As Yue Mingchi and Wu Pengfei conversed, the Saint Son-level existences from various factions also turned their gazes towards them.
After all, within this Yinglong Grotto-Heaven, Wu Pengfei and Yue Mingchi were the strongest. Moreover, the forces they belonged to were also top-tier factions on the Shengyuan Continent.
It could be said that these two not only represented themselves but also the powers behind them. Seeing the palpable tension between them, the various factions were naturally pleased.
However, everyone also understood that despite the current animosity, the two would not truly fight.
Firstly, the Xuan Sect and the Sheng Sect were not the only ones present. While the other factions were weaker, they could not be underestimated. If the Saint Sons of the Xuan Sect and Sheng Sect were to truly engage in battle, they would have to consider whether other factions would take the opportunity to fish in troubled waters.
Secondly, with only three days left until the Level 8 Relic opened, would truly intelligent individuals waste their energy at this time?
"Senior Brother, our Xuan Sect's teams suffered heavy losses in the outer regions. As of now, only twenty-nine of our Xuan Sect's forty-three teams have arrived. According to intelligence, the Sheng Sect already has thirty-seven teams that have arrived, a full eight more teams than our Xuan Sect."
As Wu Pengfei vanished into the Sheng Sect's barrier, Zhou Wenlun looked at Yue Mingchi with a solemn expression and said.
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned grave. These eight teams accounted for nearly five thousand people. Even on a battlefield, they held significant weight.
Even Li Xuan was not confident enough to face such a large group in a siege, as those who could enter this Yinglong Grotto-Heaven were not weak.
"There are still three days left, let's wait and see for now. The Sheng Sect's teams are similar in number to our Xuan Sect's teams. Even if there was a prior calculation, our Xuan Sect would not have suffered such heavy losses. They are likely still on their way," Yue Mingchi said after a moment of contemplation.
However, these words did not carry much conviction to those present. With no other factions' teams remaining in the outer regions, if they were still alive, they would have likely reached this place by now.
Of course, there might still be many teams en route. But the outcome, it seemed, was already clear in everyone's minds.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. Although our Xuan Sect has fewer teams, when the time comes to open, it will be the Saint Son-level existences who truly dictate the battle. Pass down the order that if the numbers are significantly disparate, everyone should just focus on protecting themselves."
Seeing the dejected expressions of everyone, Yue Mingchi spoke again.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and under the organization of the chief disciples, the disciples of each peak began to meditate and rest.
Time flew by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye. During these two days, six more teams from the Xuan Sect arrived. The Sheng Sect's teams, however, increased to forty.
In the end, the number of teams from the two sects differed by five. As night fell, everyone knew that the eight missing teams, totaling over five thousand people, had likely been completely lost within the Yinglong Grotto-Heaven.
No one spoke of this outcome any further. Even Yue Mingchi and the others remained silent, passing the long night with heavy hearts.
The night was silent.
As dawn broke, those present felt a change in the atmosphere. The spiritual energy in the heavens and earth became exceptionally dense.
The Saint Son-level existences from all factions opened their eyes and looked towards a substantive barrier in the depths.
Amidst the changes in the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth, this barrier also began to transform. The thick barrier, as spiritual energy continuously infiltrated, started to thin out. Countless gazes watched, holding their breath in anticipation.
"Beyond this barrier lies the Level 8 Relic. Once this barrier absorbs enough spiritual energy, it will shed, and the Level 8 Relic will reveal itself," Yue Mingchi said as Li Xuan and the others watched. The implication was clear to everyone.
As waves of spiritual power emerged, the Xuan Sect was clearly prepared for an assault.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, are you truly going after Gongsun Li?" During this time, Jian Tianrui, still concerned, looked at Li Xuan again and asked.
In the previous discussions, Li Xuan had voluntarily offered to intercept Gongsun Li, a decision that Yue Mingchi and the others found difficult to understand.
After all, Jian Tianrui had recovered, and while he couldn't defeat Gongsun Li, he could at least stall him. However, based on Li Xuan's reasoning, Yue Mingchi had chosen to let Li Xuan intercept Gongsun Li.
The reason was simple: Gongsun Li's Thousand-Year Toad Poison posed no threat to Li Xuan. Furthermore, Jian Tianrui could act as a trump card, striking when an opportunity arose.
This suggestion was naturally agreed upon by Yue Mingchi and the others, but Jian Tianrui was now uneasy. Having personally experienced Gongsun Li's methods, he understood them better.
Li Xuan naturally understood the concern in Jian Tianrui's words and smiled faintly, saying, "Senior Brother Tianrui, please rest assured. If Junior Brother is truly unable to cope, Senior Brother can then step in to assist. I believe Gongsun Li and Wu Pengfei and the others would not have expected that your Thousand-Year Toad Poison has been cured. Their guard against you will naturally be less than against me."
"If that is the case, then let it be as you say. In any case, remember, do not push yourself too hard," Jian Tianrui said, knowing that Li Xuan had made up his mind, and nodded.
Buzz!
Just then, a buzzing sound suddenly erupted. The gazes of Li Xuan, Jian Tianrui, and the others were immediately drawn to it.
After absorbing spiritual energy for a full half-hour, the barrier had finally become much thinner. The architectural structures within were faintly discernible. However, a final layer of barrier remained, seemingly holding its ground with all its might.
"This final barrier probably won't break on its own," Zhou Wenlun said with a frown after another five minutes had passed.
Yue Mingchi and the others nodded and then said, "It seems the Sheng Sect's clever plan is likely to fall through. After the recent probe, this barrier cannot be forcibly entered without the combat power of the Dao Integration realm. Therefore, the final outcome will ultimately depend on us."
"That's excellent. I imagine Wu Pengfei's expression must be quite something right now," Fu Yaojin said with a light laugh.
Although Li Xuan was only at the advanced stage of the Dao Convergence realm, his combat power was far beyond that of an ordinary Dao Integration realm cultivator. Yue Mingchi and the others had no worries about Li Xuan.
As Fu Yaojin's words fell, Yue Mingchi's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his figure shot out instantly.
"The Sheng Sect is making a move!"
"Attack!"