Shangyuque

Chapter 167 Wang Yuque leads the team on a thousand-mile march to Hongdengzhao, reorganizing (0.94W)

[The plot design in the detailed outline had some problems. After writing it out, I realized that it didn't hold up logically, so I deleted about 3,000 words of the plot, which is why I couldn't maintain my 10,000-word daily quota today. I'll make up for it tomorrow.]

The patriarch issued a decree through a hanging scroll, appointing Wang Yulou as the seal-bearer of the Fengwen Court in the Western Sea, to participate in the purge of the pernicious influence of Shenguang.

Essentially, it was about forcing Wang Yulou to kill people—the disciples of Shenguang, and anyone associated with them—so that he would pledge allegiance to Mangxiang and prove his loyalty through concrete actions.

Wang Yulou's decision to send the Divine Light Poison from the Loose Cultivator Alliance to the battlefields of the Red Lantern Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect was actually a brilliant move.

By leveraging the power of Shenguang and the prestige of the combined forces of Mangxiang and Qingrui, he built up a team for himself.

Of course, the morale of this team was extremely low, and many of them even harbored resentment towards Wang Yulou.

But whether you hate someone or not isn't really that important.

With so many people hating the Immortal Alliance, has the Immortal Alliance collapsed?
As long as Wang Yulou can provide them with a real path to advancement and a way to make a living, some of them will eventually become part of Wang Yulou's core team within the Red Lantern Gang.

However, many people immediately realized something was wrong when faced with the pie in Wang Yulou's eyes.

Yang Duilie quietly distanced himself from Wang Yulou, something was very wrong.

The cultivators of the Loose Cultivator Alliance are cultivators of the Immortal Alliance. Wang Yulou is the head of the Punishment Court of the Western Sea Immortal City of the Immortal Alliance.

What right does he have to classify these rogue cultivators into the Red Lantern Gang?
This is against the rules!
Wang Yulou killed a jailer in the prison, already showing a ruthless and unscrupulous side.

Now, they are sending the rogue cultivators who make a living in Xihai Immortal City to the front line of the Red Lantern under the charge of "spreading poisonous divine light," which is going a long way down the road of disregarding the rules.

Despite the murmurs in everyone's hearts, no one dared to directly criticize Wang Yulou's faults.

That bastard is a loyal dog of the mad elephant; if you provoke him, he'll really bite!
Seeing that the rogue cultivators dared not express any dissent, and that Yang Duilie and the others dared not speak recklessly, Wang Yulou nodded in satisfaction and said.

"Brother Dui Lie, please have someone record their names."

Well, calling him "Brother Dui Lie" affectionately carries a very clear meaning.

That's the tremor he felt when he was forced to take the horse, so even if it seemed too opportunistic, he had to win over Yang Duilie and befriend him.

Once this hurdle is overcome, no one can stop Wang Yulou's plan!

Perhaps a Purple Mansion could stop it, but Mang Xiang now dares to attack even the Heavenly Serpent Sect, and he's even encroaching on Qing Rui's interests in the Western Sea. Ordinary Purple Mansions wouldn't dare to stop him.

Those unusual Purple Mansions that are opposed to Mang Xiang and the conservatives within the Immortal Alliance are useless to stop—the opinions of the opponents are bullshit!

Bitter!

Yang Duilie sighed inwardly, his eyes darting around as he cautiously transmitted his thoughts to Wang Yulou.

"Fellow Daoist Yuque, the origins of the rogue cultivators in the Western Sea are complex. Many are actually vassal disciples of major sects, but they operate under the guise of rogue cultivators. You..."

What bad intentions could Lao Yang possibly have?

He simply wanted to avoid offending Wang Yulou while also avoiding taking the blame.

Many people may not understand why Lao Yang was so cautious when facing Wang Yulou.

What is the position of the Commander of the Dragon and Tiger Guards?
Senior security guards, top-tier enforcers—the names of the Dragon Tiger Guards sound impressive, and Old Yang is indeed very strong. However, his status in the West Sea and the Immortal Alliance is completely incomparable to that of Wang Yulou, the prodigy of the Mangxiang Sect.

The Dragon Tiger Guards are just there to do the work; people like Wang Yulou are the ones who truly serve the cultivators within the Immortal Alliance. Faced with Wang Yulou's unauthorized assignments, even if Lao Yang wanted to object or make a non-stick pan, he could only deal with it cautiously.

However, despite Lao Yang's compelling reasons, he couldn't shake the fact that he was simply making non-stick pans.

