142: Chapter 142 The Mountain-Protecting Formation Breaks, Xiao Nianyin Makes a Move at the Critical Moment

"The Grand Elder is burning his Lifespan... he is indeed loyal."

Xiao Nianyin whispered to herself, her voice betraying no emotion:

"Unfortunately, he has plenty of loyalty but lacks wisdom."

Her gaze swept across the ice mirror. In addition to the battle outside the mountain gate, the mirror surface also reflected scenes from various places within the Hehuan Sect—

Outside the Second Elder's Immortal Cave, heavy Restrictions were laid down. He appeared to be in seclusion, but in reality, the Immortal Cave was empty.

In the Fourth Elder's residence, he was in a secret discussion with several trusted Disciples. His expression was solemn, as if they were discussing something.

The Sixth Elder and the Seventh Elder had already quietly left the Sect, their whereabouts unknown.

As for the Elders who had not shown their faces, they were currently in their respective Immortal Caves, either observing, plotting, or preparing a way out.

Not a single person stood up at this time to live or die with the Sect.

"As expected..."

A cold curve curled at the corners of Xiao Nianyin's mouth:

"They usually claim to be 'loyal to the Sect,' but when it really comes to a life-and-death crisis, each one runs faster than the last."

Her gaze finally fell on a corner of the ice mirror—

What was reflected there was the direction of Tingzhu Peak in the back mountain.

Xu Ruyu was there.

Or rather, he should be in the Ancient Hall of Love and Heaven.

"Situ E is coming for you..."

Xiao Nianyin's eyes narrowed slightly, her thoughts turning rapidly:

"If he could 'accidentally' break through the Mountain Protection Array, 'accidentally' break into the back mountain, 'accidentally' find you... and then 'accidentally' kill you..."

"Then my secret will never be known by anyone."

As soon as this thought appeared, it grew wildly in her heart like weeds.

Yes.

Killing with a borrowed knife.

Using Situ E as a knife to eliminate the hidden danger of Xu Ruyu.

In this way, she wouldn't have to bear the infamy of 'harming her own Personal Disciple,' and she could eliminate the future trouble forever.

Even... she could deplete Madame Qingli's trump cards.

Since that woman was determined about Xu Ruyu and wanted to protect him as he left the Hehuan Sect, she would definitely take action when Xu Ruyu was in danger.

When the time came, Madame Qingli and Situ E would fight until both were wounded, and then she would step in to clean up the mess...

Killing three birds with one stone.

Perfect.

Xiao Nianyin slowly closed her eyes, extinguishing the last trace of hesitation in her heart.

The Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art operated to the extreme. ice and fire true essence surged and roared within her body, freezing, crushing, and incinerating all the emotions that shouldn't be there—that trace of guilt towards Xu Ruyu, that sliver of lingering attachment to last night's tenderness, and that bit of complex sentiment towards this 'Disciple.'

She returned to being the cold, heartless, and calculating Sect Master of Hehuan Sect.

Only...

At the moment she made this decision, a detail she had overlooked suddenly flashed through her mind.

Madame Qingli.

That woman also knew her secret.

Madame Qingli had witnessed the entire process of her 'losing her virginity' to Xu Ruyu.

Even if Xu Ruyu died, Madame Qingli would still be there.

Unless...

A cold light flashed in Xiao Nianyin's eyes.

Unless Madame Qingli was also eliminated along with him.

But this matter required careful planning. The Taihu Clan had a deep foundation, and that legendary Ancestor Tianhu was someone even she was somewhat wary of.

"Resolve the matter at hand first."

Xiao Nianyin composed herself and looked back at the ice mirror.

In the mirror, that blood-colored lotus had already flown in front of the Mountain Protection Array.

"It's about time."

She whispered to herself:

"If I don't act now, the Grand Elder will die. Once he's dead, those people in the Sect who are watching will start jumping out."

Just as she finished speaking—

"Boom—!!!"

Outside the mountain gate, the blood-colored lotus collided violently with the Mountain Protection Array!

This time, the Mountain Protection Array did not hold.

The ice-blue light curtain shattered like broken glazed glass! Countless ice-blue fragments flew in all directions, turning into a sky full of light rain and dissipating in the air.

Inside the Array Core Cave, the Grand Elder spat out a large mouthful of blood, his whole body sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming heavily onto the ground, his aura instantly withering.

The ice soul ningyin hairpin snapped into two with a 'crack'!

Yun Xuzi and Hua Xunhuan also spat blood and collapsed simultaneously, losing their ability to fight.

