Above the boundless desert, An Xiaoran and two junior sisters each rode a wooden kite, gliding close to the ground from the sky. These simple mechanisms were lightweight and easy to use, making them popular transportation tools among many disciples of the Taiyi Sect. The main warehouse of the sect had already restocked the wooden kites twice, but they were still running out quickly due to the demand from disciples.
With only a small amount of spirit stones consumed, the wooden kites allowed Cultivators in the Refining Qi stage to experience the thrill of soaring in the sky. This place was a territory near the Qiaoshou Sect, which had originally belonged to the Golden Blade Sect and bordered the Demon Wind Gobi. Fearing a large number of demons might rush out from the Demon Wind Gobi, the Qiaoshou Sect had stationed a powerful force in that territory, establishing a tight defense line.
To be cautious, the Taiyi Sect also strengthened its patrols in this direction. Almost every day, several teams of patrolling disciples would pass through here to check for any abnormalities. In these years, no large groups of demons had surged out from the Demon Wind Gobi. Although the Flying Swan Sect had issued warnings several times, many Cultivators treated it as a mere wolf story and paid little attention.
Instead, there were occasional appearances of demons within Taiyi Sect's territory and its surrounding areas. The Endless Sea of Sand might be barren, but demons had never completely disappeared; their numbers were just scarce. In fact, demons possessed robust vitality, even better adapted to this environment than humans. The reason the Human Clan could survive here was all thanks to the protection of the Cultivators.
Recently, there had been no movements from the Demon Wind Gobi, but there were reports of demon attacks near various oases. Though the numbers of these demons were not many, their strength was mediocre. Meng Zhang had inquired about it and learned that wild demon numbers had increased significantly in the territories of Earthfire Sect, Qiaoshou Sect, Land Walk Sect, and others, and they occasionally raided human settlements. Despite investigations, the reason behind the sudden rise in demon numbers remained unclear.
Though the increase in demon numbers was inexplicable, they were still within manageable limits. Moreover, their appearances provided valuable combat opportunities for disciples and a chance to obtain precious cultivation resources from the demons' materials. Therefore, various sects, including Taiyi Sect, sent their disciples to hunt down these demons extensively.
An Xiaoran was one of Sect Master Meng Zhang's disciples, and she hadn't been under his tutelage for long. However, she had already reached the Refining Qi fifth stage in her cultivation base. She, along with her two junior sisters, formed a patrol team, and she served as its leader. During these days, the patrol team not only excelled in completing their assigned tasks but also had the good fortune of encountering a few low-level demons on patrol.
Despite being a girl, An Xiaoran showed no fear of bloodshed. Leading her two junior sisters, she skillfully slayed the demons and dealt with their corpses, earning them a small fortune. The recent battle had left the three girls thrilled and still excited.
Riding on the wooden kites, they chatted non-stop. An Xiaoran proudly said, "Though wooden kites can fly, they are still lifeless objects. Once we gather enough merit points, let's exchange them for a Crimson Feathered Eagle. Riding a living Crimson Feathered Eagle will be much better than a stiff wooden kite."
Her words received enthusiastic agreement from her two junior sisters. Just then, two figures descended rapidly from the high sky.
Three female disciples from the Taiyi Sect, riding wooden kites, had not even reacted when they were all captured. The Foundation Building stage cultivators disregarded their identities and launched a surprise attack. The three Refining Qi stage disciples couldn't even resist, let alone react. One of them, An Xiaoran, was captured by one of the assailants, while the other two female disciples fell powerless to the ground.
The two masked individuals had white masks covering their faces, concealing their true identities. One of them threw a letter on the ground. "Deliver this letter to your Sect Master," they said, "Tell him that if he wants his disciples back, he better follow the instructions in the letter."
The masked individuals then flew away into the sky, disappearing quickly. Shortly after their departure, the two Taiyi Sect female disciples regained their mobility. The abduction of the Second Disciple of the Sect Master was not a minor issue, far beyond what they could handle. One of the female disciples took out a communication talisman and immediately sent a message.
Before long, numerous Taiyi Sect disciples arrived, riding wooden kites, immortal cranes, and Crimson Feathered Eagles, rushing to the scene. After listening to the account of the two female disciples, everyone realized how challenging the situation was. They continued to send distress signals, requesting reinforcements from their allies.
The individual who abducted An Xiaoran was a Foundation Building stage cultivator, something they couldn't handle. After about half an hour, Taiyi Sect's reinforcements had yet to arrive, but Qiaoshou Sect's experts were the first to appear. Ever since the warning from the Flying Swan Sect, Qiaoshou Sect's Foundation Building stage cultivators had been taking turns guarding the territory bordering the Demon Wind Gobi. It happened to be Jin Qiao'er's turn to be stationed there.
Receiving the news of the incident from Taiyi Sect, she hurried over. As the only Foundation Building stage cultivator present, she naturally took charge. After receiving the letter from one of the female disciples, she did not hastily open it. Instead, she carefully inquired about the events that had occurred. Leaving a few people behind, she dispersed the rest.
Facing a Foundation Building stage cultivator, a group of Refining Qi stage cultivators couldn't offer much help and would only distract her. Qiaoshou Sect and Taiyi Sect were close allies, and Jin Qiao'er had received favors from Meng Zhang before. When something happened, she took it upon herself to step forward.
However, the two captors who took An Xiaoran left no trace behind and disappeared without a trace. Jin Qiao'er searched the area diligently but found nothing. By the time she finished her last search, Taiyi Sect's Sect Master Meng Zhang had also arrived.
Meng Zhang's expression was dark. As soon as he received the news, he rushed to the scene. It had been many years since he last saw Jin Qiao'er, and she had grown into a young woman. Especially after reaching the Foundation Building stage, all her youthful immaturity had vanished, leaving behind a mature and composed female cultivator.
With the situation urgent, Jin Qiao'er didn't have time for pleasantries. She immediately explained the events to Meng Zhang and handed him the letter. There were no clues in the letter, just an ordinary one that could be easily found among mortals. The contents of the letter demanded that Meng Zhang bring thirty thousand lower-grade spirit stones and go alone to a valley near the Firewell Market three days later. Once he arrived, he was to exchange the spirit stones for An Xiaoran. If Meng Zhang refused to comply, he would be collecting An Xiaoran's corpse.
After reading the letter, Meng Zhang sneered repeatedly. He didn't hide anything from Jin Qiao'er and showed her the content of the letter as well.
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