Chapter 253: Design
Chapter 253: Design
In Foundation Building cultivation, it's common for two cultivators to form a team for mutual support. Meng Zhang and Deep EarthSpirit General teamed up and flew towards the area responsible for the search.
The Twin Success Valley's territory was one of the largest among the neighboring forces, even surpassing the combined size of the Liu Family territory and Green Bamboo Mountain territory. Moreover, it boasted numerous oases and abundant resources.
Though it wasn't their first time patrolling the Twin Success Valley's territory, Meng Zhang still couldn't help but envy the fertile land below. How did Forest Spring Watch manage to take control of such a rich area? Apart from Guang ZhiDaoist Master, a Gold Core Daoist Master, Forest Spring Watch's overall strength was indeed hard to match.
Given the vast expanse of this area and the sand monster nests buried deep underground, even Foundation Building cultivators found searching extremely arduous and time-consuming. A whole day passed, and neither Meng Zhang nor Deep EarthSpirit General made any gains. The other Foundation Building cultivators searching in different areas didn't send any messages either. It seemed that no one had discovered a clue about the sand monster nest today.
Since the appearance of the Third-Rank sand monster during the sand monster turmoil, not only had all the sand monsters become more intelligent, but their nests seemed even better hidden.
As night fell, Meng Zhang and Deep EarthSpirit General, tired from the day's efforts, didn't return to the camp where several sects had gathered. Instead, they found a sand dune, landed on it, and meditated to recover their strength.
The sand monster nest was the lifeblood of the sand monsters, and there were undoubtedly guards nearby. Even Foundation Building cultivators couldn't afford to be careless and had to remain in good condition at all times to deal with unexpected situations.
As Meng Zhang sat on the ground, he thought that had he known the sand monster nest was so well hidden this time, he should have brought the Insect Controlling Jar from the sect. However, due to the sudden transfer of most of the cultivators from the sect and to avoid affecting the production of various minerals, they had left the Insect Controlling Jar behind, placing it under the care of a disciple from the Beast Controlling Hall. This disciple used sand insects to continue mining minerals.
Moreover, since so many Foundation Building cultivators were deployed this time, the difference in efficiency between searching underground with or without the Insect Controlling Jar wasn't significant. Thus, Guang HongDaoist hadn't insisted on Meng Zhang bringing the magic tool.
If Meng Zhang had the magic tool with him now, it would have saved a lot of effort. Controlling the sand insects to burrow underground for searching would have increased the efficiency.
As midnight approached, Meng Zhang and Deep EarthSpirit General, having mostly recovered, didn't rush to resume their search but engaged in casual conversation instead.
With Deep EarthSpirit General's cultivation base gradually recovering, his memories seemed to be returning as well. Meng Zhang always wanted to learn more about the history of Taiyi Sect from him.
Regarding matters related to cultivation techniques and various cultivation arts, Deep EarthSpirit General was forthcoming and didn't hold back any information. However, whenever Meng Zhang inquired about the history of Taiyi Sect, he became evasive, vague, and reluctant to reveal much.
Knowing that direct inquiries wouldn't work, Meng Zhang seized every chance during their casual chats to try and indirectly approach the topic from different angles when Deep EarthSpirit General was off guard.
But Deep EarthSpirit General was highly vigilant, and whenever Meng Zhang touched on sensitive questions, he either changed the subject or pretended to be forgetful, claiming that his memories in that particular area hadn't fully returned.
Meng Zhang wasn't sure whether Deep EarthSpirit General was genuinely forgetful or just pretending, which left him somewhat dissatisfied.
While the two were conversing, Meng Zhang inadvertently looked up and saw a figure flashing across the sky. Even in the pitch-black night, when he activated the Deception Breaking Eye, he recognized that the person flying urgently was Zhao Jiudou.
Meng Zhang's heart stirred, and he quietly called out to Deep Earth Spirit General, and the two of them secretly followed behind.
They flew low to the ground, simultaneously employing concealed spells. From such a distance, unless Zhao Jiudou deliberately observed their direction, it would be difficult for him to discover Meng Zhang and the other person tracking him.
Speaking of Zhao Jiudou, who was flying in the air, Guang Hui Daoist had originally arranged for him to act together with Lin Bailin. However, Zhao Jiudou, relying on his earlier Foundation Building and his status as a Flying Swan Sect disciple, acted as if he were senior to Lin Bailin and commanded him at will.
Lin Bailin had never looked highly upon Zhao Jiudou, and being provoked by him, he retorted with ridicule, bringing up embarrassing incidents involving Zhao Jiudou, especially the time when Meng Zhang had defeated him in public.
Zhao Jiudou, whose old grudges were triggered, almost couldn't resist taking action against Lin Bailin. However, considering that this operation was organized by the Forest Spring Watch, he managed to restrain himself.
Nonetheless, Zhao Jiudou didn't want to see Lin Bailin anymore, so he left him behind and flew away alone.
Fortune seemed to favor Zhao Jiudou, as not long after parting ways with Lin Bailin, he unintentionally discovered a Second Rank sand monster flying from afar.
This sand monster had no fixed form, and its entire body was composed of sand and dust, continuously twisting and changing into different shapes.
Zhao Jiudou recognized it at a glance; this was the same Second Rank sand monster that had escaped from everyone's grasp during the previous big battle, and it was proficient in Wind Escape techniques.
The appearance of the sand monster here without any apparent reason triggered Zhao Jiudou's sensitive instincts, as he was currently searching for the sand monster's nest.
Just after being provoked by Lin Bailin, he was eager to achieve something on his own and didn't inform the others. Instead, he secretly followed the Second Rank sand monster, flying toward it.
With Zhao Jiudou tracking the sand monster, Meng Zhang and the other person followed him closely.
The Second Rank sand monster didn't fly too far before rapidly descending and crashing onto the desert's surface, then swiftly disappearing.
Zhao Jiudou flew to that spot and hesitated. If the Second Rank sand monster had disappeared there, then its nest should be nearby.
As a Flying Swan Sect disciple, he knew some information that ordinary cultivators didn't. There were great benefits within a sand monster's nest.
He wanted to monopolize these benefits, but he wasn't confident that he could break into the sand monster's nest alone.
Inside the sand monster's nest, there were likely more than one Second Rank sand monster guarding it. If he got trapped in a siege, Zhao Jiudou might not be able to preserve his life.
After careful consideration, Zhao Jiudou sent out a communication flying talisman. The talisman turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the sky.
Not long after, Lin Bailin hurriedly flew over from a distance.
Before landing, he anxiously asked, "You said you found clues about the sand monster's nest?"
Zhao Jiudou appeared somewhat unwilling to talk to Lin Bailin and casually said, "Just now, I seemed to have seen a sand monster lurking nearby. The sand monster's nest should be around here."
Zhao Jiudou intentionally made himself look guilty, his words evasive.
Lin Bailin glanced suspiciously at Zhao Jiudou. Could this guy be holding a grudge against him and thus made up an excuse to mock him, wanting him to waste his efforts for nothing?
Seeing that Lin Bailin didn't seem to believe him, Zhao Jiudou seemed to be provoked.
With an air of indignation, he said, "I've told you the information; believe it or not is up to you."
Without waiting for a response, Zhao Jiudou flew into the sky and swiftly departed.
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