The Leizhou Peninsula was originally a wild, desolate wasteland. Tens of thousands of years ago, however, it was gradually developed into a bridgehead for expeditions into the Southern Sea cultivation world. Today, it presents a scene of thriving prosperity. To its north lies the Duan Yuan Mountain Range. This area teems with countless demonic beasts […]

The last icon Wang Hao clicked on was labeled Penguin Farm. This icon sat smack in the center of the screen.However,knowing it was likely just a game,he didn’t hold any high expectations. Upon opening it,he was greeted by a familiar farm interface:a grid of thirty plots,five by six.Only the first two plots were currently reclaimed

After fully assimilating his memories, Wang Hao began to analyze his own cultivation status. His cultivation technique was a standard, run-of-the-mill manual: the Evergreen Art, a Wood-attribute technique. He possessed Five Spiritual Roots. In theory, this meant he could practice techniques of any attribute, including multi-attribute ones. Having all five elements meant he theoretically had

Of course,this was all just Wang Hao’s conjecture.However,based on the memories of the original host,it was likely correct. With Wang Yanzhao as a living example,he definitely knew that practicing dual-attribute techniques could accelerate cultivation.Otherwise,he wouldn’t have repeatedly urged the original owner to switch techniques. As far as Wang Hao knew,multi-attribute techniques were rare in this

Even the five great families found it difficult to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.Currently,the most stable method was to purchase them from the Qingyuan Sect. To maintain the loyalty of their affiliated families,the Qingyuan Sect sold one Foundation Establishment Pill to each of the five great families every twenty years.However,the price was exorbitant,reaching as high as

“Huh?Spirit Rice?” Wang Hao’s brain froze for several seconds before he stepped forward to examine the cloth bag.Inside,it was indeed Spirit Rice.Hefting the weight,he estimated it was roughly 100 jin. His face couldn’t help but light up with wild joy.”Haha!So this is how the farm works!Isn’t this just like the portable planting spaces in those

As for pill toxins,Wang Hao couldn’t care less right now.Even”Old Demon Han”had consumed far more pills than him without any issues! His status panel had now updated: [Name:Wang Hao Age:18 Cultivation:Qi Refining Level 3(111/112.5) Cultivation Technique:Red Lotus Illusory Wood True Scripture(Layer 1) Spiritual Energy:111/111 Skills: Alchemy:Tier 1 Low-Grade(Not Initiated) Talisman Crafting:Tier 1 Low-Grade(Not Initiated) Spiritual

Arriving at the market square, Wang Hao found it exceptionally lively. Previously, only rogue cultivators set up stalls here, usually with nothing particularly good to offer. Wang Hao came mainly to broaden his horizons, though picking up a bargain like “Old Demon Han” would be fine too. Upon asking around, he learned that next year

Unbeknownst to Wang Hao, everything he did in the shop had been observed by Wang Yanzhao from the second floor. “Second Brother, are you reassured now?” a young man seated across the table spoke up. This was Wang Yanfeng. With three Spiritual Roots and cultivation at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, he ranked eighth

Wang Hao sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, first calming his mind and focusing his qi. He formed a hand seal and ignited the Spirit Charcoal. Instantly, a bright glow emitted, and a finger-thick crimson flame leapt upward. Seeing that it was clearly insufficient for alchemy, he added five more pieces. Six crimson flames ultimately

“Hehe, I knew I could do it. I’ve got the data now. After familiarizing myself a few more times, I’ll be able to stabilize it! As for the success rate, that can only be improved slowly.” Wang Hao picked up a yellow pill and sniffed it lightly a few times. There was no strange odor.

Spring passed, and autumn came. In the blink of an eye, a year had flown by. During this past year, Wang Hao’s cultivation had progressed considerably. He was now not far from the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Logically, he should have continued his seclusion to attempt a breakthrough. However, the date for the Foundation

Upon hearing this, the girl in the yellow skirt thought for a moment, then produced a jade box. She opened it and handed it to Wang Hao. Inside lay a twenty-year-old Crimson Blood Ginseng. “A twenty-year-old Crimson Blood Ginseng is still a Tier 1 spirit herb. That’s not what I need!” Wang Hao already had

Zheng Tong took out another black formation disk. “A Tier 1 High-Grade Spirit Gathering Formation. It requires only ten low-grade Spirit Stones to activate, allowing Qi Refining cultivators to increase their efficiency by fifty percent while cultivating within its range! Starting price: one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones. Minimum increment: ten per bid. Please!” “Spirit

“Hand it over.” Wang Yanfeng extended his hand, beckoning with a hook of his finger. “What?” “Spirit Stones! Don’t play dumb, kid! Your Eighth Uncle is counting on this little nest egg to find a Dao Companion. Are you trying to cheat me?” Wang Hao was left speechless. Just a moment ago, he was the

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. At twenty-three, Wang Hao had grown even more handsome and striking, his demeanor efficient and steady. “Open panel!” Name: Wang Hao Age: 23 Cultivation: Qi Refining Layer 6 (299 / 380) Cultivation Technique: Red Lotus Illusory Wood True Scripture (Layer 2) Spiritual Power: 298 / 298

Back in his room, Wang Hao was unaware of the conversation between the two. Had he known, he would have cried out in protest. In all honesty, Wang Hao wasn’t putting on a show of hardship. Over the past few years, he had been diligently practicing spells, and it was inevitable that his Taoist robe

“Wenmei—Eighth Uncle still has matters to report to the Family Head! You take Fifth Brother to his residence! Wenzhi, you go notify Second Uncle,” Wang Yanfeng instructed before turning towards Wang Hao. “Wang Hao—first go see your father.” “Yes! Fifth Brother, please!” “Mmm… sorry to trouble you, Ninth Sister!” Along the way, Wang Wenmei introduced

Representatives from various forces stepped forward one after another to present their congratulatory gifts. Seeing Old Wang receive a large number of gifts, Wang Hao was extremely envious. No wonder he held a Foundation Establishment ceremony. The gifts he received were probably worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones—equivalent to a year’s output from Wang

By observing the duels of others, Wang Hao gained a lot of insight. In truth, most Qi Refining cultivators didn’t possess many techniques, and their moves were quite ordinary. Many won simply by relying on superior cultivation to achieve quick victories. Only a few evenly matched battles dragged on for longer periods. Of course, it

Wang Hao’s opponent in the semifinals was Li Dedao. Wang Hao noticed that before Li Dedao stepped onto the stage, Li Derong seemed to say something to him and even glanced at Wang Hao, likely instructing him on some tactics. Sure enough, after the formal greetings on stage, Li Dedao launched a fierce assault. He

