I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 596 War Resumes
"Xingyi thanks Master Xia for bestowing the talisman and nurturing her."

She bowed and presented the jade box with both hands, saying, "These are some immortal stones and nourishing spiritual materials obtained from this demon-slaying expedition. Please take a look, Master Xia."

Xia Daoming casually picked it up, glanced at it, and pocketed half of it, pushing the rest back.

"Keep these for yourself, or distribute them among your subordinates."

“This… how can this be?” Xingyi was taken aback and quickly shook her head. “I have left all the spirit stones and other items that are useless to Master Xia. Although the remaining items are nothing, they are a great gain for me and my subordinates.”

"You and your subordinates are considered capable within the Jade Stream Sect, but once you leave this place, you're nothing special. If you want to share more of the things I can't handle personally, you need to improve your cultivation as soon as possible," Xia Daoming said calmly.

Xingyi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly bowed and replied, "I will remember this and dare not disappoint Master Xia's high expectations!"

Only then did she realize that Xia Ye's act of returning the spoils was actually a way to force her to grow faster.

Xia Daoming nodded slightly, his expression unchanged: "Next, who are you planning to target?"

Xingyi raised her eyes, a glint in them, but did not answer immediately. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke:

"The chaos in Yujian still persists, and there are still several powerful and uncontrollable factions. Although Cangxiu Mountain has been leveled, it is only one of them."

The Iron-Throated Wolf Tribe of Xiling is led by the cunning and ruthless Wolf King, who often leads his followers to rob merchants.

The Northern Demon Mother Cave is filled with eerie and chilling demonic energy. The matriarch feeds on the flesh and blood of infants and is particularly wicked.

In addition, the most troublesome creature is the evil dragon "Jiao Taiwei" in the upper reaches of the Jian River.

This dragon has seized control of the river, not only extorting tolls for crossing, but even the soldiers of my Yujian Zhitu Temple who pass through its territory must bow their heads and submit to its control, which is a great disgrace! What is even more hateful is that every year in the first month of the lunar calendar, it demands a pair of young boys and girls born at the hour of Ren (11:00-11:00) for its own enjoyment, which is extremely cruel.

This demon's cultivation is second only to the Crimson Bear Mountain Lord, and he is also proficient in the ways of water, making him virtually invincible in the streams and rivers. However, he also has ties to the Cang family of the county seat, having been adopted as a son by the third master of the Cang family, Cang Shunshui. The patriarch of the Cang family is a True Immortal of the Fourth Level, and three of his four sons are at least at the Second Level, making them a formidable force in Biyuan County.

At this point, Xingyi frowned slightly, her gaze turning solemn as she looked at Xia Daoming:

"In my opinion, we should first eliminate the Ghost Mother Cave. Their actions are heinous and their resentment runs deep. If we can kill them, we will not only save countless lives but also win over the hearts of the people. After that, we can wipe out the Iron Throat Wolf Tribe of Xiling. As for Grand Commandant Jiao... I think we should consider this carefully."

Xia Daoming stood with his hands behind his back, listening quietly with a calm expression. After a long while, he finally spoke:

"Since you already have a plan in mind, we will do as you say. As the local deity of Jade Stream, it is your duty to win over the people and use the power of incense offerings to improve your cultivation as soon as possible; while my duty is to guard the rear. If there is anything you cannot handle, I will take action."

As for Grand Commandant Jiao, we can leave him for now, but remember—he must be executed before the first month of next year.”

Xingyi was taken aback.

Next January, in just half a year, is this what you call "taking a long-term view"?
In the spiritual practice world, the concept of "taking a long-term view" often refers to a period of ten or a hundred years!
A thought flashed through her mind, and Xingyi's heart skipped a beat, as if she had grasped something possible. She quickly leaned forward and solemnly replied:
"I understand!"

"Go ahead." Xia Daoming nodded slightly.

"I'll take my leave."

Xingyi stepped back quietly, her heart filled with turmoil.

