under the sword formation of the four Bai family members, danger lurking at every turn. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, one guard was pierced through the chest by a cunning strike of sword energy, screaming as he fell dead.
"Bastards!" Immortal Lady Yuxia panicked at the sight. She bit down hard on her tongue tip, spraying a mouthful of vital blood onto the Purple Lightning Pearl. The pearl's purple light blazed brilliantly, its power suddenly increasing, transforming into lightning serpents that filled the sky, wildly bombarding the sword formation.
The sword formation shook. Baiwei's face paled slightly, but she gritted her teeth and held on, commanding a formation change. The sword light contracted, switching to defense while watching for opportunities to counterattack.
Moments later, the second guard was killed by two intertwining sword strikes. Only the sinister man remained, struggling desperately, but he too was covered in wounds.
Immortal Lady Yuxia knew the tide had turned against her and thoughts of retreat arose.
While driving the Purple Lightning Pearl in fierce attacks, she secretly crushed a rescue jade talisman hidden in her sleeve—one meant for her husband, Jade Dust Master.
"Thinking of leaving?" Baiwei saw through her intention. The sword formation suddenly shifted from defense to offense. Five streaks of sword light merged into one, transforming into a brilliant white rainbow carrying piercing cold, stabbing straight at Immortal Lady Yuxia!
This sword strike concentrated the power of all five, augmented by the formation's cold energy—its might was terrifying!
Immortal Lady Yuxia's face turned pale with horror as she desperately activated the Purple Lightning Pearl to block.
"BOOM—!"
The white rainbow and purple thunder collided, releasing an astounding shockwave that scattered large swaths of the surrounding mist. The Purple Lightning Pearl let out a mournful cry, its light dimming as it flew back. Immortal Lady Yuxia took the hit as if struck by a massive blow, coughing up blood, staggering backward, her aura wilting.
– Marinien
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