Chapter 105: The Fairy's Outburst

The officer continued to issue instructions through the earpiece.

—The enemy's six Illusory Core Realm cultivators haven't moved. They clearly understand the importance of the hostages. You've done well. The results are as expected.

—Fall back for now and focus on survival. If their Illusory Core Realm cultivators insist on guarding the hostages to the death, we'll launch a full assault from both sides.

Wang Sheng whistled for a few moments, making Fei Lianzi immediately retreat. Looking over his shoulder, he saw his senior sister catching up from behind.

The young swordsman strode out from the shadows of the trees. The starlight cast specks of light on him and fresh blood dripped from his blade.

Mu Wanxuan blinked as Wang Sheng approached. After regrouping, they quickly withdrew from the forest.

If the corrupt cultivators wanted to save their comrades one by one like the foolish brothers in an old fable, Wang Sheng and his group were more than happy to play along.

Upon reaching the beach, the three lined up in a straight formation. Wang Sheng stood on the right, Mu Wanxuan in the center, and Fei Lianzi on the left.

"Senior Sister, don't hold back this time."

"

Mm!

"

Mu Wanxuan's expression turned serious. She raised both hands, enveloping Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi with two swirling currents of qi. The spiraling Yin-Yang qi could shield them from some of the talismans and spells.

Then, she slowly closed her eyes. A phantasm of the Tai Chi diagram spread across the beach and the edge of the forest, covering an area of a hundred meters in diameter.

Yin-Yang Grand Formation!

After reaching the late-stage of the Seed Formation Realm, Mu Wanxuan had refined and upgraded the formation.

With the two currents of Yin-Yang qi around them, Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi felt as if their movements had become lighter. They no longer felt any air resistance, and every action flowed more smoothly than ever before.

Slightly taken aback, Fei Lianzi looked at Mu Wanxuan.

If Wang Sheng was a rare swordsmanship prodigy in his eyes, then Mu Wanxuan, who had just displayed her mastery of yin-yang formations, was something else entirely.

It was already impressive for someone so young to comprehend the Dao of Yin-Yang Transformation on their own, yet she could also simultaneously manipulate the yin-yang position of three people within a formation. She could no longer be described simply as exceptionally talented. Before her, even the most experienced cultivators would hang their heads in shame.

Fei Lianzi had enough knowledge to recognize the path that Mu Wanxuan was following and the immense potential she had.

If Mu Wanxuan combined her yin-yang formation with two skilled experts, keeping them positioned at the eyes of the yin-yang koi at all times, the combined strength of the three would more than double!

Fei Lianzi chuckled. "Even if an Illusory Core Realm cultivator or two show up, we might still stand a chance against them thanks to your formation."

Wang Sheng nodded, tightened his grip on his treasured sword, and adjusted the strap of his sword case. He was already prepared to use Spiritless in the upcoming battle, the outcome of which would be crucial. If the next group of corrupt Daoists failed as well, the enemy would have no other options but to either start killing hostages or send out Illusory Core Realm cultivators.

Wang Sheng had made his stance clear from the very beginning: he was here to eliminate fiends and uphold the Dao. Saving the hostages was not his priority. His decisiveness and supposed lack of concern for the captives made it seem as if their deaths were of no consequence to him.

These corrupt cultivators, led by six Illusory Core Realm experts, had been shouting about how cultivators should be the ones to handle Daoist matters. The Flowing Water God, in particular, discriminated against ordinary people, refusing to even acknowledge them.

Due to their disregard for the commonfolk, they naturally assumed Wang Sheng genuinely didn't care whether they killed the hostages or not. Consequently, as long as Wang Sheng and the others held their ground, their opponents would be forced to send out their Illusory Core Realm cultivators to personally eliminate them and take their most important target: Captain Chi Ling.

From deep within the forest, curses and shouts rang out.

"Who dares run away? Damn it! It's just three brats, and you're already scared out of your minds? How do you expect to follow the big shots and accomplish anything in the future?!"

"Kill those Daoist cultivators, and I'll take you all to a pleasure house for three days and three nights!"

"

Hmph!

Stay back and watch! You spineless fools are useless. It's always up to us when things get serious!"

Amid all the shouting, Wang Sheng sensed over a dozen auras rapidly approaching. Among them, two or three were at his level. He couldn't gauge the cultivation of the rest at all. They were undoubtedly at mid-stage or late-stage Seed Formation Realm.

"Their murderous aura is strong," Fei Lianzi said, his eyes narrowing. "Be careful. These ones are tough. Some of them must have practiced devilish arts."

"

Mm.

" Wang Sheng took a deep breath. His gaze sharpened as he waited for them to arrive.

Seconds later, projectiles sharply whistled through the air. Dozens of wooden arrows shot out from the forest and rained down on them.

Wang Sheng coldly snorted and took half a step forward. He then unleashed his Dual-Polarity Sword Intent, making it flow endlessly.

With his longsword, he seemed to slowly and deliberately trace a circle in the air with perfect and masterful timing, angle, and force. Guided by the trajectory of Wang Sheng's blade, all the incoming arrows simultaneously veered off course and fell to the sides.