Although Zhu Bishanjun has the Black Bear King behind him, he is far away in Yuntai County. Even if he hears the news, he will only send his subordinates and may not come in person. But Jiao Taiwei is different. The Cang Mansion behind him is in Biyuan County, and his adoptive father Cang Shunshui is a True Immortal Second Assembly expert!
This means that Master Xia was at least confident he could withstand the pressure from the Second Assembly True Immortal, which is why he dared to declare, "I will definitely destroy Grand Commandant Jiao before the first month of next year." The Second Assembly True Immortal! Such a behemoth as the Cang Mansion!
If it were anyone else, even if she were a land deity appointed by the Heavenly Court, it would just be a piece of paper. If the Cang family really wanted to kill her, they could simply kill her and then spend some money to smooth things over afterwards.

But Master Xia dared to confront him head-on!
Thinking of this, Xingyi felt as if a fire was burning in her chest, and her breathing became rapid.

With such support, how could she not be overwhelmed with emotion?
Ten days of rest.

Xingyi launched another attack, sweeping across the northern border with lightning speed, and the Ghost Mother Cave collapsed in a single day.

Thus, the two notorious dens of Yujian were destroyed one after another, and the reputation of the Earth God Temple soared.

The news of the destruction of the Ghost Mother Cave spread like wildfire throughout Yujian. The people rushed to tell each other, and the prestige of the Earth God Temple reached its peak.

Xiling.

The mountain wind howls, and the pines roar like the wind. The Iron-Throated Wolf Clan is stationed here, their howls never ceasing day or night.

Its leader, "Iron-Throated Wolf King" Wolf Heng, was an iron-backed gray wolf who had attained enlightenment. He had large, copper-bell-shaped eyes and a voice like the friction of metal. From afar, it sounded like the clanging of knives and axes, capable of shattering the hearts and courage of mortals.

That day, the tribesmen gathered in the main tent. Lang Heng, his face grim, slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "The Ghost Mother Cave has been destroyed, and now it's our turn! This local lord is ruthless and decisive. If he really brings troops to annihilate us, our Iron Throat Wolf Tribe will be hard to withstand!"

The wolf demons inside the tent exchanged uneasy glances, their howls low and menacing. One whispered, "Your Majesty, perhaps... we should relocate?"

"Migration?" Lang Heng glared and sneered, "My Iron Throat Wolf Clan has occupied this Western Ridge for over a thousand years. Why should we just abandon it like that! Besides, that land has no special background and hasn't even reached the level of a Void Immortal. Do you really think no one dares to touch it? Hmph!"

After saying that, he suddenly lowered his voice: "The Grand Commandant Jiao in the upper reaches of the Jian River shares our concerns. That overlord of the water has profound cultivation and is backed by the Cang Mansion. If we can get him to take action and curb the arrogance of the Earth God Temple, we will have nothing to fear!"

Upon hearing this, all the wolf demons nodded in agreement.

Soon after, Lang Heng, accompanied by his trusted confidants and carrying lavish gifts, headed upstream on the Jian River.

-

Deep in the upper reaches of the Jianhe River, the water glistens and the waves rise and fall.

A magnificent underwater palace stands at the bottom of the river, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding extravagance. Jiao Ting, the Grand Commandant of the Dragons, sits cross-legged on a high seat. His body is half-human and half-dragon, his scales gleaming with a cold light, and his narrow eyes reveal a hint of arrogance.

Lang Heng, accompanied by his trusted confidants, bowed respectfully and explained their purpose.

Upon hearing this, Jiao Ting burst into laughter, his laughter creating waves that sent shivers down the spines of the wolves.

"A mere local temple can scare you to death? Ha! No matter how skilled Xingyi is in battle, she's just an eighth-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with no background! I have the Cang Mansion behind me, how can I allow her to act rashly? If she dares to lay a hand on me, she'll be making an enemy of the Cang Mansion. I'll just keep her here as my wife, hehe. Mermaid women are all natural beauties, perfect cultivation vessels for us male cultivators!"

At this point, he narrowed his eyes, his gaze suddenly sharpening, and his tone shifted as he said, "Wolf Heng, instead of begging me to intervene, you might as well submit to me. If your Iron Throat Wolf Clan submits to me, you will become my followers. If that Earth God Temple dares to attack, hmph, one letter from me will be enough to make her retreat!"

Lang Heng knew that refusal would mean certain death, so he had no choice but to submit and swallow his pride, saying, "I am willing to follow Your Majesty's orders!"

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)