Chapter 1355: Training Troops

Green Lotus Island, Five-Dragon Sea.

Inside the meeting hall on Green Lotus Island, Wang Qingshan and others were gathered, smiles gracing every face. In this conflict, the Wang family suffered minimal losses but achieved immense gains. Of the 150 islands involved, the Wang family acquired 60. The Lu family exchanged 65 islands with the Wang family, which effectively created a strategic distance between the two families and made it easier for the Lu family to defend their territories. Meanwhile, the Ye family provided the Wang family with a large quantity of clam pearls and placed an order for a batch of puppet beasts.

Ye family cultivators had personally witnessed the power of the Wang family's puppet beasts and were filled with admiration. They promptly advised their elders to purchase puppet beasts from the Wang family. While the Ye family had some knowledge of puppetry, their crafting skill was not high. The puppet beasts they created were usable, but they paled significantly in comparison to those of the Wang family. Specialization is key in any craft. Since the Ye family was not proficient in puppet crafting, they opted to spend spirit stones to acquire them. Given that the two families were connected by marriage, the Wang family was also willing to sell a batch of puppet beasts to the Ye family.

"This battle was fought well. Qingjing, Qiuming, and Huaxing all performed admirably. Family Head, what is the situation in the Fiery Pig Sea?" Wang Qingshan offered a simple compliment before inquiring about the situation in the Fiery Pig Sea. For the past six months, they had been fighting in the Golden Clam Sea and were unaware of developments in the Fiery Pig Sea.

"Ancestors, after you commenced battle in the Golden Clam Sea, the conflict in the Fiery Pig Sea escalated. Several major forces allied to attack the headquarters of the Golden Saber Sect. The Golden Saber Sect is in grave danger." Wang Mengfen stated truthfully that the Golden Saber Sect originally had three Nascent Soul cultivators. After the vice sect leader perished, only two Nascent Soul cultivators remained, making them an easy target. Competition in the South Sea is fierce. As soon as a force weakens, other powers will swarm in to divide its territory and cultivation resources. The law of the jungle is vividly demonstrated in the South Sea cultivation world.

Wang Qingshan frowned, puzzled. "How can this be? The Golden Saber Sect still has two Nascent Soul cultivators. How could other forces be so united? This goes against common sense!" It wasn't surprising that other forces would unite to attack the Golden Saber Sect, but if they were truly uniting to destroy it, that would be highly unusual. The Golden Saber Sect's ability to establish itself in the Fiery Pig Sea was largely due to Venerable Golden Saber, whose strength was considerable. For other forces to be so unified, it would imply that the Golden Saber Sect possessed some rare cultivation resource, one so valuable that even Nascent Soul cultivators would be tempted by it. Only then would such concerted effort make sense.

"Wealth stirs hearts. According to reliable information, the Golden Saber Sect acquired the remains of a fourth-order flood dragon in the Five-Dragon Secret Realm. Venerable Golden Saber refined them into a puppet beast. Other forces are after this puppet beast. If Venerable Golden Saber does not hand it over, the Golden Saber Sect will likely face annihilation." The skeletal remains of demonic beasts can be refined into puppet beasts. Such puppets are generally inferior to traditional puppet beasts, though their quality depends on the refiner's skill and the materials used. A puppet beast crafted from the remains of a fourth-order flood dragon would possess power comparable to that of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. With only two Nascent Soul cultivators remaining, the Golden Saber Sect, even with the puppet beast, effectively has the strength of three Nascent Soul cultivators. If other forces were to stand by, the Golden Saber Sect, once strengthened, would inevitably absorb other factions. This was a certainty.

"The remains of a fourth-order flood dragon? The Golden Saber Sect is truly lucky," Wang Qingling said with an envious tone. If the Wang family had acquired this fourth-order puppet beast, their strength would have doubled.

