The aftermath of the beast rampage had not yet fully subsided. The thick scent of blood still hung heavily over Jade Micro Valley's entrance. Most of the remaining beasts had been cleared out, but a few stragglers—relying on their familiarity with the terrain or special concealment abilities—lurked in the complex zones at the battlefield's edges, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack or flee.
Xiao Qi's team, led by Deacon Han Gang, was responsible for conducting the final sweep of a particularly rugged area to the left of the valley mouth—a place dotted with natural stone caves and dense thickets. This region was dimly lit, filled with jagged rocks that blocked sightlines. Even spiritual sense probing was hindered by the chaotic residual beast-aura, making the danger level far higher than in the open areas they had dealt with before.
The team had to split into smaller groups, advancing cautiously. Xiao Qi remained with Liu Yun's group, accompanied by two other outer sect disciples. The four of them moved slowly in a diamond formation. Liu Yun held her sword tip low, her sharp eyes scanning ahead and to the flanks, while Xiao Qi gripped his wok tightly, responsible for guarding the rear and responding to sudden threats.
Just as they passed the dark entrance of a cave, the situation abruptly changed!
"ROAR—!"
A roar brimming with violent rage exploded from within the cave, making their eardrums ache! Immediately afterward, a massive black shadow shot out like a cannonball, carrying a foul, bloody gust straight toward a disciple on the team's flank!
It was an "Earth-Splitting Bear" that hadn't been seen before! Judging by its size and the fierce aura it emitted, it had reached the second-tier peak—equivalent to a human Qi Refining eighth or ninth layer cultivator! It seemed to have been lying in wait inside the cave, now suddenly launching an ambush with clear targets and incredible speed!
The disciple being attacked was only at the Qi Refining fourth layer. Facing this sudden, terrifying assault, he had no time to mount an effective response—only staring in horror as the blood-filled maw lined with sharp teeth rapidly enlarged before his eyes!
"Careful!"
Liu Yun reacted fastest. With a sharp cry, her long sword instantly erupted with dazzling sword-light. A move called "Flowing Clouds Chasing the Moon" stabbed straight at the Earth-Splitting Bear's relatively vulnerable abdomen, trying to divert its attention.
However, the Earth-Splitting Bear had thick, rough skin. It didn't dodge or evade, instead using its back muscles to directly withstand Liu Yun's strike! The sword tip sank three-tenths of an inch into flesh but failed to inflict a fatal wound. Instead, it provoked the beast's ferocity! Ignoring the injury, its massive paw—carrying a foul wind that tore through the air—still slammed toward the petrified disciple!
Tragedy seemed imminent!
At this critical moment, a steady, azure-clad figure appeared like a ghost in front of the threatened disciple!
It was Elder Brother Mu Qingfeng! Unnoticed, he had also patrolled to this area and happened to be nearby! Facing the Earth-Splitting Bear's furious strike, Mu Qingfeng's expression remained calm. He didn't draw his sword; instead, he simply extended two fingers like a sword and lightly pointed forward!
A condensed, mountain-like azure sword-qi burst from his fingertips, arriving later but striking first! It accurately struck the center of the Earth-Splitting Bear's descending paw!
"Boom!"
A muffled sound echoed. The bear's forward momentum suddenly halted. Its huge body was forced to stagger half a step backward by the force of that single finger-strike. Subtle cracking sounds came from its palm, and it roared in pain!
Yet, the Earth-Splitting Bear's ferocity had been thoroughly provoked. Ignoring the agony in its paw, it swung its other massive paw sideways, aiming directly at Mu Qingfeng, who had slightly stepped out of formation to save his fellow disciple! At the same time, it opened its bloody maw wide, spewing a foul-smelling, earthy-yellow breath that engulfed Mu Qingfeng and nearby Xiao Qi and Liu Yun!
This breath contained chaotic earth-element beast-power, capable not only of obscuring vision but also slowing spiritual power and disrupting mental focus!
"Elder Brother!" Liu Yun exclaimed, wanting to rush forward to assist but blocked by the earthy-yellow breath, her sight and spiritual sense severely affected.
Mu Qingfeng stood at the center of the breath, facing the dual assault of the massive paw and the suffocating vapor—a perilous situation!
At this lightning-fast moment, a thin figure moved with remarkable decisiveness!
It was Xiao Qi!