While Wang Hao fought a bitter struggle, Li Derong had a relatively easy time on her side. In just the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, she secured an easy victory. She stood on the stage and called out to Wang Hao, “Is one hour enough for you to recover?” Even

Wang Hao chatted with the group for a while longer before returning to his room to rest. The next day, he followed Wang Yanfeng down the mountain, heading towards the market town. This time, the two traveled on horseback, which was considerably faster. Having placed in the top three, Wang Hao had won a Zephyr

Time for one cup of tea later, Chang Bao brought a middle-aged male cultivator inside. “Fellow Daoist Wang, this seller is Brother Jiang Chao!” “Fellow Daoist Jiang, please sit!” Jiang Chao looked rather impatient. Before he even sat down, he urgently asked, “How many Spirit Stones can you offer?” Wang Yanfeng exchanged a glance with

“Enough talk, let’s move! These two are managers of the Wang family’s pill shop. They must have a lot of money on them!” Jiang Chao urged, firing several fireballs at the two as he spoke. “Eighth Uncle, hold them off first. I’ll break the formation!” Wang Hao really didn’t want Wang Yanfeng to speak anymore.

Now wasn’t the time to hesitate—Wang Yanfeng knew this too well. Carrying the Borage plant, his escape seemed more crucial anyway. He hurriedly slapped a few Lightness Talismans onto himself and sped away rapidly. The tiger-type beast was enraged further, letting out a series of roars and sending several wind blades attacking the fleeing Wang

Wang Hao smiled with satisfaction before turning his attention to the other items. There were only three magical instruments of note: two Tier 1 Mid-Grade sabers and the Tier 1 Top-Grade long whip that belonged to the dark-faced burly man. Since Wang Hao didn’t practice whip techniques, it was useless to him—he could only sell

“Frost-Eyed White Tiger,” Wang Yanfeng murmured softly. “Oh, Eighth Uncle recognizes this tiger?” Wang Hao became interested. His knowledge of the cultivation world was still far too lacking. “Yes, I’ve seen it in the clan’s Hundred Beasts Compendium. Before awakening its divine abilities, this tiger is no different from an ordinary white tiger. But once

Wang Yanfeng soon departed, and Wang Hao began to plan his own schedule. Cultivation was paramount; everything else served the purpose of improving his cultivation. Therefore, he had to ensure at least five hours of cultivation practice daily! Additionally, he needed to allocate two hours a day for body tempering—this related to his chances of

Wang Hao quickly recalled the four of them. Wang Wenxin and the other male cultivator were tasked with maintaining order, while Wang Wenmei and the others handled selling the pills. Wang Hao himself attended to customers who had alchemy requests. For a time, the place was bustling with activity. On just the first day, they

Additionally, it was time to prioritize the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Art. Wang Hao took out the formula for the required medicinal liquid and carefully looked over the ingredients. There weren’t many, and their properties were relatively mild—after all, this was just the introductory stage. A cultivator’s body wouldn’t be able to withstand potent medicine

With the combined revenue from three shops, the Wang family’s income had increased more than tenfold. Moreover, as word-of-mouth effects gradually took hold, their earnings would continue to rise! This development greatly concerned the Wang family’s upper echelons. They stationed a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the shops year-round and dispatched two elders to manage the

Leaving the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, Wang Hao walked slowly toward his own shop. But after walking for a while, he felt someone following him. With focused intent, he slipped into an alleyway. Behind him, a youth around twenty years old watched Wang Hao’s figure, hesitated momentarily, then resolutely pursued him. Wang Hao didn’t hide;

The Pulse Protection Pill was relatively precious. Besides being usable when Foundation Establishment cultivators broke through bottlenecks, Qi Refining cultivators could also use it when attempting to break through to Foundation Establishment. It increased the chance of success by ten percent, and even if one failed, it protected the heart meridian, preventing death! The Beast

Within a secret chamber atop the main peak of Wang Family Ridge sat three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Wang clan. The elderly leader slowly put down the booklet in his hand, stroked his beard, and chuckled. “Hahaha, Heaven blesses our Wang family indeed!” This elder was none other than the Clan Head—Wang Guang’an! He

Unfortunately, this thing could only be eaten once; taking more later had no effect. Planting an entire acre was truly too wasteful. It would be best if he could acquire some ready-made ones! But how could everything go as one wished? Only after returning to his residence did Wang Hao realize he had been so

The same principle applied to spirit talismans. Currently, Wang Hao could activate and detonate them within a range of forty zhang. An increased distance meant an expanded attack area; the benefits were too obvious to state. Having tasted the benefits of an enhanced spiritual sense for the first time, Wang Hao felt an unbearable itch

Song Yun and the other Qingyuan Sect disciples quickly rose to greet him. “Greetings, Senior Brother Sun!” “We pay our respects to Fellow Daoist Sun.” The others also stood and saluted. “Sun Zhixuan, at your service, Fellow Daoists!” Sun Zhixuan returned the courtesy politely. His tone was gentle, unlike those who looked down on others

Wang Hao left together with Chu He and Chen Qing. When it was time to part ways, Wang Hao remembered the matter of the Soul Nurturing Grass. He quickly stopped Chen Qing. “Fairy Chen, please wait! I have an impertinent request. I hope Fairy can fulfill it!” “Brother Wang, please speak freely. If I can

Wang Hao nodded in satisfaction and placed the other egg into the spiritual liquid as well. Seeing the concentration of the spiritual liquid had decreased significantly, he refined another batch to replace it. He didn’t expect all five insect eggs to hatch. He would be quite satisfied even if only two, or even just one,

Zou Renhe smiled as he stowed away the spirit stones. “The Crimson Blood Brew isn’t difficult to make. It will be drinkable in just two months. However, wine quality depends not just on the raw materials, but also on aging. The longer it is stored, the better the effect.” Wang Hao nodded. “That’s fine. As

“Why must you be so modest, brother?” Chu He stared at Wang Hao’s collar, making Wang Hao feel a bit creeped out, wondering if he had some peculiar preference. “Brother, this skin of yours is not something an ordinary person should possess! I have some discernment; such skin must be the result of some body

Wang Hao thought to himself: You really did come for the benefits. Isn’t your Li family also just looking for a backer for your clan’s younger generation? But such words couldn’t be spoken aloud; some things, if said openly, would cause everyone to lose too much face. Chu He wore an apologetic expression. “It was

The Yin Poison Python let out a mournful cry. Seizing the opportunity, Li Derong controlled her flying sword to strike its wound once more. This slash tore open the python’s belly, spilling its bloody entrails; it was clearly beyond saving. The group attacked for a few more moments. The python hissed unwillingly several times before

The three no longer held back, even exchanging injury for injury. Combined with both of the python’s eyes being blinded, making its attacks difficult to land, its strength greatly diminished, giving them an opportunity. After about fifteen minutes, accompanied by tremors through the earth, the red python’s massive body heavily thudded to the ground, completely

So, the four of them each picked up a few jade slips to examine their contents. Wang Hao got one that recorded a cultivation technique called the Thick Earth True Art, an earth-attribute technique capable of cultivation up to the Golden Core stage. The other jade slip recorded a divine sense attack spell called the

It was impossible to tell how long this Fan Tian Yin had been sealed within its outer shell; its original owner was likely long dead. Wang Hao figured there was no point in waiting. Without hesitation, he sliced his finger and squeezed out a drop of essence blood. The drop fell, seemingly initiating a ritual.

