"She’s coming!"
Duan Xianxing suddenly whispered, his eyes quick and hands faster as he grabbed Li Nanzhu with one hand and tugged on Jiang Yifan's sleeve with the other. "Run!"
Before the two could react, they were dragged by Duan Xianxing toward their residence at a dead run.
Feng Qingping reacted instantly, pulling Feng Weilan along right behind them. Zhu Yinxi's jade flute traced an arc in the air as he drifted away.
Cang Dongqing’s steps came to a sudden halt.
She stood in place, watching the fleeing figures of the Five Elements Dao Sect group, a flash of gloom crossing her eyes.
But in an instant, she regained her gentle and lovely appearance, though her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the blood-red bead bracelet on her wrist.
"Hah..." she scoffed softly, turning to walk toward the Water Moon Sect residence. "Lu Tingyun... should need some comfort right now."
Meanwhile, the Five Elements Dao Sect group had rushed back to their residence.
Duan Xianxing panted as he closed the gate, not forgetting to activate the barrier.
"Seventh Junior Brother!" Feng Qingping was stuck between irritation and amusement. "You’re being too dramatic. Aren't you afraid the Sword Heart Sect will overthink this?"
Duan Xianxing patted his chest. "Fifth Senior Sister, you didn't see it, but Cang Dongqing’s gaze looked like she wanted to devour someone! I couldn't let Little Junior Sister and Fourth Senior Brother get entangled with her!"
Li Nanzhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Seventh Senior Brother, it's not like we can't beat her..."
"It’s not a matter of whether we can beat her!" Duan Xianxing looked serious. "That woman is extremely eerie. Who knows what kind of underhanded tricks she’d use!"
Jiang Yifan expressionlessly straightened his rumpled sleeve, speaking up for once. "Thank you."
"See!" Duan Xianxing puffed out his chest proudly. "Even Fourth Senior Brother says I did the right thing!"
Li Nanzhu chuckled silently. This was fine. With Seventh Senior Brother being so vigilant, it would likely be difficult for Cang Dongqing to do anything to him in the future.
As they spoke, Zhu Yinxi’s figure appeared on the courtyard wall.
He landed lightly, twirling his jade flute between his fingers. "She didn't follow."
Duan Xianxing patted his chest. "Second Senior Brother is reliable as expected."
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the courtyard door was pushed open again.
Mu Wenyan stepped into the courtyard in his green robes. Seeing his juniors looking like they were facing a great enemy, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "What happened?"
Duan Xianxing immediately gave a vivid description of the scene just now, even exaggerating Cang Dongqing’s pursuit with gestures.
After listening, Mu Wenyan’s lips curled up slightly. "Well done."
Receiving the Eldest Senior Brother’s affirmation, Duan Xianxing became even more proud, his tail practically wagging in the air.
Jiang Yifan suddenly took out the five magic tools he had just finished making from his storage bag, arranging them neatly on the stone table.
The Green Spirit Disk emitted a soft green light, the Mysterious Light Shield gleamed with a cold silver luster, and the Cold Ice Thorn radiated a chilling aura.
"This is..." Li Nanzhu’s eyes lit up.
"For you all," Jiang Yifan said succinctly.
Mu Wenyan nodded slightly. "Fourth Junior Brother is very thoughtful."
Feng Qingping’s gaze was immediately drawn to that Green Spirit Disk.
"I remember the Green Spirit Disk you used before was damaged," Jiang Yifan explained. "I redesigned it this time; the effect will be better than the original."
Feng Qingping injected a wisp of spiritual energy, and her eyes brightened. "It really is about twenty percent stronger than before!"
Li Nanzhu looked over curiously. Jiang Yifan already handed a small silver shield to her. The shield was hexagonal and entirely silver-white, with fine fish-scale patterns on its surface.
"Mysterious Light Shield," Jiang Yifan said. "It can block one strike from the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment."
Li Nanzhu took the small shield and found it light and portable, perfectly suited for her. "Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother!"
