The chaotic battle at the foot of the mountain had already lasted half an hour.
Hundreds of cultivators fought on the narrow mountain path, spiritual power surging, sword qi crisscrossing. The experts of the Lieyang Gang, relying on their superior numbers, surrounded and divided the cultivators of the Nitian Alliance, attempting to defeat them one by one.
Shaying stood behind a massive boulder, calmly observing the battlefield. Her gaze wandered through the chaotic crowd, searching for suitable prey. The combat method Yuyi had taught her was simple—find opponents weaker than yourself, don't rush to kill them, and seize opportunities to ambush others.
Those fools who acted like gods in chaotic battles, no matter how many people they killed—wouldn't they still be surrounded and fall in the end?
Shaying's gaze locked onto a Foundation Building Realm cultivator from the Lieyang Gang. That person was surrounding and attacking a fellow disciple of the Nitian Alliance, his sword technique fierce, clearly a skilled fighter. But Shaying could see that his spiritual power was already greatly depleted.
She emerged silently from behind the boulder, three hidden weapons already held in her hand.
That Lieyang Gang cultivator was about to pierce the Nitian Alliance cultivator's throat with his sword when he suddenly felt a chill behind him. He instinctively twisted to dodge, but it was already too late. Three hidden weapons flew in a triangular formation—two were blocked by his protective spiritual power, but the third pierced through his shoulder.
The cultivator grunted, his sword momentum faltering.
The Nitian Alliance cultivator he had been surrounding seized the opportunity, thrusting his sword into the man's chest. The Lieyang Gang cultivator screamed, staggering backward, but was soon surrounded by other arriving Nitian Alliance cultivators and fell.
Shaying had already retreated behind the boulder, continuing to search for her next target.
Throughout the chaotic battle, she was like a ghost, never engaging in direct combat, yet always appearing at critical moments to ambush the Lieyang Gang's experts with hidden weapons. She had helped no fewer than a dozen people, but each time she struck once and retreated, never lingering in battle.
A Foundation Building late-stage expert from the Lieyang Gang discovered her and pursued aggressively. Shaying turned and fled, rushing directly toward a group of Nitian Alliance cultivators. That Lieyang Gang expert was surrounded halfway through his pursuit and ultimately fell beneath a storm of swords.
Shaying stood in the distance, watching the man's remains, her heart without the slightest ripple. Yuyi's words echoed in her mind: Only those who survive are heroes.
She reached back to touch the Shadowless Sword—its blade was ice-cold, yet it gave her peace of mind. Yuyi had said this sword was now in her hands, her talisman for preserving life. Although she couldn't use it casually, just knowing it was there made her feel grounded.
The chaotic battle continued for over an hour before the Lieyang Gang's experts finally began to retreat.
The Nitian Alliance cultivators did not pursue—they also needed to rest and regroup. This chaotic battle had casualties on both sides, but the Lieyang Gang's losses were greater. The elders of the Nitian Alliance began tallying casualties and spoils of war—fallen cultivators would receive compensation, and survivors would also be rewarded.
Several cultivators whom Shaying had helped came to thank her. A Foundation Building middle-stage female cultivator stepped forward, her expression grateful: "Thank you, fellow daoist, for your assistance. Without that hidden weapon of yours, I fear I would have fallen beneath that Lieyang Gang cultivator's sword."
Shaying merely nodded faintly: "A small effort."
The female cultivator continued: "Your movement technique is superb, and your hidden weapon skills are even more exquisite. May I ask who your master is?"
Shaying shook her head: "No sect, no school—just some small methods I've figured out myself."
Seeing that Shaying was unwilling to say more, the female cultivator didn't press the matter. She cupped her hands: "Regardless, I will remember today's life-saving grace. I am called Qingzhu. If you ever need help in the future, just ask."
Shaying nodded, watching Qingzhu leave. She knew these people's gratitude was sincere, but if they encountered danger again, they would still prioritize saving their own lives.
This was the reality of the cultivation world.
Several more cultivators came to express thanks, and Shaying responded to each one, but always maintained a faint distance. She didn't want to establish too deep a relationship with these people, because Yuyi had said that in the cultivation world, the deeper the relationship, the more entanglements, and the greater the danger.
A young Foundation Building early-stage cultivator walked over, his eyes filled with admiration: "Senior, your hidden weapon skills are amazing! Could you teach me?"
Shaying glanced at him and said faintly: "The way of hidden weapons lies in timing and positioning. If you wish to learn, observe the battlefield more—see how those who survive fight."
The young cultivator paused, then cupped his hands: "Thank you for your guidance, senior!"
Shaying nodded and turned to leave. She found a secluded corner, sat cross-legged, and began to regulate her breathing. Although she hadn't engaged in direct combat, maintaining constant high alert had still consumed considerable energy.
She looked up toward the mountaintop, silently praying for Yuyi's safety. Yuyi and the others faced the Lieyang Gang's experts—the danger far exceeded the chaotic battle at the foot of the mountain. She could only trust in Yuyi's strength and wisdom.
