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nAs Wu Long was thinking over the decision, he then noticed that Xia Jung had a changing expression, as if he was also hesitating with something.

n“What is it?”, Wu Long chuckled, as it seemed that it was not unrelated to their current discussion.

n“I… was thinking that we could use the flexibility of a group and pick the best of two options…”, Xia Jung took a breath seemingly resolving himself and spoke up.

n“Hmm, you’re saying we could travel while a small part remains to deal with the things here”, Wu Long nodded with understanding, as he reviewed this option before, but was not sure how feasible it was, not to mention if there were people willing to remain behind.

n“Yes, and… I believe that I would be able to help you with tying all loose ends in the Boundless Mortal World”, Xia Jung’s words caused quite a few surprised expressions to appear on the faces around.

nEven Wu Long raised his eyebrow, as that was something truly unexpected for him.

n“Please don’t get me wrong. I still wish to follow Valley Master Wu, and am grateful for everything you have done… I just don’t think I will be of much use to you as I am now, and I also wish to help you in the tasks you need.

nAlthough, to be completely honest, there are also personal reasons in wanting to stay behind as well…”

nXia Jung hurried to add, to not offend Wu Long or be misunderstood, his hand was gripped by Lei Ding at the end, showing that it was the choice they both likely have already were thinking of before.

nWu Long looked at the young couple for some time in silence, particularly studying the look in Xia Jung’s eyes.

nThe latter managed to surprise him once more, as he continuously demonstrated initiative where Wu Long did not expect him to.

nEven as his words trailed off at the end, Wu Long had a somewhat good grasp on what was going on.

n“You will have to rely on yourself only, any setbacks and losses will be your sole responsibility”, Wu Long said in a calm and even tone, maintaining eye contact, as if confirming that they understood what they were signing up for.

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n“I understand”, Xia Jung nodded without wavering.

n“You will be left with no way of communicating with us unless you send a message with someone, which is hard to do in the first place, and once we do ascend there is little chance of being able to come and help you”

n“I understand”, Xia Jung confirmed once more as he knew this was likely the case. In fact, it was part of his reason to stay behind, learning to navigate his tasks without oversight or backup that would save him.

nIt was a somewhat extreme way of introducing himself to that mindset and independence, suddenly being thrust into a position of complete responsibility to make decisions and then bearing all the consequences of his decisions.

nHowever, he realized that while it might seem that Wu Long moved at his own pace, making sure to spend time with his women and enjoy life with them, he nevertheless was never truly slow.

nAdvancing through eight of the Nine Mortal Realms took several hundred years for an average cultivator.

nWhile he did so in less than two and a half years, and allowed all people around him to rapidly progress with him in the conditions of this Fractured world that are described as being poor.

nAnd he did that all the while unraveling the plans and preparations of Gu Zhen that have been meticulously made over almost ten thousand years. freewēbnoveℓ.com

nNow, in just over two years, there was no one who could oppose Wu Long on the Three Continents as the entire structure of power that lasted millennia crumbled in front of him.

nAnd in this time, Xia Jung has barely rose from a prey driven into a corner into a somewhat acceptable warrior, as well as a slightly more competent leader to the Dual Cultivators in the Twin Essence Palace.

nThe surrounding environment, the strength of their enemies, the difficulty of their tasks was only going to continue to grow, at a rate his growth currently did not match.

nXia Jung knew that if he did not create an opportunity to grow to be useful, he might never get that chance, and become just one of many people that followed Wu Long in the background without being able to repay him or be of use.

nBut he could not do so in a safe environment, where his mistakes would be covered for, and Wu Long could come and save him anytime.

nThat would not make him a reliable subordinate that could be trusted with tasks, but a burden that Wu Long has to look after.

nHe needed that extreme measure, a catalyst for growth beyond what he could be now.

nWu Long continued to look at the two in silence for some time, and then a smile appeared on his face.

n“Good then”, he nodded, as a joyful expression appeared on Xia Jung’s face.

n“You mean…”, the latter reconfirmed to be sure.

n“Mm, I look forward to your work.