This is similar to Chen Yongzhong pretending to be proactive and enthusiastic from the beginning, and then lying down and not putting in any effort. In essence, it is all about passively resisting Wang Yulou's orders.

Noticing the look in Wang Yulou's eyes, Old Yang, despite being a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator, broke out in a cold sweat.

"Yang Duilie, when did the poison of the Divine Light seep into your body?" Wang Yulou asked coldly.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked, and Chen Yongzhong's body trembled.

Wang Yulou's purge of the poisonous influence of Shenguang seems to extend to Yang Duilie!
Old Yang immediately banged his head on the ground and knelt down in front of Wang Yulou.

"Dui Lie dares not, Dui Lie dares not, but... but..."

He is afraid!

What is the concept of a power purge under the struggle of the three immortal venerables?
The concept of divine light retreating and the purple palace lowering its brows!
Wherever the poison of divine light spreads, heads fall like onions!
Mang Xiang is a quasi-immortal of the Red Lantern Gang, a local dragon in the northwest of the Wunan Basin for thousands of years, and is now leading the Red Lantern Gang to fight against the Heavenly Serpent Sect.

Qingrui is a founding member of the Immortal Alliance and one of the controllers of Lotus Immortal City. The Niu Ma Qiu Maitreya she sent dared to directly point at Shenguang's nose and humiliate him.

The purge in the Western Sea launched by these two individuals could be considered justified, not to mention purging Yang Duilie, even purging Han Song.

Why did Xuanzhuan and Qiu Mile leave the Western Sea immediately after forcing Shenguang to retreat?
Because Mangxiang and Qingrui won!
The immortals never act lightly. After Mangxiang and Qingrui made their move and secured victory, no one dared to object easily—unless they wanted to fight these two and the forces behind them.

The compromises and expediency involved are extremely profound and terrifying. At least in the northwestern part of the Wunan Basin, no one can withstand the combined forces of the Red Lantern and the Lotus Immortal City, especially when the Divine Light bestows the Mangxiang and the Green Buds are given the reins.

Therefore, despite Wang Yulou's low cultivation level, he wields the immense power of purging bestowed upon him by Mang Xiang—the kind of power that can kill whoever he purges.

"But what? Why won't you say it? Is it because you can't bring yourself to say it?"

Jin Mingdu grabbed Wang Yulou's arm and stood to the side and in front of Yang Duilie, who was kneeling, and asked.

The significance of marrying a Daoist partner, and especially a good Daoist partner, lies here.

Don't forget, the divine light smashed the West Sea Immortal City, which was under Kingsoft's jurisdiction!

With Li Haikuo and Jin Shan both serving as Wang Yulou's backers, Wang Yulou is effectively the third person in the Western Sea—Shenguang has already been kicked out of the game of power.

At least until his cave-heaven transformation is complete, it will be difficult for him to return to the Western Sea's table.

"Understood, Fellow Daoist Yuque. I will arrange for someone to collect their information immediately!"

Yang Duilie closed his eyes and decided to give up all resistance.

Perhaps he realized that what he was resisting was never Wang Yulou's autocracy.

When Wang Yulou decided to bring these two thousand-plus people into the Red Lantern Sect as outer disciples and filler babies, the stakeholder behind this matter became that quasi-immortal, Mang Xiang.
-
At Longhutai, Jinshan frowned as he read through the documents presented by Wang Yulou, and then gave him some concerned instructions.

“Yu Lou, I roughly understand your thoughts, but these people who went to the front lines may also run to the Heavenly Serpent Sect.”

In that case, you're more likely to get yourself into trouble. Think about it.

Investing in a promising stock isn't something you can just do after placing your bet.

Wang Yulou has a bright future, and Kingsoft is naturally happy to give him more support.

“Ancestor, the rogue cultivators of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance are not really considered to be spreading the Divine Light Poison, but if they go to the Heavenly Serpent Sect, they can be considered to be spreading the Divine Light Poison. What do you think?”

Jinshan stood still for a moment, then shook his head with a smile.

"You! Fine, this will do!"

Clearly, Jinshan understood what Wang Yulou meant.

The logic here is rather complex. First, we must clarify one point: the outcome of Mang Xiang's five discussions on the Golden Elixir on the Immortal Platform does not mean that the conservative faction of the Immortal Alliance behind him is incompetent.

In terms of votes, the conservatives and reformers were evenly matched. The conservatives seemed to be slightly weaker, but the members of the conservatives were all those who had long held a dominant position in the distribution of power among the great cultivators of the Immortal Alliance.

Each Purple Mansion has one vote, and each Golden Core Immortal Venerable has ten votes. This number of votes cannot represent absolute strength.