All cultivators at the fifth layer of Qi Refining? Wang Hao thought to himself. The Wang family was likely planning something major. In recent years, the Wang family’s spiritual veins had become insufficient, hindering their development. He needed to return to Wang Family Ridge to see the specific situation. Upon returning to Wang Family Ridge,

“Have your injuries from those years healed properly?” Li Derong remained cool and aloof, asking lightly. Wang Hao smiled in reply. “Thank you for your concern, Fairy Li. Last time it was just flesh wounds; they were pretty much healed back in Qingyuan Market.” “Mmm, that’s good then.” Li Derong was a woman of few

With a loud shout, fiery feathers shot out with a roar, striking down the charging Long-Armed Apes and breaking their momentum. After everyone had recovered their spiritual power, they also joined the fight. It took a full half-hour before all the Long-Armed Apes in the canyon were finally slain! “Whew!” Wang Hao let out a

Although the beast possessed great speed, its severe injuries and the prolonged battle gradually took their toll, slowing it down. Wang Hao and Wang Yanfeng pursued it for a quarter of an hour, successively activating the Earth Turbidity Seal, the Gale Sword, and other magical instruments to harass it. However, the Tier 2 demonic beast

“Save me!” Wang Hao hadn’t even steadied himself when Wang Yanfeng’s cry for help reached his ears. “Ah, I really owe you!” But Wang Yanfeng still had to be saved. Although he wasn’t very capable and was down on his luck, in previous years, he had always insisted on buying Wang Hao’s pills at high

This gorge had been untouched for a long time. Though dangerous, it grew various spiritual herbs rarely seen in the outside world. First-grade herbs were a given, and in just a short while, the two of them had already found several types of second-grade spiritual herbs. If this place could be developed, it would make

On the table lay a roasted fish, caught from the nearby stream, along with some spirit fruits. The wine was something the two of them had concocted themselves, brewed in bamboo containers. In terms of effect, it couldn’t even be considered average. To a professional brewer of spirit wine, it would be seen as a

Her injuries were serious, but the situation was unclear, so she couldn’t rush to heal. Struggling, she went outside and saw someone by the stream. She walked over and saw a person sitting on a rock by the bank, bare feet soaking in the water, holding a fishing rod and leisurely basking in the sun.

“I really owe you one,” Wang Hao muttered, activating his Wooden Shield Technique. He tossed a handful of talismans in front of himself, leaped forward to scoop up Li Derong, turned, and shielded her with his body. A tremendous force slammed into him, nearly knocking him unconscious. He spat out a mouthful of blood but

While it was technically true that they were not from the same clan, generational rules were less strict between them. The Li family’s ‘De’ generation was considered equivalent to the Wang family’s ‘Wen’ generation. Intermarriage between families didn’t strictly adhere to these hierarchies either, given cultivators’ longevity—it was common for Foundation Establishment practitioners to bear

Seeing Wang Hao in position, Wang Yanzhao immediately acted according to the pre-arranged plan. He directly cast a spell at the pond. The pond erupted with a loud explosion, quickly settling down again, but then suddenly churned violently like boiling water. From within emerged a large-headed fish demon the size of a shark. Seeing only

A Qi Refining cultivator ultimately couldn’t compare to a Foundation Establishment cultivator in terms of endurance. Relying on his familiarity with the terrain via his map, Wang Hao fled the entire way, but that Foundation Establishment cultivator pursued him relentlessly. Wang Hao’s own spiritual power was nearly exhausted. Discovering a rock fissure ahead, he quickly

They had also made plans. They would not take action against those who had just entered the Duan Yuan Mountain Range. Their targets were the cultivators preparing to leave. These cultivators often carried collected spirit herbs and materials from hunted demonic beasts, which could be sold for a considerable amount of money. In the past

Li Derong stood before Wang Yanzhao, her expression pleading. She had come to ask for a favor that concerned the future of her clan. “Senior,” she said softly, “I implore you. Would the Wang family agree to this junior’s request to refine the Essence Condensing Fruit into Foundation Establishment Pills?” Wang Yanzhao stroked his beard,

“I understand.” Wang Hao accepted the jade bottle and the jade slip, carefully stowing them away in his storage bag. He paused, looking at the elder before him. “By the way, Old Wang, how many Foundation Establishment Pills did the Ancestor manage to refine this time?” “A total of six.” Wang Hao frowned slightly. “There

Wang Hao’s confidence surged to its peak. Setting aside the tactical insights on Foundation Establishment, he focused entirely on his cultivation. He was determined to expand his dantian to its absolute limit while still in the Qi Refining stage. Whether the Qi was gaseous or liquid, a larger vessel meant greater potential. Many cultivators grew

“Is the process of strengthening the dantian and meridians always this agonizing?” Wang Hao muttered, his teeth clamped shut in a tight grimace. “First the dantian, and now the meridians—surely the pain will only intensify.” Just as he predicted, as the searing ache in his dantian began to ebb, a new pressure mounted against his

Wang Hao extended his finger, and as the True Essence within his body surged, a flickering flame ignited at the tip. Though small, the heat it radiated was terrifyingly intense, several times hotter than second-grade spirit charcoal. He retrieved the Chaos Earth Seal from his storage bag and released the Red Lotus True Fire to

Wang Hao couldn’t help but feel the Patriarch was boasting a bit too much. With the Beast Tide imminent, if several of the family’s core members were to die attempting self-guided Foundation Establishment, the losses would be catastrophic. Wang Yanzhao quickly added, “Now that the family has expanded into Mount Ruojun, our revenue has soared.

