Chapter 1173: Wan Yao Mountain Range

"Since you are all willing to cross the Myriad Beast Mountain Range together, wait at the market exit tomorrow at the hour of Chen. We will not wait for latecomers."

After saying this, Shen Ruirong sent a private message to Wang Qingshan: "Little friend Wang, please stay. I have something to discuss with you."

The other cultivators left one after another, while Wang Qingshan and Wang Qiuming remained.

Shen Ruirong didn't recognize Wang Qingshan and Wang Qiuming, but she did recognize the Azure Lotus mark.

Each caravan had its own mark. Generally, caravans would display the power they represented to deter potential robbers.

The Azure Lotus Immortals had a considerable reputation in the South Sea, so Shen Ruirong had naturally heard of them.

"Seniors Shen and Fang, how may I be of assistance?"

Wang Qingshan's expression was calm. The Wang Family had previously transported cultivation resources to the Central Plains cultivation world, but on a smaller scale, mostly in the hundreds of thousands of spirit stones, never exceeding a million. This was the Wang Family's first time escorting goods worth over a million.

In fact, if it weren't for the Murong Royal Clan's order, which had a strict delivery deadline, Wang Qingshan wouldn't have wanted to pass through the Myriad Beast Valley. He would have preferred to return to the South Sea and bypass it via the East Barrens, but that would definitely cause a delay.

This was the Wang Family's first collaboration with the Murong Royal Clan, and a delay in their first cooperation would leave a bad impression on the Murong Royal Clan.

"Little friend Wang, I have heard of the Azure Lotus Immortals' great reputation. Please convey a message for me: if they have time, the Azure Lotus Immortals are welcome to visit our Shen Family anytime."

Shen Ruirong said with a pleasant expression. The Shen Family's development had not been smooth in recent years. After two Nascent Soul cultivators went out on travels, their vital soul lamps within the clan extinguished, indicating their deaths in battle. Another Nascent Soul cultivator had passed away peacefully. The Shen Family was now strong on the outside but weak within, desperately needing allies.

The Wang Family was a newly rising Nascent Soul force with great development potential. The Shen Family wanted to build a good relationship with them. In fact, not only with the Wang Family, but the Shen Family was also cultivating good relationships with several other emerging powers, hoping that these allies would lend a hand when the Shen Family encountered difficulties in the future.

The Shen Family was located in the northwest corner of the South Sea, seven to eight hundred million li from the Five Dragon Sea Region. The distance was too great for direct frequent cooperation, and the Shen Family had other partners. However, expressing goodwill appropriately was not an issue.

"I will certainly convey Senior Shen's words. My Ninth Uncle and Aunt would surely be delighted to hear this."

Wang Qingshan replied politely. He had expected Shen Ruirong to say something significant, but it turned out to be just a polite remark.

The white-robed old man shifted his gaze to Wang Qingshan and said with a smile, "You must be Wang Qingshan, the registered disciple of the Carefree Sword Sovereign, correct?"

Wang Qingshan nodded and said, "That is correct. Senior Fang, do you know my master?"

"I wouldn't say I know him personally, but I've certainly heard of him! The Carefree Sword Sovereign searched all over the Central Plains cultivation world for the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor. When he couldn't find him, he challenged other Nascent Soul cultivators to sparring matches. One of my old rivals lost to the Carefree Sword Sovereign."

A smile appeared on the white-robed old man's face. Learning that his old rival had suffered a setback brought him an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Wang Qingshan smiled but said nothing. He had also heard about this. There was the Carefree Sword Sovereign in the East Barrens, the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor in the Central Plains, the Sun and Moon Dual Sages in the South Sea, and Venerable Nine Nether in the Northern Frontier. As for the Western Desert, he didn't know much.

Both the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor and the Carefree Sword Sovereign wished to spar with each other. However, when the Carefree Sword Sovereign went to the Central Plains cultivation world to find the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor, the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor arrived in the East Barrens to seek out the Carefree Sword Sovereign. Both had heard of each other's existence but unfortunately never got to fight.

