Chapter 124: Open and aboveboard?

"Labor disciples and outer sect disciples are not permitted to leave the formation. Inner sect disciples, block all retreat paths."

Facing two Great Demon-level monsters, the labor and outer sect disciples were of no use, so Zhao Zhengping gave orders immediately.

Hearing this, the disciples began to act. The inner sect disciples spread out to seal off all escape routes, setting up talismans and formations.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhengping, Liu Shuang, Xu Jie, Lu Youyou, Wang Yao, and the personal disciple from Jade Maiden Peak charged directly at the two Green-Feathered Phoenixes.

Before they could even react, the male Green-Feathered Phoenix asked with a confused look.

"What did they just call us?"

"Seems like ingredients."

"Take this sword."

Before the words were finished, Zhao Zhengping had already slashed out. The sword edge struck the Green-Feathered Phoenix hard, leaving a long wound on its body.

The intense pain made the Green-Feathered Phoenix furious. However, before it could recover, a blast of ice instantly froze it.

This did not last long, however, and it soon broke free.

The cultivation base of personal disciples from the various peaks of the Dao One Sect was generally at the Dharma Aspect realm. Peak masters like Zhao Zhengping were at the perfection of the Dharma Aspect realm.

Compared to Great Demon-level monsters, there was still a gap of one major realm.

Therefore, although Zhao Zhengping and the others had the advantage in numbers, taking down these two Green-Feathered Phoenixes was not easy; one could even say it was extremely difficult.

Indeed, not long after the fight began, Zhao Zhengping and the others had already been in precarious situations several times.

Ye Changqing, inside the formation, watched everything and felt secretly anxious. Are they really throwing their lives away? They should look at the gap in cultivation between the two sides before attacking.

He was sweating for Zhao Zhengping and the others. One had to know that Hong Zun and Qingshi were not present this time. A slight carelessness wouldn't just lead to serious injury, but potentially death and the dissipation of their souls.

Are they really so desperate for food that they don't want their lives?

"I really have a loose mouth."

Why did he have to say it out loud just now? Couldn't he have just kept it to himself?

The battle continued. As time passed, the situation Ye Changqing least wanted to see finally appeared.

It was truly a case of fearing something and having it happen.

Zhao Zhengping, Liu Shuang, and Lu Youyou besieged the Green-Feathered Phoenix, but not only did they fail to take it down, they were becoming increasingly strained.

Xu Jie and the others were doing better against the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen.

After all, the strength of the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen was inferior to the Green-Feathered Phoenix, being only at the entry level of the Great Demon realm, while the Green-Feathered Phoenix was at the minor success stage.

Seeing the battle becoming more dangerous, the killing intent in the Green-Feathered Phoenix's eyes grew stronger.

Although it still didn't understand what these Dao One Sect disciples were going crazy about, since they had left the formation to seek death, it couldn't be blamed.

"Today, let me taste the flavor of these Dao One Sect prodigies. It must be delicious."

It wanted to swallow Zhao Zhengping and the others alive, but just then, a scream came from below. Hearing this, the Green-Feathered Phoenix turned its head abruptly to see the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen trapped by a large formation, unable to move, while Xu Jie's long sword was pressed against its neck.

"Phew, finally caught up. You guys are too slow."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Xu Jie said to Chen Mu and the others beside him.

During the fight, Chen Mu and the others had been setting up the formation, while Xu Jie had been luring the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen into it.

Although the process was somewhat dangerous, they finally succeeded.

However, taking down the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen did not end the battle. The personal disciple from Jade Maiden Peak beside them remained worried.

"The Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen is handled, but what about the Green-Feathered Phoenix? Brother Zhao and the others might not be able to hold on."

To this, Xu Jie smiled slightly, unconcerned.

"Junior sister, rest assured, everything is under control."

After speaking, Xu Jie looked at the Green-Feathered Phoenix in the sky and shouted loudly.

"Green-Feathered Phoenix, you wouldn't want your mate to die, would you?"

"You..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Green-Feathered Phoenix burned with rage, and the Jade Maiden Peak disciple beside them was dumbfounded.

"What 'you'? Surrender obediently, or my sword won't show mercy to monsters."

"Despicable human, let it go."

"Are you threatening me?"

As he spoke, the long sword went deeper, and the Green-Feathered Phoenix-hen let out a miserable wail. Seeing this, the Green-Feathered Phoenix hurriedly spoke.

"Don't hurt it."

"That depends on your performance."

Hearing this, the Green-Feathered Phoenix dared not move again. Liu Shuang and Lu Youyou seized the opportunity and struck suddenly, severely wounding the Green-Feathered Phoenix while it was completely off guard.

Although they couldn't kill it directly, they had turned the tide in one stroke.

However, the Jade Maiden Peak disciples who witnessed the whole process had complex expressions.

How to put it? They ultimately hadn't reached the level of the Divine Sword Peak disciples. The personal disciple had an even more complex expression.

"Brother Xu, doing this... wouldn't it be a bit too base? After all, our Dao One Sect..."

She was already being quite tactful. What was the Dao One Sect? It was the leader of the righteous path in Dongzhou. But the actions of Xu Jie and the others were more insidious than those demonic cultivators; it was truly... a disgrace to the sect's reputation.

However, to this, Xu Jie said.

"That is why you junior sisters can't get a meal."

"But... even so, you can't use such despicable means. As members of a righteous sect, even when slaying demons and eliminating monsters, we should be open and aboveboard, upright and honest, how can we..."

This was indeed the thinking of Dao One Sect disciples, including Divine Sword Peak in the past, but now, it was completely different.

Before the personal disciple could finish, Xu Jie interrupted.

"Stop, stop, stop. I understand what you are saying, junior sister, but I also have a few questions for you."

"Please ask, brother."

"The demon race is cruel, demonic cultivators are treacherous, is that so or not?"

"Yes."

"Over these years, whether it is the demon race or demonic cultivators, the number of commoners slaughtered using various means is not small, is that so or not?"

"Yes."

"Our Dao One Sect has always taken slaying demons and eliminating monsters as its duty, protecting the common people of the world. But after so many years, have we saved more people, or have the demon race and demonic cultivators killed more?"

"More have been killed."

"Why?"

At this point, the senior sister fell silent. Seeing this, Xu Jie showed a sneer.

"It is precisely because the methods of demons are base, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Every time we arrive, they have long since slipped away."

"Facing such treacherous and evil enemies, our Dao One Sect has always adhered to being open and aboveboard, disdaining to use the same base methods. Is this not a form of pedantry?"

"You must know, demons will not fight you openly and honestly."

"To deal with demons, one must be more despicable, more ruthless, and more unscrupulous than them. If one can save more people, what does it matter if the methods are base?"

"Conversely, if you cannot protect the common people of this world, what is the point of claiming to be open and aboveboard? In the end, it is just deceiving yourself."

Having never heard such insights, the Jade Maiden Peak senior sister's mind was greatly impacted.

All along, Dao One Sect disciples were taught to be open and aboveboard, but now, what Xu Jie said was completely rebellious, yet impossible to refute.

Yes, if being open and aboveboard cannot eliminate demons and protect the common people, what is the point?

Just as the senior sister's mind was shaken, Xu Jie added another sentence.

"The same goes for grabbing food. People who are open and aboveboard will never be able to eat this hot meal."