Take the weakest Immortal Venerable Divine Light as an example. If he were to fight Qing Rui, although he wouldn't exactly be considered an easy target, he would definitely get beaten up in pieces.

Taking the weakest Zifu Li Haikuo as an example, sending him to fight the Mangxiang is like sending a three-year-old baby to fight Tyson—there's no suspense whatsoever.

Among the conservatives, there are many relatively senior Golden Core cultivators like Qingrui and Zhuzhao, and many relatively senior Purple Mansion cultivators like Mangxiang and Qiu Mile.

Therefore, if the rogue cultivators dared to go to the Heavenly Serpent Sect, as the conservative faction of the Mangxiang Immortal Alliance, they could mobilize the power of the Immortal Alliance to legally and compliantly eliminate the poisonous influence of the divine light on the Heavenly Serpent Sect's territory, while the Heavenly Serpent Sect could only watch helplessly.

Ultimately, it was Shenguang's sheer brilliance that made it possible; he smashed the Western Sea Immortal City with such efficiency.

"But Ancestor, it's a troublesome matter to escort these two thousand or so rogue cultivators from the Western Sea to the Red Lantern Clan."

After all, those were over two thousand cultivators, not over two thousand donkeys.

"Yu Lou has come here hoping that the Ancestor can issue a decree to mobilize those who are usually nominally in charge of various courts, so that they can lend me a helping hand."

When Wang Yulou was doing things, he never considered himself an outsider.

In any case, Jin Mingdu is his Daoist partner, so it's just right for him to call Jin Shan "Ancestor". Since it's right, he should treat Jin Shan as a true ancestor and respect him.

Let's give it a try. If Lao Jin doesn't agree, Wang Yulou will simply have to swallow his pride and personally invite some more people.

“This is not difficult. In fact, many of the disciples of the Divine Light Immortal Venerable have been killed by you, leaving many positions vacant. A group of new people have come in, so it’s a good opportunity for them to train under your guidance.”

"It's a good opportunity for them to gain experience alongside you."

Wang Yulou's life has improved significantly, and he has reached a point where he can now mentor others.

“This time, let Mingdu come with me too, Ancestor. Besides taking up the post of a special merit hall steward, I have many other things to do when I return to the sect, and I need Mingdu’s help.”

Jinshan nodded thoughtfully and asked with a smile.

"Won't this cause you any trouble?"

How could Wang Yulou be dissatisfied with Jin Mingdu? This beauty is too clever.

"Not at all. The Master's betrothal of Mingdu to Yulou has done Yulou a great favor. How could it be causing trouble?"

Jinshan stopped smiling, turned his head, and looked towards the depths of the West Sea, his gaze somewhat deep.

The great battle between the Red Lantern Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect has been brewing for many years, and now, the strongest young prodigy of the Mangxiang lineage has also joined the fray.

The internal strife within the Immortal Alliance may begin in the northwest corner of Wunan.

What will the West Sea be like in the future?
With that thought in mind, he made up his mind.

“Yu Lou, I have accumulated quite a fortune in the West Sea over the past few years, but it’s not of much use. I’m handing it all over to you, so it can be considered as a way to help you.”

He is a Purple Mansion directly under the Immortal Alliance, and he will eventually have to leave the West Sea and Wunan. In this turbulent time, it is estimated that the future development of these industries in the West Sea will be difficult.

Why not give it all to Wang Yulou, turning our investment in him into a major bet?

Ultimately, this Dragon Tiger Immortal never only favored Wang Yulou, but also the brute who was pulling Qingrui to fight the divine light.

The divine light bestows the Dharma, and the golden mountain bestows industry.

Demonstrating potential is itself a form of strength, and the expected future returns can be realized.

However, Wang Yulou was more efficient at monetizing his wealth.

Wang Yulou naturally understood that he should be even more grateful to the Immortal Mangxiang.

If Mangxiang hadn't been striving to become a Golden Core cultivator, and if Mangxiang hadn't beaten Shenguang so badly, Wang Yulou, even as a prodigy of the Mangxiang lineage, wouldn't have received so many benefits.

"I will forever remember your kindness, Master Yu Lou."

Jinshan waved his hand and, in his unpleasant voice, feigned friendliness towards Wang Yulou.

"What gratitude or anything like that? As elders, we just hope that you will have a better future and things will go more smoothly for you, that's all."
-
Two days later, thirty miles east of Xihai Immortal City.

Wang Yulou, riding a black dragon horse, stood in the air alongside Jin Mingdu, who rode a great demon spirit bird, the Red-Nosed Golden Rooster.

