571: Chapter 405 571: Chapter 405 Large numbers of cultivators had arrived, and everyone knew they were there to compete for treasure.
What mechanisms lay within, no one knew; not only could one get hurt, but it was also possible to never return.
Hovering high above, they hadn’t yet felt the danger.
Most of them were quietly waiting for the right moment, believing that even if they managed to seize the treasure, they wouldn’t be able to escape the pursuit of others.
Jiang Tang noticed many in the Qi Refinement Realm hiding in the shadows, absorbing energy from a distance.
He then saw some at the Foundation Establishment Stage doing the same.
Gradually, those at the Golden Core Stage arrived, followed by Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
Among them were not only ordinary cultivators but also some Ghost Cultivators.
But none of these people had taken any action yet.
Were they waiting for something?
Jiang Tang hadn’t sensed the arrival of any Great Power Holders.
Could it be that these Great Power Holders were less perceptive than these lesser beings?
He knew that wasn’t the case.
Only by waiting would one know.
He was confident in his own formation, unafraid it might stir a bloodbath due to his methods.
In the Cultivation World, where peace is eternal, those who wish to cultivate ordinarily will never reach the higher realms.
He believed there would be brave souls, those whom he wanted to see brave the perils.
If they proved worthy of assistance, he would lend a hand.
But if they were the malicious sort, it would be a good opportunity to eliminate them.
He had installed a psychological test within his formation; those who entered the Illusion Realm would encounter different fates based on the fluctuations of their hearts.
At that moment, Jiang Tang sensed a powerful Qi presence, but their subtle pressure couldn’t threaten him.
These old schemers were quite cunning, preferring not to explore personally but to wait for others, hoping to seize the opportunity.
This wait-and-see approach would only lead to their disappointment.
A silent laugh in his heart; he had finally welcomed these dozen or so old schemers here.
Not far from the foot of the mountain, individuals had arrived from ordinary hills and were stealthily making their way in.
These people were dressed in black and masked.
They moved in the darkness, unnoticed by others.
When they arrived near the luminous mountain, they saw stones from various places at the mountain’s base emitting gem-like glows.
These white stones were akin to diamonds from overseas, quite valuable indeed.
The golden dragon atop the mountain was now clearly visible, constantly flying and spiraling, its golden light flashing irresistibly.
Some of Martial World individuals had already arrived here using their Qinggong, noticing the silver-like luster emanating around the large mountain, especially the golden dragon flying above.
Some greedy Martial World individuals no longer cared whether it was dangerous or not; the lure of wealth was enough to make them risk their lives for a chance at fortune.
Someone deliberately threw a stone, or sent an object into the mountain to check for traps, but no sound was heard.
Was it safe or dangerous?
But with some overcome by impulsiveness, racing to grab a treasure was a matter of first come, first served.
Some had already started to take action, stealthily moving into the glowing mountain.
The black-clad figures, originally hiding in the shadows, invisible, watched as people entered, wondering whether there were traps or if anyone would die on the spot.
After people went in, the inside remained silent, and not even the shadow of those who entered could be seen.
They assumed those who entered the mountain were being obscured by the trees and underbrush as they searched for treasures.
There was no scent of blood in the air, which meant those who entered hadn’t perished.
As more and more people ventured in search of treasure, the figures hidden in the shadows couldn’t hold back any longer, thinking to lie in wait and rob the trekkers of their finds upon their return.
But then, looking up at the night sky, they noticed shadows flickering.
How many cultivators had come!
Swarming in the sky overhead and even descending atop the mountain; these flying individuals were the first to enter and aim for the dragon’s hoard.
They couldn’t just stand by and watch; they had to act and not just watch the golden glow from the mountain, the bright white and shimmering silver light.
These people thought first of gold and silver; the entire mountain was shimmering with light.
How much gold and silver must there be?
This was undoubtedly a whole mountain of treasure, and many were puzzled as to why such a trove of riches had suddenly appeared when the mountain had previously been nothing more than an ordinary, deep wilderness.
Though many were perplexed, some natural wonders are unforeseen by anyone.
Especially in the Cultivation World, it’s possible that a myriad of years ago, during a cataclysm, treasures from the heavens fell and were buried deep within the mountains.
Today, as the Divine Dragon awakens, the mountain’s treasures have emerged, presenting an opportunity and a resource for cultivators, and a chance for ordinary folk of the Martial World to strike it rich.
And for those intent on plundering this nation’s resources, it’s as if money has been delivered to their doorstep.
They don’t even have to make an effort to search; they can simply pick up treasures and use this wealth for many purposes.
These individuals received orders from the nation’s highest authorities to plunder some of the wealth of this nation first, if they couldn’t seize control of it right away.
Then they could acquire more resources, and with these resources, they could annihilate neighboring countries and take over this nation.
These people believed they were warriors, fulfilling a soldier’s mission, desperately striving to create more wealth and energy for their nation.
At this moment, how could they be concerned with sparing lives, believing that when entering the mountain to snatch treasures, they must strike first and kill the opposition.
They knew that like themselves, those Martial World figures did not possess Storage Bags, unlike those who could fly in the sky, who used different cultivation methods and Storage Bags to carry a multitude of items.
Yet they had their own specially crafted bags for carrying items—a technology of their nation.
Though not as good as a Storage Bag, the bag did not feel heavy even when packed, and especially could hold many items, making their endeavors far easier than those of ordinary people.
Jiang Tang saw that numerous adventurers had ventured into the deep mountains.
At both mountain peak and base, Formations had been activated, and those who entered were caught in an Illusion Realm.
They found themselves in pitch blackness, unable to see the previously glittering golden glow and silver sheen of the mountain.
What awaited them was a world of their own desires, struggling for the things they coveted in their hearts, groping in the dark.
Those high above, watching people enter the deep mountain, wondered why the Golden Dragon continued to fly without any signs of anomaly.
Of course, those who had just entered weren’t foolish enough to not search for treasures.
Could it be that the Golden Dragon possessed spells that made it uncatchable?
The crowd merely felt the mountain’s energy was tremendous, and those who had not yet descended to seek treasures were meditating midair, absorbing energy.
Those who had eagerly entered earlier had caused no disturbance on the mountain.
Some remained hidden, not daring to move, while others continuously arrived at this spot, some already convinced many had gone in after treasures and without any hesitation, rushed in.
Jiang Tang watched leisurely from the shadows, observing that a dozen or so elders had not made a move.
They may have noticed something amiss, but they were not entirely inactive.
Each of these elders sat meditating, absorbing the energy from above.
Among them, one was particularly frenzied, ceaselessly drawing the golden energy into their body—likely a person with a Metal Spirit Root.
The Formation around the mountain had been established using Golden Crystals and Moonlight Stones.
Their energy would gradually deplete as people absorbed more and more.
Without replenishing the energy, the Formation would dissipate, and soon none would experience its formidable effects.
Jiang Tang, within a breath’s time, replenished the Formation’s energy.
Such a covert action was not easily discernible to everyone.
Jiang Tang, with his hands and the spells within him, employed the Star-absorbing Spell, which could release and absorb energy at will.
Of course, Jiang Tang continuously replenished the mountain with the inexhaustible energy from his space.
The energy from his space was vast and never-ending, feeling like a bargain for these cultivators of the Cultivation World.
If the people inside were not driven by greed or heavy with killing intent, each could absorb the energy, gaining plenty from this opportunity.
However, Jiang Tang was being too naïve.
Among those who came here driven by greed for treasure, how many had clean hands, free from bloodshed?