Wang Hao withdrew from his meditative state. A month had passed in the blink of an eye, and his cultivation had finally fully stabilized. He had now largely adapted to the Foundation Establishment realm. Previously, the sudden surge in his strength made him feel as if the world was lagging behind him. His Divine Consciousness

Perhaps because Wang Hao’s Spirit Stones were sufficient, it only took two days for him to meet Chu He. Chu He had been forty years old when he established his Foundation. His appearance hadn’t changed much since then, but he looked at Wang Hao with obvious surprise. “Brother Wang, you’ve actually reached Foundation Establishment!” he

Eight thousand Spirit Stones was already a very favorable price. Generally, the price of a Low-Grade Second-Tier magical instrument ranged between three hundred and one thousand Spirit Stones. A Mid-Grade one cost between one and two thousand. High-Grade instruments started at three thousand, and depending on quality, it wasn’t uncommon for them to sell for

“I said I would gift you a First-Grade magical tool, Fellow Daoist. How could I accept extra Spirit Stones?” Wang Hao shook his head, declining the refund. “I happen to have three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones here, which are perfect for powering the Flying Cloud Boat,” Du Xiandie said, taking out three pale red stones brimming

Upon reaching the peak, Wang Hao withdrew three spiritual artifacts and seven first-grade magical instruments, laying them out before Wang Yanzhao. Wang Yanzhao was immediately surprised, but his brows soon furrowed in concern. “These items are of excellent quality. They must have cost a fortune!” “It came to less than three thousand Spirit Stones,” Wang

“Great Uncle, I have managed the family for several decades now. I wish to go into seclusion to focus on advancing my cultivation,” Wang Longyou said, his voice tinged with weariness. “Let Yanzhao take over as Patriarch.” Wang Longyou was now over one hundred and forty years old, yet he was only at the sixth

Cultivators’ minds were far sharper than those of ordinary mortals. In less than two hours, the three of them had completed the proposals and compiled everything into a single bound book. Wang Guang’an was very satisfied after reading it. He smiled and said, “I am very reassured to leave the family in your hands. From

Why wasn’t Wang Hao taking the Flying Cloud Boat? The journey wasn’t far, so there was no need. Besides, these low-level demon beasts would be good practice for Wang Wenmei and the others. Gaining combat experience would help them stay calmer when dealing with the main beast tide. Indeed, along the way, Wang Wenmei and

A moment later, they arrived at a large hall where a man in his thirties stood waiting at the entrance. Wang Hao recognized him as one of the figures who had received them at the city gate. Wang Longling introduced him. “Elder, this is one of my sons. His Spiritual Root isn’t good either, so

If you know you’re spouting nonsense, why don’t you change the habit? Wang Hao thought, his expression darkening slightly. Seeing Wang Hao’s displeasure, Wang Longling also wore an awkward look as he quickly pivoted. “This subordinate has a granddaughter named Wenxian. She is just ten years old now and has already been sent to the

Wang Hao looked at City Lord Wang Longling and the others, his expression calm as he issued his orders. “The three of you are familiar with the city’s situation. You will be responsible for commanding the mortals to hunt the low-level demon beasts.” “Wenyan, you go guard the formation eye.” As he spoke, he took

One beast after another rushed toward the city wall, smashing themselves against the barrier without hesitation. Iron arrows and massive stones rained down from the sky, accompanied by the wet crunch of bodies and agonized roars. But the number of demon beasts was simply overwhelming. Mortals were weak; it took twenty or thirty of them

Zhao Gaofang pondered for a moment before speaking, his voice heavy with gravity. “The Qingniu Market must be held at all costs. You must understand that this is a crucial source of income for our five families. Once lost, it would likely take decades to reestablish!” He slapped the table a few times for emphasis.

On the other side of the small island, the old Patriarch wielded the black banner and the Frost Sword, leaving one gash after another on the Green Flame Python’s body. The Green Flame Python’s eyes narrowed. With no way out, it resorted to using its inner core to counterattack. A deafening explosion rang out as

“You all did well.” At this moment, Wang Guang’an returned to the group. “Old Ancestor, what about the Black Water Turtle?” Wang Yanzhao asked immediately. Wang Guang’an chuckled. “That beast found itself in a dilemma; it couldn’t win, nor could it flee. Although its shell possesses extremely strong defenses, I would have worn it down

“That still won’t be enough!” Lei Liheng, being the highest in cultivation here, essentially commanded everyone’s attention, and they all looked to him. Lei Liheng pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s hold out for three more days, let the demon beasts wear themselves down a bit more. If they still don’t retreat, we’ll see

“Then we can only act according to the situation! When the time comes, do not act alone; at least discuss it with me first!” Wang Longyou had no moral qualms about using others. The five great families had always been using each other anyway. If someone suffered a loss, it was because they weren’t clever

Wang Hao carefully observed the situation in the field, thinking to himself that he would steer clear of any Lei Family cultivators from a distance and only support cultivators from other families. There were originally just over fifty second-order demon beasts left. When everyone charged out of the grand formation, they instantly killed several that

A single strike left the Kui Wood Wolf severely wounded, greatly diminishing its strength. Moreover, the injury was on its front leg near the chest, which affected its speed. After that one strike, the golden sword Talisman Treasure dimmed considerably. It looked like it could only be used two or three more times. Wang Hao

“Our Li Family naturally has no shame to demand it, but the Wang Family is qualified. According to the pre-agreed distribution principle of ‘to each according to their harvest,’ it’s clear that Young Friend Wang contributed more. Now, Fellow Daoist Lei wants to distribute based on the most merit, isn’t that contradictory?” Li Yaozu’s expression

Yaya was the last to awaken. As soon as she woke up, without needing Wang Hao’s instruction, she went to the small courtyard to display her divine abilities. With a flash of her wings, a blue electric arc shot out, rumbling and exploding into a large crater. Wang Hao exclaimed in delight, “Excellent! That’s quite

“How could an outsider like me choose the name? It should be you, the father, who does it!” Wang Hao declined. “You are a Foundation Establishment cultivator, far beyond what Wenxin can compare to. This old man dares to ask you to bestow a name upon the child!” Wang Wenxin’s father stepped forward, respectfully bowing

“Thank you, Old Ancestor!” Wang Hao did not stand on ceremony and accepted the Storage Bag. Wang Yanzhao also took out fifty thousand Spirit Stones and a jade bottle, saying, “The teleportation array is not cheap. Take these Spirit Stones. Additionally, here are two more Foundation Establishment Pills. I leave it to your discretion to

Wang Hao saw the teleportation array for the first time and watched with curiosity. Each teleportation required a full group of thirty people, though one could teleport alone by paying extra Spirit Stones. Since the Wang and Li families had many members, they waited less than three days before enough people were gathered. Beside the

