Chapter 3724: Blue Sea Battle Formation

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this is the Azure Sea Array you ordered."

Jiang Tianming took out over a hundred azure formation flags, a dozen formation plates, and a small blue mirror, handing them to Wang Changsheng. The blue mirror was a Reflection Mirror, very convenient for guiding cultivators on how to set up formations. Wang Changsheng took the formation flags and plates. Following the Reflection Mirror's guidance, he set up the Azure Sea Array within the Taihao Garden. Jiang Tianming sat in the stone pavilion, showing no intention of helping.

After setting up the formation, Wang Changsheng cast a spell onto an azure formation plate. A large expanse of white mist surged from the ground, enveloping most of the Taihao Garden. Wang Changsheng's divine sense probed into the white mist but found nothing. After a while, the white mist dissipated, and most of the Taihao Garden disappeared. Wang Changsheng repeatedly probed with his divine sense, finding no cultivators. He was very satisfied, feeling the immortal essence stones were well spent. He changed his spell, and most of the Taihao Garden reappeared, with Jiang Tianming still sitting in the stone pavilion.

"This Azure Sea Array was crafted by Senior Brother Gao. Its concealment effect is excellent, and its offensive power should not be underestimated. With this formation, Fellow Daoist Wang will have no problem dealing with four or five early True Immortal cultivators. It won't be easy to break this formation." Jiang Tianming's face was filled with pride.

"Since this formation comes from Fellow Daoist Gao, its quality is undoubtedly superb. Here is the final payment." Wang Changsheng took out a blue storage bracelet and handed it to Jiang Tianming.

Jiang Tianming scanned it with his divine sense, frowned, and took out fifty immortal essence stones from the storage bracelet. He said, "Fellow Daoist, you've given me an extra fifty immortal essence stones. The price was agreed upon with Senior Sister Zhao, and it cannot be changed."

"The extra fifty immortal essence stones are for Fellow Daoist Jiang's trouble, for delivering the formation," Wang Changsheng explained, indicating it was a gratuity for Jiang Tianming.

Jiang Tianming shook his head and said, "Let's keep things separate. Business isn't conducted this way. If Fellow Daoist Wang wants my help, you'll have to wait until I become a Patrol Envoy. I haven't even been elected yet!"

The term of the Patrol Envoys was nearing its end, and the Nine Immortal Sect was selecting new ones. Jiang Tianming thought Wang Changsheng was trying to bribe him in advance.

"Patrol Envoy!" Wang Changsheng was slightly taken aback.

According to Jin Tianlong, the Nine Immortal Sect's affiliated forces regularly offered tribute in exchange for protection. The resources offered varied: some provided immortal herbs and fruits, others demon cores, and some immortal wood. The Nine Immortal Sect established the position of Patrol Envoy specifically to collect these tribute resources. Besides collecting tribute, Patrol Envoys also had enforcement powers. Affiliated forces were not always harmonious; sometimes, they would fight over cultivation resources. As long as the situation was controllable, the Nine Immortal Sect would not intervene. Patrol Envoys had the authority to manage conflicts between affiliated forces. Their power was immense, and the position was lucrative. Like the saying "a local official is better than a distant one," no affiliated force dared to offend a Patrol Envoy. Many True Immortal cultivators within the Nine Immortal Sect coveted this prosperous position. There was more than one Patrol Envoy, and the Jiang family's influence in the Nine Immortal Sect was considerable, making it very likely that Jiang Tianming could assume this role.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, that was my oversight." Wang Changsheng apologized and put away the fifty immortal essence stones. If Jiang Tianming truly became a Patrol Envoy, fifty immortal essence stones would be insignificant. From their conversation, Wang Changsheng realized that Jiang Tianming was not opposed to bribes, merely unwilling to accept them at this moment.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, are you interested in acquiring a few islands to establish your family clan? It's not ideal for your clan members to stay in the market city indefinitely. Relying solely on a few shops won't gather many cultivation resources." Jiang Tianming spoke up.

"Of course, I'm interested, but I don't have any connections. I'd appreciate it if Fellow Daoist Jiang could offer some guidance. Wang will certainly show his profound gratitude." Wang Changsheng said politely.

