Wang Yu hadn't expected Qingyang to be such a remarkable character. They'd only met twice, and the only real connection was a promise to share intelligence after their first encounter.
Yet Qingyang had recounted his experiences in detail—proof of his integrity.
Now he even offered to lend a treasure. Whether or not he truly meant it, the decisiveness of his tone spoke volumes about his character.
With that, Wang Yu made up his mind.
"Brother Qingyang, after the Eastern Polaris affair, most outsiders left. But a few remained.
"One of Spiritridge's tier-two Yellowcrystal Iron Mines has been seized by a rogue Core Formation cultivator from Youzhou. He's gathered a gang and set up camp—essentially a bandit operation.
"Another site, the tier-two Jade Thunder Banana Grove, 800 li to the north, has also been occupied by a rogue Core Formation cultivator. Both sites have been under the City Lord's authority since Spiritridge was founded."
In other words, these were unregistered private holdings.
Whoever held the City Lord's seat controlled them. In past years, they'd been managed by the younger generation of the Zhuo Clan. Wang Yu had simply gotten lucky.
Once his term ended, he'd have to return them to the Zhuo Clan. The banana grove bore fruit once every ten years—not counted in his income cycle.
The Yellowcrystal mine was brittle and difficult to extract, used mostly as auxiliary material. It was sold every twelve years—also not part of his income cycle.
Pure private assets. He'd have to reclaim them himself.
Wang Yu's meaning was clear. Qingyang understood—and looked troubled.
"Brother Wang, it's not that I'm unwilling.
"I've only just formed my core. I haven't refined a life-bound artifact or cultivated a life-bound divine ability. I may have the realm, but I lack the means."
He was being honest. A Core Formation cultivator needed both a life-bound artifact and a divine ability to fully wield their power.
The two rogue cultivators had joined the Fire Demon Sect precisely to obtain a divine ability.
Unlike spells, divine abilities could be inscribed onto the core itself, gaining scalability. The higher the realm, the stronger the ability.
Nascent Soul and Soul Formation cultivators all relied on divine abilities. They were the ultimate protective arts, with complex requirements.
Qingyang couldn't promise anything yet.
Seeing Wang Yu's understanding, Qingyang felt a bit guilty. He tested the waters:
"If Brother Wang has a trump card against Core Formation cultivators, I might be able to assist. I can't use a divine ability yet, but among my ancestor's relics is a high-grade magical artifact. I can wield it fully."
Wang Yu: "…"
He understood now. Qingyang wasn't being evasive—he was probing. Even in the demonic path, Qingyang's character was considered upright. His earlier refusal was just a test.
Seeing Wang Yu hesitate, he dangled bait.
Wang Yu took a deep breath.
"I'm fifty percent confident. I have an early tier-three Moonfiend corpse—perfect for a beatdown. With your help, our chances rise to eighty percent.
"As for spoils, we split fifty-fifty. If you use your trump card, you get an extra twenty percent. Deal?"
As expected, Qingyang had been waiting for the offer.
He clapped his hands.
"Excellent! Brother Wang is wise indeed. I'll lend my strength!"
He mainly wanted the resource site back. Giving up some spoils was fine. Qingyang was clearly short on materials to refine his life-bound artifact.
The Inkveil Sect's founder had lived a thousand years ago. The artifact and legacy were intact, but any casually stored pills or herbs were likely spoiled.
Even storage rings and spatial artifacts had time flow inside. Short-term was fine, but long-term required preservation techniques.
"Then let's prepare. We depart at noon tomorrow."
"Agreed!"
With the deal sealed, Wang Yu shared his intelligence with Qingyang. It wasn't exhaustive, but included details on the enemy's divine ability and artifact.
In cultivation battles, intel was crucial.
Preparedness could decide victory. The world was full of strange treasures—there was always something that could counter you.
One famous case involved a Core Formation prodigy with a wind-summoning divine ability. He was killed by a Foundation Establishment junior using a rare Wind-Fixing Pearl. His death became a cautionary tale.
After arranging personnel for tomorrow's operation, Wang Yu summoned Snow Jade. The fox was also ready to break through—perfect timing.
During the first treasure exchange, Snow Jade had been close. Wang Yu had spent half a year refining the Moonfiend corpse, but his cultivation hadn't stalled. He now had 799 drops of true essence.
"Snow Jade, take this Frost Spirit Pill. Time to break through."
"Awuu~"
In the City Lord's main hall, the three-tailed snow fox lay curled, lifting its head as its aura surged. Wang Yu smiled faintly and circulated his technique.
His body trembled—he crossed the 800-drop threshold and officially entered Foundation Establishment fifth layer.
