Chapter 402: Chapter 402

The once peaceful Jiaoying City had once again embarked on a path of expansion.

The races living leisurely within the city once more felt the harsh law of survival in the Star Sea Realm.

"CLANG, CLANG, CLANG"

The Precious Bell atop the city tower rang out, signaling Jiaoying City’s expansion.

Twelve Asura Golden Immortals, two per group, each leading their own Asura troops, were arrayed upon the Commander’s Platform.

Chen Jiuge looked at the first group ready for action and said seriously, "You are all veterans who followed me from the beginning. I won’t say much; just complete your respective objectives."

"After you’ve fully occupied your areas, send a message to the Strategy Department. They’ll arrange for people to take over. You also need to garrison the territories you’ve conquered."

Numerous Asuras, brimming with a potent aura of slaughter, caused a vast Shura Dharma to appear above Jiaoying City. It was formed purely from murderous intent, chilling any ordinary Cultivator to the bone at a mere glance.

The six Asura armies each set out. Chen Jiuge turned to Luo Wencheng and Luo Kuisan, who were hidden in the void, and said, "Two Elders, I need you to oversee the army. On one hand, to prevent other Immortals from intervening, and on the other, to strengthen our forces’ discipline."

"Even Asuras must act according to military law."

Luo Kuisan frowned. "Is that necessary?"

"It is. I need an iron-blooded army that is completely obedient, and the Asuras are the best candidates. You wouldn’t want the iron-blooded army under my command to be made up of other races, would you, Elder?" Chen Jiuge countered.

"Hmph! This task is undoubtedly meant for my Asura!" Luo Kuisan declared proudly before vanishing.

"Brother Cheng, I need you to keep a closer eye on my other troops. Elder Luo Kuisan is too prejudiced against other races," Chen Jiuge called out to Luo Wencheng, who was about to leave.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll be biased too?" Luo Wencheng asked in surprise.

Chen Jiuge shook his head. Elder Luo Wencheng was having such a blast with those bunny girls at the bar; I really can’t see any prejudice in him.

The primary territory targeted in this expansion was the dense forest sandwiched between Jiaoying City and the Heavenly Realm Sect’s former stronghold.

Luo Zhenhai said with dissatisfaction, looking at the Spirit Soil Clan members lazing about, "Why am I the one stuck dealing with the Spirit Soil Clan?"

Luo Zhen replied with a sigh, "It was the luck of the draw; yours was just bad. Try to persuade them first."

"I’m not going. You go talk," Luo Zhenhai said, shaking his head.

Luo Zhen was hesitant. Although he preferred to use his fists to persuade others, the Divine Son had emphasized the Spirit Soil Clan’s importance and the need to minimize casualties. Regardless, he had to try talking first.

The Spirit Soil Clan members, covered in mud and with Spirit Plants growing on their heads, were known for their skill in cultivating these plants. Because they excelled at cultivating Spirit Plants, they had a relatively high number of Golden Immortals—four in total—and also boasted the most Heavenly Immortals.

If it weren’t for the Spirit Soil Clan’s poor combat skills, their race would have been among the top in the dense forest.

"The Asuras are here! The Asuras are here!"

The Spirit Soil Clan gatekeeper paled upon seeing Luo Zhen. The multicolored Spirit Flower on its head wilted instantly. Turning, it scrambled back towards its clan, leaving a trail of muddy footprints on the neat stone slab path.

Luo Zhen awkwardly lowered the hand he had half-raised and muttered, "How rude! And here I was, planning to be friendly and greet them first."

Before long, Nile, the current Clan Leader of the Spirit Soil Clan, approached Luo Zhen with a solemn expression and asked respectfully, "Honorable Asura, may I inquire about the purpose of your visit to our Spirit Soil Clan?"

"Do you wish to purchase Spirit Plants or place a custom order for them?"

Luo Zhen’s gaze fell on the small grass effigy bowing in unison atop Nile’s head. He remarked with interest, "That grass figure on your head has quite a strong aura. It seems the rumors about the Spirit Soil Clan lacking combat prowess can’t be fully trusted!"

"Anyway, I’m here to give your Spirit Soil Clan two options!"

"First, we beat you into submission, and you pledge allegiance to our Jiaoying City. Second, you surrender willingly."

A hint of battle eagerness flickered across Luo Zhen’s face.

Nile shuddered, dislodging some dirt from its body. Its expression turned troubled as it said, "My clan has no conflict with the Divine Son of Jiaoying City, do we?"

"None. Don’t waste words. Choose, and quickly."

"I have a good temper, but my comrades’ temperaments are another story," Luo Zhen said, gesturing towards the now-visible Asura army.

Nile struggled internally before finally saying with some resignation, "I can surrender, but you must defeat us first!"

Luo Zhen looked at the three Golden Immortals stepping forward from behind Nile and said with a grin of eager anticipation, "Zhen Hai, time to get to work!"

「Blood Wolf Clan Territory」

Unlike the Saber Wolf Clan, the Blood Wolf Clan was significantly weaker, but its members were all fanatics who would fight to the death if provoked.

Coupled with their extreme poverty, hardly any race in the dense forest dared to provoke them, which fostered their lawless nature.

Luo Han looked at the glob of spit that had nearly landed on him and said with a cruel smile, "It’s been a long time since anyone dared to treat me this way."

