Outside the Clear Wind Sect, the ground was already covered with fallen figures.
"Disciple, beat them into the ground for me. Don't hold back."
Those minor Foundation Establishment lackeys had been directly knocked unconscious by Yun Man, while the Golden Core small fries were all severely injured. Now, a cluster of Nascent Soul cultivators had emerged, and Yun Man was taking them all on by herself.
Qin Xiao stood some distance away, shouting instructions.
It wasn't that Qin Xiao didn't want to help, but Yun Man wouldn't let him interfere. She insisted that a master should maintain the dignity of a master, leaving these small fry to her so she could properly get a feel for her late Nascent Soul cultivation.
With such a capable disciple, Qin Xiao naturally didn't stand on ceremony.
"Big Brother, the boss's female disciple is truly fierce. Fighting over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators single-handedly and not falling behind at all," Li You muttered to Zhang Zuo, who was hiding in the shadows beside him.
"Stop talking nonsense. With the boss's financial resources, what kind of disciple couldn't he cultivate? Besides, that girl possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root. We need to keep our eyes on the boss instead. This Clear Wind Sect has late Soul Formation experts; if the boss gets captured, we're finished."
Zhang Zuo remained unimpressed. The boss had deep pockets, and his disciple had a Heavenly Spirit Root-he must have poured countless resources into her. Such results were hardly surprising.
Though he said he understood, deep down he couldn't fathom it at all. How old was this girl? Back when he was her age, he was still stuck in the Qi Condensation stage, miles away from Foundation Establishment, yet she was already at the late Nascent Soul stage. If someone like the boss had backed him in his youth, he wouldn't just be lingering in the mid Soul Formation stage now.
Ye Qiuyue was concealed in an entirely different direction. Her sole target was the Clear Wind Ancestor, so she refused to reveal herself until the decisive moment.
Meanwhile, the Clear Wind Sect's Nascent Soul managers found their hearts turning colder with every exchange. Over a dozen men couldn't even subdue this single woman.
"We can't keep going like this. Most of us are only at the early Nascent Soul stage, and only two are at the mid-stage. She's at the late stage-we're simply no match for her."
"What's the panic? We just need to stall. Some disciples have already gone to report; an Elder will be here any second."
"I'm afraid we'll perish before the Elder even gets here. Haven't you noticed? That girl's momentum keeps climbing. Just because she hasn't dealt a fatal blow yet doesn't mean she won't start."
"Indeed. Should we fall back into the sect and wait for reinforcements?"
Yun Man's attacks grew increasingly fierce, prompting the Clear Wind managers to consider retreating.
"Disciple, hit them harder! These scoundrels are trying to run."
Noticing the managers shifting from aggressive assaults to defensive maneuvers while inching backward, Qin Xiao immediately alerted Yun Man.
Yun Man had already sensed it. Recognizing that their opponents had abandoned all offensive intent and were solely focused on escaping, she stopped holding back.
"Damn it, she's going for the kill! We can't fall back anymore. We have to strike together and force her back!"
Realizing their intentions were exposed, the Clear Wind managers redoubled their attacks in a desperate final push.
"Right on time. Mountain Severance."
Seeing them charge forward simultaneously, Yun Man judged the moment perfect to end it all at once.
A ring of sword Qi instantly erupted from her hand, moving with a speed that defied evasion.
Faced with the incoming blade light, the managers scrambled to activate their protective Dharma Treasures. Yet, even a casual strike of the Mountain Severance executed by Yun Man's current strength was far beyond what they could weather.
When the sword Qi swept past, all fourteen Nascent Soul managers crashed to the ground, vomiting blood as severe injuries racked their bodies.
"Young lady, our Clear Wind Sect has no personal grudge with you! Please show mercy, we concede!"
Seeing her approach, the men hastily began to beg for their lives.
"Alright, disciple. Round them up and bring them here."
Though they belonged to the Clear Wind Sect, Qin Xiao chose to spare them. It wasn't out of misplaced mercy, but utility; these were Nascent Soul cultivators who likely possessed valuable intelligence worth extracting.
"Are you walking over yourselves, or do I need to carry you?"
Reluctant to waste time binding them one by one, Yun Man issued a blunt threat.
"We'll walk."
Having tasted the extent of her power, and nursing heavy injuries, they had no choice but to obey.
Soon, all fourteen battered Nascent Soul managers stood submissively before Qin Xiao.
"How many more of your tier does the Clear Wind Sect have? And who ranks above you?" Qin Xiao demanded.
"This is sect confidential. I refuse to tell you," one manager replied, maintaining a shred of pride.
"Disciple, execute him."
Qin Xiao wasted no breath.
With a flash of steel, a head rolled across the earth.
"Your turn."
Qin Xiao pointed at the next man.
The designated manager trembled with panic.
At a nod from Qin Xiao, Yun Man executed another swift strike, claiming a second life.
"Young Master, we truly cannot speak! The Patriarch planted soul restrictions within us. If we reveal sect secrets and he finds out, our souls will scatter into nothingness. It's death either way!"
Before Qin Xiao could select another target, one of the captives dropped to his knees and wailed the reason.
"Oh? Such restrictions actually exist?"
It was Qin Xiao's first time encountering such a mechanism.
"Master, soul restrictions do exist. I have heard of them before, though this is my first time seeing one firsthand," Yun Man explained quietly at a glance from him.
"Since that's the case, I won't press you further. Kneel over there. Let's see who steps out next."
Finding no further information forthcoming, Qin Xiao lost interest. With the Nascent Soul layer defeated, a Soul Formation expert should finally make an appearance.
"Who dares run wild in my Clear Wind Sect?"
A voice boomed across the area before its owner even came into view.
"Third Elder! It's the Third Elder!"
Though Qin Xiao didn't recognize the voice, the kneeling managers immediately identified Third Elder Duan Mingfei.
Sure enough, a figure flashed into sight.
"Master, it's a Soul Formation cultivator," Yun Man warned softly.
"No matter. This spot was chosen in consultation with the bodyguards. If he attacks, they can intervene in time."
Qin Xiao remained entirely unperturbed, secure in his carefully prepared vantage point.
"A mere late Nascent Soul cultivator dares act presumptuously here? Hmph-what is the meaning of this?"
Duan Mingfei had intended to roar a fierce intimidation, but the sight of prostrate disciples and kneeling managers brought him to a sudden halt. What kind of bizarre situation was this?
"Did the two of you cause all this?" Duan Mingfei asked incredulously.
Before Qin Xiao could reply, Duan Mingfei interrupted himself:
"I knew it. A brat devoid of Spiritual Qi paired with a late Nascent Soul girl couldn't possibly pull this off. Tell the person backing you to show themselves!"
"Will you let me finish a sentence? This wasn't accomplished by two people-it was done entirely by my disciple alone. Where are your manners? Do you lack basic respect?"
Qin Xiao snapped back, deeply irritated by the interruption.
"What nonsense are you spouting? You lot-did he say this girl did all this by herself?" Duan Mingfei barked, turning his gaze to the kneeling managers.
"Replying to the Third Elder... it was indeed her alone," the managers answered, flushing with humiliation.