Chapter 125

Luoxian Sect had four major forest regions under its protection. Among them, the White Forest was the most valuable.

It was renowned for producing White Spirit Wood, a top-grade material known for its hardness, lightness, and excellent spiritual conductivity—making it the go-to material for Luoxian Sect's artifact refinement.

At that moment, just outside the White Forest, Wang Huan stood at the front of the Luoxian Sect defense line. Clad in red silk and with a petite yet commanding presence, she held her head high with confidence and radiated a heroic aura that bore traces of Chi Xiao's influence.

The White Forest was her responsibility.

Opposite her stood a group of Changshou Sect disciples dressed in black robes, their expressions dark and aggressive.

“I hate silence,” said Chang Lin, the second senior brother of the Changshou Sect. He was an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, ranked second among the sect’s younger generation.

“Cut the crap. Let’s fight,” Wang Huan shot back. She was a true student of Chi Xiao—if she could fight, she’d never waste time on words.

With a command, the Luoxian disciples unleashed their spiritual treasures, transforming them into streaks of light that shot toward the enemy.

“Heh, it’s been a while since I’ve encountered such a feisty girl. I like her,” Chang Lin smirked as he waved his hand, and the Changshou Sect responded immediately with a barrage of magical attacks.

Spiritual energy clashed violently, tearing apart the surrounding woods. Magical techniques filled the skies, artifacts clashed with deafening roars—such was the brutal nature of battles between cultivators.

This wasn’t their first skirmish. Both sides already had a good grasp of each other’s capabilities, which only made the fight more intense.

“Junior sister Wang Huan,” Chang Lin grinned lewdly, “you’re exactly my type. If you agree to dual cultivate with me, I might even spare you a few days. Once your senior sister Chi Xiao returns, I’ll take you both in together.”

Disgusting as his words were, Wang Huan showed no fear. Though small in stature, she was explosively temperamental. Like a furious Nezha, she lashed her red silk ribbon in a sweeping arc.

“Perfect!” Chang Lin laughed, taking her attack as a game.

With a chant, he activated his black flying sword and hurled it toward her. The sword clashed violently with the red silk, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air.

“Again!” Chang Lin roared with excitement. His black sword transformed into a massive black python, baring its fangs as it lunged at Wang Huan.

She remained unfazed. With a spin of her ribbon, it encircled her, forming a defensive shield. The black python struck with a boom, but failed to pierce through.

Then came her sharp counter: “Red Ribbon – Binding Dragon!”

The red silk coiled around the black python in an instant.

“Red Ribbon – Blazing Flames!”

Without hesitation, the ribbon ignited in crimson fire. The black python hissed and writhed, unable to bear the scorching flames. Though it struggled furiously, it couldn’t escape the grip of the burning silk.

With one final shriek, the python burst apart, reverting to its true form—a black spiritual sword.

It tried to return to Chang Lin, but before it could, Wang Huan whipped the red ribbon like a dragon’s tail and struck the sword’s body with a resounding crack.

The Grade Two flying sword shattered, its spiritual essence extinguished.

“You little brat! You dare destroy my treasure?!” Chang Lin roared with fury, hurling a volley of talismans toward her.

But Wang Huan stood her ground in mid-air, wrapped in her red ribbon, deflecting every attack.

“Skyfire Meteor Shower!”

She clasped her hands together and thrust them downward. The ribbon blazed brilliantly, splitting into countless flaming meteors that rained from above.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The explosions sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Chang Lin, overwhelmed, coughed up blood as he suffered serious injuries.

Fights between Foundation Establishment cultivators were often decided in mere moments—whoever had the stronger technique or artifact usually won.

“You? Daring to speak of my senior sister?” Wang Huan sneered without restraint.

“Wang Huan, you really don’t know what’s good for you,” Chang Lin hissed, his expression darkening. “You’re mine today.”

With arrogance, he shouted, “Senior brother, assist me!”

Suddenly, whoosh!—a black flying sword shot out from the jungle, targeting Wang Huan.

She had anticipated reinforcements. Dodging swiftly, she manipulated her red ribbon to evade.

But the sword had locked onto her spiritual signature and relentlessly pursued her.

“Get lost!” she shouted, lashing the red ribbon at it. The strike deflected the blade momentarily, but it vibrated, neutralizing the force, and closed in again.

“Red Ribbon – Heaven’s Spike!”

With a whip of her arm, the ribbon morphed into a crimson spike and collided head-on with the black sword. The two weapons clashed, but a powerful shockwave shattered her Heaven’s Spike. The black sword grazed past her ear, making her break out in cold sweat.

Reacting instantly, she barked, “Retreat!”

She flew back into the White Forest’s protective formation.

The Luoxian disciples understood immediately. With a final burst of power, they forced their opponents back and withdrew in an orderly manner into the formation.

“Senior sister Wang Huan, are you hurt?” someone rushed to her side.

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Why retreat, junior sister? Come back out and fight!” Chang Lin called mockingly from outside, having already swallowed a healing pill and now swaggering back to the front line.

“You shameless bastard,” a Luoxian disciple shouted, “you couldn't beat her, so you brought in senior disciples to interfere? Your Changshou Sect has no honor!”

“Pah!” Chang Lin scoffed, showing no shame.

“You think this is child’s play? Who said senior disciples can’t help? Besides, I lost on purpose. I wanted your dear Wang Huan to lower her guard. I have to say, she’s quick on her feet. Makes me like her even more.”

His lecherous gaze made the Luoxian disciples’ blood boil.

“Chang Lin, you’re just relying on numbers. If senior brother Li Jun and senior sister Chi Xiao were here, you wouldn't dare act so bold.”

If the two were present—even against mid-stage Foundation cultivators—there would be no fear. But unfortunately, they were away in the Eastern Region and couldn't return in time.

“You’re right,” Chang Lin shrugged with a grin. “We are relying on numbers. What can you do about it?”

His shamelessness was unbearable, but they had no choice.

The Changshou Sect had sent senior disciples to help, while Luoxian Sect had strict rules forbidding the older generation from intervening—even when resources were being plundered or blocked.

Their duty was to protect the White Forest.

If they couldn’t manage even that, they deserved to fail.

“What? You think staying silent means I can’t do anything?”

Chang Lin smirked deviously.

“Men, break the formation.”

Three formation masters stepped out from the rear, escorted by two mid-stage Foundation disciples. They walked up to the White Forest’s barrier and began dismantling it.

The defensive formation was of the second rank. Normally, a Foundation-level formation master could break such an array with time. It was only a matter of how long it would take.

Two of the other three forest regions had already fallen and were seized by Changshou Sect. The remaining one was under siege and wouldn’t hold much longer.

Only the White Forest remained—and though its second-rank formation was tougher and had three layers, it was still just a matter of time before it fell.

At that moment, no one could stop them.

Only Wang Huan stood alone—defiant.