Forward Outpost Base

"Jizhen, how many Foundation Establishment Cultivators are registered with the Immortal Hall?" Yang Zhengshan continued asking.

"One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight!" Yang Jizhen replied.

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly. The number did not surprise him in the slightest.

More than 1,800 Foundation Establishment Cultivators was still inferior to White Cloud Immortal City in its heyday. One had to know that White Cloud Immortal City had once claimed to possess 2,000 Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

In reality, however, the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators White Cloud Immortal City could truly command at that time amounted to no more than a few hundred.

The Spirit Source Land had more than 1,800 Foundation Establishment Cultivators, which meant Yang Zhengshan could command all 1,800 of them.

The Spirit Source Land had so many Foundation Establishment Cultivators mainly because it had absorbed a large number of cultivators last time—those from White Cloud Immortal City, those from the northeastern part of the Yunxiao Mountain Range, and those from Qingli Immortal City. In that single operation, the Spirit Source Land had absorbed more than 800 Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Several decades passed, and the Spirit Source Land produced quite a few new Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Yang Zhengshan silently calculated in his heart.

More than 1,800 Foundation Establishment Cultivators, over 1,600 Demonic Beasts, more than 3,000 Second-tier Puppets, 8,000 Divine Generals, and 100,000 Jade Capital Guards—this was the greatest military force White Jade Capital could mobilize.

Not to mention the Wuchang Ghost Sect, even the Wanhua Demon Court was far inferior.

For now, however, these forces were already sufficient.

"Kou Ta, Hong Fuxiu!"

"Your subordinate is here!" The two rose and replied.

"You will immediately head to the southern part of the Wanhua Mountain Range and find a temporary base. Deploy Formations and Puppets there and make it our Forward Outpost Base in the Wanhua Mountain Range!" Yang Zhengshan ordered.

The Forward Outpost Base was the Stumbling Block he had prepared for the Wuchang Ghost Sect. It needed to hold the Yin Soldier Army at bay for some time.

"Yes!" Kou Ta replied.

Yang Zhengshan's gaze swept over everyone before he continued, "Xuan Zhen! Lead 3,000 Divine Generals deep into the Wanhua Mountain Range and wage guerrilla warfare!"

"Guerrilla warfare?" Xuan Zhen was somewhat puzzled.

"When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass them; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue! Destroy the Giant Bone Pillars built by the Wuchang Ghost Sect, eliminate the Wuchang Ghost Sect's Yin Soldier Blood Puppets, and capture its Yin Soul Generals! Understood?" Yang Zhengshan said with a smile.

The Spirit Source Land could not clash head-on with the Wuchang Ghost Sect and could only use a few crooked tricks.

Destroying the Giant Bone Pillars would prevent the Wuchang Ghost Sect from altering the spiritual energy environment of the Wanhua Mountain Range. Eliminating the Yin Soldier Blood Puppets would deplete the Wuchang Ghost Sect's strength, while capturing the Yin Soul Generals would allow the Spirit Source Land to obtain more Divine Generals.

"So that's how it is. This poor Daoist understands!" Xuan Zhen chuckled.

Guerrilla warfare was a profound discipline. However, guerrilla warfare in this world would certainly differ from the guerrilla warfare in Yang Zhengshan's memories, so Xuan Zhen would have to figure out the specifics himself. Yang Zhengshan had merely explained the essentials.

"Yue Yao, you should go to the Wanhua Mountain Range as well!" Yang Zhengshan looked toward Yue Yao.

Yue Yao froze, then rose and replied, "Your subordinate obeys!"

"Take 300 Demonic Beasts and wage guerrilla warfare like Xuan Zhen. Can you do it?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

"Yes!" Yue Yao agreed readily.

Sending Yue Yao out was a decision Yang Zhengshan had made after deep consideration.

When the heavens wanted rain and a mother wanted her daughter married, there was nothing anyone could do about it. If Yue Yao harbored ulterior motives, Yang Zhengshan did not mind letting her leave the Spirit Source Land. But if she wanted to sabotage his plans, she could not blame him for cleansing his own sect.

This was a test. The result would depend on Yue Yao's choice.

One month later.

In an unnamed valley in the southern part of the Wanhua Mountain Range, several hundred cultivators and Martial Artists were constructing houses according to the Formation laid out in the valley.

In only a few days, more than a hundred houses had been built within the valley, and the foundation of the grand Formation had also been completed.

Unlike Chunyang Valley, which was merely a temporary base, Chunyang Valley had only a crude Formation whose sole function was to isolate Spiritual Sense probing, with extremely weak defensive power.

Yang Zhengshan intended to turn this place into a Forward Outpost Base. It would eventually face an assault by several million Yin Soldiers, so the Formation here had to be powerful enough.

Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun had both taken charge. They first investigated the Earth Vein and Spirit Vein here, then designed a Third-tier Formation based on them.

Deploying a Third-tier Formation could not be completed in a few days. It required constant adjustments and the identification of omissions, as well as the refinement of various Formation Artifacts. It would take at least several months.

If they were only laying the Formation's foundation, however, it could indeed be completed in a few days.

