Dual Cultivation God Returns

Chapter 737: Oak Fortress



After cultivating with Fen Baihu, Wu Long cleaned her and himself up, and properly wearing back their clothes cuddled her in his embrace, sitting with his back leaned on the wooden railing, until she eventually woke up.

She then bashfully said that she needed to cultivate his Yang Qi to heal herself more and disappeared into a cloud of mist without lingering for long.

He chuckled to himself and then went to a meeting room in the fortress where he called in Zhao Biren and Old Yen who both had to leave soon to not be missing for too long.

This meeting was also attended by Madam Liang, Song Minfu, Zhao Xieren, Butler Bang, General Feng, Qiu Yilao, Temple Master Qi Shan, Kwon Qianhong and Nie Guanting.

Yu Huan, Cao Xiang, Cao Mei and Sui Luxiao were also sitting at his sides.

"Young Master, tea made by Lady Yu", Butler Bang served Wu Long tea made by Yu Huan which he received with a nod.

Wu Long's gaze then turned around the room, lingering a bit on Zhao Xieren. Originally, he and Song Minfu were to both become Deputy Valley Masters, with one in charge of administrative affairs, and another representing the Sect outwardly and in official capacity, both being his right and left hands to control the Sect.

However, Zhao Xieren unexpectedly chose a more taxing role, of being a wildcard force much like his son, moving somewhat as an independent piece, but far more openly, almost as a bait to attract attention.

"Alright, first let's hear how things are in the Iron Claw City", Wu Long turned to Zhao Biren first.

"Umm, wait a bit, it's a bit hazy right now", the latter tried to concentrate as his father's expression darkened, "Ah, yes, I've subtly spread around the rumor about the Crystal Wood Sect having been humiliated when they arrived in the Silver Wing City, and also about the fact that City Manor may hold more power than people might think, so if the Seven Extreme Swords Sect people arrive they might move as we intend them to. Of course, once I go back I'll make sure that happens by egging them on"

"Can I clarify? From what our Sect Protectors recounted about our encounter with the Crystal Wood Sect, it didn't seem like they were that big of a threat, should we proceed with the plan to pit the three Sects against one another?", Qiu Yilao first asked for permission, and receiving a nod from Wu Long asked the question that had been on the minds of some people around.

"They are merely an advance party, the main forces will be arriving later. It only took roughly 30 of your Frozen Garden Palace Members to deal with about a dozen of combined forces of the Sect and the Seven Scars Guild, so it might seem that we hold an advantage. But all three Sects will bring in more forces when the conflict really starts, and more rogue cultivator groups like the Seven Scars Guild will show up, as they'll smell profit", Wu Long explained, clearing the reasonable doubt in their preparations being an overkill for a place that did not seem to have as many Transcendents as they did.

Everyone nodded, reassessing how they viewed this continent, and the coming conflict over it.

"How about the reaction of the Iron Claw Group to the news about Silver Wing City?", Wu Long proceeded to question Zhao Biren.

"Uh~, ah! Yes, there has been talks about the Iron Claw Group summoning the Silver Wing City Lord's second son. But I don't know if he had indeed answered the summons", Zhao Biren replied after thinking a bit.

"Is there anything unusual to report other than this?"

"Not in particular. A few of Iron Claw Group's squads got caught up in the Demonic Wave as they were searching for the 'natural treasure' like everyone else, so they incurred some losses there, but not anything significant for them. They seem to be as interested in the incident at the plateau, but there's nothing concrete about that on the streets yet"

"Good work, Old Yen, anything new to report?", Wu Long nodded and turned to Old Yen.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Yes, as of now, not I nor did Mr. Biren hear anything about a Generational Wave", the latter replied, having already mutually exchanged information with Zhao Biren prior to the meeting.

"It seems it still is a ways off", Wu Long nodded, "The news of it usually seeps into the general populace when it is already on the verge of coming into their Boundless World, prior to that only elite and major powers have that information. A Generational Wave moves up from one Boundless World to another, after all. It could take quite a long time for it to arrive here if it only started in the Boundless Mortal World not long ago, though we cannot be sure it did. It would have been nice to have confirmation, but we can't really dig into it to not alert anyone, what else?"

