Chapter 277: Formation Core Second Layer, Returning to the Holy Sect

Over half a month later, in Guiling City.

It was December of the 55th year of his deacon career.

Wang Yu was seated cross-legged in the underground cultivation chamber of the City Lord's Mansion. As he opened his eyes, a dense wave of spiritual energy instantly erupted, and his aura became significantly more robust.

“301 wisps of spiritual energy, Golden Core Stage Two!”

The exhilarating sensation of rapidly improving his cultivation made Wang Yu unable to stop.

After acquiring the Heavenly Yin Spirit Root, the efficiency of both his 'placement slots' and his own cultivation significantly improved. The dual placement slots increased from generating '2 wisps/day' to '5 wisps/day' of spiritual energy.

In just 140 days, he would break through to Golden Core Stage Three.

This was much faster than Luo Chen's cultivation progress even with his Heavenly Spirit Root, a testament to the effectiveness of the placement slots. Each time Wang Yu broke through a major realm, his early cultivation speed was incredibly fast, only gradually slowing down in the middle and late stages. He had already discerned this pattern, making his progress exceptionally smooth!

Since the conclusion of the attack on Sanmao City, his wealth had expanded to the tens of millions. Although most of it consisted of low-grade spirit stones, with mid- and high-grade ones being scarce, he was undoubtedly among the wealthiest Golden Core cultivators.

Furthermore, he had acquired numerous magic treasures. Some he could use, while others were not a good fit, especially the cultivators' life-bound magic treasures. These items, unless one cultivated the same technique, would always feel awkward to use. Few cultivators were willing to buy them; even if they did, they would typically re-refine them into raw materials to forge other magic treasures.

Spiritual items, talismans, pills, formation flags, Golden Cores, and miscellaneous objects—Wang Yu planned to deal with all these substantial material gains after returning to the Sacred Sect. They could fetch three to four million spirit stones, a considerable amount of resources.

Currently, the population relocation from Sanmao City was nearing its end, and he was also preparing to depart. After that battle, Guiling's three thousand city guards had fallen victim to Sanmao cultivators' talisman array, sustaining significant casualties. At the time, six to seven hundred people died. Subsequently, the timely arrival of reinforcements from the Black Blood Bandits, a group of cultivators skilled in slaughter, killed another four to five hundred people, significantly reducing Guiling's military expenditure. The unstable elements within the ranks were considerably reduced.

Conversely, nearly two thousand cultivators from Sanmao City were routed and slaughtered. Qingyang's participation in the main battlefield was particularly devastating. After looting the city, the cultivators from the City Lord's Mansion were all incredibly rich. This contributed greatly to the expansion of Guiling's market, and Wang Yu was very pleased with the taxes he collected.

However, after Sanmao City ceased to exist in all but name, this news overshadowed even the competition in Zhuyue Province. The entire Yunling Province was practically discussing Wang Yu.

Luo Chen, after all, was a disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and quite renowned. As the one who had killed him, Yunling Prefecture City immediately dispatched envoys upon receiving the news, not only to handle the lingering issues of Sanmao City, but also with the intention of meeting Wang Yu and holding him accountable. They certainly didn't want to take the blame for Luo Chen's death in Sanmao City; they intended to clear their names completely.

In the small conference room of the Guiling City Lord's Mansion, Zuoqiu Ming, emerging hurriedly from the comforts of Yunmeng Pavilion, rushed to find Wang Yu. His first words upon meeting him were:

“How could you kill him?!”

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow and presented the only Black Heaven Talisman he had confiscated from Luo Chen. “He tried to kill me. I had no choice but to kill him in self-defense.”

Zuoqiu Ming looked suspicious, uncomfortably scratching his backside. “It truly wasn't because of Luo Chen's Heavenly Spirit Root aptitude?”

“Of course not! Am I that kind of person? I said I’d teach him a lesson and get it over with after letting off some steam. It was that bastard who had malicious intentions and tried to ambush me!” Wang Yu flicked the Black Heaven Talisman.

