Wei Chenyin and her companions managed to fight eight against four entirely thanks to Cao Yi's array. Without his formation, they would have long since been defeated by the eight Yunmen Temple disciples forming the Tian Gang Law Wheel Array.
At this moment, Zhang Lingrui, who had drawn his inner fire, became the array's focal point. His eyes were deep and intense, both hands gripping his sword as he channeled the spiritual energy from the three others through the formation into his natal sword. Sharp golden sword intent swirled around him, and the sword emitted a clear ringing sound. Above his head, a massive golden sword shadow formed, aiming directly at the Buddhist cultivators of Yunmen Temple.
"Amitabha! Change the formation!"
The lead Buddhist cultivator sensed the rising sword intent from his opponents. His expression darkened slightly. He chanted a Buddha's name and began altering the array.
The eight Golden Core-level Buddhist cultivators of Yunmen Temple shifted their positions quickly, channeling their internal power into the lead cultivator. Sitting cross-legged in midair, a virtual image of a furious Vajra gradually appeared above him, confronting Zhang Lingrui's massive sword.
In the distance, two female cultivators from Huaxian Gate watched the battle with furrowed brows.
Having found nothing in their chosen direction, they had planned to head to the city center, but the noise from the fight drew their attention. Neither knew the reason for the clash.
"Senior Sister, what's happening? Did they discover something and start fighting?"
"I'm not sure. But Yunmen Temple's Buddhist cultivators normally do not attack when outnumbered, and their murderous intent is unusually strong. This does not align with their cultivation method."
"Could it be that they really found some extraordinary heavenly material or treasure?"
The female cultivator could only guess. Otherwise, there was no reason for both sides to fight to the death here.
At this crucial moment, a melodious flute sound reached both sides of the battle, including the two female cultivators from Huaxian Gate.
"Junior Sister, focus your mind. Do not let the flute distract you."
"Yes!"
The two immediately closed off their hearing, but the enchanting sound struck directly at their souls. Even with their hearing blocked, the sound was perceptible, though they were not the main targets and could maintain control.
"Hehe! Bald donkey of Yunmen Temple, you are impressive to dare rampage on our territory!"
A seductive, flamboyant female voice accompanied the falling purple bauhinia petals, winding around the massive Vajra virtual image.
Lu Wangyou followed immediately, swinging his sleeves to release dozens of black orbs that combined with the petals and flew toward the Vajra. He uttered a single word: "Explode."
The eight Yunmen Temple disciples, caught off guard, were momentarily dazed by the flute. The spiritual energy feeding the Vajra virtual image slowed. At that precise moment, the sword shadow, bauhinia petals, and thunderball attacks struck simultaneously. The thunderous explosions shook the entire mountain.
With a wet crack, all eight Buddhist cultivators spat blood. The furious Vajra virtual image shattered and dispersed. The Tian Gang Law Wheel Array collapsed, and the eight were hurled backward before crashing to the ground.
Cao Yi swallowed a pill but did not dismiss the formation. At the moment the eight fell, he deployed nine formation pillars, quickly activating them. A transparent energy dome trapped the eight inside, an ensnaring array derived from Huaxian Gate's sect-protecting array.
Lu Wangyou held two thunderballs in his palm and loudly called toward the direction of the two Huaxian Gate female cultivators:
"Two Daoyou from the central domain, please come out!"
Zi Jing also looked toward them. She touched the bauhinia in her hair and smiled seductively:
"Two Daoyou, watching a tiger fight from the sidelines is boring. There is much to explore here. Why not come out for a chat?"
The Huaxian Gate cultivators exchanged a glance. Their exposure left no choice. They activated their defensive treasures and stepped forward.
Liu Haotian held a jade flute, his tone cold:
"Do you two Daoyou from Huaxian Gate know anything? Why are Yunmen Temple's Buddhist cultivators attacking our western domain disciples?"
His question was blunt.
"We Daoyou split off after entering this city. We do not know when Yunmen Temple's cultivators entered. By the time we heard the commotion and came over, the fight was already underway. Before understanding the situation, we did not favor either side. Their clash is merely a struggle for heavenly materials or treasures. Each relies on their own skill; we have no deliberate intention to interfere."
The Golden Core female cultivator from Huaxian Gate answered calmly and confidently.
Although it was now two against seven, if the opposing seven were unreasonable, they could team up with Yunmen Temple's Buddhists. The outcome was uncertain.
In this tense atmosphere, Wei Chenyin suddenly frowned:
"Everyone, we may have been plotted against by evil cultivators."
Her words caused a ripple. All eyes turned to her, waiting for an explanation.
Wei Chenyin held a jade tablet containing the information Yun Xi had passed along, detailing evil cultivators infiltrating the secret realm and targeting disciples from the Five Domains. The message warned them to stay alert and watch for provocation from outsiders.
After reviewing the jade tablet, Cao Yi handed it to Lin Keyang. Finally, Zhang Lingrui frowned:
"Senior Sister Wei, why did Yun Xi only send you the message? Why did we not receive it?"
Without waiting for her, Cao Yi explained:
"The jade tablets used between Wei Chenyin and Yun Xi have bloodline secret techniques, making message transmission more precise. Yun Xi surely sent the message to us too. Perhaps it was blocked by an ancient cultivator's cave or affected by the secret realm."
The mention of "Yun Xi" immediately caught the attention of Liu Haotian, Lu Wangyou, and Zi Jing.
Liu Haotian was the first to ask:
"You are acquainted with Yun Xi? She also entered the secret realm? How come I have not seen her?"
Wei Chenyin paused, surprised that he knew Yun Xi, then cleared her throat:
"Yun Xi cannot appear in public and entered the secret realm under another identity."
Her explanation was vague but understood by all. The commotion regarding Huaxian Gate's ruins in Yuxing City had made the situation widely known.
Lin Keyang glanced at Lu Wangyou and Zi Jing. Both nodded knowingly. Wei Chenyin's social circle was broader than expected. By coincidence, they had all gathered together.
Zhang Lingrui laughed:
"In that case, we all have a mutual friend. We are naturally allies. Now, how should we deal with these Yunmen Temple Buddhist cultivators?"
The Huaxian Gate female cultivator asked:
"Daoyou, is the information you received accurate? How did the evil cultivators infiltrate the secret realm?"
Wei Chenyin stared at them until both felt uneasy. Then she recorded the message into a blank jade tablet and handed it over.
The two read it quickly and returned it, their expressions serious. If true, the evil cultivators had set a grand scheme in motion. Their true objective remained unknown but was clearly not simply to kill a few intruding disciples.
Cao Yi said to the Buddhist cultivators trapped in the array:
"Two Daoyou from Huaxian Gate, you are the only ones suitable to communicate with Yunmen Temple's Buddhist cultivators."