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They had also experienced the event where foreign cultivators forcibly broke into the Lintai Hunting Valley, and they were fully aware of Dongling's weakness. If they wanted Dongling to avoid being humiliated by those foreign cultivators, as cultivators of Dongling, they had to become stronger.

In addition, all cultivators have an innate admiration for strength. The power displayed by Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao had won their respect, and they were naturally willing to follow.

The gaze of the Ning clan elder swept over the five hundred people, and he felt satisfied.

These individuals had all been carefully selected, with strong character, integrity, and aptitude, and they were responsible toward Dongling. Once they grew strong, they would neither betray Dongling nor Ning Yuzhou.

After arranging for these people, the Ning clan also summoned the representatives from each family to discuss the one hundred spots mentioned by Ning Yuzhou.

Ten days passed, and everything had been mostly arranged.

Emperor Chenghao was finally released.

His cultivation was now at the late stage of the Yuanmai Realm, and he hadn't broken through because Ning Yuzhou believed the spiritual energy in Dongling was too thin, and it would be better to break through in the Central Continent.

Knowing they would leave Dongling the next day, Emperor Chenghao made a special trip back to the palace.

When he returned, he looked quite relieved to find that his son had already arranged everything. Whether in Dongling or the four major families, everything remained as it had been. Even with their departure, Dongling would not descend into chaos.

However, Emperor Chenghao remained somewhat worried.

"Xiao Qi, what if foreign cultivators invade again in the future..."

Ning Yuzhou said with a faint smile, "It's fine. I left a puppet with the defensive power of an Emperor Yuan Realm cultivator in Dongling. With it on guard, Dongling will remain safe for now."

In addition, he also set up an earth-level nested formation in the imperial city, the Ning clan, and the Wen family.

"The Wen family as well?" Emperor Chenghao was somewhat surprised, but then he thought of something and agreed, "Although the Wen family didn't care much for Chui, they did raise her. Consider it repaying the Wen family's kindness toward Chui."

Ning Yuzhou nodded slightly.

He didn't want anything to happen to the Wen family that might cause Chui to feel guilty and affect her Dao heart. It was better to arrange everything early.

Apart from Emperor Chenghao and the Ning clan elder, no one knew that Ning Yuzhou had left a puppet with terrifying defensive power in Dongling. As long as no Emperor Yuan Realm cultivators came, Dongling would remain safe.

Of course, given Dongling's remoteness, it was unlikely that any cultivators from the Emperor Yuan Realm would bother to come.

After arranging everything, Ning Yuzhou quietly left Dongling with over six hundred people.

When they reached Lintai Mountain, Ning Yuzhou and his group did not take the shortcut but instead ventured deep into the mountain, planning to cross it. Although it would take longer, it would also serve as training for these people.

Indeed, when they heard they were going to cross Lintai Mountain, the cultivators below the Yuanwu Realm turned pale.

Ning Yuzhou glanced at them coldly and said, "Since I brought you out, I will naturally ensure your safety. There's no need to worry, just follow along."

Everyone looked at each other and could only respectfully agree.

Ning Yuzhou was a man of great credibility; he always kept his word.

As they ventured deeper into Lintai Mountain, although they encountered young beasts along the way, those beasts ran away before they could even act. Everyone thought it was because of their large numbers, with the imposing presence of over six hundred people scaring the beasts away.

Until a Great Earth Rift Bear appeared.

The aura of the eighth-tier beast sent shivers down everyone's spines. Those with lower cultivation had their legs go weak, while those with higher cultivation, though able to remain composed, were drenched in cold sweat.

However, what happened next was unexpected.

The Great Earth Rift Bear let out a roar, then walked over to Wen Qiao with heavy steps, bowing to her in a gesture of flattery.

The cultivators of Dongling saw the girl from the Wen clan, known for her hidden talent, wave her hand at the mighty Earth-Splitting Bear, commanding it as if it were a subordinate, ordering it to lead the way.

The Earth-Splitting Bear gladly led the way, intimidating the other beasts along the path, preventing them from causing any disturbance.

The cultivators of Dongling looked disbelieving, and even Emperor Chenghao, who considered himself well-traveled after entering the spatial realm, felt a sense of unreality.

As they walked, a sudden rumbling sound echoed through the quiet mountains, startling everyone.

A colossal Sky-Piercing Python descended from the heavens, its aura as a ninth-tier beast once again terrifying the cultivators of Dongling.

"Why make such a fuss when you arrive?" Wen Tuti said unhappily, feeling that these subordinates needed discipline.

He had clearly instructed them earlier to help clear the path, yet here they were, causing him to lose face in front of Brother Ning and his sister. After all, when Ning Yuzhou decided to lead everyone away from Dongling, Wen Tuti had confidently promised that the beasts of Lintai Mountain and Cangwu Mountain would pave the way, ensuring a safe and smooth journey to the Central Continent.

Who would have thought something would go wrong here?

Feeling deeply embarrassed, Wen Tuti made an angry pout.

The Sky-Piercing Python paid no mind to the newcomer and instead approached Wen Qiao, offered her a sack of high-grade spirit fruits, and expressed its willingness to lead the way and escort them to the other side of the mountain.

Wen Qiao looked over at the Sky-Piercing Python, accepted the spirit fruits, and said, "Alright, we’ll trouble you."

At that moment, Wen Tuti and Wen Guangun finally understood the Sky-Piercing Python’s intentions, and they grew furious. Another wild beast had come to latch onto the young one, and they were determined to stop it.

Once again, the Dongling cultivators were dumbfounded.

Not only did an eighth-tier beast voluntarily lead the way, but a ninth-tier beast had also come offering its services. What kind of divine being was this Wen clan girl?

Instantly, everyone looked at Wen Qiao with awe, especially the disciples of the Wen clan, who secretly straightened their backs, filled with pride.

This was their honored lady from the Wen clan. Although she had not returned to the Wen clan, it was undeniable that she bore the Wen surname and carried the blood of the Wen clan, making her still a member of the Wen clan.

With the ninth-tier beast leading the way, the group successfully crossed Lintai Mountain and arrived at Cangwu Mountain.

Cangwu Mountain was not the Sky-Piercing Python’s territory, so it could only accompany them this far. At Wen Tuti’s insistence, it reluctantly departed.