Mu Wanxuan's eyes gleamed with joy, thinking that her junior brother was following the same path and cultivating the same Dao as her. If that were the case, she would have plenty of opportunities to spar and exchange insights with him in the future.

Within the forest, someone shouted, "Well played! That was Wudang's Dual-Polarity Sword Intent, wasn't it? Third Brother, Eighth Brother, capture their captain! Everyone else, on me! We'll strike together! If we don't kill Wang Fei Yu today, he'll be the sword hanging over our heads tomorrow!"

Fei Lianzi snorted. "I am Fei Lianzi of the Shu Sword Sect! I've come specifically for this battle!"

"Attack!"

A burst of murderous energy erupted from the forest. Right after, over a dozen figures charged out of the forest and descended upon the trio—some leaping high into the air, others sprinting at full speed!

The group of corrupt cultivators immediately unleashed their abilities. Three swiftly chanted incantations, summoning vengeful ghosts, casting energy disruption, and unleashing blood curses. Four others charged straight at them with either a longsword, a saber, twin hammers, or daggers.

They radiated intense murderous intent as their spiritual consciousness locked onto Wang Sheng and his companions. The sheer malice emanating from them was enough to trouble even cultivators from Daoist sects.

While a few brought out talismans, two opened their poisonous cauldrons, releasing swarms of poisonous insects. Others took out their prized artifacts and fired eerie black beams at the trio.

These corrupt cultivators were all at the Seed Formation Realm and had combat experience. Though they were from different corrupt Daoist sects, their attacks showed instinctive coordination.

Wang Sheng narrowed his eyes. He was about to extend his Dual-Polarity Sword Intent to shield his group and counter the enemy curses with exorcism techniques when he suddenly heard his senior sister snort coldly.

Mu Wanxuan raised her hands before her and formed an empty circle. She then twisted at the waist and gracefully swayed a little. The Tai Chi symbol that she had previously planted on the ground surfaced once more, and she suddenly stopped.

"Strike!"

She shifted her shoulders, swept her arms forward, and stirred the Yin-Yang qi into chaos with her delicate hands. Whirling Yin-Yang qi currents surged outward like a storm, instantly ensnaring the dozens of corrupt Daoist experts.

The primal qi in the surroundings also fell into complete disorder. The five elements lost their equilibrium, the flow of qi turned turbulent, and all spells and talismans that relied on channeling primal qi were nullified.

The only ones unaffected were the four corrupt cultivators who had charged in with melee weapons. However, since they were closest to Mu Wanxuan, she had focused her efforts on them. Yin-Yang qi appeared erratically around them, like unseen hands pushing and pulling at them.

The four quickly found themselves struggling to keep their footing. Forces pulled them in random directions—sometimes dragging, sometimes shoving—until they lost control and collided with one another.

Though stunned, Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi could not let such an opportunity slip away. Fei Lianzi made his flying sword shoot forward, while Wang Sheng caught four enemies with his Seven-Star Sword Formation. Sword radiance twisted and churned, slaying the four bloodthirsty cultivators in a flash. Their blood stained the sand.

The tides of the battle had been reversed in mere seconds.

Mu Wanxuan alone had held back over ten opponents of equal cultivation realms, while Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi had seized the moment to kill the charging foes and press the attack on the remaining trapped enemies.

However, Mu Wanxuan's Yin-Yang Grand Formation was not completely flawless. Containing so many opponents of equal cultivation was an immense drain on her true essence. After a few seconds, the Yin-Yang qi that bound the corrupt cultivators gradually dissipated.

Their enemies had been brimming with confidence just a moment ago, even vowing to kill Wang Sheng and his companions. However, Mu Wanxuan's mastery over the Yin-Yang qi had utterly shaken them. Without hesitation, they turned and fled toward the forest, each using whatever technique they could to escape.

A flying sword pierced through one corrupt cultivator's thigh, sending him sprawling to the ground. Fei Lianzi dashed forward and ended his life with a single strike.

"Fei Yu! Don't let those scum escape!" Fei Lianzi shouted.

Wang Sheng had already caught up to another enemy. With a swing of his sword, blood splattered. He then used the Seven-Star Footwork to chase the closest survivor.

These corrupt cultivators were far more formidable than the previous groups that they had faced, and their escape techniques were just as impressive. Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi each managed to take down two more, but the rest managed to vanish into the trees.

Mu Wanxuan took matters into her own hands. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, sank into a horse stance, and pressed her hands downward. Two opposing currents of qi clashed, surging outward in all directions.

A powerful gust swept through the area, and the seven or eight fleeing Seed Formation Realm cultivators found themselves once again trapped within the Yin-Yang Grand Formation. Mu Wanxuan then took a step back and pushed her hands forward as if pressing against an enormous, heavy door. Seemingly caught in a quagmire, the enemies' movements slowed drastically.

Wang Sheng and Fei Lianzi wasted no time. With their swords in hand, they charged straight in.