Shangyuque

Chapter 175 Red Lantern Illuminates Weightlifting Runner-up Wang Yulou, Encounters Mu Chunze in the Wild Elephant Immortal Kingdom
Gray, formless spiritual energy circulated around Wang Yulou, like small gray snakes crawling all over his neck, arms, knees, shoulders, and even every part of his body.

The Return to Origin and True Nature Lesser Formlessness is derived from the Formless Method created by Patriarch Mangxiang. It is a standard introductory method for the top-level method that directly points to the Golden Elixir Path, but its cultivation method is very special.

Returning to the origin is one stage, returning to the truth is another stage. In this kind of small formless method, returning to the origin refers to refining the formless true essence, and returning to the truth refers to refining the formless Dharma body.

However, the formless Dharmakaya is not the same as the supernatural power of manifesting the five elements like the golden form. It is more like a special permanent characteristic. The Dharmakaya goes a step further and becomes the minor formless manifestation supernatural power that comes with the return to the origin and return to the true form—this is what corresponds to the manifestation of the five elements.

The Suspended Seal gave Wang Yulou seventeen kinds of Dao of Refinement, all of which were complete within the Foundation Establishment stage. Although there was no specific Dao of Refinement inheritance among them that could transform supernatural powers into spiritual artifacts, the corresponding Dao of Refinement techniques were all present.

In addition, Wang Xianmao, the former patriarch of the Wang clan, passed on all of the Wang clan's supernatural cultivation methods to Wang Yulou, totaling more than forty kinds.

By drawing inferences from similar cases, Wang Yulou was naturally able to understand the special characteristics of the Formless Dharma.

Compared to the Five Elements Method, the Formless Method has many correspondences and specializations, fully demonstrating the extraordinary nature of the Wild Elephant.

Wang Yulou's ancestor was able to withstand the pressure of failing to obtain the Golden Elixir five times and still manage to get to where he is today, which shows that he is quite capable.

The strength of the Formless Dharma lies not only in the unique special attacks of this special method, but also in the many characteristics possessed by its Formless Dharma Body and its advanced Formless Manifestations.

Leaving aside the ultimate formless transformation that grants immunity to damage, it has many limitations. What Wang Yulou is most satisfied with is that the formless true essence cultivated from the Returning to Origin and Returning to Truth Lesser Formless can evolve into different forms.

For a cultivator to establish their foundation within the Immortal Alliance, they must register their aura with the Immortal Alliance. This is the core and key reason why the Immortal Alliance restricts foundation-building activities.

If you commit a crime, let the Immortal Alliance's officials and stewards investigate the traces you left behind. As long as you are still within the Immortal Alliance's territory, they can hunt you down.

However, when one cultivates the Returning to Origin and True Nature to a high level, one can use the Formless True Essence to simulate different auras.

For example, if Wang Yulou encounters Lian Chengxian while traveling alone, he can mimic the aura of Yan Keyi or Guo Baichi and then kill Lian Chengxian.

Once the Immortal Alliance investigates, they will find Yan Keyi or Guo Baichi.

If Yan Keyi or Guo Baichi were truly captured by the Immortal Alliance, Wang Yulou could easily eliminate his two rivals.

You say this is too dark?

Sorry, the struggle between the Purple Mansion and the Heavenly Palace has always been like this.

Mangxiang's pot is so big that it can make 'Ten Purple Mansions' cakes.

However, the pot of the monstrous elephant was too small to accommodate Wang Jingyi, Wang Xianmao, and Wang Yulou opening the Purple Mansion together.

Ultimately, we can't treat the patriarch like an idiot. The patriarch has been wielding the trump card of the Three Purple Mansions lineage for many years, how could he not understand the essence of the Three Purple Mansions lineage?

Therefore, as long as the Mangxiang clan is still alive, the Wang family cannot reach the Three Purple Mansions of the One Lineage.

Let alone a lineage with three Purple Palaces, even two Purple Palaces are difficult to achieve.

Otherwise, why would Wang Yulou charge so fiercely?

Doesn't Wang Yulou know that restructuring will offend people?

Whether something is truly dark or dangerous is relative.

Given how precious the opportunity in the Purple Mansion was, Wang Yulou saw it and knew he had to seize it.

