"Are we not going to lend them a hand, Senior Martial Sister Chen?" Zhou Qin asked curiously. "You have recovered long ago, haven't you?"
"No, we are not getting involved this time," Chen Pingxi shook her head.
"But why? They might be on the back foot right now, but the difference between the two sides isn't that great," Zhou Qin probed further. "If we were to join in, it is very likely that we will be able to turn the tides."
As Chen Pingxi had told San Wanfan before, the two participants from the Origin Lake Sect were currently sitting out of the battle against Quan Hui's party.
However, they did not stay far either.
Right now, they were watching the battle from the edge of the clearing – far enough to not be an immediate threat, yet close enough to join in anytime they wanted.
"You underestimate them too much. Things are not as simple as they might seem," Chen Pingxi let out a helpless sigh. "Please trust me this time."
"I understand, Senior Martial Sister Chen," Zhou Qin nodded.
He might be a core disciple of the Origin Lake Sect, but Chen Pingxi was the prime disciple. If the latter had made a decision, he naturally would not go against it.
Just like that, the duo continued to watch the battle unfold in a direction that was clearly to San Wanfan's disadvantage.
***
"Haven't you told her to return? What's she still doing in there?" Deacon Que demanded.
"We can tell the disciples to return, but whether to do so is still completely up to them," Fei Weng stepped between Deacon Que and Zhao Yunxiao. "If they choose not to return, then there is nothing we can do either."
"Damn it! What's she waiting for? Are you sure she is not unconscious?" Deacon Que asked.
"Nuo Qianling is not unconscious right now. In fact, she is constantly moving around despite being about to lose consciousness," Zhao Yunxiao answered with as much composure as he could muster.
"That crazy girl!" Deacon Que cursed. "I have to talk some sense into her when she gets back!"
That is, if she ever gets back...
Zhao Yunxiao thought to himself secretly.
Just monitoring Nuo Qianling's jade tablet was really causing his blood pressure to rise.
Despite being precariously close to losing consciousness, her energy expenditure and movement speed had not decreased much since the very start.
He had thought that the other members of the Wei Group were pushing their limits a little too far, but it would appear that this Nuo Qianling was the true champion when it came to pushing limits!
That said, while she could choose to push her limits, it did not mean that these limits had ceased to exist just because of that.
If she continued to push herself like this, it would only be a matter of time before she crossed the line of no return.
Hopefully, she was wise enough to give up before then.
Just then, his eyes lit up in surprise.
"Nuo Qianling has activated the jade tablet and is returning!" Zhao Yunxiao announced.
"Physicians, get ready!" Fei Weng shouted, this time with a lot more urgency. "She is in a critical condition, so be prepared!"
"Zhuang Chan has activated the jade tablet and is returning!" Zhao Yunxiao continued. "Her condition is stable."
Those words drew the attention of both Fei Weng and Deacon Que, the latter having paid close attention to the Wei Group since the start.
With the return of Nuo Qianling and Zhuang Chan, this marked the elimination of the entire party.
Two streaks of light shot out from the huge energy globe above the tortoise statue, turning into Nuo Qianling and Zhuang Chan in the participants' tent.
Curtains were put up around Nuo Qianling immediately as the more experienced physicians took on the job.
As for Zhuang Chan, two physicians were on her as well, but it was quickly revealed that she was completely fine.
Physically fine, that was.
"How is it?" Deacon Que rushed over to Zhuang Chan immediately. "What did you fin- I mean, come with me. Let's have a chat in private!"
Zhuang Chan appeared to be slightly dazed, and silently nodded before walking away with Deacon Que.
This act of pulling Zhuang Chan away left the other sect deacons and protectors feeling very dissatisfied. Some of them harrumphed in irritation, while others actually chose to follow along.
Fei Weng lightly patted Zhao Yunxiao's shoulder before proceeding to tend to the other observers.
Just like the other sect deacons and protectors, Zhao Yunxiao had been itching for answers, so such an outcome left him feeling dissatisfied as well.
However, he also understood what Fei Weng was trying to tell him with that light pat on the shoulder – forget about this matter and focus on your other duties.
Indeed, that was all he could do right now.
It was not like he could just leave his post and go snoop around on what the Wei Group had encountered. That would have to be left for later.
With the Wei Group out of the picture, he now had the luxury of focusing on the Mo Group.
That said, there was nothing much he could do to help at this point. All he could do was to observe their conditions and warn them if things ever got too dangerous.
Aside from that, he could only hope that things eventually panned out to their advantage!
***
"Is this all you've got?" Quan Hui smirked.
In front of her, Lou Guanlai and his companion were looking much worse for wear as compared to before. Their clothes were dishevelled and their breaths were heavy. There were also plenty of burn marks all over their bodies.
Even in a two against one situation, they were still not Quan Hui's match!
However, it was not like the situation was hopeless.
"You talk big, but it is obvious that you are starting to run out of energy," Lou Guanlai taunted despite his terrible appearance. "Let me guess – you must be feeling rather anxious deep inside right now, hoping that your facade of arrogance will prevent us from realising that your energy reserves are depleting fast!"
