"Bang!"
The vine whip lashed through the air, and though it touched nothing, it produced a thunderous collision!
Immediately after, the forest ahead seemed to split open, releasing a massive surge of black mist that shot directly towards Bai Shengyi and Feng Wuya, utterly dispelling the prior peace.
Clearly, the forest ahead was merely a diversion created by the person behind them!
"Is this... Yu Mo?" Feng Wuya's brow furrowed tightly. How could they encounter this filthy creature again after managing to kill a mosquito?
Bai Shengyi nodded indifferently. With a wave of her hand, a cluster of Dragon Chasing Starfire erupted, instantly incinerating a large portion of the black mist.
Her gaze was icy. The flames, without pause, pierced through the black mist with undiminished power, surging into the mid-air to the front left!
"Boom!"
The flames were unstoppable. They collided with a barrier, only to grow into a conflagration, forcing the person hiding in the shadows to reveal themselves.
"You little wretch, you do have some skill," Daojun Yan Hua emerged from the barrier, a malicious glint in her eyes. She made no attempt to conceal her killing intent towards Bai Shengyi, "Indeed, if you weren't capable, how else would my daughter have suffered consecutive setbacks."
The newcomer was clad in resplendent immortal robes. Though her face was fair, a closer look revealed high cheekbones and sunken temples, her eyeballs bulging as she stared, exuding a vicious and cruel aura.
However, her presence was no less imposing than Bai Shengyi's, clearly indicating she was also a cultivator at the Mahayana stage.
Feng Wuya swiftly searched his mind for the identity of this person. The next moment, his gaze fixed on the Everlasting Netherworld Flower blooming vibrantly in her hair, and he exclaimed in shock, "You, you are Daojun Yan Hua?"
Speaking of Daojun Yan Hua, one must mention her life-bound magical treasure, the Everlasting Netherworld Flower.
Legend had it that the Everlasting Netherworld Flower was once just a wild grass by the roadside. Daojun Yan Hua, who was only at the Golden Core stage at the time, took pity on its inherent intelligence despite its ordinariness and kept it by her side, nurturing it with care. In the end, this wild grass repaid Daojun Yan Hua's favor by seizing a great opportunity, shedding its mortal form to become the divine-grade spirit plant, the Everlasting Netherworld Flower.
Although the Everlasting Netherworld Flower was a spirit plant, it was a combat-oriented plant. Daojun Yan Hua relied on it to fight her way to the Mahayana stage, and eventually, this flower became her symbol.
"You do possess some knowledge, but I still won't let you go," Daojun Yan Hua's voice was sharp. She appraised Bai Shengyi from head to toe and said acidly, "Little wretch, why did you bully my daughter?"
Bai Shengyi rolled her eyes, "Old hag, I don't even know who your daughter is, alright!"
"You dare to insult me!" Daojun Yan Hua's expression suddenly changed. She raised her hand and slammed a palm fiercely towards Bai Shengyi.
Bai Shengyi was unfazed, calmly blocking the attack. "What if I insulted you? You can insult others, so why are you afraid of being insulted?"
"Bang! Bang!"
Two deafening explosions erupted, leveling the surrounding tens of miles!
"Shengyi!" Feng Wuya was filled with worry, but he knew that interfering at this moment would only be a hindrance to Bai Shengyi. Thus, he quickly retreated while saying, "It is said that the Everlasting Netherworld Flower fears fire."
"Damn it!"
Daojun Yan Hua had not expected that mere unknown youngsters would be able to uncover her secret. Enraged, she took down the Everlasting Netherworld Flower.
The flower transformed in her hand into a scarlet longbow, its petals becoming arrows, imbued with the world-destroying fury of a Mahayana cultivator. It shot directly towards Feng Wuya!
"You little bastard, die!"
Bai Shengyi's expression shifted slightly. With a sharp cry, she said, "Little Samsara!"
The Samsara Brush shot out from her sea of consciousness, unhesitatingly colliding with the petal arrow!
"Rumble..."
A collision more violent than the previous two directly distorted the space for a moment. The brilliant pillar of light born from the spiritual energy clash erupted with intense power, soaring into the sky!
On the Leaving Immortal Ship, Zhu Wu had just persuaded Luo Feihua to rest in the cabin for a while when he saw the spiritual energy cluster exploding in the sky not far away. The immense energy even caused the Leaving Immortal Ship to sway for a moment.
