Chapter 907: Punishment

The Zhang family has numerous affiliated forces, which in turn have their own sub-affiliates. These groups are far from harmonious, and in the face of significant profits, violent conflicts are not uncommon. As long as Golden Core cultivators do not get involved, the Zhang family remains indifferent.

Far from intervening, the Zhang family actually welcomes such discord. When affiliated forces are at odds, each seeks the Zhang family's support, allowing the Zhang family to exert greater control. In fact, if its affiliated forces were to live in harmony, the Zhang family would be concerned.

"Immortal Wang," Shen Yuanfeng began, "it was all a misunderstanding. My cousin acted somewhat impulsively. Our Shen family is willing to compensate the Song family for their losses. We hope you can be magnanimous and not hold this against my cousin, please?"

Shen Yuanfeng asked somewhat nervously, a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

The Wang family's Foundation Establishment cultivators traveled by second-tier spirit birds. To put it bluntly, if Wang Jiyun and her companions decided to eliminate the Shen family, the Shen family would have no choice but to flee.

Wang Jiyun smiled faintly, her tone shifting as she spoke: "Fellow Daoist Shen, didn't you just express a desire to sample our Wang family's Hundred Flower Spirit Tea? I've noticed that Black Crane Island, Golden Sand Island, and Coral Island, all under your Shen family's control, are quite suitable for cultivating spirit flowers. Our Wang family would be interested in leasing these three islands. What are your thoughts on that?"

Following Wang Mingren's warning, and uncertain of the future turmoil in the South Sea, the Wang family naturally had to prepare.

Following Wang Qiuhong's strategy of "befriending the distant and leasing the near," and using formidable military might as a deterrent, the Wang family sought to lease small islands from other powers. This approach served three key purposes:Firstly, it expanded their territory. The Wang family had absorbed a large number of cultivators from other clans, and housing all of them within their own controlled lands could easily create internal instability. By leasing territories from neighboring forces to settle these external cultivators, they could minimize this risk.Secondly, it expanded their production capacity. The Wang family currently controlled seventy-six islands with spirit veins in the Red Moon Sea. While their own clan members primarily resided on islands with second-tier spirit veins, those with first-tier spirit veins were leased to smaller families.Thirdly, it allowed them to gauge the attitudes of their neighboring forces. Although presented as leasing, these islands would effectively become their own over time. If a neighboring force weakened, the Wang family would show no mercy, swiftly absorbing their neighbors—for the law of the jungle is the immutable rule of the cultivation world.

"Leasing" was merely a euphemism; in reality, it was a strategy of gradual encroachment.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanfeng's expression darkened considerably. The three islands mentioned by Wang Jiyun were all of considerable size, with their combined spirit fields totaling over four thousand mu. The Shen family cultivated a significant quantity of spirit herbs there, making it their second-largest source of income.

The Wang family had employed the strategy of "courtesy before force," offering Shen Yuanfeng a Foundation Establishment Pill as a birthday gift, thereby showing due respect to the Shen family. However, since a member of the Shen family had killed a Wang family in-law, the Wang family now had a legitimate reason to deal with them.

With a "sweet date" in one hand and a "cudgel" in the other, Shen Yuanfeng naturally understood his options. Frankly, the Wang family's stance was relatively lenient; based solely on the killing of their in-law by a Shen family member, the Wang family would have been justified in annihilating the Shen family. Whether the Shen family's patron would seek revenge was a separate consideration.

"Leasing islands, Immortal Wang," Shen Yuanfeng said, hardening his resolve, "these islands belong to the Golden Swallow Sect. Our Shen family does not have the authority to dispose of them."

Knowing the Shen family was no match for the Wang family, he had to bring up their patron, the Golden Swallow Sect.

The Golden Swallow Sect boasted four Golden Core cultivators and immense power, with the Shen family being merely one of its many affiliated forces.

"While that's true, it's not impossible for you to lease them out," Wang Jiyun said with a slight smile. "Fellow Daoist Shen, we are very sincere. We understand these three islands are quite important to your Shen family. We could purchase the spirit herbs and spirit fish you produce from them at a price slightly higher than the market rate. Furthermore, we could pay you ten years' rent upfront. And should your Shen family ever face any trouble, we would assist you once, free of charge. The world is very chaotic right now, and having an extra path certainly wouldn't hurt, don't you agree?"

Wang Jiyun smiled faintly, picked up the teapot, and poured Shen Yuanfeng a cup of tea.

The family was beginning to infiltrate neighboring powers, gradually strengthening its own position.

Shen Yuanfeng was somewhat tempted, but he knew that agreeing would be tantamount to aligning himself with the Wang family. Should the Golden Swallow Sect hold him accountable, he could not afford the repercussions.

