22: Lao Ba! What are you doing here?

The atmosphere in the Zhang Family's main hall was exceptionally solemn.

The Eighth Elder of the Hong Family, seated at the head, calmly observed the group of people below him, his eyes devoid of any ripples, as if he had already predicted the Zhang Family's compromise.

After all, in the face of absolute strength, how could the small Zhang Family stir up any waves?

This Zhang Family Head was only at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, and the entire Family only had one Nascent Soul Cultivator; surely they would recognize the situation.

The Zhang Family members seated below remained silent, no one speaking.

After half an incense stick of time, Zhang Qixiu slowly recovered from his anger and unwillingness.

If he were a lone individual, he would never have swallowed his anger and allowed the Hong Family to bully him.

But he was the Clan Chief of the Zhang Family, the backbone of the Zhang Family! The entire Family was under his leadership, and he could not, for a moment of personal courage, lead the Zhang Family into eternal damnation!

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Qixiu glanced around at the Elders, realizing they were all waiting for him to speak.

"Since it is a request from the Heaven Sword Sect, our Zhang Family will comply."

Zhang Qixiu said with a look of unwillingness.

"Hahaha, Clan Chief Zhang is indeed a straightforward person, I like that. Now, quickly go and prepare; I will wait for you here," the Eighth Elder of the Hong Family said with a smile, standing up.

"Linyi, go and prepare. Just follow the Materials on the list!"

After Zhang Qixiu finished speaking, he let out an angry snort and flicked his sleeves, departing. This was the only way he could express his dissatisfaction.

The other Zhang Family Elders also followed him out of the main hall, angry but helpless.

The Grand Elder hurried to catch up with the Clan Chief and said in a deep voice:

"Clan Chief, this Hong Family is truly going too far! They have been secretly obstructing our Family's expansion and development, and now they casually found an excuse to collect our Family's resources! It's too overbearing. If this continues, what will become of the Zhang Family?"

"First Elder, we are inferior in skill; we have no choice but to bow our heads. The Zhang Family currently does not have the strength to contend with the Hong Family. If we push them too hard, the consequences will be unimaginable!

If our Zhang Family develops in the future, I will definitely make the Hong Family pay the price!"

"If Linyi can Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, or if the Clan Chief can Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, the situation should improve significantly."

The Grand Elder said.

Hearing this, the Clan Chief sighed and said:

"I have been stuck in the Middle Stage Bottleneck for over ten years. To Breakthrough is easier said than done. Without a great Opportunity, I can only rely on time to slowly wear it down."

"The Hong Family's collection of resources this time is probably not just targeting our Zhang Family; the entire Nansu City's forces should be affected.

First Elder, immediately notify the Family members that they should not go out unless absolutely necessary in the near future and be prepared to deal with sudden situations."

"Yes, Clan Chief."

Watching Zhang First Elder walk away, Zhang Qixiu looked back at the main hall, his eyes filled with coldness, and he muttered, "Soon, I'll let your Hong Family jump around for a while longer!"

With that, he picked up a Magic Treasure for transmitting messages and sent a message to Ling Tian:

"Brother Ling, the Hong Family has started collecting resources from various forces. I estimate your Qingxuan Sect will not be spared. I know your personality, but you must not get into a conflict with the Hong Family.

In a few more years, our Family's Old Ancestor will return, and then we will settle all accounts, old and new, with them!"

Yes, the Zhang Family Head and Lu Hao's master were close friends during their youth on the Dao of Cultivation.

When they were young, they ventured outside together, experiencing many difficult and dangerous situations. They supported each other, helped each other, and grew together.

In the end, they became people who could confidently entrust their backs to each other; it could be said they were sworn brothers.

Both of them understood each other's temperaments very well. Ling Tian had a quick temper, and Zhang Qixiu was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold back.

Therefore, to prevent Ling Tian from clashing with the Hong Family now, Zhang Qixiu could only send a message to persuade him.

