Chapter 269: Frontline Battle

"Oh, that reminds me, during our recent outing, we acquired a sword cultivation technique that can be cultivated up to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. Qing Shan, you can switch to this sword art. You won't need to change your cultivation method until you reach Core Formation."

Wang Changsheng took out the jade slip containing the Azure Moon Sword Art and handed it to Wang Qingshan.

Wang Qingshan was immediately delighted. He thanked him, took the jade slip, and began examining it carefully.

"Qing Shan, you haven't reached Foundation Establishment yet. First, copy the cultivation methods for the Qi Refining stage. Once you've memorized them, burn the copy. Eighteenth Brother, keep the jade slip safe."

Wang Qingshan copied the Qi Refining cultivation methods and then handed the jade slip to Wang Changhao.

"By the way, Elder Brother, is Qing Qi still studying alchemy at the Hundred Spirits Sect?"

"He came back a long time ago. Not long after you left the family, Changping personally brought Qing Qi back. His alchemy skills are excellent; he has already trained two first-rank low-grade alchemists for the family. Besides automaton beasts, artifacts, and spirit grain, the most profitable items for our family are the elixirs Qing Qi refines."

Wang Changfeng's words showed clear affection for his nephew, Wang Qingqi.

"Elder Brother, I'm also very capable, you know! I can now set up second-rank formations. If my cultivation were a bit higher, I could set up even more powerful formations. When that happens, who would dare bully our Wang family?"

Wang Changyue said seriously, tossing half a pastry into her mouth.

Wang Changfeng smiled and nodded in agreement, "That's right, the family's defense will depend on you in the future."

They chatted for a while before each went about their business.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan first went to see Wang Mingyuan and Liu Qing'er. The old couple were overjoyed to see their son and daughter-in-law return safely.

Wang Qingqing had grown quite a bit and her personality was more lively, but Wang Qingzhi remained unchanged, taciturn. He could barely utter ten sentences in half an hour while chatting with Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

Back at their residence, Wang Ruyan said to Wang Changsheng, "Husband, since those scoundrels dared to attack the Wang family, they might also attack Wang Family Fort. Would you accompany me back to Wang Family Fort to check on things?"

"You don't need to ask; I would do so anyway. Let's rest tonight and depart tomorrow."

The next day, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan left the Azure Moon Mountain Range and headed straight for Wang Family Fort.

To Wang Ruyan's great relief, no scoundrels had attacked Wang Family Fort. Wang Shuyuan had led some of the clansmen to the front lines, while Wang Shuming remained to guard Wang Family Fort.

The couple stayed at Wang Family Fort for a few days, then returned to Azure Moon Market for cultivation. Family affairs were temporarily managed by Wang Changhao and Wang Changfeng.

In the Chu Kingdom, on an endless green grassland, thousands of cultivators were locked in battle.

Wang Mingjiang controlled four second-rank automaton beasts, besieging a middle-aged man in black combat attire.

The middle-aged man was at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment. A dim black light screen enveloped his body, and his face was slightly pale.

Wang Mingjiang sneered, then conjured another second-rank automaton beast, which became the final straw that broke the middle-aged man's defense.

With a scream, a thick golden light beam destroyed the black light screen and pierced through the middle-aged man's chest. He fell. A blue eagle automaton emerged from high in the sky, seized the corpse, and quickly flew back to Wang Mingjiang.

After Wang Mingjiang collected the valuables, he threw a fireball to incinerate the body, a highly practiced act.

Several years ago, he was ordered to lead a group of clansmen to the front lines to fight against demonic cultivators. With multiple second-rank automaton beasts, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match for him. If he encountered powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators, he could hold his own with his few second-rank automaton beasts and a set of flying swords.

Wang Mingjiang never provoked cultivators above the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Slowly, he gained a certain reputation.

After slaying his enemy, Wang Mingjiang controlled five second-rank automaton beasts to help Wang Shuyuan deal with a black-robed youth.