Time passed bit by bit, and the sun gradually slanted westward.
Shaying's heart grew increasingly uneasy. She stood up, pacing back and forth at the foot of the mountain, her gaze always fixed on the mountaintop's direction. Other Nitian Alliance cultivators also waited anxiously—everyone knew the battle at the summit was the key.
Finally, at sunset, several figures flew down from the mountain.
Shaying recognized Yuyi's figure at a glance, her heart leaping with joy as she quickly moved forward to meet them. But she soon discovered that Yuyi and Bingxin were both lying on stretchers, their faces pale, their breath weak.
"Yuyi!" Shaying exclaimed, rushing to the stretcher's side.
Yuyi opened his eyes, and seeing Shaying, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "I'm fine, just suffered some injuries."
Seeing Yuyi's pale face, Shaying's heart ached. She knew he was comforting her—that he had been reduced to this state showed how brutal the battle had been.
Duan Changjian, Xuantie, Liekong, and Canglong had all suffered heavy injuries and were supported by other cultivators. Yuehua Xianzi and Shuanghua Xianzi, though also injured, were relatively lightly wounded.
The elders of the Nitian Alliance immediately arranged for personnel to send the injured cultivators back to headquarters for treatment. Shaying stayed by Yuyi's stretcher, never leaving his side.
After returning to Nitian Alliance headquarters, Yuyi and the others were placed in a secluded cave dwelling to heal.
Shaying guarded outside the cave dwelling, her heart anxious and uneasy. She didn't know how severe Yuyi's injuries actually were, nor the outcome of this battle.
It wasn't until late at night that Yuehua Xianzi emerged from the cave dwelling and said to Shaying: "Yuyi is no longer in danger. You can go in and see him."
Shaying nodded and quickly entered the cave dwelling.
Inside, Yuyi had already sat up. Though his face was still somewhat pale, his spirit had recovered considerably. Bingxin also sat to the side, regulating her breath.
Seeing Shaying enter, Yuyi beckoned her to sit beside him.
"The battle is over," Yuyi said softly. "Though our losses were heavy, we preserved our lives, and we kept the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures."
Shaying breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good then."
Yuyi glanced outside the cave dwelling, and after confirming no one else was present, he said in a low voice: "This battle succeeded thanks to everyone's cooperation. Especially Bingxin—she blocked a sword for me at a critical moment."
Bingxin shook her head: "Valley Master Yuyi contributed the most. If you hadn't sacrificed your Shadowless Sword at the final moment, Jianying might very well have escaped."
Hearing this, Shaying's heart tightened. She knew the importance of the Shadowless Sword to Yuyi—it was a Nine Heavens Spirit Treasure, priceless beyond measure.
Yuyi smiled bitterly: "My Shadowless Sword was snatched by Jianying. Now I'm empty-handed."
In truth, the Shadowless Sword was in Shaying's hands. But only the seven of them knew this—it had to be kept secret from outsiders.
Yuehua Xianzi and Shuanghua Xianzi also walked in, carrying a pile of dharma treasures.
Yuehua Xianzi said: "The dharma treasures captured this time should be redistributed. Yuyi can have priority in selecting."
Yuyi glanced at the pile of dharma treasures and chose the Hanxiao Sword. This was a Nine Heavens Spirit Treasure—the sword blade exuded bone-chilling cold air, its power no less than the Shadowless Sword.
Yuyi accepted the Hanxiao Sword, then walked before Shaying and handed it to her.
Shaying paused: "For me?"
Yuyi nodded: "You hold the Shadowless Sword, and you'll hold the Hanxiao Sword as well. You've now learned the Clear Heart Sword Art—you need a good sword."
Shaying's eyes reddened with emotion. She knew Yuyi was caring for her. The Shadowless Sword was a Nine Heavens Spirit Treasure, priceless beyond measure, yet Yuyi had given it to her without hesitation. Now he was giving her the newly obtained Hanxiao Sword as well—this friendship was too heavy.
Yuyi saw her thoughts and said softly: "You can't use the Shadowless Sword openly right now—currently it's as good as not having it. The Hanxiao Sword you can use openly and legitimately. Having both swords in your hands will also facilitate your future cultivation."
Shaying nodded and stored both swords away.
Everyone began to agree on their cover story. Shuanghua Xianzi said: "We'll say externally that the plan was leaked and we encountered an ambush. The traitor was Le Xiaoyao—he forged the Alliance Master's orders and led us into the trap."
Yuyi added: "Le Xiaoyao's matter—Fairy Shuanghua will be responsible for publicly handling it. Others will pretend to recuperate and not show themselves."
Yuehua Xianzi reminded: "The captured dharma treasures must be placed in the Lingbao Pavilion or gang treasury for one day before they can be bound—everyone don't forget."
Everyone nodded one after another.
Yuyi looked at Shaying, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes. He knew that Shaying had grown tremendously in this chaotic battle. She had learned how to survive in danger, how to fight with wisdom rather than brute force.
This was what he wanted to teach her.
Only those who survive are heroes.