Chapter 501: Intrusion |
After a brief consultation, Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying opted for the second strategy.
The reason was straightforward. No one knew what kind of treasures the three Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect might acquire from the Layered Mystery Sect's legacy after seizing its most precious artifacts.
Suppose they obtained items that could instantly enhance their combat capabilities, such as powerful talismans. In that case, Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying, already significantly outmatched, would stand even less of a chance against them.
By intruding and preventing the Flying Swan Sect's cultivators from seizing the treasures, they could avoid this scenario.
In contrast, the first option, seemingly a chance to reap the benefits of others' efforts and strike unexpectedly, actually posed far more unpredictable risks.
Qin Hongying, the old lady, was extremely pragmatic. Initially, she vehemently stated that she would only help the Taiyi Sect resist the Demonic Beasts, avoiding entanglement in the grudges between the Taiyi Sect and other factions.
But now, seeing the benefits, she sprinted faster than anyone. Concerning her last hope, her urgency was almost unmasked.
Of course, the more eager she was, the more proactive Meng Zhang became. Her urgency aligned perfectly with his intentions.
Meng Zhang observed that since the three Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect entered among these mountains, numerous peaks had vanished in less than half a day, and many more were scarred and badly damaged.
Almost a day had passed since the Flying Swan Sect's trio broke in. If they continued to delay, they might genuinely allow them to succeed.
The only chance for Qin Hongying and Meng Zhang to win was to launch a surprise attack while the Flying Swan Sect's three Gold Core Daoist Masters were busy breaking through the Myriad Layers Peak and had exhausted much of their strength against the Dark Crow Demon General.
Only during their moment of weakness could the vast gap in strength possibly be bridged.
After discussing, Qin Hongying and Meng Zhang plunged into the mountains ahead.
The two charged side by side, with the Extreme Sword Spirit General following Meng Zhang.
Since leaving the Grand Lion Ridge, the Extreme Sword Spirit General had been silent, following Meng Zhang without a word.
Upon entering the mountains, their surroundings blurred, and the scene before them changed drastically.
Thick fog engulfed the area, obscuring their senses and even preventing the Divine Sense of a Gold Core Daoist Master from extending far into the mist.
The mountains, previously towering on the ground, were now floating in the air, slowly moving along a certain trajectory.
These peaks, sometimes hidden within the fog, were elusive and unclear.
Had Meng Zhang and his companions been the first to enter, they would have needed considerable time to understand the intricacies and find a way out.
However, the three Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect, who had broken in earlier, inadvertently assisted them significantly.
As these Masters sought a way out and solved the restrictions, they not only greatly weakened the confusing force inside but also illuminated a clear path for Meng Zhang and the others.
With Meng Zhang's profound inheritance and solid foundation, coupled with Qin Hongying's deep cultivation base and vast experience, they understood what to do in no time.
They struck almost simultaneously.
The Fierce Yang Sword rose in the air like a blazing sun, heavily descending towards a vaguely visible mountain ahead.
Qin Hongying's dragon-headed cane transformed into a black dragon, soaring into the sky and pouncing on the same target.
A light screen arose on the mountain, blocking Meng Zhang's Fierce Yang Sword.
With a powerful thrust, the Fierce Yang Sword shattered the light screen.
Then, the cane-transformed dragon lunged forward, slamming into the mountain.
After a loud explosion, the mountain shook violently, several deep cracks appearing on its surface.
If it were a regular peak, a casual strike from a Gold Core Daoist Master could have turned it into dust.
The mountain, having taken hits from both Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying, was not heavily damaged.
At this point, Meng Zhang confirmed that these mountains were indeed transformations of the Layered Mystery Sect's ultimate treasure, the Myriad Layers Peak.
Although Qin Hongying hadn't received information about the Myriad Layers Peak from Meng Zhang, her savvy experience still allowed her to identify many issues.
Without speaking, they continued to strike in perfect sync.
After several attacks, the mountain shattered. The surrounding fog receded, revealing a large empty space.
Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying proceeded, relentlessly attacking the mountains ahead.
Along the way, they left behind a trail of shattered mountains and severely damaged peaks.
As they moved forward, the thick fog continued to dissipate.
The traces left by the Flying Swan Sect's three Gold Core Daoist Masters, who had arrived earlier, now guided them.
Advancing towards the center surrounded by these mountains was their target.
