Chapter 1174: Chapter 1174: Forcing Growth

Yang Yan seemingly had no intention to continue his attack, and he smiled softly: "Indeed, it’s a pity. In my hometown, there’s a saying, ’If you have Yu, why have Liang?’ Encountering me, it’s best to retreat three times!"

Zhao Yuheng was visibly startled for a moment, then laughed heartily, and with a hint of loneliness said:

"Retreat three times! That’s right, encountering a monster like you, I should retreat three times!"

"In a situation like just now, you can still maintain such clarity of mind, what do I have to compete with you?! Haha! Hahaha!"

Yang Yan’s brows raised slightly, and he said calmly: "Courtesy calls for reciprocity! This time, it’s my turn to strike. Zhao, be careful."

Before Zhao Yuheng could react, countless rays of white light attacked him.

Yang Yan seemed to casually perform a sword trick, and suddenly the sword light separated, layer upon layer, sweeping over Zhao Yuheng overwhelmingly from all sides.

Wow!

Zhao Yuheng merely swung a sword, then groaned, stood firm, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The white light piercing through Zhao Yuheng did not dissipate but instead burst into countless star lights within his body.

Zhao Yuheng’s body was instantly riddled with holes and fell weakly into the pool of blood.

However, the members of the Yizheng Sect and Biluo Sect, under Yang Yan’s starlight, were completely exposed, pierced through, and died a hopeless death.

On the Ancient Abyss Sect’s side, however, not many were left.

Counting them, they were only a dozen or so.

Though all the disciples were filled with anguish, there was more joy.

A win is a win.

In this situation, the Ancient Abyss Sect was able to turn defeat into victory almost entirely due to Yang Yan’s efforts.

Everyone looked at him with eyes full of admiration.

"Yang, this time we face heavy losses!" Lin Zimu looked at the corpses of the disciples, saying sadly.

Yang Yan smiled bitterly and reminded: "Zimu, don’t be overly saddened. Fate is in the hands of heaven. The immediate priority is to tend to the wounded and to leave here as soon as possible."

Lin Zimu nodded: "Hopefully, this battle will teach our brothers and sisters a valuable lesson."

Lin Zimu quickly went to tend to the injured brothers, while Yang Yan glanced back at Gongsun Ruyan and the other four who were healing on the ground.

At this moment, any reproach in his heart vanished.

"Sire, we were wrong, too complacent."

All four were overwhelmed with self-blame, and as soon as they slightly recovered, they hurriedly spoke.

Yang Yan had no intention of pursuing the matter, waving his hand: "No harm, this I also didn’t anticipate."

While speaking, Yang Yan casually took out a delicate white jade bottle from his bosom and dispensed four pills to Gongsun Ruyan and the others.

After taking it, they once again exercised and adjusted their breath. Although their injuries did not change much, their energy improved significantly.

The person who cast the spell had already perished, and the Secret Realm instantly merged with the outside world.

Yang Yan looked up to the now clear heavens, unable to conceal the turmoil in his eyes.

Deep within the Ancient Abyss Sect, on a mist-covered stone-carved array, several silhouettes sat cross-legged.

These people were those rescued by Yang Yan: Gongsun Ruyan, Zhuge Wushuang, Mu Qingcheng, Xiaocao, and Lin Zimu among others.

Behind each was an elder of the Healing Element from within the sect, gradually exercising to heal them.

After several exchanges of Spiritual Power, a radiant beam was injected into each person’s back.

Within a few breaths, their faces flushed, and then they all spat out a mouthful of foul blood.

After adjusting their breath on their own for a while, their complexion gradually improved.

Yet, the four girls remained with their eyes closed.

Nearby, a grand elder noticed Yang Yan’s persistent frown and cautiously said:

"Reporting to the grand master, the disciples are actually fine now, they only need regular medication to fully recover. As for these girls..."

At this point, the grand elder seemed a bit hesitant.

Yang Yan tried to restrain the Evil Qi around him and nodded: "Leave them to me, grand elder may return now!"

The grand elder nodded, immediately led the disciples, and departed.

Once everyone left, Yang Yan put a hand on a nearby pillar.

It turned out, to heal everyone quickly, the grand elder led the group in setting up an array with healing effects here.

The array’s core was carved personally by Elder Dugu on a superior medicinal stone, at the expense of his True Essence.

Combined with the rising Spiritual Qi around, the healing effect was excellent.

Otherwise, not to mention three days, even ten times more time might not suffice for the injured to heal themselves thoroughly.

As for Xiaocao and the four girls, they remained in meditation because Yang Yan shared his insights from his breakthrough without reservation.

As they say, breaking leads to rebuilding, though they suffered a great loss, it wasn’t without benefit to them.

Yang Yan was precisely using this opportunity to "help the growth along," aiding them to achieve breakthroughs.

Normally, breakthroughs should be gradual and natural, but this time Yang Yan went against the norm, having them complete their breakthroughs first, then finding ways to consolidate.

Of course, Yang Yan didn’t keep it all to himself; these benefits were also extended to Lin Zimu.

With the array’s power further stimulated, the most powerful Lin Zimu was the first to open his eyes.

"Yang..."

Lin Zimu was about to joyfully say something, but he suddenly noticed Yang Yan’s somber gaze and hesitated.

Yang Yan simply sighed softly: "My ten swords are now down to four."

His tone was nearly indifferent, devoid of any visible joy or sorrow.

"The other six swords have probably been taken by other sects. Considering their talent, they might be cherished and cared for there. We might not see them again..."

At this moment, Lin Zimu was still in the dark, completely unaware of the Ancient Abyss Sect’s higher-ups’ plans.

He gritted his teeth, somewhat angrily said: "These damned people are accustomed to using these despicable tricks!"

Yang Yan gently shook his head and turned to say: "Zimu, if there’s nothing else, go to Elder Dugu for the medicine!"

"This time, you forcibly broke through, you must consolidate quickly, or else an unstable foundation will not benefit future development."

Lin Zimu glanced at the still unconscious four girls, silently bowed to Yang Yan, and then flew away on his sword.

After waiting a while, Yang Yan happily discovered the aura on the four girls began to tremble slightly.

Without any doubt, this was a sign of breakthrough.

Since the preparations were thorough, especially with Yang Yan guarding, the entire process was smooth and safe, the four girls succeeded one after another and awoke consecutively.

According to the plan, the four girls went to the Internal Affairs Hall to collect custom-made pills by Elder Dugu.

After taking them, Elder Dugu even exhaustingly used True Essence to enhance the pill’s effects, assisting in their absorption.

All four girls benefited immensely, and they simply stayed at Elder Dugu’s place, racing to consolidate their cultivation.