After the path was cut off

Chapter 23 Setting Another Trap

As night fell, the lights among the peaks of the Tianxuan Sect remained lit all night.

The first peak, Songtao Pavilion.

Gu Chenglan stood by the window, the pine trees outside rustling in the wind, and the cool night breeze blowing in, causing the new regulations of the General Affairs Department on the desk to flutter slightly.

Lock up quotas, check immortal skills, stop borrowing and lending, and divide into three zones.

The gray-robed cultivator at the lower end had already read the letter twice and whispered:

"Senior brother, the General Affairs Department's move was faster than expected."

Gu Chenglan's gaze was intense:

"What's the use of being fast?"

"Rules cannot suppress people's hearts."

"He used his power yesterday, I use mine today."

He paused for a moment. He seemed to understand why the true disciple of Duoling Peak was so indifferent when he heard his proposal.

Just then, another cultivator came in to report: "Liu Ruyan from the Seventh Peak has come to request an audience."

Gu Chenglan smiled: "Please come in quickly!"

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Unlike the orderly atmosphere of the First and Seventh Peaks, this place was crowded with people, all of whom were Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Third Peak who had some influence. They had previously nominated Du Heng as the representative of the Third Peak, but now they all had their own ideas.

Du Heng sat in the main seat, his face frighteningly gloomy. On the table were lists of names, letters, and communication jade tokens handed over from various places.

A disciple came in to report, his voice hoarse: "Senior brother, three more families just came and took away the immortal cultivation techniques we had previously held captive here." "They said... they said they need to think about it some more."

Think again.

The moment those three words were uttered, the expressions on the faces of those inside the room grew even more unpleasant.

Everyone knows that the so-called "thinking about it again" is just a polite way of putting it.

The real meaning is—they're going to switch to another place.

Du Heng leaned back in his chair, remaining silent for a long while. A deep sense of powerlessness enveloped him. The weight of a true disciple was still too great; the Hall of Merit Cultivation remained silent, and the Halls of Enforcement and General Affairs had no authority to restrain them. What could they possibly use to fight back?

Nobody's a fool. So when Gu Chenglan made his point clear, separating the tables was inevitable.

It's strange, it's just that Du Heng has no connections and can't get the real support.

"Report—" At this moment, another disciple rushed in: "Liu Ruyan went to the First Peak and had a pleasant conversation with Gu Chenglan." "All the external affairs peaks are lining up to submit their applications to these two families."

After he finished speaking, the room fell completely silent.

After a long silence, one of them stepped forward and said, "Junior brother, this is not the way of the world. My term of service in the sect is up, and I must purchase a sacred land. Junior brother is still young and has time. If you are unwilling, you can stay in the sect and wait for an opportunity." "I intend to join the Seventh Peak." "Take care."

Du Heng neither asked him to stay nor had any reason to. After the man left, people gradually began to move around the room. Some were reluctant, others simply moved on their own.

In the end, only five people remained. They were all young Foundation Establishment cultivators, ambitious and with their own ideas.

One of them had sharp eyes and a pointed nose, clearly indicating that he was a quick-witted and calculating person.

"Senior brother, this might not be a bad thing. Once they all leave the sect, won't our Third Peak be the biggest in the next bidding for spiritual land? Taking a step back opens up a whole new world."

"Yes—" everyone agreed.

Du Heng shook his head: "If you're slow on the first step, you'll be slow on every step. In this new situation, if you don't get in early, you'll only become cannon fodder later on."

For a moment, there was complete silence. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, and no one left the room.

The man said again, "Senior Brother Du, give me a straight answer: advance or retreat."

Du Heng glanced at them, noticing their seemingly tense yet actually casual posture, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly: What's with the talk of getting straight to the point? You just want to see if I, Du Heng, have any backup plans. If I don't, you'll all be running faster than rabbits.