Indeed, the Myriad Layers Peak, the legacy artifact, only had the ability to confound and trap enemies, with little to no lethal power. Its defensive strength was average, not exceeding the limits of what a Gold Core Daoist Master could handle.
Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying had to exert considerable effort to break through the obstacles and reach the center.
Ahead, a towering mountain stood. This conspicuous peak soared into the clouds, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Surrounding smaller mountains orbited this central peak like stars around the moon.
Atop the main peak was a vast palace, occupying nearly half of the summit.
Using his Deception Breaking Eye, Meng Zhang saw the Dark Crow Demon General in its true demonic form.
A massive dark crow guarded the palace entrance, desperately blocking the three Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect.
On the plaza before the grand palace entrance lay various Demonic Beasts' corpses.
These recently deceased Demonic Beasts still emitted strong auras and intense demonic energy.
These fallen creatures were the elite of Second Rank Demonic Beasts, some nearing the strength of Third Rank Demonic Beasts.
Meng Zhang was taken aback; he never expected the Dark Crow Demon General to have concealed such a force here.
If these Demonic Beasts were released into the wild, the forces under the Dark Crow Demon General would swell by dozens of times.
Had Meng Zhang known earlier that the Dark Crow Demon General held such an ace up his sleeve, he might not have had the confidence to seize the Grand Lion Ridge.
However, now, such a formidable force had been entirely decimated by the hands of three Gold Core Daoist Masters from the Flying Swan Sect.
The attack on the crow's nest had also cost the Flying Swan Sect dearly.
Of the only two Third Rank warships in the sect, one was completely destroyed, and the other was slightly damaged, still stranded out in the open.
Countless disciples in the sect were killed or injured, including many Foundation Building period cultivators.
Among the three Gold Core Daoist Masters who had made it here, Daoist Master Fei Jiang seemed seriously wounded, sitting aside to recuperate.
Daoist Master Fei Shi, along with Wu Mingwei, was attacking the Dark Crow Demon General.
The Dark Crow Demon General was covered in scars, with a significant part of his body missing. It seemed he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.
Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying exchanged glances, understanding each other's intentions.
If they didn't act now, once the Dark Crow Demon General fell in battle, there would be no chance of victory.
Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying lunged forward, covering the not-so-short distance and directly approaching the main peak.
The smaller peaks rotating around this main peak should have served to guard it and ward off enemies. However, they were destroyed or severely damaged when the three Gold Core Daoist Masters from the Flying Swan Sect broke in.
Most of the remaining small peaks were in shambles, and the few that were intact could not form a defensive front, offering little resistance.
Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying flew through the gaps between these small peaks and plunged into the main peak, arriving on the broad plaza outside the palace gate.
Daoist Master Fei Jiang, who had been meditating aside, was highly vigilant and responded immediately.
He unleashed a giant sword, slashing towards Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying.
Though Meng Zhang had formed the core not long ago, his combat strength was already not inferior to many seasoned Gold Core Daoist Masters. Even if he intended to hide his capabilities, his displayed combat power was still extraordinary.
Qin Hongying, with her peak early-stage Gold Core Cultivation Base, was even more formidable. Battle-hardened and extremely experienced, she posed a great threat to Daoist Master Fei Jiang with her every move.
Neither Meng Zhang nor Qin Hongying had any intention of showing mercy. The two, joining forces, had pushed Daoist Master Fei Jiang into a disadvantage within moments.
As Daoist Master Fei Jiang fended off their attacks in a very disheveled manner, he shouted angrily, "Meng Zhang, how dare you! I swear I won't rest until your Taiyi Sect is uprooted."
The battle had already commenced, and there was no question of daring or not. As for the threat of annihilating the Taiyi Sect, Meng Zhang didn't take it to heart.
If he didn't intervene and the Flying Swan Sect indeed acquired the inheritance of the Layered Mystery Sect, that would be the real disaster for the Taiyi Sect.
Already seriously injured, Daoist Master Fei Jiang was struggling under the joint assault from Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying. In no time, he was in grave danger, barely holding on.
Daoist Master Fei Shi, who was in the midst of attacking the Dark Crow Demon General, couldn’t possibly stand by and watch Daoist Master Fei Jiang in peril.
With a point of his finger, a mountain-peak-like spiritual tool, which had been restraining the Dark Crow Demon General, moved under his command, pressing towards Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying.
Indeed, a mid-Gold Core stage cultivator was extraordinary. With one move, he had suppressed Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying.
