"Form the array!"
Tao Zhēnrén had already drawn his sword, and the four behind him, with Jiang Shangxian at the lead, moved into formation to protect him at the center. But the moment the colorful butterflies sent by Shan Zhēnrén touched their blades, they burst into golden powder and vanished into the air.
Across from them, Shan Zhēnrén and her four teammates had already withdrawn their weapons, standing relaxed and composed as they watched.
Only then did Tao Zhēnrén realize something was wrong. He frowned, just as Shan Zhēnrén turned to the female cultivator beside her and asked, "Liuli, did it work or not? Why do they still look fine?"
"Ah, Zhēnrén, my concoction doesn't make people collapse, it just temporarily takes away their ability to fight. You told me not to go too far, didn't you?"
"Mm, very good. Well done."
Their conversation wasn't concealed by sound transmission, so the opposing five heard everything clearly. Their expressions changed at once. Tao Chengfeng was the first to circulate his qi, only to find his meridians completely empty. The other four dropped to the ground, dazed and disoriented.
"You actually used poison? That's against the rules of the selection!"
"Oh, hush. Who said anything about poison? Which rule forbids medicinal effects? We're not that despicable."
Wei Zhengrong stepped forward, drew his spiritual sword, and made a few playful swipes near the necks of the downed cultivators. Then he approached Tao Zhēnrén, bowed, and said, "Apologies, Tao Zhēnrén."
With that, he thrust at Tao Zhēnrén's dantian, but Tao barely managed to parry with his own sword.
At that moment, the mission token vibrated. Jian Dan scanned it with her spiritual sense. A point had been awarded to her team.
"Done. We've got the point."
"Tao Zhēnrén, your side has lost. Will you now share your task?"
Tao Chengfeng stared at the slyly smiling Shan Zhēnrén, jaw clenched, but he still answered, "Our team's task is to take a spirit beast cub from Medicine Peak and bring it down the mountain. It must be alive."
"Wow, that's a tough one!"
This time, the exclamation came from Jin Liuli. The other three said nothing, though all looked thoughtful.
Everyone knew how protective spirit beasts were of their young. Cubs were rare and fiercely guarded, especially since spirit beasts reproduced slowly and with difficulty.
"You're welcome to take the task, if you dare." Tao Chengfeng sat cross-legged and began circulating his breath to purge the medicinal effect.
"Then we thank Tao Zhēnrén. You were merely affected by regular Illusory Spirit Grass. It just simulates the sensation of having no spiritual power. Don't worry, the effects will wear off in about an hour. We'll be going ahead." With that, Jian Dan turned briskly and led her team away.
"Tao Zhēnrén, are we really letting them go just like that?" Jiang Shangxian muttered, still sulking.
"Our task is already difficult. If they took it, theirs can't be any easier," said another late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, more analytical in tone.
"Let's recover quickly and move. If we meet another team, we'll win our task back," Tao Chengfeng said simply. The others agreed without hesitation.
Sure enough, the next day, Tao Zhēnrén's team encountered another selection group of eight. This time, they had learned their lesson. They immediately formed a sword formation and crushed the other team without wasting a single word. Victorious, they claimed the opposing task.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan's group made swift progress toward the location of the Yan Fruit. Encouraged by their earlier success, Wei Zhengrong sidled up to Jin Liuli, trying to curry favor.
"Do you have more of that powder? I'll pay in spirit stones. Just imagine—next time we meet a team, toss it out and boom, we win."
"Tsk tsk. Stop dreaming," Jin Liuli replied. "That little trick only works once. If Shan Zhēnrén hadn't dispersed the powder so silently, giving it a few extra breaths to be inhaled, do you really think it would've worked?"
"Well…"
"This powder is still experimental. It only works if inhaled. If the target is alert and seals their senses, it does nothing. Plus, it takes time to activate. If they manage to take you out before it kicks in, what then?"
"And yet, Shan Zhēnrén still had you use it?"
"It was worth a try," Jian Dan cut in calmly. "If it worked, we saved our strength. If it didn't, we'd fight. Either way, we're prepared."
"Now focus. Two groups of spirit beasts are clashing up ahead. They're blocking our path to the Yan Fruit grove."
Jian Dan's tone turned serious. She led the group to a hidden spot and gestured for silence. They observed the scene ahead with spiritual sense alone.
On a stretch of grassy land, a herd of horned bulls was fighting a winged tiger. The tiger, black and white, circled the herd with wings spread wide. With a roar, it dove into the herd. Its claws lashed out, dragging some of the smaller bulls into the air, then slamming them down. Its claws had already torn through a few throats.
The horned bulls let out distressed bellows. "Moo!" They quickly formed a protective ring, surrounding their calves. The stronger bulls stood on the outer edge and charged at the swooping tiger.
Their horns began to glow, shooting rings of light toward the airborne beast. The rings struck the tiger's wings, leaving them scorched. One wing faltered. The tiger dropped to the ground, tucked its wings, and prepared for ground combat.
The battle escalated. The tiger's claws shimmered with metallic force as it collided with the bulls' horn-light. Neither side gave way. In just moments, the field was littered with fallen bulls. Only the calves remained tightly guarded. The lead bull was covered in wounds, one eye completely gouged out. The tiger was no better—its fur charred, a gaping wound on one hind leg.
"Moo!"
"Roar!"
Both let out a final cry and charged straight at each other.