Zuoqiu Ming took it, his expression growing even more troubled. “This is one of Black Heaven Talisman Monarch's core abilities. To think he passed it on to Luo Chen, it seems he truly valued him. You killing him will definitely enrage this Talisman Monarch. This is big trouble... By the way, did you consume Luo Chen's spirit root?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And you still say you had no intentions? The Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Incantation requires planting a demonic thought seed in advance, doesn't it?”

Wang Yu replied without changing his expression. “Wasn't it to prevent waste? After all, he and I had been at odds for a long time. Oh, come on—don't look at me like that! It genuinely wasn't premeditated. This is called being prepared, planning ahead, getting a head start…”

Seeing Wang Yu's explanation become increasingly outlandish, Zuoqiu Ming quickly stopped him, saying helplessly: “You're too impulsive. Have you thought about how to clean up this mess? If there's no other way, I'll have to ask my father. If he can't protect you, you'll come back with me to Xianyin.”

Wang Yu's expression shifted slightly as he gazed intently into Zuoqiu Ming's eyes. This made the carefree and recently melancholic young master a little embarrassed. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, just that Brother Ming's words were so sincere, your foolish younger brother feels a bit embarrassed.”

“Don't say that. Since I've chosen you, Zuoqiu Ming may not have other talents, but when it comes to protecting you, I will see it through to the end.”

“Thank you.” Wang Yu feigned wiping his eyes, immediately earning a roll of the eyes from the other man. “Stop that act. Quick, tell me your plan.”

To be honest, Wang Yu had thought his relationship with Zhuo Shouqing was closer, but unexpectedly, Zuoqiu Ming proved to be more genuine, likable, and moving.

His friendship with the Three Young Masters of the Rebel Spirits had lasted a long time. The eldest, Yu Xing, was calm and tended to protect himself. With a genius elder sister protecting him, he faced little family pressure and mostly followed his two brothers' lead, which was why he got involved with Wang Yu. The second, Zhuo Shouqing, was cunning and greedy, extremely calculating, and held the most firm opinions. It was difficult for others to sway him once he had made up his mind. His lifelong goal was to overthrow his younger brother, Zhuo Shouyun. Wang Yu had no complaints about him; after all, when they interacted, Zhuo Shouqing always laid out the terms clearly: yes meant yes, and no meant no. Their friendship, however, had gradually faded due to practical matters, settling into a transactional relationship based on the Styx Contract. The third, Zuoqiu Ming, was passionate and unrestrained, deeply valuing relationships. He would grieve over Zhuo Shouqing's deceit but also silently offer blessings, processing his negative emotions internally. Such a person truly didn't seem like a young master from a major demonic sect family; he was more like a melancholic and romantic scholar, easily hurt by emotions, and unlikely to have a good ending.

After a moment of silence, Wang Yu took out the token given by Thunder Beast Monarch and explained: “I recall Black Heaven Talisman Monarch is an early Nascent Soul cultivator. Can this token keep him in check?”

“Oh—this is Uncle Lei's token.” Zuoqiu Ming immediately took it, examining it closely. What he said next made Wang Yu instinctively rub his forehead; the three great families of the Sacred Sect were truly formidable, connected everywhere. He couldn't help but ask curiously, “What's Thunder Beast Monarch's relationship with the Zuoqiu clan? Is he also your elder?”

“Something like that,” Zuoqiu Ming said with emotion. “There's a mysterious Corpse Pit in Xianyin, rumored to be a secret realm that existed even before ancient times. It contains countless cultivator corpses and is filled with abundant corpse qi and malevolent qi. It was extremely suitable for Uncle Lei's cultivation. Back when he was still in the Golden Core stage, he sought out the Zuoqiu clan. The then-family head agreed to his request, and unexpectedly, Uncle Lei actually formed his Nascent Soul and achieved the Dao there. This friendship has lasted to this day, making him my elder and a close friend of my father. You certainly have good fortune to have obtained his personal command token.”

