"An array? Was it arranged by the Golden Lock Sect's leader?" Zhong Shan asked, furrowing his brow. Although he didn't yet understand the intricacies of immortal sect formations, judging from the strangeness of the situation, it wasn't difficult to guess that it was set up by the leader of the Golden Lock Sect.
"Yes, indeed. Originally, the powerful figures from nearby sects mobilized, thinking it wouldn't be difficult to deal with the leader of the Golden Lock Sect. However, the array he set up was quite remarkable. The experts from various sects suffered setbacks one after another. Even after entering the array, they began killing each other. After being released by the leader of the Golden Lock Sect, they continued fighting due to enmity formed within the array, resulting in countless casualties," Zhao Suoxiang explained, his brow furrowed.
"What kind of array?" Tian Linger immediately asked.
"The Eight Gates Golden Lock Array," Zhao Suoxiang replied.
"The Eight Gates Golden Lock Array?" Tian Linger exclaimed. Even Zhong Shan and the nearby Englishlan furrowed their brows.
The Eight Gates Golden Lock Array? Retreat, Life, Injury, Duress, Scenery, Death, Astonishment, and Open. This was a battlefield formation. Even if Tian Linger knew about it, Zhong Shan and Englishlan were also familiar with this array. But just this one Eight Gates Golden Lock Array managed to hold back numerous cultivators?
Seeing everyone's confusion, Zhao Suoxiang shook his head. "The Eight Gates Golden Lock Array, I'm also familiar with this battlefield formation. I've arranged it before when leading troops. However, the Eight Gates Golden Lock Array in Bamen Mountain must be different from what I know. It must be more advanced. That's why I want to go and see."
Englishlan glanced at Zhong Shan, while Tian Linger also looked at him. Zhong Shan, at this moment, furrowed his brow in contemplation.
"Zhong Shan, are you going to take a look?" Zhao Suoxiang asked.
"Zhong Shan, let's go and take a look. I want to see if Senior Brother is okay," Tian Linger suddenly looked at Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan frowned, looking at Tian Linger, unsure of what she was thinking.
"Really, I just wanted to see if Senior Brother is still alive, for the last time," Tianling said immediately.
Tianling's expression was complex. For some reason, in front of Zhongshan, she suddenly didn't want to mention Tiansha, or at least didn't want Zhongshan to think she had any connection with Tiansha. However, the admiration that had formed over many years was not something that could be worn away in a short time. But from Tianling's words "for the last time," it could be seen that the glorious image of Tiansha in Tianling's heart was gradually fading away.
Looking at Tianling, Zhongshan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, after these two days pass and we've dealt with the enemies of my Zhong family, we'll set off."
"Okay," Tianling's face lit up with a bright smile.
On the side, Yinglan's eyes were rolling around as if she were thinking about something.
"Enemies? Who are they?" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.
"The heads of the four major families of the Great Kun Nation, and their four ancestors. Those who entered the immortal sect with you a year ago, you might still know some of them," Zhongshan said.
"Oh? Is that so, when?" Zhao Suoxiang's eyes flashed with excitement.
"There's an eighty percent chance it'll be tonight, at the latest, tomorrow," Zhongshan said.
"Grandpa, how do you know it's tonight?" Yinglan looked at Zhongshan strangely.
Turning to look at Yinglan, Zhongshan smiled, "The endurance of the four major family heads, they've reached their limit by today, or at most, tomorrow, I've overestimated them."
"Okay," Yinglan nodded, trusting Zhongshan's judgment.
"Then tonight, I'll accompany you to guard against the enemy," Zhao Suoxiang suddenly said with a smile.
"They have no grudge against you, there's no need for you to participate," Zhongshan suddenly said.
"No, my cultivation requires combat, the long spear needs blood," Zhao Suoxiang insisted.
"Alright, then Zhongshan will thank you here," Zhongshan smiled.
"No need to be so polite," Zhao Suoxiang smiled.
"Well, you rest for a while for now, they should strike at night," Zhongshan said.
"Alright," Zhao Suoxiang nodded.
"Ling'er, you also adjust your state, there's a big battle tonight, and you are the main force," Zhongshan smiled.
"Okay," Tianling nodded heavily.
Then, Zhao Suoxiang was led to a quiet room, and Tianling returned to her room. Tianling was heavily burdened at the moment and didn't have the mood to care about Yinglan's intimate behavior towards Zhongshan just now. Worried about the Eight Gates Mountain area, she needed to calm down.
As the two left, Yinglan immediately sat down beside Zhongshan.
"Grandpa, what are you going to do at Bamen Mountain? I don't believe you're just going to see the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation and Senior Brother," Yinglan's eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhongshan.
