The Nascent Soul ancestor praised Xiao Fei for returning the intelligence in a timely manner.
However, he had no intention of taking Xiao Fei under his wing, which left Guangling Zhenren slightly disappointed.
"Ancestor Shangguan, the rogue cultivators will attack the Danxin Sect's mountain gate at the latest tomorrow. I ask for your guidance."
"Resist with all your might. If the sect truly faces a life-and-death crisis, Patriarch Peng and I will intervene, even if it costs us our lives."
Ancestor Shangguan spoke, then looked at Xiao Fei.
"You are very good! To remain steadfast in your Dao heart after decades in the rogue cultivator world is truly rare.
Returning to the sect to deliver this message is a great service. I have a defensive spiritual artifact here, which I shall bestow upon you for protection."
With a flash of light, Ancestor Shangguan produced a tortoise shell, which flew towards Xiao Fei.
"Many thanks for the ancestor's bestowal!"
Xiao Fei bowed respectfully and accepted it.
He noticed that these elders seemed to favor bestowing treasures for self-preservation upon their juniors.
Guangling Zhenren had previously given him a pair of escape boots, and now this ancestor gifted him a tortoise shell. Was this a hint for him to retract his head into his shell?
"No need for excessive politeness; this is a reward you rightfully deserve.
If you survive this battle, come find me, and I shall entrust you with important responsibilities."
"Yes! This disciple obeys!"
Xiao Fei was filled with confusion. Could he really rely on his looks to get by?
If the ancestor made any inappropriate requests later, should he refuse? He truly wasn't that kind of person.
"Yu'er!"
Ancestor Shangguan then instructed Zhu Yu, who was beside him.
"This disciple is here! May I know your command, Master?"
"The rogue cultivators are attacking the mountain gate. All disciples of the sect have a duty to defend their territory. You shall also contribute your part!"
"This disciple obeys!"
Zhu Yu bowed to receive the order, then followed Guangling Zhenren out of Ancestor Shangguan's palace.
After descending from the Nascent Soul ancestor's peak, Xiao Fei's expression finally relaxed.
He looked at Zhu Yu, who followed behind Guangling Zhenren in silence, wondering if the young man had been frightened.
"Zhu Yu, if you're scared, just say so. It's safer to stay behind me."
"Do not be impertinent!"
Before Zhu Yu could speak, Guangling Zhenren had already rebuked Xiao Fei and cupped his hands towards Zhu Yu.
"Please forgive my disciple, Junior Brother Zhu. My disciple has only just returned and is unaware that you have already formed your Golden Core."
"Hahaha! Ignorance is no offense! Junior Nephew Xiao speaks his mind freely, a trait I have always admired!"
Zhu Yu now revealed a hint of his Golden Core aura, looking at Xiao Fei with the condescending gaze of an elder, secretly pleased that he had once again surpassed this brat.
The enmity between the two in their youth had long since faded. Moreover, they had even cooperated a few times, so the feeling of mortal hatred was gone.
However, they simply couldn't stand each other. Whenever they found an opportunity, they would do their best to annoy the other.
Seeing the other party suffer brought them joy.
"Xiao Fei, why aren't you quickly apologizing to your Uncle-Master!"
Guangling Zhenren, unaware of their past unspoken grievances, quickly signaled Xiao Fei.
In the cultivation world, the boundaries between the strong and the weak were clear. Xiao Fei was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. If he offended a Golden Core cultivator of the sect, he would inevitably face retaliation and petty grievances later.
"This disciple admits his mistake. I beg Uncle-Master for forgiveness!"
Xiao Fei could only apologize with a cupped fist, feeling a mix of emotions, as if he had been thoroughly wronged.
These people in the world were shallow and ignorant, focusing only on outward appearances and not appreciating inner beauty.
"Junior Nephew Xiao, there's no need for such formality. Uncle-Master thinks highly of you!"
Zhu Yu nodded and then left with Guangling Zhenren.
