If it's because of Su Yishui that those children have been led astray, and are now also implicated, made Qin Xuanjiu feel somewhat reluctant.
When he tried to intervene, Mu Ranwu smiled and stared at him, saying, "Xuanjiu, when Xue Ranran deliberately framed me at Tianmai Mountain, can't you see that she's not kind or innocent? By stopping this, are you aiding the evildoer?"
Listening to the Master's words, Qin Xuanjiu fell silent. As for Mu Qingge's other disciples, they had never seen Xue Ranran, so naturally, they wouldn't intercede for her.
But just as everyone was drafting the proclamation, they suddenly heard someone outside the camp shouting, "Look! They're back! They're back!"
Next, the people inside the tent heard the thunderous sound of approaching hooves.
When everyone came out of the tent, they were all stunned.
In the distance on the plain, there were indeed figures of horses running, but each horse had a rider on it!
The scouts who were shouting realized their mistake and quickly sounded the alarm, changing their call to, "Enemy troops from Gao Kan! Prepare to meet the enemy!"
The righteous cultivators from the three major sects were there to help, and upon hearing this, they immediately took to the sky and formed a defensive formation.
However, as the group of horses approached, they realized something was wrong again. Although there were soldiers from Gao Kan on the horses, they all had dull expressions, seemingly only wearing thin clothes they sleep in and they didn't even carry weapons while riding all the way here.
At this moment, they were unarmed and didn't look like they were here for a raid at all!
The one driving the group of horses was a bright-eyed girl with braided hair in a bun.
When the group arrived at the Daqi military camp, the girl jumped down from her horse, stood up neatly, and loudly declared, "Xue Ranran, disciple of Xishan, under the command of the esteemed one, I have come to return the lost warhorses!"
Qin Xuanjiu was the first to step forward and, staring at the girl, exclaimed, "Xue Ranran, what are you up to? Why did you steal the horses first and then return them?"
Xue Ranran had been rather busy with her Shifu all night long. Elder Jiu had felt that they got along very well, and was quite fond of her at the time. In order to retain this girl who could brew wine, even tempting her by promising to teach her how to make spiritual talismans. So he gave her the bag of talismans with this intention, to let Ranran be impressed about Elder Jiu's abilities and realize how useful these talismans were.
Of course, there was also half a secret manual of techniques for making spiritual talismans inside. Elder Jiu was quite cunning. Although cultivators could all make talismans, cultivating higher-level talismans was as difficult as reaching the sky. If Xue Ranran only looked at the introductory secrets, it was like eating a plate of appetizing peanuts; without the follow-up fine wine, she would inevitably feel curious and eager to learn the next volume.
When the time comes, he could then poach this obedient and lovely little disciple from Su Yishui, brewing wine and cooking for him every day.
It was fortunate that Elder Jiu had harbored such thoughts and Xue Ranran had long memorized the half-book of talisman-making secrets.
Making talismans was essentially solidifying the spiritual power of cultivators and condensing it onto paper.
With just the half-book with introductory information, she couldn't make talismans, but she had more than enough knowledge to modify them.
So that night, she sneaked into Gao Kan's military camp's stables with Shifu. First, she melted calming elixirs into the horses' drinking water, calming their spirits. Once the horses were calm, she removed all the talismans from their backs.
Modifying talismans required spiritual water, but Su Yishui said they didn't have to go through all that trouble. He cut his wrist with a knife and had Ranran use his blood to modify the talismans.
Su Yishui's blood was now demonic, and incredibly powerful. Although Ranran was just a beginner, she infused hundreds of beast control talismans in the bowl of Su Yishui's blood, turning them into Troop Maneuvering talismans.
Elder Jiu's talismans, combined with the blood of the demon's son, was an incredibly powerful combination.
Because the horses had come rushing over, Gao Kan's soldiers were gathered together, roasting lamb and celebrating with wine. After pouring the half bowl of blood talismans into the wine vat, those soldiers suddenly widened their eyes. In the later part of the night when everyone was asleep, they stood up straight one by one, went into the stables, climbed onto the horses, grabbed their manes, and rode out of the Gao Kan camp.
When the sentries realized what happened, they sounded the gongs and drums, but it was futile.
So each Gao Kan soldier rode a horse and sent these horses back to the Daqi military camp.
Now that the Gao Kan soldiers had dismounted one by one, they all fell to the ground and fell into a deep sleep. That night, Daqi became the one to effortlessly capture hundreds of Gao Kan soldiers.
Now, upon hearing Qin Xuanjiu's questioning, Ranran smiled and said, "Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. I can only say that the talismans on these horses were not placed by Xishan. As for now, these horses have returned with hundreds of prisoners of war intact. General Qin, please investigate thoroughly. We Xishan did not collude with Gao Kan to harm the people of Daqi."
