Mortal: Starting with the Golden Jade Book

Just moments before the explosion.

The venue for the treasure-hunting competition held by cultivators from several other countries in the eastern part of Yanling Fortress.

A group of Qi Refining cultivators, who made no attempt to conceal their aura and were clearly dressed as members of the demonic path, appeared around the venue, immediately attracting the attention of many participants.

A great deal of discussion arose, and even the competition on the stage came to a halt.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator who was hosting the competition immediately frowned. Although he did not hold a very high position in the Yan family, he was certainly aware that the Yan family had already surrendered to the Ghost Spirit Sect.

The question is, why would these Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators appear here so brazenly at this time?

Nobody told him that.

Fortunately, after the group arrived, they simply stood quietly around the venue and did not make any other moves.

After hesitating for a moment, he didn't want to cause any more trouble, so he let it be.

His behavior immediately aroused suspicion among some of the foreign cultivators present.

Rumors that the Yan family and the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators were secretly colluding and plotting against the Seven Sects cultivators had already spread among them. Among these foreign cultivators, some who were on good terms with the Seven Sects cultivators had naturally heard some of the news.

They were initially skeptical, but now, seeing how lenient the people of Yanjiabao were with the people of the Ghost Spirit Sect, could it really be true?

However, before anyone could voice their questions, a faint explosion was heard, immediately triggering a sensitive nerve in some people.

"What was that sound just now?"

Someone stepped forward from the crowd and asked the cultivator from Yan Family Fortress who was hosting the competition in the stands.

The Yan family cultivator frowned. How did he know what had happened? However, he was responsible for maintaining order here, so he naturally couldn't let the situation descend into chaos.

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing. Perhaps the fighting in another arena was too intense, which is why we heard some noise. We don't need to worry about it, let's continue the competition."

However, none of the Foundation Establishment cultivators present were fools, and naturally they wouldn't be fooled by his words.

"Having cultivated for so many years, do you think I can't even tell if it's the sound of a battle? What exactly is your Yan Family Fortress plotting behind the scenes? Could it be true, as rumored, that your Yan Family Fortress has already sided with the Ghost Spirit Sect and intends to harm us?"

"No, no, fellow Daoist, why do you say that? My Yan Family Fortress..."

"Senior Yan, why bother talking to them? Just activate the formation and leave them here. It won't be too late to deal with these guys after the young master has eliminated those cultivators from the seven sects."

Just as the Yan family cultivators were about to explain, a cold voice suddenly rang out, and at the same time, a gray-black array light screen rose up around them, trapping the entire venue and more than a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the array.

"So... your Yan Family Fortress has indeed surrendered to the Ghost Spirit Sect."

Immediately, a chorus of protests erupted from within the formation, and some even began attacking it, attempting to force their way out.

The Yan family cultivator's face turned ashen as he glared at the Ghost Spirit Sect's leader and roared angrily.

"Those juniors from the Ghost Spirit Sect, my Yan family only agreed to cooperate with you against the cultivators of the Seven Sects. When did we ever say we would deal with fellow cultivators from other countries? By setting up an array on your own, aren't you trying to put my Yan family in an unjust position?"

Mingluo sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, controlling the two Blood Soul Banners to maintain the formation while respectfully replying.

"Senior is too kind. I am merely acting on the orders of the young master. These cultivators are clearly suspicious. If we cannot keep them here and allow them to cause trouble everywhere, we will be unable to bear the consequences if they ruin the important plans of the young master and the lord of your fortress."

"you……"

The Yan family cultivators felt stifled. There were many ways to keep these people here; there was absolutely no need to be so drastic.

But once the other party activated the formation, the matter was settled. Even if he wanted to explain, no one would believe him anymore, so he could only forcefully subdue them.

Unfortunately, although the opponent's formation was exquisite, it was controlled by only a group of Qi Refining cultivators. No matter how many people there were, they could not hold out for long under the strong counterattack of the many Foundation Establishment cultivators inside the formation. In just a short while, it was already on the verge of collapse.

"Activate the protective array; we can't let them out!"

Seeing that the formation was about to collapse, the Yan family cultivator gritted his teeth and decisively gave the order.