"What happened?" Luo Feihua hurried out from the cabin.
"Nothing..." Zhu Wu's words turned halfway. With great concern, he guessed, "Could something have happened to Shengyi?"
"Then let's hurry and help!" Luo Feihua urged Zhu Wu without hesitation.
Zhu Wu kindly replied, "Okay, okay, I'll speed up."
The Leaving Immortal Ship transformed into a streak of spiritual light and headed towards the scene of the fight.
Meanwhile, Daojun Yan Hua, at the center of the battle, found her expression growing increasingly grim.
She never imagined that Bai Shengyi, a mere newly ascended Mahayana female cultivator, would be so difficult to deal with.
She had intended to use Yu Mo for a surprise attack and then cleanly finish off this person. Now, however, she was being held back by Bai Shengyi, unable to leave.
"Let me guess, you said you came for your daughter. Is your daughter Rong Xuelan?"
Before Daojun Yan Hua could speak, Bai Shengyi shook her head again, "Oh no, Rong Xuelan is from the Western Music Sect. You seem to be from the Supreme Sect."
She effortlessly parried Daojun Yan Hua's moves. As for the Everlasting Netherworld Flower, the Dream Binding Vine had proactively volunteered and had already forced the original scarlet longbow back to its original form. The two spirit plants were locked in a fierce struggle.
"Then you must be here for Yuan Bingxin." Bai Shengyi recalled this name from her memory and tutted, "Yuan Bingxin is so beautiful, how could you... Never mind, a child does not despise its mother's ugliness. It seems you mothers and daughters are so affectionate, Yuan Bingxin wouldn't mind your unsightly appearance."
Daojun Yan Hua's face contorted, "You little wretch!"
"Old hag!" When it came to verbal abuse, Bai Shengyi had never feared anyone. For every insult Daojun Yan Hua threw, she retaliated with one.
Wanting to end the fight quickly, she switched the Samsara Brush to her left hand and summoned her sword.
The Heavenly Mechanism Sword was too special, so she wielded the Spring Swallow Sword.
The Spring Swallow Sword had drawn blood just two days ago, and the scent of blood still lingered on its blade.
Daojun Yan Hua's expression suddenly changed, "What is your relationship with that wretch Chun Hong?" Her movements subconsciously became even more vicious and insidious.
Bai Shengyi stated frankly, "Old hag, why are you so flustered? Could it be that you were defeated by my master back then?"
"Hahaha! What a joke!" Daojun Yan Hua laughed furiously, her face darkened as she shrilly exclaimed, "Back then, I could force that wretch Chun Hong to destroy her own Dao heart and be hunted by that bald donkey Tian Shu. What is she, Chun Hong?"
"Since you are Chun Hong's disciple, then I must not let you go today. I will send you and your master to reunite in the Yellow Springs!"
She parted her red lips, her appearance like a demon. She chanted sinisterly, "River of the Underworld, no crossing; Netherworld, Yin Gate forever open—"
On the previously empty ground, a towering bronze gate suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The gate creaked open on its own, revealing a sinister and dark aura.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
The Spring Swallow Sword seemed to sense a terrifying danger, emitting a constant clang.
Bai Shengyi's gaze deepened, choosing to strike first.
Her mind and sword became one. The sword moved like a dragon, neither evading nor dodging, its momentum like a rainbow, pointing directly at the bronze gate. However, in mid-air, she suddenly heard a panicked shout.
"Shengyi!"
Bai Shengyi turned her head and saw Luo Feihua and Zhu Wu had somehow run over. Daojun Yan Hua flashed and reached out to capture the two!
Bai Shengyi's sword tip shifted, and the sword light cleaved towards Daojun Yan Hua's hand.
"Chun Hong's First Sword, Flying Flowers!"
A sword of flying blossoms, elegant and swift, forced Daojun Yan Hua to pause for a moment. In that moment, Luo Feihua and Zhu Wu were dragged by Feng Wuya and together hid within the protective barrier drawn by the Samsara Brush!
However, Luo Feihua felt no joy. Her gaze was fixed on the spot not far ahead, her eyes splitting with rage!
"Ayi!"
With a sharp sword light, Bai Shengyi saved the two of them, but was herself dragged into the bronze gate!