"Alright, we still have important matters to discuss. You may leave now! Remember to wait at the market exit on time tomorrow."

Wang Qingshan and Wang Qiuming repeatedly agreed and then withdrew.

"Madam Shen, how confident are you about passing through the Myriad Beast Valley? It's not easy to deal with."

The white-robed old man asked with some concern.

"I've received news that the Myriad Beast Valley is currently controlled by a half-demon who holds goodwill towards humans. The internal competition within the Great Qin Dynasty has intensified. The Right Faction, led by the Prime Minister, advocates for heavy taxes on passing merchants, but the Left Faction, led by the Marquis of the West, disagrees. The border markets are all controlled by the Left Faction, and collecting heavy taxes would affect their income, thus harming the Left Faction's interests. The Right Faction is essentially taking food from the Left Faction's mouth. So, the Left Faction simply closed the market's teleportation array, reasoning that it shouldn't benefit their opponents. The entire Great Qin Dynasty is suffering as a result."

The white-robed old man sneered dismissively, "Hmph, the Great Qin imperial family relied on the Left Faction's power to seize the throne. Now that they've secured their rule, the Left Faction's influence has grown so strong that it might threaten the imperial family's reign. So, the imperial family has begun to support the Right Faction to suppress the Left. This is the consequence of an illegitimate claim to power. Just wait! The Great Qin Dynasty is bound to face trouble sooner or later."

Shen Ruirong smiled but said nothing. While the Great Qin Dynasty indeed had internal issues, with the support of the Heavenly Demonic Palace, it wouldn't descend into chaos for now.

The Heavenly Demonic Palace was the Great Qin Dynasty's foremost sect, its strength comparable to the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea. As long as the Heavenly Demonic Palace supported the imperial family, the Great Qin Dynasty would remain stable.

Early the next morning, Wang Qingshan arrived at the market exit with his clansmen on time. Several caravans were already waiting.

There were a total of twenty Core Formation cultivators, a considerable force. Wang Qingshan left three clansmen behind, so that if anything happened, they could report back to the family.

With so many caravans passing through the Myriad Beast Valley, if the Myriad Beast Valley annihilated them, it would surely incur the wrath of various major powers. This was also the main reason Wang Qingshan decided to join.

Not long after, Shen Ruirong and the white-robed old man appeared, each accompanied by over twenty cultivators and five Core Formation cultivators.

The goods they were escorting were worth at least ten million spirit stones; otherwise, Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn't have been present.

"It's time. Let's depart. We won't wait for anyone who isn't here."

With a wave of her hand, Shen Ruirong led everyone out of the market.

Two Nascent Soul cultivators, thirty Core Formation cultivators, and over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators—this was already a formidable force.

Each caravan had left some personnel in the market, so that if anything happened, there would still be people to report back to their respective powers.

After leaving the market, Shen Ruirong conjured a red jade shuttle about a foot long. As its runes glowed brightly, the shuttle expanded to over thirty zhang in length, its surface shimmering with fluctuating light, emitting a startling wave of spiritual energy.

"Everyone, get on! With the Crimson Moon Shuttle for travel, our speed will be much faster."

Shen Ruirong was the first to jump on, followed closely by the others.

With a flash of red light, the Crimson Moon Shuttle transformed into a crimson streak of light, shooting away and vanishing into the horizon.

The Myriad Beast Mountain Range stretched for ten million li, composed of tens of thousands of peaks of varying sizes, with steep terrain.

The Myriad Beast Mountain Range was perpetually shrouded in a thick white mist. Abundant with various flying and land beasts, its monster beast resources were rich. However, few cultivators dared to hunt monster beasts here for a simple reason: it was within the Myriad Beast Valley's sphere of influence.

The Myriad Beast Valley was a major power, comprising humans, demons, and sea folk, with demons holding the dominant position.