Jian Dan was genuinely impressed by this Qi Hua Zhēnrén. After half an hour of fierce fighting, she still showed no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, her spirit only seemed to burn hotter with each strike. Did she not need to replenish her spiritual energy?
Still, over the course of their duel, Jian Dan had gradually picked up on a few patterns. With a flicker, the flame whip formed from her spiritual power dissipated. She then activated her Obsidian Bracelet, and with a swing of her fists, a pale violet aura shimmered around them.
Qi Hua Zhēnrén, seeing the whip vanish, assumed Jian Dan had given up and hesitated. That pause was all Jian Dan needed. She twisted her body and deflected the ruyi staff with one punch, then followed with another strike to the shoulder.
Though both were Jīndān Zhēnrén, Qi Hua lacked physical reinforcement. The force of the blow, empowered by the Obsidian Bracelet and spiritual strength, sent her flying. Her grip on the staff nearly slipped. Jian Dan didn't waste the chance. Stepping forward with shadowlike footwork, she struck again, this time landing a solid punch to Qi Hua's abdomen.
Qi Hua Zhēnrén struggled to get up. When she did, Jian Dan already had an ordinary flying sword at her throat.
"I concede," Qi Hua bit out grudgingly.
With the victor clear, the rest stopped fighting. Zhang Xuefeng, wounded, leaned on Wei Zhengrong for support. The others were also battered, clothes torn, spiritual energy depleted.
Since Qi Hua had admitted defeat, Jian Dan withdrew her sword. But in the next moment, a disciple from Qi Hua's team—late Foundation Establishment stage—suddenly hurled a mid-grade flying sword talisman toward them.
Cao Chenfeng's brows furrowed. He reacted instantly, slicing at the talisman. Still, the seal activated, and a massive sword formed in the sky, descending toward Jian Dan's group. Cao's sword aura only managed to delay it briefly.
Jian Dan narrowed her eyes. She infused her own sword with chaotic spiritual energy and hurled it upward. The collision of spiritual light and sword shadow rang with a muffled boom, and Jian Dan's weapon shattered piece by piece.
The aftermath sent everyone stumbling. Trees and shrubs nearby were reduced to splinters. Jian Dan's irritation wasn't due to the sneak attack—competition often came with such risks—but using a talisman with this level of destructive power showed an intent to maim or kill.
With a cold grunt, she slammed a fist into the ground. A crack split the earth beneath the attacking disciple, and he dropped into the newly formed crevice.
Without further delay, Jian Dan called to her team. The five of them took off at top speed across the ridge without exchanging names or taking the enemy's mission token.
Qi Hua Zhēnrén wasn't stupid. She realized her team member had provoked a Jīndān Zhēnrén. She didn't immediately pull him out of the crack either, letting him reflect a while longer. But soon she sensed something off—two other teams were closing in on their position.
Meanwhile, Jian Dan led her group through a ridge and into a verdant bamboo grove. She spread her spiritual awareness and found only small animals nearby, nothing dangerous. It was a good spot to rest and recover.
"Heal quickly. After tonight, we need to descend the mountain," she instructed.
"Zhēnrén Shan, we still have one interception task left," Jin Liuli reminded her.
"We'll follow the stream down and see if we run into our target."
The others had no objections. With Jian Dan standing guard, they began meditating and healing. Zhang Xuefeng was in worse condition than the rest. He pulled out the last healing pill Jian Dan had once given him.
The pill's medicinal energy spread through his meridians, healing wounds and mending the gash on his arm, leaving only a faint pink scar.
Jian Dan's spiritual sense swept over him and picked up traces of internal damage. Without a word, she tossed him another bottle of pills.
"That's not a gift. Pay me back later, with pills of equal value or spirit stones."
"Thank you, Shan Zhēnrén."
Zhang Xuefeng bowed in gratitude, swallowed a pill, and carefully stowed away the remaining eight before continuing to heal.
An hour and a half later, everyone had recovered their strength. They stood and followed the stream, preparing to descend the mountain.
After a short walk, Jian Dan suddenly stopped and turned. She waved at her team, eyes fixed on the bamboo grove behind them.
"How long do you plan to follow us? Show yourself already."
There was no response.
Cao Chenfeng and the others gripped their swords tightly, their vigilance rising.
Jian Dan waited a moment, then turned to lead them onward.
Just as she lifted her leg, she felt something latch onto it. Looking down, she saw a raccoon beast with black circles around its eyes clinging to her calf.
"That's a Raccoon Beast. Fast as lightning, and its cry can strike directly at your spiritual sea. It's born at the third tier."