"Immortal Wang," he said, "this matter is of significant importance. Could you grant us some time to consider? I assure you, I will provide a satisfactory answer."

Wang Jiyun nodded. "I'll give you two months to consider it carefully," she said. "Our Wang family does not mistreat its own, nor are we lenient towards enemies. I'll take my leave now; there's no need to see me out."

Wang Jiyun then departed Golden Goose Island with her clan members, flying towards Silver Serpent Island.

Coral Sea Domain, Spirit Turtle Market.

In a certain secret chamber, Wang Qingshan lay pale on a bed, while Wang Mingren stood by his side, his face etched with guilt.

Liu Jin sat by the bedside, examining Wang Qingshan's injuries.

Wang Mingren, unable to defeat two cultivators of equal rank, had retreated to White Sand Island. When Wang Qingshan failed to return promptly, Wang Mingren grew anxious and immediately rushed back to Spirit Turtle Market to seek Liu Jin's assistance.

Upon his return to Spirit Turtle Market, he was informed that Wang Qingshan had sustained severe injuries.

"Take this Nine Revolutions Vitality Pill and recuperate thoroughly for a while," Liu Jin said placidly. "During this period, you must not engage in any combat. The Human-Sword Unification secret art is incredibly powerful and consumes a considerable amount of spiritual power. Thankfully, your foundation was not damaged, otherwise, I truly wouldn't know how to explain this to Senior Brother Ye."

Liu Jin spoke placidly, then turned to Wang Mingren, her expression hardening as she reprimanded him without ceremony: "Nephew Wang, who authorized you to unilaterally attack Profound Moon Island? Your unauthorized actions nearly ruined our sect's major plans. Do you realize your transgression?"

The Grand Unity Immortal Sect had instigated conflicts in the South Sea, Northern Frontier, and Central Plains, leading to a severe shortage of manpower. Given Wang Qingshan's formidable strength, Liu Jin had intended to deploy him as a sharp blade to expand the sect's territory. However, Wang Mingren's unauthorized actions had led to Wang Qingshan's severe injuries, rendering him unable to fight for the foreseeable future. This completely derailed Liu Jin's meticulously planned strategy, so it was no wonder he was furious.

Wang Mingren immediately knelt down, his face full of remorse. "This disciple acknowledges his transgression," he said. "It was my unauthorized action that led to Qingshan's severe injury, and I am willing to bear full responsibility. I implore you, Uncle Liu, please ensure Qingshan recovers completely."

"Uncle Liu," Wang Qingshan interjected, "I went willingly. Please don't blame Uncle Mingren."

Wang Qingshan pleaded on Wang Mingren's behalf. The deed was done, and blaming Wang Mingren now was futile. Who could have foreseen that Profound Moon Island had six Golden Core cultivators gathered there? Fortunately, Wang Mingren had managed to divert two sixth-layer Golden Core cultivators, otherwise, Wang Qingshan would have surely perished.

Wang Mingren was filled with profound regret. If he had known earlier that Profound Moon Island housed six Golden Core cultivators, he would never have agreed to attack it.

His eagerness to gain merit had led him to commit this grave error. Fortunately, Wang Qingshan's life was not in peril.

"Regardless," Liu Jin stated, "your unauthorized actions disrupted my entire plan. You must be punished; otherwise, if others follow suit, how am I to maintain order? I will deduct twenty thousand of your contribution points and ten years' worth of your salary. Return to White Sand Island immediately, and do not act without my orders. If you transgress again, you will be handed over to the Enforcement Hall for processing."

Liu Jin's tone was severe, leaving no room for doubt that he was serious.

Wang Mingren accepted the punishment. He then took out a string of storage beads, handed them to Wang Qingshan, and said, "Qingshan, please recuperate well. These contain some cultivation resources; it's a small token from Uncle Mingren. Take good care of your injuries."

He felt genuinely remorseful, having almost caused Wang Qingshan's death.

Wang Qingshan accepted the storage beads without ceremony.

After a few more words of instruction, Wang Mingren turned and departed.

He walked through the bustling streets, his expression somewhat dejected.

During this recent battle, he had hoped to accumulate significant merits. However, his eagerness to prove himself had only led to a mistake. He could only pray for the war to escalate, as that would be his only chance to redeem himself and earn merit.

As he reached the entrance of Spirit Turtle Market, he saw Lu Yuhuan. She appeared somewhat distraught, her expression vacant, and two fellow disciples accompanied her. Chen Yang was conspicuously absent, which was unusual, as he and Lu Yuhuan were normally inseparable.