“My surname is Li, and these two are my younger sisters.” Venturing out into the world, Wang Hao had learned from Old Devil Han to use a pseudonym. He looked at the man across from him calmly. “May I ask how you knew we were visiting Wanxiang City for the first time, Fellow Daoist?” “So

Zhang San led Wang Hao through an intersection and spent ten Spirit Stones at a carriage shop to hire a ride. Zhang San took the reins personally, taking Wang Hao on a leisurely tour of the city. “This is the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion,” Zhang San explained, pointing to a lavish building. “Most second-tier treasures

But he had already lost one round. If he were to falsely accuse the other party and renege now, he would truly be acting like a stubborn fool. Although his family’s Old Ancestor doted on him, he wouldn’t allow him to act recklessly. Reputation was one of the things the Old Ancestor valued most. However,

There were also two medium-sized options. One had two shopfronts and a five-mu courtyard, while the other had three shopfronts and a six-mu courtyard. The price for the former was three thousand Spirit Stones annually, and the latter six thousand. While the larger one had a better location, Wang Hao preferred the former. He handed

After informing the staff at the Gathering of Talents Pavilion about his destination and instructing that anyone looking for him should head to the shop in the southern district, Wang Hao settled the spiritual power account and led his clan members toward the new premises. “Wow, this shop has a great location,” Wang Wenmei and

“No problem. Thank you then, Madam,” Feng Ji agreed immediately. He was naturally willing to take such an easy opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. He glanced to the side and asked, “Do the talismans in your shop follow the same rules?” “Yes. Talismans are also ‘buy ten, get one free,’ and we offer the same

Demon hunting was not like fishing, where casting a net guaranteed a catch. It required intelligence, luck, and patience. Sometimes, it was normal to wander the seas for months without encountering a single second-rank demon beast. However, according to the rogue cultivators in the market district, such dry spells were rare. Second-rank demon beasts in

The formation was a simple First-Tier Top-Grade Demon Trapping Array. Once a beast entered, it would lose its sense of direction, making escape impossible. While it lacked the power to fully contain Second-Tier beasts, with Wang Hao and three other Foundation Establishment cultivators standing guard, they could handle anything that wasn’t an overwhelming swarm. Once

A short while later, the group had collected over forty turtle shells of various sizes. Most of the meat was charred and inedible, but this saved them the trouble of slaughtering the creatures; they only needed to clean up. These turtle shells were excellent materials for crafting defensive magical instruments and were quite valuable. Wang

A flash of red light erupted as a crimson flying sword shot across the battlefield. It instantly clashed with the claws of the Second-Tier Demon Crane, leaving a deep, bone-exposing wound on its talon. It was Li Derong who had saved Wang Wenmei. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yanfeng swung his sword down, severing one of

Wang Hao summoned Xiaobai and Yaya to his side. “Fellow Daoist, are you truly determined to fight me to the death?” “Two low-grade Tier 2 spirit beasts? What can they possibly do to me?” As the man spoke, he flicked his wrist, tossing two metal spheres onto the ground. The spheres clattered loudly against the

After dumping everything out, Wang Hao discovered that the most numerous items were actually Cat-Eye Snail shells. “Emmm, thanks for helping me tidy up the inventory,” he muttered with a wry smile. Aside from the shells, there were over thirty thousand Spirit Stones, a small number of talismans, pills, and a few spiritual tools. Most

Wang Hao continued examining the jade slips. After putting down one of them, his eyes shone with intense delight. The jade slip recorded a pill formula: Nine Revolutions Spirit Forging Liquid. Its function was simple yet profound: it could permanently increase a cultivator’s Divine Consciousness. This explained why the mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator’s Divine Consciousness had

The two of them seemed thoughtful. Li Derong nodded slowly. “You’re right. Even if we bring Spirit Stones back to the family, we can’t buy Foundation Establishment Pills there. It’s better to purchase them here. We’ve already sold part of the last batch of goods and received a total of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

The old man retrieved a fiery red long blade and displayed it to the room. “Flame Blade, a mid-grade spiritual artifact. The starting bid is eight hundred Spirit Stones, with each increment no less than one hundred!” “One thousand Spirit Stones!” “One thousand one hundred!” “One thousand two hundred!” The bidding calls rose and fell

However, the efficacy of the Jasper Moon Fruit suffered from diminishing returns. The second fruit provided only half the potency of the first, and a third would yield merely a quarter. Compared to its exorbitant cost, repeated consumption was hardly worth the price. Yet, Wang Hao felt it was essential. If he could cultivate a

Furthermore, the Chaos Earth Seal had also successfully advanced, reaching the grade of a mid-tier spiritual artifact. Its power had increased significantly, though unfortunately, the runes inscribed upon it had not yet fully manifested. Wang Hao had also successfully entered the field of artifact refinement. With the high-level perspective granted by his elevated cultivation base,

“Speak freely!” “However, after Fifth Brother went into seclusion, the supply of second-grade pills was cut off. Although Uncle Yanfeng successfully advanced, his pill success rate isn’t high. He can only refine Qi Gathering Pills, which has led to a decrease in income! Especially the more profitable Vein Protection Pills and Obstacle Breaking Pills—they have

They were just a group of first-order demon beasts, and the fishing net was a mid-grade second-order magical tool. There was no need to worry about them breaking free. Moments later, one arrowfish after another was hauled up from the sea along with the net. “Only keep the head materials from the low-grade first-order ones;

On a small island not far from them, three groups of people were locked in a standoff. A young man among them angrily shouted at an old man, “Old Man Qi, what do you mean by this? Why did you stop the opening of the secret realm? Wasn’t it already agreed that your Qi family

Wang Wenmei turned to Wang Hao, her gaze searching his face. “You noticed it long ago, didn’t you?” “It’s obvious,” Wang Hao replied calmly. “Three distinct families, joining forces to act as one? That is no minor matter.” “What are you getting at, Fifth Brother?” “Opportunity has knocked.” Wang Hao raised a brow, glancing at

The group moved cautiously along the path, sensing the auras of several demonic beasts lurking nearby. They finally understood why the previous group had chosen to travel on foot rather than by flying sword. While flying was faster, it made one a beacon for every predator in the area. This ancient ruin had existed for

“Not good! They’re sending messages to others. There are seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators on that ship. We’re no match for them!” a member of the Qin family cried out in alarm. The Foundation Establishment family member also spoke up, urgency in his voice. “Elder Brother, they’ve already entered. Our family alone can’t drive