The black-robed youth was at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, but under the siege of Wang Mingjiang, Wang Shuyuan, and the five second-rank automaton beasts, the youth quickly faltered, revealing an opening. The five second-rank automaton beasts jointly destroyed the black-robed youth's defenses. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Shuyuan controlled two flying knives to sever the black-robed youth's head.

The giant eagle automaton grabbed the black-robed youth's corpse and flew back to Wang Shuyuan.

"Haha, Brother Wang, your speed in eliminating enemies is getting faster and faster!" Wang Shuyuan laughed, praising him.

"Just good luck. If I encountered the elite disciples of the Demonic Dao, I wouldn't stand a chance," Wang Mingjiang said calmly. He clearly understood the reasons for his victories and was not carried away by a string of successes.

The elite disciples of the Demonic Dao were all tied up by the elite disciples of the Righteous Path. Otherwise, if he were to encounter a Demonic Dao elite disciple, he wouldn't have any chance of winning.

"Brother Wang, you're too modest."

Just then, a loud sound of gongs and drums echoed. The demonic cultivators retreated in an orderly fashion. The righteous cultivators probed a few times, gained no advantage, and allowed them to withdraw.

Upon returning to their station, Wang Mingjiang and Wang Shuyuan exchanged the demonic cultivators' identity tokens for contribution points.

In recent years, Wang Mingjiang had successively killed more than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, accumulating enough contribution points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, he did not exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Instead, he exchanged for powerful second-rank talismans and self-detonating artifacts.

His returning alive to the family was the greatest help he could offer. If he died, the Foundation Establishment Pill might not even fall into the family's hands.

Cultivating a Foundation Establishment cultivator was not easy. The family did need Foundation Establishment Pills, but his life was more precious than a Foundation Establishment Pill. He was clear about this distinction.

He chatted with Wang Shuyuan for a few moments before returning to his residence to cultivate.

A few days later, Su Cheng paid a visit and found Wang Mingjiang.

"Uncle Twenty-One, I heard you killed another demonic cultivator a few days ago. Are you alright?" Su Cheng asked with concern. To prevent attacks on the Hundred Spirits Sect, Guangdong Ren remained at the sect, sending Su Cheng to lead a team to the front lines, representing the Hundred Spirits Sect fully.

"I'm fine. Why are you here today? Just be straightforward if there's something you need. We're not strangers, no need to beat around the bush."

Caught in his thoughts by Wang Mingjiang, Su Cheng gave an embarrassed smile, then said seriously, "Uncle Twenty-One, it's like this: the higher-ups want our Hundred Spirits Sect to send five Foundation Establishment cultivators to carry out a crucial mission. If successful, there will be a reward of one Foundation Establishment Pill, and we'll be able to withdraw to the rear for recuperation, without needing to stay on the front lines. Are you interested?"

"A crucial mission? What is it? You need to explain it clearly. If you don't, I can't agree."

Su Cheng showed hesitation, as if he had something difficult to say.

Wang Mingjiang frowned, slightly displeased. "What? Is there something you can't tell me? In terms of public service, I've killed many demonic cultivators these past few years. In terms of private matters, you're my nephew-in-law. Is there any need to hide anything? If you don't explain it clearly, I certainly won't agree."

Su Cheng gave a bitter smile and explained, "Uncle Twenty-One, listen to me, this matter is of great importance, so I must be cautious! The Core Formation stage seniors are planning to draw a group of people to destroy the demonic five sects' supply depots and cut off their provisions. Four Core Formation cultivators will lead the team. There will definitely be danger, but it won't be too great. The main forces of the demonic five sects are all on the front lines, so there certainly won't be many Core Formation cultivators at their supply depots. The feasibility of this plan is quite high, Uncle Twenty-One. We're family, that's why I recommended you. After it's done, not only will you get a Foundation Establishment Pill, but you'll also be able to withdraw to the rear for recuperation. This is a good thing. We don't know how long this war will last. If you continue to fight on the front lines and someday encounter a tough opponent, it'll be too late for regrets."