Immortal Path Space

Chapter 368: Return to Mountain Valley

When Muli inquired about the mission, Wang Hong had no real mission in mind; he simply wanted to make use of the reputation of the Blue Dragon Hall.

"This matter is confidential, and I can't disclose it at the moment. I hope you understand, Senior Muli," Wang Hong replied.

"Oh! Even I don't have the right to know?" Muli's gaze suddenly sharpened, causing Wang Hong to feel immense pressure.

"Please, Senior Muli, don't make it difficult for me. This matter has been arranged personally by the Blue Dragon Hall Master, and I can't leak any information."

Wang Hong felt that if he were to fabricate a mission out of thin air, no matter how well he did it, a lie was still a lie, and there would be flaws. It was better to simply decline. He couldn't confront the Blue Dragon Hall Master about it right now.

"In that case, I won't inquire further," Muli said.

Muli had also heard of Wang Hong being the Vice Hall Master of the Blue Dragon Hall, so he didn't want to create unnecessary trouble openly.

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior."

After Wang Hong left, he entrusted Luo Zhongjie to gather the necessary personnel and return the following day.

"East Master, I went to all the stationed points, but they are unwilling to release anyone. They say they need an order from Senior Muli himself."

Since his subordinates were already stationed in different places, he couldn't simply leave without informing their immediate superiors and obtaining their consent.

"Go inform everyone again; we'll gather here tomorrow morning and leave directly."

Since the other side was being stubborn, Wang Hong had no choice but to resort to this.

"If everyone, during this time, it seems that some people may have been recruited by other forces," Luo Zhongjie asked.

"Oh, those people?"

"Our original members should be fine, but some of the Foundation Building cultivators who joined us at those strongholds some time ago don't seem reliable anymore."

When Wang Hong was stationed at the five strongholds, quite a few Foundation Building cultivators had expressed their desire to follow him.

He had accepted them back then, but it was merely a verbal commitment with no real binding force.

"For those people, there's no need to notify them. We don't need disloyal individuals among us."

Wang Hong had no particular fondness for these former Treasure Hunters, and even if he had recruited them, they weren't of much use. They could only be counted on in a fight.

The next morning, shadows from various locations along the defensive line converged at Wang Hong's location.

Some had quietly left their barracks, while others who were stationed on the city walls had found an excuse to leave and never returned.

The defense line mainly focused on guarding the outer walls, so there was more freedom of movement within the city unless there was an emergency.

"East Master, we're back!" Yang Tiezhu and a few others returned and gathered around Wang Hong.

At that moment, Ling Shuai and his daughter, Ling Xue, also returned. Wang Hong silently counted the number of his lively subordinates.

When the number reached more than three hundred, no one else returned.

"East Master! Everyone who should have come is here. Those who didn't come won't return," Luo Zhongjie said softly, with a touch of sadness in his tone.

The ones who suffered the most in this battle were the Qi Cultivation stage members. These were the individuals Wang Hong had recruited from the Mortal Realm and personally trained and nurtured. It was heartbreaking for him to see so many of them lose their lives.

"Let's depart!"

Two Flying Boats slowly ascended, preparing to leave.

At that moment, a dozen or so cultivators flew in from the distance, shouting loudly, "Hold on!"

All of these individuals were wearing the standard purple robes of the Qingxu Sect, and they quickly flew in front of the two Flying Boats, blocking their path.

Wang Hong stepped out of the Flying Boat, thinking to himself, "They've arrived."

Standing at the bow of the boat, he raised his voice, "May I inquire what guidance Senior Brothers have for us? Please don't interfere with the important matters of the Blue Dragon Hall."

Naturally, Wang Hong understood their intentions, so he decided to use the reputation of the Blue Dragon Hall first.

"Wang Senior Brother, please forgive us! These individuals have already been conscripted for defensive duty on the frontlines. However, they fled in the face of battle, and we have the authority to apprehend them."

One of the middle-aged cultivators, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward and labeled them as deserters on the battlefield.

"Wrong! These people are all members under my command in the Blue Dragon Hall and are subject to our orders. Outsiders have no authority to conscript them!"

"These individuals are not Qingxu Sect Disciples. Where does the claim of them being members of the Blue Dragon Hall come from?"

Wang Hong then presented his Blue Dragon Hall Vice Hall Master Token to them as proof.

"This is an internal matter of the Blue Dragon Hall. You need not concern yourselves," he declared, waving his hand. "Let's depart!"

"Hehe, we'll have to offend then!" the leading middle-aged cultivator sneered.

Just at that moment, more than a hundred individuals flew in from the front, all Foundation Building cultivators, forming a fan-shaped formation as they encircled them.

"Charge!" Wang Hong ordered coldly. After losing so many of his subordinates, he was already in a bad mood, and these individuals coming to confront him were an outlet for his frustration.

Having fought their way out from a swarm of tens of thousands of beasts, this group of over a hundred people was not something Wang Hong took seriously.

With only two Flying Boats for their three hundred-plus people, it was quite crowded inside. Some of the Foundation Building cultivators were flying on their own swords.

Upon hearing Wang Hong's command, Yang Tiezhu took the lead, wielding his wolf-toothed club, charging towards the oncoming crowd.

The others also unleashed their Spiritual Weapons at the same time, and the battle between the two sides only lasted a few moments before a victor emerged.

The leading cultivator was also caught off guard by Yang Tiezhu and received a severe beating, falling from the sky. Fortunately, he managed to regain flight halfway down; otherwise, he might have become the first Foundation Building cultivator to die from being thrown.

Wang Hong's group didn't intend to kill them, as they were all Qingxu Sect cultivators. If they killed them, it would be difficult to explain later. After causing chaos among these individuals, Wang Hong's group quickly passed through and continued on their way.

After leaving for several months, they finally returned to Mountain Valley.

Wang Hong settled the newly recruited two hundred-plus Qi Cultivation cultivators in the Outer Valley and entrusted their training and management to Liu Wenlie.

These two hundred-plus individuals were all at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer or had reached the Qi Cultivation Grand Completion Realm. They were all formidable fighters, as many of the weaker ones had already perished in previous battles.

However, these newcomers, having just joined, would naturally have lower loyalty levels. They would need to undergo some trials before being accepted into the Inner Valley and becoming core members.

At the moment, their interests aligned. They followed Wang Hong for safety and access to the vital resources they needed.

In return, Wang Hong required their assistance in various tasks and would provide them with some of the resources stockpiled in the warehouses.

In reality, the relationship between most cultivators and their sects or factions was based on a similar foundation—self-interest and mutual benefit.

[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]