Jin Shan and Li Haiping personally saw him off, demonstrating their high regard for Wang Yulou.

Below the four, flying at low altitudes were Jiuqu, Moxunzhou, Yang Duilie, and others. With Feng Jianxian and Xihai Hu dead, he didn't have many friends left in Xihai.

Further down were countless scattered cultivators, their faces blank with despair. They were surrounded by hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Western Sea Immortal City and were about to be escorted to the Red Lantern Hall.

"We must part ways eventually, Yulou. You are the child I watched grow up, and now you can stand on your own. It hasn't been easy."

"This return to the sect is the perfect time for you to soar like a bird in the sky and leap like a fish in the sea. If you perform well as a steward in the Hall of Special Merit, becoming the sect leader in the future won't be difficult."

Li Haikuo gave Wang Yulou a perfunctory compliment, and coincidentally mentioned his own name in the process, but his overall attitude towards Yulou was still very friendly.

He is the Purple Mansion of Miaofeng Mountain. The relationship between Mangxiang and Miaofeng Mountain has always been good. The fact that the Wang family, as a vassal of Mangxiang, has maintained a long-term good relationship with Miaofeng Mountain is a case in point.

Therefore, he was very polite and considerate.

“Fellow Daoist Jinshan, Yulou has always been loyal to his duties and courageous in taking responsibility in the West Sea these past few years. Whenever there is a mission, he always rushes to the forefront.”

It can be said that Yu Lou has played an exemplary role for the many cultivators of the Western Sea Immortal Alliance, as you can see.

Li Haiping is asking for a reward for Wang Yulou!

Jinshan is the ancestor of Jin Mingdu, Wang Yulou's Daoist partner, and they cannot directly exchange knowledge privately, as it would be improper to reveal it to others.

Of course, Wang Yulou did make contributions to the Western Sea.

Regardless, they definitely made contributions, and no one dares to question that.

"Oh, that's not appropriate. Yulou has already married Mingdu from my family. If I give him any more rewards, people might misunderstand and it would damage Yulou's reputation. That's not appropriate, not appropriate."

Kingsoft also went through the motions in front of thousands of people.

Yang Duilie immediately expressed his indignation.

"A true master! Perfect! Fellow Daoist Yuque's contributions to the Western Sea are evident to all!"

Over the years, Fellow Daoist Yuque has worked tirelessly day and night, at the forefront of the prosperity and stability of the Western Sea, which we have all witnessed.

If anyone has any objections to Fellow Daoist Yuque's contributions, I, Yang Duilie, will be the first to disagree!

Mo Xunzhou felt nauseous.

I, Yang Duilie, am the first to disagree!
Don't think we don't know; you almost got killed by Wang Yulou's words the other day.

Go ahead and lick it!

Suddenly, Li Haikuo looked at Mo Xunzhou and smiled kindly as he spoke.

"Xunzhou, what are your thoughts? You used to be Yulou's superior, so tell us your opinion."

Mo Xunzhou shuddered and, without hesitation, spoke as quickly as if a demon king were chasing after him.

"Reporting to the True Immortal, Fellow Daoist Yuque arrived in the Western Sea on his very first day and reported to Fengwen Court without the slightest delay."

Xunzhou witnessed firsthand how Fellow Daoist Yuque risked his life for the development of the Immortal Alliance and the stability of the Western Sea.

To be honest, Xun Zhou is more than two hundred years older than Fellow Daoist Yu Que, but from the perspective of a cultivator from the Western Sea Immortal City, Xun Zhou is far inferior to Fellow Daoist Yu Que!
Uncle-Master Li, Uncle-Master Jin, Fellow Daoist Yuque is such a talented and virtuous person, he should stay in the Western Sea! Could we please keep him here so he can serve as a role model for us for a long, long time to come!

Chen Yongzhong felt extremely disgusted and cursed Mo Xunzhou in his heart, but he still echoed him in a loud and sincere voice.

“Two True Immortals, Fellow Daoist Yuque cannot leave. If he leaves, our Western Sea will lose one of the most outstanding Immortal Alliance cultivators. If he leaves, our Western Sea will lose a role model. Can we ask Fellow Daoist Yuque to stay?”

Mo Xunzhou and Chen Yongzhong's statements were like the sounding of dog whistles. Immediately, the many Foundation Establishment cultivators from the West Sea cores present, as well as the Foundation Establishment cultivators escorting the loose cultivators, started barking like a pack of dogs at the village entrance.

"Two True Immortals, please allow Fellow Daoist Yuque to stay."

