Chapter 421: Interruption
Ever since Zeng Jiexiong learned about the location of this senior's cave dwelling within the population of An Family, he attempted several times to invade it and obtain the inheritance inside. However, with his qualifications and comprehension, despite numerous attempts, he couldn't pass the tests left by the senior.
He worried that his actions might attract the covetousness of others, so he didn't dare seek help openly. Instead, he tried various methods to crack the restrictions within the cave and bypass those challenging tests. At the same time, he secretly monitored the area to see if any wandering members of An Family came to visit the cave.
Over a month ago, when An Xiaoran and An Moran arrived at the cave, they were discovered by the secret observers, who then relayed the information back. When the siblings obtained the inheritance from the cave and came out, Zeng Jiexiong, who had been waiting outside for a long time, directly intercepted them.
An Xiaoran's refusal caused a change in Zeng Jiexiong's expression. "My dear niece, don't refuse the toast only to drink a forfeit. My patience has its limits, and I won't be so polite forever."
As he spoke, a strong pressure emanating from a Foundation Building stage cultivator bore down heavily on the siblings. An Xiaoran and An Moran silently resisted the formidable pressure, gritting their teeth and saying nothing.
Among the Refining Qi stage cultivators in Taiyi Sect, the siblings were considered top-notch, and they were equipped with life-preserving talismans bestowed by the sect's elders. However, the chasm between the Refining Qi stage and the Foundation Building stage was not easily bridged. Even if the siblings risked their lives, it would be challenging to challenge someone at a higher cultivation level.
Seeing that An Xiaoran and An Moran could withstand the pressure without backing down, Zeng Jiexiong's expression grew darker. He had decided to take drastic measures, cripple the siblings' cultivation bases, and interrogate them later.
"We are disciples of Taiyi Sect. You dare to attack us without reason. Our Master won't let you go easily," An Xiaoran said fiercely.
"Hmph, Taiyi Sect, such arrogance. This place belongs to Flying Swan Sect's territory. You Taiyi Sect members have no place to be so presumptuous," Zeng Jiexiong disdainfully retorted.
Taiyi Sect might have flourished in recent years, producing many outstanding individuals and gaining widespread fame. Comparatively, An Family, controlled solely by Zeng Jiexiong, was indeed no match for Taiyi Sect. However, one mustn't forget that An Family was a vassal of Flying Swan Sect. Moreover, Zeng Jiexiong's younger brother, Zeng Jiantang, held the position of an Inner-Sect Disciple in Flying Swan Sect, granting him a respectable status within the sect.
No matter how powerful Taiyi Sect was, would they dare to antagonize Flying Swan Sect? Even if Zeng Jiexiong offended Taiyi Sect, as long as he had the protection of Flying Swan Sect, Taiyi Sect could only stare helplessly from the sidelines.
Zeng Jiexiong was just about to make his move when a profound and powerful aura descended from the sky. Zeng Jiexiong felt an immense pressure upon him, making it difficult to maintain his stance. On the other hand, An Xiaoran and An Moran, struggling on the ground, felt the pressure suddenly ease.
A cultivator descended from above, and upon seeing this figure, An Xiaoran joyfully exclaimed, "Elder Deep Earth!"
Zeng Jiexiong, however, saw the newcomer as a formidable adversary. In recent years, the two Foundation Building late-stage elders of Taiyi Sect, Deep Earth and Shocking Thunder, had gained significant notoriety by accomplishing many great deeds.
Deep Earth's appearance quickly took control of the situation. He reprimanded An Xiaoran before giving Zeng Jiexiong a glance. "You, girl, always stubbornly taking everything upon yourself and unwilling to trouble others. I only received your senior brother's message and traced your whereabouts in time." "Have you ever considered what the consequences would have been if I had arrived just one step later?"
After scolding An Xiaoran, Deep Earth turned his attention back to Zeng Jiexiong. "Based on your contemptuous remarks about Taiyi Sect, I shouldn't let you go. However, you're fortunate as I happen to be in a good mood."
"Now get lost before I change my mind."
With Deep Earth's Foundation Building late-stage Cultivation Base, he could easily kill Zeng Jiexiong on the spot. Knowing he was no match, Zeng Jiexiong quickly led the An Family members onto a flying vessel and left, not daring to utter another harsh word.
"We should leave as well. There's an important event waiting for us back at the sect," said Elder Deep Earth.
"What important event is happening in the sect?" An Xiaoran asked.
"You'll find out when we return," Deep Earth replied playfully, withholding the information.
As Deep Earth, An Xiaoran, and An Moran returned to Taiyi Sect together, Zeng Jiexiong, who had been forced to retreat, felt resentful. The object of his desire, which he had coveted for so long, appeared before him but slipped away just like that.
Taiyi Sect, Deep Earth, they really held too much sway. A mere Foundation Building sect, yet they dared to be so arrogant just because they had gained some power. They simply didn't know their own limitations.
After leaving, Zeng Jiexiong dismissed his subordinates and flew towards Flying Swan Sect. Since the destruction of Flying Swan Sect's mountain gate by the Gold Core Daoist Master of Fire Cloud Sect, Flying Swan Sect had been making efforts to rebuild the gate. However, they faced pressure on two fronts and couldn't spare the manpower needed for significant reconstruction. Moreover, the continuous wars in recent years had drained the sect's resources, leaving them with insufficient strength to rebuild the mountain gate on a grand scale.
Thus, they merely cleaned up the original site and built some simple structures in its place. Many of the sect's internal organizations had been relocated to the nearby Flying Swan City.
Recently, it happened to be Zeng Jiexiong's younger brother, Zeng Jiantang's turn to be stationed in Flying Swan City. Despite being Zeng Jiexiong's own blood brother, it took quite some effort for him to see his sibling.
Zeng Jiexiong had numerous grievances against this proud and talented brother of his. Though Zeng Jiantang held a respectable position within Flying Swan Sect, he rarely directly assisted Zeng Jiexiong. Many times, when Zeng Jiexiong sought his help, he was refused under the pretext of sect rules.
Zeng Jiexiong had once wanted Zeng Jiantang's help in breaking the restrictions within the cave and obtaining the inheritance left by the anonymous cultivator. However, the arrogant Zeng Jiantang, being born into a Gold Core sect like Flying Swan Sect with its rich inheritance, looked down upon the unknown cave left by an unknown cultivator from An Family. Why bother wasting time for something left behind by a vassal family like An Family?
This time, Zeng Jiexiong had made up his mind. No matter what, he would persuade his brother, whether through coaxing or pressure, to use the power of Flying Swan Sect to oppress Taiyi Sect and reclaim justice for himself. How could Taiyi Sect's cultivators dare to oppress the master of a Flying Swan Sect vassal family within the territory of Flying Swan Sect? This was simply inconceivable!
"If you ignore the present strength of Taiyi Sect, you'll only get yourself into unnecessary trouble," Zeng Jiantang interrupted before Zeng Jiexiong finished stating his demands.
"Nowadays, Taiyi Sect is not the same as before. We can't easily provoke them."
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