Chapter 53: The Bandit Gang

Inside the hall.

Before anyone could react, Elder Zhuang Xiran had already transformed into a streak of white light and vanished.

"What happened?"

"Why does it feel like the entire hall is about to collapse?"

"What's causing such a commotion outside?"

"Could someone be attacking the sect gates?"

"Let's go and check it out quickly."

The hundred or so spirit farmers began rushing out in a chaotic crowd.

Qin Ming was also astonished.

The deafening explosion from earlier seemed very close.

He hurried outside to take a look.

Outside, chaos reigned.

Qin Ming looked up at the sky and was shocked to discover that the defensive formation protecting the Spirit Feather Sect had been breached.

A gaping hole had appeared in the barrier.

This was supposed to be a second-tier upper-grade defensive formation!

"Brother, do you know what just happened?" Qin Ming stopped a nearby Spirit Feather Sect disciple who looked visibly panicked.

"Not exactly... It seems something happened near Elder Zhuang's medicinal garden," the disciple replied vaguely before rushing off toward the garden.

Qin Ming frowned deeply.

He hesitated, wondering whether he should leave this dangerous place as soon as possible.

Suddenly.

"Damn! Those bastards are insane! They broke through a second-tier defensive formation! What beasts!" The lean cultivator who had been sitting behind Qin Ming earlier came running back from the direction of the medicinal garden.

Qin Ming paused, confused. "Friend, do you know what exactly happened over there?"

The lean cultivator stopped and smirked with a mischievous grin. "Haha, you might not believe me if I told you. Just now, a group of bandits used a high-grade restriction-breaking talisman to breach the sect's defensive array. While Elder Zhuang was lecturing elsewhere, they raided his medicinal garden."

"And they stole Elder Zhuang's Seven-Colored Heart-Washing Lotus—a second-tier supreme-grade spiritual plant! I went to check the scene just now, and it seems they also destroyed many other valuable plants and herbs."

"Elder Zhuang has already gone after them."

"But who knows if he'll catch them."

Qin Ming understood the situation but remained lost in thought, unable to fully process everything.

From the start of the attack to its end, only half an incense stick's time had passed—it felt as though everything had been meticulously planned.

What shocked everyone most was that the Spirit Feather Sect had let all the bandits escape.

Wait!

Qin Ming thought back.

Why did this feel so familiar?

After a long pause.

Qin Ming asked, "Didn't the other sect members try to stop them?"

"They did! Even one of the Foundation Establishment elders intervened."

"But after just one exchange, he was defeated and struck by their spell. He's still unconscious and gravely injured in the medicinal garden."

Qin Ming was shocked again. "What?! Are those bandits high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

"Most likely. And based on my guess, there must be an insider within the Spirit Feather Sect helping them—someone with significant authority," the lean cultivator reasoned confidently. "Otherwise, how could the bandits have pinpointed the weak spot in the defensive array so easily?"

Qin Ming continued, "How many bandits were there?"

"The Spirit Feather Sect says five. They wore special concealment masks, so no one could identify their faces or identities. But judging from the techniques they used, they seem to be evil cultivators." The lean cultivator paused, then added, "It seems we're thinking along the same lines."

"Such audacious bandits—they're probably the five cultivators Jin Yun Valley has been searching for everywhere."

"These calamity-bringers are not to be trifled with!"

"The farther you can stay away from them, the better."

At that moment.

The warning bells of the Spirit Feather Sect rang continuously.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Large numbers of elite disciples began assembling, boarding magical vessels to chase after the criminals.

In the crowd.

Qin Ming spotted Jiang Kun.

He was standing beside a stern-looking elder of the Spirit Feather Sect, being berated harshly and looking utterly disheveled.

Shortly after, under the elder's lead, Jiang Kun joined the group pursuing the criminals.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Even the elites of the Punishment Hall have mobilized. The Spirit Feather Sect means business this time," the lean cultivator remarked, gazing at the direction where the crowd of cultivators had flown off.

"Friend, this isn't a safe place to linger. Who knows what else might happen next."

"After such an incident, Elder Zhuang probably won't continue teaching or taking in disciples."

"I'm heading back to Green Sun Market. Would you like to join me?"

Qin Ming hesitated briefly and declined politely. "Thank you for your kind offer, but I'd like to observe a bit longer."

"If that's the case, then I'll take my leave." With that, the lean cultivator boarded his flying vessel and sped away.

Qin Ming stood there for a moment, deep in thought.

Then, he retrieved his Spirit Light Flying Shuttle from his storage pouch.

Changing direction, he activated his magical energy and flew toward Green Sun Market at top speed.

…

Three hundred miles away from the Spirit Feather Sect, in a marshland area.

Inside an underground cave.

Five black-robed cultivators wearing masks were hiding here.

One of them, wearing a pig mask, held a seven-colored lotus in his hands and spoke excitedly. "With this Seven-Colored Heart-Washing Lotus, Big Brother, your cultivation will advance even further!"

Two others, wearing monkey and dog masks, were equally thrilled.

"That's right! We didn't expect such a windfall. We also looted many other second-tier spiritual materials. Combined with the resources we extorted from Jin Yun Valley earlier, it's enough for all of us to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage. We've hit the jackpot!"

"Hahaha, who would've thought Elder Zhuang's medicinal garden was so rich!"

"By the way, what about the person inside the Spirit Feather Sect who gave us the information? Should we..."

The tall figure in the middle, wearing a Buddha mask, spoke calmly. "After this matter is resolved, all of you lay low for a while. Leave the Cloud Marsh Wilderness and find a place to cultivate. Don't worry about anything else."

"Big Brother, could Elder Zhuang find us here?" the pig-masked bandit asked cautiously.

"Don't worry. I've set up a second-tier illusion formation above. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators won't be able to see through it." The Buddha-masked cultivator took the Seven-Colored Heart-Washing Lotus and spoke with complete composure.

Just as he finished speaking.

Above the marshland, a streak of white light suddenly shot across the sky, stopping abruptly in midair.

It was none other than Elder Zhuang Xiran.

His face twisted with rage as he glared down at the marsh below, roaring furiously. "You vile scum! How dare you bring your schemes to my doorstep! Once I force you cowards out of hiding, I'll make you experience the torment of soul extraction!"

With that, he immediately sent a communication talisman back to the sect.

Then, he began casting spells, bombarding the marshland relentlessly.

In an instant, the power of a Foundation Establishment spell descended.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Inside the underground cave.

"Big Brother! How did Elder Zhuang find us here?" the pig-masked bandit asked anxiously.

The Buddha-masked cultivator showed no sign of panic.

Instead, he took out the Seven-Colored Heart-Washing Lotus and said coldly, "The problem likely lies here. It seems Elder Zhuang left a backup plan and marked the lotus somehow."

"But... even if he tracked us down, what of it?"

"I want to see what kind of strength this Spirit Feather Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators possess."

"You four leave first. Meet me at the usual spot. I'll deal with him."

With that, the Buddha-masked cultivator looked upward, his figure transforming into a streak of black light as he shot out of the cave.

(End of Chapter)