This valley was likely the Tribal Land of some Demonic Beast tribe. It possessed a second-tier superior Spirit Vein, and the Earth Vein's earth energy was exceptionally dense, making it a fairly good Blessed Land.

The previous war had probably forced this Demonic Beast tribe to move away from its Tribal Land, inadvertently benefiting White Jade Capital.

Having such a Blessed Land greatly benefited White Jade Capital's establishment of a Forward Outpost Base and could save considerable time and resources.

The valley ran from north to south and was trumpet-shaped, narrow in the south and wide in the north. Tall mountains rose on both sides, forming a natural barrier. As long as they built a city wall at the opening in the north, it would become terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

To strengthen the defenses here, the Spirit Source Land decided after discussion to build a city here by relying on the terrain.

Of course, this was no ordinary city, but a fortress-level city.

It would not only have Formation protection, but would also station an army and establish a complete defensive system. At the same time, they would have to draw upon the Earth Vein and Spirit Vein to provide the Formation with abundant spiritual energy.

The Spirit Source Land even planned to raise this place's Spirit Vein to the third tier. That would make it a vast undertaking, one that could not be completed in mere decades.

However, there was no need to hurry. The Spirit Source Land could take its time.

They would first establish the basic defensive system, then complete the city walls and Formation, and finally slowly raise the Spirit Vein's grade.

Yang Zhengshan established a Cave Heaven Portal in the valley. Construction of the Forward Outpost Base proceeded in an orderly fashion, while the Wuchang Ghost Sect's Yin Soldier Army was still more than 5,000 li away.

Five thousand li sounded far, but given the Yin Soldier Army's sweeping speed, it would take at most three months to sweep its way to the vicinity of the Forward Outpost Base.

In other words, the Forward Outpost Base had to be ready within three months to intercept the first wave of the Yin Soldier Army.

At the top of a mountain east of the valley, thick white snow covered the summit, as if it had placed a hat atop the enormous mountain range.

Ma Qiuyan stood high above the summit and looked down at the layers of distant mountains.

"Senior Sister, what are you looking at?" Ning Yun came up behind Ma Qiuyan and asked softly.

Ma Qiuyan turned around and Smiled. "Nothing much."

Ning Yun looked her up and down, then blinked. "Senior Sister, you have something on your mind!"

Ma Qiuyan's expression was somewhat unnatural. "No, I don't!"

"Tsk, you still want to deceive me? Look at these eyes of mine!" Ning Yun pointed at her own clear eyes. "I saw right through you long ago!"

Ma Qiuyan was amused by her appearance and laughed. "You really are still like a child!"

"Master said that people should preserve a bit of childlike innocence. Otherwise, life becomes too exhausting!" Ning Yun giggled.

"Senior Sister, what are you worried about?"

Ma Qiuyan brushed back the loose strands of hair at her forehead. "Ah, I'm worried about Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother? Isn't Senior Brother perfectly fine? What is there to worry about?" Ning Yun was somewhat surprised.

The Senior Brother they were referring to was naturally Yang Jizhen. Although Ma Qiuyan and Yang Jizhen had long since married, Ma Qiuyan still habitually called him Senior Brother.

"Senior Brother is preparing for Core Formation!" Ma Qiuyan said.

Ning Yun suddenly understood. "That's a good thing! Senior Sister, there's no need to worry!"

Yang Jizhen was now 180 years old, and his cultivation had already reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Although he was still some distance from Core Formation, it was time for him to begin making preparations.

Actually, Yang Jizhen was not the only one. Ma Qiuyan, Ning Yun, Cui Yang, Zhang Hexuan, and the others could all begin preparing for Core Formation now.

Li Jianning and Li Jianan were about twenty years younger than them, so they could wait a while longer.

This group of Yang Zhengshan's disciples was exceptionally outstanding. Although none of their talents could be considered especially brilliant, they had abundant resources, so they advanced extremely quickly, and no one had fallen behind.

"Core Formation carries risks, after all," Ma Qiuyan said.

Ning Yun giggled. "Senior Sister, instead of worrying about Senior Brother, you might as well worry about yourself!"

"Me?" Ma Qiuyan looked at her in confusion.

"Yes, you. And not just you—me too!" Ning Yun pulled a bitter melon face. "You know that Master plays favorites. When Senior Brother attempts Core Formation, Master will certainly make every possible preparation, so Senior Brother definitely won't have any problems!"

"But as for you and me, Master probably won't bother with us!"

Ning Yun spoke with an aggrieved expression.

Ma Qiuyan froze, but after thinking about it, she felt Ning Yun's words made sense.

Although Yang Zhengshan usually treated his disciples more or less equally, giving them whatever resources they deserved and showing concern whenever necessary, Yang Jizhen's status was different. He was the first Immortal Cultivator in the Yang Family besides Yang Zhengshan and was highly valued by Yang Zhengshan.

All along, Yang Jizhen had received the best resources and the most care.

Everyone knew this clearly. Of course, no one resented it. One's status could not be changed, and Yang Zhengshan had never treated them unfairly.