Du Heng slowly rose to his feet: "I am not one to be ignorant of the times. Since the situation is hopeless, securing a sacred site is of utmost importance. I am going to the Seventh Peak to inquire about directions. Any interested fellow Daoists are welcome to accompany me."

The remaining five exchanged glances, and one by one they said with a sense of helplessness, "Let's go, let's go."

A cold moon hung in the sky. Li Wangxiang, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe and wearing a silver mask, stood on the only path leading from the First Peak to the Seventh Peak. He was waiting for a group of people.

The division of the First Peak and the Seventh Peak into separate seats has been achieved, but it is not what he wanted.

While the split between the two companies could certainly disrupt the bidding for the spiritual land, it was still within the limits tolerable for all parties. It wasn't chaotic enough. That's why he needed Du Heng.

Li Wangxiang conjured a talisman—the Jade Universe Returning to Heaven Talisman.

This talisman is a fourth-grade spiritual talisman of the Jade True Sect, obtained in exchange with a true disciple of Jade Return Peak many years ago. This talisman originates from the core lineage of Jade Return Peak—the [Jade Man]. Once activated, it can instantly alter the landscape, trapping people within. It's perfect for frightening the group from the Third Peak.

And that was indeed the case. As Du Heng and the others walked, their surroundings suddenly changed—

The surrounding peaks, rocks, and vegetation vanished, leaving only a vast expanse of jade-colored earth. The path beneath their feet transformed into jade steps, flanked by towering jade walls, smooth as mirrors, reflecting their astonished and uncertain faces. Looking ahead and behind, they saw only identical jade-colored passageways, unable to discern the way they had come from or the end.

Du Heng was startled, but quickly regained his composure and examined the area closely.

He recognized it at a glance as a technique from the Jade Truth Sect. The Jade Truth Sect does not belong to the Five Elements; it is close to metal and intimately connected with earth. Such sects, which do not belong to the Five Elements, are never circulated on the Outer Peak. Therefore, the identity of the cultivator who used this technique is self-evident.

"I wonder which fellow Daoist from the inner sect you are? Please feel free to give me your instructions."

A piece of jade rose up in front of Du Heng, with a jade box on it.

Li Wangxiang, hidden in the shadows, changed his voice:

"I don't want the bidding process to be harmonious the day after tomorrow."

"If you are willing, open the jade box; this task is entrusted to you."

"If there is no heart..."

Without hesitation, Du Heng replied, "Of course, I am willing."

Having finally found a powerful backer, how could he possibly let him go? If he refused, the others wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip by.

……

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Outside the Hall of General Affairs, in front of the Inquiry Platform.

The sky was already beginning to lighten, but the area in front of the stage was much quieter than it had been the night before.

It's not that no one is coming.

Instead, those who came were no longer as fixated on asking about the rules, the number of cases, or the conversion of immortal merit as before.

Most people just walk by quickly, glance at the posted new regulations, and then hurry away.

For them, those few notes left behind and those new restrictions were no longer the most important things.

Several deacons stood guard behind the stage, their expressions not very pleasant.

"Are the spots locked?"

"Locked."

"Even interbank lending has stopped?"

"It's stopped."

"Then why are there so many fewer people coming to register and check their conversion rates today?"

No one responded.

Because everyone knows the answer.

It's not that they're not in a hurry anymore.

They had found a place more important than the General Affairs Hall.

The General Affairs Department could only provide rules on how to enter, how to sit, and how to bid for the venue the following day.

But the first and seventh peaks offered something else entirely—

Can you get the land?

A gust of wind blew past the information desk, slightly lifting a corner of the newly posted notice.

A junior steward looked up at the paper and suddenly whispered:

"We've been busy all night, it's like we've closed the door for them."

The man next to him changed his expression and immediately hissed:

"Shut up."

But once the words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.

The stage remained deserted.

It can be said

Some are laughing, some are sad. Everyone is busy with their own affairs.

The palace is deserted; no one goes there. The gates are closed early, and all business is suspended.