Just then, disciples from the three major sects also gathered around, coldly snorting, "Pot calling the kettle black, what trickery is Xishan up to?"
Although Ranran was unaware that Elder Mu had come to the Daqi camp to stir up trouble, when she saw Elder Mu standing next to the disciples of the three major sects, acting all friendly, she guessed the general idea.
Elder Mu had colluded with Crimon Gate and must have slandered her Shifu again.
The messy account between her Shifu and Elder Mu was hard to calculate. Xue Ranran only intended to clarify the horse theft incident, so with a clasped fist, she planned to leave.
But disciples from Jiu Hua and Kongshan sects jumped out one after another, blocking her way.
"Female demon, where do you think you're going? You better confess now, where is the demon's son Su Yishui hiding?"
Growing up, this was the first time Xue Ranran was bring called a female demon, which she was not accustomed to. But when she heard them calling Su Yi Shui as the demon's son, she couldn't help but glare at Elder Mu.
She actually divulged this. Could it be because her Shifu had hurt her feelings, and she planned to exact her revenge?
However, these were also the truth. Ranran felt that her Shifu had indeed been the demon's son before, and now he does have the Spirit spring. Since there was no need to explain, she didn't intend to say anything.
In some ways, she should learn from her Shifu and not care too much about what others said, especially the opinions of these negative disciples of the three major sects.
Now that the horses were back and they had subdued the Gao Kan army's morale, the upcoming battles would be in the secular world, following the will of heaven.
As for the obstruction from the disciples of the three major sects, Ranran was not too bothered. Since the last time her spiritual veins were severed and then reconnected by Su Yishui, she felt that her spiritual power had increased by more than one or two-folds.
However, she didn't have a chance to compare and wasn't sure how much she had improved until now, when the disciples of the three major sects blocked her path. With just a wave of her hand, she unexpectedly sent the Jiu Hua disciple flying far away.
Ranran was also startled by this; she didn't intend to be so heavy-handed. When did the disciples of Jiu Hua become so weak?
Master Kaiyuan felt embarrassed when he saw this.
Since the incident where their top disciples were lost at Tianmai Mountain, Master Kaiyuan had really worked hard to urge his disciples to improve their cultivation. But today, before the people of the three major sects, his top disciple was as fragile as paper, being slapped to the ground.
Master Kaiyuan has always been cunning and crafty. He never acted without absolute certainty. For example, during the battle with Wei Jiu at Jue Mountain, he never made a move, leaving himself a sure way out.
He had also passed the test back then and had entered the Marrow-Refining Pool. Although he wasn't as outstanding as the younger Mu Qingge or Su Yishui, his nearly two hundred years of foundational cultivation couldn't be underestimated.
So he didn't think much of Xue Ranran. Even though she had passed through the Marrow-Refining Pool, she was just a newcomer of the younger generations.
But now Jiu Hua Sect's dignity was completely lost, and as the leader of the three major sects, the head of the righteous path, Master Kaiyuan had to step forward to regain some respectability.
So seeing Ranran still intending to leave, Master Kaiyuan shook his long robe, and he attacked Ranran directly with his sword.
It had been a long time since the disciples of the three major sects had seen Master Kaiyuan's skills. But with the spiritual energy of an immortal, containing the aura of a sword, as soon as Master Kaiyuan made a move, one could sense the sword energy moving first, like a cave opening, radiating thousands of beams, making the hair follicles stand up.
Those disciples of Jiu Hua Sect who were good at flattery were already clenching their fists and applauding, "Master, what a move with the Demon-Suppressing Dragon Sword!"
This sword technique was like a rainbow piercing through the clouds, wherever it went, it stirred up the ground, even if Xue Ranran was an outstanding new talent from the Marrow-Refining Pool, what could she do?
Back then, Mu Qingge started losing ground after Master Kaiyuan had pierced her left shoulder with the Ferocious Dragon Sword.
A Daoist Elder who had cultivated for two hundred years could easily teach this unruly little brat a lesson!
Ranran also felt the pressure of Master Kaiyuan's Sword Qi, which was tens of times stronger than his disciple Wei Fang's.
But when she leaped and gracefully avoided his fierce strike, she suddenly heard Su Yishui channeling his voice to her: "Old dog Kaiyuan's weak spot is on the right side of his waist. Aim there more often."
Su Yishui was familiar with the tactics of the various sect leaders, especially aware of Elder Kaiyuan's vulnerabilities. He listened to Ranran and didn't reveal himself in case they evoked his killing intent and he loses control of the Spirit Spring. Instead he used secret messages to give his disciple an advantage, providing her handy cheat notes.
