114: The time has come

“Currently, sixty-eight Blood Stone Cultivation Buildings have been completed. Each building can accommodate fifty Refining Spirit Experts and two True Martial Experts for Cultivation…”

Gu Chang did not choose to hoard the precious resource of Blood Stone. Instead, after thoroughly understanding its specific uses, he opted for a method that maximized its effectiveness.

It was precisely because of this action that he not only greatly enhanced the Shenwu Dynasty's control over martial artists but also gained a more stable reputation among martial artists and common people.

With the Blood Stone Cultivation Buildings and the Medicinal Pills refined from Beast Kings, the number of Refining Spirit Experts and True Martial Experts in the entire Shenwu Dynasty immediately increased severalfold.

Currently, the Shenwu Dynasty has over ten thousand known Refining Spirit Experts and more than a hundred True Martial Experts. Such a formidable top-tier fighting force is absolutely an existence that can make any force or country feel intimidated!

“What about the Beast King cultivation plan?”

“Hundreds of powerful Yao Beasts have already been selected. These Yao Beasts retain their most ferocious nature and terrifying instincts.”

“Then they will be brought into Blood Stone City and stimulated by the power of the Blood Stone, but currently, no Yao Beast has successfully broken through to the Beast King level.”

“According to the research of various veterinarians and beast tamers, this process will probably need to continue for several more years…”

Facing Gu Chang's inquiry, Ma Wu answered all his questions almost without hesitation. A powerful martial artist is by no means just a muscle monster; he is powerful in all aspects!

“It's a pity that we didn't find any Blood Stone where we captured other Beast Kings; otherwise, Blood Stone wouldn't be so scarce.”

“Although some other Materials were discovered, their value is greatly reduced compared to Blood Stone.”

“However, from this, it can also be known that even without Blood Stone stimulation, the competition and slaughter among Yao Beasts themselves can help them achieve Breakthroughs, though the probability is quite low.”

Gu Chang could only sigh upon hearing this. The discovery of Blood Stone was definitely his greatest gain in these years.

“Your Majesty, recently, subordinates have discovered foreign spies attempting to uncover the secrets of Blood Stone.”

Suddenly, Ma Wu spoke, revealing this piece of news to Gu Chang. Such incidents have certainly not been rare in recent years. Whether it's certain Families within the Shenwu Dynasty or other foreign races, they all have ideas about this precious Material.

“From which country are they?”

“Redwood Country!”

“Heh, have Long Guangquan lead five thousand elite soldiers to give them a lesson. These foreign races only know to fear power and not to appreciate benevolence!”

Gu Chang's eyes instantly became sharp, and then he made a direct decision.

“Yes! Your subordinate will arrange it immediately!”

Ma Wu agreed directly and then left.

Since the Shenwu Dynasty's continuous expansion, it has come into contact with more and more countries of various sizes. Naturally, whether for territory or resources, conflicts and frictions between the Shenwu Dynasty and these countries are inevitable.

However, most small countries are self-aware enough to directly choose to submit and become vassal states when facing a behemoth they absolutely cannot defeat, but there are always ambitious people in this world.

Gu Chang has never been soft-hearted towards these forces or countries!

Although he said to give Redwood Country a lesson, as long as a Martial Dao Grandmaster leads an elite army, it will inevitably cause the most terrifying results. This time, Redwood Country's powerful figures will surely be uprooted!

“Talismans, Formations, Alchemy, and Artifact Refining are basically on the right track now. It's a pity that the Legacies I can currently obtain are only first-tier content. Second-tier Immortal Cultivation Hundred Arts Legacies are simply not available for sale in any shops.”

“In terms of martial Dao, various basic theories are also becoming more mature, but the level beyond True Martial is still relatively distant; even I can't grasp it right now.”

“Next, perhaps I should dedicate more time and energy to Immortal Cultivation. Only by improving my immortal Dao strength can I obtain more Immortal Cultivation resources, Cultivation Techniques, Legacies, and so on.”

Two years in the real world passed in a flash. In Lingbao Island Town Market, after Gu Chang sold a batch of Talismans he had drawn, he once again came to Listening Rain Pavilion to inquire about news.

“…The turmoil in Qingling Mountain Trading District has basically ended now. The Secret Realm that appeared earlier was undoubtedly brought under the Cloud Firmament Palace's control. At the same time, several Loose Cultivators, having gained many benefits in the Secret Realm, were also taken in by the Cloud Firmament Palace. However, most other Cultivators gained no benefits and suffered considerable losses; many lost their lives or had their Dao paths severed due to fighting and slaughter!”

“The biggest losers this time were naturally the Loose Cultivators and Qing Ling Market. It is rumored that this was due to the Cloud Firmament Palace intentionally suppressing various Immortal Cultivation Families and Loose Cultivator forces.”

The female Cultivator Li Yanran, whom Gu Chang was familiar with, narrated the situation regarding Qingling Mountain while brewing tea.

“These orthodox Sects act without any scruples.”

Gu Chang took a sip of Cloud Dragon Mist Tea and then calmly offered his evaluation. The reason he left Qingling Mountain back then was precisely this; a small Qi Refining Cultivator, once involved in the power struggles between those major forces, would surely face an unpredictable fate of life and death.

“Heh heh, of course. Major Sects have always regarded everything in their territory as their own. How could they possibly share benefits with others?”

“However, our Jiangchuan Ze is different. Fellow Daoist, weren't you looking for a spiritual land to Cultivate?”

“Now there's a good opportunity. Several major Families have decided to expand deeper into Jiangchuan Ze. For this, they have specially gathered manpower to jointly attack several Spirit Islands occupied by Yao Beasts.”

“This is a rare opportunity in a hundred years! As long as you follow the Cultivator army and successfully capture a Spirit Island, you will be able to obtain a piece of spiritual land belonging to you on that Spirit Island!”

“In addition, as long as you participate in this operation, the Eight Great Families will also grant rewards, replenish consumables, and if a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Yao is encountered, there will be a Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor to deal with it…”

What Li Yanran said sounded like a windfall from heaven, but Gu Chang felt no inclination after hearing these words.

“My strength is low, and I am not good at fighting others, let alone dealing with those ferocious Yao Beasts.”

After the other party finished speaking, Gu Chang slowly began to decline.

“Fellow Daoist is joking. Now, who in the entire Lingbao Island Town Market doesn't know of your unique Talisman drawing skill? If you join, you naturally won't be arranged to fight those Yao Beasts to the death. You only need to provide some Talisman support for the Cultivators!”

“When the Spirit Island is taken, your great contribution will naturally be counted!”

Upon hearing Gu Chang's refusal, the smile on Li Yanran's face stiffened a bit, but she continued to add information to Gu Chang.

“So that's how it is. They really think highly of me!”

“Unfortunately, most of the Talismans I drew have already been sold out, and the extra Spirit Stones have all been used for drinking tea at Listening Rain Pavilion, buying Medicinal Pills for Cultivation, or purchasing other Materials.”

“To be honest, my personal wealth is not actually abundant, so let's drop this matter. By now, I have also accepted my fate.”

With that, Gu Chang directly put down five Low-Grade Spirit Stones and left, leaving Li Yanran stunned there.

After leaving Listening Rain Pavilion, Gu Chang found that the atmosphere in the Town Market was indeed much more tense than usual.

“It seems the time is ripe!”

However, this time, unlike the previous situation in Qingling Mountain, Gu Chang now had full confidence!