After the disciple finished speaking, more than a dozen zhang ahead of Xiao Hua, "Whoosh..." ripples like waterlight flickered. Over a hundred pale-blue sparks appeared out of thin air, then burst simultaneously. After a string of "Crackle, crackle, crackle" sounds, more than a hundred flying boats resembling honeycombs appeared in midair. Two human cultivators clad in black armor and holding magical treasures stood atop each boat. The black armor gave off no radiance and looked as though it had been refined from wood vines. It covered the cultivators' heads and faces completely, concealing their appearances. One flying boat at the front descended before Xiao Hua. A tall cultivator flew down from it and bowed. "This junior, Ding Hong, a guard of Yongan Mountain, greets Senior Xiao!"
"Mm." Xiao Hua raised a hand to help Ding Hong up and asked, "This Xiao heard that Yongan Mountain had been surrounded by the Devil Race. Why is there not a single trace of the Devil Race here?"
"To inform Senior..." Ding Hong answered respectfully, "Several years ago, the Devil Race did indeed surround Yongan Mountain. However, under the tenacious resistance of Yongan Mountain's disciples, they failed to prevail! Later, a massive star tide erupted near Yongan Mountain. Our disciples narrowly escaped disaster by sheltering within the mountain-protecting grand formation, while an enormous number of Devil Race members were killed by the star tide. Once the star tide passed, the Devil Race withdrew!"
"Then that is strange!" Xiao Hua said curiously. "Since Yongan Mountain has already been relieved, why did you not send word of it to the Council Hall?"
"Under the star tide, even Yongan Mountain's sect-protecting grand formation was battered into a complete mess. The other restrictions, including the Teleportation Array, were also utterly destroyed, so Yongan Mountain's news could not be