"Stay"

"I have to stay; I can't bear to leave."

The crowd was very enthusiastic, as if Wang Yulou had saved their own father; they were reluctant to let Wang Yulou leave.

Faced with this situation, Wang Yulou's expression became somewhat strained; it seemed the play had gone a little astray.
Actually, the reason wasn't complicated. Mo Xunzhou, Chen Yongzhong, and the others could see clearly that Wang Yulou was about to leave, and the two True Immortals wanted to reward him with something—his expenses for leaving Xihai Immortal City. But a reward always needs a reason.

Therefore, these people put on a grand opera, hoping to send this scoundrel Wang Yulou away as soon as possible in a lively and entertaining manner.

Whether the acting is fake or not is not important; as long as the process and emotions are on point, that's enough. As long as Wang Yulou can get out of here, that's a good thing.

After all, no one could sleep soundly with Wang Yulou, wielding the sword of the Great Elephant Purge, remaining in the Western Sea.

"Haha, Yulou, it seems you have indeed done a lot of work for Xihai Immortal City over the years. Your fellow cultivators are very reluctant to part with you."

Fellow Daoist Jinshan, you should not hesitate to recommend talented individuals regardless of personal relationships. For an outstanding junior like Yulou, an excellent member of the Immortal Alliance, merit must be rewarded!

Li Haiping stroked his ugly chin, chuckled dryly, and continued acting.

At this point, Jinshan finally 'made up his mind' and hesitantly began to speak.

"Alright, I have to consider everyone's opinions. Yu Lou has done a lot of work, so he deserves some reward."

However, Jinshan fell silent at this point.

As the group of eccentrics were somewhat puzzled, Jin Laodeng took out a low-grade spiritual artifact edict made of the skin of a great demon, bearing the seals of the Dragon Tiger True Man and the Gatekeeper True Man, from his sleeve, opened it, and read it aloud.

"Wang Shiyuque, a true disciple of the Red Lantern, hereby issues an order to the Battle Merit Court of the Western Sea Immortal City to reward merits according to their contributions."

300,000 spirit stones
Four pieces each of the seven grades and five elements of spiritual materials.
One superior-grade spiritual artifact, the Flying Kite Holder; one superior-grade spiritual artifact, the Gui Water Immortal Chariot; and one superior-grade spiritual artifact, the Blazing Sun Spirit Pearl.

Twenty bottles of Immortal Essence Elixir, twenty bottles of Purple Gold Radiance Elixir, and forty bottles of Body-Nourishing and Marrow-Cleansing Elixir are given as encouragement.

Mo Xunzhou's expression became somewhat tense when he heard about the 300,000 spirit stones. When he heard that there were four pieces of each of the seven-grade five-element spirit materials, his gaze towards Wang Yulou changed.

Upon hearing the final words, Mo Xunzhou froze in front of the two True Immortals, completely losing his composure—after all, he was a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator, and would never be a fool among them!

But he wasn't the only one who lost control of his facial expressions; many people paled in comparison to such blatant private exchanges.

Three hundred thousand spirit stones are roughly equivalent to seven hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones before the spirit stone crisis.

Four pieces of each of the seven grades and five elements of spiritual materials, that is, twenty pieces of seven grades and five elements of spiritual materials. Even at the very least, they are worth two hundred thousand spirit stones, which is equivalent to five hundred thousand spirit stones before the spiritual stone crisis.

Each of the three high-grade spiritual artifacts is worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones.
Eighty bottles of rare elixirs used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. The Immortal Mushroom Essence Pill is a general-purpose cultivation elixir, while the Purple Gold Radiance Pill is a cultivation elixir prepared for Jin Mingdu after he has established his Foundation.

Among them, the forty bottles of Body Nourishing and Marrow Cleansing Pills are spiritual pills used to cleanse and refine the bodies of Foundation Establishment cultivators, with each bottle costing around 15,000 spirit stones.
These rewards, when added together, are worth approximately 1.5 million spirit stones, roughly equivalent to the 3.5 million spirit stones before the spirit stone crisis.
Many things, even someone like Mo Xunzhou, cannot imagine unless they see them with their own eyes. They cannot imagine that the true core figures of the Immortal Alliance use the Immortal Alliance system in this way.

In the past, he thought that as a disciple of Han Song Zhenren, he was already a top figure in the Immortal Alliance. Among the second generation of immortals, his efforts, background, talent, and strength were all first-class.

It was only after meeting Wang Yulou that he truly saw the mountain.