If you want the opportunity to enter the Purple Palace, why not seize the moment and rush to offer your loyalty? Or are you just going to sit and wait for the patriarch to grant you mercy?
If you give up because of this or that concern, you're really stupid—even stupider than Lien Sung-hsien.
-
After completing another cycle of the Returning to Origin and Returning to Truth Lesser Formlessness cultivation, Wang Yulou opened his eyes.

After only two days of cultivation, the spirit-gathering array beside him had already consumed more than ten high-grade spirit stones.

However, mindlessly piling up resources did have a good effect, and Wang Yulou's second foundation-building acupoint had been opened.

The Foundation Establishment stage is not divided into several levels; each of the twelve acupoints represents a small realm, which is further divided into three realms: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Now, Wang Yulou has only been in the Foundation Establishment stage for less than three months, but he has already opened two acupoints, making him one of the fastest in the entire world in terms of speed.

Of course, such a cultivation speed was to be expected of Wang Yulou, since he had no shortage of resources.

On his shoulders lay the responsibility of the Special Merit Hall, whose success or failure directly determined the outcome of the two major battles.

Therefore, it can also be seen that Wang Yulou carried the weight of the outcome of two major battles on his shoulders.

This burden is incredibly heavy.

As the runner-up in the weightlifting competition of the Red Lanterns—the champion is of course the great Mangxiang Ancestor. If Wang Yulou still has to worry about resources for cultivation, then the Red Lanterns should indeed lose.

However, because he was the runner-up in the Red Lantern Weightlifting Championships, Wang Yulou was often unable to stay in seclusion for long periods of time.

Of course, tasks could be delegated to subordinates, but many things still required Wang Yulou's direct involvement.

He raised his hand and touched the communication talisman outside the meditation room's array. This talisman was sent to him by Yan Kexin.

However, after reading half of it, Wang Yulou's face turned ashen.

"Easy Walk Day!"

Wang Yulou casually burned the communication talisman to ashes and began to ponder with a furrowed brow.

Before long, he took out a piece of embroidered spiritual cloth and, using the newly cultivated Returning to Origin and True Nature Lesser Formless Spiritual Qi as a pen, began to write.

"Sect Leader, the battle between the two sects is fierce."

During the all-out attack by the Heavenly Serpent Sect, Wang Rongyuan of the Wang Clan also tragically perished.

However, the Wang family has been protected by the Red Lantern Sect for generations. Now that the sect is facing a critical moment of survival, how dare they not fight with all their might?
Yu Lou learned today that Senior Brother Zou Ri intends to push the various vassal forces and families of the Red Lanterns to send Foundation Establishment cultivators to the front lines to assist in the battle, based on the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This is the key to the victory or defeat of the Red Lantern Sect. Since Senior Brother Zou Ri has offered this excellent strategy, we should implement it with all our might. Any delay may endanger the safety of the sect.

The sect leader will surely understand the implications of this. We only hope that the sect will achieve victory soon, endure for a long time, and that the Dao will prosper forever!

That bastard Yi Zouri wanted the Wang family to continue sending people to the front lines even after Wang Rongyuan had just died in battle.

This move is disgusting. Choosing to obstruct is reasonable, but it would make Wang Shi seem disloyal.

If they don't stop it, the Wang family will suffer the loss.

Wang Yulou chose to respond by expanding the scope of the response.

He's already taken away so many people's interests and benefits; he's not afraid of getting a few more lice on his body.

Ultimately, it all depends on whether Yi Zou Ri accepts the challenge, and whether the Zhu Zhao School accepts the challenge.

He was told to accept the challenge: he and Wang Yulou would act like beasts, pushing red lanterns to guide numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators onto the battlefield.

If they don't accept the challenge, the Wang family won't need to send a second Foundation Establishment cultivator to the front lines to fill the gaps in the short term.

The complexity here lies in the fact that the war was initiated by the Mangxiang faction. The outcome is not so important at the level of the Red Lanterns, but it is very important at the level of the Mangxiang faction. The Red Lanterns can afford to lose, but the Mangxiang faction cannot.

Therefore, it would be a good thing for the Mangxiang faction if more people under the jurisdiction of the Red Lantern could be brought to the front lines.

If Yi Zouri and the Zhuzhao faction reject Wang Yulou's proposal, then the Wang family can legitimately use Wang Rongyuan's recent death as a reason to delay that beast Yi Zouri's conscription.