Duan Xianxing couldn't wait any longer, staring hungrily at the remaining three magic tools on the table. Jiang Yifan picked up a pair of pale green bracers and handed them to him. "Breeze Bracers."
The surface of the bracers was engraved with flowing cloud patterns, with a small green gemstone embedded at each end.
Duan Xianxing hurriedly put them on. After injecting spiritual energy, he felt his body become somewhat lighter.
"Your speed will increase by about ten percent," Jiang Yifan added.
"This is perfect for me!" Duan Xianxing ran a lap around the courtyard excitedly, feeling indeed more agile than usual.
Zhu Yinxi’s gaze fell on the white jade flute pendant. It was a small accessory that could be hung from the end of a jade flute.
When he attached the pendant, the body of the flute shimmered slightly.
"Amplification," Jiang Yifan explained briefly. "It can make the sound waves more concentrated."
Zhu Yinxi stroked the jade flute and said softly, "Thank you."
The last magic tool was the Cold Ice Thorn, about two inches long. Jiang Yifan handed it to Feng Weilan, who was standing quietly to the side.
Feng Weilan carefully took the Cold Ice Thorn. It was crystal clear, with a faint blue light on its surface. It was cool to the touch but not biting.
"This is..." Feng Weilan turned the magic tool in his hand curiously.
"Cold Ice Thorn," Jiang Yifan explained. "A new weapon for you."
Feng Weilan’s eyes lit up at the words. He was quite skilled in the path of hidden assassination but was used to using long blades normally. Now, this Cold Ice Thorn was like a gift in his hour of need.
"Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother."
Mu Wenyan watched this scene, his eyes full of gratification. Although Fourth Junior Brother had a stubborn personality, his concern for his fellow disciples was reflected in every detail.
These magic tools seemed simple, but they were all meticulously designed to address each person's weaknesses.
Duan Xianxing fiddled with his new magic tool, unable to put it down, when he suddenly thought of something. "Huh? What about Eldest Senior Brother's and Fourth Senior Brother's?"
Mu Wenyan laughed softly. "I am already at the Nascent Soul stage; these magic tools are useless to me."
Jiang Yifan shook his head. "I don't need them."
"That won't do!" Duan Xianxing jumped up immediately. "Fourth Senior Brother made so many magic tools for us, yet he has nothing for himself!"
Zhu Yinxi suddenly spoke. "Materials."
Everyone then realized that Jiang Yifan had used all the materials on making magic tools for them.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment. Moonlight spilled onto the stone table, reflecting the exquisite magic tools and the moved expressions on everyone's faces.
"Fourth Senior Brother..." Duan Xianxing’s voice was a bit choked up. "You..."
Hearing this, Jiang Yifan’s temples throbbed. He directly interrupted Duan Xianxing’s words. "Just use them well. Stop talking."
Mu Wenyan shook his head helplessly. This kind of sentimental scene was indeed not something everyone could handle.
"Alright, it's late. Everyone should rest early. Fourth Junior Brother still has to continue the competition tomorrow."
Only then did everyone reluctantly put away their newly obtained magic tools.
Feng Weilan quietly hid the Cold Ice Thorn in his sleeve, while Duan Xianxing kept testing the effect of the Breeze Bracers, running back and forth in the courtyard.
Li Nanzhu was the last to leave. She looked back at Jiang Yifan, who was standing alone in the courtyard. Under the moonlight, her Fourth Senior Brother’s back was as straight as a pine, yet it carried a hint of loneliness.
"Fourth Senior Brother..." Li Nanzhu called out softly.
Jiang Yifan turned around, looking at Li Nanzhu with some confusion.
"Is there a problem with the magic tool?"
Li Nanzhu shook her head, her eyes curving into a smile.
"I just wanted to thank you."
"Not just for the magic tool... but for how you’ve always looked after us."
Jiang Yifan was momentarily dazed, a nearly imperceptible ripple flashing in his eyes.
He nodded gently before turning to walk toward his room.
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