573: Chapter 406 573: Chapter 406 Jiang Tang discovered that the formation he had created was quite good; so far, no one had managed to break through it.
If he set up such a formation on his base’s mountain, and if foreigners attempted to enter the mountain to plunder, activating the formation would pose a challenge.
In his trial, those below the Nascent Soul level had yet to breach the formation.
He felt that setting up this formation around the base was a pretty good idea.
Whether adjustments were needed would depend on whether any Great Power Holders took action, and if the formation could withstand the force of their intervention.
Time ticked by incrementally, and more than an hour had passed.
People kept flying in from thousands of miles away.
Jiang Tang found the situation increasingly intriguing.
Not only had numerous members from various Immortal Sects and noble clans arrived, but it appeared that the power of treasure incited insatiable greed.
Jiang Tang knew that his former North City Immortal Sect had over a thousand disciples, not all of whom had access to the Sect’s resources and wealth for cultivation.
Many had to undertake missions.
Given such a prime opportunity, it was natural for many people to rush here, purely for the chance it represented.
With a thought, Jiang Tang slightly altered the formation.
At this moment, only those whom he had previously detected were in danger; others might experience a close call without actual peril.
While Jiang Tang was modifying the formation, he sensed that the Great Power Holders he had identified earlier were starting to notice that there was a formation set up on the mountain and had begun to study it.
Jiang Tang also noticed some who had hurried over later; they might have sensed that something was amiss and did not dare search for treasure, instead choosing to study the formation.
Those who could deduce the presence of the formation on the mountain seemed to have some knowledge of formations.
Jiang Tang smirked in satisfaction, challenging both the Great Power Holders and those skilled in formations to see if they had the ability to unlock his formation.
Of course, he would not allow others to unmake the formation so easily; the formation would change with the varying environment.
The formation set up by Jiang Tang made the seasoned veterans feel as if they had never encountered such a formation before, a novelty to them.
This provoked the old-timers’ desire to solve the formation, with each eagerly getting ready to crack it, not wanting to be outdone by the younger generation who were trying to figure it out.
These venerable figures, who saw themselves as ancestral pillars of the cultivation world with the highest capabilities, were certainly not about to let the younger ones solve the formation first.
“This formation seems extraordinary, utilizing rare energy stones.
Could it be that an Immortal laid out this formation?”
One of the Great Power Holders muttered to himself, a remark that was inevitably overheard by another of his peers nearby.
“Old timer from the Immortal Sect, you’re only adept at mastering the skills of alchemy.
I’ve heard that those of you who focus on this art and alchemy can’t even compare to a newcomer.
Do you understand this formation?”
The self-talking veteran, addressed by another, showed no signs of discomfort; instead, he retorted to his bantering counterpart, “Do you really think your Taoist Sect possesses the ability to unravel formations?
Ha, don’t be hypocritical.
Your clan is declining all the same.”
The bantering between the two old-timers from the Taoist Sect and the Immortal Sect was overheard by other veterans, who reflected on how their ancestral secret manuals and abilities had been diminishing with each generation.
They had thought that after centuries of seclusion, they would reemerge with superior capabilities and leave behind even greater descendants.
Instead, they found that upon leaving seclusion, the spiritual energy throughout the cultivation world had weakened, and the same was true for their own families.
Compelled to seek out resources, and seeing gold and white energy for the second time—though the formation seemed formidable—they eyed the abundant energy stones on the mountain below.
It didn’t matter that people from all over the cultivation world had come to treasure hunt.
They too wanted to seize the energy stones from the mountain below to decorate and cultivate for their clan.
Watching the younger generation attempting to unravel their formation, the old-timers were not disheartened.
While the younger ones tried with fiery enthusiasm to break the formation and prove their capabilities,
the elders were confident they could outdo them with their experience; they could not allow the younger generation to surpass them!
Although the saying goes, “The pupil surpasses the master,” this signified that a family was growing stronger and more capable with each generation.
They would rejoice at this, but it was, after all, the younger generation surpassing them, which was somewhat hard to swallow.
They could not just sit idly by; they had to act.
Previously, they had justified seclusion as a means to elevate their cultivation, but after so many years without progress, it seemed that engaging with the world for just the past half month had improved their vitality compared to before.
These old-timers felt regret for the centuries they had wasted in vain—it had been quite wrong of them…!
Time trickled away, and as the night waned, dawn approached.
None of those who had entered in search of treasure had come out.
People who hurried over, some without understanding the situation, asked around.
Seeing some deciphering the formation, the clever ones dared not enter, those who didn’t know formations simply watched, while those knowledgeable in formations joined in the effort.
Very few acted rashly to enter.
However, at the foot of the mountain there were brave souls who believed that if those in the heavens could enter and collect treasures, they too could grab a share to alleviate their poverty, though most were driven by sheer greed.
As the sky began to lighten, they noticed that the silver and golden glows on the mountain had not dissipated.
This meant that the formation was still active, the fate of those inside was unknown, but the treasures remained in place.
It was unclear if the entire mountain was filled with treasures too numerous to take, or whether there were traps lying in wait.
In the face of money, wealth, and resources, even those who feared not death were tempted to enter the mountain as daylight broke.
Upon entering, they soon regretted it, for the mountain that had been so dazzlingly bright with golden sheen was pitch black inside, even though it was daytime.
Having fallen into the pit, their hearts raced with fear, and they could only continue to explore, feeling a terrifying presence in the dark, as if danger lurked around every corner.
Jiang Tang had previously encountered danger, resulting in injuries or even severe harm.
He discovered that some of the black-clad figures were foreigners, who had been confined to the region of the Dead Gate.
As more and more people entered the mountain, they were sent on adventures with close calls but no serious harm as before.
Those with sinister intentions or a history of killing bore the inevitable marks of injury; Jiang Tang felt he had been merciful for sparing their lives, he was practically Buddha-like in his leniency.
At that moment, Jiang Tang heard the call of several hundred people; his avatar was on the flying artifact, seemingly presiding over them in his likeness.
However, the avatar still required his mind to control his thoughts.
It had likely been two days already, and those who had gone home to prepare resources or reunite with family were ready.
Ye Tian had sent a message asking when he would leave seclusion and set out.
Jiang Tang had his avatar inside the flying artifact without showing it to others, as his subordinates were unaware that he could create avatars.
Ye Tian only had a few days’ leave, which had already been partially spent.
He would have to follow to the base, and Jiang Tang thought there was no need to rush.
If an officer couldn’t afford a slight delay in returning, how could they ever grow stronger?
Jiang Tang did not reveal the avatar to anyone; he simply opened the door of the flying artifact and allowed the few hundred people inside, then told them that he would take them somewhere enlightening.
The prospect of being led by the Saint Master to gain experience excited everyone, as it was a rare opportunity.
As the flying artifact took off, Luo Yaxuan clearly saw the Huang Family tracking them.
He shared a knowing smile with Lai Jianlin.
Both felt that while the Huangs were persistent, their indifference did not mean an eternal tolerance for their antics.
How could these people hope to keep up with such a swift flying artifact?
Luo Yaxuan gave them a contemptuous glance.
This time, returning home, Luo Yaxuan also took his master and foster-mother.
With so many young members of their family mobilized, carrying abundant resources and now returning to make purchases.
Luo Yaxuan told his family that the Saint Master had provided the money for the resources and took out two bottles of pills.
The family was thrilled at the sight of the pills; with them, there was hope for progress in their cultivation.