"Reinforce the Cang Lang Sect?"
A commotion rippled through the crowd. The Misty Sect's crisis had only just been resolved.
Although most of the demonic beasts had been killed, the true crisis remained.
The elders knew that Wang Tao had mentioned directly engaging with Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts.
These Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts had not made a move during this attack.
The elders of the Misty Sect did not believe this was due to the beasts holding back; they must have a deeper scheme.
While the demonic beasts' attack this time had been fierce, their high-tier forces were undamaged, and their foundations remained intact.
Furthermore, the intelligence of Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts had significantly improved; they now possessed wisdom comparable to human cultivators.
No one believed these beasts would easily let them off the hook.
However, what puzzled everyone was that Elder Tiandao, who could surely foresee this potential threat, was so insistent on rescuing the distant Cang Lang Sect.
Elder Tiandao offered no explanation to the crowd. Instead, he ordered them to clear the battlefield and retreat, stating he would go to inquire about the situation at the Cang Lang Sect.
Whatever was happening at the Cang Lang Sect, its timing coincided too perfectly with the demonic beast attack on the Misty Sect.
Given the speed of the young sect master and his companions, it would take them four to five days to reach the Misty Sect from where the incident occurred.
And four to five days prior was precisely when the Misty Sect suffered a large-scale demonic beast attack.
This coincidence was too great. Elder Tiandao wanted to investigate if there was any connection between these events.
Of course, he could not reveal his plans in public. With so many people around, it was possible that before he could uncover anything, the other party would be alerted.
At that point, uncovering the truth would not be so easy.
Seeing Elder Tiandao depart first, the others did not linger. After clearing the battlefield, they returned to the inner sect.
Only True Person Chunyang remained with some others to maintain defenses.
...
On Spirit Jade Peak, in the inner sect of the Misty Sect, Liu Cuilan stood on the summit, gazing into the distance with anticipation.
She had been extremely worried these past few days. She heard that the number of demonic beasts attacking this time was far greater than in the previous two instances.
Moreover, there were said to be a large number of Golden Core stage demonic beasts. The thought of Zhang Ergou and her master facing so many terrifying beasts filled Liu Cuilan with concern.
Whoosh... Whoosh... Whoosh...
Suddenly, three figures landed on the summit of Spirit Jade Peak.
"Master, Senior Uncle, Ergou, you're back?" Liu Cuilan's face lit up with surprise and joy.
She had been longing for Zhang Ergou and the others to return safely.
However, upon seeing Zhang Ergou covered in bloodstains, her face filled with renewed worry.
"Ergou, are you alright? Are you injured?"
Ignoring Chi Yu and Chi Ling beside him, she grabbed Zhang Ergou's hand to check him.
Chi Yu and Chi Ling exchanged glances, looking at Zhang Ergou with amusement. Zhang Ergou felt that although they said nothing, their expressions conveyed a great deal.
He, who was usually calm and composed, actually blushed for the first time.
"Sister, look quickly! This brat is actually blushing, hee hee."
Seeing Zhang Ergou blush, Chi Yu and Chi Ling not only spared him but began to tease him.
Chi Yu also looked on with a playful expression, her eyes darting between Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan.
She now understood why Zhang Ergou had disagreed to his union with Lin Yueru back then.
It seemed that this disciple taken in by her sister and her own beloved disciple had an unspeakable relationship.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Liu Cuilan finally looked up. Upon seeing her master and senior uncle's teasing expressions, Liu Cuilan's fair cheeks instantly turned crimson.
For the next half day, the four of them did not discuss cultivation.
Nor did they talk about the demonic beast crisis outside. Instead, Zhang Ergou took the initiative to host a unique barbecue.
The ingredients were, naturally, demonic beasts that Zhang Ergou had casually collected.
Since there were few people on Spirit Jade Peak, Zhang Ergou specially invited Lin Yichen, Xiao Qingyu, Wang Teng, Lin Yueru, and Lu Xiaoyu to liven things up.
With the help of each other, a lively barbecue was held with great success.
Normally, they wouldn't eat much, but facing the oily roasted demonic beast meat, they all ate with their mouths greasy. Liu Cuilan, Lin Yueru, and Lu Xiaoyu, the girls, did not care about their image at all.
They ate their fill, simply because the special medicinal herbs Zhang Ergou added made it incredibly fragrant.
Sisters Chi Yu and Chi Ling also ate with great joy. They hadn't experienced such happiness in a long time.
Before Zhang Ergou came to Spirit Jade Peak, the sisters merely cultivated separately. If they had any questions about cultivation, they would discuss them.
Then they would meditate and cultivate in their respective cave dwellings, often in seclusion for months or even half a year. Their times of emerging from seclusion were not always the same.
Therefore, their lives on Spirit Jade Peak appeared somewhat monotonous.
However, having grown up in the Misty Sect, they were accustomed to such a life.
Thus, they did not feel anything was amiss; everything proceeded calmly and according to routine.
The sisters' happiest moments were usually when one of them broke through in cultivation, leading to a brief celebration.
But something like this, with a large group of people gathered around, eating oily roasted demonic beast meat, and playfully interacting with the younger disciples, was truly a first.
Time always flies when one is happiest.
In the blink of an eye, night arrived.
A message came from the inner sect, ordering all disciples to assemble. Everyone tidied themselves briefly and headed towards the plaza.
Many disciples had already gathered in the plaza. For those who were suddenly called to assemble and were unaware of the reasons, they whispered amongst themselves.
Seeing that most people had gathered, Elder Tiandao did not keep them waiting for too long.
He first reported on the situation of the battle with the demonic beasts in the outer sect.
When they heard that over a thousand disciples had perished under the claws of the demonic beasts, many inner sect disciples shed tears of sorrow.
Then, they heard how everyone had combined their efforts to kill the majority of tens of thousands of demonic beasts. Especially when they heard that under Zhang Ergou's suggestion and leadership, they had burned thousands of demonic beasts.
Only then did they feel a sense of catharsis, and it was considered a comfort to the souls of the thousand inner sect disciples.
After a brief silence, Elder Tiandao spoke.
"This morning, the young sect master of the Cang Lang Sect came to our sect seeking help, saying their sect had also encountered an invasion of demonic beasts, and the number of beasts was not insignificant."
Everyone then noticed two unfamiliar faces standing beside Elder Tiandao. They presumed the one in the fine attire must be the young master of the Cang Lang Sect.
The young sect master of the Cang Lang Sect waved to the crowd, offering a greeting.
"This calamity, I feel, is not ordinary. Therefore, I have decided to take three thousand people to reinforce the Cang Lang Sect."