"Find out who did this!"
"Make sure you find them!"
Master Zixia's eyes were filled with murderous intent. He knew he had indeed investigated Xiao Dan Mountain a few times, but he never encountered any third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles. The claim that he had taken the eggs of third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles was utterly false—pure fabrication!
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
"I will investigate immediately!"
Zhao Yulong, trembling with fear, took three steps back before turning and descending the mountain.
In fact, there was another piece of information he didn't dare to share, fearing that if he did, Master Zixia would truly kill him.
He had just returned from delivering resources to the Lingyao Sect when he heard this news.
"How dare they slander me behind my back!"
"If I find you, I swear I'll wipe out your entire clan!"
Master Zixia watched Zhao Yulong leave, his chest burning with rage.
If he had the strength to crush the third-grade demon beasts in Cuiyun Mountain, he would have directly killed them to protect Xiao Dan Mountain Market and wouldn't fear these rumors.
But the crucial point was that he didn't have that strength.
Now, the rumor that "Master Zixia provoked a pair of third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles, causing the beast tides" was spreading, making him the scapegoat for the beast tides!
If this reached the sect, the punishment for causing the collapse of a sect market was something he couldn't bear!
In House No. 88
"The rumor is out there now. Let's see if this old man will go mad!"
Qin Wang sat cross-legged on the bed, looking out the window with a slight smile on his lips.
In the span of a month, he had been causing beast tides of varying sizes every day. With the protective formation constantly active, the many scattered cultivators in the market were unable to go out to hunt demons and acquire resources, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Many were preparing to move to the nearest Golden Blade Market or the larger Qingyun Immortal City.
Earlier this morning, after Qin Wang spread the rumor that Master Zixia had taken the eggs of third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles, causing the beast tides, it quickly circulated in the market.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Uncle Gao, come in and have a seat."
Qin Wang put away the items in front of him into his storage bag, opened the door, and saw Gao Yuan standing outside. He immediately invited Gao Yuan in.
"Little Qin, there's a rumor going around the market that Xiao Dan Mountain is no longer habitable. Many of my friends are planning to move to Qingyun Immortal City. I'm also preparing to leave. Why don't you come with us?"
Gao Yuan said as he looked at Qin Wang.
"Okay, Uncle Gao. When are you leaving?"
Qin Wang had already been considering leaving Xiao Dan Mountain due to the potential danger of the demonic hand hidden deep within Cuiyun Mountain, which could emerge at any time.
Having companions to travel with to Qingyun Immortal City was the best possible scenario.
"In the next few days. Let's settle on that. Prepare yourself, and I'll notify you when it's time."
Gao Yuan said as he stood up and left.
"Alright, Uncle Gao!"
Qin Wang responded, seeing Gao Yuan off.
"Also, it's probably not a bad thing that you didn't participate in the selection for Lingyao Sect disciples. I just received word that this time, Lingyao Sect is recruiting miners!"
"Many of the scattered cultivators who were selected are having second thoughts."
Gao Yuan turned around and said as he was about to leave, as if he had remembered something.
"No wonder Lingyao Sect didn't recruit any female cultivators this time!"
Qin Wang chuckled inwardly while speaking.
Gao Yuan's daughter, Gao Wenjing, hadn't been selected because they weren't recruiting female cultivators.
This information about the miners was also something Qin Wang had spread earlier this morning.
Now, with Lingyao Sect recruiting 200 scattered cultivators as miners, many of them would likely back out, much to Master Zixia's frustration.
"Qingyun Immortal City!"
Qin Wang looked at Gao Yuan's departing figure, deep in thought.
He had heard about Qingyun Immortal City while at Xiao Dan Mountain. It was a vast immortal city located between the three major countries of Dacang, Dawei, and Dachu.
This city attracted powerful immortal sect practitioners, scattered cultivators, and families from the three major countries. Qingyun Immortal City was ten times more prosperous than Xiao Dan Mountain. Cultivating in Qingyun Immortal City would allow him to progress further.
Xiao Dan Mountain was no longer a viable place to stay, and Qingyun Immortal City was the best alternative.
At the top of Xiao Dan Mountain
Master Zixia stood at the entrance of his cave, his face dark as he looked at Zhao Yulong in front of him and asked, "Who said this time the recruitment of disciples was actually to mine in Tianyin Mountain? And who claimed that my Ziyang Technique could increase the chances of Foundation Establishment?"
"Martial Uncle, I am still investigating."
Zhao Yulong bowed as he spoke.
