Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Chapter 110: Battle Invitation

Once the Formation was activated, a layer of fine sand, like mist, immediately rose within this hilly area, shrouding the surroundings in a blurry haze that made it difficult to see clearly.

Under the cover of the fine sand, the surrounding scenery became indistinct and hard to discern. Several hills surrounded the central valley, and on the outskirts of these hills, various-sized stones began to appear.

These stones were formed from the spiritual energy of the spirit vein. As the Formation remained in place for a longer time, the accumulation of these stones increased.

Once enemies intruded into the formation, these stones would become both defensive and offensive weapons.

Although the spiritual energy of the spirit vein was mostly locked within the Formation, it was impossible to prevent any leakage.

Nourished by the spiritual energy, various vegetation began to slowly appear in the surroundings, turning the desert into an oasis.

Meng Zhang named this slope where the spirit vein resided "Morning Sun Hillside."

With the successful establishment of the protective Formation, Meng Zhang felt relieved. With this First Rank top-grade stone maze Formation as a reliance, Taiyi Sect could easily achieve victory despite being weaker in strength and fewer in number.

Wen Qiansun's proficiency in formations gained Meng Zhang's approval. He decided to keep Wen Qiansun behind to familiarize himself with the control of the stone maze Formation.

There was a significant difference in power between a Formation controlled by someone and one without anyone to control it.

After the disciples of the sect were done with their tasks in the spirit field, Meng Zhang gathered them together for various drills.

As time passed, the changes outside Morning Sun Hillside became more and more evident. The area covered by the stone maze Formation was limited and could only encompass the surroundings of a few hills. Beyond that, they were powerless.

Gradually, the hills in the vicinity began to turn green. The once desolate desert was now giving rise to various types of vegetation.

Finally, a loose cultivator passing by accidentally discovered these changes in the Endless Sea of Sand. When large amounts of vegetation appeared on the original desert, the most plausible explanation was the emergence of a new spirit vein in the vicinity.

The loose cultivator wanted to come over and take advantage of the situation, thinking they might find something beneficial. However, Meng Zhang discovered them and drove them away.

Meng Zhang didn't kill them because there was no need to. People constantly came and went in this place, and it was impossible to kill every cultivator who noticed the changes.

As expected, the next day, two cultivators from Twin Success Valley also passed by.

They approached and discovered the new spirit vein and the protective Formation, so they inquired about the situation. For cultivators from Twin Success Valley, Meng Zhang couldn't simply drive them away.

Meng Zhang personally received them and explained the situation with a respectful attitude.

These two Twin Success Valley cultivators just asked out of routine and to keep the sect informed about the various situations in the vicinity. The appearance of a new First Rank spirit vein wasn't a big deal to them, and after asking, they left.

Before leaving, they reminded Meng Zhang that the newly opened spirit field had a three-year exemption period. After three years, depending on the number of spirit fields, they would have to offer tributes to Twin Success Valley.

After these two Twin Success Valley cultivators left, more cultivators passing by gradually noticed the situation here.

Half a month later, Zhao Family finally learned about the appearance of a brand new spirit vein at the boundary with Taiyi Sect.

Shortly afterward, an envoy from Zhao Family arrived outside Morning Sun Hillside. The envoy was Zhao Dong, an old acquaintance of Meng Zhang. Upon seeing the situation at Morning Sun Hillside, he felt quite frustrated.

Taiyi Sect's luck was too good. They actually managed to discover a completely new spirit vein. Even if it was just a First Rank spirit vein, it was worth Zhao Family's effort to seize it.

Meng Zhang didn't invite Zhao Dong inside and instead kept him outside the protective Formation. Standing outside the Formation, Zhao Dong looked coldly at Meng Zhang.

Though both sides knew that their words were futile and that a battle was inevitable, they had to go through the motions since they were both considered reputable sects and were affiliated with Twin Success Valley. They had to show courtesy and save face.

Thus, they engaged in a verbal exchange, debating each other's claims.

Zhao Family's tone was simple: This area belonged to Zhao Family's territory, and they were unjustly invaded by Taiyi Sect. Taiyi Sect must immediately withdraw and apologize to Zhao Family.

Meng Zhang's argument was equally straightforward: This place had always been the sacred and inseparable territory of Taiyi Sect, and Taiyi Sect would not retreat even half a step.

After going back and forth with their futile exchange, the negotiations officially collapsed.

Zhao Dong left after throwing a few harsh words.

The next day, Zhao Dong sent a challenge letter.

In fifteen days, Zhao Family and Taiyi Sect would have a battle here to determine the ownership of this spirit vein.

Meng Zhang accepted the challenge letter and agreed to the battle.

This kind of approach aligned with the rules of Twin Success Valley and was a common method for affiliated factions to resolve disputes within the valley.

This kind of open battle had certain rules and limitations. No matter how devious their actions might have been in secret, such as killing for treasures or oppressing the weak with force, during this public battle, they had to act with integrity. They couldn't tarnish the image of reputable sects, especially not in front of Twin Success Valley, which valued face greatly.

Many malicious methods were forbidden in this kind of battle, and it was best to end the fight quickly, avoiding causing a large number of casualties.

Meng Zhang considered the situation. Deep Earth Spirit General was currently in deep slumber, and there weren't many Taiyi Sect disciples, and their cultivation bases were weaker.

Although Meng Zhang had some secret cards like Second Rank talismans obtained from the Li family's secret treasury and Second Rank puppets, he couldn't use them easily. Zhao Family was also a family that had produced cultivators at the Foundation Building stage, and they must have some secret cards as well.

If they didn't want the battle to escalate easily, they couldn't use these methods.

The real deciding factor would be the Taiyi Sect disciples.

Meng Zhang had been the Sect Master of Taiyi Sect for more than four years and had gradually recruited some disciples. At this point, there were at least a dozen Taiyi Sect disciples.

Apart from two disciples who had just joined and were still at the early stage of cultivation, not even having stabilized their Refining Qi First Layer, all the other Taiyi Sect members, including Daoist Clear Spirit and the Wang father and son, were called to Morning Sun Hillside by Meng Zhang.

Apart from Meng Zhang, there were a total of fifteen members.

Among them, the highest cultivation base belonged to Tian Zhen and Daoist Clear Spirit, both at the Refining Qi Sixth Layer.

As the main strategy was to rely on the stone maze Formation for defense, Meng Zhang assigned the task of commanding everyone to Wen Qiansun, who was proficient in formations.

Everyone started to busy themselves, practicing how to cooperate and control the Formation.

Meng Zhang also didn't idle around. Besides completing Wen Qiansun's assignment, he had to seek help outside.

The reason why Zhao Family had scheduled the battle for fifteen days later was to give both sides enough time to find qualified witnesses.

This was another significant characteristic of this kind of battle.

The outcome of the battle not only depended on the fighting on the battlefield but also on the off-battlefield efforts.

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