Chapter 2603: Territorial Expansion and Encroachment

Profound Spirit Continent, Broken Cloud Mountain Range.

A streak of azure light flew from a distance. Soon after, it stopped at the periphery of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.

The light receded, revealing an azure-glowing flying boat. An azure lotus pattern was carved on its hull.

Wang Mengbin and over thirty other cultivators stood aboard, their expressions solemn.

“Yi Miao, is this the place?” Wang Mengbin asked, his spiritual sense fully extended.

“This is it. Initially, several Nascent Soul cultivators went missing. Later, two Soul Transformation cultivators entered the mountains to search for them but never returned. The Zhang family patriarch then teamed up with nine other Soul Transformation cultivators to enter the mountains. Only the Zhang family patriarch managed to break through the encirclement using his family’s treasured Wind-Controlling Ruler. That’s how we learned there’s a sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipede here,” a handsome young man in a green shirt respectfully replied.

The young man in the green shirt was tall, fair-skinned, and had a shrewd expression, giving the impression that he was not easily fooled. This was Wang Yi Miao, who was in the early Soul Transformation stage.

After the large beast tide, the Wang family shifted its development focus to the inland, continuously expanding its influence. Their inland territory grew by more than tenfold. This expansion inevitably led to conflicts with other forces. However, relying on their formidable strength, strategic alliances, and the formidable backing of Zhenhai Palace, they hadn't yet encountered any truly difficult adversaries.

For now, the Wang family avoided direct conflicts with the subordinate forces of major powers like the Xuanqing Sect. Their strategy was purely territorial expansion; they wouldn't wipe out a major force entirely, but rather 'tap' them to acquire a piece of land, a process of gradual encroachment.

Following Wang Moshan’s deployment plan, the Wang family was not currently vying for major cultivation resources such as spirit stone mines, metal ore veins, fishing grounds, or clam beds. Instead, they extensively intermarried with the leaders of other cultivation families and sects, helping allies resolve problems to gain territory. This approach garnered widespread welcome from many forces, who were eager to cooperate with the Wang family.

If they were to immediately contend for major cultivation resources, the Wang family’s development inland would not have been so smooth and would certainly face significant resistance. By simply occupying territory, the resistance was much less.

Wang Yi Miao incidentally learned of a sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipede here and immediately reported it to the family. With the Broken Cloud Mountain Range as its center, an area spanning hundreds of millions of li around it was Wang family territory, and thus the existence of a sixth-tier demonic insect was naturally unacceptable.

“Heh heh, with Ancestor Mengbin, Ancestor Yuqi, and Ancestor Zongque taking action, it’ll surely be a cinch,” Wang Yi Er chuckled, looking pleased.

He had also advanced to the Soul Transformation stage and was currently in the early Soul Transformation stage.

Wang Zongque had already advanced to the Void Refinement stage. After he submitted the Soul-Suppressing Stone, the family rewarded him with many valuable items. Coupled with his Heavenly Spiritual Root, his cultivation speed was naturally not slow.

Wang Zongque was currently in the early Void Refinement stage, having entered it less than three hundred years ago.

Hearing about the sixth-tier demonic insect in the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi led a team to eliminate it, bringing along some clan members for training and experience.

“Yi Miao, have you investigated thoroughly? There won’t be any seventh-tier demonic beasts here, will there?” a beautiful middle-aged woman with delicate features asked with some concern.

The middle-aged beauty wore a green ruqun, had an alluring figure, and a pair of sparkling, peach-blossom eyes. This was Wang Yi Mei, who was in the mid Soul Transformation stage.

“This isn’t some desolate wilderness. Before this, there were barely any fifth-tier demonic beasts here. Besides, how could demonic beasts advance to the seventh-tier so easily? If there were a Body Integration stage demonic beast, the Zhang family patriarch wouldn’t have escaped at all,” Wang Yi Miao analyzed.

