Immortal Path Space

"In addition, I've just obtained another batch of Foundation Establishment Pills. I want all of you to compile a list of individuals in the Inner Valley who have achieved the peak of Qi Cultivation," Wang Hong instructed.

"Hu Jian and Liu Wenlie, the two of you should also tally up the cultivators in the Outer Valley."

With the imminent threat to their existence, he needed to bolster the strength of his subordinates. In the event that the Qingxu Sect fell, having more capable individuals amidst the lurking Demonic Beasts would increase their chances of survival.

"Reporting, East Master," Hu Jian began, "Currently, there are over two thousand cultivators in the Outer Valley. Among them, there are twelve Foundation Building stage cultivators, and more than five hundred in the later stages of Qi Cultivation. Moreover, there are one hundred and six individuals who have reached the pinnacle of Qi Cultivation."

Hu Jian was responsible for overseeing all matters in the Outer Valley, and he promptly provided the statistics for all cultivators there.

Wang Hong was surprised to learn that he had gathered so many followers in the Outer Valley. Initially, there were only slightly over five hundred who had defected from the Blackstone Valley Market. Subsequently, numerous cultivators, who found it difficult to survive on their own, had joined him one after another. Furthermore, many who had followed Wang Hong during his breakthrough from the first defensive line had also pledged allegiance to him. These individuals had been assigned to the Outer Valley.

"In the Inner Valley, there are currently only one hundred and eighty-nine individuals. Among them, fourteen are at the Qi Cultivation stage, and they have all reached the pinnacle of that realm," reported Yin Ze after Hu Jian's update.

Originally, the Inner Valley had more than two hundred members, but they had suffered casualties in the previous battle. Wang Hong had initially planned for them to recruit new members from the Mortal Realm, but the population within the third defensive line was scarce, and the likelihood of finding individuals with Spiritual Roots was low. They had managed to recruit only a dozen or so people.

In addition, some of his subordinates, such as Xu Lun and Skinny Monkey, were still managing businesses in Azure Void City and were not included in these figures.

"Very well. All members of the Inner Valley must advance to the Foundation Building stage, and this time, we can select twenty individuals from the Outer Valley. However, whether in the Inner or Outer Valley, everyone must exchange Foundation Establishment Pills using their contribution points," Wang Hong declared.

Although they urgently needed manpower, he was determined not to distribute Foundation Establishment Pills for free. Otherwise, it would be unfair to those who had previously exchanged their contribution points for the pills.

"Furthermore, Luo Zhongjie, go inform everyone in Azure Void City to assemble at Mountain Valley."

"What about the shops in Azure Void City?" Luo Zhongjie asked with uncertainty.

"For now, they should all suspend operations. There aren't many people left in Azure Void City, and in the midst of this great battle, they will surely be conscripted as well. It's better for them to return to Mountain Valley and join the fight together."

"Understood. Is there anything else you would like me to do, East Master?"

"When you go, check on our old comrades who left with us back then. If they can be of help, lend them a hand. If any of them have descendants who wish to join us, bring them in and settle them in the Outer Valley."

Wang Hong remembered that before he entered Azure Void City, several dozen people had chosen to leave, seeking to forge their own paths. However, these individuals had no background, and as mere Mortals, they struggled to make ends meet, often living in dire conditions. Wang Hong had previously instructed Xu Lun to provide them with some assistance, such as offering them jobs in Skinny Monkey's tavern to ensure their basic needs were met. Now that Xu Lun and the others were withdrawing from Azure Void City, Wang Hong was willing to accept a few more of these individuals if they were willing to join his cause.

As for why they had left him in the first place, Wang Hong understood it better than anyone else. He had initially led a group of Mortals into the Cultivation World.

The number of people was too large, and Wang Hong feared that he wouldn't be able to handle it all. He was also concerned about the potential leakage of his secrets. So, at that time, he used a highly tempting tone to persuade some individuals to leave, ensuring that those who remained were absolutely loyal and reliable.

If he had to do it all over again, Wang Hong would still make the same choices. He would tempt those whose loyalty was not strong enough to leave. At that time, he was too weak, and anyone could have easily eliminated him.

In fact, the forty-five people who had chosen to stay after the temptation had not disappointed him. For instance, when he first entered Azure Void City, he always had various Spiritual Herbs readily available, even though he claimed to have purchased them.

However, among the forty-plus people under him, none were fools. It was impossible for them not to notice something fishy. Yet, they all chose to play the role of fools, believing it to be genuine, never expressing doubt, and never leaking any information.

In his early days, he had to rely entirely on the loyalty of his subordinates. Now that he had the power, he could establish an Immortal Way Trading Company to handle things externally.

"Very well, I'll go now!" Luo Zhongjie received his orders and left in high spirits.

"This Immortal Way Trading Company has helped us a lot, especially by providing us with so many Foundation Establishment Pills. When we're on the battlefield, we can support each other," Wang Hong instructed the remaining individuals with some specific tasks before adjourning the meeting. He then joined the refinement process of the Flying Boat.

Seven days later, a streak of green light descended just outside Mountain Valley, revealing a cultivator dressed in a green Daoist Robe.

However, this cultivator had unkempt hair, looked disheveled, and seemed rather sloppy. As soon as he stopped just outside Mountain Valley, several flies flew towards him, buzzing around him closely, appearing strangely friendly.

The sloppy cultivator suddenly emitted a powerful aura of Golden Core cultivation. The immense pressure caused a few light cracks as all the flies around him fell to the ground and were crushed to pieces.

At that moment, several cultivators emerged from the Marketplace, witnessing this scene. They were too terrified to move, as the might of a Golden Core cultivator was beyond their imagination.

Seeing the cultivator's ruthless treatment of the flies, they dared not make any noise or movements.

The Golden Core cultivator did not pay attention to the other cultivators and expanded his pressure, instantly spreading it throughout Mountain Valley.

"The one in charge of Mountain Valley, come out and see me!" the sloppy cultivator shouted loudly toward Mountain Valley.

After a short while, Wang Hong hurriedly emerged from Mountain Valley upon hearing the call. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the old Daoist.

After paying his respects, Wang Hong said, "Senior Chu, your presence here is an honor. I apologize for not coming to greet you earlier."

The sloppy old Daoist looked somewhat surprised and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Senior Chu, I am the one in charge of Mountain Valley," Wang Hong replied with a smile.

Now it was the old Daoist's turn to be even more surprised. He had known that Wang Hong had some wealth and heard that he managed a shop in Azure Void City. However, he hadn't expected this young man to directly own Mountain Valley and a Marketplace. Judging from the situation, it seemed like the business at the Marketplace was doing quite well.

"I didn't expect you to have such abilities. I must have underestimated you," the sloppy old Daoist praised, regretting that he hadn't extorted more wine from Wang Hong when he had the chance.

"Please, Senior, come inside so that I can extend my hospitality as the host," Wang Hong invited.

"Today, I'll pass. I have important matters to attend to. I came here to deliver a message. Instruct the cultivators in the valley to prepare, and by noon tomorrow, they must depart for the third defensive line for battle," the old man said, casting a glance at Wang Hong before explaining, "This is an order from the sect, and everyone must obey."

Having delivered his message, the sloppy old Daoist transformed into a streak of green light and flew away.

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]