Wang Hong had spent nearly a year in Mountain Valley. During this time, he had completely mastered a Tier 1 formation and was almost at a point where he could use it effortlessly. He had also started setting up Tier 2 formations but had to pause due to a shortage of Tier 2 formation materials.
The Jade Scrolls that Cai Xuanzhi had given him in their last meeting were indeed exceptional. Throughout the year, Wang Hong often pondered their contents and gained valuable insights. However, with the lack of materials, he had no choice but to leave Mountain Valley and head to Azure Void City. He also needed to visit his sect.
At this point, Mountain Valley had two Foundation Building cultivators guarding it, along with defensive formations, so Wang Hong didn't need to worry about its safety anymore. His group of Foundation Building cultivators had grown to twenty-six in total.
In Boundary City, there were ten Foundation Building cultivators, while in Azure Void City, Xu Lun and his group, along with the Ma Brothers, He Yuan, and Liu Changsheng's disciples, totaled nine. Liu Changsheng's group had six members, and there was one more, Zhang Chunfeng.
With such a force, no one dared to underestimate them if they were all gathered together.
Upon reaching Azure Void City, Wang Hong went directly to the East Zhou Trading Company to find Xu Lun.
The trading company had been flourishing since its opening two years ago. Besides selling a large quantity of Spirit Pills, Spiritual Herbs, Spirit Wine, and other items, it could also help Wang Hong procure the materials he needed for his formations.
"I have a list here. Please keep an eye out for these items, and if you come across them, purchase them for me," Wang Hong handed Xu Lun a list that contained the materials he needed for his formations.
"In addition, if you find any suitable Spiritual Weapons that can be bought with Spirit Stones, get them. Also, if there are good refining materials available, buy them too. We have a large group now, and there is still a significant gap in Spiritual Weapons," Wang Hong instructed.
"What happened?" Wang Hong felt that there must have been some significant events leading to this situation.
"Indeed, something has happened. While the situation at the Boundary Mountain Range on the west side has not yet been resolved, trouble has erupted in the east. Recent reports indicate that the Eastern Sea Demon Clan has been unusually active, constantly coming ashore and harassing human settlements. Just last month, they directly surrounded a human city. Despite the city's inhabitants holding out for three days, it was eventually captured by the Eastern Sea Demon Clan. Only a few Golden Core cultivators and over a hundred Foundation Building cultivators managed to escape. The rest of the tens of thousands of humans in the city fell victim to the claws of the beasts," Xu Lun explained.
Hearing this, Wang Hong had a foreboding feeling. The West Zhou Demon Realm and the Eastern Sea Demon Clan had launched attacks on the East Zhou Cultivation Realm nearly simultaneously. He wondered if there was some coordination or just a coincidence. Moreover, even though the West Zhou Demon Realm and the Eastern Sea Demon Clan were different types of demonic beasts, they both belonged to the Demon Clan. Could there be some connection between them?
In any case, with attacks coming from both sides, the East Zhou Cultivation Realm was undoubtedly facing a difficult situation.
"So, what measures has the East Zhou Cultivation Realm taken in response?" Wang Hong asked.
Wang Hong had spent almost a year in Mountain Valley. During this time, he had completely mastered a Tier 1 formation and had become quite proficient in using it. He had also started setting up Tier 2 formations but had to stop due to a shortage of Tier 2 formation materials.
The Jade Scrolls that Cai Xuanzhi had given him in their last meeting were exceptional. Throughout the year, Wang Hong had been diligently studying them, gaining valuable insights. However, with materials running low, he needed to leave Mountain Valley and head to Azure Void City. Additionally, he had to pay a visit to his sect.
Mountain Valley was now guarded by two Foundation Building cultivators, and there were Foundation Building cultivators in his shops as well, so Luo Zhongjie had some free time on his hands.
"Luo Zhongjie, I have a task for you. I want you to go to the mortal realm and search for children with Spiritual Roots. Recruit them and organize their training using military methods, including daily drills," Wang Hong instructed.
Wang Hong had experienced many battles in the Boundary Mountain Range and noticed that cultivators often fought in a disorganized and uncoordinated manner. They lacked discipline and seldom cooperated effectively. While individually strong, their collective combat abilities were lacking.
"East Master, how many people should we recruit, and what are the criteria for Spiritual Roots?" Luo Zhongjie inquired.
"Let's start with a hundred people for now, and we'll see how it goes. As for Spiritual Roots, anyone with four or more Spiritual Roots can be recruited," Wang Hong replied. He believed that recruiting a hundred individuals would suffice for the time being, providing him with some self-defense capabilities in case of major disturbances in the future. In times of peace, he planned to organize them into a caravan guard force for his future trading ventures in various cities.
"Understood, I'll get to it right away," Luo Zhongjie acknowledged.
Before leaving Azure Void City, Wang Hong also gave the same order to Liu Changsheng, instructing him to recruit another hundred individuals. However, Liu Changsheng wouldn't be able to use military methods for training, as he didn't have access to that kind of talent.
Instead, Wang Hong decided to have Liu Changsheng train them in the ways of Shadow Kill, as that was his expertise.
After making these arrangements in Azure Void City, Wang Hong once again disguised himself, this time as a sturdy elderly lady, and returned to Qingxu Sect.
He wasn't sure if Shadow Kill was still pursuing him, but it wasn't the right time to confront them directly. He would evade them for now.
Back at Qingxu Sect, Wang Hong continued to take on Alchemy tasks to earn contribution points, which he then used to exchange for formation Jade Scrolls in the Scripture Tower. Thanks to the spatial advantage, he learned at a rapid pace, which forced him to take on a large number of Alchemy tasks to accumulate more contribution points.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]