The sound of whooshing filled the air. Ten breaths later, six figures appeared simultaneously.
The newcomers were Elder Sheng Ren and Yue Fuyao.
"Wait a moment," Elder Sheng Ren said, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the surroundings. He raised a hand, halting the group's advance.
"You four, proceed ahead," Elder Sheng Ren commanded, looking back at the four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses.
Without hesitation, the four figures moved swiftly.
Li Xuan was inwardly startled. Elder Sheng Ren was indeed powerful, possessing such a keen sense of alertness. Li Xuan and the others had set up an extremely concealed formation, yet Elder Sheng Ren could still detect something.
The four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses quickly traversed the Wind River Valley and stopped. However, Elder Sheng Ren's brow remained furrowed.
Beside him, Yue Fuyao spoke softly, "Elder Sheng Ren, are there still things to fear on the Eternal Continent?"
"Fear? I have lived for so many years and experienced countless things. This place simply feels odd to me, hence the brief pause. Nevertheless, even if there is a trap, why should I fear it? Please proceed, Saintess of the Moon Clan."
Elder Sheng Ren snorted coldly, then moved forward rapidly. His expression, however, was unusually solemn and vigilant.
Seeing Elder Sheng Ren finally move, Li Xuan breathed a slight sigh of relief. The spot where Elder Sheng Ren had paused was precisely outside the formation Li Xuan and the others had set up.
Although they had now entered the formation, any disturbance would likely result in an immediate retreat.
Li Xuan and his companions waited patiently. As Elder Sheng Ren and Yue Fuyao reached the center of Wind River Valley, He Xiuzhu made his move.
"There is indeed something amiss. No wonder I felt something was not right," Elder Sheng Ren said, his expression hardening as He Xiuzhu slowly emerged from the void. A fleeting premonition of ill omen flickered deep within his eyes.
The four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses who had already flown past Wind River Valley immediately moved, surrounding He Xiuzhu.
However, in the next instant, Wang Kun's figure also slowly appeared beside He Xiuzhu, intercepting the four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses.
"Leave her, and I will let you go," He Xiuzhu said, taking a deep breath, his gaze fixed directly on Elder Sheng Ren.
Elder Sheng Ren sneered, "So it's for her. You've dispatched a mid-stage and an early-stage Immortal Realm expert. If I recall correctly, your two have never appeared among the Moon Clan."
"To discover our identities, you resort to such a trick? Senior Brother, this person is one of the three great elders of the Saint Clan. If he is kept here, it would be like severing one of the Saint Clan's arms," Wang Kun said with a mocking smile, then turned to He Xiuzhu.
He Xiuzhu nodded slightly, "Very well."
"Presumptuous! You speak of my life and death in front of me. I shall see who perishes here today!" Elder Sheng Ren said with a cold snort.
While he harbored some apprehension towards He Xiuzhu, as He Xiuzhu's calm demeanor made him a particularly formidable opponent, Elder Sheng Ren did not feel fear.
Both were mid-stage Immortal Realm existences, and Elder Sheng Ren believed he would not lose to He Xiuzhu.
"Activate the formation!" As the two sides stood poised for battle, Li Xuan transmitted his thoughts to Wen Boya and the others.
*Buzz!*
As Li Xuan finished speaking, a buzzing sound arose. Five pillars of light shot up from the ground, quickly connecting to form a barrier. Li Xuan and his four companions now appeared within Elder Sheng Ren's sight.
"Brother Xuan!" Yue Fuyao exclaimed excitedly upon seeing them.
Elder Sheng Ren's gaze shifted to Li Xuan. His pupils suddenly contracted. Elder Sheng Ren now realized that the five individuals who had reappeared were all at the Immortal Realm level.
Such a lineup was enough to annihilate their team.
Moreover, with He Xiuzhu, an opponent of comparable strength, observing from the side, Elder Sheng Ren found himself unable to escape.
"Are you determined to be an enemy of our Saint Clan?" Elder Sheng Ren asked He Xiuzhu, taking a deep breath.
With Li Xuan's appearance, Elder Sheng Ren had a general idea of He Xiuzhu and the others' identities. Thinking of the esteemed Elder Shan Wushuang, Elder Sheng Ren felt immense pressure. Such a figure was beyond the notice of even the Saint Lord, Sheng Lingxiao.
"I value the survival of the Eternal Continent more than the peace we have now. Therefore, you may proceed on your way with peace of mind," He Xiuzhu said, glancing at Elder Sheng Ren before vanishing instantly.
In the next moment, He Xiuzhu appeared directly before Elder Sheng Ren. A flash of green light struck swiftly towards his chest.
*Bang!*
Elder Sheng Ren had already braced himself and unleashed his spiritual energy to counter the moment He Xiuzhu attacked. With a loud bang, their palms met in a solid collision.
"Your opponents are we four," Wang Kun said, locking his aura onto the four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses as they prepared to support Elder Sheng Ren.
His spiritual energy surged, and a massive aura permeated the air.
*Boom!*
Targeted by Wang Kun's aura, and under his pressure as an early-stage Immortal Realm cultivator, the four peak Eternal Realm powerhouses all circulated their spiritual energy to resist. Wang Kun then moved swiftly, charging towards one of the peak Eternal Realm powerhouses.
"Brother Xuan!" While Elder Sheng Ren and He Xiuzhu were engaged in combat, Yue Fuyao rushed to Li Xuan's side.
"Fuyao, are you alright?" Li Xuan asked, examining her with concern.
Since Yue Zhengqi and the others had restraints on them, Li Xuan worried Yue Fuyao might also have one. However, his senses had detected no such restraint within Yue Fuyao.
"I'm fine. Brother Xuan, why are you ambushing here? And how did you know about my going to the Saint Clan?" Yue Fuyao shook her head, indicating she was unharmed, and asked Li Xuan with curiosity.
"Last night, I arrived at the Moon Clan..." Li Xuan briefly recounted what he learned upon emerging from his seclusion and entering the Moon Clan.
"So that's how it is," Yue Fuyao nodded in realization.
Li Xuan smiled and took Yue Fuyao's hand, then his gaze shifted towards where Wang Kun was fighting.
"Sixth Senior Brother has finished his fight. Now, only this Elder Sheng Ren remains."