After Wang Yulou became the runner-up in the Red Lantern Weightlifting Championships, the responsibilities he carried and the conflicts of interest he faced made it impossible for him to resolve problems in a "you all get along" manner.

Here, it still aligns with the admonition Danri gave to Wang.

The Wang family was cautious and steady, which is why their legacy has lasted for a thousand years.

However, due to their caution and prudence, the Wang family has been unable to leave the Purple Palace for thousands of years.

Whether this statement is right or wrong is another matter, but the underlying logic is realistic.

Those who fear both cause and effect are not qualified to sit at the table in this world of cultivation.
-
"My lord, do you want me to go to the northern front?"

Lin Ying never expected Wang Yulou to arrange things for her in this way.

Wang Yulou is now a renowned Foundation Establishment cultivator within the Red Lantern Sect. She thought that she would cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage as an inner disciple within the Red Lantern Sect.

Stroking the beauty's pretty face, Yu Lou smiled and said.

"Yes, go to the Northern Branch of the Hall of Special Merit and serve as an inspector."

Of course, Senior Brother Konggu is in charge of the northern route, which is the northern route of Miaofeng Mountain. You can just go there to make a show of it and hide in the back to cultivate.

However, during this process, you can also receive a stipend from the sect, and Kong Gu will probably send someone to give you some tokens of his appreciation.

Moreover, the northern front is actually the safest of the three fronts. Miaofeng Mountain has been fought for so many years. We may not win, but we certainly won't lose.

They've already engaged in a full-blown battle with the Valley God Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect.

Treat everyone equally, but not completely equally—absurd!
Note that Wang Jingyi's advice to Wang Yulou was not unfounded.

Wang Yulou's insistence on treating everyone equally meant that he was using himself as a sacrifice and bearing the pressure, ultimately benefiting others.

If Mang Xiang denies responsibility, or if things don't go well in the future, Wang Yulou will suffer a great loss if either of these two "ifs" comes true.

Therefore, we must continue to uphold the general principle of serving the public and treating everyone equally, so that cultivators on the front lines will be willing to contribute.

But apart from that, Wang Yulou couldn't completely ignore the people around him.

Red light photography is a major industry, and the internal strife within it involves more interests and is therefore more brutal.

Yi Zouri and Wang Yulou were complete strangers before, but when he attacked Wang Yulou, there was no prior communication between them. His methods were ruthless and terrifying, and he even seemed to be trying to eliminate Wang Yulou.

Although Wang Yulou rose from the bottom to the top of the Red Lantern Gang like a spring breeze, he always had a clear understanding of the intensity of the internal strife within the Red Lantern Gang; otherwise, he wouldn't have brought people from Miaofeng Mountain to help him maintain order.

In this environment, with opponents who are more ferocious than jackals and tigers, and who are always watching Wang Yulou with predatory eyes, how could Wang Yulou dare to be a naive fool?
The Red Lantern Gang has no ideals, only interests; sects are merely tools for high-ranking cultivators.

Treating everyone equally and prioritizing the common good are very important, and are closely related to Wang Yulou's personal interests and future development.

Taking care of those around him and those who will remain with him is also closely related to Wang Yulou's personal interests and future development.

This isn't a matter of wanting both, but rather a matter of having to do both things well; right or wrong is no longer an option at this point.

The meaning lies in continuing on this path.

"What if the empty valley goes too far?"

Senior Sister Lin is sensible; she reminded her.

"You've turned the Special Merit Hall's presence on the northern front into a branch, completely entrusting its management to the people of Miaofeng Mountain. What if something goes wrong?"

In response to the beauty's reminder, Wang Yulou nodded affirmatively.

The Lin family is not a large clan, but it is considered a small power within the Dripping Water Cave. Under the Lin family's tutelage, Senior Sister Lin has developed considerable skills.

"It's possible, but it won't cause any major problems. Our Wang family and Miaofeng Mountain have had a good relationship for many years."

Lin Ying immediately became anxious.

"Past relationships are past relationships, and present interests are present interests. These must be viewed separately, Yulou, you cannot be careless!"

She's right, but
"I mean, we in the Wang family, and even I, know many people on the northern front."

Minor disturbances in an empty valley are fine, but if things get serious, I'll eventually find out.