Wang Yulou really stood up and kicked!
How could they be so reckless? How dare they?
"Yu Lou will certainly live up to the expectations of all the fellow Daoists in the Western Sea. In the future, we will forge ahead and make greater contributions to the Immortal Alliance!"

Amidst the envious, jealous, and even secretly hateful gazes of many cultivators, Wang Yulou accepted the low-grade spiritual artifact-level edict and treasured it like a precious gem.

Soon, the leader of the War Merit Court, with a grin on his face and eyes full of envy, ordered his subordinates to present Wang Yulou with the many rewards from the Western Sea Immortal City for his contributions.

In the end, Wang Yulou has only been in the West Sea for a few years. He's the kind of scoundrel who came here, married two Daoist partners, and then ran away. In such a short time, what contribution could he possibly have made to the West Sea Immortal City?

It's nothing more than him marrying Jin Mingdu from the Jinshan family, and Li Haikuo being a real person under the Red Lantern Gang.

The performance was over, Wang Yulou had received his payment, and it was time for him to set off.

"Ancestor, True Man, Yu Lou is leaving now. Please return."

The two immortals nodded slightly to Wang Yulou and then disappeared.

"Do your job well, don't have any worries, and complete the task the Immortal Venerable has given you."

This was Jinshan's advice to him.

"The journey is long. If you need any help, you can contact Kongshan of Miaofeng Mountain. She's my junior sister and a good friend of Xianmao. Now she's the sect leader, so we're on the same side. She'll help you."

This is Li Haikuo's advice to Wang Yulou.

It can be said that the two masters had a clear understanding of Wang Yulou's decision to lead more than two thousand Qi cultivators back to Hongdengzhao.

They all admired Wang Yulou's ambition.

How can someone without ambition possibly go far on the path of cultivation?

"The two immortals have already left," Wang Yulou announced loudly, channeling his magical power.

"Fellow Daoists, run! I will be waiting for you at the West Sea Causeway, 230 miles away. The first 300 people to reach the West Sea Causeway will be appointed as squad leaders and will receive two inner sect points every year thereafter."

The independent cultivators were surprised by Wang Yulou's actions, and many did not understand what he meant.

However, those like Cui Baihao, who were familiar with Wang Yulou's methods, immediately began their sprint.

Especially Cui Baihao, Wang Yulou knew him well—of course, Wang Yulou didn't really remember him.

Back then, Cui Baihao witnessed Wang Yulou organizing the horse racing track and the talisman master competition in Qingxifang. In his eyes, Wang Yulou was different from the ordinary direct descendants of powerful clans, and he greatly appreciated the 'fair and just selection'.

Within the Immortal Alliance system, there are few selection models based on "survival of the fittest," and even fewer "fair and just" competitions such as major and minor competitions.

The Immortal Alliance's rules of the game are a non-standardized Nine-Rank System hidden underwater. Wang Yulou's selection process, which gives opportunities to commoners, is actually an heresy among heretics.

But for Cui Baihao, Wang Yulou was not a heretic, but a source of hope.

There were many things he couldn't understand before, but after spending many years in the Western Sea, the situation changed.

As this area is on the outskirts of the Immortal Alliance, the independent cultivators here exchange information and have a higher average level of understanding of many things and rules than the independent cultivators in the heart of the Immortal Alliance.

Therefore, Cui Baihao vaguely understood Wang Yulou's purpose in sending them to the Red Lantern Gang from Wang Yulou's behavior of reprimanding Yang Duilie.

Therefore, upon hearing Wang Yulou's order, he desperately used his escape techniques.

Expensive protective talismans for escape techniques were thrown at them as if they were free.

Cui Baihao remembered clearly that he had met Wang Yulou twice.

One time, it was at Fuyuan Residence.

One time, it was at the racetrack.

Therefore, I have the opportunity to move forward within the faction established by Wang Yulou.

He's only 109 years old; he still has a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage!
Thousands of cultivators fly together, vying to cross the Western Sea, just to escape the sea of ​​suffering.

Wang Yulou, on the other hand, pulled Jiuqu along and promptly gave him a return gift of 200,000 spirit stones.

Li Haikuo was respectable, and Wang Yulou had to be respectable as well.

Although Old Li was just a floor tile in the Purple Mansion, he was still a Purple Mansion, and he had even helped Old Li a lot. It was appropriate to repay him with 200,000 spirit stones.

"Brother Yuque, isn't this a bit too much?"

Holding the spirit stone, Jiuqu looked troubled.

Two hundred thousand is far too much; he dares not accept it indiscriminately.

Jiuqu feared that if he accepted the favor, his master's kindness to Wang Yulou would become a mere exchange of interests.