"According to what you've said, I really should worry about myself," Ma Qiuyan said with a smile.

After Ning Yun's interruption, the worry in her heart had dissipated considerably.

Ning Yun grinned. "Hehe, I heard that Master has refined another Nine Tripod Divine Pill. When the time comes, we'll go ask Master and have him give each of us a Nine Tripod Divine Pill as a safety net!"

"With a Nine Tripod Divine Pill, even if we can't form a True Core, we can at least form a False Core!"

Hearing this, Ma Qiuyan could not help smiling. "You really are dreaming. Haven't you seen that Second Master and Third Master are still waiting in line for Nine Tripod Divine Pills? How could it be our turn?"

"That may not be so. I heard that True Person Kou and True Person Hong go to the Great Void to gather star cores whenever they have nothing to do. True Person Lin and True Person Yunxiao are also collecting Great Void star cores! Perhaps after a few decades, Master will be able to refine many Nine Tripod Divine Pills." Ning Yun smiled.

"You certainly have well-informed sources!" Ma Qiuyan said.

"Of course. In the entire Immortal Palace, there isn't a single thing I don't know!" Ning Yun said proudly.

"Then do you know how many Spirit Medicines the Green Ox Demon King has?" Ma Qiuyan deliberately tried to stump her.

Sure enough, Ning Yun's smug expression froze. "I really don't know that. The Green Ox Demon King hides them too deeply. Every time I visit, he hides from me, as if he's afraid I'll snatch away his Spirit Medicines!"

Ning Yun was lively by nature and loved visiting people, so she had excellent relationships throughout the Immortal Palace, and most people enjoyed chatting with her.

However, one person did not fall for her charm: the Green Ox Demon King. He only found her annoying, since she was always disturbing his secluded cultivation.

With Green Ox's temperament, he probably wished that no one would ever come knocking on his door.

After chatting and laughing for a while, the two continued deploying the Formation.

Meanwhile, Xuan Zhen had already brought his three disciples, Chang Ming, Chang Qing, and Chang Liang, to the depths of the Central Region of the Wanhua Mountain Range.

However, they had not brought any Divine Generals—or rather, they had not brought White Jade Capital's Divine Generals.

Chang Ming, Chang Qing, and Chang Liang had all been personally taught by Xuan Zhen, and each of them used a Divine General Chessboard as their Life-Bound Magic Treasure.

White Jade Capital was vigorously cultivating Divine Generals, so they naturally had the advantage of being close to the water and could cultivate their own Divine Generals first.

An ordinary Divine General Chessboard could cultivate 361 Divine Generals. The four of them possessed more than 1,400 Divine Generals in total, so there was no need to bring any others.

Just as Yang Zhengshan had expected, although the Wuchang Ghost Sect occupied most of the Wanhua Mountain Range, its Yin Soldier Army could not cover the entire mountain range.

The Wuchang Ghost Sect had already begun arranging for Yin Soldier Blood Puppets to build Giant Bone Pillars throughout the mountains, but building enough Giant Bone Pillars would take several decades at the very least.

The Demonic Beasts in the mountain forests had not been completely cleared out by the Yin Soldier Blood Puppets either. Strange Beasts could still be seen darting through the forests from time to time.

Xuan Zhen and Chang Ming stood atop a cliff, watching a group of Yin Soldier Blood Puppets below hunting a group of Demonic Beasts and Strange Beasts.

The Howling Moon Wolf Tribe was one of the more common Demon Races in the Wanhua Mountain Range. It had many tribes scattered throughout the range.

The one before them had probably not had time to escape. The Yin Soldier Blood Puppets had found its trail and pursued it here.

"Master, there are twelve Yin Soldiers and 362 Blood Puppets below! Should we attack?" Chang Qing asked eagerly.

Xuan Zhen's gaze swept over the forest below. "You're mistaken. There are also four Foundation Establishment Cultivators over there!"

"Foundation Establishment Cultivators! Where?" Chang Qing's gaze swept inch by inch across the forest, but he found nothing unusual.

Chang Ming pointed toward the forest not far away. "There. They must have Deployed a Concealment Formation!"

Upon hearing this, golden radiance flashed through Chang Qing's eyes. He looked toward the spot Chang Ming had indicated and, sure enough, discovered four black-robed cultivators hiding inside the Formation.

"What are they doing?"

"Hehe, they're probably Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole!" Chang Ming said with a smile.

"Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole!" Chang Qing suddenly understood. "These fellows are truly sinister!"

They were certainly disciples of the Wuchang Ghost Sect. Their goal was naturally to hunt more Demonic Beasts and Strange Beasts. The Howling Moon Wolves before them were not particularly powerful and were hardly worth sending four Foundation Establishment Cultivators after.

One had to know that the Wuchang Ghost Sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivators loved fighting in groups. They either drove Yin Soldier Blood Puppets or commanded Yin Soul Generals.

It was perfectly normal for a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator to command several hundred Yin Soldiers and Blood Puppets.

Now that the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators had gathered together, it was obvious they were not there to deal with this group of Howling Moon Wolves, but to lure out and kill more Demonic Beasts and Strange Beasts.