Chapter 161 : Zhang Xiaofan’s Crisis
Chapter 161: Zhang Xiaofan’s Crisis
After hesitating for a brief moment, Lu Xueqi coldly questioned him:
“Zhang Xiaofan, righteousness and demonic paths cannot coexist. As a disciple of the Qingyun Sect, you must not associate too closely with people of the Demonic Sect.
“What you did today has already been seen by many Righteous Path experts. Are you truly determined to persist in your own way?”
Zhang Xiaofan turned his head to look and discovered that indeed many Righteous Path experts were staring in this direction. Even his master, Tian Buyi, was flying over in a rage.
A trace of hesitation flashed through his eyes, but it quickly turned firm. “Senior Sister Lu, I ask you to spare Bi Yao and the others just this once.”
Lu Xueqi glanced at the approaching Tian Buyi. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Since that is the case, if they can withstand one strike from me, I will spare them.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan turned pale with anxiety.
With Lu Xueqi’s current strength, Bi Yao and the others simply could not withstand a single strike from her.
Under Lu Xueqi’s sword, how could Bi Yao and the others possibly survive?
He was just about to speak to persuade her when Lu Xueqi interrupted him: “Zhang Xiaofan, this is already the best solution. Don’t be foolish.”
Zhang Xiaofan froze, seeming to understand something. He slowly nodded. “In that case, I ask Senior Sister Lu to show mercy.”
He turned around and instructed Bi Yao, You Ji, and Qinglong: “Give it everything you’ve got. You must withstand Senior Sister Lu’s strike!”
Bi Yao nodded firmly. “Xiaofan, don’t worry. We can definitely do it!”
Hearing this, You Ji and Qinglong also nodded. They immediately circulated their demonic power, recalled the damaged Azure Dragon Seal and Vermilion Bird Seal, and poured their strength into the magic treasure.
Bi Yao also raised the Hehuan Bell. In an instant, melodious chimes rang out as golden light flickered.
The three magical treasures burst forth with dazzling might, constructing a solid defense in front of the trio.
Bi Yao and the others were well aware of how terrifying Lu Xueqi’s strength was. Only by defending with all their might could they possibly have a slim chance of survival.
Lu Xueqi glanced at the three of them, assessed the limits of their defenses, and only then flicked her finger. A strand of golden lightning instantly condensed into a bolt and thunderously struck their defenses.
With a deafening boom, the painstakingly constructed defensive line shattered instantly. The three were struck by the terrifying lightning, their bodies flung away as streaks of light, crashing into the distance and leaving behind a massive crater.
Seeing this, Lu Xueqi no longer paid attention to the matter and directly turned around to leave.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly bowed in thanks. “Thank you, Senior Sister!”
Lu Xueqi cast him a calm glance and flashed away toward where Master Shuiyue was located.
Watching Lu Xueqi’s departing figure, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Xiaofan’s mouth.
He knew clearly that Lu Xueqi had not used her full strength in that strike.
Though the attack looked overwhelming, it had not actually injured Bi Yao and the others. It merely sent them flying.
This was clearly Lu Xueqi helping him out in a roundabout way.
Zhang Xiaofan understood in his heart that if Lu Xueqi had truly spared Bi Yao and the others because of his plea, the Righteous Path would never tolerate him, and he would be severely punished upon returning to the Qingyun Sect.
Now, Lu Xueqi had not stopped because of his interference. Although he still bore fault, that fault had been significantly mitigated as a result.
Lu Xueqi letting Bi Yao and the others off today was not because of Zhang Xiaofan’s plea.
Rather, it was because in her previous life, she had quite liked the character Bi Yao, so sparing them once was not a big deal.
At this moment, Tian Buyi arrived in a fury and angrily rebuked him with disappointment: “Zhang Xiaofan, what were you doing just now?!”
Looking at his master’s bloodshot eyes, Zhang Xiaofan was filled with guilt. “Master, this disciple was wrong. Please punish me.”
Tian Buyi let out a sigh, his tone full of helplessness. “Come back with me at once!”
Before Zhang Xiaofan could respond, Tian Buyi waved his right hand and carried him as they flew toward the Qingyun Sect’s temporary encampment.
He knew clearly that he had to protect Zhang Xiaofan as soon as possible.
Zhang Xiaofan had publicly pleaded on behalf of the Demonic Sect’s protectors. If he remained outside, he would surely face criticism and might even be besieged by the Righteous Path.
Only by sheltering him within the Qingyun Sect could his safety be ensured—after all, no matter what, this disciple was one he had to protect.
As soon as Tian Buyi left with Zhang Xiaofan, many Righteous Path experts immediately rushed toward the direction they had departed.