The two pushed the door open and stepped through a short passageway into a massive courtyard. Several spirit fields were laid out in a grid, but all were barren. Judging by the chaotic footprints stamped into the dirt, demon beasts had long ago ravaged whatever grew here. Rows of rooms lined either side of the

Li Derong studied the flickering energy barrier. “Although the grand formation’s power has diminished, we are only early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Breaking through it will still take a considerable amount of time!” She looked at Wang Hao. “Wang Hao, release your two spirit beasts to help. That will speed things up.” Wang Hao nodded and

“Are we still heading to the fourth floor?” “Of course we are. We can’t risk leaving anything behind,” Wang Hao said, pressing a jade slip against his forehead to scan its contents. “This slip records secret techniques for spirit mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing. It’s perfect for establishing a family industry. The fourth floor was

Their guess had been correct. Wang Hao and the others were standing right in the middle of a Pill Cauldron Sect Spirit Medicine Garden. Finding it was largely thanks to Wang Hao. As they passed near the area, the edge of the garden had appeared on his internal map; otherwise, they would have missed it

Wang Hao withdrew his flames. It was a pity the red spider’s fur had completely burned away, rendering it worthless as a material. However, its legs were excellent and hadn’t suffered much damage. “Fifth Brother, you’re amazing! You instantly killed a mid-second-rank demon beast!” Wang Wenmei retrieved her flying sword, her eyes wide with admiration.

Four second-order Thunder Apes had locked onto the Qin Family’s early Foundation Establishment cultivator. The man released two Tier 2 talismans in quick succession, creating a brief opening to launch himself into the air. However, one of the apes leaped with terrifying speed, closing the distance in a single bound. A black horn on the

Having lost its prey right under its nose, the white bear grew even more furious, launching a barrage of frantic spell attacks at Qin Hu, Qi Li, and Wang Hao. This indiscriminate assault inadvertently allowed the others to escape further away. Wang Hao was utterly speechless. “I’m only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

“The intruder was a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert. He used a secret art to escape the White Bear, fled here, and crashed straight into the illusion barrier. Now, he’s dragged us in with him.” Wang Hao narrowed his eyes, dissecting the situation with cold precision. He set the wailing toddler aside and stepped into the

“Er…” Wang Hao scratched his head, looking anywhere but at her eyes. “You were dying in that timeline. If the illusion claimed your mind, your body in the real world would have perished. I had to kill you to wake you up.” “That’s easy for you to say,” Ji Xiaotang huffed, crossing her arms. “Why

True Monarch Scorching Sun waved a spectral hand, dismissing their grievances as if brushing away dust. “Hmph. Do not speak of fairness to the heavens, little friend. In the cultivation world, every harvest demands a price. Is that not the natural order?” The old ghost offered them a meaningful, piercing glance. “Consider the illusion array

Wang Hao inverted the storage ring, letting a waterfall of ancient legacy crash onto the cavern floor. He and Ji Xiaotang knelt amidst the pile, sifting through the debris of a fallen era. Beyond the cultivation manuals, the Pill Cauldron Sect’s alchemy archives brought Wang Hao the most joy. The inheritance extended all the way

Five years passed in silence. Wang Hao consumed five Jasper Moon Fruits in sequence, pacing his intake with surgical precision until his body developed a resistance and the rare treasures became no more effective than common pills. The result, however, was undeniable. He had smashed through the bottleneck of the Fifth Layer of Foundation Establishment.

“Our preparations for the Pill Cauldron Sect were woefully inadequate,” Wang Hao murmured, staring at the crater exit. “The clan fell into distress because of my greed. When I saw that golden entrance… I lost my head.” He smiled bitterly. In the face of a Nascent Soul inheritance, who could truly resist? “Don’t blame yourself,”

For the three rival clans, the expedition had dissolved into a slaughter. The Qin family had taken the brunt of it; their forces were all but extinguished, leaving only a handful of trembling Qi Refining disciples. Both of their Foundation Establishment elders had already been chewed apart by the ruin’s beasts. The Qi clan, however,

The Wood Demon froze, its emerald eyes flickering with a mixture of malice and calculation. Slowly, the aggressive vines withered back into the canopy. It had weighed the cost: if Wang Hao unleashed that fire, he would reduce the Spirit Medicine Garden to ash. For a creature of wood, these plants were not merely scenery;

Wang Yanping exhaled, a sound like a crumbling wall. The weight of the last few days seemed to physically compress him. “Eighth Brother, the interior was a slaughterhouse. High-level beasts everywhere. We got separated from Yanlang almost immediately.” He paused, unable to meet Wang Yanfeng’s eyes. “We searched for days. His transmission talisman is dead

Ji Xiaotang did not linger. In her haste to depart, she casually selected two storage bags from the pile of seven and vanished. That left five bags from the Qi clan massacre. Although Wang Hao had done the killing, Li Dedao understood the delicate dance of alliance. While he needed to secure resources for his

“Thank you, Fifth Brother!” Wang Wenwu snatched the heavy golden rod, his calloused hands stroking the cold metal with undisguised adoration. “A heavyweight Top-Grade Spirit Weapon. You have a sharp eye, Seventh Brother,” Wang Hao noted approvingly. “Check the inscription. What is it called?” Wang Wenwu hurriedly injected his spiritual power into the shaft. With

A dull boom reverberated through the stone chamber. Wang Hao coughed, waving away the acrid black smoke as he began the tedious task of scrubbing the charred Red Maple Furnace. The first attempt was a total loss. It was a humbling reminder of the gap between tiers. The White Lotus Pill required a delicate balance

“Wenyan, do we have a name? Who threw the first stone?” Wang Wenyan shook her head, her face drawn and shadowed by exhaustion. “We investigated immediately, Fifth Brother, but our reach is short. The attack was coordinated—nearly every small and medium-sized shop in the district slashed their prices overnight. It’s impossible to pinpoint the puppet

“Befriending outsiders? Helping them slaughter the Qi heirs?” a clan elder roared, his palm striking the table with a crack that echoed through the hall. Tea slopped over the rims of delicate porcelain. “This is a betrayal of the balance!” “He’s right!” another elder snarled, smelling blood in the water. “If you had eliminated both

“None left,” Wang Hao said, shaking his head with a practiced, regretful smile. “I merely had the fortune to stumble upon two fruits on a remote islet. My companions divided the tree amongst themselves long ago.” A flash of disappointment crossed the shopkeeper’s face. She couldn’t tell if he was lying or merely stubborn, but

Daoist Master Baoqing had extended an olive branch. The terms were simple: look after his lineage and legacy. It was a pragmatic transaction, fair and profitable. Of course, the title of disciple carried weight; it meant Wang Hao would be bound to the Treasure Clarity Pavilion, obligated to serve its interests. Tempted but cautious, Wang

Wang Hao watched the man endure the crowd’s ridicule for a moment longer. The situation was pitiful. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a small bag of Spirit Stones onto the stall. “The seed. I’ll take it.” He didn’t wait for a reaction, turning and vanishing into the bustling market streams before the

After parting ways with Chen Qing, Wang Hao walked the bustling streets of the market, his thoughts a quiet counterpoint to the noise around him. Since stepping onto the path of cultivation, his journey had been remarkably smooth. He had techniques, pills, and luck. Every ambush had turned into a harvest; every exploration yielded treasure.