Actually, from Wang Yulou's perspective, if Kong Gu wants to make money, he can do so, as long as he doesn't incur public wrath, there won't be any major problems.

If you want the horse to run, you have to feed it. Miaofeng Mountain is under pressure from the northern route for the Red Lanterns. What's wrong with giving the Red Lanterns more benefits?
As long as the fighting continues at Miaofeng Mountain, it will be difficult for Yi Zouri or Wang Yulou's opponents to really affect him if they try to use the problems on the northern front to target Wang Yulou.

Therefore, Senior Sister Lin's dilemma still carries a hint of these 'petty' thoughts.

Although the cave is safe, it limits one's vision, and she needs to gain more experience on the grand stage of the Red Lantern.

Thinking of this, Wang Yulou gave some instructions.

"Don't investigate the accounts of the northern route indiscriminately. The Red Lanterns don't need the small reward they give to Miaofeng Mountain. Stabilizing Miaofeng Mountain and the northern route is the key."

Once you're there, focus on your spiritual practice. Accept whatever Konggu sends you—but if it's too expensive, ask me for permission first.

Hearing her husband's words of advice, Lin Ying simply nodded but remained silent.

She fiddled with the cuffs of Wang Yulou's Wanye Yongming robe, as if trying to see how the red lines were drawn.

"what happened?"

Wang Yulou asked gently.

Sister Lin hugged her newly reunited husband and whispered.

"We've only known each other for a few days, and you're leaving again, my love. I want you to stay with me a little longer."
-
Old Huang felt numb as he looked at the letter Wang Yulou had personally sent him, ordering him to build his foundation.

Wang Yulou, the fighting prodigy, is always at the forefront of internal strife—how come you're involved in everything?

Old Huang was really furious. He wanted to run away, and he thought about it every day and every night.

But he is still the leader of the Red Lantern Gang, appointed by Mang Xiang. He still has to respond to the demands of Wang Yulou, a core figure of the younger generation of Mang Xiang's faction.

There have been internal conflicts within the Red Light District in the past, but never nearly as intense as this.

However, it wouldn't be appropriate to blame Wang Yulou. The core reason was ultimately Mang Xiang. When Mang Xiang started the war, Wang Yulou used the war as an excuse to seize power for him, which made everyone at the Red Lantern Group dissatisfied.

After reading the letter twice, Old Huang sighed deeply and flew up Mangxiang Mountain again.

“Master, this is a difficult matter. There are no major problems on the front lines right now, so we should maintain our strategic focus.”

The sects have not yet sent any Foundation Establishment cultivators to the front lines; they are the reserve force for a protracted and normalized war between the two sects.

Acting too early is too rash. Junior Brother Yulou is still too young and acts too impulsively.

Of course, Yi Zouri wasn't a good person either. The Wang family had just lost Wang Rongyuan, and he already wanted the Wang family to continue sending people to the front lines. Only a beast like Yi Zouri would do something so callous.

Old Huang's words were roundabout and unclear, and Xuan Zhuan couldn't understand what he meant. It sounded like he was blocking his own decision-making space.

Of course, he wouldn't be affected by these words, nor would he be angry with Lao Huang.

Xuan Zhuan is aware of the difficulties Huang Qiusheng faces.

But now no one can replace Anthony Wong. Although Anthony Wong was appointed by Mang Xiang, in terms of status, he is, after all, a member of the Wong family, and is somewhat of an 'outsider'.

Given the current situation, if Lao Huang leaves, the Mangxiang lineage will inevitably lose its position as sect leader.

“I know it wasn’t easy for you, but Yu Lou’s response was actually quite good.”

"So, give this letter to Yi Zouri and let Jinxian have a headache!" Xuan Zhuan instructed.

Old Huang understood.

The idea that wars will eventually end is pure nonsense; not a single word from that scoundrel Xuanzhuan's mouth is true.

The Mangxiang lineage is neither afraid of internal strife nor war, and there is only one reason to explain this—the patriarch's golden elixir was guaranteed to be formed!
Considering the alliance between Qingrui and Mangxiang, the purpose of the patriarch's war becomes even more questionable.

Could this really be the prelude to a civil war within the Immortal Alliance?

Thinking of the terrifying scene where even those from the Purple Mansion would risk their lives in the civil war within the Immortal Alliance, Huang Qiusheng suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.

