Chapter 683: Li Haifeng's Proposal

"Friend Zhang, I've just formed my Core. Surely you can't expect me to pledge allegiance immediately! Could you grant me some time?" Wang Qingshan said politely. He had just formed his Core and didn't even have his destined artifact, nor had he cultivated any spirit arts. He was no match for either a third-tier beast or other Core-forming cultivators.

"Naturally. Within ten years, Fellow Daoist Wang, you are to personally go to Qingli Island and accept a mission assigned by our Zhang family. Once you complete the mission, your Wang family may reside and live in the areas controlled by our Zhang family, offering regular tribute. In return, our Zhang family will provide your Wang family with protection. These are the rules of the Red Moon Sea, and they apply even if you go to other sea regions." Zhang Zhiyang's tone was heavy, and his expression severe.

Since the Wang family now had a Core-forming cultivator, it was natural for them to offer tribute directly to the Zhang family.

"Ten years! No problem. Before then, do we, the Wang family, need to offer tribute to your Zhang family? Our family doesn't have many valuable possessions.""Not before then. However, until you complete the mission assigned by our Zhang family, we will not offer you protection. Of course, this is just between us. To outsiders, you will still be considered an affiliated force of our Zhang family. If you cause trouble and want our Zhang family to intervene, you will need to offer tribute; the bigger the trouble, the more tribute required."

Wang Qingshan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; it was acceptable. After a brief chat, Zhang Zhiyang and his companion took their leave, and Wang Qingshan personally saw them off.

Wang Qingshan informed Wang Qiuhong of Zhang Zhiyang and his companion's purpose. Wang Qiuhong pondered for a moment and then asked, "Seventh Uncle, will you be going to complete the mission assigned by the Zhang family in ten years?""Yes, these are the rules of the cultivation world in the South Sea, and it's the same everywhere. Keep our clan members in check and try not to cause trouble. I need to go into seclusion for a period of cultivation.""Understood, Seventh Uncle."

Wang Qingshan gathered his clan members, instructing them not to cause trouble and to cultivate diligently for their development. Wang Qingling and the others unanimously agreed. Half an hour later, Wang Qingshan returned to his residence. He took out a red jade slip and placed it against his forehead. It contained the spirit art, Blazing Flame Sword.

In the Spirit Beast Garden, within a five-story azure pavilion, Wang Qingling gazed at the silver spirit egg before her, her pretty face filled with joy. Tiny silver electric arcs flickered on the surface of the silver spirit egg, making it quite peculiar. According to Liu Yunlang, the Liu family acquired this spirit egg from an underground auction. It was said to be a spirit fowl possessing the bloodline of a Thunder Phoenix. The Thunder Phoenix ranks thirty-fifth on the Heavenly and Earthly Rare Fowl List. A spirit fowl with the Thunder Phoenix bloodline would likely have formidable divine abilities and far greater potential than ordinary spirit fowls.

The Wang family previously had a golden-beaked eagle as their guardian spirit fowl, but unfortunately, it failed to reach the third tier and died after guarding the Wang family for several hundred years. The Turtle-Beast was the Wang family's new guardian spirit beast. It had been brought to the South Sea for cultivation and now followed Wang Qingjing back to Qinglian Mountain Villa for further nurturing, as tortoise-type spirit beasts have much longer lifespans. Red Lotus Island could be considered a second Wang family, and it certainly needed a guardian spirit beast. This unhatched spirit fowl was an excellent choice.

Wang Qingling already had too many spirit beasts. This spirit fowl had been reported to the family, and Wang Qiuhong agreed to cultivate it as a guardian spirit fowl for the clan. Spirit beasts and fowls have much longer lifespans than cultivators. Every major force has guardian spirit beasts, nurtured according to their financial strength. It was said that powerful sects possessed several formidable sect-guarding spirit beasts.

"Tenth Sister, are you there?" Wang Qingjun's voice suddenly rang out.Stepping outside, Wang Qingling saw Wang Qingjun standing at the door."Twelfth Brother, is there a problem with a spirit beast?" Wang Qingling asked with a smile. Generally, clan members sought her out for spirit beast-related issues. In recent years, influenced by Wang Qingling, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Wang family had begun raising spirit beasts, and Wang Qingjun was no exception.

