Dual Cultivation God Returns

They welcomed the second night here, the fortress already nearing completion.

The line of defense showed less and less flaws, even if the number of enemies, and their strength rose.

However, even with near perfect performance, injuries began appearing when facing higher tier ants. It was, to an extent, natural and unavoidable due to the difference in base strength and speed.

The previously drilled scenario was quickly executed as the group used the short-duration stink pill, and retreated, taking their injured to the rear, while another group stepped into their place, and resumed fighting as soon as the effect of the stink pill ended.

The healers in the rear tended to the injured and returned them to a battle-ready condition relatively swiftly. Although, there were signs of nervousness at first.

Seeing this, Wu Long was finally convinced they would be able to hold this fortress even without him and Fen Baihu here.

There was now, only one concern, which was 4th or 5th tier ants which could potentially arrive, although the probability was low.

The only strategy they had against those at this time was using the stink pills until it left the area.

Of course, once the current of Spiritual Qi became stronger, the Grand Formation would be able to generate attacks that would be enough to kill higher-tier ants that were disoriented by the stink pills.

At this time, in the fortress, Soaring Feather Trading Company’s staff were already busy dismantling the corpses, extracting the Demonic Core, the gem within the head if there was one, mandibles for weapons production, and a plate of the thorax which was protecting the Demonic Core, for armor production.

Although, for higher-tier ants, they also extracted the lower part of the front legs which had hard and sharp, blade-like ends.

As soon as there was a gem of sufficient quality from a 3rd-tier Profound Grade ant’s head, it was brought to Yu Huan, who immediately began refining a 3rd-tier Profound Grade Heaven Turning Pill that was promised to the Grand Elder of the Ember Palm Pavilion, that would allow him to advance into the Essence Ignition Realm.

Frozen Garden Palace began cutting into the swarm of ants with expeditionary strikes outside the protected range, sending out groups of 100 at a time, which collected the corpses of the ants they slayed into their Spatial Rings.

Wu Long’s eyes followed those expeditionary groups closely, even though he was sure they would be fine.

They were followed by War God’s Palace Soldiers, who then held the line while the Symbol Arts Masters and construction staff began building extending high walls, creating obstacles.

Normally, even if those walls were reinforced by barriers, the ants would either ignore them by climbing over, or if they were too high, causing a significant detour, chew right through, but by having soldiers stationed in between the walls, the ants would follow the path of least resistance, instinctively aiming for humans rather than the structure.

This would allow for the creation of channels which the ants would follow.

By layering the defensive lines of people, they could also cull the numbers and remove higher-tier ants, but let through a manageable number of lower-tier ants through.

This would allow them to place Sect Members with lower cultivation levels, and new recruits with less experience in the back to gain experience and train.

Those walls were also the extensions of the Grand Formation.

The channels would be periodically closed with stink pills, and the ants would be redirected to the nearby channels instead, allowing for precise control, and rotation of troops stationed in the channels.

Of course, the complete shutdown of all channels with a perimeter of stink pills was also possible.

The fortress already had fireworks with stink pills attached, to launch them in all directions.

General Feng returned to the fortress, having held the line for two straight days without a second of rest.

“Hahaha, splendid! This is exactly what was needed for my soldiers, Valley Master!”, his voice was full of excitement, which was not dulled even by the fatigue.

“I am glad you like it”, Wu Long chuckled with a nod.

“Of course! Haa~, I wish Huan’er was here…”, General Feng spoke with a bit of wistfulness, showing a rare moment of softness as he imagined fighting alongside his son after this period of separation.

“He will join us soon enough”, Wu Long smiled, “His mission in the Boundless Mortal World was already accomplished”

“Khm, of course”, General Feng cleared his throat, as if he didn’t just basically admit to missing his son, and then, as if remembering something, asked with a bit of hesitation, “Ehm… Valley Master…”

Wu Long raised his eyebrow with surprise, not used to seeing General Feng hesitate, “What is it? Speak openly, as always”

“Khm, I was just wondering… if you could lift the ban on… advancing past the Essence Awakening Realm…”, he said surprising Wu Long further, and then began rattling off a bit hurriedly, “You already have subordinates in higher Cultivation Realms… like Ci Han for example… and it would be easier for you to leave this fortress to me for the time being when you are away if I was in higher Realm…”

A smile crept onto Wu Long’s face, as he realized all of these, while certainly valid points, were excuses, as General Feng still wanted to be a father whom his son could look up to, perhaps, for just a bit longer.

“I see”, Wu Long nodded, closing his eyes to think.

In fact, it was something that was already on his mind, since his Dao Family urged him to allow the Eternal Duality Valley to be of greater help to him, without requiring his constant attention.

Not to mention, the point about Ci Han and Li Weifang being in higher Cultivation Realm already, preventing them from participating in the Secret Realm, was true, which meant that at least part of his subordinates would be unable to participate.

On top of that, it was not realistic to have the entirety of the Sect participate in exploring the Secret Realm either way, so it made sense to take only a portion.

There would also be at least some presence left on the Soft Meadow Continent and here to continue their operations.

Besides, it was not the only Secret Realm around, just the one that Wu Long aimed at.

Perhaps, expanding the range of Secret Realms that the Eternal Duality Valley as a whole could explore was not a bad idea.

“Very well, you, and most elite soldiers of your Palace will be exempt, while those who wish to enter the Secret Realm, can hold off advancing. That way I can leave the safety of the part of the Sect that remains outside of the Secret Realm in your capable hands”, Wu Long agreed, opening his eyes.

General Feng’s eyes lit up with excitement, as he struck his fist into his open palm with force that created a powerful wave, making a fist and hand salute to Wu Long, “Thank you, Valley Master! This Feng Xian, won’t let you down!”

Wu Long raised his eyebrow, hearing General Feng’s first name for the first time, and then smiled, nodding, “Mm, I’m leaving it to you”

General Feng did not waste any time, going to the cultivation chamber to attempt advancing to the Essence Gathering Realm right after he meditated to recover his fatigue.