Those despicable creatures like Wang Yulou and Yi Zouri, when they see danger, think of opportunity.

But now Lao Huang has figured it out, he's come to understand that his talent is probably only enough to be a dog in a prosperous era.

When the Immortal Alliance is in turmoil and power is reshuffled, the Huang family may be finished, let alone Anthony Wong.

Follow the mad elephant?
The weakest Immortal Venerable was formerly Divine Light, and will become Wild Elephant. Following Wild Elephant, what future do they have in the Immortal Alliance's internal wars?
A month after Wang Yulou arrived at the two front lines, the Red Lantern Special Hall of Merit was finally officially established.

Don't get me wrong, this time isn't slow, it's unbelievably fast.

To put it simply, the Red Lanterns directly control the central and southern lines. The central line has more than 11,000 cultivators, among whom the ratio of Foundation Establishment cultivators to Qi Refining cultivators is approximately one to seven.

There are about 1,400 Foundation Establishment cultivators and nearly 10,000 Qi Refining cultivators. Among so many cultivators, there are many who want to go to Hedong and want to control their own destiny. They are very difficult to manage.

Therefore, Yan Keyi, who guarded the central line, did a very good job. He was able to keep the front line from collapsing, which is already quite impressive.

The special Hall of Merit that Wang Yulou prepared served nearly 20,000 cultivators from the central and southern routes combined, and also involved the issue of settling accounts with the branch halls in the northern route.

Furthermore, among these cultivators are true disciples of the Red Lantern Cult, inner disciples of the Red Lantern Cult with established backgrounds and connections, and core disciples dispatched by local powerful factions within the Red Lantern Cult to assist in the battle. Treating everyone equally and prioritizing the common good—these eight words sound simple, but the coordination involved is incredibly difficult. Even many less skilled cultivators at the Purple Mansion level might struggle to manage it effectively.

Otherwise, the front lines of the Red Light District would not have been divided into three lines: north, central, and south, thus dispersing the management pressure.

The establishment of the Special Merit Hall system, from the confirmation of war merits to internal supervision, to the method of redemption, to ensuring that no one can easily exploit loopholes—exploitation is inevitable, and none of these aspects are simple.

All of these complex tasks require tremendous determination and perseverance to accomplish.

In this matter, ability alone is no longer important, because without ability, one will certainly not succeed; having ability only makes things a little easier.

Why did Wang Yulou apply extreme pressure in Nan Ye Kingdom back then?

Without showing determination, he cannot continue as a deacon of the Hall of Special Merits!
With half of his body wrapped in white cloth, Cui Baihao tremblingly fell from the sky and landed outside the Jade Palace.

There were many people in front of the Jade Palace, all there to exchange their war merits for goods.

The recognition of meritorious service in the Hall of Special Merit can be done by guarding the passes on the three fronts. The northern front is outsourced to Miaofeng Mountain, the central front is handled by An Hening, and the southern front is handled by Gu Tongming.

However, the final battle merits can only be redeemed at the Jade Palace.

The power to distribute grain was delegated, but the grain still had to be collected under Wang Yulou's watchful eye. This design was Wang Yulou's way of 'giving back' to the third-line garrison cultivators and the two safety nets in the Hall of Special Merits.

It's not good to have all power in your hands. Having a safety net, coupled with proper supervision (not neglecting it), can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Cui Bai had no idea what was so special about the Special Merit Hall's system. He only cared about how to get rid of the identity of 'Divine Light Poison' and whether he could exchange his battle merits for Foundation Establishment resources.

In front of the Jade Palace, there were many guiding cultivators, most of whom were transferred from the Dripping Water Cave, and the rest were from the Wang family.

These people are all Wang Yulou's men.

He was able to stand at the center of the red lantern stage, not just because of the patriarch's high regard.

Seeing that Cui Baihao looked like he had just lost half his life because of the Red Lantern and that half of his body was wrapped in white cloth, a junior cultivator in the Qi Refining stage hurriedly went up to greet him.

"Senior, are you here to exchange for battle merits?"

"Correct."

"Come, you need to report your identity here first. There are four main points: which garrison you belong to, the faction you belong to, your name, your position on the front line, and the number of battle merits recognized by both sides."