"There's a late True Immortal, a Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python, occupying a certain island. It has harmed many cultivators. Several fellow daoists plan to eliminate this demon. Are you interested in participating? This Seven-Colored Soul-Swallowing Python controls several islands; if we eliminate it, you could be given some islands to establish your family clan." Jiang Tianming stated.

The Morning Heaven Sea Region had numerous islands, vast and sparsely populated. Major powers were actively developing new islands to expand their influence. If the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python were eliminated, some islands could be incorporated into the Nine Immortal Sect's territory. If they failed and Wang Changsheng and others perished, the Nine Immortal Sect would incur no loss.

"A late True Immortal Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python? My strength is too low; I wouldn't be of much help if I went." Wang Changsheng subtly declined. Asking him to participate in eliminating a late True Immortal Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python was akin to sending him to his death. Jiang Tianming claimed he wanted Wang Changsheng's help, but in reality, he was offering him up as cannon fodder.

"Alright then! If you change your mind, feel free to contact me. You could seize any desolate island to establish your family, but without powerful backing, you might be wiped out one day. The waters of the Morning Heaven Sea Region run deep! I advise you to think twice before acting." Jiang Tianming said meaningfully.

If Wang Changsheng were a rogue cultivator, seizing a desolate island for cultivation would be fine. However, taking a large number of clan members would be difficult. Over time, conflicts with other forces would be inevitable.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Jiang. Are there any other methods?" Wang Changsheng asked politely.

"Of course, there are. You could offer rare refining materials or rare immortal herbs and fruits, or apprehend evil cultivators wanted by our Nine Immortal Sect, or accompany our Nine Immortal Sect cultivators to the Chaos Continent to eliminate Chaos Beasts. These methods are more challenging, and I imagine Junior Brother Jin has already mentioned them to you." Jiang Tianming said slowly.

Wang Changsheng frowned deeply. Jin Tianlong had indeed told him that acquiring a territory was truly not easy.

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. If you make up your mind, you can contact Senior Sister Zhao and have her inform me." After saying this, Jiang Tianming stood up and left, not allowing Wang Changsheng to contact him directly. To put it bluntly, Wang Changsheng was merely an early True Immortal. There were countless True Immortal cultivators trying to curry favor with Jiang Tianming, who simply didn't take Wang Changsheng seriously. As the saying goes, "He who lives under another's roof must bow his head." Wang Changsheng dared not slight him and personally saw Jiang Tianming off.

"Husband, let's consider the matter of territory after we advance to the True Immortal stage! The family belongs to all of us." Wang Ruyan said.

With Wang Changsheng's current strength, it was indeed not easy to acquire a territory and establish a family clan. Finding a desolate island was not difficult; the challenge lay in gaining the Nine Immortal Sect's approval. Many rogue cultivators at the True Immortal stage who established their own forces, whether families or sects, needed to obtain the Nine Immortal Sect's recognition; otherwise, they would easily be ostracized by other powers. If both parties in a conflict were affiliated forces of the Nine Immortal Sect, the Patrol Envoy could mediate. However, if one party was not an affiliated force, the Patrol Envoy would naturally favor the affiliated one.

Wang Changsheng nodded. This matter truly could not be rushed. What he needed to do now was find a suitable island for Wang Ruyan and others to safely pass their Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulations. Once they advanced to the True Immortal stage, things would be much easier.

After a short chat, Wang Changsheng entered a stone chamber to meditate and recuperate. Later, as dusk fell, the market city became brightly lit, with crowds flowing like a tide.

Wang Changsheng appeared at the entrance of a nine-story blue pavilion. The three golden characters "Tianhai Pavilion" on its plaque shimmered with spiritual light, making it very conspicuous.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, what a coincidence!" A familiar male voice rang out.

Wang Changsheng looked towards the source of the voice and saw Jin Tianlong approaching him with a refined-looking young man in a golden robe. The young man had fair skin, handsome features, and an aura significantly stronger than Jin Tianlong's.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Wang! I've long heard Yuzhi speak of you, and I'm finally meeting you in person. I am Zhang Zhifeng." The young man in the golden robe cupped his fists and said with a smile.

"So, it's Fellow Daoist Zhang. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner." Wang Changsheng replied politely.