With a flash of spiritual light before their eyes, Li Xuan and Xi Chuyun suddenly saw their surroundings brighten. What met their gaze was the very mountain peak they had entered the Yinglong Cave Heaven from.
At this moment, Li Xuan's gaze shifted, and he immediately saw Wen Yuanbai, who had also turned his attention. Beyond that, the leaders of various factions were also looking towards the entrance, clearly awaiting the appearance of their respective teams.
"We pay our respects to Martial Uncle Yuanbai!"
Upon seeing Yue Mingchi and the others emerge, Wen Yuanbai naturally moved to the forefront of the Xuan Sect's group. Yue Mingchi and the others bowed in salute. With a wave of his hand, a storage ring then landed in Wen Yuanbai's palm.
"This time, our Xuan Sect has emerged completely unscathed! Mingchi, could it be that the Level Seven relic was taken by the Sacred Sect..." Wen Yuanbai asked with a hint of tension, merely holding the Qiankun Ring offered by Yue Mingchi without examining it. It was clear that the greatest opportunity deep within the Yinglong Cave Heaven was what Wen Yuanbai was most concerned about.
"Martial Uncle Yuanbai, deep within the Yinglong Cave Heaven, it was not a Level Seven relic, but a Level Eight relic. Furthermore, with the addition of Junior Brother Li Xuan to our Xuan Sect team, we completely defeated the Sacred Sect team and seized the Upward Mouth Palace of that Level Eight relic." Yue Mingchi explained with a smile. He then lowered his voice and briefly recounted the series of events after entering the Level Eight relic.
"There was such a matter!" Even Wen Yuanbai, one of the Xuan Sect's six peak masters, was somewhat shocked after hearing Yue Mingchi's account. The Sacred Sect's Holy Son team was considerably stronger than the Xuan Sect's Holy Son team. Moreover, they had two more members than the Xuan Sect's team. Yet, with Li Xuan's participation, they not only defeated the Sacred Sect's team but also ensured the Xuan Sect's Holy Son team emerged completely unscathed. This was unprecedented in all previous instances.
"Of course, it's true. Otherwise, how could we have emerged completely unscathed?" Yue Mingchi understood Wen Yuanbai's astonishment, as such an event had indeed not occurred before. Even major powers like the Xuan Sect and the Sacred Sect could not guarantee an unscathed exit from the Yinglong Cave Heaven. Yet, this time, the Xuan Sect had achieved it, and Yue Mingchi, as a participant, felt as if he were dreaming.
"Right, you just mentioned that the Sacred Sect's Holy Sons suffered three casualties?" Wen Yuanbai, regaining his composure, suddenly asked Yue Mingchi.
Yue Mingchi nodded. "Those three, Gongsun Li, Lai Xuewen, and Lai Congwu, were killed by Junior Brother Li Xuan and Junior Brother Tianrui. Wu Pengfei saw this and thus gave up on continuing to contend with us for the ownership of the Upward Mouth Palace."
"Truly, the heavens favor our Xuan Sect. Li Xuan, though you have only recently joined our Xuan Sect, your achievements are remarkable. Upon returning to the sect, I will surely reward your merits!"
"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yuanbai. However, I fear..." Li Xuan bowed with his fists clasped, his expression somewhat hesitant.
Seeing this, Wen Yuanbai asked Li Xuan, "Fear what?"
Yue Mingchi then stepped forward a few paces and whispered a few words to Wen Yuanbai. Li Xuan then saw Wen Yuanbai's expression also become grave.
"Xuan Sect disciples, return to the sect!" After a moment of silence, Wen Yuanbai waved his hand, and a pleasure boat instantly appeared in the air. Li Xuan understood at once that Wen Yuanbai now knew that the Upward Mouth Palace was a Postnatal Supreme Treasure and was aware of Wu Pengfei's and even the Sacred Sect's intentions.
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly formed ranks and, led by the chief disciples of each peak, boarded the pleasure boat.