If you have any objections to the battle achievements recognized by both sides, you can apply for the Special Merit Hall to intervene in the investigation. The investigation will provide you with a preliminary result within fifteen days.

The battle merits recognized by both parties refer to the battle merits given in the battle merit recognition document jointly issued by the assistant managers of the garrison and the Special Merit Hall.

The negotiation involved involves both concessions and risk-sharing.

Of course, Wang Yulou was also aware that even though he had given the high-ranking officials on both fronts the opportunity to make money, they would still take more than their share.

Therefore, he set up a special fast appeal channel, hoping to increase the focus on maintaining fairness in the system construction—Wang Yulou really hoped that the red light team could win.

"What if I apply for an investigation within fifteen days, and end up being sent to the front lines and killed during the investigation?"

A Qi cultivator standing beside Cui Baihao, who believed in "my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens," heard the introduction of the young Qi cultivator and asked a question.

"Once someone applies for an investigation, the front line to which the applicant belongs will be changed. For example, if a cultivator on the southern front applies for an investigation, they will be transferred to the central front, and the same applies to those on the central front."

Furthermore, besides being a steward of the Special Merit Hall, Senior Yuque also serves as a frontline inspector. If anyone dares to harm a cultivator who has contributed to the sect, Senior Yuque will not let them get away with it.

Before the Jade Palace, the cultivators who came to exchange their battle merits were immediately intrigued.

Many cultivators belonging to the southern route unanimously expressed their desire to apply for an investigation and to go to the central route.

Pi Lingxiu, that beast who guards the southern front, is outwardly loyal but inwardly rebellious. He deliberately inflates the losses suffered by the Red Lanterns on the southern front by launching an offensive, thus attempting to achieve his delusion of harming Mang Xiang.

However, his ambition—no, it can't be called Pilingxiu's ambition—is the reason for starting the war; it's too complicated to say who should be blamed.

If we blame only on the monstrous elephant, then isn't the Immortal Alliance's animalistic system flawless?
If the Immortal Alliance has problems, then is the stability it has maintained for thousands of years really so worthless to ordinary people and cultivators at the bottom level?

Moreover, with so many Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Red Lantern Sect, if they don't wage war to deplete their resources, the Red Lantern Sect's future development will face serious problems. From this perspective, Mang Xiang's attempt to force the sect to support him in starting a war is not so 'simple' after all.

In short, amidst a mess, Pi Lingxiu committed another great sin against the lower-level cultivators of the Red Lanterns in the south.

Therefore, the monks on the southern route wanted to move to the central route.

Many people wanted to run away, and the area in front of the Jade Palace was in complete chaos. Wang Yulou sighed, but he wasn't too worried.

The Qi-inducing cultivator who was leading the way spoke again.

"Note that if the investigation finds no problems, you will need to pay a survey fee of eight thousand spirit stones to the Jade Palace!"

It's quiet now.

Of the eight thousand spirit stones, Wang Yulou took none, turned over four thousand to the public account, and distributed the remaining four thousand to the garrison posts to which the transferred cultivators belonged.

To avoid suspicion, he has already seized enough power.

Beyond the powers of allocation and oversight, the most powerful power is the power of appointment, but that power belongs exclusively to the high-ranking monks of the Red Lantern Cult.

It can be said that with the two battlefields divided into three sections under the command of the Zhenshouguan, Wang Yulou had implicitly taken the position of the actual controller of the front line.

Under these circumstances, Wang Yulou dared not go any further.

Going any further might truly mean certain death.

Don't be greedy!
Wang Yulou is not yet capable of pursuing the enemy with the remaining strength.

Old Cui had no intention of changing his service line; he was simply there to exchange items.

The redemption list for the Hall of Special Merit ultimately failed to achieve complete 'equal treatment'.

However, Wang Yulou's efforts were not in vain; the exchange authority of the Special Merit Hall was divided into two levels.

The first level is the level of ordinary, low-level cultivators, which is naturally available and can be exchanged for the vast majority of resources.

The second level consists of inner disciples of the Red Lanterns, core disciples of Red Lanterns' affiliated forces, and can exchange for all resources.

As long as you can accumulate 300 battle merits, you can directly advance from level one to level two.

In addition, thanks to Wang Yulou's insistence and in order to maintain the overall interests of the Red Lanterns, the Hall of Special Merits also made a special list for some scarce resources.

