"Hm... This is not good."
"What's the matter? Is there something wrong with the bracelets?"
Zhang Liena inquired, her confusion evident.
"It's something like that. These bracelets function in a peculiar manner, rendering them somewhat useless in their current form."
"Useless? Please elaborate."
Liena pressed for more information while Zhang Dong let out a sigh as he carefully examined one of the bracelets. After a moment, he began to explain the issue to Liena.
"These bracelets are merely receptors. They receive a signal from an external source to activate their functionality. Unfortunately, without access to whatever is producing this signal, I won't be able to replicate their effects."
Liena frowned, her gaze shifting to the unimpressive treasure they had spent valuable time acquiring.
"That doesn't bode well. Where is this signal coming from?"
Zhang Dong hesitated for a moment before answering,
"It's coming from that direction."
"That... isn't that...?"
Liena's voice trailed off, realization dawning upon her.
"Yes, it's where they have established their temporary base. I suspect that one of their ships is equipped with a device that emits this signal. This leaves us with a few choices."
Zhang Dong explained, rubbing his chin in contemplation. He refused to let this troublesome encounter go to waste. Although they had pursued one of the enemy ships on foot, all hope was not lost.
"What are our options, Senior Brother?"
Huo Qiang chimed in, his expression noticeably more cheerful than Zhang Zhi's grave countenance. The two had just finished disposing of the hundred or so core formation experts, leaving them secluded in a cave where they would awaken long after Zhang Dong's group had departed.
"Our first option is infiltration. We assume the appearance of the elders we defeated and infiltrate their main ship. If I can get close enough to the signal source, I may be able to replicate or, if necessary, destroy it."
"Destroy it?"
Liena interjected, her eyes meeting Zhang Dong's. While their initial plan was to rely on the protection offered by the bracelets against the trap formations, disabling the device that rendered the Long Clan army invisible to the beasts and traps in the area seemed like a potentially better option.
"Our second option is to return to our people and utilize these hundred bracelets in battle. It might be possible for me to create a jamming device once our enemies discover us, but..."
"And that sounds dangerous."
"Yes, I'm uncertain if I'll have enough time to counteract the effect."
Zhang Dong admitted. Both he and Liena exchanged knowing nods, aware of the better choice.
"So, what will it be?" Liena asked, awaiting Zhang Dong's decision.
"I hate to disappoint you, Qiang, but I have a different mission in mind for you," Zhang Dong began, anticipating Huo Qiang's displeasure.
"A different mission?"
Huo Qiang raised an eyebrow, sensing that he might not like what Zhang Dong was about to say.
"Yes, I need you to return to our sect. Retrieve our sect members and the elders from that underground maze."
"What? You want me to go back there while you face those Long bastards? Can't Zhi go instead?" Huo Qiang protested, suggesting that Zhang Zhi, known for his unwavering loyalty and obedience, be the one to undertake the mission.
Zhang Dong glanced at Zhang Zhi, knowing he would comply without question. However, there was a reason he didn't want Huo Qiang to be part of the infiltration mission. His old friend simply wasn't suited for such covert tasks. While an exceptional fighter, he lacked the necessary subtlety and could easily give away their true identities with a slip of the tongue.
"To be honest... I'm not sure I can trust you to remain quiet during the infiltration."
Zhang Dong admitted while scratching his nose.
"You don't trust me to be quiet? But Senior Brother!" Huo Qiang protested, his pride wounded.
"Hah, my husband is right. You would reveal our true identities the moment you open your big mouth. It's better if you return."
Liena chimed in, her nose held high.
"Why, you... I can be quiet and deceptive when I want to!"
Huo Qiang retorted, attempting to make himself small and unassuming.
"Hmph."
Liena huffed, unconvinced. Huo Qiang's lack of skill for disguising and his tendency to become overly emotional or enraged made him ill-suited for the task. Now that he had also become a lot stronger he would probably have a hard time lowering his head to Long Clan members of higher authority.
"Our sect needs a capable protector Qiang, this is a mission that only you can perform."
"Only I can perform?"
Qiang, who just a moment ago was feeling down, quickly straightened his back as he was praised.
"Haha, so it seems I am the only one capable of undertaking this crucial mission. I understand, Senior Brother, you can count on me. I will ensure the safety of our fellow sect juniors."
