Xiao Man was worried that Feng Mo Ran would cause trouble, so she planned to leave the East Yue Forest early and go back to the Hundred Herbs Hall to retrieve the Shen Nong Cauldron.
However, she discovered that many people were gathered around the perimeter, clustered in small groups, seemingly discussing something.
"What happened?"
"We're trapped in the East Yue Forest."
Xiao Man stepped forward and reached out, only to find that a barrier had been erected outside the East Yue Forest, trapping them all within.
"Quite the undertaking, to trap me here, they've sealed off the entire vast East Yue Forest." Xiao Man sneered. "Maintaining such a large-scale barrier requires considerable energy. I'd like to see how long you can sustain it."
Xiao Man turned and walked back. If she couldn't get out, she would simply stay inside. At this moment, it was a battle of patience, and she had never admitted defeat in that regard. Moreover, Feng Mo Ran had no leverage, so forcing her out wouldn't be easy.
"It looks like something is posted up ahead."
"A portrait. They're looking for someone. If you find this person, you can leave."
"I think I've seen this person before." Someone stared at the portrait for a long time, then suddenly looked behind them. They thought they had seen this person standing beside them just now, but when they turned around, they didn't see the person in the portrait. "Strange, could it be my imagination?"
"What are you looking at?"
"I think I've seen this person."
"Who hasn't seen this person?" another person said through gritted teeth. "Xiao Qin, who captured the Flood Dragon and ate its flesh in front of everyone!"
"It's her!" Everyone finally realized that the person in the portrait was Xiao Man, and they suddenly understood. "This brat has stirred up a hornet's nest this time. I wonder what great power she has offended to seal the entire East Yue Forest just to find her!"
"Arrogant and unrestrained, it's normal to court disaster."
"If she causes trouble, why do we all have to be trapped here?" Someone was displeased. "Xiao Qin, you damn scoundrel, step out and resolve this disaster, then let us go."
However, no matter how much they cursed, Xiao Man did not appear. Thus, everyone searched the East Yue Forest for Xiao Man's whereabouts. Xiao Man, disguised, mixed in with the crowd, listening to everyone curse her and occasionally agreeing with them, without arousing any suspicion.
Upon learning that the people inside the East Yue Forest were trapped, Jun Fei Er immediately rushed to the scene with elders from other sects. Indeed, they could not enter or exit.
"Fairy Jun, what kind of trouble has your good disciple stirred up now?"
Jun Fei Er scoffed, "Don't forget, if it weren't for my good disciple, you would have all died at the hands of the demon race in Wuji City."
Everyone choked, not daring to retort. If it hadn't been for Xiao Man back then, they would have indeed fallen to the demon race. Even if they hadn't fallen, they would have suffered heavy losses.
"Are there no demon races in the East Yue Forest now?"
"Are you sure?" Jun Fei Er asked languidly, a sense of unease growing in her heart. Despite her repeated instructions, Xiao Man had still gotten into trouble. She knew her disciple well; someone must have provoked her.
"This... I'm not sure, but after all, it's your disciple who caused the trouble, trapping everyone in the East Yue Forest, isn't it?"
"This is completely unreasonable. Instead of looking for the culprit who sealed off the East Yue Forest, you're bothering my disciple. What, are you all just bullies who pick on the weak?" Jun Fei Er said irritably. "What else can you do besides bullying my disciple and repaying kindness with enmity?"
"Fairy Jun, we were just talking."
"When my disciple saved people, why didn't you say anything?"
"My disciple and the disciples of my Hundred Herbs Hall are trapped inside, why aren't you saying anything?"
Everyone exchanged glances, knowing that Jun Fei Er was unreasonable and fiercely protective, especially after taking a disciple, whom she doted on to the heavens and could not tolerate anyone speaking ill of.
"Fairy Jun, we just want to know what happened."
"The obvious fact is that my disciple is being bullied, and the culprit wants to gang up with others to bully my disciple!"
"To deploy such a massive barrier, the cultivation must be quite high." Elder Zong Yi said with concern. He knew Xiao Man was not one to stay idle, but he still wanted to entrust his disciple to Xiao Man. Because of being by Xiao Man's side, he now also worried about his own disciple's safety.
Jun Fei Er looked towards the East Yue Forest, her brows furrowed. She reached out and tested the barrier, only to find that she couldn't budge it at all. Her unease intensified. To openly erect such a barrier, encompassing the entire East Yue Forest, indicated a powerful presence with considerable animosity towards her disciple.
"Fairy Jun, have you thought of something?"
Jun Fei Er glanced at Elder Zong Yi, her unease spreading in her eyes. "For some reason, I feel very uneasy. The East Yue Forest is different from the Luolan Mountain Range. Noble families are unwilling to go to the Luolan Mountain Range, but there are noble families within the East Yue Forest. Yet, the other party has still sealed off the entire East Yue Forest. I'm worried..."
"Worried that she has offended people from noble families or sects?"
Jun Fei Er nodded. If Xiao Man had offended people from noble families or sects, she would have no room to speak. With her cultivation, it was insufficient. Within a sect, even if the outer disciples were all at the Foundation Establishment stage, let alone the inner disciples, she was truly worried about Xiao Man's safety.
"For now, no news is good news. I hope nothing happens." Elder Zong Yi's sharp eyes spotted Bai Chen and Xi Wen arriving together, and he quickly walked towards the barrier.
"They're fine." Jun Fei Er showed a pleased expression. "Kong Qing, Fu Shen, where is Xiao Qin? Why aren't you with them?"
The two shook their heads. They had heard that everyone in the East Yue Forest was looking for Xiao Man, so they had rushed over, worried about Xiao Man's safety, only to find that no one could locate her.
"Don't worry, not being found is a good thing," Elder Zong Yi comforted her. "That brat is incredibly clever and slippery. It's not easy to catch her."
"That's true." Jun Fei Er nodded. Her grand-senior uncle was also inside. Her grand-senior uncle was a cultivator at the late Golden Core stage. With him there, at least she could ensure her safe escape.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before the barrier, wearing a black cloak that enveloped them entirely, concealing their face and physique.
Suddenly, this person drew their sword and thrust it at the barrier. The originally stable barrier cracked from this strike. Those inside quickly retreated, fearing collateral damage.
Feng Mo Ran felt someone forcibly destroying the barrier and her eyes lit up. Finally, they couldn't hold back any longer!