Wang Yu nodded and asked, “Can this personal command token resolve the issue with Black Heaven Talisman Monarch?”

“Absolutely, rest assured completely.” Zuoqiu Ming's expression returned to its usual languor, yet he confidently patted Wang Yu's shoulder. “The face of a late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator is more useful than five or six early Nascent Soul cultivators combined. I'm off.”

With the matter he was worried about resolved, he didn't want to disturb Wang Yu further. However, he was called back.

“Wait—in a few days, I'll be returning to the sect. The expansion of Guiling City will be left to Brother Ming. Remember to mine the underground spirit veins on schedule. Consult Qingyang often about the city's tax revenue. Don't forget to pay the Sacred Tribute for me. Save up some of the collected spirit stones and have someone deliver them to me. You can deduct your expenses from that.”

“Got it, got it.” Zuoqiu Ming waved his hand impatiently, his departing figure suddenly pausing. He asked suspiciously, “Why are you being so naggy with all these instructions? Are you not coming back?”

“How could that be? This is my property, and I still have over 240 years of sovereignty here. How can I be at ease if I don't oversee it myself? It's just that Brother Ming is reliable; if it were Zhuo Shouqing, I wouldn't trust him.”

“True!”

Zuoqiu Ming left happily, which made Wang Yu breathe a sigh of relief. He had a strong intuition that he would be staying in the sect for a long time this trip.

After dealing with Zuoqiu Ming, Wang Yu immediately summoned Qingyang, Xu Ruozhou, and others to lay out Guiling City's next hundred-year development plan. He specifically instructed them on the situation in Zhuyue Province: if there were any developments, they were to send a message to the Sacred Sect to inform him immediately. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would manage Guiling's development remotely. Could Wei Hao see it through and firmly secure Wanglong City? He believed he could. Wei Hao was a more trustworthy individual than Luo Chen, and mutual trade was not difficult with him.

A few more days passed. Without informing anyone, Wang Yu intentionally avoided Jin Miaoshan, who had recently shown signs of harassment again, and chose a day to leave the city. Alone, he piloted his Flying Cloud Boat towards the mountain gate of the Rebel Spirit Blood Sect, just as he had arrived.

Years ago, he had been apprehensive yet filled with deep anticipation. Now, with his cultivation having advanced a major realm, a surge of heroic spirit filled his chest.

“I know not the height of the azure sky nor the depth of the yellow earth, I only see the cold moon and warm sun consuming human life.”

His journey passed through the Three Thousand Li Reed Marsh. Wang Yu, feeling an itch to practice, took out his Ghost Cry Flute, brought it to his lips, and gently played. This skill, besides slaying enemies, devouring souls, and refining Yin Crows, could also play a serene tune like ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water,’ cleansing the mind and refreshing the ears.

Back then, it was here that he met Zhao Yunniang, understood the arduous path ahead, and devised the ruthless plan to 'strike the mountain to scare the tiger' against the barbarians. Only then did he manage to establish a firm foothold and become the Guiling City Lord, progressing step by step! Years had passed in a blink; it had been over fifty years ago.

“Time flows swiftly like water, fleeting years leave no trace!”

He did not intentionally speed up his flight. As he had arrived, so he returned.

—Passing through Yunling, traversing Blood Abyss.

Three months passed in a flash, and the familiar twisted mountain peaks appeared in the distance. The Sacred Sect's mountain gate remained unchanged, like an eternal, towering mountain. At the base of the nine peaks, within the dense cluster of buildings, familiar figures moved about. Countless streaks of light continuously flew through the sky, and the Blood Demon Hall, suspended in the center, remained as mysterious and unfathomable as ever. Wang Yu subconsciously activated his 'Gazing Qi Golden Eyes,' and was instantly dazzled by the various dense qi energies.