"Luo Ze, act! Kill them all. Leave no one alive."

The Blood Wolf Clan’s red-haired Golden Immortal was dragged into the void. Simultaneously, loud battle cries and wolf howls erupted throughout the Blood Wolf Clan’s territory, echoing for a very, very long time.

Apart from the more amenable Spirit Soil Clan, the other Asura Golden Immortals’ opponents were unwilling to surrender without a fight. The dense forest was where they had always lived. Even if the Asura’s Divine Son wanted to forcibly seize it, they would fight first and talk later!

(Generally, Immortals cannot massacre cultivators of lower cultivation levels. Killing too many would cause them to be marked by the Heavenly Dao, leading to difficulties in comprehending the Dao, or even invoking curses and Heavenly Tribulations.)

Sha Jun rushed into the Administration Hall, his fierce face showing a hint of anxiety. Seeing Chen Jiuge issuing orders, he knelt on one knee and asked, "City Lord, why am I not on the mobilization list?"

Chen Jiuge frowned slightly. "Who let you in!"

"I forced my way in. I just..."

"You will be punished with three strikes of the Five Elements Thunder. If this happens again, you can forget about being Great Commander," Chen Jiuge interrupted.

Sha Jun lowered his head. "Yes."

"Your name isn’t on the list because the logistics team can only support six armies at present. I want a steady and methodical advance," Chen Jiuge explained, showing some consideration for Sha Jun.

"But..." Sha Jun wanted to protest but didn’t know what to say. Most of the Asura Golden Immortals were stronger than him, and even the weakest few were his equals. He truly had no advantage.

"Return for now. Your turn will come. I know you’re eager for revenge, but you need strength for that. Oh, and don’t forget to go to the Five Elements Heavenly Prison to receive your punishment," Chen Jiuge added, his tone softening.

Watching Sha Jun’s dejected retreating figure, Li Qiwen said with a hint of sympathy, "Actually, the logistics teams could probably manage a few more units."

"Oh? You’re actually speaking up for Sha Jun?" Chen Jiuge teased.

Li Qiwen rolled her eyes attractively. "What are you thinking? I’m considering this for your sake."

"Haven’t you been wracking your brain over this great, chaotic war? A faster expansion rate would be beneficial."

"There’s no rush. The six clans we’ve targeted this time are key. As long as we handle this step, things will become simpler," Chen Jiuge said with a slight smile.

Chen Jiuge spread out a map, pointed to the Spirit Soil Clan, and then to the other five targeted clans. "Gavin and Jia Wu of the Dawn Clan have defected to us, but the rest of their clan has not. Our healing capabilities are severely lacking."

"Furthermore, Jiaoying City primarily produces ores. Even with my Eden Garden and other clans in the city skilled in cultivating Spirit Plants helping out, our supply of Spiritual Medicine is still far too low."

"More importantly, the training of Artifact Refiners and Alchemists is too slow. We still need more time."

"The Spirit Soil Clan can solve our Spiritual Medicine supply problem. With enough Spiritual Medicine, training Alchemists will no longer be an issue."

"As for the Artifact Refiners, I have other arrangements."

Li Qiwen studied the map carefully and said with surprise, "City Lord, if you hadn’t pointed it out, I truly wouldn’t have noticed!"

"You all aren’t the only ones growing, you know," Chen Jiuge said, somewhat smugly.

Yue Meng felt like her hands were about to break. The Medicine Mortar in her grip seemed to have been pounded down.

Looking at the freshly refined Elixirs, Yue Meng sighed. "How many more are there?"

Little Huojing, brimming with Primordial Qi, said with a resonant and cheerful voice, "Sister Yue Meng, we’re getting there! We’re already halfway done!"

"Only half? Just kill me now!" Yue Meng’s small face was etched with utter despair.

"It seems I’ve arrived at just the right time," Su Mei said with a light chuckle.

Su Mei hadn’t come alone; behind her followed two people, He Chong and He Qianqian.

These two were Alchemists Chen Jiuge had recruited at a hiring event for Loose Cultivators. Over the years, thanks to an abundant supply of Spirit Plants, not only had their Alchemy skills improved dramatically, but their cultivation had also broken through to the True Immortal realm. Su Mei had now brought them to assist.

"This aura... are they Alchemists?" Yue Meng looked at the old man and the young girl with some surprise.

"Alchemy Master He Chong and his granddaughter He Qianqian. She is only one step away from becoming an Alchemy Master. I specially found them to help you," Su Mei said with a smile.

"Thank you so much, Sister Su Mei. This is a huge help," Yue Meng said gratefully.

"Then I won’t disturb you further. I still need to check on Da Bai. It’s truly in a pitiful state, and good Artifact Refiners are hard to find," Su Mei said, departing quickly.

Yue Meng muttered, "Serves him right for not cultivating diligently. He still hasn’t even stabilized his skills as an Artifact Refining Master."

"Lady Yue Meng, what should we do now?" He Chong asked, somewhat reservedly. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel_fіre.net

"He Chong, is it? No need to be nervous. It’s just Alchemy. This is our list; just focus on refining these," Yue Meng said, pulling out an incredibly long list.

He Chong gasped. "All of these...?"

Yue Meng nodded, her expression pained. "Every single one!"