Zhou Yan was still thinking about Xiang Jian's decisive refusal, but he had overthought things. Their sect leader's deputy had a near-obsessive trust in their sect leader. Despite not knowing Xiao Man at all, he was willing to wager the position of sect leader of the Eight Directions Sword Sect. They were evenly matched with the Mad Blade Society, yet he dared to follow the sect leader to attack the Eight Directions Sword Sect. Every time they thought Xiao Man was leading them to their deaths, she would always bring them unexpected surprises. Truth be told, even he felt that the sect leader might really be able to obtain the Dragon Spirit Bamboo from Yangming Valley.
"If you all go, I can only follow," Zhou Yan said with concern. "However, the four great sects have only just merged into one. If all our key personnel leave, won't the sect descend into chaos?"
"You don't need to worry about that," Xiao Man said with a smile. "Zhou Yan, Poisonous Lady, Xi Wen, each of you recommend three people. These nine will be your successors, responsible for managing the Eight Directions Sword Sect. The three most outstanding among these nine will accompany us into Wuji City this time."
Poisonous Lady's eyes lit up. "It seems the Sect Leader is determined to enter Wuji City this time!"
"This assessment, I must enter Wuji City. Whoever drags me down..." Xiao Man paused, her expression turning cold. "I will throw them into Yangming Valley to be fed to poisonous insects and ferocious beasts."
"Sect Leader, do you mean that all seven of us present, or rather, all ten of us, can enter Wuji City?" Zhou Yan asked incredulously, finding it almost fantastical. This time, the Sect Leader wanted to fill all the spots. Would Wuji City agree?
"What, you don't want to enter Wuji City?"
"I do, I dream of it!" Zhou Yan said without hesitation. "Sect Leader, just give the orders. I'll go through fire and water without a second thought." Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Man smiled. "Go find your successors, arrange all sect affairs. To prevent any accidents, I will set up a formation around the sect's perimeter to guard against external enemies. Everyone, go prepare."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Everyone left, but Xiang Jian did not. He sidled up to Xiao Man, his eyes full of excitement. "You know formations, teach me!"
"How about you try it?" Xiao Man said with a cunning smile. "See how powerful the formation I set up is."
"Okay!" Xiang Jian agreed without hesitation. He found Xiao Man to be a treasure trove. Just when he thought he understood her completely, he would discover new hidden skills. Every time he thought he had seen all her abilities, she would reveal new ones, shattering his perception!
"Pick a few skilled people from the sect to accompany you in breaking the formation," Xiao Man said slowly.
"No need, I'm enough!"
Xiang Jian regretted it for the first time. He should have listened to Xiao Man and found some people to accompany him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.
Xiao Man watched Xiang Jian struggling inside the formation, spitting melon seed shells as she modified it. "I need to adjust this; it's still a bit weak. This kid Xiang Jian is quite good; even without learning formations, he managed to find a weak point."
Shan Yun watched Xiao Man fix all the weak points Xiang Jian had found. Poor Xiang Jian thought he had found a way out, but as soon as he stepped onto it, Xiao Man blocked him. He prepared to find another path, but that one was also blocked. It seemed there was no way out!
"Sect Leader, did you really not leave any way out?" Xiang Jian shouted from inside the formation. "If you don't leave a way out, what happens if our own people accidentally stumble in?"
"Are you an idiot? This is a defensive formation, meant to repel enemies," Xiao Man's voice, filled with mockery, carried over. "If enemies are already attacking, and the defensive formation is activated, why would our own people charge in? Are they tired of living?"
Xiang Jian was choked. "I'm not playing anymore, let me out."
"Play a little longer. See if there are any other loopholes. Time is short, try to do your best," Xiao Man instructed. "Try other methods and see if you can find other weak points."
Xiang Jian wanted to cry but had no tears. Yet, he resigned himself to continuing to search for a way to break the formation. However, Xiao Man was too shameless; the core of the formation was mobile. Even someone proficient in formations might not be able to find it, let alone him!
In the end, Xiang Jian was dragged out of the formation by Xiao Man. He was covered in injuries. Because it was a defensive formation, it contained many traps. Even though Xiang Jian was extremely careful, he still got hurt.
Xiao Man had people attend to Xiang Jian's wounds while she continued to perfect the formation. Shan Yun followed Xiao Man, her eyes filled with admiration. She found that the more she understood Xiao Man, the more she realized how unfathomable she was.
Xi Wen appeared silently beside Shan Yun, startling her. "Protector Xi."
"Lord Shan Yun," Xi Wen said respectfully.
"Protector Xi, just call me Shan Yun," Shan Yun said gently. "Is Protector Xi looking for the Sect Leader for something?"
Xi Wen shook his head. "I just heard the Sect Leader was setting up a formation and wanted to broaden my horizons."
"The Sect Leader is very powerful," Shan Yun said sincerely. Xiao Man was the most capable person she had ever met, seemingly omnipotent, and nothing could stump her.
Xi Wen nodded in agreement. He had been observing Xiao Man since she appeared in the Land of No Return. He had tried multiple times to persuade Fu Ning to recruit Xiao Man into the Flying Eagle Gang, but Fu Ning had always refused. A person with such a narrow vision would never achieve great things.
After Xiao Man adjusted the formation, Xi Wen immediately stepped forward to pay his respects. "Sect Leader."
"Is there something?" Xiao Man asked, taking a handkerchief from Shan Yun and wiping the dirt from her hands.
Xi Wen hesitated for a moment. "Sect Leader, why are you giving me two spots? Aren't you afraid I'm a fake defector?"
Xiao Man glanced at Xi Wen. "Are you?"
"No."
"Then that's that," Xiao Man said calmly.
Xi Wen was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected Xiao Man to be so trusting. Even Xiang Jian might not have believed him so easily, but Xiao Man did!
"Aren't you afraid of trusting the wrong person?"
Xiao Man smiled. "Those who fear trusting the wrong person do so because they cannot bear the cost of being betrayed. For me, that's not an issue."
"Aren't you afraid of paying a heavy price for trusting the wrong person?"
Xiao Man's gaze was momentarily dazed. "I have also trusted the wrong people. The price was my entire clan. All those over ten were killed. Those under ten, the boys were enslaved, and the girls became prostitutes. As for those who followed me, they either died or fled, a truly tragic end."
Xi Wen gasped. After experiencing such a tragic event, how could she still dare to trust others so easily?
"Then why do you still dare to trust me so readily?"
Xiao Man smiled. "What heavy price can I possibly pay now, being alone in the world?"