With Zhu Yu's addition, Danxin Sect now had three Golden Core cultivators, increasing their chances of victory.
Subsequently, the three Golden Core cultivators arranged for the disciples to take their positions at the 108 formation eyes.
They also dispatched a batch of talismans and other materials from the sect's treasury, setting up various talisman traps along the routes.
Senior Brother Fei Xin, an expert in talismans, was solely responsible for arranging these traps.
Before Xiao Fei left the sect, Fei Xin was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Now, fifty to sixty years later, Fei Xin's white hair had increased significantly, but his cultivation had shown no progress.
It was rumored that he was now over two hundred years old and his lifespan was nearing its end.
Some people's cultivation paths ended at the Qi Refining stage, while others, who went a bit further, could only reach Foundation Establishment despite their best efforts.
The higher a cultivator's realm, the more resources, opportunities, and aptitude were required for each advancement.
Xiao Fei requested leave from Guangling Zhenren, temporarily abstaining from defensive preparations. Instead, he found a secluded chamber and entered the spatial dimension with his divine sense.
He wanted to see if he could thoroughly research the Bone Corroding Heart Devouring Pill of the Bone Corroding True Cultivator.
It was rumored in the cultivation world that the antidote to the Bone Corroding Heart Devouring Pill was unique to each person, and only the person who administered the poison could refine the antidote.
However, this was true for ordinary alchemists. He, as an alchemist proficient in pharmacology and medicinal properties, was an exception.
With his alchemy skills, he had a decent chance of deducing the medicinal ingredients and refining methods by studying the pill in reverse.
If he could refine the antidote to the Bone Corroding Heart Devouring Pill, he would have the opportunity to control the more than fifty rogue cultivators under the White Bone Sect.
Just as the Danxin Sect was actively preparing for battle, a team of rogue cultivators had already stealthily approached the mountain.
"Boom!"
Before the rogue cultivators could get close to the sect's defensive array, they accidentally triggered a rune trap set by Fei Xin, emitting a loud explosion. Two Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators were immediately blown to pieces.
Behind this group of Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators, three Golden Core rogue cultivators stood in the void, overseeing the battle.
One of them was the Bone Corroding True Cultivator, and the other two were Golden Core ancestors from the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Joyful Union Sect.
The previous sect leader of Danxin Sect did not appear.
Under the supervision of the Golden Core cultivators, everyone continued to advance.
"Boom! Boom!"
Two consecutive explosions killed three more Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators. Five people had already died before the official battle even began.
The remaining rogue cultivators began to hesitate, inching forward slowly, each movement advancing only a few inches.
To say that rogue cultivators possessed tenacious fighting will was impossible.
These individuals, who normally treated human lives like dirt, cherished their own lives dearly.
The Golden Core cultivators hovering in the air could not stand it any longer.
The Bone Corroding True Cultivator unleashed a flying sword, slashing out a sword qi over a hundred zhang long in the air.
"Boom boom boom!"
The sword qi struck forward, triggering the rune traps and emitting a series of roars.
Then, the sword qi continued to slash out, and all the rune traps set by Fei Xin were triggered.
The traps that were insurmountable for Foundation Establishment cultivators were dissipated with a wave of the hand by the Golden Core powerhouses.
"Charge!"
"Kill them! I will refine all the Danxin Sect cultivators into puppets."
"I will take all the female cultivators of Danxin Sect into my harem!"
"The male cultivator above seems good; I'll take him too, regardless of gender!"
With the traps destroyed, these rogue cultivators immediately became valiant and charged forward with a clamor.
However, the Danxin Sect had been established for tens of thousands of years, and its mountain protection array was not easily broken. After a long period of assault, these rogue cultivators had not managed to capture even a single formation eye.
At this moment, within the Danxin Sect, in an inconspicuous servant's room on Cui Cui Peak.
A disciple dressed as a servant revealed a ferocious and distorted face, with several festering sores on his face that were still oozing green pus.