Meng Zhang was feeling increasingly frustrated. He wandered aimlessly on the streets of Firewell Market, pondering how to stand up to Earthfire Sect and Zhao Jiudou.
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In the Cultivation World, those who were modest and forgiving were not well-regarded. People in this world believed in retaliating for the smallest offense, and those seeking revenge were feared and left unprovoked.
Although Meng Zhang wasn’t overly magnanimous, he wasn’t one to seek revenge for every slight either. However, as the Sect Master of Taiyi Sect, he couldn’t afford to let others trample on him without any response. Such behavior might lead others to underestimate both him and Taiyi Sect.
Currently, Earthfire Sect was an important trading partner for Taiyi Sect. Taiyi Sect produced a vast amount of valuable minerals that not just any sect could handle. Until they found new potential customers, Taiyi Sect couldn’t afford to break ties with Earthfire Sect.
Nevertheless, they could now start preparing for alternatives. While continuing to supply Earthfire Sect, they could simultaneously explore new customers. Even if they earned a bit less, it was essential to diversify their clientele to avoid becoming overly dependent on a single sect like Earthfire Sect.
As for Zhao Jiudou, Meng Zhang couldn’t do much about him at the moment. Zhao Jiudou himself wasn’t a major concern, but his identity as a disciple of Flying Swan Sect posed some trouble.
While strolling through the streets, Meng Zhang unexpectedly spotted someone familiar. It was Ruan Dadao, the former Sect Master of Golden Blade Sect, who was accompanied by a few disciples, leaving a shop.
Ruan Dadao seemed to have some extraordinary luck lately, as he had recently advanced to the mid-stage of Foundation Building, regaining his confidence. Previously, due to Golden Blade Sect’s failure under Ruan Yuan’s leadership in reaching Foundation Building, Ruan Dadao had become relatively low-key. Now, he was acting somewhat arrogant again.
In this area, most cultivators were at the early stage of Foundation Building, making those at the mid-stage quite exceptional. Even in Forest Spring Watch, aside from the exceptional Guang ZhiDaoist Master, no one had reached beyond mid-stage Foundation Building.
Meng Zhang didn’t bother with Ruan Dadao, as they had never been on good terms. He pretended not to notice him and walked away.
Firewell Market had a prohibition on flying within its borders. Cultivators and their flying mounts were not allowed to take off directly from the market area. They had to move a certain distance away from the market before they could take flight.
Utilizing the Divine Movement Art, Meng Zhang quickly left Firewell Market. Since reaching Foundation Building, he either flew in the sky or rode the Crimson Feather Eagle soaring through the heavens.For a long time, Meng Zhang hadn’t felt the earth under his feet as he ran. Today, for some reason, he was in the mood. He activated the Divine Movement Art and sprinted in a random direction, feeling much better as the rushing wind hit his face.
After a while, he decided it was time to stop and release the Crimson Feather Eagle to fly back to Taiyi Sect. However, something caught his attention, and he abruptly halted his actions. About two hundred zhang ahead, there seemed to be an ordinary sand dune, seemingly empty beneath it. But by chance, Meng Zhang noticed a faint ripple in the space there.
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Out of habit, he activated the Deception Breaking Eye to get a clearer view. What had seemed empty a moment ago now revealed over ten formation flags planted around a group of people, enclosing them in a small circle with Jin Qiao’er protected inside by Qiaoshou Sect’s Sect Master, Jin Qigu. Two Foundation Building cultivators were fiercely attacking the protective circle.
At a short distance away, another Foundation Building cultivator manipulated the formation flags to create a boundary that trapped the nearby area, preventing Jin Qigu’s group from breaking out and also concealing any activity from within.
Jin Qigu had not reached Foundation Building for as long as Meng Zhang, and her cultivation level among Foundation Building cultivators was relatively weak. Despite forming a defensive formation with several Refining Qi stage female disciples, she was struggling to hold against the two stronger Foundation Building cultivators’ assaults. Several Qiaoshou Sect disciples’ bodies lay on the ground, having already fallen in the fight.
Jin Qiao’er, the protected one, seemed immobilized, apparently facing some problem, and her face was filled with self-blame. She wanted to do something but couldn’t move.
Meng Zhang didn’t expect that a casual use of the Deception Breaking Eye would lead him to such a situation. However, he hesitated only for a moment before deciding to intervene and help these people in need.Taiyi Sect and Qiaoshou Sect had joined forces against enemies a few times, fostering some camaraderie. As both were vassals of Forest Spring Watch, they should be mutually supportive. However, Taiyi Sect was the weakest among the factions, and Meng Zhang had the least seniority, often being excluded from important matters. To change this situation, Taiyi Sect needed to make allies.
Meng Zhang had previously tried to befriend Forest Mountain School and had some interactions with two Foundation Building cultivators from there. However, Forest Mountain School was a loyal subordinate of Forest Spring Watch, always prioritizing their interests, and Taiyi Sect couldn’t become a reliable ally to them.
On the other hand, thanks to Meng Zhang’s efforts over the years, relations with Qiaoshou Sect had improved, and they had significant interactions. Now, when Qiaoshou Sect’s cultivators were in danger, Meng Zhang had a favorable impression of Jin Qiao’er. He couldn’t pretend not to see them and walk away.
Though determined to help, Meng Zhang maintained a casual facade, as if he hadn’t noticed the boundary ahead. He turned around and ran in the opposite direction, making sure that the opposing side couldn’t see his back.
Once he had run a considerable distance away, ensuring that they couldn’t detect him, Meng Zhang activated the Earth Escape Spell, burrowing underground to return to the vicinity of the boundary.
Meng Zhang paused and used the Deception Breaking Eye to observe the battlefield from below. He then fully activated the Earth Escape Spell, rapidly moving through the ground until he emerged on the surface.
With the previously blood-refined flying sword, Crimson Flame, in hand, he threw it towards the Foundation Building cultivator who was controlling the formation flags and manipulating the boundary.
The cultivator noticed Meng Zhang’s presence when he appeared nearby but assumed that Meng Zhang hadn’t noticed the situation and left. He returned his focus to the battle.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, the cultivator couldn’t react in time. Just as Crimson Flame was about to reach him, he managed to launch a defensive spell. However, the sword exploded violently before his protective barrier could fully form. The shield was easily torn apart, and he activated a defensive magic tool on his body to protect himself.
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