Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

”Over the past decade or more, due to the Lingbao Commerce Association, many cultivators have fled the Northern Plains to settle in our Tushan, even joining various spirit fields and herb fields of the Tushan Dojo.”

”Consequently, we have gained a much better understanding of the Northern Plains.”

Li Qingyun lowered his voice and said, ”The war between the Great Sun Sect and the Righteous and Demonic Alliance has become increasingly fierce, with a large number of loose cultivators and scions of smaller families getting swept up in the conflict. Many foundation-building cultivators and Qi cultivators have died, forcing them to flee to remote places to avoid the turbulence of war.”

”Now it seems that even Golden Pill Monks have begun to flee.”

”This Daoist Yellow Leopard who sent us his visiting card is probably such a case. This trend could lead to unrest in the lands of the Three Kingdoms.”

”Are you saying that this Golden Pill harbors ill intentions?”

Jiang Ding asked.

He never considered himself to be extremely clever and was more than willing to listen to the opinions of professionals.

”It is certainly so.”

Li Qingyun replied without hesitation: ”Golden Pill Monks, no matter where they are, will naturally seek a domain that suits their status and identity. This is his probing.”

”I understand.”

Jiang Ding nodded.

”Yes.”

Li Qingyun did not say anything further.

”Are you going to leave soon?”

Jiang Ding brought up another matter.

Years ago, he had persuaded Li Qingyun to stay and build up the core structure of the Tushan Dojo’s personnel. It was supposed to be for ten years, then extended by another five, and now that time had expired.

After all, the other person was of Heavenly Water Spiritual Root, a disciple of a Supreme Elder of the Qiyu Sect and couldn’t be expected to serve as a steward forever.

”Junior Master Uncle, it is so,” Li Qingyun said apologetically. ”The Master yearns for me, and I really cannot fail to return to our sect and receive the Master’s instruction.”

He also felt some reluctance in his heart.

Over these fifteen years, they had got along quite harmoniously. Although the man before him was more powerful and senior, he spoke straightforwardly, expressed any requests openly, and had granted him a great deal of autonomy. He could spread his wings in the Demon Country without the constraints that came with being in a sect.

He didn’t have to feel the immense pressure that was impossible to ignore when facing his Master, even though his Master was also kind and approachable.

Nevertheless, the path of cultivation had to be prioritized.

”Do you have a recommendation for your successor?”

Jiang Ding asked.

”Monk Fa Zheng,”

Li Qingyun thought for a moment: ”Although his cultivation base is only at the early stage of foundation building, he is generous and compassionate without being pedantic. He has gained the trust of many loose cultivators and sect foundation builders. We both emerged from the obscurity of Jianghu in Yue Country, so there is a sense of camaraderie. He is suitable for this great responsibility.”

”Then let it be him.”

Jiang Ding didn’t hesitate much, tossing him a storage bag.

”I wish you a smooth journey and safety along the way.”

There wasn’t much inside the bag, just five million low-grade spirit stones, which was something of a bonus for his years of service.

”Thank you, Junior Master Uncle!”

Li Qingyun did not decline, he cupped his fists in gratitude, took his leave, and departed.

...

Jiang Ding connected his Divine Sense to the formation method of Tushan Immortal City and looked towards one corner of the city, inside the most expensive Class A Guest Room Cave Abode.

A rugged-looking man sat cross-legged, his body strong and muscular, with arms like an ape and a waist like a bee. His skin occasionally flashed a hint of iron color, clearly practicing some body-refining technique and possessing formidable strength among his peers.

His cultivation base was at the early stage of Golden Pill.

With a mere thought, the Heavenly Earth Spiritual Qi fluctuated and condensed into a hazy silhouette of an ordinary-looking young man whose fierce and sharp Sword Intent spread outwards bit by bit.

”Who’s there?”

Daoist Yellow Leopard’s eyes snapped open suddenly.