The Mountain Protection Array—was broken!

"Hahahahaha!"

Outside the mountain gate, Situ E laughed wildly towards the sky:

"Xiao Nianyin! Your turtle shell is broken! Why don't you get the hell out here for me?!"

He waved his hand:

"Jile Sect members, hear my command! Kill your way in—for me!"

"Yes!!!"

Three hundred Jile Sect Cultivators pounced towards the Hehuan Sect mountain gate like hungry wolves!

Inside the Hehuan Sect, there was total chaos.

Disciples were in a panic, fleeing in all directions. Some brave Inner Sect Disciples tried to organize a resistance, but under the crazed assault of the Jile Sect Cultivators, they were instantly routed.

It looked like the Hehuan Sect mountain gate was about to be overrun.

Just then—

A cold voice, like ice that had been frozen for ten thousand years, came from the direction of Ningyin Hall:

"Situ E, after three hundred years, you are still so... reckless."

The voice wasn't loud, but it clearly spread throughout the entire Hehuan Sect, even drowning out the shouts and killings on the battlefield.

Everyone was stunned.

Including Situ E.

He jerked his head around and looked toward Ningyin Hall.

He saw a figure in white slowly rising from Ningyin Hall, standing suspended in the air.

That figure was as white as snow, untainted by a speck of dust. Her waist-length black hair fluttered lightly in the wind. Her face was peerlessly beautiful, yet cold as frost.

In her hand, she held an ice-blue longsword—the blade was as transparent as ice, the hilt was carved with fine cloud patterns, and a chilling cold light flowed on the edge.

The luoyun sword.

One of Xiao Nianyin's Lifebound Treasures, which had severed one of Situ E's arms three hundred years ago.

At this moment, she stood with her sword, her clothes fluttering, like a Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden descending to the mortal world, holy and majestic.

"Xiao... Nian... yin..."

Situ E stared fixedly at that figure, the blood-light in his eyes surging, containing both crazed hatred and a morbid intensity:

"You're finally... willing to come out!"

Xiao Nianyin looked at him coldly, her gaze as if looking at an ant:

"This Sect Master gave you three days to run for your life, but you didn't cherish it. Instead, you've overstepped..."

She slowly raised the luoyun sword, pointing the tip at Situ E:

"Since that's the case, then today, stay here."

As her voice fell, she took a step forward.

This step seemed to shatter the Void Realm.

In the next moment, her figure appeared outside the mountain gate, confronting Situ E across the air.

"Mid-Stage... Saint Realm?!"

Situ E's pupils shrank sharply, a flash of horror in his eyes:

"You've had a Breakthrough?!"

Three hundred years ago, when Xiao Nianyin had just entered the Saint Realm, she could already heavily injure him.

Now that she had reached the Mid-Stage Saint Realm, to what terrifying level would her strength have reached?

"Thanks to you."

Xiao Nianyin said indifferently, slowly raising the luoyun sword in her hand:

"The grudges of three hundred years will be settled together today."

She didn't waste any more words and slashed out with her sword!

This strike seemed casual, yet it contained a terrifyingly cold Sword Intent.

Wherever the sword light passed, the air condensed, space froze, and even time seemed to slow down.

Situ E's expression changed drastically. Not daring to take it head-on, his figure retreated violently. At the same time, his hands formed seals, and blood-fiend true essence poured out crazily, condensing into a blood-colored shield in front of him.

"Blood Fiend—Heavenly Shield!"

"Boom—!"

The sword light slashed onto the blood-colored shield. The shield was instantly covered in cracks and shattered with a bang!

Situ E groaned and was sent flying back a hundred feet, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.

With just one sword strike, he was injured!

"How is it possible..."

Situ E's eyes were full of disbelief:

"We are both in the Saint Realm, how could you be strong to such an extent?!"

Xiao Nianyin did not answer, but simply raised her sword again.

Her gaze was as cold as frost, but her heart was completely calm.

In this battle, she not only wanted to win.

She also wanted to win beautifully and shockingly.

She wanted to let those people watching in the Hehuan Sect see clearly—

She, Xiao Nianyin, was still the unshakable Sect Master of Hehuan Sect.

Any who dared to provoke her would have to pay the price.

Including... Xu Ruyu.

Her gaze swept across the direction of the back mountain seemingly inadvertently.

"The next strike will take your life."

Xiao Nianyin's voice, like a proclamation from the god of death, echoed between heaven and earth.