Immortal Path Space

Luo Zhongjie quickly compiled a list of Qi Cultivation disciples under his command and handed it over to Wang Hong.

A few days later, ten more Foundation Building disciples joined the Mountain cave, leaving the other Qi Cultivation disciples within the cave envious.

Most of the surviving Qi Cultivation disciples in the Mountain cave had been reorganized by Wang Hong after the last major battle, with many of them only needing a Foundation Establishment Pill to become Foundation Building disciples. However, those sent to the frontlines as cannon fodder were individuals without significant backgrounds, making it difficult for them to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.

Wang Hong added these ten new Foundation Building disciples to the existing thirty Qi Cultivation disciples, forming a group of forty.

With ten Foundation Building cultivators in a team of forty, they were relatively safe as long as they didn't encounter large groups of second-tier Demonic Beasts.

The Qi Cultivation disciples, who had originally been leaders of more than forty small teams, were reappointed as leaders.

One day, as Wang Hong checked the formation at the cave entrance as usual, he noticed that the Yao birds outside had flown away.

The ground outside the cave was littered with Yao bird corpses, attracting many scavenger Demonic Beasts. Wang Hong watched as these Demonic Beasts happily feasted, wondering if they would be affected by the Devouring Spirit Poison in the Yao bird meat.

Meat from Demonic Beasts contaminated with Devouring Spirit Poison was still poisonous, but scavenger Demonic Beasts typically had strong resistance to toxins. Wang Hong wasn't sure if they could withstand the effects of the Devouring Spirit Poison.

With this large group of scavenger Demonic Beasts guarding the cave entrance, they were temporarily unable to leave. Any attempt to leave would alert the Demonic Beasts and potentially lead to more attacks.

Inside the Mountain cave, they could hear the constant roars of Demonic Beasts outside, indicating that the area was likely teeming with them.

After Wang Hong finished inspecting the formation at the cave entrance, he was about to head back when dozens of cultivators approached him, kneeling down in unison.

Wang Hong was surprised and asked, "What's going on? Get up and speak."

"I am Shi Yang, representing our team of twenty-three people. We are willing to follow you, Senior, and serve you."

"I am Zhou Canshi, representing our team of eighteen people. We are also willing to follow you..."

It turned out that these forty-plus leaders from various teams were now representing their respective teams and expressing their desire to follow and serve Wang Hong.

These Qi Cultivation disciples were currently trapped in the Mountain cave, surrounded by Demonic Beasts on all sides. If Foundation Building disciples had some confidence in their abilities, these Qi Cultivation disciples had very little chance of surviving on their own.

Even if they somehow managed to escape, their lack of connections and background would likely lead them back to being cannon fodder.

They needed to join a faction to seek protection, but the major factions weren't interested in them, and the smaller factions had no say in such a large-scale battle.

In the end, they believed that joining Wang Hong was a good choice. Firstly, he was right in front of them, so there was no need to look further. Additionally, they had seen the Qingxu Sect Blue Dragon Hall emblem on Wang Hong's Flying Boat, and from what they'd heard from well-informed sources, Wang Hong held some influence within the Qingxu Sect.

After observing Wang Hong's character for some time, they found him to be trustworthy. Joining him as his subordinates reduced the likelihood of being treated as cannon fodder, or at least, they wouldn't be easily discarded.

Moreover, since they were already playing the role of cannon fodder, it couldn't get much worse.

Furthermore, they were also envious of the treatment that Wang Hong's subordinates received, believing that following Wang Hong offered them a chance to reach Foundation Building.

"Get up, all of you. This is a serious matter, and you should consider it carefully!" Wang Hong advised.

Over a thousand Qi Cultivation disciples in the Mountain cave were watching this unfold, and when they saw that Wang Hong hadn't declined, they all knelt down as well.

"We sincerely wish to follow you, Senior, and request your acceptance."

"I am willing to make an oath to follow you faithfully and never betray you!"

"I also pledge my loyalty!"

In the Cultivation World, making an oath was not taken lightly, as it held a certain degree of binding power on cultivators, although not as strong as a Blood Contract. Violating an oath could easily lead to the birth of inner demons, affecting one's cultivation progress, and even causing mental instability.

However, Immortal Cultivator oaths could be broken with some hidden methods at a cost.

The two hundred individuals Wang Hong had recruited for Mountain Valley had also taken oaths.

"Since you all show such sincerity, I cannot refuse. From now on, I will appoint you as the guards of the East Zhou caravan."

Wang Hong could discern their intentions but saw this as an opportunity to strengthen his forces. With the East Zhou's uncertain situation and even the six major Sects facing instability, having more people meant greater protection.

As for the resources needed to support their numbers, that was not a significant concern for him.

"Thank you, East Master!" Upon hearing Wang Hong's acceptance, the over a thousand individuals began addressing Wang Hong as "East Master" and expressed their gratitude.

"Very well. Since you have decided to follow me, you must obey my orders. Those who disobey will face consequences, ranging from the loss of cultivation levels to execution."

"I will give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to reconsider. It's not too late to change your minds now!" Wang Hong reminded them once more.

"I, Shi Yang, solemnly swear from this day forward to willingly follow Senior Wang, without regrets or complaints!" After the incense stick burned down, Shi Yang was the first to make his oath.

Following him, other Qi Cultivation disciples made their oaths, officially becoming Wang Hong's subordinates.

"Although you are now part of my East Zhou Trading Company, you have not yet contributed to our cause. Therefore, for now, you will be considered peripheral members of the caravan, with slightly lower privileges than our core members."

Their main motivation for joining Wang Hong was survival, followed by the potential benefits. Their loyalty was unlikely to match that of his long-standing core members. Wang Hong understood this, and while loyalty could be cultivated, it was more challenging in adults than in youths. If any of these new recruits showed exceptional performance, they could be promoted to core members in the future.

"Where is Liu Wenlie?" Wang Hong called out.

A burly man with a stubbled beard stepped forward from the crowd and approached Wang Hong.

"Here I am!"

"Starting today, the guard unit will be under your management. Don't disappoint me," Wang Hong said with a smile.

Liu Wenlie was one of Wang Hong's personal guards from the past, known for his bravery on the battlefield.

"Thank you for your trust, East Master. I will not let you down," Liu Wenlie replied with a bow.

He then turned to the group of newly recruited Qi Cultivation disciples and spoke sternly, "From now on, I am your captain. My management is simple: rewards for achievements and punishments for mistakes. We do not tolerate cowardice in our guard unit. Anyone who fears battle and retreats will be executed!"

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