—

However, on the day of departure, chaos reigned in front of the Xuantian Sect's mountain gate. Disciples huddled together in twos and threes, their faces filled with dejection. Wei Ji rushed over, beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead.

"Something's happened!" he gasped for breath. "The Second Elder suffered a qi deviation during cultivation, and the Sect Leader must personally protect him..."

This news was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads. The team, which had been all set and ready, immediately deflated, and several young disciples even had tears in their eyes—they had been preparing for this opportunity for decades.

Wei Ji rubbed his hands awkwardly: "How about... we call it quits this time..."

Without the sect leader, even though he is already at the Nascent Soul stage, it would be difficult for him to lead so many disciples.

Fighting for the Dao Source Fruit is far too dangerous. Not to mention the other sects' cultivators who are eyeing them covetously, the demonic beasts along the way alone would be enough to wipe them out.

Without the sect leader's method of concealment, they probably wouldn't even have seen the face of that Dao Source Divine Tree.

However, at that moment a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out.

"No need."

The sound stunned everyone.

Bai Ying descended slowly, dressed in white, her jade pendant jingling at her waist.

"Let's go now. I can guarantee your safety." She spoke calmly, as if she were saying something completely ordinary.

The scene erupted in uproar.

"Has she gone mad?" an inner disciple muttered under his breath.

"Without a sect leader in charge, how can we compete with other sects?"

"This little girl's cultivation is indeed impressive, but no matter how powerful she is, how strong can her actual combat ability be? Can she compare to those old monsters?"