At that point, his act of accepting 200,000 spirit stones would be considered foolish.

"It's alright. Fellow Daoist Jiuqu may not know, but Yulou has long admired True Man Haikuo."

The Wang family has many disciples, and many want to join Miaofeng Mountain, but given the current situation of your sect...
Therefore, Yu Lou thought that if the opportunity arose in the future, he hoped that a disciple of the Wang family would have the chance to become a disciple of Master Hai Kuo.

There weren't so many complicated reasons; Wang Yulou simply understood Li Haikuo's value.

Old Li's strength is indeed formidable, but he is, after all, the youngest Purple Mansion in the Red Lantern Gang.

For many years to come, Lao Li will be active on the front lines of all sorts of major events in the Red Light District—not because of his prominent position, but because he has no choice but to be the ultimate workhorse for the Lao Dengs.

Therefore, for Wang Yulou and his wife, who wanted to advance further, it was essential to cultivate a good relationship with Lao Li.

In the long run, as long as Old Li doesn't die suddenly, given Wang Yulou's resourcefulness, he'll definitely have a chance to earn back those 200,000 spirit stones.

“In that case, I’ll collect 100,000 for Master first; 200,000 is far too much.”

"I need to ask my master about the matter of becoming his disciple before I can discuss it further."

Wang Yulou was very generous, but his generosity came with conditions, and Jiuqu dared not rashly agree on behalf of her master.

"Haha, Master Haikuo has taken good care of me all these years, and I will always remember it."

Wang Yulou held Jiuqu's hand and smoothly slipped the spirit stone into Jiuqu's sleeve. He patted Jiuqu's shoulder and, as if instructing a disciple, gave him some instructions.

"If Brother Jiuqu refuses again, it's a bit disrespectful of me. Do you think I, Wang Yulou, am the kind of person who lacks vision?"

He has vision, but he's domineering.

Wang Yulou did it on purpose. He had endured for so long, progressing step by step from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. Did he have to endure it any longer?

Perhaps Wang Yulou needed to be patient in front of powerful cultivators like Mangxiang and Xuanzhuan, but in front of Foundation Establishment cultivators like Jiuqu, Wang Yulou no longer needed to be subservient.

The fact that Wang Yulou brought back more than two thousand Qi cultivators from the Red Lantern Clan was the source of his confidence.

The patriarch sent three thousand Qi Refining cultivators with the aura of the Red Lanterns into the Western Sea in order to expand the Red Lanterns' influence there. These people cannot return.

However, with so many fewer people, the Red Lantern Sect, which is already smaller than the Heavenly Serpent Sect, is at a disadvantage in terms of the number of Qi Refining cultivators at the lower levels.

Wang Yulou's return to the sect at this time, while not exactly a timely act of kindness, still had significance. Moreover, with Mang Xiang in charge of the Red Lanterns, Wang Yulou could reap tenfold rewards for doing just two tasks—similar to how Jin Shan and Li Haikuo had just agreed that he deserved a reward.

Therefore, the significance of bringing many Qi cultivators back to their sects is actually greater than simply providing timely help.

Faced with Wang Yulou's domineering attitude, Jiuqu naturally dared not continue to refuse, but repeatedly said that she would do her best to help Wang Yulou secure the opportunity for a Wang family disciple to become Li Haikuo's disciple.
-
On the outer dike of the West Sea, Wang Yulou, Jin Mingdu, Jiuqu and others had only waited for a quarter of an hour when a fast-flying Qi Refining cultivator arrived first.

Wang Yulou didn't recognize the first few people, but when the seventh person arrived, he finally recognized Cui Baihao.

He asked, feigning confusion.

"Sect Leader Cui? What brings you to the West Sea?"

Instantly, Cui Baihao's near-collapse due to rapid flight was restored to its perfect state.

No elixirs are needed, no rest is needed, and no breathing exercises are needed.

With just one sentence from Wang Yulou, Old Cui's back pain and leg soreness disappeared.

"Senior Yuque, Baihao is not worthy of the title of sect leader. I came to the West Sea to seek an opportunity to establish my foundation."

Old Cui replied respectfully, and Yu Lou nodded slightly.

"Do your job well. Although going to the front line is dangerous, the Red Lanterns will not lack opportunities. As long as you can make corresponding contributions to the sect, I, Wang Yuque, will certainly recommend you for merit!"

Wang Yulou's answer disappointed Cui Baihao, but he still echoed and pledged his loyalty, as did the others.

There is no shortage of smart people anywhere, and even more so, no shortage of people willing to improve themselves.