Zhongshan chuckled and flicked Yinglan's small nose with his finger. "You're quite clever. Knew you'd ask."
"Of course, I'm like a worm in Grandpa's belly. Grandpa, just now you seemed to attach great importance to the Dragon's Song. Is it related to this?" Yinglan asked again.
Taking a sip of tea, Zhongshan neither confirmed nor denied.
Seeing Zhongshan's silence, Yinglan immediately hugged Zhongshan's arm and shook it. "Grandpa, just tell me, don't tease me."
Watching Yinglan act coquettishly, Zhongshan shook his head and smiled. "You're right. The Nine Dragon's Song has a treasure hidden in Bamen Mountain. It might not mean much to others, but for the founding of my country in the future, it's of great use."
"What? What is it?" Yinglan immediately widened her eyes, excitement flashing in them.
"The Nine Dragon's Heavenly Jade," Zhongshan said solemnly.
"The Nine Dragon's Heavenly Jade? What's that?" Yinglan frowned, evidently never having heard of it before.
Zhongshan smiled at Yinglan. This Nine Dragon's Heavenly Jade was something he had seen in the "Forging Heaven Court," and naturally, others wouldn't recognize it.
"You have a lot to learn," Zhongshan chuckled.
"Then I want to go too," Yinglan said immediately.
"No, you haven't reached the Innate Realm yet. It's too dangerous to go," Zhongshan shook his head.
"No, Grandpa, I've studied the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation extensively, and I've led troops for many years, so I'm very proficient in combat. Bringing me along will definitely be beneficial. Maybe I can even help you, Grandpa," Yinglan immediately shook Zhongshan's arm and coquettishly pleaded.
Hearing Yinglan's words, Zhongshan frowned slightly, seeming to have some inclination, but he quickly shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous."
"If you don't take me, Grandpa, I'll go alone," Yinglan pouted immediately.
Looking at Yinglan, Zhongshan shook his head, a hint of helplessness on his face. If she went alone? Zhongshan would be even more worried.
"Alright, but you must listen to me," Zhongshan sighed.
"I knew Grandpa would be best to me," Yinglan pressed Zhongshan's hand against her chest, squeezing it so tightly it almost deformed.
"But, we have to deal with tonight first," Zhongshan said.
"Of course, those people who dare to enter the Zhong Manor will regret it. Grandpa, you just watch me tonight," Yinglan's eyes flashed with determination.
"Yes, there are eight of them. Given the hypocritical nature of the heads of the four major families, they'll surely talk a lot. You just observe them and attack when necessary. There's also a distinguished guest in the Zhong Manor who will assist secretly. If you see him, don't act against him," Zhongshan explained.
"Who is it?" Yinglan immediately asked in surprise.
"He doesn't want others to know about him, but he definitely has no ill intentions towards the Zhong Manor. I can assure you of that," Zhongshan said solemnly.
"Oh, okay," Yinglan nodded obediently, no longer asking further questions.
At midnight, within the Zhong Manor, it was pitch black and silent. At the top of the five-story tower, Zhongshan, Tianling, and Zhao Suoxiang sat cross-legged, quietly awaiting.
Outside the Zhong Manor, however, eight figures suddenly appeared. Four of them appeared to be around thirty years old, and the other four around forty, all seeming to defer to the seemingly younger ones among them.
The eight figures simultaneously leaped onto the roofs of the Zhong Manor and proceeded towards the interior. Having planned for this moment, they naturally knew Zhongshan's usual whereabouts and leaped towards the interior.
But halfway there.
"Whoosh" "Whoosh"...
A series of sounds suddenly illuminated the entire Zhong Manor, with a burst of firelight illuminating the interior.
In an instant, the eight figures were exposed under the bright lights.
The eight figures halted their steps, realizing they had been discovered. At this moment, they were right in front of the five-story tower.
Zhongshan, accompanied by Zhao Suoxiang and Tianling, walked to the railing and looked down together.
"The heads of the four major families, unexpectedly visiting my Zhong Manor in the dead of night. Why not announce your arrival beforehand?" Zhongshan stood on the tower, smiling as he looked down at the eight figures on the rooftop below.
"Zhongshan," the head of the Zhao family narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhongshan.
As the head of the Zhao family spoke, the four elderly ancestors with youthful appearances also turned their gaze towards Zhongshan, their targets for this visit.
Seeing the four formidable figures, equivalent to Zhao Suoxiang, staring at him, Zhongshan showed no signs of fear. Instead, a faint smile crept onto his lips. "And who might these four be? So young and unfamiliar, could they be the illegitimate children of the heads of the four major families? Congratulations, congratulations."
Zhongshan's words were sharp, enough to make even the most composed individuals seethe with anger.