Chapter 133: An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 133: An Unexpected Surprise

Sensing the shifting scenery within the Illusion Crystal Sphere, Jiang Yan heaved a long sigh and stepped down from the cyan marble of the talisman array arena. What was destined to come had finally arrived.

In the distance beyond Mount Hua, a trail of flying spirit beasts streaked rapidly through the sky, heading straight for the main peak. Among the group, most were Grey-Peck Birds, their feathers a mottled mix of grey and white. Only two, positioned in the center, stood out from their companions; their bodies shimmered with a faint golden light, and subtle streams of radiance flowed across their surfaces, making them quite striking under the moonlight.

Following this primary group were numerous other spirit beasts, clustered in twos and threes, struggling to keep pace as they trailed far behind.

"Young Master Ximen, your spirit beasts are truly remarkable. If I am not mistaken, these two must be second-grade Golden-Path Swallows?" Lu Tiannan, flying beside Ximen Shang and the young master, asked with undisguised envy, looking up at the two beasts hovering three feet above them.

"Master Lu has a keen eye. Indeed, these are the exclusive flying mounts for Foundation Establishment disciples of our West Gorge Sect—second-grade Golden-Path Swallows." Young Master Ximen stroked the swallow beneath him with pride. Though he was not a Foundation Establishment cultivator himself, thanks to his grandfather’s influence, he had managed to secure one of these creatures.

Compared to first-grade combat spirit beasts, first-grade flying spirit beasts were relatively inexpensive, which explained why many minor sects possessed them. However, once a flying spirit beast reached the second grade, its value skyrocketed. A second-grade flying spirit beast could cost ten or even dozens of times more than a first-grade one. Furthermore, they were notoriously difficult to raise; even with sufficient spirit stones, one could not always guarantee a purchase. This was precisely why Lu Tiannan was so envious.

Ximen Shang glanced coldly at Lu Tiannan but said nothing. Internally, he was worried about how to fulfill the sect’s mission: ensuring the Tianshan Sect became the premier power in Linqing Prefecture while avoiding any offense to the potentially lurking monks of the Huasheng Temple.

"Sect Master, we have arrived at Mount Hua," a Tianshan disciple flying in the lead called out, pointing toward the magnificent mountain gate.

Descending from their mounts, Lu Tiannan’s group landed before the gate. The other cultivators from Linqing Prefecture who had been trailing them arrived in succession. However, they did not land, choosing instead to hover in mid-air to observe the Tianshan group’s movements. As time passed, the number of hovering beasts grew, and among them, a few first-grade flying artifacts began to appear.

"Isn't that Little San from next door kneeling at the gate? Wasn't he studying talisman lamp-post crafting under Master Yan? Why is he kneeling there?" one of the hovering cultivators asked, puzzled.

"You're right. And isn't that Master Yan himself? His talisman lamp-posts are peerless. Why has he come to kneel at Mount Hua's gate as well?" another added, pointing to a middle-aged man kneeling at the front of the group.

The apprentices who had come to seek tutelage remained kneeling. Despite days and nights of exposure, their superior physical constitutions allowed them to persist.

Lu Tiannan stepped back to stand beside Ximen Shang and the young master, wearing a fawning expression. "Senior Ximen, can you break this talisman array?"

Ximen Shang narrowed his eyes, staring at the massive sphere enveloping Mount Hua. He slowly raised his hands, and a golden luster began to glow from his palms as he channeled his spiritual energy to probe the grade of the mountain-protecting array.

"Go," Ximen Shang commanded. The cyan light from his palms detached and wobbled toward the mountain.

...

Jiang Yan stood on the plaza in front of the sect’s main hall, hands behind his back, gazing down at the foot of Mount Hua. Behind him stood the first and second generations of Mount Hua disciples, along with those from the outer sect.

Seeing the cyan light flickering from Ximen Shang’s hands, Jiang Yan frowned imperceptibly. This fellow was no amateur; he knew the techniques to probe the grade of a talisman array. If his guess was correct, this was Ximen Shang, the highest-ranking cultivator in the group.

As his gaze pierced through the haze, a transparent information interface materialized before him:

Name: Ximen Shang
Sect: West Gorge Sect
Position: 11th Generation Disciple
Cultivation: Late Foundation Establishment
Weapon: Golden Sun Hook
Techniques: Golden Flame Art (Grade 2), Golden Flow Swordplay (Grade 2), Mind-Clearing Art, Spirit-Communication Art (Grade 2), Sword Control (Grade 1)
Merit Points: [Hidden]
Aptitude: 54
Attribute: Metal

Indeed, he was a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. Jiang Yan offered a wry smile. The Tianshan Sect had spared no effort; by sending such a high-level expert, they clearly intended to wipe Mount Hua off the map.

Scanning the crowd again, Jiang Yan’s eyes suddenly brightened. Why were there only two Foundation Establishment cultivators? According to the Sect Master System’s mission requirements, there should have been three. With only two present, he and Senior Sister Tang Wan were more than capable of handling them.

"Hum..." The Four Symbols Seven Kills Great Array suddenly hummed to life. Before Ximen Shang’s energy even touched the circular barrier, the cyan defense had already ignited. Jiang Yan’s heart stirred, and he opened a small gap in the array. A streak of earthy-yellow light shot through the opening, plunging straight toward Jiang Yan.

He caught the streak of light; it was a talisman sword used for message transmission, likely the first report sent back by Mu Yun. Jiang Yan wrapped his divine sense around the glowing blade to inspect the message.

"Master, by the time I reached Linqing Prefecture, the Tianshan group had already departed. I send this in haste to warn you. Qian’er has discovered that Lu Mingyuan has returned to Tianshan. Only Lu Tiannan and one other Foundation Establishment cultivator are participating in the campaign against you. I am rushing back now..."

Jiang Yan burst into laughter upon reading the message. Only two Foundation Establishment cultivators had come after all. It made sense; a single Foundation Establishment cultivator was usually enough to sweep through a sect that had none. The arrival of two was already beyond what the local cultivators had expected.

For Jiang Yan, this was a massive stroke of luck. In a one-on-one fight, even the late-stage Ximen Shang would struggle to best him.

Jiang Yan communicated with the Spirit Beast Garden, and six Heavenly Crane spirit beasts soared out, hovering above the plaza.

"Move out," Jiang Yan commanded with a simple wave, signaling his disciples to mount the cranes and engage Lu Tiannan’s forces.

"Whoosh..."

At the foot of Mount Hua, the gathered cultivators felt the scenery shift, as if a breeze had suddenly blown through a narrow cave. A gust of wind rushed out from the mountain, brushing past them.

Within their field of vision, six white specks suddenly appeared, diving rapidly from the summit toward the mountain gate.

"Finally," Ximen Shang thought, feeling a wave of relief. During his initial probe, he had realized the array was at least a third-grade formation—a power far beyond what he could break on his own. He had been debating his next move when the six white specks appeared. He let out a long breath. The disciples of Mount Hua had finally emerged.