Wang Qingjun raised two Fire Lizards. These spirit beasts could swim in the sea and move on land, capable of releasing fire-element spells to injure enemies. They were thick-skinned and durable, quite resistant to attacks."I don't know what's wrong with the Fire Lizards I'm raising recently. They keep calling incessantly, and they have no appetite when I feed them. Please, quickly help me take a look!" Wang Qingjun flicked his wrist, and two red lights flew out from a spirit beast pearl. These were two crimson lizards, about a *zhang* in length, with large heads, long tails, and reddish markings on their bodies.

Wang Qingling crouched down and carefully examined them. After a moment, she stood up."Twelfth Brother, did you buy these two Fire Lizards yourself, or were they recommended by a vendor?" Wang Qingling asked with a serious expression.

"I picked them myself. Is there a problem? That's not right! I've been raising them for several years now. Tenth Sister, please tell me what the problem is quickly." Wang Qingjun grew anxious. He had already cultivated both Fire Lizards to the mid-tier of the first rank, investing considerable cultivation resources and effort.

"Both of your Fire Lizards are male, and it seems they're ready to breed, making them quite restless. Spirit beasts, like humans, want to find a mate when they reach a certain age. You can either go buy a female Fire Lizard, or simply ignore them, and they'll calm down on their own after some time." Wang Qingjun didn't know whether to laugh or cry upon hearing this; he had never imagined this would be the reason.

"Fire Lizards are quite common in the Red Moon Sea, and it's currently their frequent mating season, so it's perfectly normal for them to be restless.""I understand. I'll go buy a female Fire Lizard then! Tenth Sister, please come with me and help me pick a good one." Wang Qingling agreed and flew towards Qingli Market City with Wang Qingjun on their artifacts.

Eastern Barren Lands, Wei Kingdom.

Inside a magnificent palace in Huangsheng Palace, Li Haifeng sat on the main seat, while numerous guests sat on either side, their expressions respectful. Li Haifeng had already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. For this Nascent Soul Ceremony, Huangsheng Palace had invited cultivation sects from several surrounding kingdoms, in addition to cultivators from the Wei Kingdom.

After a few rounds of wine, Li Haifeng turned to serious matters: "Everyone, are you interested in developing in the South Sea?" The South Sea was rich in cultivation resources, and Li Haifeng had long wanted to expand there. However, he had been preoccupied with forming his Nascent Soul. Now that he had reached the Nascent Soul stage, it was natural to put this matter on the agenda. He planned to unite several cultivation sects to form a new force in the South Sea and develop there together. The South Sea was too chaotic, and it would be difficult for Huangsheng Palace to grow stronger with just a few individuals. After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he needed more cultivation resources, which the Eastern Barren Lands simply could not provide. If he were to recruit Core-forming rogue cultivators, he worried about their backgrounds. The cultivators attending the Nascent Soul Ceremony, however, were from cultivation sects and families in the surrounding kingdoms. These individuals had their families with them, and their loyalty would be much higher than that of rogue cultivators. Their backgrounds were known, making it easier to investigate if any problems arose.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators present exchanged glances, unsure of Li Haifeng's meaning."To be frank! I intend to develop in the South Sea. While its cultivation resources are abundant, the competition is fierce. I wish to invite all of you to join me in developing there, specifically in the Coral Sea Region. The Taiyi Immortal Sect has a significant presence in the Coral Sea Region and can serve as a reliable ally. This matter is not urgent; please return and discuss it. I will certainly not force anyone.""Our Huangsheng Palace plans to establish an organization similar to the Rogue Cultivator Alliance. Simply put, Huangsheng Palace will contribute the majority, and you will contribute a smaller portion to form a new force. With more people, we will be less susceptible to bullying. Please return and convey Master Li's words to your masters and elders. If you are willing to join us, you are most welcome. If not, we will not compel you."Forcing other forces to join if they were unwilling would only be counterproductive.