CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 26 COOPERATION, REUNION_2

The Shadow Clan’s territory, small as it was, could not be completely taken over by just a few thousand people plus a few hundred True Immortal Spirit Beasts; their ordinary, non-immortal clansmen still numbered nearly a million.

"This won’t do. We’re still too short-handed; we can’t fully utilize all of the Shadow Clan’s resources. Could Luo Longxiang also have had so few people?" Chen Jiuge said, somewhat puzzled.

Luo Zhen, who happened to overhear this, explained, "Divine Son, you can actually summon more manpower."

"Summon manpower?" Chen Jiuge inquired.

"Yes, we all come from the lands of the Asura Clan and are of the purest Asura lineage. Within the territories under our Commander, there are many Shura who are not as pure, along with some subordinate races of decent strength."

"As long as the Divine Son gives the order to recruit, many will respond. It’s said that the Dragon Elephant Divine Son started gathering forces right from the beginning. In less than a millennium, he amassed a large following and claimed vast territories."

"Such an important matter, and no one told me?" Chen Jiuge said in frustration.

"Divine Son, you never asked. I thought you planned to rely on us to simply steamroll over everything," Luo Wencheng appeared and said with an innocent expression.

Chen Jiuge was speechless. "Steamroll with so few people? We’d be worn out eventually. Speaking of which, if I intend to recruit, how should I do it?"

"Simple. Just send a message to the Great Leader."

"However, Divine Son, you must think it through," Luo Wencheng reminded. "The manpower you summon isn’t free. You have to provide them with resources and territory, all of which requires resources."

"Is that so?" Chen Jiuge frowned upon hearing this. Isn’t this just like hiring mercenaries?

"Let’s hold off for now. I need to think it over first."

The thought of having to pay wages meant he would need to establish a comprehensive system. This wasn’t Chen Jiuge’s forte. Fortunately, operations were roughly sustainable for now, so he could only plan slowly.

「Green Bamboo Realm」

His mind full of matters, Chen Jiuge arrived at the Green Bamboo Realm to see the Spiritual Beasts drinking heartily. A slight smile touched his lips as he said, "Drinking as soon as I’m back?"

"Master." "Master."

Looking at the teary-eyed Spiritual Beasts before him, Chen Jiuge sighed. "You’ve all suffered. It’s good that you’re back. There’s no danger here, so relax properly."

War Song, with a heroic air, drained the wine jar in his hand in one gulp and declared, "Master, rest assured! This time, I can definitely lead the Great Saint Army and clear a path for you!"

"It’s the same for us! We’re completely different from before," the other Spiritual Beasts chimed in.

"Good, then I’ll wait for that. For now, let’s drink and you can tell me what you’ve all been through," Chen Jiuge said with curiosity.

As each Spiritual Beast began to recount their experiences, aside from War Song who had arrived in the Infinite Star Sea much earlier, the stories of the others were largely similar.

After that random teleportation, every Spiritual Beast initially faced difficult circumstances; a few nearly died. It was then that the advantages of their strong bloodlines became apparent. In those life-and-death crises, their potential was massively unlocked, and their strength grew by leaps and bounds.

Once their strength increased, surviving in the lower Star Sea wasn’t too difficult. The most unfortunate was Bai Ya, which had been teleported to the middle Star Sea. If not for a stroke of luck—the Myriad Beasts Sect’s territory being nearby—it likely wouldn’t have survived to this day.

"Enough talk, drink up!" Da Bai said impatiently, slinging an arm around Silver King’s neck.

"Indeed, today is a good day. No need to dwell on unpleasant things."

"Little Silver, after all these years, I really missed you," Da Bai said, his eyes hazy with drink.

Silver King pushed Da Bai away with disdain. "Get lost. I’m an eagle with a wife."

Although his tone was full of disdain, the fresh scar at the corner of his eye seemed to soften his appearance considerably.

"Bai Ya, you look even fiercer now!" Da Bai, pushed away, recklessly reached out to touch the scar on Bai Ya’s face.

THUMP.

Watching Da Bai get kicked flying, Chen Jiuge said, somewhat exasperated, "He’s still so unreliable. I thought having him spend this time refining Magic Artifacts might have calmed his temperament a bit."

"Master, that’s just its nature," Yue Meng said disdainfully.

"Master, I plan to continue as before, helping you look after the Spiritual Beasts in the Pocket World," Black Eye proposed with his usual steadiness.

"Alright, I trust you to handle it."

"And me? What about me?"

Looking at the Spiritual Beasts eagerly volunteering, Chen Jiuge felt a bit of a headache. "Stop, what’s the rush? Rest well for a while. I’ll have arrangements for all of you later. Just make sure you don’t back out when it counts."

"Master, I want to spar with an Asura," Li Kui said, a glint of combativeness in his eyes.

"As you wish. Just make sure no accidents happen, and you’ll be fine."

After more or less satisfying each Spiritual Beast’s request, the banquet proceeded cheerfully. Chen Ziteng sat on a vine, floating above everyone’s heads, her bell-like laughter ringing out.

War Song was dragging a woozy Da Bai into a drinking competition. Ming Yujing and Li Kui had somehow become friends and were arm-wrestling—loser drinks.

Yue Meng, Bai Ya, and Ao Yi were whispering together in a corner. Yue Li was clutching Yang Huan and weeping, while Ao Li paced anxiously nearby, unsure how to intervene.

At Black Eye’s feet squatted a junior. Nearby, Silver King, his temperament much calmer now, sipped Spiritual Wine while incessantly recounting their past times in Eden Garden.

Tian Que darted swiftly among them. Wherever it passed, something would invariably go missing—a piece of meat here, a Spirit Fruit there. Occasionally, someone would discover the wine in their cup had inexplicably vanished.

Chen Jiuge quietly left the lively scene to the Spiritual Beasts and went alone to a small courtyard.

Mo Yu, who was preparing tea in the small courtyard, looked up in surprise. "Brother Chen, how are you back so soon this time? Don’t you usually drink until you’re completely drunk?"

Chen Jiuge chuckled. "Is that really so? Mo Yu, you’re quite observant. But never mind for this time. You don’t need to brew tea; go and join them."

After a moment of hesitation, Mo Yu agreed with a smile.

Gazing at the peaceful scene before him, a smile touched Chen Jiuge’s lips. Days like these are wonderful, aren’t they?

Yu Heng, who had appeared from nowhere, pulled out a wine gourd nearly as tall as himself and said, "That’s only if you have the strength, right?"

"Tell me, why can’t everyone coexist peacefully? The Cultivation World isn’t lacking cultivation resources at all!" Chen Jiuge said, puzzled.

GLUG. GLUG.

After gulping down more than half the gourd of wine, a flush appeared on Yu Heng’s face. "Not lacking resources? Go ask those Loose Cultivators if they’re lacking. Ask those True Immortals if they lack the resources to become Heavenly Immortals."

"People’s greed—no, a cultivator’s greed is endless. Even for an Immortal or a Dao Yi, their desires are inexhaustible."

"Even the Heavenly Dao sometimes manifests desires."

Just as Chen Jiuge was about to inquire further, he saw Yu Heng toddling on short legs, dragging the wine gourd as he joined the bustling banquet. Swallowing his words, Chen Jiuge exclaimed in disbelief, "The Heavenly Dao has desires too?"

Recalling how the auras instantly vanished when the Shadow Clan’s Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, and other Immortals had fallen, Chen Jiuge couldn’t help but shiver. "Could this be the Heavenly Dao’s desire? To devour the Dao of other Immortals?"