Chapter 977: Blockade

Using long-distance teleportation formations for transportation is convenient but comes at a high cost.

After the initial novelty wore off, cultivators from Jiuqu Province refrained from using teleportation formations casually unless absolutely necessary.

Moreover, there are many people from the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle heading to the Dali Dynasty mainland, while fewer are going to the Crossing Severing Mountain Range.

Meng Zhang waited by the teleportation formation for a long time before assembling a team of cultivators to go to the Crossing Severing Mountain Range.

Within the main hall, there were specialized cultivators activating the teleportation formation. After a burst of light, everyone felt a moment of dizziness.

When everyone regained their composure, they found themselves in a hall similar to the one they were in before.

Meng Zhang, accustomed to long-distance teleportation, didn't feel uncomfortable after teleporting. He proceeded confidently towards the exit of the hall.

Just as he stepped outside the hall, he noticed that something was amiss.

A group of cultivators dressed in black and red uniforms had completely surrounded the location of the Transmission Formation, barring anyone from entering or leaving.

This was the site of the long-distance teleportation formation for the Crossing Severing Mountain Range. Most cultivators from this area used this formation to travel to other parts of the Dali Dynasty.

Even cultivators from other places, arriving at the Crossing Severing Mountain Range, would make this their first stop.

Usually, there was a constant flow of cultivators coming and going.

Now, a sudden arrival of this group had completely sealed off the area. The cultivators who wanted to enter or leave were extremely unhappy, and many were already making loud protests.

Observing the situation, Meng Zhang didn't join the crowd. Instead, he withdrew a bit, trying to avoid drawing attention.

It wasn't that he was afraid of these people or had something to hide. He had recognized the origin of this group and didn't want to invite trouble.

During his time at the Heavenly Palace, the intelligence he had gathered about the Dali Dynasty mainland had emphasized this group.

These individuals belonged to the direct branch of the Dali Dynasty's Judicial Ministry and were famously known as the "Five Punishments Guard."

The Judicial Ministry was the highest institution responsible for prisons and also held the duty of eliminating internal enemies of the dynasty.

The current head of the Judicial Ministry, responsible for its affairs, was the prominent cultivator Han Yao.

Han Yao carried the title of "Five Punishments Sword" and possessed remarkable swordsmanship, rivaling even the renowned Sword Cultivator of the older generation, Ouyang Jian.

With a strong and resolute character, Han Yao despised evil and was a true righteous cultivator, far from the pretentious demeanor of a hypocrite.He holds the reins of law and prison in the Dali Dynasty, acting justly, sternly, and impartially, which has led to a clear atmosphere within the entire Dali Dynasty.

The Five Punishments Guard is a special group established by him under the direct jurisdiction of the Judicial Ministry, tasked with pursuing fugitives.

Han Yao, the Five Punishments Sword, is exceedingly rigid. He has offended many powerful figures within the Dali Dynasty, including those in high positions with great authority.

Within the upper echelons of the Dali Dynasty, there are many who wish to undermine him.

Among the Primordial Spiritlate stage cultivators in the Dali Dynasty, there are quite a few, numbering at least twenty or thirty individuals.

Such prominent cultivators are naturally willing to serve the court and hold positions of power.

Among the Primordial Spiritlate stage cultivators, Han Yao is considered strong.

Aside from his Cultivation Base, he himself conducts himself uprightly and isn't afraid of slander.

Ba Wudi places great trust in Han Yao and provides him with almost unconditional support.

Despite the many enemies Han Yao has made within the Dali Dynasty, facing hostility and even hatred from numerous influential figures, his position remains unshaken, and his resolute approach continues as before.

Although Taiyi Sect has long aligned itself with the Dali Dynasty, strictly speaking, it can only be regarded as an external force and not a direct lineage.

Meng Zhang had no intention of inexplicably conflicting with the Five Punishments Guard, who enjoys Ba Wudi's deep trust.

While this group of Five Punishments Guard members are at most Gold Core stage cultivators, they are remarkably domineering. They forcefully sealed off this area, suppressing everyone's dissatisfaction.

Even the Primordial Spirit stage cultivators within the blockade circle refrained from challenging the Five Punishments Guard.

Among those who can reach the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation, there are almost no fools. Even if they didn't recognize the origin of the Five Punishments Guard, just from their bearing, it was evident they were of extraordinary background.

Without sufficient stakes, who would willingly clash with this group?

After the Five Punishments Guard sealed off the area, they also halted all teleportation from within, closing it off.

Meng Zhang's original intention for this outing was to evade Zhang Wei and delay as much as possible outside.

Encountering this unexpected situation, he had no desire to get entangled in trouble, but he didn't mind observing from the sidelines.

With this place sealed by the Five Punishments Guard, all the cultivators inside were temporarily trapped.

Then, a few individuals who were clearly leaders started interrogating each of the cultivators here, asking about their origins and recent experiences.

The strongest members of this Five Punishments Guard were at the Gold Corelate stage of cultivation at best. However, even when facing Primordial Spirit stage cultivators, they showed no fear and were still willing to actively approach and question them.Fortunately, the surrounded cultivators were all from within the Dali Dynasty, who had long experienced the immense power of the Dali Dynasty's authorities.

Facing the questioning from the Five Punishments Guard, no one would resist stubbornly; they all answered honestly.

There were quite a few cultivators trapped in this place, numbering in the dozens.

Among these cultivators, the majority were at the Gold Core and Foundation Building stages, with a few Primordial Spirit stage cultivators.

Thanks to the extensive construction of long-distance teleportation formations by the Dali Dynasty, as long as one could afford the teleportation fees, cultivators with even lower Cultivation Bases could travel millions of miles away without worrying about dangers along the way.

The cultivators undergoing interrogation had diverse origins. Some were from the Dali Dynasty's mainland, some from Jiuqu Province, and there were also local cultivators from the Crossing Severing Mountain Range...

The numbers in the Five Punishments Guard were significant, but due to the meticulous nature of the questioning, progress was quite slow.

They were rigorous in their methods, leaving no room for mistakes. Even the slightest inconsistency would be repeatedly questioned.

The cultivator responsible for the interrogation wielded a magic tool shaped like a mirror.

If someone being questioned lied, the mirror would emit a distinct light.

As a result, everyone had to answer truthfully.

An older member of the Five Punishments Guard, likely the leader, had his subordinates bring several Primordial Spirit True Monarchs before him.

Under ordinary circumstances, Meng Zhang wouldn't have obediently complied.

However, he understood that the backing of the Five Punishments Guard was the powerful cultivator Han Yao, someone not to be easily provoked.

Furthermore, with nothing else to do at the moment, he had the leisure to pass the time with them.

Meng Zhang was very compliant when brought before the leader, showing no resistance or discontent.

Perhaps Meng Zhang set a good example, as the other three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, despite looking quite impatient, managed to restrain themselves from losing their temper and followed the orders of these individuals.

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