Upon hearing this, Ranran now had a clear target in mind.
She drew out her mechanism staff with one hand, manipulated her vitality qi in the air, causing the staff to lengthen continuously. It spun and twirled in mid-air before she swung it towards Master Kaiyuan's waist.
This kind of remote manipulation over a staff was usually mastered by cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage for a hundred years or more. Yet Ranran, at her young age, had already reached a level of mastery where she could control it effortlessly.
Her attack silenced the surrounding crowd. Everyone looked at this previously unknown girl in astonishment.
Even Master Kaiyuan was taken aback, quickly mobilizing his true qi to defend against the rapidly changing staff that was flying towards him.
What surprised him most was how this little girl seemed to know exactly where his vital points were. She kept targeting his waist with the staff.
Although true qi shields were impenetrable and could withstand even a rain of arrows. But they still had weak points. Master Kaiyuan's waist was the thinnest part of his true qi, vulnerable to attacks infused with spiritual power.
After a dozen or so exchanges, the agile staff suddenly extended and thrust directly at Master Kaiyuan's waist.
Master Kaiyuan felt his true qi unable to hold steady, and he cried out in pain. The staff pierced through his true qi shield once again, striking his waist point.
His waist had been severely injured during the siege of Mu Qingge. A shard from the explosion of Mu Qingge's divine artifact had embedded itself there, leaving lingering effects even after healing.
Now, this little girl seemed to know exactly where his weaknesses lay, attacking his vital points relentlessly. How could he defend against her?
But Master Kaiyuan was not one to be trifled with. Sensing that his vulnerabilities had been exposed, he quickly reached for his waist.
At that moment, Ranran heard Su Yishui's voice again: "He's going to use the Heavenly Bell Artifact. Retreat quickly and avoid further confrontation."
The Heavenly Bell was an artifact left behind by the powerful Dun Tian.
Legend had it that Dun Tian's inner demons were difficult to suppress. So, he refined a bell from the cold iron of the Snow Mountain. It was hung above his head every day. When the demons in his hearts arose, preventing him from meditating in peace, the bell would ring incessantly, emitting a chilling aura to dispel the demonic agitation.
Although Ranran's cultivation had advanced rapidly, her experience in actual combat was still very limited. If the chilling aura of the Heavenly Bell invaded her body, it would surely cause damage. So Su Yishui told her to retreat quickly.
With this proactive retreat, Master Kaiyuan was given some room to gracefully step down from the fight.
He realized that this battle was not without uncertainties. Although he probaly wouldn't be defeated, victory might be hard-won and embarrassing. So while the girl retreated, he quickly said coldly, "You're just a new young disciple in the sect. If I were to kill you now, it would seem heartless on our part. Go back and tell your master, if you don't want to stray into the wrong path, it's better to hand over the Spirit Spring soon."
Ranran actually replied with sincerity, "Please rest assured. Our Xishan Sect has always avoided worldly conflicts. As of now, the Spirit Spring couldn't be sent back to the Netherworld Realm yet. My master fears its influence on the world and unfortunately lacks a suitable artifact to seal it. He can only temporarily seal it within his body. Of course, if among you there are powerful and virtuous seniors capable of sealing the Spirit Spring, my master is willing to yield and pass this thankless task back to you."
If Ranran had said this before her battle with Master Kaiyuan, it would have surely drawn ridicule.
What was Su Yishui, who had once given his cultivated core to water the Rebirth tree, even worth? Back then, during the confrontation with Wei Jiu at Jue Mountain, he had embarrassingly admitted openly that he was no match for Wei Jiu.
But now, a new female disciple of Su Yishui could confront the sect leader of Jiuhua without falling behind, even making the usually composed Master Kaiyuan scream like a slaughtered pig. How shocking was this display of strength?
After saying this, the Vermilion Bird let out a long cry, swirled in the air with its long tail, then flew away into the distance with Xue Ranran…
Although many people had seen Ranran riding the Vermilion Bird before at the foot of the Tianmai Mountain, this time, they were still captivated by the dazzling divine light of the Vermilion Bird.
The Vermilion Bird is different from other divine beasts; it is a sacred and pure entity that wouldn't form a soul contract with anyone. Only the purest souls could tame it.
The fact that it willingly let Xue Ranran ride, it was in itself a testament to the young girl's character.
If it were an evil entity, the Vermilion Bird would rather turn into goo and perish together, than willingly debase itself by being ridden by someone malicious.
As they watched Xue Ranran riding the Vermilion Bird and disappearing into the distance, the lingering glow had yet to dissipate. Even if someone wanted to save some dignity by calling her a female demon, they were too flustered to speak.