"I appreciate your understanding."
"He is so gullible... How did such an imbecile surpass me in strength..."
Zhang Dong nodded in agreement, while Liena muttered quietly to herself. Even now, she harbored anger towards someone she had once dismissed as a simple-minded fool, who had managed to surpass her in power. Luckily now that she had reached the great circle of nascent soul as well, there was nothing more that she needed to feel inferior for.
"Good, I'll bring up the gate. You will appear in the Golden Palace. Remember to not use too much of your cultivation base as the Long Clan members will be searching for you. When you discover gramps just use the item that I previously gave you."
"You mean this ring, Senior Brother?"
"Yes."
Zhang Dong nodded as previously he had created various items for his people. This ring had a connection to his Ai Bob and would allow him to know when he reached his destination. He still couldn't fully use his system to just teleport Zhang Jin out of wherever he ended up. Only through someone like Huo Qiang who made direct contact with his system would it work again.
"Well then, I hope you do well."
"I won't disappoint you, Senior Brother!"
A blue gate that looked like a water circle appeared before them. Huo Qiang quickly stepped through it while grinning widely. With him helping to find his grandfather the search would probably not take too long. The man had become similarly strong as an emperor-level threat and would probably not be stopped by anything that this trapping formation threw at him.
"Finally the oaf is gone."
"At least try to get along with him…"
"Never!"
After giving out a sigh he just smiled as this was just part of his wife's character which he came to love.
"Let us change the subject then. I'll take on the form of their leader and you change into one of them."
"Maybe I should use one of the core formation experts instead…"
"It would be better if you retain the appearance of an elder, even if you make a mistake in your act not many will be able to confirm their claims."
"But…"
There was a small problem. All of the five masters that they defeated were males. The technique that they used was strong enough to alter their bone structure and assume the appearance even of a different sex. He had actually changed into a more womanly appearance back in the past, so he understood why his wife was apprehensive about this issue.
"Maybe I should just go back to the palace along with Qiang, I bet that idiot won't be able to find Elder Jin…"
"He'll do fine… I think you should pick this one as he didn't have a beard. It's probably better than the baldy at least…"
Liena started going pale while looking at a projection of how she needed to look. Zhang Dong could use Bob to create an image that his two companions could use for their technique. The bodies of the elders had exploded during the fight already. The person that he picked out seemed like the best pick. Two others had large bushy beards and the last one was fully bald. While the technique was able to shift around and create hair it wouldn't feel too nice.
"Ugh… I'll be right back, just don't peek."
Liena didn't want her husband to see her changing into an ugly old man. Zhi on the other hand was already changing his appearance. Thanks to the spatial rings these elders dropped they were also able to get replacement robes. Soon they were fully disguised and ready to put on a show.
"Are you ready?"
"... No …"
It was strange to see an old man pout while holding his hands on his hips in a rather flamboyant fashion. His mouth started quivering as he had to use all of his willpower to not laugh at his angry wife.
"You look great, don't worry we won't be there for long, and if something happens just run. I'll contact the Long Clan now, and remember to play along."
Soon the group was ready to put on a show. The plan wasn't difficult; they would pretend that they went through a massive battle with the United Element Sect. The ship the other group occupied was already destroyed and the core formation experts were far away.
"There has been a problem, we have been attacked!"
Through the use of the Long Clan's communication jades, he was quickly able to reach the main armada. These devices could transfer spiritual energy that was then turned into something similar to sounds that only cultivators could perceive with their senses.
"Is it the Golden Dragon?"
"Yes, he has appeared, he destroyed our ship and killed all the juniors me and two other elders were able to escape."
"You let him escape? Never mind, return to the temporary base, now!"
"Of course…"
Zhang Dong impersonated the elder who created the flaming horse as best as he could. He did not know the relationship these people had with each other but at least for now, it didn't seem like their identities were revealed.
"That should do it, he didn't ask many questions so I think it should be fine. Let us depart."
The trio of leaders nodded at each other while departing from the flaming wreck that they created. The bracelets that they grabbed from the core formation experts had been given to Qiang. At least some of their people could still use their effects in the coming battle. They on the other hand would infiltrate the enemy forces and perhaps give them the edge over them that they needed.