Yong Fu said, "Brother Zhang, please speak."

Zhang Yan said, "You know, Brother Daoist, over the past few days, many fellow Daoists’ mountain gates have been broken by those demons, leaving them with nowhere to go. Therefore, I wish to ask the E Mountain Sect to temporarily shelter them. Once those demons are repelled, we can rebuild their mountain gates. How does that sound to you, Brother Daoist?"

Yong Fu hesitated for a moment, then agreed. He bowed, said his goodbyes, and departed.

Once Yong Fu left, Daoist Wen urgently said, "Senior brother, this is clearly a trap. You must not go!"

Zhang Yan laughed and said, "Junior Wen, since you’ve seen that it is a trap, surely it must be. However, as the master of the immortal city, unless I give up this position, I have no choice but to go."

Since he became the master of the immortal city, although the Han Yuan Sect could benefit from it, they also bear the responsibility to protect the area. Undoubtedly, the one who set this up has seen this point clearly.

Chu Muran showed a worried expression and suggested, "Senior Brother, could you hold off a bit? Perhaps summon Master Zhang back, and the two of you go together, which might be safer?"

Zhang Yan laughed, waved his sleeve, and said, "No need! It’s just a trivial matter. I will return shortly. You three, keep watch over the mountain gate."

As soon as he finished speaking, a booming sound echoed in their ears, and they saw a dazzling rainbow streak shooting out from the top of the Heavenly Tower, soaring into the clouds and disappearing instantly.

Thirty miles offshore from the northern slopes of Divine House Mountain, there were dozens of floating boats over thirty feet long on the sea, connected by iron chains and golden rings. More than a thousand Powerful Warriors kept dumping baskets of brown mud into the boats, and when a boat was full, they would sever the lock and let it sink to the sea floor.

Wang Guangyuan looked on painfully and complained, "All this is the finest Jade Mud. Isn’t it a waste to do this just for show?"

This Jade Mud is made by grinding Spiritual Shells into powder and mixing it with stewed clay. Cultivators can use it to fill the sea and create islands. If one possesses a Supreme Treasure that can gather Spiritual Energy, after a long time, it can develop a Spirit Vein.

Qu Changzhi said nonchalantly, "If it isn’t done convincingly, how can we force Daoist Zhang to come? Don’t be so stingy; anyway, it’s only ten thousand Spirit Shells. Consider it as my debt to you, and after seizing the immortal city, I’ll compensate you."

At this moment, a delicate rainbow vapor flew in from beyond the heavens. Wang Guangyuan glanced out the window, and whispered, "Senior Brother, Jiang Daoist has arrived."

The light fell upon a boat, and out stepped a short-sleeved cultivator in green attire, with disheveled hair and a bamboo basket on his back. He was the Jiang Daoist who fought with Zhang Boyant in Suxing Valley.

After stabilizing his footing, he looked around warily before moving to the largest vessel. He lifted a Jade Curtain and walked into the cabin.

Entering the inner chamber, he looked up to see Qu Changzhi and Wang Guangyuan sitting inside, his tense expression relaxed, and he cupped his hands, saying solemnly, "Greetings to both of you. After receiving your letter, I hurried here, hoping I wasn’t too late."

Qu Changzhi chuckled and got up to return the courtesy, then came up and grasped Jiang Daoist’s hand, expressing sentiment, "Not late at all. After sending the letter, I didn’t even think you’d come, being such an idle cloud and wild crane kind of person."

Jiang Daoist was inevitably flattered. Qu Changzhi had a great reputation in East Victory Continent, being a Nascent Soul Second Realm Cultivator and the chief disciple of Ancestor Hui Xuan, not comparable to a Loose Cultivator like him. Yet, now he was so polite, clearly valuing him, so Jiang Daoist quickly said, "You’re too kind. How dare I not come when summoned by Master Qu?"

Wang Guangyuan remained seated, looking at Jiang Daoist with a slightly contemptuous gaze.

Once they were seated in the cabin, Jiang Daoist spoke quietly, "Do you know who I saw the other day?"

Qu Changzhi said, "Could it involve that Daoist Zhang?"

Jiang Daoist nodded, "Exactly! I was in a Chu Kingdom immortal city, eyeing a Dharma Treasure, but was short on Spiritual Shells. I went to borrow some from a friendly fellow Daoist and happened to see that Zhang Daoist I fought against. I investigated further, and it turns out he headed southeast later."

Qu Changzhi and Wang Guangyuan exchanged glances and slightly raised their voices, "So, do we only need to deal with Daoist Zhang alone?"

Jiang Daoist affirmed, "It seems so."

Qu Changzhi’s eyes flickered, "That’s good news. My original plan was to deal with two people, but with Zhang Daoist not around, the chances are greatly increased."

Jiang Daoist asked for guidance, "How do you plan to deal with this individual?"

He thought, Qu Changzhi had set up such a grand scene, surely not going to launch a mediocre siege but must have some clever plan in place.

Qu Changzhi laughed, "Indeed, this needs to be told, Fellow Daoist, come and see."

He walked to the window and pointed outside, "I’ve heard that Old Daoist Zhang is proficient in Escape Skills, so Daoist Zhang might also have such a method. To prevent his escape, we’ve arranged sixty-four Array Flags within fifty miles. This array can hinder one’s movement; once activated, it’s as if ten thousand pounds of stone press upon you. If he falls into this, he can only be at our mercy."

Jiang Daoist nodded, and couldn’t help but be astonished. He was skilled in Escape Skills, but if he fell into this array, he’d lose seventy percent of his ability, so he uneasily asked, "How can I perform my skills within the array?"

Qu Changzhi laughed heartily, took out a Face Token, and handed it to him, "With this token, you can come and go without hindrance."

Jiang Daoist put it in his robe, reassured, then asked, "Will Daoist Zhang definitely come here?"

Qu Changzhi said, "Don’t worry, Daoist Zhang, as the master of the immortal city, will definitely not overlook our actions. Everything is ready now, just waiting for him to fall into our trap."

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)