Li Sheng instructed his disciples to summon Bai Ye, Liu Hongfeng, and the two outer disciples, Liu Hongying and Wang Hu.

Soon, everyone gathered in the meeting hall. Seeing Li Sheng's serious expression made their hearts tense.

"Here’s the situation..."

Li Sheng informed them about the impending attack from Evil Wolf Valley and detailed the enemy's strength.

Upon hearing his account, everyone’s expressions turned grim.

"How dare they attack with the alliance's protection?" Bai Ye questioned, confused.

"Ha... the alliance is full of holes. As long as they can pretend on the surface and offer some benefits, those at the station are eager for chaos to profit from!"

Liu Hongying was furious, recalling the fate of the Flower Sect.

"What do you think we should do, Senior Brother? I’m all ears!" Bai Ye was the first to express her support.

"Master, my daughter and I owe our lives to you; we’re ready to repay that debt!" Liu Hongfeng declared resolutely.

"Let’s defend the sect and eliminate those scoundrels!" Wang Hu's face turned red as he waved his arms in enthusiasm.

"Thank you all for your commitment!" Li Sheng nodded, feeling gratified.

"Tuan Tuan!"

"Chirp, chirp!" A flash of white light appeared in Li Sheng’s palm.

"Sister Bai, Sister Liu, you two will rely on the formation for defense; hold out for as long as you can, but do not rush into an attack."

"This is a second-tier killing formation spirit; with her help, it can hold out for a day or two."

"A second-tier mountain-protecting formation? And a formation spirit?!" Liu Hongfeng exclaimed, astonished. As the former Master of the Flower Sect, she understood this well.

Mountain-protecting formations were different from ordinary formations; they had powerful effects over a wide area, but were incredibly expensive.

A first-tier illusion formation alone could cost several hundred spirit stones, and a killing formation was even pricier—at least two thousand.

A second-tier killing formation could exceed ten thousand spirit stones, and one that birthed a formation spirit was beyond her wildest imagination, easing her worries considerably.

Watching her master’s calm and handsome face, Liu Hongfeng felt a ripple of emotions.

"I will follow your orders, Senior Brother!"

"I will obey the Master’s orders..."

"I’ll enter seclusion for the next two days; the sect's safety is in your hands!"

After Li Sheng gave his instructions, he directly headed to the Spirit Gathering Room.

Based on past experience, even with the aid of a top-tier pill, he would need at least four days of continuous training to perfect the Golden Ape Bone Refining Technique.

If he followed that plan, Qingling Sect would likely have already fallen.

In his estimation, relying on the formation, Bai Ye and the others could only hold out for two days at most.

He aimed to fully master the seventh-tier martial arts within those two days to break through to the sixth-tier Bone Refining Realm.

Since a steady approach wouldn’t suffice, he resolved to take risks.

Li Sheng decided to take another top-tier pill, harnessing the violent effects from two pills to stimulate his body and accelerate his training.

This method had been used before, but most people consumed lower-grade or mid-grade pills, occasionally using them to break through bottlenecks.

However, for Li Sheng to take a top-tier pill now meant he would be training under the overwhelming effects for two days.

This would cause significant damage to his body.

Li Sheng understood the risks but felt he had no other choice.

Weighing the pros and cons, he solemnly swallowed the top-tier Bone Refining Pill.

Once the pill entered his body, it rapidly transformed into a massive force, clashing violently with the residual energy stored within him.

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound erupted from within.

"Poof!"

Li Sheng spat out blood, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Once he regained his senses, he hurriedly directed the energy to circulate along the proper pathways.

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This normally easy process became incredibly difficult.

The pain in his body surged like a tidal wave, overwhelming him completely.

Pain!

Excruciating pain!

Endless sharpness!

Li Sheng's face bled, his expression twisted in agony as he internally roared,

"Hold on!"

"Hold on!!!"

His shirt front was soaked with blood.

Time stretched as he fought to maintain consciousness.

Just when he felt he might pass out, the overwhelming pain vanished instantly, and his consciousness transported him to a pale space filled with sharp currents of energy.

Li Sheng stood still, his mind feeling as if it were being sliced into pieces.

Once clarity returned, Li Sheng sighed in relief.

"Fortunately, I fell into a moment of enlightenment; otherwise, I’m not sure how much longer I could have held on."

...

Outside the mountain gate, Bai Ye and Liu Hongfeng were at the front, with Liu Hongying and Wang Hu behind them.

"Wang Hu, you haven’t yet stepped into the ranks of warriors; it’s a bit dangerous here. You should return to the sect," Liu Hongying advised, looking at him.

"I’m fine, Sister Liu; I’m just testing my courage. If the enemy really charges in, I’ll retreat to the sect," Wang Hu said with a silly grin, his tone resolute.

The group stood in the formation, gazing at the throngs of people approaching from afar.

"They're coming!" Bai Ye’s expression sharpened, her jade finger slowly curling around the sword hilt.

The forces of Evil Wolf Valley halted, and the three leading figures were the Wolf King, Evil Wolf, and Killing Wolf—three sixth-tier warriors.

"The Wolf King has arrived; ahead lies Qingling Sect." Feng Luyi stepped forward from the crowd, his face all smiles.

"You take some people and go have that brat from Qingling Sect come out," the Wolf King said coolly.

"Me?" Feng Luyi’s expression changed.

"Yes."

The Wolf King’s cold gaze crushed any thought of refusal.

With a bitter face, Feng Luyi took four seventh-tier warriors and ten eighth-tier warriors toward the mountain gate.

"Big Brother, there are many forces watching from the sidelines; should we drive them away?" Evil Wolf, wielding a wolf-toothed club, asked from the left.

"Don’t worry about them; let them watch if they want. This will showcase our Evil Wolf Valley’s might," the Wolf King declared, scanning the surrounding woods, valleys, and grasslands with domineering confidence.

To the right, Flower Keeper lightly waved the flower fan in her hand, seemingly aware of the Wolf King’s gaze, and turned to ask,

"Has Master Li not replied yet?"

Behind Flower Keeper stood only four individuals, all sixth-tier warriors, radiating immense presence.

"Not yet," one of them replied.

"Looks like Master Li still wants to struggle," Flower Keeper shook her head.

"Sister Flower, I say we should just barge in and take him; he’ll surely thank us later for saving him," a man in white with twin blades suggested.

"Indeed, if we rescue him in the chaos, we might suffer severe losses ourselves. The Wolf King’s strength is no joke," another woman playing with a dart concurred.

"Master Li is someone Miss values; forcibly taking him wouldn’t be the right approach. Let’s wait a bit longer," Flower Keeper shook her head.

In various directions, a dozen or so forces had gathered, observing Evil Wolf Valley's might and discussing among themselves.

"Once that Wolf King breaks through, Evil Wolf Valley will quickly rise to a two-star force."

"That would be good; once they move to the center of the mountain range, they won’t threaten us anymore."

"I doubt it..."

While the crowd debated, Feng Luyi, though unwilling, arrived at the mountain gate and called out loudly,

"Master Li, we hope to see you come out..."

Echoes of his voice traveled into the sect.

Bai Ye's starry eyes flashed with coldness; her senior brother was currently in seclusion and must not be disturbed.

Thinking of this, Bai Ye instructed Tuan Tuan to dissipate the mist slightly, revealing their figures.