To exchange for special supplies, you need special battle merits, namely, kills.

This is to guard against people like Lin Ying, who was appointed as the inspector of the Special Merit Hall of the Northern Front, who are on the front lines but not fully engaged in frontline work.

Lin Ying does nothing all day and can earn 100 battle merits a month. There are quite a few cultivators like her. If they are allowed to run away and embezzle, the Red Lantern Gang's fortune will be emptied.

Why is it said that Wang Yulou's position is difficult and his task is arduous?
The difficulty lies here: with great power in his hands, too many people are watching, too many forces are involved, and too many interests are pressing down. Only he himself knows how much pressure lies beneath the glory of being the first person on the front line.

The difficulty in establishing the Hall of Special Merit is evident from this complex and convoluted exchange system alone.

On the other side, Cui Baihao was not satisfied after reading the list, so he looked at it again carefully.

This was the first time in his life he had ever seen a red lantern photo.

Da Zong's arrogance made Old Cui feel a little dizzy, but he still didn't forget why he had come.

"Um, young fellow Daoist, I'm from the Western Sea, um."

The Qi Refining cultivator who was guiding Old Cui immediately noticed something and asked.

"Special outer disciple, inner sect points, right?"

"Yep!"

"That's right, you can exchange ten battle merits in the Hall of Merit to get one inner sect point."

"You mean you don't need to use battle merits to exchange for points, but you can still accumulate points by only using battle merits?"

Unexpectedly, things turned out this way. Cui Baihao was so excited that he could hardly speak.

"Senior's understanding is correct!"

Old Cui immediately burst into tears, the tears flowing freely as if they were free.

Having been in the world of cultivation for many years, I have reached the peak of Qi Refining and have faced so many life-and-death situations.

Finally, finally.

The Qi Refining cultivator was startled and asked cautiously.

"What are you doing?"

"I can never repay Senior Yuque's kindness in this lifetime!"

Wiping away his tears, Old Cui used his meager battle merits to exchange for several base materials for talisman making.

"Why don't you get some elixirs to treat your injuries? The treatment provided by the garrison is ultimately just basic treatment."

The beasts illuminated by the red light are everywhere, from top to bottom.

We need you when we fill in the lines; you are the great heroes who protect the red light.

But don't expect the Red Lanterns to heal you if you get injured—protecting the sect is the responsibility of every cultivator under the Red Lanterns' jurisdiction!

"Oh, I'm fine now. I just don't want to go to the front lines again anytime soon, hahaha, don't tell anyone else."

Old Cui chuckled and said.

He had met Wang Yuque once and witnessed Wang Rongyuan's death, making him a 'witness' that Wang Yuque needed.

Therefore, in the short term, the garrison commander had no intention of sending him to fill in the lines again.

Otherwise, how could the garrison not know whether his injuries had healed or not?
That's why Cui Baihao said that he could never repay the kindness of Senior Yuque in this lifetime.

Wang Yulou showed no pity for anyone; after all, he himself was struggling.

But the changes he brought about have actually altered the fate of many people.

Cui Bai is neither the first nor the last.

For example, the Qi Refining cultivator who helped him exchange for battle merits was named Li Changming, and he was also Wang Yulou's direct subordinate.

The ordinary martial artist from that river bend village who was once at the Acquired Realm has now entered the Qi Induction Realm.

Born at the very bottom of Drip Cave, but pulled by Wang Yulou, he entered Jade Palace, entering the very edge of the Immortal Alliance system.

The ups and downs of fate that Li Changming experienced were completely incomparable to those of Cui Baihao.

Deep within the Jade Palace, Li Changming, who had been busy all day, met Wang Yulou.

"Ancestor, Changming has arrived."

The fact that this martial artist was of five spiritual roots aroused Xiao Xiu's excitement, so he knelt down and started kowtowing repeatedly.

Wang Yulou raised his hand to stop his self-harm.

For some reason, this infectious disease of people banging their heads on the ground whenever they see Wang Yulou seems to be getting worse.

"Changming, you did a good job."

However, let others handle the task of guiding cultivators to exchange for battle merits.

I need someone to follow me and do tasks like relaying messages and passing on information.

Li Changming hadn't expected such a wonderful job. He was about to agree when he remembered someone else.

"Ancestor, Senior Qin is waiting for you at the River Bay Fishing Port. Why don't you bring her here to serve you?"

