After discussing, the group split up to take action, while the rest of Evil Wolf Valley retreated a mile back to maintain their position.

The scene of Bai Ye’s explosive attack had shocked many observing forces.

Within a few breaths, three seventh-tier warriors had perished at her hands.

This made them realize that her strength had reached the sixth-tier Bone Refining Realm.

Coupled with the previous news they received and the appearance of the former Master of the Flower Sect,

the once unremarkable and dilapidated sect had transformed into a formidable power, boasting three sixth-tier warriors, rivaling Evil Wolf Valley.

As they saw Evil Wolf Valley retreat, the observing forces began to speculate.

They thought Evil Wolf Valley had withdrawn due to the difficulty of the fight and had abandoned the attack on Qingling Sect.

"Evil Wolf Valley is nothing but a bully, picking on the weak."

"Haven’t they always been like that? It’s a pity; if the two sides were to clash, we could take advantage of the chaos."

"Stop bragging; do you dare to get involved with Evil Wolf Valley’s affairs? Watch out for your clan's survival."

"Mind your words! My Huang family from QingSheng isn’t afraid of Evil Wolf Valley. Keep talking, and I’ll tear you apart!"

"Huang family’s Fourth Master?"

The surrounding chatter abruptly ceased as everyone regarded Huang Laosi with apprehension, prompting a smug smile from him.

"Disperse! Disperse! Qingling Sect has become significant; Evil Wolf Valley has retreated..."

"I heard that Master Li is just in his early twenties and already at the sixth-tier; such talent! I must visit him one day and see for myself."

"Indeed, achieving this at such a young age ensures he’ll be extraordinary in the future—perhaps he could become the second one-star sect in the Changqing Mountains."

Just as the crowd was about to leave, a startled voice rang out from the edge of the group, and the news spread quickly.

"A large number of top-tier pills!"

"How is that possible?"

"What’s impossible? Have you forgotten about the top-tier pills at the auction two days ago?"

"Ah, so those top-tier pills actually came from Qingling Sect?"

"Hurry and relay this message back..."

In another valley, Flower Keeper untied the note that had been attached to the arrow.

"Sister Flower, what does the note say? You look upset."

With a somber expression, Flower Keeper passed the note to the others, who quickly understood the situation.

"Is Evil Wolf Valley out of their minds?"

"They’re actually publicizing that Qingling Sect has top-tier pills? What are they thinking?"

"Sister Flower, the situation has spiraled out of control; what should we do?" The man with twin blades looked serious, foreseeing the unfolding scenario.

"Inform them of the situation; Hundred Treasures Pavilion is willing to provide protection. Ask them if they want to accept it," Flower Keeper said solemnly.

"I’ll go," said the woman playing with a dagger as she turned to leave.

"Master Li... please don’t be foolish again."

If Li Sheng rejected her offer this time, she would have no choice but to leave.

Hundred Treasures Pavilion's business spanned the entire Dayan Dynasty, with numerous branches. Though powerful, they never engaged in conflicts between factions, maintaining a neutral stance, which allowed them to develop steadily.

In this upcoming situation, meddling would bring more harm than good; as a shrewd merchant, she had her own priorities.

Seeing the woman return, Flower Keeper asked hopefully, "Did he agree?"

The woman shook her head. "He refused and still hasn’t seen Master Li. Bai Ye expressed deep gratitude for the news from Hundred Treasures Pavilion and said they would repay us in the future."

"Repay?" Flower Keeper sighed. "Let’s leave some spies here and withdraw."

As they departed, the valley returned to calm.

The news spread by Evil Wolf Valley swept like a storm.

Within a hundred miles, dozens of three-star sects mobilized, and some families and martial arts halls in Qingshan City sent elite fighters, while countless minor factions joined in.

...

As the messenger from Hundred Treasures Pavilion departed, the front of Qingling Sect returned to tranquility.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

A day passed in the blink of an eye, the calm making it seem as if nothing had happened.

"Sister Bai, do you think we can get through this crisis?" Liu Hongying whispered, her expression downcast.

Bai Ye tightened her grip on her sword, determination flashing in her eyes as she replied, "We can! I believe in my senior brother!"

Liu Hongfeng sighed. While Evil Wolf Valley might hold for now, the news of the top-tier pills had changed everything.

When hundreds or even thousands of sixth- and seventh-tier warriors arrived, the mere thought was enough to send chills down her spine.

She considered sending her daughter away, but the area outside the mountain gate was likely filled with spies; leaving now would be akin to walking into a trap.

Everything had been caused by her and her daughter, and if they sacrificed their lives for Qingling Sect, it was only right. However, it also implicated Master Li and Sister Bai, filling Liu Hongfeng with guilt.

As the sun set, darkness fell once more.

Outside Qingling Sect, the silence was haunting, the usual sounds of insects and birds vanished without a trace.

Feeling the suffocating atmosphere outside, Bai Ye broke into a light sweat.

She hoped the impending conflict would be delayed a bit longer, buying her senior brother some time.

A night passed in silence; the anticipated nighttime raid did not occur.

Bai Ye breathed a sigh of relief, thinking:

"Only two or three hours remain until the two days set by my senior brother..."

The storm, brewing for two days by Evil Wolf Valley, was finally about to erupt.

Dozens of minor factions surged forward, hundreds of people rushing toward the mountain-protecting formation.

Most of them were ninth-tier warriors, with a few eighth-tier warriors. These minor factions dared to fight because they had received promises of benefits from various three-star sects.

Those who contributed could enter three-star sects for training.

Watching the tide of people, Bai Ye took a deep breath and said sternly, "Wang Hu, retreat to the sect. Sisters, Hongying, be careful."

"Tuan Tuan!"

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."

A white light appeared, and thick white mist spread out, enveloping the mountain gate.

With a swift movement, Bai Ye vanished, charging toward the incoming warriors.

The slaughter was about to begin.

The sounds of battle cries, exclamations, laughter, and pleas for mercy erupted, mingling with the overwhelming scent of blood.

...

Inside the sect, in the Spirit Gathering Room,

Li Sheng’s clothes were stained dark red with blood, now hardened, indicating he had endured considerable trials.

After consuming the first pill, he had gritted his teeth through the pain, gone to the Alchemical Room to refine another top-tier pill, and quickly returned to continue his training.

Compared to the first day, when he had been tortured nearly to the point of losing consciousness, he could now maintain clarity of mind.

This allowed him to guide the medicinal energy more quickly, refining his bones and completing his accumulation.

"It’s almost there, I’m close!" A sense of urgency rose within Li Sheng as he wondered if his junior sister could hold out.

Time passed slowly, and the Golden Ape Bone Refining Technique finally reached completion. Now, he only needed to comprehend the ‘Ape Form’ to achieve perfection and break through to the next realm.

Suddenly, his vision blurred, and Li Sheng’s consciousness re-entered that special space.

Observing the spirit ape, grasping its methods, understanding his heart, and achieving unity of mind and method would lead to perfection.

In a daze, a line of text materialized before him.

[Triggering Special Quest: Sect Defense Battle (Quest Difficulty: Hell Level.)]

[Note: Special quests are divided into three levels: Hell Level, Nightmare Level, and World Level.]

[Completion of special quests rewards a random cultivation treasure location. Failure incurs a penalty: No special quests can be triggered for ten years.]

[Quest Completion Condition 1: The sect cannot be humiliated; 3,000 souls must be devoured.]

[Quest Completion Condition 2: The sect cannot be humiliated; 50 sects must be destroyed.]

[Quest Completion Condition 3: The sect cannot be humiliated; 100 Bone Refining warriors must be slain.]