The three meditators almost opened their eyes at the same time. Zhang Yan had already risen to his feet and was peering outside through the formation.
Mu Ningzhu and Yunxi released their divine sense almost simultaneously to investigate the situation outside, while Zhen Tongshuang had already gripped her sword warily.
The instant Yunxi's divine sense spread out, she spotted familiar faces—the Hundred Flowers Tower disciples they had encountered at the teahouse before. Only now, their numbers had dwindled, leaving just two of them under siege.
Four cultivators whose faces could not be made out were surrounding them. Yunxi sensed their cultivation levels; all four were at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Her brows furrowed as well. She had no idea how the people from Hundred Flowers Tower had provoked such formidable enemies.
Mu Ningzhu's expression also turned solemn as she instructed Zhen Tongshuang beside her,
"Xiao Shuang, raise the formation's defenses to their maximum."
"Yes."
Zhen Tongshuang knew they must have encountered trouble. She immediately formed hand seals obediently, raising the formation's defensive level to its highest setting, then silently returned to Mu Ningzhu's side.
Yunxi spoke softly,
"Senior Sister Mu, they're the Hundred Flowers Tower cultivators we met that day. Should we show ourselves?"
Mu Ningzhu kept her gaze fixed on the six figures gradually drawing closer and said hesitantly,
"Let's observe first. We don't know the exact reason for their conflict, so it's best not to interfere rashly. Otherwise, we could easily bring trouble upon ourselves."
Zhang Yan, who had remained silent until now, tightened his grip on the long staff in his hand and said coldly,
"Uncle-Master Mu, those black-clothed cultivators besieging the two of them seem to be evil cultivators."
Yunxi's eyes widened at those words. She had read records about evil cultivators, but this was