“Since that’s the case, I’ll accept this disciple.” Zou Renhe’s face instantly lit up with relief and joy. “Thank you, Master!” He then tugged urgently at Zou Yu’s sleeve. “Girl, don’t just stand there. Kneel and pay respects to your Master!” “Disciple Zou Yu pays respects to Master!” The young girl was sensible for her

“The family has trained several First Rank alchemists in recent years,” Wang Yanzhao noted, his tone optimistic. “It is perfect timing. With the Pill Cauldron Sect’s inheritance, our alchemy division is poised to reach a new level.” “Wenhao,” Wang Guang’an interjected, looking at the younger man. “You have worked hard these past few years, but

“Fifth Brother? Why are you here?” The young girl’s jaw dropped in surprise. Then, realization dawned, and a shadow of disappointment crossed her face. “You came to see Yu’er, didn’t you?” “You call me Fifth Brother, yet you assume I cannot visit you simply for your own sake?” Wang Hao laughed, scanning her aura. She

“What happened?” Wang Hao asked, his voice low as he followed the two elders into the main hall. Wang Yanzhao turned, his expression grave. He held out a token glowing with a cold, cyan light. The characters for “Qingyuan” were carved deeply into its surface, pulsing with authority. “The Qingyuan Sect has issued a Conscription

Two days later, the martial arts training ground at Wang Family Ridge was occupied by a ragged line of Qi Refining cultivators. Their motley attire betrayed their origins: the four vassal families of Green Bull Market. The Qian and Liu families were each led by an elder at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, their

Eight massive banner flags, planted at the cardinal points of the Bagua formation, snapped violently in the wind. At a signal, the Foundation Establishment disciples of the Qingyuan Sect flew to their designated positions. They poured their spiritual power into the staffs, igniting the fabric with blinding radiance. Under the surge of energy, the runes

The Lu clan of Sharp Sand Island had survived for nearly a thousand years. Through generations of struggle, they had amassed over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, including three late-stage experts. Yet, the Golden Core remained an elusive dream, blocked by the lack of an inherited technique. When a group of Demon Cultivators sought refuge

The Demon Cultivator sneered, flicking his wrist. Two dark figures materialized from his storage bag, landing heavily on the ground. They were Evil Corpses—the reanimated remains of Foundation Establishment cultivators slain in previous ambushes. Though devoid of intelligence, they retained their former cultivation strength and were refined into bodies of steel, impervious to pain and

“Senior Li, hold off the old one! I will handle the other two!” Wang Hao roared, his voice cutting through the chaotic spiritual pressure. He wasted no time, slashing his sword toward Zeng Qiang. “Your life ends here!” In the same breath, he summoned Yaya and Xiaobai. “Keep the corpses occupied!” Yaya, now a mid-grade

Li Chengguo shared a surname with the patriarch of the Li family, but they shared no such kinship in destiny. He was a mere rogue cultivator who, after stumbling into Foundation Establishment, had wasted half his life without a proper inheritance. Desperation had driven him to Zeng Qiang’s banner twenty years ago, and while the

“Fellow Daoists, the battle for Sharp Sand Island is over,” Lan Yun announced, her voice calm amidst the wreckage. The male Qingyuan Sect cultivator beside her nodded in confirmation. “We are now in the mop-up phase. Please, rest on the warship and await True Monarch Baili’s return.” Wang Hao frowned. “True Monarch Baili hasn’t returned?

“What? You’re saying this is the Burning Heaven Sect’s doing, not some random demonic uprising?” Wang Longyou stood up, his face pale with shock. Patriarch Wang Guang’an paced the floor of the main hall, his expression grim. “The Southern Sea is divided strictly. We are in the heartland of the Righteous Path. How could a

Wang Longyou bowed deeply to the old patriarch, his expression grave. “Granduncle, the family cannot be left entirely stripped of its Foundation Establishment cultivators. The situation remains murky. If we are merely chasing shadows and panicking over groundless rumors, the cost of abandonment would be catastrophic. We have spent centuries building our foundation here in

Before dawn, in a secluded valley deep within Wang Family Ridge, Wang Hao and Patriarch Wang Guang’an stood before thirty-one young cultivators. The air was heavy with the damp chill of morning, matching the somber mood of the gathered youth. “Many of you are still young,” Wang Guang’an began, his voice low but carrying clearly

“It isn’t a refusal, merely a delay,” Chen Qing explained, her voice heavy with fatigue. “We lost over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators in a single disaster. To replace them, the Sect needs to refine at least three batches of Foundation Establishment Pills. But look at the state of us: the Second Elder is critically

Upon returning to the family estate, Wang Hao immediately set to work. He first refined a fresh batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, then arranged for his uncle, Wang Yanzhi, to enter seclusion for his breakthrough. Only once the logistics were settled did he seek out the Clan Head, Wang Yanzhao. “Old Wang, I’m back,” Wang

Wang Hao, seasoned in the art of deception, spun yet another lie without batting an eye. “Old Wang, I forgot to mention something. During the last extermination campaign against the demonic cultivators, Li Yaozu and I stumbled upon a hidden lair. We found three Foundation Establishment Pills inside. The Li family claimed two, and I

The Burning Heaven Sect dominated the territories south of the Qingyuan Sect. While their land holdings were slightly smaller, their hunger was far greater. Their headquarters sat atop a Third-Grade High-Tier Spiritual Vein—a respectable foundation, but one that was already groaning under the weight of four Golden Core cultivators. This scarcity was the root of

“Everyone, settle down,” Wang Hao said, his voice cutting through the anxious murmurs of the clan hall. “Think about it. According to the scouts, six families have mobilized to attack Green Bull Market. That is over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, backed by a late-stage expert from the Burning Heaven Sect.” He swept his gaze across

Lei Liheng insisted on taking the main assault, his motivation transparent: greed. The coalition had agreed beforehand that the vanguard hitting the main target would face the stiffest resistance. In exchange for shouldering that risk, they would receive an extra ten percent of the spoils and the right of first refusal on all captured treasures.

