Chapter 275: Old Friends Reunited


    For some unknown reason, Lao Jian decided not to hide anything from Meng Zhang and honestly revealed the current situation around them, as well as the difficulties faced by the Flying Swan Sect. Unexpectedly, Meng Zhang was taken aback by Lao Jian''s openness. Compared to the two inexperienced young disciples, Lao Jian showed little arrogance typically associated with disciples from major sects, making an effort to treat Meng Zhang as an equal.


    At this moment, the protective formation around the nearby oasis slowly closed, and arge group of cultivators emerged, warmly weing the cultivators from the Flying Swan Sect and expressing gratitude for their help. Earlier, when Meng Zhang repelled Daoist Whitesand and "Three Spears" Gu, the cultivators in the oasis did not close the protective formation ore out to wee Meng Zhang. Naturally, there was some resentment for being treated differently, but as a disciple of a minor sect like Meng Zhang, he understood their caution.


    In case Meng Zhang was in league with the White Sand Pirates and their previous encounter was just an act, closing the formation and leading Meng Zhang inside would be inviting trouble.


    At this moment, the leader of the group of cultivators, also a Foundation Building stage cultivator, walked forward on his own initiative. He bowed deeply to Meng Zhang and Lao Jian, saying, "Thank you both for your assistance. Senior Brother, may I ask who this fellow cultivator is..."


    "Come, let me introduce you both," Lao Jian said.


    "This is Sect Master Meng of Taiyi Sect. Sect Master Meng''s cultivation base is extraordinary, with numerous records of defeating cultivators of the same level."


    "Sect Master Meng, this is Huang Ping, the master of this oasis."


    With Lao Jian''s introduction, Huang Ping joined the conversation and began talking with Meng Zhang.


    It turned out that several cultivation families coexisted within this oasis. Each family had a small poption, and even fewer were cultivators. Though they were called cultivation families, they were more like cultivation households. Among them, Huang Ping had the highest cultivation base, being the only Foundation Building stage cultivator in the oasis. As a result, he was elected to be in charge of all the affairs within the oasis.


    This oasis was not far from Lao Jian''s territory and happened to be on the patrol route of the Flying Swan Sect''s disciples. Therefore, despite the chaos and rampant bandits in the surrounding areas, this oasis remained rtively peaceful and had not faced much disturbance from outsiders.


    Earlier that morning, the White Sand Pirates suddenly attacked, but fortunately, the cultivators in the oasis were highly vignt, especially Huang Ping. He had been conscripted by the Flying Swan Sect in the past and had participated in wars against sand monsters. With his richbat experience, Huang Ping immediately activated the protective formation and led the cultivators from the oasis to defend against the attack until Meng Zhang arrived to provide aid.


    Even if Meng Zhang hadn''t passed by this oasis, Lao Jian''s patrol team would have eventually arrived here.


    In fact, before Lao Jian''s patrol team approached the oasis, they received a distress signal from Huang Ping, prompting them to hasten their journey.


    Huang Ping and Lao Jian had a good rtionship; they becamerades during the war against the sand monsters.


    After chatting for a while, Huang Ping warmly invited Meng Zhang and the disciples of the Flying Swan Sect to be guests in the oasis. While they conversed, the disciples of the Flying Swan Sect were not idle; they were busy chasing and capturing the fleeing White Sand Pirates, either apprehending them or eliminating them on the spot.


    Lao Jian wanted to interrogate the captured White Sand Pirates thoroughly, and he also wanted to have a detailed conversation with Meng Zhang. So, without hesitation, Lao Jian epted Huang Ping''s invitation and suggested that Meng Zhang stay as well. Meng Zhang readily agreed, and together with the disciples of the Flying Swan Sect, they were weed into the oasis.


    This oasis is called Gui Xiang Oasis because it is nted with many osmanthus flowers. When the flowers bloom, their fragrance spreads in all directions, giving the oasis its name.


    Not all the osmanthus flowers in the oasis are ordinary; many of them are spirit flowers. The Gui Xiang Oasis produces a special delicacy known as Guihua Cake, made using a unique secret method. This cake is an excellent spirit food that can regte the true qi within the body and promote the cirction of energy through the meridians.


    One of the major specialties sold by the Gui Xiang Oasis to outsiders is the spirit food, Guihua Cake. The cultivators in the oasis are very warm and hospitable towards those who have helped them, showing them gracious hospitality.


    Huang Ping weed Meng Zhang and Lao Jian into the guest hall and served them tea and Guihua Cake while engaging in casual conversation. After a while, a disciple came to report that the captured White Sand Pirates had all been brought in. Lao Jian apologized to Meng Zhang and went to interrogate them personally.


    Left alone in the hall, Huang Ping continued chatting with Meng Zhang. As he was well-informed about the Flying Swan Sect''s territory, he proved to be an interesting conversationalist and provided Meng Zhang with a considerable amount of useful information.


    Not long after Lao Jian left, he hurriedly returned, apologizing for the interruption. He had obtained crucial intelligence from the White Sand Pirates and now knew the location of their stronghold. Lao Jian intended to strike while the iron was hot and wipe out the White Sand Piratespletely. He asked Meng Zhang to wait at the oasis for a while, as he would return victorious shortly.


    Meng Zhang offered to apany Lao Jian on the mission, willing to help in the battle. However, Lao Jian declined with some pride, stating that Meng Zhang was a guest and should not need to take action. With the strength of the Flying Swan Sect, they could easily crush those audacious bandits. Therefore, Meng Zhang should stay as a guest at the Gui Xiang Oasis.


    Before leaving, Lao Jian instructed Huang Ping to take good care of Meng Zhang, emphasizing the importance of treating their distinguished guest well. Huang Ping readily agreed, promising to ensure Meng Zhang''sfort.


    In the following days, Meng Zhang enjoyed himself at the Gui Xiang Oasis, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment, making for a very pleasant afternoon. As the evening approached and night fell, Meng Zhang expressed his intention to meditate.


    Huang Ping arranged for a dedicated maid to escort Meng Zhang to a carefully prepared guest room. Just as the maid left and Meng Zhang was about to begin his meditation, someone knocked on the door.


    Meng Zhang opened the door and saw an eleven or twelve-year-old girl standing outside. She had a lovely appearance, with two braids adorning her head, and stood poised at the doorway. She acted maturely and greeted Meng Zhang respectfully, "Senior, are you Meng Zhang from Taiyi Sect?"


    "Yes, little girl, what can I do for you?" replied Sect Master Meng with a nod.


    "The Taiyi Sect is located to the west of Singing Sand City and was once a vassal sect of Twin Sess Valley. Sect Master Meng, are you the disciple of Taiyi Sect''s Sect Master, Daoist Profound Spirit?" the girl continued to inquire.


    "You seem to know a lot for such a little one. Everything you said is correct," Meng Zhang said, intrigued.


    "Sect Master Meng, do you remember An Lei, the An Family Patriarch? He is my grandfather," the girl said cautiously.


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