“It’s better to be careful. If there’s a Body Integration stage demonic beast, none of us will be able to escape,” Wang Yi Mei said gravely.

“Caution ensures no major mistakes. I’ll go investigate,” Wang Mengbin said. A silver light illuminated his back. A pair of silver feathered wings materialized out of thin air, radiating dazzling spiritual light. With a gentle flap, he transformed into a ball of silver lightning and vanished.

“Ancestor Mengbin’s lightning escape technique is becoming increasingly refined. Even if he encounters a Body Integration stage demonic beast, he should be able to escape!” Wang Yi Er said cheerfully.

Bai Yuqi and the others remained silent, their expressions solemn.

Wang Yi Er enjoyed lively occasions and was always smiling. Many clan members knew of him.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a dazzling silver light illuminated the distant horizon. The silver light flashed, and a blinding silver thunder light appeared, revealing Wang Mengbin.

He looked relaxed, seemingly having encountered no trouble.

“Husband, what happened just now? Are you alright?” Bai Yuqi asked with concern.

“Nothing much. I was discovered by a sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipede. There are no Body Integration stage demonic beasts here, but there are two sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipedes,” Wang Mengbin said in a deep voice.

“Two sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipedes? Are you sure there are no seventh-tier demonic beasts? Can’t the treasure detect them?” Wang Yi Mei asked with some worry.

“Nothing in the world is absolute. Some demonic beasts are skilled in concealment techniques, and some can vanish into the void. Yi Miao also mentioned that there are few fifth-tier demonic beasts here, and the spiritual energy is weak. The Lightning-Fire Centipedes must have only recently advanced to the sixth-tier,” Wang Mengbin explained. He was speaking the truth, and also reminding the younger generation not to place all their hopes on treasures, as treasures can err and demonic beasts can mutate.

There are risks in everything. One might pick up a treasure when going out, or one might be ambushed and killed. One might also obtain a great opportunity, or unwittingly get caught in a battle between high-tier cultivators. Does that mean one should never go out?

“Wife, set up the formation! There are two sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipedes,” Wang Mengbin instructed.

Bai Yuqi took out over a thousand formation flags, distributing them to Wang Yi Er and the others, instructing them on how to set up the formation to trap the enemies easily.

Wang Yi Er and the others split into groups of three and flew off in different directions. Wang Mengbin’s trio also dispersed, ensuring that their clan members remained within the range of their spiritual sense, ready to intervene swiftly if danger arose.

Two hours later, the formation was set up.

Bai Yuqi took out a nine-cornered formation plate glowing with yellow light. After imbuing it with several incantations, the ground trembled slightly. Thousands of yellow light rays erupted from the earth, converging high above to form a gigantic yellow light barrier that materialized, covering an area of over a hundred thousand li.

“Yi Er, Yi Mei, you two control the formation from outside. We’ll go in and eliminate the demonic creatures,” Wang Mengbin gave a few instructions, then flew into the grand formation with Bai Yuqi and Wang Zongque.

Wang Yi Er and the others dispersed into groups of three. Wang Yi Mei, Wang Yi Er, and Wang Yi Xin guarded one of the formation’s focal points.

“It seems it won’t be long before Ancestor Mengbin and the others deal with the demonic creatures. This trip is truly easy,” Wang Yi Er was all smiles as he imbued the formation plate with incantations.

The ground shook violently. Within the yellow light barrier, grotesque ghostly faces could be seen, amidst a flickering interplay of silver lightning, crimson flames, and various other spiritual lights.

A wholly red centipede flew from a distance. It had four wings on its back, several golden spiritual patterns on its underside, and crimson eyes.

“A sixth-tier Lightning-Fire Centipede!” Wang Yi Mei was greatly startled, her expression tense.

The Lightning-Fire Centipede let out an extremely bizarre hiss. A red light soared into the sky, transforming into a gigantic centipede illusion.

As soon as the centipede illusion appeared, it opened its gaping maw and spewed a stream of crimson flames, striking the yellow light barrier.