Regardless of whether the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivator was genuinely stupid or had ulterior motives, things had developed to this point, and he truly couldn't let these people out, otherwise Yan Family Fortress would be in complete chaos.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators were also well aware of this. While cursing the Ghost Spirit Sect members in their hearts, they reluctantly helped them clean up the mess.

Feiyun Pavilion.

When Xuan Ye received news of the riot at the East City Treasure Hunt, he was completely stunned.

For a moment, they even thought that the Ghost Spirit Sect was plotting against their Yan Family Fortress. Otherwise, why would they besiege the cultivators of the seven sects and fail to achieve their goal, while at the same time instructing their subordinates to provoke cultivators from other countries and cause trouble for their Yan Family Fortress?

But upon further reflection, it didn't make sense. It felt like they were being manipulated by an invisible hand, and things started to get out of control.

But there was no time for him to think about it anymore. Yan Yan had already left to support Wang Chan and the others, and he was the only one who could control the situation in Dongcheng.

"Ruyan, you go with the Iron Guard to the secret room and stay there. You can come out after we've dealt with these matters inside the fortress."

"good!"

Yan Ruyan didn't say anything about going together. She also realized that something was wrong tonight, so she nodded and obediently followed the guard away.

……

The small hill to the west of Yanling Fort.

If Yan Yan, Xuan Ye, and the other cultivators from Yan Family Fortress were caught off guard by the sudden change in the situation, then Wang Chan and his Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators were absolutely in a state of chaos.

They had originally planned to stall for time until the people from Yan Family Fort arrived before completely surrounding and killing them, but just as the two sides were on the verge of a fight, an explosion came from the woods in the distance.

A deafening, yet inexplicable, explosion.

Wang Chan was quite certain that he had not placed anyone in that forest. Just as he was wondering who had made such a commotion, an ordinary-looking cultivator from Huangfeng Valley among the seven sects made his move.

"There's an ambush! Run!"

With a roar, a large number of talismans were thrown out, instantly creating a sky full of flames. The five or six people accompanying him also used all their methods, including magic weapons, talismans, spirit beasts, and talisman treasures, instantly causing the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators to retreat in a sorry state.

The others weren't much slower; some fled in groups of three or five, while others went alone, using their unique abilities to escape in all directions.

"Chase!"

Wang Chan gritted his teeth and roared angrily, his gaze fixed on the first Yellow Maple Valley cultivator who had fled.

"I'll go after that guy. The rest are up to the two protectors and the Ghost Guards. If we can't capture them alive... then let's kill them all."

"Yes, young master!"

At Wang Chan's command, the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators who were lying in ambush scattered and chased after the fleeing cultivators from the seven sects.

……

Feiyun Pavilion, underground.

Yan Ruyan walked towards the secret chamber under the protection of six iron guards.

As chaos erupted both inside and outside the fortress, most of the guards were taken away, making the place unusually quiet. Yan Ruyan frowned, unable to understand why her well-laid plans had turned out this way, but these matters were clearly not her concern.

"With the abilities of the Ancestor and Uncle Xuan Ye, we should be able to resolve this quickly."

Thinking this, Yan Ruyan arrived at the door of the secret chamber where she usually cultivated. She gestured to the two guards at the door, and they immediately nodded, opened the restrictions outside the chamber, and let her in.

However, she didn't notice that the six guards behind her exchanged a very subtle glance with the two men the moment she entered the secret room.

The next moment, several array flags appeared in the hands of the two people. The instant Yan Ruyan sensed something was wrong, the array flags flew out and shot towards various corners of the secret chamber.

"What are you doing!"

Yan Ruyan was shocked. Seeing the yellowish array light screen appear around her, she immediately took out a large purple-red flag. As she waved it, waves of fire surged and instantly transformed into a fire dragon, rushing towards the two of them.

However, the formation had already been formed. The "Heavenly Gang Mystic Armor Formation" is specialized in defense. When the fire dragon crashed into the formation's light barrier, it only caused the formation to shake slightly before easily blocking the fire dragon's attack.

Taking this opportunity, the other six people had already taken up positions at the six corners, and they also took out their array flags and began to form a new array.

As Yan Ruyan watched their actions, her beautiful face changed expressions, and a sense of understanding dawned on her.

"You're here for me?"