At this moment, besides the Zhang Family, other forces also received the Hong Family's list. As expected, all forces chose to hand over their resources; no one wanted to endure the Hong Family's wrath.

Except for the Qingxuan Sect.

Hong Chang, the Seventh Elder of the Hong Family, was cautious by nature. There had been no news from Hong Liang for an entire month, so something must have happened.

And for someone at Core Formation Great Perfection to be unable to send any message, it was likely that the Sect Leader himself had taken action.

His own cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, though the Sect Leader could not do anything to him.

But the path of cultivation was fraught with danger. It was possible the other party had some Magic Treasure that could suppress him. He absolutely could not be careless; it was better to investigate first before making any plans.

While the other Elders had already completed their tasks and were preparing to return to the Family land with the resources, the Seventh Elder quietly infiltrated the Qingxuan Sect.

Hong Chang walked and observed the surrounding Qingxuan Sect Disciples. He noticed that these Disciples seemed very busy, walking in a hurry, as if they were rushing to snatch something.

"Strange, why are these people moving so fast?"

Hong Chang muttered to himself, unable to resist extending his Divine Sense to investigate.

"Hmm? This Disciple looks young, yet he's actually at the Foundation Establishment Stage? When did the Qingxuan Sect produce such a good talent?"

"Hmm?? Another Foundation Establishment Stage!"

"Ah!!! These three people are also at the Foundation Establishment Stage! Looking at the Origin Qi fluctuations within their bodies, they've probably reached the strength of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage!"

"This, this, this, what's going on? How can a small Qingxuan Sect have so many Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators!"

"Heavens, heavens! There's even a Core Formation Stage Early Phase here! What kind of place is this?

A Core Formation Stage Cultivator this young would be considered a favored child of heaven even in the Hong Family!"

Just as Hong Chang was investigating that Core Formation Disciple, the latter seemed to sense something.

The Core Formation Stage Early Phase Disciple frowned slightly, looking up and around. He didn't find anything unusual.

"Strange, why do I feel like someone is peeking at me? Never mind, I'd better hurry and earn points; I can't waste time! Zhao Yu, you can do it!"

The Disciple silently encouraged himself and quickly walked deeper into the Sect. He was going to find Heaven And Earth Treasure to exchange for points.

At this moment, Hong Chang felt his scalp tingle.

A strong sense of disbelief filled his face.

Looking at the entire Nansu City, a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator could actually be considered a capable individual, and a Core Formation expert could become an Elder of a force.

No force had a Disciple who could reach the Core Formation Stage!

But looking at the Core Formation Stage Early Phase Disciple's attire, he clearly didn't hold any position yet.

"How can this be? Could it be that the Medicinal Pill that Eighth Elder mentioned truly exists? Does the Qingxuan Sect really have a Medicinal Pill that can 100% help people Breakthrough?"

"No, when I investigated that Core Formation Disciple just now, he clearly sensed something. To be safe, I should find Eighth Elder first."

Hong Chang took out the Magic Treasure given by the Clan Chief. This Magic Treasure could detect the location of those with the Hong Family Bloodline.

"Hmm? Why is Eighth Elder's location in the depths of the barren forest? What is he doing there?"

Without thinking further, Hong Chang quickly flew there.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of loud noises came from the depths of the barren forest, where a figure was vigorously clearing land.

Dust flew everywhere, and the birds and beasts within ten kilometers around were startled by the commotion and scattered in all directions.

"Cough, cough, cough."

The figure was clearly choked by the dust and coughed a few times.

This person was the Eighth Elder of the Hong Family, Hong Liang! A Cultivator at Core Formation Great Perfection!

This scene shocked Hong Chang for eight hundred years!

He never imagined that Eighth Elder would actually be doing hard labor within this Qingxuan Sect, and from his appearance, he seemed to be doing it quite happily and vigorously.

There was no sign of him being forced. Instead, he looked like he was working diligently without complaint.

After Hong Chang's shock, an inexplicable feeling of anger followed!