Unlike others who retreated in panic due to the breath, relying on the acute perception of energy fluctuations honed through long hours of controlling fire in the kitchen and refined under Liu Yun's "special training," he detected the trajectory of the Earth-Splitting Bear's attack and the relatively weak points in the breath!
The faint trace of fire-attribute spiritual power in his body circulated at unprecedented speed, all channeled into his legs. He executed the "Swimming Fish Step" to its utmost. His whole body moved like a fish swimming against the current, narrowly slipping into the blind spot of the sweeping paw. He abruptly thrust his wok forward—not to attack, but to position it like a shield at a subtle angle behind and to the side of Mu Qingfeng!
His action had no formal technique, even seeming somewhat comical—entirely based on instinct and instantaneous judgment!
"Clang—!"
The edge of the Earth-Splitting Bear's sweeping paw heavily scraped against the bottom of the wok! Tremendous force transmitted through, making Xiao Qi feel as if struck by a giant log. His entire body uncontrollably flew backward. A sweet taste rose in his throat; he nearly vomited blood. The arm holding the wok went numb, almost losing all sensation.
Yet, his seemingly reckless block played a crucial role! The bear's otherwise certain strike, due to the unusually smooth, sturdy texture of the wok's bottom and thetricky blocking angle, had its force diverted and skewed slightly. The direction of the swipe shifted a tiny bit, grazing past Mu Qingfeng's robe by a hair's breadth!
That minuscule difference bought Mu Qingfeng a precious instant!
A glint flashed in Mu Qingfeng's eyes—apparently not greatly affected by the breath. His finger-sword posture unchanged, the condensed azure sword-qi suddenly erupted, transforming into a solid stream of light—no longer a point, but a piercing thrust!
Like a master butcher dissecting an ox, it pierced with pinpoint accuracy into the Earth-Splitting Bear's wide-open mouth—a relatively weak point—straight through to the back of its brain!
The bear's roar abruptly ceased. Its massive body stiffened, then crashed heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
The earthy-yellow breath slowly dispersed.
Liu Yun hurried forward, supporting the pale-faced Xiao Qi as he landed unsteadily. "Are you all right?"
Xiao Qi shook his head, suppressing the bloody taste in his throat, indicating he was fine.
Mu Qingfeng turned and looked at Xiao Qi, his gaze carrying a hint of surprise and approval. Though in peril earlier, he had clearly perceived Xiao Qi's seemingly rash but actually precise and clever block. The timing, angle, and judgment of his own strength and position were not something an ordinary Qi Refining third layer disciple could achieve.
"Swift reaction, accurate judgment. Well done, Junior Brother Xiao Qi." Mu Qingfeng's voice remained even, yet carried undeniable affirmation.
He then looked at Liu Yun. "Junior Sister Liu, your sword technique was fierce and provided effective containment."
Finally, his gaze swept over the still-shaken disciple and the other fellow disciples who had gathered. "Remaining calm in danger, supporting each other—that is the true demeanor of Clear Void disciples."
A few simple sentences, yet they instilled a sense of reassurance in everyone present.
Xiao Qi looked at his elder brother, then at Third Senior Sister beside him, her face full of concern. A warm current surged in his heart. At that moment earlier, he had acted entirely on instinct—without thought, without hesitation. And Elder Brother and Third Senior Sister had also given him their utmost trust and support at the critical juncture.
This wasn't rehearsed coordination; it was even filled with roughness and risk. Yet, in the life-and-death crisis, they had naturally formed a kind oftacit understanding—Liu Yun's frontal assault and containment, Mu Qingfeng's absolute strength and stable core, and Xiao Qi's subtle gap-filling and unexpectedly effective assistance.
This battletacit understandinginitially forged in blood and fire was far more solid than any words.
After this incident, Xiao Qi's position within the team quietly changed. He was no longer merely someone to be protected, but had become a comrade who could be trusted at crucial moments—one with a unique role. Though his cultivation was still the lowest, that wok, along with the alertness and courage he had displayed, earned him recognition from more fellow disciples, including Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng.
The cleanup work continued, but the atmosphere had changed. An intangible trust and cohesion spread through this small team that had experienced a life-and-death trial.
Xiao Qi knew that on this thorny path of cultivation, he was not walking alone. There was a strict senior sister, a caring elder brother, a like-minded (perhaps) second senior brother, and secrets he needed to protect... and companions.
This made his forward steps grow even more resolute.