Wang Qingjun pondered for a moment, then suggested, "Seventh Brother, why don't we also join the siege of the Golden Saber Sect? Even if we can't conquer it, securing some benefits would still be worthwhile." The Golden Saber Sect's current predicament could easily lead to its annihilation, making this a highly profitable venture.

Wang Qingshan looked at Ye Haitang and said, "Haitang, what are your thoughts?" After forming her Golden Core, Ye Haitang had become more taciturn, but many of her insights were unique.

"Family Head, Elder Brother, Elder Sister," Ye Haitang began, "let me propose a bold hypothesis: if the Golden Saber Sect is destroyed, who will be the biggest beneficiary? How much benefit could our Wang family truly gain?" Ye Haitang did not answer directly but posed a question instead. The Golden Saber Sect's territory was over five million *li* away from Green Lotus Island. At such a great distance, even if the Wang family acquired some territory, they would be unable to provide support if conflict erupted in the Fiery Pig Sea.

"If the Golden Saber Sect is annihilated, the greatest beneficiaries would be the several forces within the Fiery Pig Sea," Wang Qingjing analyzed unhurriedly. "At most, we would acquire some resources. Even if we gained some territory, it would be difficult to defend. Once those forces assimilate the Golden Saber Sect, they will become even more powerful. Our Wang family occupies a rather unique position, and if these forces grow stronger, they will inevitably pose a threat to us." Her analysis was well-reasoned and logical.

"If we oppose the Golden Saber Sect, other forces might simply view us as opportunists snatching spoils. It would be better to help the Golden Saber Sect instead. We don't have any deep animosity with them, so why not assist them in resolving this crisis? Of course, we should also demand some benefits in return. This would also be an opportunity to gauge the attitudes of other forces towards our Wang family." Ye Haitang added that if the Wang family joined other forces against the Golden Saber Sect, they would gain little but earn a reputation for kicking someone while they're down. If the Wang family helped the Golden Saber Sect overcome its crisis, not only would they maximize their benefits, but they would also gain a good reputation.

"Haitang is right," Wang Qingshan declared. "We will make a trip to the Fiery Pig Sea to help the Golden Saber Sect resolve its crisis. Tenth Sister, Twelfth Brother, Youwei, Mingyue, and Jiyun, you will accompany me to the Fiery Pig Sea to meet with the other forces. Everyone else will remain to guard the family." Wang Qingshan gave his orders, primarily intending to use this opportunity to temper his clan members and enhance their practical combat experience.

"Qingshan, I also wish to contribute to the family," Wang Changjie volunteered. His seniority was second only to Wang Changsheng's, but he did not want to be seen as useless and sought to prove himself through this opportunity. "Venerable Wang, I also wish to contribute to the family." "Ancestor, your grandson also wishes to serve the family. I hope you will grant my request." Chen Xudong and Ye Zhongren also eagerly volunteered to join the expedition. Chen Xudong wanted to prove himself, as did Ye Zhongren. With a rare major battle erupting, they naturally hoped to achieve meritorious deeds.

"Very well, you may come with us!" Wang Qingshan stated in a deep voice. "All actions must follow my commands; offenders will be severely punished without mercy." It was rare for them to show such eagerness to serve the family, so Wang Qingshan naturally wouldn't dampen their enthusiasm.

"Understood!" Wang Changjie and the other two agreed, their faces alight with joy.

Half an hour later, Wang Qingshan and his group gathered in a vast bluestone plaza, where fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators had already been waiting. Wang Qingling released the Ice-Wind Flood Dragon. It had grown to over fifty *zhang* in length, its body significantly larger, though it remained a mid-grade third-order beast. It was not easy for a flood dragon to advance in rank, but fortunately, its escape speed had increased considerably. Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingling leaped onto the Ice-Wind Flood Dragon's head, while the other cultivators successively flew onto its back. The Ice-Wind Flood Dragon soared into the sky, quickly transforming into a streak of white light that vanished into the horizon.