Oh, So You're the Only One Who Can Call for Backup

Outside the grand formation.

Li Yingling watched the surging spiritual energy and the occasional terrifying pressure leaking from within the formation, her expression tinged with shock.

Li Xingtian's gaze remained calm as he observed Xu Linglong inside the formation, who showed no signs of backing down and instead began clashing blades with their master.

Back then… perhaps his death hadn’t been entirely in vain.

He just didn’t understand—if Xu Linglong had this level of cultivation back then, she could have easily subdued him if she wanted to drain him. Why bother deceiving him?

If she had simply drained him outright, Li Xingtian would have accepted it as the cruel ways of the world.

But to deceive his feelings first and then drain him? That was a hatred he would carry for life.

Chen Baiqing’s expression grew slightly solemn as she watched her master’s figure engaged in fierce combat with Xu Linglong within the formation.

The two figures moved at blinding speeds, but even faster were the exchanges of devastating strikes.

Even with the support of the grand formation and Daoist Yuyang, her master was only managing to fight Xu Linglong to a standstill—which in itself was already a dangerous sign.

Li Yingling clicked her tongue and remarked,

"Does Master usually fight monsters like this?"

Li Yingling had spent most of her time in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, only occasionally crossing paths with the Central Continent. Though she had heard of the prestige of the Eighteen Immortal Sects and witnessed the reverence and fear the rogue cultivators and sect disciples of the Eastern Victory Divine Continent held for them, she had never truly felt their weight.

To her, the Eighteen Immortal Sects were more like… that gluttonous, playful flood dragon, or those core disciples who never protested even when her master took advantage of them.

Whether it was the Tianyan Sect, whose disciples wandered around aimlessly, or the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect disciples who turned friendly the moment they flashed their tokens—none of them had given Li Yingling a true sense of the Eighteen Immortal Sects’ might.

Moreover, most of the Eighteen Immortal Sects’ disciples struck her as less talented than herself.

She had simply assumed the Eastern Victory Divine Continent was full of mediocrity.

But now, witnessing this grand formation and Xu Linglong’s relentless counterattacks despite its suppression…

Truly, everything paled in comparison.

Only now did Li Yingling begin to understand why the rogue cultivators under her command in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent had always regarded the Central Continent with such awe.

Li Xingtian, who had spent more time in the Central Continent, though never reaching the level of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, had still made a name for himself there.

He understood this feeling all too well.

"At least Master is friends with Xu Jin and Daoist Yuyang," Li Xingtian remarked with a sigh.

Chen Baiqing, whose cultivation had yet to reach the Nascent Soul stage, struggled to fully grasp the high-level battle unfolding before her. Watching Xu Linglong’s ink-like counterattacks, she couldn’t help but ask worriedly,

"Is Master at an advantage right now?"

Li Yingling nodded slightly, her expression serious.

"Numerically speaking, yes."

"Senior Sister…" Chen Baiqing frowned, her tone growing anxious.

How could her senior sister joke around at a time like this?

Li Yingling raised an eyebrow. "What’s the first rule Master taught us about facing enemies?"

Chen Baiqing answered without hesitation, "If you can’t win, run."

"Exactly," Li Yingling said. "Master isn’t actually stupid. If he can’t win, he’ll run. No need to worry too much."

Chen Baiqing opened her mouth to retort but ultimately stayed silent.

"That’s not necessarily true. Your master can be quite dense at times."

A familiar voice sounded from behind the three of them—yet none had sensed her approach.

Li Yingling didn’t startle. Instead, she turned calmly to see Bai Xuanling standing there with an amused smile.

Back in the sect, Bai Xuanling had always enjoyed sneaking up on people and speaking without warning.

At first, it had startled them a few times, but after enough repetitions, they had grown accustomed to her sudden appearances.

"Sister Bai, you’re here?" Li Yingling’s eyes brightened as she reached out to pull her into a hug. "It’s been so long! Did Master call you too?"

Bai Xuanling shook her head slightly. "The Taidao Sect requested passage through the Haotian Sect, and the Tianyan Sect was urgently contacted to act as guarantor."

