’Perhaps gaining these Talents has something to do with their souls, but that’s not important. All that matters is they work hard from now on.’

With this, the number of Soul Slaves in the Wilderness World reached eighty-nine.

After handing them over to Luo Dingran, Cheng Zongyang went back to practicing his Illusion Blade Skill.

「The next morning.」

Ma Yue arrived at Cheng Zongyang’s residence.

In the living room, Cheng Zongyang learned from Ma Yue the reason why the Crystal Stones and the Soul Gathering Stele had filled up so quickly.

It was just as he had predicted: too many people had died!

The Chaotic Burial Mounds in the towns near Shangyong County were almost all filled with bodies that hadn’t been fully cremated.

He had only needed to place them in the Chaotic Burial Mounds of the various towns, and that had been enough.

Cheng Zongyang now knew how to replenish the Soul Crystal Stones in the future.

Finally, he said to Ma Yue, "You handled this matter very well. And I won’t go back on my promise to you."

As he spoke, Cheng Zongyang handed Ma Yue a bottle of Red Blood Pills he had prepared, saying:

"These are Red Blood Pills, a medicine that can help someone who can’t reach Entry Grade due to insufficient blood and qi. There are five pills inside. You can try them first. If you still can’t break through, come and find me again."

"Thank you, Sir!" Ma Yue said excitedly, cupping his fists.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly. "This is your reward. Also, I have one more question for you."

"Please ask, Sir!" Ma Yue said.

"Are you willing to follow me?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

Ma Yue was taken aback, then immediately asked, "Sir, you think I’m worthy?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "I’m very satisfied with your work ethic, and you have the Ability. Of course, it’s not a problem."

With a resolute expression, Ma Yue cupped his fists and said, "I am willing to serve you with my life, Sir!"

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly and handed another item from the table to Ma Yue. "I see you have Martial Arts Techniques but no Martial Arts skills. You like to use a saber, so I’m gifting you this Wind-breaking Saber Technique. Although it’s only a Middle Tier Martial Art, it’s enough for you at your current level."

At this, Ma Yue was even more moved. "Thank you, Sir!"

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Come find me again after you’ve reached Entry Grade. I’ll have something else for you then. You may go for now."

"Yes, Sir!"

After Ma Yue left, Cheng Zongyang began to attend to his own affairs.

「In the blink of an eye, it was the evening of the next day.」

「At the entrance of the Tiantuan Village meeting hall.」

Over four hundred members of the Celestial Break Gang stood in neat rows in the open space. At the front were Li Lu and the leaders of the four halls.

Each hall had one hundred men. They were: Zhao the Seventh’s Earth Demon Hall, Li Xian’s Xuanwu Hall, Xiao Bing’s Zhenwu Hall, and Chen Eryun’s Wind and Cloud Hall.

After Li Lu’s repeated attempts at persuasion failed, he let them choose the hall names they wanted.

At the same time, the responsibilities of each hall were also finalized during this general meeting.

The Zhenwu Hall was for combat; the Earth Demon Hall for intelligence; the Xuanwu Hall for internal training and administrative affairs; and the Wind and Cloud Hall for commerce.

Of course, this was just the initial setup; their functions would be adjusted as needed in the future.

Once the hall functions were set, they began to dispatch men into the County Town.

They evacuated their original location and occupied half the territory in the West City district.

They took residences and shops alike, but they wouldn’t touch anything beyond their allotted half.

This was all part of Li Lu and Cheng Zongyang’s plan. East City, South City, North City, and the other half of West City were all to be left to the Foreign Race Influence.

When the Foreign Race Influence entered the city and discovered that a quarter of the territory was already occupied, the likelihood of them taking action would be very high.

’Keeping a low profile was not a sign of weakness, and leaving half the territory was not a concession born of fear. If they appeared weak from the start, there would only be more trouble later on!’

’Therefore, leaving half the territory was a probe!’

’If the Foreign Race Influence that entered West City decided to make a move, they would be met with a swift counterattack from the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang!’

’Ensuring their interests was important, but if a real war broke out, he wouldn’t hesitate to make a big move. The Celestial Break Gang might not be able to, but he could!’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

’As long as he didn’t violate the rules of the Thirteen Royal Families!’

’Of course, the rules were made by people, so connections mattered. Therefore, he couldn’t put too much faith in them.’

’Even within the rules, there was a difference in how acquaintances and strangers were treated.’

For the next seven or eight days, Cheng Zongyang and Li Lu were constantly busy assigning tasks to their people.

Things were simpler on Cheng Zongyang’s side, as he didn’t have many men or much territory. Li Lu’s Celestial Break Gang, however, had far more to organize.

Occupying half the territory meant moving personnel into the various residences and shops.

In the current Jade Peak County Town, it could be said that might made right. As long as you had the strength to hold a territory, it was yours.

「April 27th.」

「In the training hall within the inner perimeter of Tiantuan Village.」

Li Lu watched the last group of members undergoing their medicated bath for Body Forging, his eyes filled with excitement.

Over the past few days, members had been reaching Entry Grade one by one, but their numbers were few. However, after this final medicated bath for Body Forging, the remaining members would finally get their results.

By then, a total of fifty members would all have reached Entry Grade, becoming Ninth Grade Martial Artists.

At the entrance to the training hall, Zhao the Seventh came running in, looking flustered.

However, when he saw what was happening inside, he held back his report. Seeing Zhao the Seventh’s hurried expression, Li Lu nodded slightly and walked outside.

Once they were a short distance away, he asked, "What happened?"

Zhao the Seventh said frantically, "They’re here! They’ve arrived!"

Hearing this, Li Lu’s expression hardened. "Where are they?"

Zhao the Seventh reported:

"They’re about thirty li from Jade Peak County. Our brothers on reconnaissance spotted their movement ahead of time and immediately rode back to report. The others are still watching them and will report their distance as they advance.

Furthermore, the reports say there are a massive number of them—a continuous column that stretches beyond the horizon. But they aren’t moving quickly. We estimate they’ll reach Jade Peak County by nightfall."

Zhao the Seventh and the other three Hall Masters had already reached Entry Grade, becoming Ninth Grade Martial Artists some time before the other members.