Chapter Twenty-Six: The Attack

Mo Bai shook his head, thinking to himself, "How vicious this young man is! Did he not realize that Master Yun Tong was clearly showing him mercy? Yet he used the Shield-Piercing Needle! That technique doesn't belong to any of the Luo family's spiritual formations—it's nothing but a trick."

Yun Tong's broad robes suddenly billowed, rising without wind, transforming into a powerful current. Although the Shield-Piercing Needle had silently slipped through Yun Tong's spiritual shield, it was struck away by the swelling robes. With a crisp sound in the air, the needle traced an arc and landed precisely before Jiu Ling. Yun Tong spoke coldly, "A disciple of the Luo family, even the Shield-Piercing Needle is so unique." Though Yun Tong said nothing more, everyone could see he was truly furious.

A junior, once full of promise, had resorted to such tactics against his own uncle!

Yun Tong's bulky body suddenly soared, like a great roc taking flight. To think such a corpulent man could master the Spirit Leap technique to this degree proved the reputation of the Six Sons of Yun Tian well deserved.

Jiu Ling immediately felt immense pressure. He struggled desperately, but this time, before he could finish gathering his spiritual power, Yun Tong was already beside him, denying him any chance to deploy his formation. A vast hand seized Jiu Ling's neck and, with a crash, flung him through the air. He tumbled like a broken kite and fell aside, unable to stand again. Clearly, when Yun Tong grasped his neck, he had stripped Jiu Ling of all his spiritual energy.

Seeing Jiu Ling's sorry state, Yun Tong felt a measure of relief. He then walked slowly to Master Yun Fa, bowed, and said, "Third Senior Brother, please judge."

Master Yun Fa nodded. "Disciple Jiu Ling endured six moves." He glanced at Jiu Xi, who immediately directed several disciples to help the battered Jiu Ling away.

As Jiu Ling was led off, Yun Ling giggled and said, "Fourth Senior Brother, I imagine Sister Qi Shui won't let you into her bed tonight." She laughed heartily.

Yun Tong drained a cup of tea and replied, "It's the monthly accounting night anyway—no sleep required." His tone was rather dejected.

At that moment, the outer disciple Yu Fei stepped forward. His sharp features radiated fighting spirit. He declared, "Disciple Yu Fei requests guidance from Master Yun Ling."

Yun Ling smiled gently, a blush coloring her usually cold face. Looking at this wild-spirited disciple, she replied, "Yu Fei, have you recovered your spiritual energy?"

Yu Fei answered, "Thank you for your concern, Master. I am fully recovered." With that, he strode closer, as if eager to approach Yun Ling.

Meanwhile, Yun Ling rose, preparing to leave the judge's seat and duel Yu Fei. But suddenly, an anomaly occurred—Yu Fei's body shot toward Mo Bai like a sharp arrow, brimming with murderous intent, a black dagger thrusting for Mo Bai's chest!

"Idiot, do you think this looks good?" The witch Xin'er walked ahead, gazing at the scenery of Cloud Peak—the grass, the stones, the water. Suddenly, her interest grew. "I spend all my time cultivating on Sky Vein Peak and never wander Cloud Peak. It's actually so beautiful—almost as lovely as Jun Peak. Don't you think so?"

"Yes, it's round and tall," replied Wu Luohua, following behind with his mouth watering. Although Nalan Xin'er's hair was indeed long, it barely concealed her plump hips, and Wu Luohua had followed that enticing figure out of the disciple selection assembly.

"Round? The rocks here are so sharp-edged. I suppose you could call them upright," Nalan Xin'er mused. She turned, bumping squarely into Wu Luohua, her proud chest pressing intimately against him. For all her usual composure, her face turned crimson. "You—what are you doing?"

Wu Luohua was momentarily stunned. He was no innocent, and he simply laughed, "Nothing at all, just admiring the view with you."

Nalan Xin'er quickly moved away, feeling a strange, inexplicable disappointment. She murmured, "Oh, then let's look at the scenery."

Suddenly Wu Luohua exclaimed, "Hey, what's that palace in the distance? Why does it inspire such awe?"

Nalan Xin'er seemed invigorated, answering proudly, "That's Cloud Palace at the Summit, the highest aspiration of the Cloud Sky Sect. Only successive sect leaders and the first generation elders may enter. My grandfather is cultivating there right now."

Wu Luohua considered this. "So that's Cloud Palace. But isn't it supposed to be behind Sky Vein Peak? Why can we see it from Cloud Peak?"

His question surprised Nalan Xin'er. "That's true—I never thought about it. Even on Sky Vein Peak, you can't see Cloud Palace directly; you have to cross the Maze Forest first. How is it visible from Cloud Peak?"

Wu Luohua stared at Cloud Palace, feeling an indescribable sensation. For a moment, the spiritual energy within him seemed to stir, though very faintly.

Nalan Xin'er hopped to Wu Luohua's side, teasing, "Idiot, what are you thinking?"

Wu Luohua seemed to awaken from a trance, and replied with a wry smile, "I'm not an idiot—just unlucky."

Nalan Xin'er was puzzled, not understanding what Wu Luohua meant. Her large eyes looked at him in confusion. Wu Luohua felt he'd said too much and, gazing at her violet eyes, smiled warmly. "It's nothing, just a passing thought. Come, let's continue admiring this beautiful scenery."

Nalan Xin'er smiled gracefully. "Alright, it's rare for me to relax. Though my grandfather has been in seclusion for a long time, my second grandfather never lets up on my training. Only this selection assembly gives me a chance to rest. Brother Luohua, your smile just now reminded me of someone." Unconsciously, she had changed the way she addressed him.

Wu Luohua was taken aback. "Who?"

"The uncle who travels with you," Nalan Xin'er replied.

Wu Luohua smiled reassuringly. Indeed, only Brother Mo's smile was as warm as spring. Perhaps, in some moment, he'd unconsciously begun to imitate him.

Yu Fei, like a flying arrow, rushed at Mo Bai. The crowd was shocked. Mo Bai hadn't expected such a turn of events, but he had experienced too many strange things. His face remained composed as he raised a spiral of spiritual energy, rapidly spinning to form a spirit orb, which he sent precisely toward Yu Fei's dagger. The accuracy and speed were astonishing. The air rang with the sound of clashing energies. Suddenly, Mo Bai stood up, and Yu Fei was sent flying like a broken kite!

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