"What is going on?"
"What is this ice art?"
The disciples of the Mount Huang Sect and Mount Yun Sect were all astonished. Affecting the sky and the weather was a power that was usually within the realm of immortals. They couldn't believe it was one person's doing and some even suspected that someone far more powerful had arrived.
They weren't right but they weren't wrong either. Summer and Winter's Eternal Sutra was an excellent dual cultivation and dual attribute immortal Dao. The higher stages naturally contained abilities that were suited for immortals.
Li Yuechan came back to the ground amidst a flurry of heavy snowflakes. It was no longer a weak fog that surrounded her but a blinding storm. Her eyes glowed white and her whole body emanated a profound aura.
Winter's Snow Dance, 6th Stage, Blizzard!
She was finally able to reach it. Whether it was due to the stress of battle or some other reason, she felt like her spiritual sea had finally been unlocked.
She swept her hand forward, spreading the blizzard toward her enemies. Amidst the dampening effect of large flurries, the sound of ice arrows whizzing by created an ominous aura. Blades of ice cleaved in every which direction, partially hidden by the heavy pouring of snow.
In an instant, she trapped six people in her domain. All they could do was defend against the unending storm of attacks. They didn't even have an opportunity to run.
Li Yuechan remained in the middle, walking steadily, observing everything outside as well as within. Keeping this secret art active was a tremendous strain but she desperately wanted to experience this power for a little longer.
"We can't keep fighting like this!" One of the Mount Yun Sect disciples shouted.
"Group up and use our formation!" Another responded.
"Yes!"
Out of the people she had been fighting, five of them managed to come together. One of them had been too slow and was encased in ice and snow. Even so, the defensive sword array was too tough for her to crack. Although she was using Blizzard, her opponents were all at the ninth and tenth levels.
Li Yuechan turned away from them and attacked in another direction. But by now, the rest had caught on. They gathered in groups of four or five and pressed against her from four sides. She couldn't quickly defeat them but they also didn't dare to break formation and attack her.
The two sides fell into a stalemate but only briefly. She knew she couldn't stay like this. It was an amazing achievement already to fight one against twenty but it couldn't last. It wasn't because she was running out of spiritual energy but because she had hit her physical limit. This was her first time using the sixth stage and her body couldn't take the strain anymore.
She resigned herself to the fact that she had already tried her best and achieved a lot. Her master wouldn't blame her if she called on him for help now.
However, before she could do anything, another presence arrived like lightning. With immeasurable speed, a burst of sharp, unyielding spiritual energy landed amidst one of the groups of attackers.
"Ahh!"
"Who?"
They cried out in shock.
There was the sound of clashing metal. Blood splattered on the ground. A grey blur moved in and out of the defensive sword formation. Such a formation that was able to stand up to Li Yuechan's Blizzard was broken and scattered. The speed of their demise was astonishing; that mysterious person's sword might was unmatched.
Carefully, Li Yuechan retreated many steps and deactivated Blizzard. She maintained a layer of Icy Carapace as a precaution as she watched the carnage that quickly came to an end. Twenty or so enemies were all defeated. They lay in pools of their own blood, some crying in pain while others were already motionless. When that person turned around, she recognized who it was.
"Peng Xiling... it's you?"
She would have been relieved if it was Sister Wu Qianyu but not this person.
Peng Lingxi smiled and bowed, "Yes. Miss Li Yuechan of Ten Thousand Flower Valley. Thank the heavens I arrived in time. Are you hurt?"
Li Yuechan's shock turned into suspicion, "No... why did you help me?"
Peng Lingxi cleaned her sword and put it away before walking over. Li Yuechan tensed but held her ground.
"I apologize for startling you." Peng Lingxi said evenly, "But I saw several alert talismans in the sky and came to investigate. Once I saw so many people ganging up on one lady, I couldn't help but intervene. I hope you won't blame me."
"No..." Li Yuechan muttered, not knowing what to do about the situation.
Peng Xiling was from the Tower of Swords. They had been antagonizing Ten Thousand Flower Valley throughout the Convocation of Swords. Peng Xiling was an expert at the lesser realm of Spiritual Growth and his strength was simply ridiculous compared to average people in the Spirit Initiate Realm. Such a person couldn't be trusted.
However, Li Yuechan also couldn't be too rude. The other party had gone out of their way to lend a hand. Even if they were a member of an opposing sect, she still had to consider this fact.
Peng Lingxi smiled again reassuringly, "Don't worry, I am not like my sect master or my senior and junior brothers. I respect Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian with all of my heart. With such an amazing master like Lord Chen, it is impossible for me to have any ill will towards the disciples of Ten Thousand Flower Valley."
"What?" Li Yuechan was even more confused.
Why were they suddenly praising her master? She had a strong sense that this person was abnormal. Exactly how, she had no idea.
"What else can be used to describe him?" Peng Lingxi chuckled and pointed at Li Yuechan, "Otherwise, how could you have reached Spiritual Growth so quickly? He is simply brilliant beyond words."
Li Yuechan suddenly realized something and checked her spiritual sea.
She was amazed. At some point during the battle, probably after she had unlocked Blizzard, she had actually achieved the lesser realm of Spiritual Growth.
"This... wow..." She muttered.
She had only just reached the 10th Level of the Spirit Initiate Realm. Having another breakthrough, a massive one at that, was incomprehensible.
Peng Lingxi spoke after brief consideration, "From what can I tell, your spiritual energy right now is quite chaotic and delicate. It should have been a forcible breakthrough during the tough battle. It is best if you stabilize your spiritual sea for a period of time. But as people like to say, you have now officially stepped onto the path of immortal cultivation. Congratulations!"
Li Yuechan opened her mouth and then closed it before nodding. "Thank you, Lonely Hero Peng for helping me today."
Peng Lingxi waved a hand, "Don't mention it. It was something that I should have done. Anyway, how do you want to deal with these people?"
The pair looked around at the sorry sight all around them.
"They dared to offend Lord Chen's disciples. They deserve death." Peng Lingxi said with surprising venom.
"Sir Peng... I am still fine in the end so I don't think we have to kill them when they are already in this state." Li Yuechan said.
"Miss Li is too kind but I understand the sentiment. We can let them live but they might come back to cause us trouble. We still have a few days left in the forest."
"What does Sir Peng suggest then?"
Peng Lingxi turned her head towards a particular figure, "This one seems to be the leader. I recognize him. His name is Jin Wangjie and he is a piece of work. He has also caused trouble for my Tower of Swords in the past. I will cripple his cultivation. I will take responsibility for any backlash from the Mount Huang Sect. As for the others, I will sever the tendons in their arms so they won't be able to wield swords for a while. They can still recover but it will take many months."
Li Yuechan felt that this was reasonable and agreed.
Peng Lingxi' sword appeared and came to life. It only took a few breaths to complete the task. Jin Wangjie howled furiously and spouted so many obscenities that she directly slapped him unconscious.
She sighed in satisfaction and returned to Li Yuechan. The two of them left the battlefield and walked together for a short distance. After some small talk, she stepped away and bowed.
"Miss Li, I shall bid goodbye for now. There are still many sword truths calling my name." She said.
Li Yuechan nodded and also returned the bow, "Lonely Hero Peng, you truly live up to your great name. Thank you for your help today."
Peng Lingxi laughed lightly, "It was my pleasure. I hope that our two sects can become friends in the future and I will do my best to make that happen."
Li Yuechan thought about Chen Wentian's jealous personality and didn't know what to say.
Peng Lingxi didn't wait for a response. She waved and then disappeared into the forest with just a few quick steps.
---
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