Chapter 1189: Wang Yingjie Promoted to Eighteen Heroes

Ye Haitang practiced ghost cultivation techniques. Ghost cultivators were not widely accepted and often faced rejection. Consequently, she normally employed formation master techniques instead of ghost cultivation methods.

With a Buddhist spiritual treasure masking her aura, few cultivators could discern her identity as a ghost cultivator.

Multicolored spell lights struck the blue mist, causing it to churn violently and rapidly diminish in size.

After a loud explosion, a streak of green light flew out, revealing a plump young woman in a green dress, a fifth-layer Core Formation cultivator.

“My name is Zhao Ruoyun. May I ask how our Zhao family has offended your Wang family, that you two fellow Daoists would attack our Zhao family’s territory?”

Wang Qingjing scoffed, “What a joke! This is clearly our Wang family’s territory. You have encroached upon it, and you still have the audacity to question us? Be sensible and leave immediately, or don’t blame us for being impolite.”

As the Wang family had just established itself in the Five Dragons Sea, they needed to project a strong image. The cultivators of the South Sea realm were known to bully the weak and fear the strong; showing weakness would only invite trouble.

Zhao Ruoyun’s brow furrowed. The Zhao family indeed could not afford to provoke the Wang family.

The Zhao family had only two Core Formation cultivators; one was stationed at their stronghold, and the other was here. Directly confronting the Wang family, the Zhao family would certainly be no match.

“What a lively scene! So many people.”

A somewhat mocking voice suddenly rang out as a team of cultivators flew in on white cranes, led by Lu Hengbin.

Upon seeing Lu Hengbin, Zhao Ruoyun let out a sigh of relief. With the Lu family’s Core Formation cultivator present, they no longer needed to fear the Wang family.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, you’re finally here! You must uphold justice for us! We were the ones who discovered this jade mine, but Madam Wang claims it belongs to their Wang family.”

Zhao Ruoyun quickly complained. The annual tributes paid were not in vain; for both public and private reasons, the Lu family had to stand up for the Zhao family.

Lu Hengbin smiled and nodded. To be frank, he was somewhat displeased with the Zhao family.

If the Zhao family had reported the discovery of the jade mine immediately, the Lu family would have claimed it, and even if word got out, the Wang family wouldn't have gotten a share. Instead, the Zhao family tried to keep it for themselves, and not only did they fail, but they also let the news leak, only reporting to the Lu family after trouble arose.

Despite his displeasure, the Zhao family was, after all, an affiliated force of the Lu family, so the Lu family still had to protect them.

No one would willingly give up a jade mine valued at five to six million spiritual stones.

Zhao Ruoyun was also somewhat frustrated. If they had monopolized this jade mine, the Zhao family’s strength could have multiplied several times within a century. Who would have thought the news would leak, involving the Wang family?

At this point, it would be a success for the Zhao family if they could even secure a share.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, let’s stop with the pleasantries. How about this: we have a sparring match? The victor takes 60% of the profits, and the loser 40%. We develop it together. How does that sound?” Wang Qingjing proposed. The Lu family’s strength was considerable, and it was unwise to engage in a full-scale battle over a jade mine. The annual rent from their market alone amounted to several hundred thousand, meaning the Wang family could earn millions of spiritual stones over a few decades.

Cooperation would be a win-win. The Wang family was currently in a period of development and should avoid large-scale conflicts with other major powers. Of course, this was also a small jade mine; for a medium-sized one, valued many times more, the situation would be different.

“A sparring match? This matter was initiated by the younger generation, so the juniors should resolve it. How about we each send out three Qi Refining cultivators for a death match? The winner takes 60%, and the loser 40%?” Lu Hengbin said with a smile. The Wang family excelled in puppet techniques. Foundation Establishment cultivators controlling several second-tier puppet beasts were rarely matched, and Core Formation cultivators were even more powerful. However, Qi Refining cultivators had limited spiritual sense, able to control at most two first-tier puppet beasts simultaneously, and not for long.

Wang Qingjing naturally disagreed, shaking her head. “Since it involves the younger generation, just Qi Refining cultivators won’t do. How about this: we each send two Foundation Establishment cultivators and three Qi Refining cultivators to spar?”

