Yao Zhenjun returned to the top of the platform. She did not sheathe her sword, but held it in hand, its long tassel swaying in the air as she seriously considered how to improve her swordsmanship.
At this moment, Yin Huanting's voice came through the Heaven-Training Dao Canon. "Exalted Yao, how did the battle go?"
Yao Zhenjun answered truthfully, "Working together, those few were enough to withstand my sword force. In addition, there were miraculous living creatures aiding them. Without the protective artifact sent by Yin Xuanshi, I would not have found it so easy to escape. I might very well have already been defeated and slain there."
She was utterly candid about being unable to overcome their combined efforts and even possibly losing her life. There was not the slightest concealment. Victory and defeat were secondary; every battle was an exploration of the Dao and a tempering of swordsmanship.
Yin Huanting considered this and said, "Would it not work even with Fellow Daoist Shi's assistance?"
Yao Zhenjun said seriously, "Still no. Even if Fellow Daoist Shi acted, we could at most match the other side evenly. There is no chance of defeating them."
She had confidence in herself, but she was not arrogant. Especially when many fellow cultivators were involved, she would never overestimate herself excessively.
Shi Yanxin also spoke at this moment. "These four are no mediocre opponents. Their magical power is not particularly abundant, but they are experienced. They had already taken precautions against our methods beforehand, and they have various spiritual creatures with differing divine abilities to aid them. Fellow Daoist Yao's judgment is correct. With just the two of us joining forces, we can merely keep them occupied. Defeating them would be difficult."
Yin Huanting thought for a moment. Though the formation was guarded by