“Lock onto your opponents! Do not let a single one escape!” Wang Hao’s command echoed through the chaos. Since the Gu Family had dared to plot against Green Bull Market, Wang Hao intended to send them on their way to the Yellow Springs. The second wave of attacks crashed down, and several more Gu clansmen

“Hahaha! They’re crumbling! Pour it on! Kill them all! Avenge the Elder!” A late-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the Gu Clan screamed like a madman, firing his spirit crossbow wildly at Wang Hao’s position. Between shots, he frantically stuffed Spirit Pills into his mouth, forcing his meridians to churn out more spiritual power. “What do

“Tenth Brother,” Wang Yanpo stood to the side, his voice trembling slightly. “Yanpeng was unlucky. He… he was hit in the head by a fragment of a Magical Artifact.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a gaze burning into him. He looked up to see Wang Hao staring him down with

“They must have anticipated this. That’s the only reason they sent us to attack Black Wind Mountain and Clear Dew Peak while they took the easy wins. They never had good intentions!” Wang Yanzhi spat the words out, his voice thick with resentment. The death of his kinsman still weighed heavily on his heart, a

Giant Wood Peak stood as the stronghold of the Si Family. Towering over three thousand feet and spanning thirty miles across, the mountain sat atop a Second-Grade Mid-Grade spiritual vein. While not massive, the vein was potent enough to nurture a rich ecosystem of resources. Lei Liheng, fresh from his victory over the Gu Family

Gu Liyong let out a mournful wail, his body trembling as he delivered the nightmare news. “Two days ago… Lei Liheng led five Foundation Establishment experts and over thirty late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to attack the Red Maple Lake formation. I don’t know what sorcery they used, but they breached the array in less than

Even if Ji Shuguang hadn’t issued the order, the cultivators of Maple Leaf Market would have mobilized anyway. Caution was the first rule of survival. Leaving two Foundation Establishment experts to guard the Ye Family home base and the injured Gu Liyong to recuperate, the remaining seven experts followed Ji Shuguang, racing toward the Si

Li Yaozu’s eyes gleamed with sudden realization. “The Si Family stronghold was empty because they stripped it bare. The real treasure isn’t on the mountain—it’s right there, on that boat. Do we take them down?” Wang Longyou’s expression was grave as he weighed the risks. “We failed to exterminate the Gu Family completely, and a

Si Zhijie and Si Zhiheng stared at Wang Hao, their eyes brimming with grief and icy hatred. They knew their family was on the brink of annihilation. Si Zhijie’s hands blurred as he wove hand seals. Green light erupted from his palms, coalescing into a colossal dragon composed entirely of poisonous miasma. With a silent

Si Zhiheng’s gaze drifted toward the aerial battle. He intended to lend his spirit beast a hand and slaughter Wang Hao’s butterflies. Once Wang Hao’s pets were dead, even if the man himself escaped the explosion, he would face a hopeless two-against-one scenario. But the moment his attention shifted, a figure burst from the billowing

Wang Hao scanned the contents of his Storage Bag, his hand hovering over another stack of talismans. Suddenly, his gaze landed on two dormant figures in the corner of the spatial pocket. The Second-Grade Ape Puppets. He had looted these from Huang Youcheng back in the day. Since he lacked the skills to refine or

I need to heal. Fast. Wang Hao sat amidst the ruin of the battlefield, his breath shallow. The captured True Sun Flame was dormant for now, trapped within his Spirit Weapon, but it was a ticking time bomb. If he didn’t absorb it completely soon, it might backlash, and he would repeat Si Zhiheng’s fatal

Burning Heaven Sect, Main Peak Sha Dinshan sat cross-legged in the center of the grand hall, his breathing slow and rhythmic. Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open. An elderly Golden Core cultivator in crimson robes stormed in. His face was a map of deep wrinkles, marking him as a man of at least four hundred

By consolidating their forces into a single stronghold, the three families had effectively secured their survival. If the Maple Leaf Market coalition dared to split their troops now, they would lack the power to crack the Grand Formation. Even if they committed their entire army to the siege, the Lei family could hold out for

“A brilliant move!” He Junyi clapped his hands, his eyes gleaming with approval. “If we withdraw, the Zhao and Cheng families will be paralyzed by paranoia. They’ll terrify themselves thinking we’re razing their undefended spiritual mountains. We leave a few scouts behind, and the moment they stick their heads out of that tortoise shell, we

The Five Elements Entrapment Formation was originally designed for hunting demon beasts, but it was robust enough to temporarily plug the breach in the defensive line. Although it couldn’t hold Foundation Establishment cultivators indefinitely, Wang Hao and Li Derong had no intention of idling. Even if they couldn’t kill one or two enemies, they could

Despite his bluster, Ye Jingshan was wary of Wang Hao. As a cultivator in the Late Foundation Establishment stage, Ye Jingshan possessed only one Top-Grade Spirit Weapon, one Mid-Grade defensive artifact, and a lowly Low-Grade flying sword. Wang Hao, on the other hand, was a walking armory. The three artifacts he had currently deployed were

The dust had barely settled before the casualty reports began to roll in. The numbers were grim: nearly twenty cultivators were down. The three flanks defended by Wang Yanzhao, Wang Longyou, and Li Yaozu had held relatively firm. Their sections of the Grand Formation hadn’t breached, meaning their casualties were light—mostly injuries sustained from the

After a mere two hours of respite, the cultivators of Maple Leaf Market returned to the front lines, launching yet another assault on the Grand Formation. For cultivators, darkness was no hindrance; night and day were one and the same. Moreover, the brilliant flashes of exploding spells illuminated the battlefield, casting a stark, flickering glare

Gu Lizhan stood at the rear of the Maple Leaf Market formation, his expression an unreadable mask. Yet, deep down, a cold satisfaction simmered. The Gu family had not avenged their dead today, true. But Maple Leaf Market had bled—heavily. For Gu Lizhan, this disaster was the spark of hope his family needed to rise

Wang Hao turned his attention to the fourth plot of Gold Soil. [Status: Mystic Wonder Fruit Tree] Stage: Seed Progress: 03 Months, 10 Days until Germination. This tree was the linchpin of his future plans for his spirit beasts. The Mystic Wonder Fruit was far more potent than any Beast Nurturing Pill; it possessed the

“Fine, fine. When I have a moment, I’ll go take a look,” Wang Hao assured him. “The rules in the Clan School are well-established now, and you’ve seen the results yourself. You can rest easy about Wenyue being there. With you as the Family Head and her father, who would dare bully her?” “Ah, you’ve