Chapter 123: Gathering
Knowing that Twin Success Valley had already taken action, Meng Zhang left Singing Sand City and hurriedly headed to the Zhao Family mountain gate.
The mountain gate of Zhao Family was located west of Taiyi Sect, more than three hundred li away. It was surrounded by a series of low hills, enclosing a large plain.
This plain was called Fuzhao Valley and was situated on top of a Second Rank lower-grade spirit vein. A Second Rank lower-grade sect-protecting great formation was built relying on the spirit vein, almost enveloping the entire plain.
In the center of the plain, numerous buildings were constructed. The core areas of Zhao Family, such as the ancestral hall, Hidden Scripture Pavilion, and the grand storage, were mostly located there.
The majority of Zhao Family cultivators also resided in these buildings year-round.
Surrounding the buildings, there were hundreds of mu of spirit fields cultivated by Zhao Family over the past three hundred years.
On the edge of the plain, many ordinary people lived. They were mostly relatives of Zhao Family cultivators.
Outside this area, within a radius of dozens of li, there were five oases where ordinary people under the rule of Zhao Family lived.
Instead of heading directly to the mountain gate of Zhao Family, Fuzhao Valley, Meng Zhang circled around within the territory of Zhao Family, familiarizing himself with the surroundings.
Compared to Taiyi Sect, the environment of Zhao Family's territory was much better. With a Second Rank spirit vein as their mountain gate and five oases within their territory, populated by many ordinary people, Meng Zhang couldn't help but envy them.
Meng Zhang couldn't help but start considering how Taiyi Sect should expand and divide Zhao Family's inheritance after their decline.
After circling outside, Meng Zhang arrived at the outskirts of the Zhao Family mountain gate, Fuzhao Valley, during the daytime.
Outside the Zhao Family mountain gate, a large number of cultivators had already gathered. These cultivators moved furtively, and it was evident that they had ill intentions.
Many of them had changed their appearances to avoid detection, and wearing masks had become the most popular disguise.
Of course, such rudimentary disguises couldn't conceal their true identities. Familiar people could still recognize them at a glance.
However, it was better than nothing, as at least it provided some sense of relief.
Meng Zhang also conformed to the local customs and casually pulled a piece of cloth to cover his face.
Among these cultivators, there were many lone travelers as well as various small groups.
Meng Zhang went to a small hill about ten li away from the Zhao Family mountain gate, where several groups of cultivators had already gathered.
Seeing Meng Zhang approaching, many people didn't pay much attention, but some came forward to greet him.
These people who greeted him were trying to recruit Meng Zhang into their group. They had already started discussing how to rush into Zhao Family and efficiently rob them.
Meng Zhang perfunctorily responded and found a corner to sit down, waiting quietly.
Meng Zhang activated the Deception Breaking Eye and surveyed the surroundings.
The number of cultivators gathered here was far beyond his expectations.
Several notorious bandit groups were also present in the vicinity.
It seemed that the news of Zhao Family possessing Foundation Building Pills not only attracted cultivators in need of Foundation Building Pills but also drew many who intended to take advantage of the situation and rob them.
For many cultivators at the Refining Qi completion stage, Foundation Building Pills were their only hope to advance to Foundation Building. Without Foundation Building Pills, they were doomed to stagnation.
Regardless of whether the news was true or false, they were willing to take a gamble.
Though Zhao Family was considered strong, without Foundation Building stage cultivators, they couldn't stop the greedy gazes of these cultivators.
As more and more cultivators gathered, Zhao Family still held their ground. Their mountain gate was protected by a Second Rank sect-protecting great formation.
For a while, many cultivators were simply watching and not daring to act rashly.
Zhao Family cultivators had already observed the situation outside.
The sect-protecting great formation had been activated, and Zhao Family cultivators were fully armed, standing on high alert.
In the afternoon, a flying ship arrived from afar.
Judging from the emblem on the ship, it belonged to Twin Success Valley.
The flying ship arrived above the Zhao Family mountain gate, and a loud voice came from inside.
"All Zhao Family cultivators below, listen carefully. We chased some bandits here, but they suddenly disappeared. Now, we will search Zhao Family to see if you are colluding with the bandits and if they are hiding among you."
After a while, a response came from within the Zhao Family sect-protecting great formation.
"This senior, Zhao Family has always been upright and will never collude with bandits..."
Before the person could finish speaking, they were interrupted by a stern shout.
"Nonsense! Whether you are innocent or not is not for you to decide."
"Quickly open the great formation and let us in for a search. Otherwise, it shows that Zhao Family is feeling guilty."
Under the pressure from Twin Success Valley cultivators, the Zhao Family cultivators couldn't afford to refuse them at the door. After hesitating for a long time, they eventually opened the sect-protecting great formation and allowed the Twin Success Valley cultivators on the flying ship to enter.
After the Twin Success Valley flying ship arrived, the surrounding cultivators, who had been watching with greedy eyes, became more restrained.
The reputation of Twin Success Valley made everyone wary, afraid that the Twin Success Valley cultivators would intervene on behalf of Zhao Family and drive them away.
Meng Zhang understood that Twin Success Valley cultivators would never side with Zhao Family; they were there to scheme against them secretly.
He couldn't help but think, "Why did these Twin Success Valley cultivators come here? Could it be that they are trying to deceive Zhao Family into opening the sect-protecting great formation, making it easier for everyone to rush in?"
However, a prestigious and orthodox sect like Twin Success Valley would care greatly about their reputation. Based on their usual conduct, they shouldn't be so direct and forceful.
As Meng Zhang pondered this, time passed. The Twin Success Valley cultivators spent a long time inside before coming out.
It seemed that they hadn't found any trace of bandits inside.
After the Twin Success Valley cultivators left Zhao Family, they immediately departed on their flying ship.
With the Twin Success Valley cultivators gone, the cultivators who had been somewhat restrained before completely lost their restraint. They stared at the Zhao Family mountain gate with greedy eyes, eager to try their luck.
If someone were to shout at this moment, it was likely that many cultivators would rush toward the Zhao Family mountain gate.
Time passed quickly, and night fell.
Although they had been vigilant for several days, Zhao Family's cultivators dared not be the slightest bit complacent.
Who knew if the daring cultivators outside would directly attack the sect-protecting great formation?
Unknowingly, several groups of cultivators gradually approached, already very close to the defensive range of the sect-protecting great formation.
"All people outside, stop immediately. If you take another step forward, you will bear the consequences."
A resounding warning came from within the sect-protecting great formation.
The warning seemed to work as these groups of cultivators all stopped and did not proceed any further.
They faced the Zhao Family cultivators across the sect-protecting great formation, silently confronting each other. Neither side left nor advanced, waiting for something unknown.
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