"The information for the Thousand Eyes Palace is collected for the most part", Old Yen nodded, placing a scroll on the table.

Wu Long nodded and turned to Liang Yuhan, "Madam Liang, now that we know about the Palace of Secrets and the Obsidian Moon Palace vying for this territory, there are several paths we can take. But if you have a preference to side with the Palace of Secrets I can accommodate that"

"I... don't really have a deep connection with them", she spoke after slight hesitation, "They, as all of the Three Divine Palaces, don't have any direct or even collateral branches in the Boundless Mortal World, so they use smaller organizations like mine, and I needed an organization that had vast information like them, so I made a deal. But it is not like we had any goodwill built between us, if anything, I was trapped since once I took that deal, there was no way for me to back out of it. And you must know how they operate, I didn't really have a face to get accustomed to either, as they made a point to make the communication obscure, the most I met were low-rank messengers"

"Hmm", Wu Long nodded with understanding. It was clear that despite a partnership that lasted at least a considerable time, she did not have any good impression of the organization, rather, he could tell that she was trying to not show her actual negative view, in order to not influence his decision.

"Then we don't have to worry about making them our allies", he concluded, "and if that's the case, we can proceed as planned before. Though we will have to deal with the Obsidian Moon Palace, if we play our cards right we can turn it into an advantage"

Both Madam Liang and Old Yen nodded, as the latter slid the scroll he took out before across the table to the former, which she took.

"Then it is going to be your turn soon", Wu Long turned to Zhao Xieren.

"Indeed, I will be visiting the Three Pillars Sect then, it took quite a bit, but it isn't an easy decision for them as well", Old Man Zhao nodded.

"And make sure...", Wu Long reminded him, to which the old man chuckled with a confident look.

"Good", Wu Long smiled, and turned his gaze to Sui Luxiao next, "Your sons will have to get ready as well. Now that we have this fortress as a logistical base, and Old Man Zhao is going to move again, the Soaring Feather Trading Company will be entering the play"

"Yes, some of the personnel have already transferred their workstations here. Sister Xiang's Escort Agency's warriors are also on the ready. The only problem is the lack of the artifacts concealing the aura of the Boundless Mortal World...", she nodded, her words trailing off at the end as Madam Liang made a wry smile.

"Hahaha, don't rush Zhiqiu, she's already cranky as it is with how much work there is for her to do~", the Thousand Eyes Palace Master chuckled as Lian Zhiqiu's workload very subtly shifted from making just some for the Thousand Eyes Palace to making them for the Trading Company and the Escort Agency as well.

Wu Long also wryly smiled since that was one thing there was no going around. He didn't have the ingredients to make the pills that could do this, so he had to rely on the only Formation Master among them.

"There are still a few months left, so we can let her work at her own pace", he spoke in a slightly apologetic tone, "What's next?"

"I would like to suggest that our warrior monks will take care of guarding this fortress", Qi

Shan spoke up.

Wu Long nodded without much hesitation. They were reliable defenders for this place, especially since they had about two dozen Transcendents, and with them here he did not really need to worry about this place's security unless someone like the City Lord showed up

in person.

"Speaking of which, how should we call this fortress? It would be inconvenient if we create another one later on, when we move on from this Small World", General Feng asked.

"Hmm, Oak Fortress?", Wu Long shrugged since he didn't want to make a long name, and this

fortress' wooden parts were mainly oak wood so it did suit it.

"Hahaha, a strong name, I like it!", General Feng made a wide smile, "A name should be given like that! Decisively! Like Chopping Nails and Severing Iron!"

Wu Long didn't share his excitement, preferring to push though to another topic.

They then switched the discussion's topics one after another, as the meeting lasted for almost

an entire day, after which Wu Long concluded it with a few words and dismissed everyone to

their own tasks.

But before sending off Old Yen, he held him back "I have some good news for you, this time when you return to work in the city you'll have a partner to rely on"

Old Yen's expression became first surprised, and then shocked as he realized that Nie Guanting was in half-step Essence Awakening Realm, which only required a Heavenly

Tribulation to advance.