Chapter 2619: Countermeasure (No More for Today)

Qinglian Island, Wang family.

In the main hall, Wang Moshan, Sun Yuejiao, Wang Qingcheng, and dozens of other elders were discussing family matters, their expressions grim.

Several of the family's strongholds on the mainland had been destroyed by unknown forces, and many family members had inexplicably disappeared. This marked a significant setback for the Wang family on the mainland.

“We must retaliate; blood for blood. We cannot let this slide.”“Exactly, our family has never suffered such a loss before. We can’t act like nothing happened.”“But we don’t even know who the enemy is. Who do we retaliate against?”The elders voiced their opinions, with most advocating for retaliation, yet they had no idea who their adversaries were.

The perpetrators were rogue cultivators, with cultivation levels ranging from Core Formation to Soul Transformation. The Wang family had captured some of the culprits, but they were merely pawns, acting under someone else's orders. The masterminds had disguised themselves, making them untraceable.

Wang Moshan realized that the Wang family's expansion and territorial gains on the mainland had affected the interests of other powers, which was within his expectations. Sects like Xuanqing, Jiuyan, and Lengyan, among others, all had their own affiliated forces. As the Wang family expanded, these powers naturally wouldn't stand by idly. Smaller forces, out of respect for Zhenhai Palace, dared not provoke the Wang family, but these major powers were unconcerned. There were certainly many forces with conflicting interests with the Wang family, making it difficult to uncover the true culprits. It could be the work of a single force or a coalition of several. The Wang family had suffered some casualties among Nascent Soul cultivators, though no Soul Transformation cultivators had perished. Was it worth clashing violently with other forces over this? It was not. Reckless retaliation would only create more enemies. However, if they did nothing, it would give the impression that the Wang family was weak and easily bullied. These forces would then become increasingly brazen and aggressive, taking advantage of them. As the saying goes, a kind person is easily deceived, and a good horse is easily ridden. A decisive blow now could prevent countless future attacks.

“The Qian family, Xueyun Sect, Jiang family, Yun family, and Tianyu Sect are not strong. Qinglong, personally arrange for their eradication. Make sure it's done cleanly. At the same time, issue a bounty for the capture of those who killed our family members. Additionally, the family will temporarily halt its expansion. Our territory is large enough; we should consolidate our current holdings first.” Wang Moshan looked at Wang Qinglong and instructed.

These five forces each had Soul Transformation cultivators overseeing them, ranging from two to seven or eight. They were either affiliated with other major powers, had grievances with the Wang family, or had conflicting interests. Destroying these forces would require little effort. It would serve as a warning to others and also a response to the perpetrators. A high bounty would make rogue cultivators wary of targeting Wang family members. The halt in expansion was not out of fear, but because the Wang family’s mainland territory was substantial enough to be consolidated for some time.

The Wang family's Enforcement Hall had a 'Dark Hall,' specifically responsible for handling matters the family found inconvenient to deal with openly. The Dark Hall oversaw several organizations controlled by Wang family descendants, though not all members of these organizations were necessarily from the Wang family. Money makes the world go round. As long as they were willing to spend spirit stones, plenty of rogue cultivators would work for the Wang family. More accurately, they worked for the spirit stones, unaware that the Wang family was their ultimate employer, with several layers of intermediaries.

Wang Qinglong nodded in agreement; this was not a difficult task for him.

“Recall Yuanwei and the others. There’s no need to engage in direct conflict with forces that have Void Refinement cultivators. First, consolidate our current territory, make more friends, and fewer enemies.” Wang Moshan instructed.

The family's expanded territory on the mainland was sufficient. They would temporarily halt expansion and first consolidate their existing holdings. The Wang family needed time to form a community of shared interests with other forces before they could effectively counter opposing powers. In the short term, the Wang family’s allies and in-laws were not yet stable enough. Only shared interests could truly bind allies and in-laws together, and this required time; it wasn't something that could be achieved instantly by signing a few temporary agreements to form a stable community of interests.

Wang Qingcheng and the others had no objections. The other family members gradually departed, leaving only Wang Moshan, Wang Qingcheng, and Sun Yuejiao.

“Patriarch, is there no news of Seventh Brother? He’s been away for many years, hasn’t he?” Wang Qingcheng asked, puzzled.

“No, he’s probably traveling. Our manpower is limited, and Ancestor Qingshan travels extensively, his whereabouts uncertain.” Wang Moshan speculated. The Xuanling Continent was vast, the Wang family’s resources were limited, and they had few strongholds in remote areas.

After a brief chat, Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao departed.

The Tianquan Mountain Range was named for its numerous mountain springs. In the northwestern corner of the Tianquan Mountain Range lay a vast, accessible valley. Outside the valley stood a silver stone tablet inscribed with the three golden characters: “Tianquan Valley.”

This was a market established by Tianquan Palace, a powerful cultivation sect with no fewer than five Void Refinement cultivators.

Buildings of varying heights lined both sides of the street, ranging from humble stone houses to opulent palaces. At midday, under the scorching sun, a bustling crowd flowed like a river, creating a vibrant and noisy atmosphere.

Wang Qingshan strolled along the street, his gaze occasionally sweeping towards the shops on either side. He had traveled the Xuanling Continent for many years, searching for the Water of the Underworld, but unfortunately hadn't found it. However, he had managed to collect some Dharma Idol materials, acquiring some through exchange and others through fortunate discoveries. Wang Qingshan had met many Void Refinement cultivators, but most were mere acquaintances, with no deep friendships.

After about fifteen minutes, he arrived at a massive bluestone plaza spanning ten thousand mu, filled with numerous small stalls offering a diverse array of goods.

Wang Qingshan browsed, finding many interesting items. Suddenly, he quickened his pace and stopped before a small stall run by an ordinary-looking woman in a green skirt, who was merely a late-stage Soul Transformation cultivator.

Wang Qingshan picked up a light-gold ore with silver flecks on its surface and asked, “How much for this silver-tin ore?”

“Five hundred thousand spirit stones,” the woman in the green skirt replied cautiously.

Wang Qingshan didn't haggle and paid the five hundred thousand spirit stones. He circled the bluestone plaza but didn't find anything else of particular value.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see.” A familiar male voice reached his ears. Wang Qingshan looked towards the source of the voice and saw a handsome, tall, slender, and fair-skinned young man in a green robe approaching quickly, exuding an air of gentle elegance.

“Fellow Daoist Zeng, long time no see.” Wang Qingshan greeted with a smile. The young man in the green robe was Zeng Yusen, from a cultivation family known for its expertise in planting arts, with no fewer than five Void Refinement cultivators in their clan. Many years ago, Wang Qingshan had met Zeng Yusen at a gathering and was surprised to encounter him again here.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you’re here for the Tianquan Dharma Assembly, aren’t you? What a coincidence, so am I. Where’s Fellow Daoist Lan? Isn’t he with you?” Zeng Yusen asked casually, mentioning that it was Lan Fukong who had introduced him to Wang Qingshan in the first place.

“I heard many fellow Daoists would be attending the Tianquan Dharma Assembly, so I came. I haven’t seen Fellow Daoist Lan in a long time,” Wang Qingshan stated sincerely.

He hoped to exchange for the Water of the Underworld or at least gather information about it. While the Myriad Spirit Abyss contained the Water of the Underworld, his cultivation was too low, so he didn’t plan to seek it there for now.