The people from the Moon Chill Sect drew closer, their laughter a mix of female and male voices. Their attire was mostly in the style of the Western Wasteland, appearing far more open and bold than that of the Sunbeam Sect.
The female disciples had slender waists, clad in silk, adorned with vibrant ribbons, making for a captivating sight.
The male disciples wore swords at their waists, their tassels a vibrant array of colors, each distinct. From a distance, the clothing of both male and female disciples shimmered like the aurora borealis.
However, these words were rather unsetting to the six disciples of the Sunbeam Sect.
The Sunbeam Sect's Sect Master and Saintess had not accompanied them on this grand competition. The senior disciple, Tang Feng, led the contingent. Including five others, junior sister Han Ling Shuang, and Ren Yuan Hao who had fainted, the group numbered seven in total.
Such a scale was in no way comparable to the Moon Chill Sect.
As the Moon Chill Sect drew nearer, their mocking and sarcastic remarks also grew louder. A flicker of anger appeared on Tang Feng's face.
However, as the senior disciple, he had to control his emotions to avoid harming the harmony between the sects.
But Han Ling Shuang, participating in her first grand competition, would not stand for it. Tang Feng couldn't even hold her back.
"Hey, we've been hearing you mumble for ages from afar. If you have the guts, come closer and say it! You're disciples of a great sect, what's the point of talking behind people's backs?"
Ren Yuan Hao, however, seemed unfazed, still immersed in the profound mysteries of the Pure Heart Art.
At this point, the two groups were merely five to six meters apart. The Moon Chill Sect had at least seventy to eighty people. The leader was naturally a woman, in her fifties or sixties, though her appearance suggested early forties. If not for her revealing attire, she could have been considered a dignified and beautiful woman.
This person was the Saintess of the Moon Chill Sect, Wu Liti.
Tang Feng quickly pulled his junior sister back. He recognized Wu Liti and immediately bowed, performing the great courtesy expected of a junior.
But Wu Liti didn't utter a word, neither wishing to greet the Sunbeam Sect members nor bothering to restrain the mouths of her disciples. She didn't even cast a proper glance at the senior disciple, Tang Feng. For a moment, another seven or eight people responded.
"Oh, this woman is dressed in men's clothing and possesses an unusual aura. She must be the little ancestor of the Sunbeam Sect, the granddaughter of the Sect Master, Han Ling Shuang, right?"
Han Ling Shuang replied, "Indeed, your auntie."
A male disciple from the Moon Chill Sect said, "We've long heard that the Sunbeam Sect Master's granddaughter is unparalleled in beauty. Seeing her now, the reputation is indeed greater than the reality. To think she's a woman dressed as a man, quite a dampener."
Han Ling Shuang had never had a habit of dressing herself up. She had always preferred the elegant white robes of the male disciples. However, as a young lady, hearing someone say that about her naturally displeased her.
"You~" Han Ling Shuang stamped her foot slightly, but Tang Feng stopped her.
"That's enough, junior sister. Our sect's attire is simple and unadorned, naturally unable to compare with your esteemed sect. Since we have already greeted your Saintess, please excuse us, senior brothers, as we will not continue this conversation."
As soon as Tang Feng finished speaking, he was about to turn and pull his junior sister back into their group.
Unexpectedly, Wu Liti finally said with a languid voice, "Just a sect that makes up the numbers. I don't care whether you greet me or not. Speaking of which, your Sect Master did not lead the way this time. It seems he is utterly disappointed in you, not wanting to lose face."
Tang Feng replied, "Saintess worries too much. The Sect Master is located in the eastern suburbs of Xiling City, where the Grey Wolf forces are extremely strong. If no one were there to deter them, their actions would likely become even more rampant."
Wu Liti giggled charmingly, her demeanor full of allure, "Oh, so that is the Sect Master's plan. He has indeed considered all angles. However, by doing so, is he not afraid that your struggling sect will have no say in this grand competition and suffer a loss?"
Tang Feng's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed. "I believe the Four Great Sects will handle this fairly. We are all like brethren. Such a grave transgression would never occur."
Wu Liti pointed to the clouds and mist spanning the horizon, then said, "While that may be true, in recent years, the situation has been turbulent, with rogue ability users lurking. Various sects seek opportunities to stir up trouble, each coveting those three spots. The Moon Chill Sect's prestige is high, naturally seeing those spots as theirs for the taking. At that time, don't blame my disciples for being ruthless."
"In martial competitions, we stop when it's enough. I believe the Saintess can restrain her disciples, can't she?" Tang Feng spoke shrewdly, his back-and-forth clear and demonstrating the demeanor of a great clan. Even more impressively, despite facing Saintess Wu Liti, who was in the middle to late stages of the Foundation Establishment realm, he showed no sign of being oppressed by her pressure.
Seeing this, the disciples of the Moon Chill Sect couldn't help but change their expressions, wondering, has this Tang Feng already entered the Foundation Establishment realm?
"I can, of course, restrain them. However, when the real competition begins, blades and swords are unpredictable, and each move happens in an instant. Some things are unavoidable."
Having spoken, Wu Liti turned to look at the sickly Ren Yuan Hao and said, "Sunbeam Sect, are you truly out of capable people? To even bring such a sickly person to make up the numbers, barely gathering seven people. Alas, how pitiful."
"Exactly, such a good-for-nothing, and even riding an elephant. Your Sunbeam Sect really dotes on its disciples."
"Of course, they have to dote on them. If another disciple were to leave the sect, I imagine they wouldn't even be able to gather enough people to participate in the grand competition."
The Moon Chill Sect members roared with laughter. How could Han Ling Shuang swallow this insult? Her long sword was drawn with a clang!
"What, little niece, are you going to fight us here?" Wu Liti asked coldly, her pressure unleashed. Han Ling Shuang's face immediately turned pale.
Tang Feng suddenly sheathed Han Ling Shuang's sword and stood tall against the pressure. Not only that, Wu Liti saw that the other Sunbeam Sect disciples seemed unaffected, standing as if nothing had happened, unmoved. Even the sickly person sitting atop the elephant showed no sign of being intimidated by this pressure; instead, he appeared more at ease than anyone else!
Seeing this, Wu Liti couldn't help but frown, let out a cold snort, and led her disciples past the Sunbeam Sect members, kicking up a cloud of yellow sand.
As the yellow sand hit her face, Han Ling Shuang coughed several times, her heart filled with anger.
"It's one thing for this Saintess to dress like that, but she has no magnanimity of an elder and actually imposed her pressure on us!"
Han Ling Shuang said indignantly, then looked up at Ren Yuan Hao, "Brother Bao, are you alright?"
Ren Yuan Hao was engrossed in his observation. He merely shook his head, his face as calm as still water, seemingly unfazed by Saintess Wu Liti's pressure.
"Hmph, my benefactor's strength is extraordinary. I believe even the opposing Sect Master's pressure would not affect my benefactor, let alone some mere Saintess. Truly overestimating herself." dafengnovel.com
Hu Lizhao used his true qi to sweep away the dust, and the group continued towards their destination. After traveling less than a mile, they heard the sounds of swords clashing, like thunder!