Bold, yet loyal and compassionate.

Li Changming was recommended to Wang Yulou by Qin Churan. Back when the power struggle took place in Dishuidong, Wang Yulou had him appointed as the "vanguard to overthrow Cui Dingyi".

Therefore, his benefactor was Qin Churan, the little Qin who seemed most like an extra among Wang Yulou's many Daoist partners.

Although I've only been away from Drip Cave for three years, the things that happened there now seem like a joke.

At that time, Wang Yulou had just come into contact with the internal strife of the cultivation world and was in the stage of not understanding the rules and gradually adapting.

However, things have changed now, Xiao Qin.
"Alright, just do your job. Once you've mastered Qi, I won't be bossing you around every day!"
-
West of the Western Sea lies the land of immortals.

Compared to the Immortal King Palace that Nan Yeke built in the Nan Ye Kingdom, the Immortal King Palace in the Immortal Kingdom is quite different.

The palace walls were made of purple heart rock, which was of the seventh rank; the path stones were made of flowing red copper, which was of the sixth rank; and the pillars were made of wood, which was of the fifth rank.

As a top-tier power in the world on par with the Immortal Alliance, the Immortal Kingdom's Immortal King Palace far surpasses the grandeur of the Immortal Alliance's Qingyuan Immortal City.

Here, even wild elephants dare not display their supernatural powers; they walk properly.

Of course, Mang Xiang is a quasi-immortal, so he can't really walk on his own two feet. That would be too undignified, even ridiculous. It's not about being low-key, it's about being laughable, since he is about to prove his Golden Core.

Wang Yulou always rode black dragon horses, but Mangxiang's mount was certainly not on the same level as Wang Yulou's. He rode a Chongming bird, a Chongming bird of demon general level.

The Chongming Bird gently flapped its wings, carrying the Mangxiang, and followed the palace guards of the Immortal King Palace. Soon they entered the main hall of the Immortal King Palace, the Immortal King Hall.

“Immortal Lord Mang has traveled a great distance of 100,000 miles to personally visit the Immortal Kingdom. In an instant, I have prepared a small feast on behalf of the King. I hope the Immortal Lord will not be offended by the lack of preparation.”

A crisp and resonant voice came from inside the Immortal King's Palace. Along with the voice, the Immortal Kingdom's Prime Minister, Shunmu Zhenren, came out to greet Mangxiang.

This humanoid creature had a gray catfish head, and its large, slimy body was adorned with dozens of tiny, egg-sized eyes.

Standing at the entrance of the Immortal King's Palace, its body could fill half of the ten-zhang-high gate, making it extremely enormous.

"Fellow Daoist Shunmu, please don't mock me. I'm hardly some kind of Immortal Venerable."

For thousands of years, no one in the Purple Palace has been able to achieve the Golden Elixir using the new method.

Whether I can achieve the Golden Core stage depends on the King's decision, hahahaha.

Mangxiang jumped off the Chongming Bird and bowed to Shunmu in response, repeatedly expressing his respect for the Immortal Kingdom and the Immortal King.

Behind him, Danri also regained his form and obediently followed his master into the Immortal King's Palace.

"Haha, actually I have a surprise for you today, something extraordinary, something extraordinary."

Shunmu's tone was very natural; he was indeed not at all cowardly or reckless.

Calling Mang Xiang "Immortal Mang" is purely out of politeness.

"Oh? What surprise?"

Mang Xiang asked with a smile.

"Delicious food! A rare find in this vast world!"

However, upon seeing the banquet prepared in the center of the Immortal King's Palace, Mang Xiang was genuinely stunned for a moment.

In this world, the vast majority of cultivators do not know that the Immortal Kingdom, though called an Immortal Kingdom, is actually a demon kingdom, and is the same as the demon gods of the Western Sea.

But in the center of the Immortal King's Palace, a demon general was placed as food.

Moreover, the demon general's chest and abdomen had been torn open, but he was still alive, and his eyes could still move.

It seems they intend to let the wild elephant eat them alive, to get the freshest food.

"Cutting and eating deer meat at the same time is indeed an extraordinary dining experience."

You could search the whole world and probably wouldn't find another place like it.

"Fellow Daoist Shunmoku, you're very kind."

(End of this chapter)