This mountain peak was Daoist Master Fei Shi’s natal spiritual tool, nurtured over many years and containing immense power.
Facing the mountain peak above their heads, they felt an enormous pressure continuously bearing down on them.
The dragon-head cane and two Flying Swords rose into the air, desperately resisting the descending peak.
The Dark Crow Demon General, already hanging by a thread, saw Daoist Master Fei Shi distracted and sensed an opportunity in the battle. With the last of his strength, he broke free from Daoist Master Fei Shi's control, attempting to escape into the palace.
Wu Mingwei, having formed the core not long ago and being the weakest, hadn’t drawn much attention from the Dark Crow Demon General. However, seeing the Dark Crow Demon General trying to flee, he erupted with power.
The iron whip in his hand suddenly shone brightly, lashing fiercely toward the head of the Dark Crow Demon General.
Being from a sect with a long heritage and profound background had its advantages. Not long after Wu Mingwei formed his core, he was bestowed with a suitable Third Rank magic tool by his sect.
This was not the case for someone like Meng Zhang, who, after forming his core, struggled desperately to find a suitable magic tool. He searched far and wide, exerting much effort, yet achieving his goal was anything but guaranteed.
The Dark Crow Demon General couldn't dodge in time and was brutally struck in the head by the iron whip.
Accompanied by a shrill scream, the Demon General's skull cracked open, spewing blood in all directions. Using the last of his strength, the severely wounded demon threw his broken body into the palace.
After launching this powerful attack, Wu Mingwei had to pause to catch his breath.
On the other hand, Fei Jiang, the Daoist Master, found himself momentarily unoccupied because Fei Shi, another Daoist Master, had intervened, suppressing both Meng Zhang and Qin Hongying.
Seeing Fei Shi making his move, Fei Jiang didn’t pay attention to the two foes in front of him. Instead, he dashed into the palace after the Dark Crow Demon General.
The three Gold Core Daoist Masters from the Flying Swan Sect were unaware that the Myriad Layers Peak was the Layered Mystery Sect's most treasured legacy.
Once the Myriad Layers Peak transformed and settled into its numerous layers, it was incredibly difficult to move. Control over its nexus could gradually refine this precious treasure.
This crucial insight was even more unlikely to be known by them.
They simply assumed that the Layered Mystery Sect's legacy treasure must be in the possession of the Dark Crow Demon General.
In the past, the White Lion Demon King seized a treasure from True Monarch Li Chong, but being a Demonic Beast, he couldn't utilize it. After his death, the White Lion's remains were buried near a crow's nest, naturally falling into the hands of the Dark Crow Demon General.
The Dark Crow Demon General, already gravely injured and close to death, couldn’t survive Wu Mingwei’s powerful strike for much longer.
Fei Jiang, relentless in his pursuit, intended to seize its body immediately to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
Seeing Fei Jiang rush into the palace, Qin Hongying, who likely shared his thoughts, abandoned her joint effort with Meng Zhang against Fei Shi’s natal spiritual tool. She executed some unknown Divine Ability, disappearing on the spot, leaving Meng Zhang alone to resist Fei Shi.
Meng Zhang was furious, almost cursing out loud. Together, they could barely hold off Fei Shi, but alone, how could he withstand such a seasoned Gold Core mid-stage expert?
"Cursed old witch, I should've never relied on her," he thought bitterly.
By the time Qin Hongying reappeared, she was already by the grand entrance of the palace. Without hesitation, she chased after Fei Jiang into the palace.
Fei Shi, busy suppressing Meng Zhang, and Wu Mingwei, still catching his breath, couldn’t stop her in time.
Fei Shi’s expression changed. He invoked his mountain-shaped spiritual tool, pinning Meng Zhang in place, but he didn’t bother launching further attacks. Instead, he dashed toward the palace.
A scream of utmost agony emanated from within the palace.
Followed by the sounds of explosive shockwaves, Qin Hongying’s body was hurled from the palace, screaming incessantly, "This can't be, how are you not dead yet?"
Before Qin Hongying even hit the ground, Fei Jiang’s body was also thrown out.
Both of them landed, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood, obviously sustaining serious injuries. Particularly, Fei Jiang, whose left arm had disappeared, with blood spurting wildly from the stump.
Fei Shi halted his advance, retracting the spiritual tool that held Meng Zhang, his face stern as he gazed into the palace.
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