"You all board as well." After all the Xuan Sect disciples had boarded the pleasure boat, Wen Yuanbai turned his gaze to Yue Mingchi and the others. Seeing Wen Yuanbai's still stern expression, Yue Mingchi and the others said nothing. They moved swiftly, their figures landing at the front of the pleasure boat.
With a stomp of Wen Yuanbai's foot, a buzzing sound reverberated. The massive pleasure boat shot forward like a cannonball. Just as the pleasure boat began to move, Wu Pengfei and the others also flew out from the barrier.
"It seems the Xuan Sect is in a hurry," Wu Pengfei remarked as soon as he emerged, seeing the distant silhouette of the Xuan Sect's pleasure boat. A slight smirk played on his lips, as if he found the Xuan Sect's hasty departure somewhat laughable.
"The Xuan Sect is so eager to leave, likely fearing that our Sacred Sect might intercept them en route. However, they are unaware that our Sacred Sect possesses teleportation arrays for our return. In terms of speed, even if the Xuan Sect departed half an hour earlier, they likely wouldn't be faster than us," Zhan Tonghe added with a light laugh after Wu Pengfei spoke.
"Very well, the Xuan Sect's matters are temporarily arranged. Let us first report to Palace Master Rong Xixiao," Wu Pengfei said, nodding. He then moved and landed before Rong Xixiao of the Sacred Sect.
"How was it?" Rong Xixiao asked Wu Pengfei with a cold expression, as if even the foremost Holy Son of the Sacred Sect could not earn his regard.
"Reporting to Third Palace Master, this expedition resulted in the loss of three Holy Sons for our Sacred Sect. Ancestor's grandson has also perished among them." Wu Pengfei, seemingly accustomed to this, cupped his hands and replied.
"Ancestor's grandson, Zu Letian? Wu Pengfei, you will report this matter to Ancestor yourself upon our return! Was the Level Seven relic obtained?" Rong Xixiao's expression flickered slightly upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure and asked again, a hint of expectation evident in his tone.
"Reporting to Third Palace Master, the depths of the Yinglong Cave Heaven were not a Level Seven relic. The findings of this expedition revealed it to be a Level Eight relic. It contained three palaces, but the largest, the Upward Mouth Palace, has already been taken by the Xuan Sect's team. Furthermore, it is rumored that the Upward Mouth Palace is likely a Congenital Supreme Treasure, and possibly one whose power far surpasses that of ordinary Congenital Supreme Treasures," Wu Pengfei said, slightly bending at the waist, his tone extremely flat.
"Taken by the Xuan Sect?! Wu Pengfei, are you implying that not only did we lose three Holy Sons on this expedition, but our greatest opportunity was also seized by the Xuan Sect?" Rong Xixiao's aura erupted instantly upon hearing Wu Pengfei's words, clearly enraged by the successive news.
"During this trip to the Yinglong Cave Heaven, the Xuan Sect had a young man named Li Xuan. Though he is only at the peak of the Dao Integration realm, he killed our Sacred Sect's Gongsun Li. Subsequently, along with Xuan Sect's Jian Tianrui, he killed Lai Xuewen and Lai Congwu. For the sake of the overall situation, I had no choice but to abandon the competition with the Xuan Sect, ultimately only securing the Right Mouth Palace," Wu Pengfei replied, his eyelids twitching slightly, but his tone remained even.
"Wu Pengfei, although you are the Sect Master's disciple, you have missed so many opportunities on this trip. Even the Sect Master may not be able to protect you. Upon your return, you will seek the Sect Master to confess your transgressions," Rong Xixiao said with a cold snort, seemingly displeased with Wu Pengfei's tone.
"We did indeed suffer considerable losses this time. However, if we were to intercept the Xuan Sect on their return journey, the Upward Mouth Palace would merely be temporarily held for us by the Xuan Sect. Third Palace Master, would this be able to salvage the losses from this expedition?" Wu Pengfei asked with a cold laugh.
Upon hearing this, Rong Xixiao's calm expression finally wavered. His eyes darted for a moment before he instantly calmed down.
"It appears the Sect Master already had plans. Very well, we shall proceed as you suggest."