To reach sixth layer, he'd need 1,400 drops. That would take time. The placement panel alone would need 16.5 years.
But with his cultivation speed and top-grade Ice Spirit Pills, it might take only 7–8 years. If lucky, 5–6.
Late Foundation Establishment was true grinding. Just thinking about the 9,999-drop requirement felt like facing a chasm.
Snow Jade took longer. By dusk, it broke through to Foundation Establishment third layer. Its ice-type demon arts grew stronger.
—
Yellowcrystal Iron Mine.
A net had been cast. City Lord's agents hid in all directions—not to attack or block, but to monitor escape routes.
Wang Yu didn't want the enemy to flee and expose his Moonfiend corpse.
At that moment—
He and Qingyang crouched behind a low hill, discussing tactics.
"Brother, the one occupying this site is known as Flame-Spitter. He specializes in fire arts and wields a high-grade artifact—the [Crimson Chain Sword]. His divine ability is [Three-Core Flame Spit]."
Wang Yu had studied flame-spitting techniques before, but divine abilities were on another level.
Back in Qi Refining, it had served him well—a solid area attack spell.
Core Formation cultivators possessed two unique traits:
First, Threefold True Flame.
Heart flame (monarch), kidney flame (minister), bladder flame (commoner)—three fires united as the True Flame of a cultivator.
Flame-Spitter's [Three-Core Flame Spit] was based on this, refining organ essence into flame cores. Its power rivaled heavenly fire.
Second, Indestructible Core.
At this stage, even if the body perished, the soul could escape via the core. With soul-seizing techniques, one could even reincarnate—just short of Nascent Soul possession.
At third stage, death became far less likely.
But in special locations, the core's protection weakened. For survival, Nascent Soul was still superior.
Wang Yu had prepared for all contingencies.
"Brother Wang, I understand. So how do we fight?"
"How?"
Wang Yu smirked, glancing at the black-robed Moonfiend corpse.
"Beat him to death. The corpse strikes first—you'll know what to do."
—
Inside the mine—
A group of Qi Refining rogue cultivators worked under Flame-Spitter, who had no Foundation Establishment subordinates. He cracked a flaming whip, snapping it through the air.
He watched his men dig carefully, growing impatient.
"Faster! Strip the stone skin with your nails. Don't use those trash artifacts. Damage my treasure and I'll whip you to death!"
Clearly, "gathering allies" was just enslaving miners. No Foundation Establishment cultivator would join him.
The miners exchanged bitter glances, whispering through sound transmission:
"Just hold on. He won't be smug for long. This Youzhou bumpkin doesn't even know whose land he's on."
"Right. I barely escaped Eastern Polaris, and now I'm stuck here. Hope the City Lord sends help soon."
"If not him, maybe someone from Purple Dragon Mountain or Inkveil Sect."
"Sigh… it's been years."
The mood turned grim.
They weren't fools. After so long, hope had faded. Their chatter was just venting.
Suddenly, someone shivered.
"Why does it feel cold?"
"You're just weak. Even in winter, a cultivator shouldn't feel cold."
"No… it's snowing."
"So what—"
"There's freezing rain. Sleet?"
"Damn it…"
Even the hot-tempered Qi Refining cultivator flinched. No more curses came.
"Something's wrong." Flame-Spitter hovered in midair, frowning at the snow and freezing rain laced with true essence. He sneered.
"So it's you. The turtle of Spiritridge finally shows his face? Guess your name fits—Turtle Ridge! Hahaha!"
Wang Yu and Snow Jade stood openly in the sky, 100 meters above ground, surrounded by icy mist.
"I've had more pressing matters. You really think I couldn't deal with you?"
"Heh—"
Flame-Spitter's contempt was palpable. But his vast spiritual sense had already spread. Finding only low-level cultivators hiding far away, he didn't relax.
He knew Wang Yu was only Foundation Establishment. No way he'd come alone.
"Show me what you've got. If you're planning a sneak attack, forget it."
Flame-Spitter's voice dripped with disdain. But even as he mocked, his spiritual sense remained fully extended, scanning for hidden threats.
Then—
The snow fox, Snow Jade, darted to the right, circling wide. Ten icy claws formed from condensed frost shot toward Flame-Spitter in a flurry of shimmering arcs.
"Trivial tricks."
He barely moved. His arms spread wide.
A torrent of crimson flame erupted from his palms, forming a blazing sea that engulfed the incoming frost claws. They evaporated instantly, leaving no trace.
But just then—
The ground rippled like water.
The Moonfiend corpse burst forth!
Flame-Spitter sneered. "I thought you had some clever plan. This is garbage."
(End of Chapter)