At that moment, several disciples beside Mu Qingge spoke up, "The young girl named Ranran makes sense. Perhaps we've misunderstood…"
Before they could finish speaking, Mu Qingge shot them a sharp look and coldly said, "The appearance of Spirit Spring in the mortal realm heralds great chaos. Su Yishui caused me great suffering in my past life. Do you think he's changed for the better in just twenty years?"
Master Kaiyuan was still suffering from the excruciating pain in his waist, but he maintained his composure to uphold the authority of the sect. Upon hearing Mu Qingge's words, he immediately followed with, "The Spirit Spring is of great importance; we cannot let a mere little girl talk nonsense without proof. If what she said is true, it is still inappropriate to leave the Spirit Spring solely in Su Yishui's care. We, as well as other major sects, need to supervise him and ensure that the Spirit spring is returned to the Netherworld Realm!"
However, each of the three major sects had their own agendas.
Wen Chunhui from the Kongshan Sect clasped her fists and said, "Everyone, the ongoing conflict between Da Qi and Gao Kan is part of worldly fate. The incident with the horses driven by spirit charms serves as a warning. If we cultivators meddle in such mundane matters, we may inadvertently defy fate and bring unforeseen calamities upon ourselves. Now that the horses have been returned, this matter is settled. Our Kongshan Sect has many female disciples; it's not suitable for us to linger in the military camp. We shall bid farewell first."
With that, she flicked her horse's tail whisk and led her female disciples away without looking back.
This newly appointed Elder Wen was not a fool; she originally didn't want to come here. It's just that they had to consider Master Kaiyuan's reputation, she had to come and go through the motions.
Earlier, when Mu Qingge had shifted all the blame onto the deceased Wen Hongshan, it made her very displeased.
And the words that the young girl said before leaving, were even more enlightening for her.
Indeed, how many great talents did the Kongshan Sect produce in the past? But why have they now fallen into such a decline?
Upon careful consideration, this decline seems to have started irreversibly since the siege of Mu Qingge.
The rules of the Kongshan Sect have always been about maintaining a pure heart and few desires, not getting involved in worldly disputes. Unfortunately, the former sect leader, Abbess Wen, and Wen Hongshan have all gone astray, leading the disciples to follow Jiuhua Sect and engage in improper worldly affairs.
If the matter with the Spirit Spring is true, it will certainly be another catastrophe. The foundation of the Kongshan Sect is too weak now, and the disciples are not yet mature; they really can't withstand turmoil.
Since Master Kaiyuan has a face full of righteousness and that Mu Qingge has a self-sacrificing demeanor, then let them go ahead and save the world.
What she wants is to hurry back to Kongshan, refine more elixirs; if the world falls into chaos, the sect's gates must be shut even tighter. They cannot keep following Master Kaiyuan recklessly.
On the side, the Elder of the Feiyun Sect is not a fool either. Among the three major sects, the Feiyun Sect was the weakest in terms of strength. Seeing the Kongshan Sect leave in the night, they too used the excuse that their sect leader has summoned their members back for urgent matters. After hastily bidding farewell to Master Kaiyuan, who was clutching his waist, they quickly left as well.
Now, most of the grand momentum of the Righteous Alliance had dissipated, leaving only some lesser-known sects staring at each other, silently contemplating how to leave gracefully without offending Elder Kaiyuan.
In a moment, the offensive launched by the Jiuhua Sect against Xishan had largely subsided.
Mu Qingge also knew that these remaining groups couldn't produce any substantial outcome. She elegantly asked Master Kaiyuan to devise a plan and inform her, then led her disciples to leave.
She couldn't reveal to these disciples her secret assistance to Gao Kan. Therefore, she currently resided openly in Wuma Town.
She had thought that with the three major sects leading the charge, they would incite everyone to attack Xishan like they did in her previous life. However, she never expected that Xue Ranran could retrieve those runaway horses and gain the upper hand in the confrontation with Master Kaiyuan.
In the world of cultivation, besides the labels of righteousness and evil, one's strength spoke volumes. Now that Xue Ranran, a junior disciple of Xishan, had shown her prowess, it was enough to intimidate everyone.
And if the disciple was like this, the master possessed by the Spirit Spring would be unimaginably powerful!
So while exterminating demons and evil was the right path in the mortal world, blindly rushing forward without considering such vast discrepancies in power would be foolish.
At present, almost no one was willing to be a fool. All of Mu Ranwu's efforts were clearly in vain.
Thinking about how Gaokan had lost so many soldiers as prisoners this time, she felt it would be difficult to explain to Prince Yiling. Mu Ranwu sighed deeply in frustration.