Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Chapter 740: Threat

Meng Zhang remained silent, quietly observing the others. Known as Old Blade and Primordial Spirit True Monarch Woodenhead, he concealed his identity, but the nearby Primordial Spirit True Monarchs of the Jiuqu League were aware of his presence. If they were to take action, even a little bit, some clues would inevitably be exposed. Especially the prominent Primordial Spirit True Monarchs who often engaged in conflicts, they were more prone to exposure.

Meng Zhang was not very familiar with the nearby Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, and most of what he knew about them was hearsay. If it weren't for attending the gathering hosted by True Monarch You Hongzhi last time, he would know even fewer Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.

Red Pig True Monarch and Jade Rabbit True Monarch were seniors to Luo YeDaoist Master, so Meng Zhang also had reservations about trusting them too much. While Luo YeDaoist Master was a trustworthy friend, her seniors were a different matter altogether.

Before taking any action this time, Red Pig True Monarch explained various arrangements, seemingly having a good grasp of the situation. However, on the battlefield, the situation could change in an instant. Meng Zhang would never be complacent or put his safety in the hands of others.

As the time approached, Red Pig True Monarch signaled everyone to move. The five Primordial Spirit True Monarchs present left the chamber together.

Leading the group through a complex underground passage with many twists and turns, Red Pig True Monarch eventually brought them to the end of a corridor. He gestured for everyone to stop and gather together. Then he took out a small leaf and waved it casually.

The leaf flew up and enlarged countless times, transforming into a broad curtain that enveloped everyone securely. Trusting Red Pig True Monarch and seeing that the leaf posed no harm, including Meng Zhang, no one attempted to evade it.

Once enveloped, Meng Zhang keenly perceived that he seemed to be in an isolated space. He could see the outside scenery and hear the outside sounds, but this wrapped space seemed disconnected from the original world. Nothing inside leaked to the outside, including the visuals and sounds.

As Red Pig True Monarch had instructed beforehand, everyone remained patient and waited slowly.

Following the two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs were five Gold Core Daoist Masters. Among them, one person was surprisingly familiar to Meng Zhang - Daoist Master Black Fox.

Once they arrived, Dong Qiang True Monarch forcefully grabbed towards the front. Initially, the end of the corridor seemed empty, but his action seemed to lift an invisible curtain, revealing a large hall behind it.

In the center of the hall, a refined middle-aged man was engrossed in reading a book. Startled by the intrusion, he raised his head and looked at the unexpected visitors, wearing a wry smile on his face.

"Dong Qiang, when will you ever change this impatience of yours? You've forcibly broken my formation, and now I have to spend effort repairing it," the middle-aged man said.

"Dong Qiang, my brother, your impatience will never change in this lifetime," Dong Qiang True Monarch replied in a low tone. "If my brother had given me a definite answer, I wouldn't have come looking for him like this."

The middle-aged man was also a Primordial Spirit True Monarch from the Dark Alliance, but he belonged to the third major faction, independent of Red Pig True Monarch and Dong Qiang True Monarch. He was the leader of that faction and was known as Book Mountain True Monarch.

"Brother, you can't force me. You should know my principles of dealing with things—I won't get involved in your conflicts," Book Mountain True Monarch said earnestly.

"Brother, listen to my advice. We are all fellow cultivators, and there's no problem we can't resolve. One day, I'll bring Red Pig Brother here, and we can all sit down and talk openly, solving any issues face to face. There's no need for such hostility, risking life and death," he continued, trying to persuade the others.

However, Dong Qiang True Monarch and True Monarch White Crow remained unmoved. True Monarch White Crow even showed a sneer on his face.

"Book Mountain, my friend, you are still too naive. I wonder how you've lived to your age," Dong Qiang True Monarch bluntly replied. "Between us and Red Pig's group, we have long been at odds and must determine the victor."

"Brother, the situation has been explained to you many times. This time, with the support of the Dali Dynasty, if Red Pig's group doesn't submit, they will have only one path—death," Dong Qiang True Monarch added.

"Brother is trying to help you and your followers find a better future by joining our side," he said, emphasizing that he was acting out of goodwill.

Despite the persuasive efforts from Dong Qiang True Monarch, Book Mountain True Monarch still stubbornly refused, and they had already had similar conversations many times before. Neither side could convince the other.

"Brother, since you have the upper hand, why do you need me to join you?" Book Mountain True Monarch questioned.

Before Dong Qiang True Monarch could reply, True Monarch White Crow grew impatient and spoke up, saying that Book Mountain was a stubborn bookworm who couldn't be persuaded. He asked directly whether Book Mountain would join them or not.

Facing True Monarch White Crow's coercion, Book Mountain True Monarch shook his head helplessly.

True Monarch White Crow then showed a black bead, boasting with satisfaction. Book Mountain True Monarch was shocked to see the bead, unable to believe that it was in True Monarch White Crow's possession.

"This thing was lost long ago, how could it be in your hands?" Book Mountain True Monarch exclaimed in disbelief.

Proudly, True Monarch White Crow didn't answer his question and casually tossed the bead in his hand.

Meng Zhang also recognized the bead. Though years had passed, he still vividly remembered it.

When he was still a Gold Core cultivator, Daoist Master Black Fox had entrusted him to venture into the Yuan'tu Great Prairie, risking his life to enter the Black Market's treasure vault within the extraterritorial Barbarian Clan's controlled area. There, he retrieved this bead.

After Luo YeDaoist Master processed it, Meng Zhang returned the bead to Daoist Master Black Fox.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, the same bead appeared here, in the hands of True Monarch White Crow.

With his current experience, even from a distance, Meng Zhang could discern the bead's purpose. It was a special magical tool used to store soul energy, similar to the soul lamps often used by various sects in the Cultivation World.

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