Great Wilderness Tycoon

"Stop! What cultivator are you, trespassing into the territory of our Wu Clan?"

You's voice rang like a great bell, his gaze sharp as blades as it swept over Chen Song and the three exotic beasts behind him. When he sensed the extraordinary auras of Green Ox and Kui Ox in particular, his eyes grew even more wary. The Wu Clan did not cultivate primordial spirits, but they were exceptionally sensitive to qi, blood, and strength.

Chen Song jumped down from Big White's back and clasped his hands with a grin. "Elder Brother, this humble Daoist is Chen Song, a disciple under the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun Mountain. I have come specifically to visit the esteemed ancestral witches. Please announce me."

"A disciple of the Three Pure Ones?" You frowned. The Wu Clan had no major conflicts with the Three Pure Ones, but neither were they particularly familiar with them. He sized Chen Song up. Though Chen Song's aura was mysterious, he did not seem to have reached the level of an ancestral witch, and he had brought three clearly tamed exotic beasts with him. You found it hard to believe him, suspecting that he was simply talking nonsense.

"Hmph! You say you're a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, and that makes it true? What proof do you have? Do you think you can meet the ancestral witches just because you say so?" You snorted coldly and slammed his massive axe down. Ripples spread through the void. "You look highly suspicious to me. Leave at once, or don't blame me for being rude!"

Chen Song burst out laughing. "Oh? I need proof? When I was playing mahjong with your ancestral witches at Zixiao Palace, you were probably still training your muscles!" He had only meant it as a joke, but to You, it was a tremendous insult and provocation!

"You arrogant brat! How dare you insult the ancestral witches! Take my axe!" You flew into a rage, no longer bothering with words. His qi and blood erupted around him like a blazing furnace, and his massive axe came crashing down at Chen Song with enough force to split mountains and shatter stones! The Wu Clan had always fought directly and domineeringly!

"Damn! You're really attacking just like that?" Chen Song had not expected this great Wu's temper to be so explosive. He hurriedly used his movement technique to dodge. The axe light skimmed past him and carved a bottomless ravine into the ground!

"Elder Brother! Watch out!" Big White shrieked in terror and hid behind Green Ox.

Seeing this, Kui Ox and Green Ox immediately stepped forward to shield Chen Song. Lightning flickered around Kui Ox's single leg, while watery vapor surged from Green Ox's horn. Two powerful auras locked onto You.

"Hmph! You think two beasts can protect you?" You showed no fear. Several great Wus behind him also drew their weapons, and the atmosphere instantly became taut with tension!

"Stop!"

At that critical moment, a gentle female voice carrying unquestionable authority rang out. An earthy yellow flash streaked past, and a female ancestral witch appeared in the middle of the scene. She had a human body and a serpent's tail, a compassionate face, and a dense, peaceful aura around her. It was none other than the ancestral witch Houtu.

"You, do not be rude." Houtu glanced at You, and he immediately withdrew his aura and respectfully stepped back.

She then turned her gaze toward Chen Song, a trace of surprise and a smile appearing on her face. "I was wondering who dared make a commotion at the gates of our Wu Clan. So it was little friend Chen Song. A thousand years have passed, yet little friend's bearing surpasses what it once was."

This fellow truly was an interesting person. He had actually dared to lead her other brothers and sisters in games at a place as solemn and dignified as Zixiao Palace. She did not know whether he was truly bold or simply had something to rely on.

When Chen Song saw an "old acquaintance," especially the even-tempered Houtu, he immediately relaxed. He hurried forward to greet her. "Senior Houtu! You finally came! Your gatekeeping elder brother is way too straightforward. He nearly chopped me down as a spy!"

Houtu smiled. "You has a straightforward temperament. Little friend, please do not take offense. May I ask what brings you here today?" Naturally, she had also noticed Green Ox and Kui Ox behind Chen Song, and she was secretly surprised by the mystique of the two bulls.

As the ancestral witch of earth, she was very familiar with the terrain around Buzhou Mountain. That Green Ox must have been the one cultivating quietly in the nearby marshlands.

Chen Song chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "It's nothing major. I was traveling past Buzhou Mountain and thought it had been a long time since I last saw all the ancestral witch seniors, so I came by to visit." As he spoke, he winked at Houtu.

