"So you're saying Senior Brother Chen is not a match for those on the Wind and Cloud Ranking either?"
Zhang Ergou knew that Chen Gong was among the top existences on the inner sect rankings.
This was because Chen Gong's cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core mid-stage, making him one of the very best among inner sect disciples.
Chen Gong shook his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Heh, I wish I were a match for those monsters, but they don't even acknowledge me. They don't even glance my way."
Indeed, as Chen Gong had said, the competition on the Wind and Cloud Ranking was far more intense than on the inner sect rankings.
It was also much more brutal, with those top experts being exceptionally unique individuals.
However, one should not underestimate anyone based solely on their rankings.
Unlike the inner sect rankings, the Wind and Cloud Ranking only had fifty spots.
But every disciple who managed to make it onto the inner sect Wind and Cloud Ranking was an exceptionally talented individual.
Just as Chen Gong and the others had said, Wang Tao, who was currently commanding on the battlefield, was ranked in the thirties on the Wind and Cloud Ranking, but he was still an existence that most ordinary inner sect disciples looked up to.
What surprised Zhang Ergou even more was that none of the disciples on the inner sect Wind and Cloud Ranking had a cultivation below the Golden Core late-stage.
Of course, the highest cultivation among the disciples on the Wind and Cloud Ranking was the peak of the Golden Core late-stage.
There was a natural chasm between the Golden Core stage and the Nascent Soul stage. Once one crossed that step, they would enter a new realm.
"No wonder these people in the first echelon are willing to follow Wang Tao's commands. I didn't realize there was such a reason behind it."
After listening to Chen Gong's description, Zhang Ergou realized how little he knew about the inner sect.
He had always thought there was only one inner sect ranking among the inner sect disciples. Now, hearing about the Wind and Cloud Ranking for the first time, a strong fighting spirit ignited in Zhang Ergou's eyes.
"What, you kid actually want to get on the inner sect Wind and Cloud Ranking?"
Zhang Ergou's change was naturally noticed by Chen Gong and the others. Li Yao couldn't help but speak up, while the faces of those inner sect disciples who were not familiar with Zhang Ergou showed a hint of a sneer.
"Look, the horde of demonic beasts seems to be retreating."
At this moment, Lin Yichen, who had been observing the battle, spoke up, drawing everyone's attention back to the scene of the inner sect's first echelon fighting the demonic beast horde.
Under Wang Tao's command, cultivators of various elemental systems cooperated with each other, quickly turning the tide.
After the initial chaos, the human cultivators' offensive once again gained the upper hand.
"Senior Brother Tiandao, what do you think? Isn't Wang Tao, whom I trained, quite impressive?"
Winter Sun Hermit also approached Old Man Tiandao and Spring Sun Hermit, looking at Wang Tao commanding the crowd in the field with an indescribable sense of pride.
Wang Tao had been his prized disciple. Although he had entered the inner sect more than ten years ago, Wang Tao would always visit him in the outer sect for a chat after each of his secluded cultivation sessions.
Wang Tao's interactions with Winter Sun Peak in the outer sect had never ceased. He was extremely respectful to the master who had first introduced him to the path of cultivation.
Wang Tao had always been deferential in front of Winter Sun Hermit.
Seeing his former disciple in the spotlight now, he naturally wanted to praise him in front of Old Man Tiandao, which would also benefit his other disciples.
Old Man Tiandao and Spring Sun Hermit were both seasoned individuals. How could they not see through Winter Sun Hermit's little scheme?
Spring Sun Hermit smiled slightly and rolled his eyes – not too much, not too little. He had always had a good relationship with Winter Sun Hermit and was naturally happy to see him nurture such an outstanding disciple.
Old Man Tiandao said nothing, merely narrowing his eyes and continuing to observe the situation on the field. He had advocated for the inner sect disciples to come and provide support, and although the elders of the inner sect hadn't said anything, many were waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
The Misty Sect was not as peaceful as it appeared on the surface. Ever since the Sect Master Chi Chen mysteriously disappeared, Old Man Tiandao had been in charge of overall affairs.
However, he was not the only one in the inner sect coveting the position of Grand Elder. If a large number of inner sect disciples were to be casualties in the battle against the demonic beasts due to Old Man Tiandao's decision, then those old foxes who had long been lurking and eyeing the position of Grand Elder would emerge.
Therefore, this battle must proceed without any unforeseen circumstances.
"Senior Brother Tiandao, the combat effectiveness of these disciples has greatly increased under Wang Tao's command. Look, the demonic beasts seem to be retreating."
At this moment, Spring Sun Hermit suddenly pointed towards the rear of the demonic beast horde and frowned. Although the combat effectiveness of the inner sect disciples in the first echelon had greatly increased under Wang Tao's command, they were still in a stalemate with the demonic beast horde, with no casualties yet. The sudden retreat of the demonic beast horde confused not only Spring Sun Hermit but also Old Man Tiandao.
"Could this horde of demonic beasts have other plans?"
"Perhaps, it looks like this horde of demonic beasts was just a feint," Spring Sun Hermit and Winter Sun Hermit stroked their beards, looking perplexed.
When did demonic beasts learn to feint? This was something they had never heard of before.
"The demonic beasts are retreating, haha! Senior Brother Wang Tao is truly formidable. Look quickly, under Senior Brother Wang Tao's leadership, the first wave of demonic beasts has been repelled."
"Senior Brother Wang Tao is awesome!"
On the side of the inner sect disciples, those who had not yet entered the fray, their faces full of excitement, cheered for Wang Tao.
"Er Gou, what do you think? Isn't Senior Brother Wang Tao amazing? The horde of demonic beasts is about to retreat already."
Chen Gong and Li Yao pointed at the orderly retreating horde of demonic beasts and said excitedly, clearly showing their immense admiration for Wang Tao.
However, Zhang Ergou frowned. He could understand the language of beasts. The roar of the black bear from the horde of demonic beasts just now had been steady and powerful.
Their sudden retreat without being at a disadvantage did not make any sense.
Zhang Ergou had only heard a hurried and brief roar from the black bear leader, after which the horde of demonic beasts began to retreat in an orderly fashion. First, the beasts in the rear began to withdraw slowly.
Then, the beasts that had been attacking also stopped their assaults and turned to flee into the depths of the demonic beast forest.
"Senior Brother Wang, should we pursue?"
The thousand disciples in the first echelon who were engaged in the fierce battle felt a sense of powerlessness as their fists landed on cotton when the demonic beasts suddenly retreated.
Seeing the horde of demonic beasts heading towards the demonic beast forest without looking back, Wang Tao was also a little puzzled. However, with so many people watching him, he naturally wanted to expand the fruits of victory to showcase his strength.
After a brief period of thought, Wang Tao made his decision. As the last demonic beast disappeared from his sight, Wang Tao looked back towards the place where the disciples of other echelons were standing.
"Pursue them! Rip their tendons and skin for trespassing into our sect, so they never dare to encroach upon our sect again."
"Yes." The disciples in the first echelon were immediately invigorated upon hearing this, their spirits soaring.