The Nascent Soul cultivator of Extreme Cold Sect looked at Yun Xi hesitantly and spoke calmly:"Daoyou, do you not have any fellow disciples you can contact?"
Yun Xi lowered the transmission talisman in her hand and replied: "My familiar fellow disciples are all at Golden Core stage. They probably cannot come here. The Nascent Soul seniors I know have not entered the secret realm, so I don't know whom to send the transmission talisman to."
The Nascent Soul cultivator of Kunmo Sect glanced at the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella in Yun Xi's hand. After a moment of thought, he sent a transmission talisman and then waved the black folding fan he held. The fan swept the newly charging beasts aside, and red streaks of light followed. Moments later, the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
The Zhēnjūn of Extreme Cold Sect struck the ground with his palm. In the next breath, icy frost spread rapidly, freezing the charging beasts. He then crushed them with a punch from a distance, clearing the area instantly.
Shi Jun this time split one sword into three, forming massive sword shadows behind him. The moment they fell, they shattered a large number of frenzied beasts.
Yun Xi's heart sank in awe. These three Zhēnjūn were showing off their strength, a subtle competition among the Five Domains. She could not fall behind.
She exhaled, infusing spirit power into the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella, and communicated with the weapon spirit: "Hei Yao, we're going all out this time. You must cooperate."
"Master, your spirit power is limited. I do not recommend exceeding your capacity," Hei Yao replied frankly.
"I understand. Cooperate as much as you can to unleash the strongest attack within my limits. They are all showing off, and I cannot back down. Otherwise, I will lose initiative."
"Understood!"
The black dragon on the umbrella canopy began circling, then slowly detached from the umbrella above Yun Xi's head. It became a massive black dragon, lifelike and imposing. The pressure emanating from its veins made the frenzied beasts pause.
With an ear-splitting roar, the black dragon charged into the herd. Its sharp, upright scales cut through the beasts. Yun Xi felt her dantian emptying, a clear sign of spirit power exhaustion. She immediately sent a voice command: "Xiao Xian!"
The Xianling Grass hidden in her sleeve instantly infused spirit power into her, sustaining the attack.
After five breaths, the black dragon shrank back onto the umbrella. Not a single living beast remained in front of Yun Xi. She exhaled, then confidently swallowed two top-grade spirit replenishing pills.
The two Zhēnjūn from Extreme Cold Sect and Kunmo Sect exchanged glances. One commented:"The western region also has hidden talents. Even a Golden Core cultivator's attack nearly matches ours."
Shi Jun, calm in tone, said: "Those who enter the new secret realm are the best of the Five Domains. His appearance here proves his strength."
With the dual support of Xianling Grass and pills, Yun Xi finally filled her dantian. She bowed respectfully: "Three Zhēnjūn are too kind."
As her words fell, five streaks of light appeared. Huanyuan Sect's Huan Die Zhēnjūn, Xianmo Sect's Jiu Yue Zhēnjūn, Medicine King Valley's Ye Yi Rui with an elder, and a Buddhist cultivator from Yunmen Temple appeared before the four of them.
Yun Xi rubbed her nose. Facing a group of Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, she felt some pressure.
Huan Die Zhēnjūn's captivating eyes scanned everyone before she smiled: "Shi Jun, is it true that you discovered a teleportation array to leave here?"
Shi Jun ignored the flirtatious glance and nodded: "Of course. The numbers are just right. We will leave first and discuss later."
No one objected, except the elder from Medicine King Valley: "This small Golden Core cultivator—what sect is he from? He seems unqualified to proceed with us."
Ye Yi Rui frowned, her voice carrying displeasure: "Elder Wang."
Shi Jun Zhēnjūn glanced at Elder Wang calmly: "The one who discovered the teleportation array is the Golden Core you spoke of. If this Daoyou from the Central Domain does not wish to proceed, we can wait for other Nascent Soul Daoyou to gather someone of comparable strength to leave together."
Yun Xi stood quietly, eyes lowered, showing respect. Someone had already defended her; there was no need to speak.
Elder Wang was momentarily at a loss. He had not expected the Golden Core cultivator he dismissed to be the key to leaving here.
Huan Die Zhēnjūn smiled, fanning gently with her round fan: "Xiaoyou may I know your name?"
Yun Xi cupped her hands and said: "I am Feng Xiyun of Haoran Sect. It is an honor to travel with all the Zhēnjūn. This way, please."
She then led the group toward the Wu Tribe settlement. Others said nothing and followed.
Yun Xi infused wind spirit power into her feet, running at full speed with Fufeng Step, reaching the cliff face in just a few breaths.
Ye Yi Rui ignored the slightly awkward Elder Wang and followed. She felt the male cultivator's movement somewhat familiar.
Elder Wang was last to follow. Seeing Yun Xi's back, his eyes flashed with a harsh glint, and he stepped forward to catch up with Ye Yi Rui.
When the nine arrived at the array, Shi Jun Zhēnjūn checked it first. Nodding, he confirmed Yun Xi's words: nine different types of spirit power were needed to activate the array.
After brief discussion, the group assigned each type of spirit power. Yet Elder Wang still questioned:"How much spirit power is required for this ancient array? Our strength is comparable, so it should not be an issue. I just wonder if Xiaoyou Feng can endure."
Yun Xi found the elder annoying, though Ye Yi Rui beside him was clearly impatient. She replied respectfully: "We will see. If I cannot, I will step back myself."
Huan Die Zhēnjūn smiled warmly: "Elder Wang, you worry unnecessarily. Being teleported here already proves his strength. Even if he lacks, I will accompany him. After all, he discovered the array."
Yun Xi saw Elder Wang twitch at the corner of his eye, clearly unprepared for the solidarity of western domain cultivators. He could only say dryly: "Then let us begin."
The nine surrounded the array base, forming hand seals and injecting their corresponding spirit power. Nine types of spirit power flowed into the array, each a different color.
The array symbols on the base lit up one by one. Once all connected, the array made a sharp "clack" as it began operating. A light halo appeared under each of the nine, and in the next moment, all nine disappeared.
After their disappearance, a beam of light shot through the cliff into the sky, visible even to cultivators hunting beasts in the forest.