574: Chapter 574 The Shrinking Turtle Sect!

"This is the topographical map of the Seven Stars Sword Sect."

Yin Li pointed at the map and began to explain.

"The Seven Stars Sword Sect is located on Seven Stars Mountain. The Sect's core area is divided into four parts: the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Elder Court, and Sect Master Peak."

"Sect Master Peak is the residence of the Seven Stars Sword Sovereign. This person is extremely powerful, already at the Half-step Grandmaster Realm, just one step away from becoming a true Seventh-Grade Grandmaster. This person is the greatest threat to our operation."

"Below Sect Master Peak is the Elder Court. The Seven Stars Sword Sect has seven Elders, known as the 'Seven Stars Elder.' All seven are at the Rank 6 Peak cultivation, and they have cultivated a set of Combined Attack Formations; their strength is quite impressive."

"Below the Elder Court is the Inner Sect. There are about two hundred Inner Sect Disciples, with strengths ranging from the Fifth-Rank to Sixth-Rank."

"Among them are two Vice Sect Masters, whose strength is also at the Rank 6 Peak, but their individual strength is greater than any of the Seven Stars Elder and should not be underestimated."

"The outermost part is the Outer Sect. There are about five hundred Outer Sect Disciples, most of whose strength is between the Fourth-Rank and Fifth-Rank, so they are not a concern."

Yin Li finished in one breath, her gaze sweeping over the people present.

"Our goal is to destroy the Seven Stars Sword Sect and eliminate all high-level members."

"The Sect Master, the two Vice Sect Masters, and the seven Elders—none can be left alive."

Everyone nodded.

Next, everyone discussed for a full fifteen minutes, repeatedly scrutinizing every detail from the attack route to the retreat plan, and from their respective duties to their coordination.

Finally, they finalized the ultimate battle plan.

"Let's go."

Yin Li put away the map, picked up her Guqin, and was the first to walk out of the Private Room.

Afterward, they went to the docks of Taixuan City and took a Flying Ship to the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

...

After flying for a day and a night, the group finally arrived at the territory of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

The Flying Ship landed at the foot of a distant mountain, and the group disembarked, walking toward the Seven Stars Sword Sect on foot.

This was a continuous mountain range, with rolling hills and overlapping peaks.

Mist swirled between the mountains, like a fairyland.

In the distance, a towering peak rose into the clouds, and upon it, one could vaguely see a well-arranged complex of buildings with upturned eaves and arched brackets, appearing magnificent and grand.

At the foot of the mountain, a mountain path paved with bluestone wound upward, with lush green spiritual bamboo planted on both sides, swaying in the wind and rustling softly.

The School was built against the mountain in layers, extending from the foot all the way to the summit.

On the mountainside were rows of Martial Arts Fields and Disciple residences;

Further up were the Elders' residences and the Council Hall;

At the very top was the Sect Master's Seven Stars Hall, appearing faintly in the mist like a palace in the heavens.

"Nine-Li, act according to the plan."

Yin Li looked at Huang Jiuli and said.

Huang Jiuli nodded, a fiery Battle Intent flashing in her Phoenix eyes.

She took a deep breath, and her entire body suddenly erupted in blazing Phoenix True Fire!

The flames, a mix of gold and red, were scorching and domineering, enveloping her in a brilliant light.

As the flames surged, they condensed into a pair of enormous Phoenix wings behind her!

The moment the wings spread, a scorching air wave swept in all directions, even causing the air to warp slightly from the heat.

With a flap of her wings, Huang Jiuli soared into the sky, turning into a streak of fiery red light as she charged toward the mountain gate of the Seven Stars Sword Sect!

"I hope this mission can be completed with Perfection."

The others watched Huang Jiuli's receding figure and spoke softly.

Before long, Huang Jiuli's extremely arrogant voice came from the mountain gate of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

"You cowards of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, get out here for this young lady!"

Her voice was clear and flamboyant, carrying undisguised provocation as it echoed through the mountains.

"With your kind of trash, you deserve to be called the 'Seven Stars Sword Sect'? You might as well change your name to the 'Cowardly Turtle Sect'!"

"Where's that Sect Master of yours? Hiding at home counting ants?"

"This young lady is in a good mood today and specifically came to loosen your bones! Who's first to come and die?"

The words grew more arrogant and ear-piercing with each sentence.

At the mountain gate, the guarding Disciples' faces turned ashen, but they did not dare to act rashly—because the Aura on that woman was simply too strong.

Immediately after, a series of angry roars came from deep within the Sword Sect!

"Audacious!"

An old and furious voice exploded.

"How dare you behave so wildly in my Seven Stars Sword Sect!"

Three figures soared into the air from the depths of the Sword Sect, turning into three streaks of light as they charged toward the mountain gate!

Following that, a series of booming sounds erupted!

"Boom, boom, boom—!"

Sparks flew, Sword Qi crisscrossed, and the collision of True Qi was deafening.

Huang Jiuli fought one against three, holding her own.

Her Phoenix True Fire was incomparably overbearing; every strike and every flap of her wings carried the terrifying power to incinerate all things.

But those three experts of the Seven Stars Sword Sect were not weak either; the three of them joined forces, their Sword Qi weaving into a tight, impenetrable net that firmly trapped Huang Jiuli.

"Old geezers, you only know how to use numbers to bully the few!"

Huang Jiuli's voice rang out again, sounding somewhat "exasperated."

"Once my injuries recover and I bring my friends, I will definitely make your Seven Stars Sword Sect perish!"

As she finished speaking, she flapped her wings violently, and the Phoenix True Fire erupted!

The flames turned into a wall of fire, forcing the three experts back several steps.

Taking this opportunity, Huang Jiuli turned and "fled" into the distance.

"After her!"

The leading expert shouted angrily.

"This woman has an extraordinary background; we cannot let her escape!"

Three figures turned into three streaks of light and chased after Huang Jiuli!

Huang Jiuli glanced back, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

She intentionally slowed down to ensure the three experts could keep up without easily catching her.

The four experts, one in front and three behind, soon disappeared into the horizon.

"The ones who just left were a Vice Sect Master and two Seven Stars Elder of the Seven Stars Sword Sect."

Qin Yan looked at the receding figures and spoke calmly.

Yin Li nodded.

"Very good."

She paused.

"Next, it's my turn. I'll try to lure out another Vice Sect Master and a few more Elders."

This was the plan they had discussed earlier—the two strongest in the team would take turns drawing out the experts of the Seven Stars Sword Sect to defeat them one by one, and finally, the five of them would strike together to go straight for the heart!

Having finished, Yin Li picked up her Guqin and walked slowly toward the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

Her steps seemed slow, but with each step, her figure drifted forward several yards.

In just an instant, she was already far from Qin Yan and the others, arriving before the mountain gate of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

The mountain gate of the Seven Stars Sword Sect was towering and magnificent.

Two massive stone pillars rose from the ground, carved with the pattern of the Seven Stars Alignment, and above the lintel hung a large Plaque with the four characters 'Seven Stars Sword Sect' written in bold, powerful strokes.

Yin Li stood before the mountain gate, her expression calm.

She didn't speak; she only raised her hand and gently plucked the zither strings.