NOVEL NEXT Chapter 320 - Seize the Sword
Following the calculations and tracking along the way, as he delved deeper into the secret realm, Tie Dan quickly understood the intent of the Shen Family gathering here.
They were planning a rebellion.
Well, at least they were planning a rebellion in the past.
The Hidden Sword Manor initially harbored the intention of conspiring with masses to rebel, planning not only in Sizhou, but also establishing footholds in Genzhou and Zhenzhou, secretly hoarding weapons and soldiers.
This secret realm was originally some Immortal Realm treasure. After it was removed, a local sect once occupied it. When the Spirit Stone vein was fully mined, the sect abandoned it, and now it fell into the hands of the Shen Family. After years of management and arrangement, it has become a Hidden Soldier Cave.
Not only is there a Barrier Array outside, but inside there are also secret tunnels and mechanisms. If it weren't for Tie Dan, who is at the Nascent Soul Realm and holding the old ancestor's broken sword, it would really have been difficult to find this place.
The secret tunnels that once guarded the sect can now not only trap demon beasts that mistakenly enter but also serve as storage warehouses.
As Tie Dan treads forward, within the cave, he discovers secret tunnel hidden chambers in abundance, storing privately-forged military armor equipment, funds, and provisions prepared for uprising, and piles of gold and silver jewelry looted in raids. It's evident that this is the treasure trove accumulated by the Shen Family over many years.
Calculating fingers, it's said that Prince Li's plan failed, the Shen Family was wanted by the Immortal Palace, the Hidden Sword Manor was also seized, and these seven individuals subsequently sought refuge at this secret base in Zhenzhou. They planned to take advantage of the secret realm's thunder protection, focusing on breaking through to the Nascent Soul, and once their Divine Skill was perfected, they would come out for revenge. It's quite a typical routine.
Hmm, but now it is down to six people.
Tie Dan gestured an Invisibility Technique and delved inside, quickly finding one in a nearby Spirit Cave.
A member of the Shen Family was sitting right in the cave, in seclusion for cultivation, refining meridians, preparing for Nascent Soul formation.
Yes, he was already in the process, but not yet successful. After all, gestation would take ten months, and Tie Dan, with his extraordinary talent, also lingered at the brink of formation for several months.
For an ordinary cultivator like the Shen Family, closing off for two or three years to break through is normal. Besides, in molding the Dao Body, they must go through the Primordial Spirit Illusion Realm, overcoming the sword in the sheath through their will to break the seal and awaken the past soul. Naturally, it is not a process to be rushed.
However, judging by the dates, it should be soon, isn't it? The ones waiting have already lined up at the door.
"I wonder which Fellow Daoist is present, how about emerging for a chat?"
The old protector sitting outside the cave opened his eyes, his pupils shining with light, akin to searchlights piercing through, seeing through Tie Dan's Invisibility Technique.
Chat it is.
Tie Dan activated the Yao Guang Sword to form a circular Sword Array to protect himself, brushes of sword light shielding against the old protector's penetrating Divine Light, his resonant voice transmitting,
"I am Tie Dan from Guangxia Mountain, here to deliver the Sect Leader's decree on behalf of the Sword Sect, summoning the Shen Family disciples to the Hidden Sword Manor for orders."
The old protector swung his duster, raising a wall of energy that sealed the cave entrance tightly,
"Brother Shen is in seclusion for a breakthrough, and cannot come out to meet you at the moment.
Fellow Daoist, please do not disturb his quiet cultivation. It would be better if you leave for now. Once he awakens, I will personally inform him."
Tie Dan cast an angry glare, immediately retorting,
"Who do you think you are! I gave you face to sit and talk to me! Stand up and speak!"
The old protector's face darkened, momentarily caught in an awkward position, neither sitting nor standing, feeling that standing up seemed like a loss. However, if he kept sitting, the other party might just bring out the Tianpeng Law Ruler...
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist, no need to be so agitated, let's talk this over."
Then, a monk emerged from the ground, nodding toward the old protector,
"Daoist Brother, we meet again."
"Fellow Daoist, greetings."
The old protector swiftly took the opportunity to stand up and return the courtesy.
Tie Dan observed their performance with a cold laugh,
"No need for your posturing and dawdling! Those in hiding, come out!
All of you, show yourselves! If you defeat me, survive this tribulation, then no one will stop you from doing whatever you want!"
Seeing Tie Dan so confident, three more emerged, surrounding him from three sides, creating five against Tie Dan as the core.
These five individuals were different from the previous four.
The four at the entrance were from the Xiao Xuan Sect, and altogether could rival one from the Zhongxuan Sect. Individually, they were easy pickings, but if they could use the Array to trap the opponent, the combined assault of four would not be far off from the combat power of the older Mystic Sects.
This is why Tie Dan aimed to finish them quickly, hacking them down like mowing grass before they could exhibit their skills.
However, the situation with these five was different, each was from the Zhongxuan Sect, with deep foundations and definitely from renowned sects, with authentic lineage and skills that weren't weak, and they were unscathed and unharmed, surely clutching a tunneling skill, ready to escape at any moment.
If he started with a Lightning Sword, and one of them survived, he would lose the initiative, as the opponent would then be on guard. Meanwhile, the Sword Ball Sword Array was too slow, and large moves like the Heavenly Ruins Ice Collapse would likely be dodged by escape light.
But, their Daoist energy was clearly different, from different sects, thus lacking any combination strikes or coordinated sequences, and regardless of how deep their cultivation and foundation, they couldn't surpass those two shameless ones faking as Zhongxuan Sect from Songshan...
However, it is doable!
In a flash, countless thoughts raced! Tie Dan swiftly calculated and completed the tactical planning!
"Sweet Spring Sword Rain! Kaiyang Eternal Wind!"
Since they are all hiding and disguising themselves without courtesy, he too had no need to adhere to the Mystic Sect's rules!
With an upward palm! Initiating an ultimate move! Sword energy surging sky-high! Cascading through the sky like a fountain! And then seamlessly transitioning to Sword Array!