These Righteous Path experts were furious beyond measure. On this trip to Flowing Wave Mountain, their sect members and friends had suffered heavy losses, and they had already been bottling up a great deal of anger.
After Lu Xueqi struck down the demonic path and killed many demonic cultivators, the hatred and pent-up resentment in their hearts had eased somewhat.
But who could have imagined that at what should have been a moment of shared joy, they would witness a Qingyun Sect disciple protecting two great Demonic Sect protectors and a demonic enchantress?
This scene instantly reignited the anger that had just subsided, and hatred surged up once more.
With eyes crimson, these Righteous Path experts only wanted to seize Zhang Xiaofan and execute him on the spot.
However, by the time they arrived, Zhang Xiaofan had already been taken away by Tian Buyi.
After exchanging glances, they immediately flew toward the Qingyun Sect, intending to demand an explanation.
At this moment, Shangguan Ce and Li Xun of Burning Incense Valley saw this scene, a strange gleam flashing through their eyes.
Burning Incense Valley had long coveted the Qingyun Sect’s status, harboring ambitions of replacing it as the number one great sect of the Divine Land.
However, compared to the Qingyun Sect, Burning Incense Valley’s strength was clearly inferior, and it had long been searching for an opportunity to establish itself in the Central Plains and dominate the Divine Land.
If this incident—of a Qingyun Sect disciple protecting the Demonic Sect—could cause Qingyun’s reputation to plummet and set it at odds with many Righteous Path factions, nothing could be better for Burning Incense Valley.
With this thought, Shangguan Ce gave Li Xun a look. Li Xun immediately understood and swiftly flew toward other righteous sect disciples, beginning to spread the story of Zhang Xiaofan rescuing the Demonic Sect’s protectors and enchantress.
As the news spread wider and wider, many Righteous Path disciples who did not know the truth were furious upon hearing it and flocked toward the Qingyun Sect, seeking an explanation.
On the other side, Lu Xueqi had already returned to Xiaozhu Peak’s temporary encampment.
Master Shuiyue was also there, but she was injured, her face pale, her spiritual energy depleted, and her condition extremely miserable.
Seeing Master Shuiyue, Lu Xueqi hurried over and anxiously asked, “Master, are you all right?”
Seeing Lu Xueqi, Master Shuiyue revealed a smile on her pale face and said excitedly, “Xueqi, your master is fine. I only suffered some injuries. After returning to the Qingyun Sect to recuperate for a while, I’ll be fine.”
She carefully examined Lu Xueqi and, after confirming she was unharmed, nodded in satisfaction. “It’s wonderful that you’re all right. Earlier, I heard you were missing, and I was extremely worried. I was just preparing to go to Kong Sang Mountain to look for you. That you returned safely is truly wonderful.”
Lu Xueqi shook her head and explained, “I was merely trapped in a secret realm at the time and wasn’t in danger. After finding a way out, I hurried over to find Master.”
As she spoke, she raised her right hand. A pill bottle appeared in her palm. She pulled out the stopper and handed it to Master Shuiyue. “Master, this is a healing pill refined by your disciple. Please take it quickly.”
Master Shuiyue had long heard of Lu Xueqi tinkering with alchemy, but she did not know her actual level.
Smelling the rich medicinal fragrance wafting from the bottle, she secretly nodded, thinking that her disciple truly seemed to have achieved some results.
She took the bottle and poured out a pill that emitted a gentle azure glow.
The pill’s fragrance flowed around it, and just a whiff made one feel light and refreshed.
Seeing this, Master Shuiyue swallowed the pill without hesitation and began refining it.
In just a short while, her injuries recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye.
By the time the pill was fully refined, her injuries had already healed by more than half. With a bit more rest, she would fully recover.
Seeing this, Master Shuiyue’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed in admiration, “Xueqi, your pill is amazing! After taking it, my injuries are already mostly healed. With a little more rest, I’ll be completely fine.”
Lu Xueqi nodded happily. “As long as it can help Master, that’s enough.”
With that, she waved her right hand again, producing another bottle of pills and handing it to Master Shuiyue. “Master, this is a pill I refined to restore spiritual energy. After taking it, the spiritual energy you lost will quickly be fully replenished. Please take it as well.”
Hearing this, Master Shuiyue was startled, shock appearing on her face.
Pills that restored spiritual energy were extremely precious and of immense significance to cultivators. She had not expected Lu Xueqi to truly refine such a pill.
Master Shuiyue exclaimed in astonishment, “Xueqi, I never imagined your talent in alchemy would be this extraordinary. You actually managed to produce results!”
After that, she impatiently opened the bottle, poured out a yellow pill, glanced at it, and swallowed it in one gulp, her heart full of anticipation for the medicinal effects to manifest.