Houtu thought to herself that this child was truly familiar with everyone. She had not even been among those who played with him at Zixiao Palace.

"I see. Little friend is thoughtful." Houtu nodded. "In that case, please come inside with me. Several of my elder brothers happen to be in the tribe as well."

With Houtu leading the way, they naturally encountered no further obstacles. Though You and the other great Wus still harbored some doubts toward Chen Song, they did not dare say anything more after Houtu spoke. They merely watched this strange group with curiosity.

Once inside the Wu Clan settlement, Chen Song's eyes were opened wide. Strong Wu clansmen were everywhere. Some were wrestling, some were tempering their bodies, and some were breaking down enormous demon beasts. The place was filled with a primal, savage sense of power.

Quite a few Wu clansmen curiously watched this "delicate-skinned" outsider, the two bulls beside him that clearly looked dangerous, and Big White, who looked both foolish and oddly smug.

Houtu led Chen Song straight into an exceptionally spacious stone hall at the center of the settlement. At that moment, several ancestral witches were inside discussing matters or... drinking and eating meat.

"Haha! Sister Houtu, you're back? Hm? Who's this little fellow? He looks somewhat familiar." Zhurong, an ancestral witch covered in fiery red with a violent temperament, was the first to shout. He still held a roasted beast leg in his hand, its surface charred and fragrant.

"Huh? Isn't this Little Pine Tree?" Gonggong, with his long water-blue hair, also recognized Chen Song.

Then Dijiang, Gou Mang, Rushou, and several other ancestral witches present all turned their gazes toward him. Chen Song's performance at Zixiao Palace—mainly his ability to stir up trouble—had left a deep impression on them.

"Greetings, ancestral witch seniors. It's been a long time. I've missed you all greatly!" Chen Song greeted them with his usual shameless familiarity, then introduced the new members behind him. "These are the... ahem, partners I recently took in: Kui Ox and Green Ox. And this foolish dog is Big White."

Big White was stared at by so many ancestral witches that his tail tucked tightly between his legs. Still, he forced out a "Woof," which counted as a greeting.

Kui Ox and Green Ox, meanwhile, lowered their heads in respect toward the strong.

"Yo! Not bad, kid! These two calves are pretty impressive. Both are powerful exotic beasts of the Great Wilderness!" Zhurong strode over carelessly and patted Kui Ox and Green Ox. Feeling the immense power within their bodies, he nodded. "Interesting!"

Gonggong was more interested in Green Ox. "This Green Ox's water spirit qi is very pure! Come, come, come! Compete with me in water-control techniques!" As he spoke, he was already about to make a move.

Chen Song held his forehead. The Wu Clan people were good in every way and treated him quite well, but they just did not have much brains. They were single-minded and reckless!

Chen Song hurriedly stopped him. "Senior Gonggong! Senior Gonggong! Please calm down! I mainly came this time to gather with you seniors and play something interesting!" He quickly steered the conversation back on track.

The moment they heard "play something interesting," the eyes of several ancestral witches lit up. They had never forgotten the mahjong and poker they had played outside Zixiao Palace.

"Something interesting? Mahjong or Landlord? Come on, come on! Sister Houtu is here this time, so we'll definitely plaster your face with slips!" Dijiang instantly appeared before Chen Song, his face full of anticipation.

"Or are we playing Werewolf?" Gou Mang also crowded over with shining eyes.

"Hurry up! Take it out! We didn't get enough last time!" Zhurong urged impatiently.

It was not as though they had not played after returning, but the Wu Clan's intelligence was lacking to begin with. On top of that, they felt the games were nowhere near as fun without Chen Song around.

Chen Song looked at the ancestral witches, who resembled a group of curious children, and secretly laughed. Sure enough, whether human or Wu, no one could escape the law of irresistible appeal! He cleared his throat, sounding like a salesman.

"Esteemed seniors! The mahjong, poker, and Werewolf we played last time were nothing! Today, this junior has brought something newer and even more fun!"

As he spoke, he took out an enormous game board engraved with the mountains and rivers of the Great Wilderness, marked with various fortuitous encounters, dangerous lands, and blessed grotto-heavens. He also brought out a pile of differently shaped game pieces representing different races and cultivation levels, along with several specially made dice.

"This item is called—'Great Wilderness Tycoon'!"