Facing Master Zixia, Zhao Yulong felt both frustrated and helpless. They had entered the sect at the same time, but while Master Zixia had reached Foundation Establishment, he was still at the ninth level of Qi Refining!
Strength ruled all!
He had to address his former junior brother as Martial Uncle! How frustrating!
Regarding the information revealed by the mysterious person, Zhao Yulong believed it to some extent because Master Zixia, like him, had similar spiritual roots, yet Master Zixia had successfully reached Foundation Establishment! This indicated the efficacy of the Ziyang Technique!
If he obtained the Ziyang Technique, he might also achieve Foundation Establishment!
"Martial Nephew Zhao, announce to the public that due to the frequent beast tides, the protective formation of Xiao Dan Mountain is being sealed!"
Master Zixia's eyes were cold.
He had probed around and found that the hearts of the people at Xiao Dan Mountain were in turmoil, and many were thinking of leaving!
He could only find an excuse to seal the formation first.
"Yes!"
Zhao Yulong agreed respectfully and turned to leave.
"Who is this person?"
"How does he know that Lingyao Sect's recruitment this time is for mining? And how does he know that my Ziyang Technique aids in Foundation Establishment? Is it the same person spreading rumors about me?"
"What is his goal?"
Master Zixia furrowed his brows deeply.
The news that the Ziyang Technique aids in Foundation Establishment would attract many who desired it. Although cultivating the Ziyang Technique resulted in a halving of magical power during the full moon, it still led to Foundation Establishment!
This was enough to drive many at the ninth level of Qi Refining to madness! This matter could not be ignored!
In the scattered cultivators' residence
House No. 88
In the early morning hours, Qin Wang sat cross-legged, his eyes brightening as his information panel refreshed.
[Daily Intelligence Refresh!]
[Today's Intelligence!]
1: You have caused beast tides at Xiao Dan Mountain for a month, leading to widespread panic. Master Zixia fears severe punishment from the sect if Xiao Dan Mountain Market collapses. He vows to destroy the entire clan of the person who exposed and slandered him.
2: Gao Yuan invites you to Qingyun Immortal City. You receive intelligence that Gao Yuan plans to take you along with his brother Ouyang Long and other cultivators to Qingyun Immortal City.
3: You exposed the weakness of Master Zixia's cultivation method. You receive intelligence that Master Zixia plans to seal the protective formation of Xiao Dan Mountain to prevent the selected miner disciples from escaping under the pretext of frequent beast tides.
4: You touched the black broken sword. You receive intelligence that Zhao Xuanzhen has a jade slip related to the broken sword.
5: You touched the black broken sword. You receive intelligence that Zhao Xuanzhen of the Demon Slayer Alliance plans to follow the alliance leader Tang Jianzhong to Qingyun Immortal City, feeling hopeless at Xiao Dan Mountain.
6: You exposed that Lingyao Sect's recruitment is actually for miners. You receive intelligence that nearly half of the 200 selected disciples from Xiao Dan Mountain are reconsidering, while the other half still wish to join Lingyao Sect, even as miners, to become sect disciples.
7: You exposed that Master Zixia's Ziyang Technique aids in Foundation Establishment. You receive intelligence that Zhao Yulong, unable to reach Foundation Establishment, deeply desires Master Zixia's Ziyang Technique.
8: You exposed that Master Zixia's Ziyang Technique aids in Foundation Establishment. You receive intelligence that many cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining in Xiao Dan Mountain covet the Ziyang Technique but fear Master Zixia's powerful cultivation, circling him like hyenas around a lion.
9: You have caused beast tides at Xiao Dan Mountain for a month. You receive intelligence that the third-grade demon beast Fire Sparrow in the depths of Cuiyun Mountain plans to lead two third-grade demon rabbits and two third-grade Golden-Backed Eagles to destroy Xiao Dan Mountain Market.
10: You agreed to go to Qingyun Immortal City with Gao Yuan. You receive intelligence that five third-grade demon beasts will break the protective formation of Xiao Dan Mountain in three days. Three days from now, at noon, will be the only chance for the cultivators of Xiao Dan Mountain to escape.
"Master Zixia is going to seal Xiao Dan Mountain?"
"In three days, five third-grade demon beasts will break the protective formation of Xiao Dan Mountain?"
"In three days at noon, it will be the only chance for the cultivators of Xiao Dan Mountain to escape?"
Qin Wang's heart tightened as he read the intelligence.
Currently, with Master Zixia sealing Xiao Dan Mountain, leaving was impossible. In three days, when five third-grade demon beasts would break the protective formation at noon, it would be the best opportunity to leave through the entrance of Xiao Dan Mountain.