"Senior Sister Su, this beast bird is too strong. Add in Mu Lingxi and that old man—just the two of us won't be able to hold them off."
Yang Yun's face was grim as she secretly transmitted to Su Su beside her.
"No matter. We only need to stall them for a moment."
"Gao Ming and Bai Jie are nearby. They'll be here soon."
When she was chasing Mu Lingxi earlier, realizing how troublesome she was, Su Su had already sent word to Gao Ming and Bai Jie.
By now, the two were very close.
Hearing this, Yang Yun's heart eased slightly.
Gao Ming and Bai Jie were ranked third and fourth among Zhengyang Sect's outer disciples.
When they first entered the secret realm, Gao Ming was at the Second Transformation Realm, while Bai Jie was at the First.
But both had enjoyed great fortune here, gaining plenty of benefits.
Now, both had successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment.
Once they arrived, with the combined might of the four,
This strange bird would be nothing to fear.
As for Mu Lingxi and that old man?
Mu Lingxi required caution—though not as strong as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her speed was frightening, and she was lightning-attribute. Even an early Foundation cultivator could suffer losses if careless.
As for that old man?
Strong body, yes—but nothing to fear.
Whoosh!
The little bird dove again after one strike.
Its feathers blazed with searing blue fire.
Wreaths of flame wrapped around its body, swelling it into the phantom of a firebird over ten zhang long.
"Together!"
Su Su's face hardened as she shouted.
Her body swelled into the form of a small giant.
Her fist thundered forth, shaking the sky with a deafening blast.
The force of her strike exploded outward in shockwaves.
Yang Yun did not dare slack, and struck simultaneously.
His fist was wreathed in earthen-yellow currents.
Slow, steady, yet heavy as ten thousand jin.
His punch followed right behind Su Su's.
Boom!
The sky shook with a violent blast.
Blue flames scattered like rain, filling the air.
The phantom firebird shattered, and the little bird's tiny body was knocked back.
Su Su and Yang Yun too were forced to retreat, their skin scorched in many places.
From this exchange, they finally grasped the truth.
The beast's strength lay in its innate fire.
Its actual realm… was only early Foundation Establishment.
That realization made them even more shaken.
The lower the realm, the more it proved this beast's extraordinary nature.
Chirp!
The little bird rushed them again.
The two gritted their teeth and met its charge once more.
The battle raged on.
"Hey, your bird's pretty strong," Mu Lingxi said, awe flickering across her delicate face.
Wang Jianqiang's heart swelled in comfort.
No one had praised him like that since he'd gotten older.
Chen Jiaojiao certainly hadn't, nor even Wang Yuyao.
Then it hit him that she wasn't talking about him, and he quickly calmed down.
Glancing at her, he said, "Little girl, that bird alone can't kill the two of them. We need to help."
At his choice of address, Mu Lingxi frowned in displeasure.
But she was quickly distracted by something else.
"Little Chick? You gave such a beautiful bird such an awful name?"
"What's wrong with it? Easy to say, easy to remember—great name!" Wang Jianqiang pouted.
He'd spent so much effort coming up with it.
Fashionable, elegant, yet not gaudy.
What was so bad about that?
Mu Lingxi was too speechless to reply.
Lightning crackled across her form, and in a flash she was dozens of zhang away.
"Wait!"
Wang Jianqiang's sudden shout halted her.
She turned back. "What is it? Su Su already called for more Zhengyang Sect disciples—we need to kill them and get out before reinforcements arrive."
Wang Jianqiang shook his head, eyes narrowing toward the horizon. "They're already here."
Mu Lingxi froze.
Looking up, she saw two figures streaking closer.
Even from miles away, their Foundation aura rippled faintly.
"Both Foundation?"
Wang Jianqiang's brows drew tight.
At full power, perhaps he could match one early Foundation cultivator—but his shallow reserves would doom him in a drawn-out fight.
He would inevitably lose.
As for Mu Lingxi—unless she had hidden trump cards—her strength was about the same as his.
And the bird alone couldn't finish Su Su and Yang Yun.
With two more Foundation cultivators arriving, the battle would turn against them.
The thought made retreat stir in his heart.
"Little Chick, back!" he barked.
At once, the bird broke off to return.
"Trying to leave now? Too late!"
A cold glint flashed across Su Su's face.
Her body swelled once more, her cultivation pushed to its absolute peak.
Bang!
The air cracked as she blasted forward, fist slamming at the bird.
The bird was forced to turn and clash.
Moments later, Yang Yun rejoined, body also swelling in size, though less than hers.
Together, their combined assault held the bird down.
Wang Jianqiang charged in—he had to free the bird before the two Zhengyang cultivators arrived.
As he passed Mu Lingxi, a voice rang in her ear:
"Little girl, let's help."
Her fine brows twitched, and she subconsciously straightened her flat chest.
Little?
Who are you calling little?
It's not like there's nothing there—just not showing you!
But she knew now wasn't the time to argue.
Lightning crackled in her hand, weaving into a whip dozens of zhang long.
She leapt into battle.
"This bird's mine—you stop them!" Su Su shouted at Yang Yun.
"Alright!"
Yang Yun broke away, rushing at the newcomers.
Heavenly Manifestation!
Wang Jianqiang's spirit surged as he roared, conveniently forgetting to add Budget Version.
His body doubled in size.
His punch blasted out—
Boom!
Both he and Yang Yun reeled backward.
Crack!
A lightning whip lashed down at Yang Yun.
He grimaced, forcing himself to block—only to be shocked numb and hurled back spitting blood.
Wang Jianqiang was already charging again.
Blow after blow rained down, giving Yang Yun no respite.
Snap!
At last, Mu Lingxi's whip landed squarely across his body.
Blood sprayed as he crashed away.
And at that very instant, Wang Jianqiang's fist fell toward him.
But—
A streak of spiritual power sliced between them, blocking the strike.
Wang Jianqiang looked up.
The two Zhengyang Sect Foundation cultivators had arrived.
One had just saved Yang Yun.
"So… still too late, after all."
His voice was calm, but his eyes hardened.
"Seems we'll have to risk it all."