In fact, Wang Yulou didn't care about old friends or anything like that; he only cared about whether these people could bring him value.

If Lao Cui can survive on the front lines of the two major battles, he will naturally give Lao Cui a chance.

After waiting for about an hour, all the rogue cultivators flew to the West Sea Causeway. A few of them dared to try to escape, but they were naturally killed by the Foundation Establishment cultivators who were escorting them.

"You will join the Red Lanterns as special outer disciples. Although you will not receive the corresponding benefits, your treatment in terms of battle merits and achievements will be no different from that of ordinary outer disciples."

As long as you can perform meritorious deeds, you can exchange various cultivation-related items through the Red Lantern system.

In addition, you also have the opportunity to become inner disciples. As long as you participate in the battle on the front lines, you can get three inner disciple points every year.

Battle merits can be converted into inner sect points at a ratio of 10 to 1. Once you accumulate 50 points, you can become an inner sect disciple!

Among the inner disciples of the Red Lantern Sect, Foundation Establishment cultivators make up a very high percentage!
Now, I will appoint squad leaders. For the rest of the journey, you will travel together in squads and keep an eye on each other.

If a member of the team escapes, the other members will be implicated, and all those who escape will be wanted by the authorities.

Understand? "

Domestication and adaptation began.

Cultivators are all extremely selfish, and these rogue cultivators have even more grievances against Wang Yulou. He doesn't expect to build consensus with any ideology or shared beliefs; he only intends to construct a temporary stable order based on fear and self-interest.

First, stabilize the situation. As long as this stable situation can continue, Wang Yulou will naturally have plenty of time to gradually win over people's hearts.

When fifty of the two thousand-plus Qi Refining cultivators emerge to reach Foundation Establishment, Wang Yulou's voice will resonate powerfully on the front lines.

When one hundred of the two thousand-plus Qi Refining cultivators emerge to reach Foundation Establishment, Wang Yulou's voice will become the kind that everyone within the Red Lantern Hall must listen to.

"understood!"

The rogue cultivators gradually realized that Wang Yulou did not intend to kill them, but rather to recruit them as his dogs.

Filling in the lines at the two front lines is hellish, but isn't hunting demons in the Western Sea dangerous?
They're all the same. The demons of the West Sea have lineages, and their strength is completely different from that of the demons in the heart of Wunan. Sometimes they even deliberately seduce cultivators, and powerful demons will hide and launch surprise attacks from time to time.

Compared to being a rogue cultivator hunting demons in the West Sea, where you have to pay alliance fees to the Rogue Cultivator Alliance in order to form a team, and become an outer disciple of the Red Lantern Clan, even if you're a 'special outer disciple,' it's actually not bad.

"Cui Baihao, captain of the first team. Alright, all 270 captains have been appointed and have rested enough. Now, the next target is the inner dike of the West Sea Dike."

All teams must travel in teams. I will still be waiting for you on the inner embankment. The first one hundred teams will each receive a reward of one hundred spirit stones.

One hundred spirit stones isn't much, but the distance between the outer and inner dikes of the West Sea Causeway is only a few dozen miles. Wang Yulou's act of directly scattering ten thousand spirit stones down the dike still seems too extravagant.

The independent cultivators began a new round of pursuit in small teams, while Jin Mingdu expressed his concerns.

"This is only ten thousand spirit stones? Isn't that spending too casually?"

Wang Yulou kissed her cheek and said.

"My lady is very kind, but there's no need to worry. Just go back to the sect and ask the sect leader to settle the account. It's all a small amount."

Moreover, this money will be well spent, very well!

"Is it really worth it?"

Jin Mingdu was puzzled.
-
Advising one person to another is useless; Wang Yulou's advice to the wandering cultivators is also of limited use.

After all, in the eyes of the rogue cultivators, Wang Yulou was a different species from them; he was a damned direct descendant of the Immortal Alliance and a damned scion of a powerful clan.

However, if it's a rogue cultivator persuading another rogue cultivator, the situation is different.

Cui Baihao was trying to persuade his teammates.

"Running away is not guaranteed. Even if you are lucky enough to escape, you might still be driven to your death by the wanted notice."

Even if you manage to survive in the Western Sea until you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, you still have to join the Immortal Alliance. Once you join the Immortal Alliance, you'll still be an outsider.

However, if we join the Red Lantern Gang and reach the Foundation Establishment stage, we will become core disciples of the Red Lantern Gang, and our future development will naturally be limitless.

"Senior Yuque is kind; he has given us an opportunity, and we must seize it. Everyone, let's put in more effort and not think about running away."

(End of this chapter)