No sooner had she spoken than—

(Note: If you can’t find the book by title, try searching the author—it might have been renamed!)

—over a dozen streaks of rainbow light shot in from the west, rushing toward the grand formation as reinforcements.

Li Yingling looked up, her expression shifting to surprise.

The cultivation levels of these cultivators were no joke… many of them were likely at the Soul Formation stage or higher.

Bai Xuanling’s gaze remained calm as she observed Xu Linglong, whose aura only seemed to grow fiercer the longer the battle raged.

"I received word and personally went to the Haotian Sect to vouch for them. Since I was coming anyway, I thought I’d check in and see how Little Lingyu has been doing."

Li Yingling grinned as she answered,

"Senior Uncle Xie seems to be doing quite well. He’s even slacking off on his cultivation lately—just like Master."

Bai Xuanling nodded in satisfaction.

"That’s good to hear."

Chen Baiqing glanced at Xu Linglong, whose form had twisted into something less human, her attacks growing increasingly vicious.

"Sister Bai, what’s the deal with that demoness? How is she so strong?"

"She resembles a Heavenly Demon…" Bai Xuanling narrowed her eyes slightly. "But even if she is one, she won’t walk away unscathed this time."

Li Yingling nodded emphatically.

"Of course not. Sister Bai could finish her off with just a couple of sword strikes."

Bai Xuanling chuckled but didn’t respond to the remark.

Instead, her gaze remained fixed on the heart of the battle.

The leader of the Taidao Sect’s reinforcements, Bai Xuanling recalled, was their Punishment Elder—a Great Ascension stage expert who had once arrogantly challenged her to a spar. Though he had been a bit green back then, his talent and potential were undeniable.

As the Taidao Sect made their entrance, the Punishment Elder and over a dozen elite disciples joined forces to activate another grand formation.

Its power even surpassed that of the Tianyan Sect’s formation.

Xu Linglong, who had remained composed until now, finally showed signs of tension.

Within a few exchanges, the black currents shielding her began to crumble, and Chu Xingchen seized the opportunity to slash down, sending her crashing into a deep pit.

Daoist Yuyang swiftly cast several divine techniques to bolster the Punishment Elder.

From the looks of it, the Punishment Elder even praised Daoist Yuyang for his mastery of divine arts.

Given the current situation, Xu Linglong was unlikely to gain the upper hand.

If she had no means of escape, she might very well meet her end here.

Bai Xuanling had deliberately worn a spirit sword at her waist today, her eyes brimming with sword intent.

Since she was here, she would ensure there were no loose ends. If this Heavenly Demon had any tricks up her sleeve, Bai Xuanling would be the one to sever them.

On the battlefield—

Chu Xingchen’s Wanbian sword transformed into a radiant azure light, its spiritual energy surging wildly.

The situation was all but decided. Everyone who could be called upon had arrived.

No longer holding back, Chu Xingchen unleashed his full power—so overwhelming that even the Taidao Sect’s Punishment Elder couldn’t help but glance his way.

"Flowing Water!"

Chu Xingchen’s Wanbian shot forth, transforming into a raging river that barreled toward Xu Linglong. He then roared, "Ten Thousand Currents!"

Xu Linglong lowered her gaze, her body already bearing numerous wounds. Yet, faced with Chu Xingchen’s strike, she showed no intention of retreating.

Suddenly, she seemed to sense something—and a smile crept onto her lips.

The grand Starfall Formation trembled violently before a large section of it shattered into motes of light and dispersed.

The next moment, countless dark streams surged from the ground beneath Xu Linglong, rushing toward the myriad currents unleashed by Chu Xingchen.

Beneath the black torrents, a gaunt man, thin as a twig, struggled to his feet with visible difficulty.

Xu Linglong's gaze swept over the emaciated man before settling back on Chu Xingchen. Her voice rang out with triumphant amusement:

"Good try, kid. Did you think you were the only one who could call for backup?"

"Let me teach you another lesson today—numbers don’t always mean victory!"

Can't find the book by title? Try searching for the author instead—it might just have been renamed!