"Hah! You overestimate yourselves," Quan Hui scoffed. "I still have more than enough in me to wipe you out twice over!"
Bang-!
Twin fire dragons sent the Yin Yang Sword Sisters flying, slamming them into nearby trees. On that front, the difference in combat prowess was clear as day.
As for San Wanfan's side, they were being heavily pressured as well despite also being up three against two.
"Fairy Chen, please lend us your assistance!" San Wanfan shouted as he desperately defended against the fire-element attacks from Quan Hui's party members.
With those words, everyone's attention instantly fell upon Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin, who had openly positioned themselves at the edge of the clearing instead of hiding in the shadows.
Because they had not shown any signs of wanting to participate in the battle, Quan Hui's party had chosen to ignore them up till now. But everyone knew that the situation would change if they were to join in.
Not many knew about Zhou Qin, but Chen Pingxi was a different story.
Prime disciple of the Origin Lake Sect – Tidal Fairy Chen Pingxi.
There were many who believed that her capabilities were not too far behind Xiong Yekong of the Armed Ape Tower, who in turn was a complete monster comparable to the core disciples of the Four Great Symbol Sects!
As she felt everyone's spiritual sense focusing upon her, Chen Pingxi could not help but sigh in resignation as she thought about what to do next.
But before she could respond, Quan Hui actually shouted first.
"Cowards! All of you!" Quan Hui yelled in rage. "Ambushing us when we are spent, setting up a killing array to aid your non-existent combat capabilities, and even ganging up to gain the numerical advantage. How far the Black Tortoise Sect has fallen! If you don't want to disgrace your sect any further, let's settle this with a fair duel right now! Come, you Black Tortoise Sect cowards! Who dares accept my challenge? If any of you were to win, I will personally announce on stage that I have lost to your party during the Meeting of the Great Symbols!"
San Wanfan smirked.
For her to suggest this in such a hurry suggested that their conjectures were probably correct – Quan Hui's party was fast reaching the limit of their energy reserves and wanted to end this fast.
He could not deny what Quan Hui had said – this was definitely not the most honourable of plans.
However, what mattered most was that it was working.
Regardless of the means, having forced a core disciple's party to their limits could easily rid them of any bad reputation that would have come about from being chased like a dog earlier.
Now, if they could go one step further and defeat Quan Hui's group, that would truly allow them to bask in glory after this!
With that thought in mind, San Wanfan's eyes lit up in greed.
Quan Hui probably felt that no one here could beat her in a fair duel, which was why she kept suggesting that.
However, while that might be true in a normal situation, things were rather different now that Quan Hui had already expended a huge amount of her essence energy.
At this moment, not only did he hold an advantage in terms of cultivation level, but he also had more energy left in his reserves.
Could he win?
After all, this might be the only chance he would ever have to claim victory over Quan Hui- no, a core disciple's party!
Not just that, but San Wanfan did not even know for sure if Chen Pingxi had recovered enough to be in a state to fight, and the battle between the groups could still go either way.
If he could clean this up with a duel victory over Quan Hui, that would be the perfect end to this messy situation!
On the other hand, if he were to accept the duel and lose, not only would that mean sabotaging the potential victory of their party, but it would also bring about personal shame to himself.
It was a tough decision indeed!
"As expected, all of you Black Tortoise Sect disciples are cowards who can only find victory in numbers. As individuals, none of you are good enough!" Quan Hui mocked. "Fine, if all you can do is fight at a numerical advantage, then let's continue this dishonourable battle! Let us show you that even with dishonourable methods, people like you will not be able to win!"
"This..."
Hearing her words, the participants on San Wanfan's side could not help but hesitate.
Yes, claiming victory was important, but that might not be worth it if they had to lose their honour in the process.
That was especially the case for the Yin Yang Sword Sisters, who were not even that vested in San Wanfan's goal in the first place.
Seeing this, San Wanfan felt the corner of his lips twitch.
With just a few words, Quan Hui had forced the situation into a stalemate.
At this point, it would appear that he had no choice but to gamble it all in a direct duel against Quan Hui!
But just then, everyone simultaneously turned their eyes towards another corner of the clearing, where an ordinary-looking young man had appeared and was walking over in a casual manner.
He sported short black hair and was dressed in neat battle robes, with a sword hanging by his waist.
This was a newcomer who did not belong to either Quan Hui's party or San Wanfan's coalition.
However, he was a person whom everyone recognised at a glance.
With an excited light in his eyes, Cheng Kai looked directly at Quan Hui as he spoke.
"Did you just say that you are looking to duel a Black Tortoise Sect disciple? What a coincidence. That's exactly what I am looking for as well!"
***
Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes as he observed Cheng Kai's jade tablet, which indicated that he had finally stopped moving around.
Since there was no way of truly confirming anything, he could only hope that Cheng Kai had managed to find the Mo Group and Quan Hui's party as he had instructed!