As long as their two Foundation Establishment cultivators won, the Qi Refining cultivators only needed to win one match.

“Alright, let’s do that. However, Qi Refining cultivators cannot use second-tier puppet beasts.” Lu Hengbin thought for a moment and agreed.

“Ancestor, your grandson is willing to fight for the family. I often challenge the Illusionary Demon Pagoda, and I also have spirit beasts to assist me.” Wang Yingjie volunteered. It was a rare chance to earn merit, and he naturally seized the opportunity.

Wang Qingjing nodded and assented.

The Wang family sent out Wang Xiansheng, Wang Jiyu, Wang Yingjie, Wang Yingguang, and Wang Huayong. Besides Wang Yingjie, the other four were elite disciples of the Wang family.

Zhao Ruoyun withdrew the formation and had her clansmen erect five simple arenas on an open field for Wang Yingjie and the others to duel.

As the match began, Wang Yingjie immediately unleashed a spider puppet beast, sending it charging towards the green-robed youth opposite him.

The green-robed youth, a cultivator at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, first cast a misty blue spiritual shield to protect himself.

Seeing the spider puppet beast pounce, the green-robed youth activated a Great Fireball Talisman, transforming it into a giant, water-vat-sized fireball that hurtled towards the puppet.

Boom!

With a loud explosion, rolling flames engulfed the spider puppet beast.

The green-robed youth raised a hand, and a yellow talisman shot out, transforming into a several-meter-wide earthen-yellow light barrier that covered the sea of flames.

This second-tier Earth Confinement Talisman could even trap second-tier demonic beasts, let alone a first-tier puppet beast.

The spider puppet beast’s sharp claws frantically struck the earthen-yellow light barrier, emitting dull thuds, but to no avail.

Wang Yingjie was well-prepared. He brought out a handful of shimmering green seeds, which, upon landing, quickly took root and sprouted, growing into a dozen incredibly thick green thorns that lashed out at the green-robed youth.

Heaven rewards diligence; though his aptitude was not good, he worked harder than others. He spent a significant amount of time cultivating spells, always reminding himself that his efforts would one day be rewarded.

The green-robed youth panicked slightly and quickly summoned two misty green flying daggers, sending them to intercept the incoming green thorns.

Clang! Clang!

Two dull thuds sounded as the two green flying daggers flew back. The dozen green thorns struck the green-robed youth’s spiritual shield, which vibrated with a muffled sound.

A giant, house-sized fireball descended from the sky, slamming fiercely onto the green-robed youth.

Boom!

Rolling flames engulfed the green-robed youth’s body. The dozen green thorns writhed wildly, and countless dense green sharp thorns shot out, vying to penetrate the sea of flames, where muffled thuds could be heard.

The spiritual light of the dozen green thorns surged, and they vigorously slammed into the sea of flames.

A man’s pained scream pierced the air, and the green-robed man’s head was sent flying.

At this point, the other battles had also concluded. With puppet beasts at their disposal, the Wang family cultivators gained the upper hand, achieving three wins, one draw, and one loss.

According to the agreement, the Wang family would receive 60% of the profits, and the Lu family 40%, with both families cooperating.

Lu Hengbin was not overly disappointed; acquiring 40% of the profits was still a considerable amount.

He and Wang Qingjing discussed the details of the jade mine’s excavation, deciding that each family would send a Core Formation cultivator to oversee it jointly.

After reaching a consensus, both parties departed with their respective clan members.

Wang Yingjie’s contribution this time was significant. With an opening among the Eighteen Elite, he was promoted to the Eighteen Elite based on this merit, becoming a key Qi Refining cultivator to be cultivated by the family.

He possessed a five-element spiritual root but cultivated diligently and was devoted to the Dao. He was set as an example by Wang Mengfen, who called upon the clan members to learn from Wang Yingjie.

In addition to his promotion to the Eighteen Elite, Wang Yingjie also received a Foundation Establishment Pill and a substantial amount of cultivation resources. When he reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, the family would reward him with another Foundation Establishment Pill. Combined with the spiritual stones and contribution points he had accumulated over the years, he should be able to gather four Foundation Establishment Pills by the time he reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, giving him a decent chance of advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.