Investment in a New Direction! Cast a Wide Net, Catch the Fish of the World!

"The wide-net strategy is feasible!"

Wang Mu's eyes gleamed as he drew several conclusions.

Investing in ordinary people and investing in Children of Luck definitely yielded entirely different returns.

With the same investment cost, under ideal conditions, investing in a large number of ordinary people could indeed match Children of Luck in terms of cultivation gains.

But one had to know that investing in Children of Luck did not merely bring cultivation.

For instance, the fragment of the Solar Emperor Scripture Wang Mu had obtained from Lin Yan, as well as the other party's ability to control [Sea Spirit Flame].

These were all priceless treasures, things that were basically impossible to obtain from ordinary people.

Besides.

Where in the Cultivation World were there so many ideal conditions?

Ordinary people with average aptitude had an enormous chance of perishing in the treacherous Cultivation World, and investment costs could easily sink without a trace.

Unlike Children of Luck, who could basically all grow stronger.

Bringing a steady stream of returns.

Indeed.

From a merchant's perspective.

Anyone with half a brain would never choose the former.

But Wang Mu was not a merchant now.

He was merely someone surrounded on all sides, with the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, who had no idea when a whole pack of Children of Luck would come charging to his doorstep to kill him—

—an utterly ordinary second-generation immortal!

He was not pursuing return rates, nor did he need any cost-effectiveness.

In fact.

As long as he could grow stronger within a short period of time, he would even be willing to lose money!

What did those things matter compared to his life?

"Since I've decided to cast a wide net, then I'll see it through to the end!"

"I don't necessarily have to invest only in Cultivators! Ordinary people count too!"

"As long as I invest in enough people, my rate of growth may not be any slower than those Children of Luck!"

"We're both cheating—who's afraid of whom?"

A sharp light shone in Wang Mu's eyes. He rose to his feet and waved his hand. "Zixia, bring more people. Come with this Young Master on a trip!"

"Screech—"

The Golden-Winged Peng swelled with the wind, its wings spreading wide enough to blot out the sky and sun. It carried Wang Mu upon its back and tore through the clouds in the blink of an eye.

Zixia did not dare delay.

After sending out a jade talisman, she swiftly followed behind.

Before long, one powerful aura after another rose from the surrounding islands and flew off in the direction Wang Mu had departed.

Before the courtyard.

Only the rewarded guards and maidservants remained, staring at one another in bewilderment.

"Young Master just... left like that?"

"After working all night, was it really just to reward us and watch us cultivate?"

"Young Master seems... different from before!"

Heavenly Severing Island.

One of the larger islands in the North Sea, it was rich in spiritual energy and abundant in resources.

A thousand years ago.

A Li cultivation family settled here, claiming the island as their kingdom. They named it Liang, and it became one of the vassal states of the Great Xia Immortal Kingdom!

The island flourished, drawing many cultivators traveling north and south, along with tens of millions of ordinary people who had lived and multiplied here for generations.

"Roar—"

Suddenly.

A resounding roar rang across the sea.

Endless golden light surged up from the far horizon, and an indescribable pressure filled the entire sea.

In an instant, giant waves soared into the heavens.

The boundless seawater was illuminated until it shone clear beneath the golden divine light.

From afar, a Nine-Headed Golden Lion, its entire body blazing with golden divine radiance, could be seen striding through the sky. Its flames burned brilliantly around it, like the divine beast of legend guarding the immortal court—majestic and awe-inspiring.

Upon the Golden Lion's back stood an immense, luxurious carriage.

Its canopy stood tall, entirely woven from precious ink-jade-colored Shu brocade, covered in densely packed runes. It looked noble and mysterious.

No matter how fierce the wind and waves on the sea became, its bead curtains did not stir in the slightest.

It was clearly another priceless treasure.

Vaguely.

A young man could be seen sitting lazily in the center of the carriage. His brows were sharp as swords and his eyes bright as stars, his bearing incomparably noble. A spirited Golden Peng rested on his shoulder.