nThough as someone who has already accepted you as a subordinate once, I do not plan to throw you to the wolves without giving you at least a dagger to protect yourself, so we will spend the next few months in preparation.

nI will teach you a few things that might help, and you can also assemble your task force in that time, though I assume you already have some leads”

nWu Long nodded as the couple turned to each other with excitement.

n“Thank you, Valley Master. Regarding the task force… indeed, there are those that have lagged behind in their cultivation, and may need some time to follow you further, in the Twin Essence Palace for sure, but possibly in the other palaces as well, although that I have not checked”, Xia Jung bowed making a fist and hand salute.

n“Hahaha! Good! Good!”, General Feng clasped his hands together with a wide grin, adding “Chopping Nails and Severing Iron is the way to go young man!”

nThe man’s heavy hand landed on Xia Jung’s back, from which the latter slightly flinched with pain, though his words caused Wu Long to reveal a similar reaction.

n“Father, this son wishes to join this mission as well”, Feng Huan solemnly spoke from the side, causing new looks of surprise to appear on the faces of people around while the latter turned to Wu Long next, making a fist and hand salute and adding “…if Valley Master allows it of course”

n“Hahaha! A tiger father does not beget a dog son! Way to go Huan’er!”, General Feng’s eyes filled with pride and approval, while Wu Long chuckled.

nHe could see that the fire and resolution in Xia Jung has ignited something in Feng Huan as well.

nHe was mostly in his father’s shadow, and did not have a chance to truly build his own place within the ranks of Wu Long’s subordinates before.

nIt looked to Wu Long that Feng Huan saw this as a chance as well.

n“If General Feng approves, I have nothing to add, you have my permission. Xia Jung, you have now gained a powerful ally to aid in your task”, Wu Long nodded with affirmation as Xia Jung became even more excited.

nFen Baihu looked at all of this with a slight curiosity, as she was never really in a position to observe human behavior this closely.

nIn all those years she spent in her seclusion, the affairs of these humans meant little to her as it did not concern her.

nHowever, now that she was in alliance with Wu Long, all that was happening around him at least partially concerned her as well. Not to mention that she was still fascinated by Wu Long interacting with those around him, as it was quite different from the God of Pleasure she knew.

n“Now that it’s decided, I’ll give out some tasks, as the others will not be idle in this time of preparation either”, Wu Long nodded as the excitement died down and everyone focused on him again.

n“First of all, Old Yen will be actively recruiting on the Cloud Piercing Continent, the goal is to expand our core forces as much as possible in these coming months.

nOf course, not all of them would be able to grow as fast in these months to follow us to the Boundless Profound Worlds so a small part that lags behind will likely remain with Xia Jung. General Feng, I would like you to expand the War God Palace’s forces as well. Of course, just like with Old Yen’s people, some of them will stay to follow your son, while those who can keep up will follow you.

nWe will also help Xia Jung in assembling a starting force to handle his tasks, not just from those who are already part of the Eternal Duality Valley, but from the local population on all Three Continents as well.

nAnd finally, everyone will be training to get more familiar with their techniques as well”

nAs Wu Long was talking, he circled the room with his eyes, receiving nods from everyone.

n“Fen Baihu, I might need some help from you with this”, he then turned to the Mythical Beast lazily sitting on her seat, her eyebrows going up as she did not expect to be included in this discussion.

n“Me?”

n“Mm, you see, the best way to gain experience is to actually have combat… which is where your powers come very handy”, he chuckled, as she sighed.

n“You really do intend to get the most of our alliance, aren’t you?”, she chuckled as a smile appeared on his face.

n“Hahaha, don’t worry, you only need to help the most powerful people on our side. For most, a collaboration between Zhiqiu and Madam Liang will work”, he said turning his gaze to the two.

n“You mean… an Illusion Array?”, Lian Zhiqiu spoke with a hint of excitement as it was a concept she came across in texts, but have never found any true clues to its implementation.

n“Mm, with such a powerful Illusion Arts Master and Formation Master on our side, it’s counterproductive to not take advantage of what you could do together”, Wu Long chuckled as Madam Liang made a smile as well.

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