A moment later, he stood up, revealing a slight smile as he cupped his fists and said, ”I give my greetings to the esteemed Daoist Sword Ancestor of Tushan. My uninvited presence demands forgiveness.”

His Divine Sense swept over and he faintly discerned the early Golden Pill aura of the other, which made him astonished.

But upon sensing the bright, scorching, and sharp Sword Intent, he shivered again.

Those who possessed Sword Intent were without exception overlords of their realm, capable of fighting across levels, and should not be regarded as mere early-stage Golden Pill Cultivators.

”Tushan Sword Ancestor, that title is casually used by the junior cultivators, there’s no need to be so formal, friend. You can simply address me as Tushan,”

Jiang Ding said indifferently.

As cultivators, it was essential to know the ruler of one’s own territory, which was a basic requirement for survival.

Since no names or honorifics had spread, many Qi-cultivating and Foundation-building cultivators spontaneously began using the title, which then circulated and gradually became known to all.

In the Tushan Dojo, there was neither endorsement nor opposition.

”Friend Tushan, having established such a foundation in this place in just over ten years is truly enviable,”

Daoist Yellow Leopard naturally went with the flow and sighed, ”The Northern Plains are war-torn, with major sects acting despotically. We had no choice but to abandon our foundations, flee far and wide, live in exile, the sadness in our hearts is beyond words.”

”May I ask from which part of the Northern Plains you hail, friend? Perhaps our ancestors were acquainted.”

”Just a minor clan.”

Jiang Ding shook his head and did not refute his guess, nor did he reminisce with information about families from Immortal Tiankuang’s memories.

After some small talk, he finally revealed his intention.

”Friend, situated in this foreign land, facing the barbarity of the natives and possessing such a foundation, there must be many difficulties.”

”Since we are from the same homeland, we ought to draw close.”

Daoist Yellow Leopard spoke earnestly, ”I am willing to join your Tushan Dojo as a guest cultivator. I won’t say more, but I can certainly withstand some pressure from Golden Pill Cultivators of the same rank for you.”

He looked confidently at the person in front of him.

A Golden Pill Cultivator was a significant force anywhere, especially when the other party was all by himself, in need of manpower.

Yet, there was silence.

Yellow Leopard’s brow furrowed, and he had a bad feeling.

”Thank you for your kind offer,”

Jiang Ding considered politely for a moment before replying slowly, ”The Tushan Dojo may be weak and have little land, but it barely manages to be self-sufficient. Should you wish it, I can send a letter to Xuetu Hall and Qiyu Sect on your behalf, explaining your intentions.”

Golden Pill, profiters.

He would have to be mad to willingly bring someone else in to share his wealth.

”In that case...”

Yellow Leopard’s expression turned ugly.

He had inquired about both sects; Xuetu Hall had just purged dissidents and slaughtered their own Golden Pill Cultivators.

Qiyu Sect’s legacy spanned many years, and Golden Pills were the highest tier, not readily accepting outsiders for fear of losing their nest to others.

”Friend, as people from the same homeland, we should unite and resist the natives.”

Yellow Leopard attempted to persuade him further.

”I am tired. Please do as you will, Daoist Yellow Leopard.”

Jiang Ding nodded slightly, and his figure disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only one remark, ”Tushan Immortal City welcomes everyone, as long as they abide by the city’s laws.”

”Take care, friend.”

Yellow Leopard’s face was gloomy.

…

Jiang Ding withdrew his gaze.

An early-stage Golden Pill Cultivator, coming from the Northern Plains.

If one thought they could bully their way around in a small place, they would be sorely mistaken.

It would be acceptable for one to earnestly enter the Immortal City system, work and earn the Spiritual Veins and Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures they needed.

He would not oppose this, for a commercial Immortal City would not reject outsiders.

But to think that one could immediately enter the upper echelons of the Tushan Dojo upon arrival, without doing anything, and share the city’s offerings just through a few words, wishing to divide the ownership of Tushan Immortal City.

That was nothing but a pipe dream.