Around him, dozens of men and women encircled the carriage. Every one of them possessed a powerful aura, like stars surrounding the moon.

The nearer the Golden Lion Carriage came.

The stronger the oppressive pressure became!

Countless sea beasts were directly knocked unconscious by the terrifying pressure.

When the Cultivators and ordinary people on the island saw this, every one of them went dry-mouthed, their hearts racing. They fell to their knees uncontrollably, not daring to raise their heads as they trembled.

"Th-That... what is that?"

"A Golden Lion... an Ancient Exotic Beast from legend, said to be able to swallow an entire kingdom in a single bite!"

"That is the carriage of the Wang Family's Young Master! I've seen it from afar once!"

"What? The Wang Family's... Young Master? This is bad!"

"The Wang Family's Young Master is here! The Wang Family's Young Master is here! Everyone, run!"

The island instantly descended into chaos.

The harmonious sights on the streets vanished. Everyone ran for their lives, packing their belongings before sprinting madly toward the docks, terror written across their faces.

"Mother, why are we running?"

A little girl who had just been dragged out of bed, her hair tied in twin buns, was held in her mother's arms as she asked sleepily.

As she ran, her mother cursed, "What nonsense! The Wang Family's Young Master has come! He's the number one demon in the entire Northern Region—lecherous and vicious.

And he especially loves eating disobedient little brats like you. He eats three in one meal!

If we don't run, are we waiting to die?"

The little girl seemed to understand, then suddenly pointed at several mature women who had just run past them. "Then why are those aunties running?"

One of the mature women turned her head and cursed, "What nonsense! That Wang Family's Young Master is lecherous and perverted. He especially likes women like us who are married and have had children. What else can we do but run?"

"Is there any kind-hearted person who can lend me a hand and help me up?"

An old woman well past sixty, a bundle slung over her shoulder, panted heavily as she ran. Her legs had gone weak.

A person beside her asked in confusion, "Grandma, why are you running?"

The old woman rolled her eyes. "Little one, you don't understand a thing! Haven't you heard? That Wang Family's Young Master once set his sights on some Female Cultivator from some blessed grotto-heaven, more than two hundred years older than him, and didn't she still suffer at his hands?

This Wang Family's Young Master is lecherous and not picky about his food!

This old woman is already at such an age. If he sets his eyes on me, my late-life honor will be ruined! This is no joking matter!"

Everyone: "..."

In the depths of Heavenly Severing Island.

Within the forbidden grounds of the Great Liang Royal Palace.

Rumble!

Large numbers of runes dissolved, and one restriction after another rapidly shattered.

The heavy stone door slowly opened.

A vast aura swept out alongside powerful pressure.

"Welcome, Old Ancestor, upon leaving seclusion!" The current King of Liang prostrated himself on the ground, his attitude exceedingly humble, though his voice carried a trace of urgency.

At the stone door.

An immensely powerful old man in gray robes slowly walked out. His face was lean, his skin smooth and rosy like a baby's, and divine light lay hidden within his eyes, as though they could see through all things.

The King of Liang cupped his hands. "Old Ancestor, the Wang Family's Young Master has suddenly arrived..."

Li Yuanhua, the gray-robed old man, casually waved a hand. "I already know!"

The King of Liang froze briefly, then said, "The Wang Family's Young Master has always been cruel and lawless. Old Ancestor, please tell us how we should respond."

Li Yuanhua said confidently, "This Gu has been in seclusion for over three hundred years, comprehending the Great Dao, and has finally succeeded! Today, I shall use this Wang Family's Young Master as a whetstone!"

Hearing this.

The King of Liang was badly startled, his mind buzzing. "Old Ancestor, that is... the Wang Family! The Wang Family of Prince Wei!"

The corners of Li Yuanhua's lips rose. "He is exactly who I want! Ordinary people are not qualified to make this Old Man step forward!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

The King of Liang instantly grew excited.