As a true disciple of Barbarian Ghost Peak, Wei Shanze possessed an exceptionally powerful physique. With true essence shielding his body and the backing of peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, he was no weaker than a dedicated body cultivator of the same level.
In fact, he was even stronger. Otherwise, the whole point of combining physical and spiritual cultivation would be meaningless. The fusion of both paths was meant to surpass either alone, while also easing the difficulty of advancement.
But that came with one condition—he had to be able to use his true essence.
In terms of raw physique alone, he was no match for Wang Yu, who had already reached mid-tier stage two in body cultivation.
And the [Spirit-Sealing Execution Array]—a tier-three mid-grade large-scale formation—was designed precisely for this. It combined binding, sealing, suppression, and defense into one. Sealing off true essence was one of its core functions.
Off to the side, Ding Ming's jaw slowly dropped. He hadn't expected Wang Yu to retaliate so directly. His gaze now carried a new layer of wariness.
This guy… really wasn't afraid of anything.
Wei Shanze's screams gradually faded as he lost consciousness and slumped into a stupor.
The wind and thunder subsided.
After savoring the surge of power from the [Wind and Thunder Spirit Mark] and his own vigorous physique, Wang Yu waved his hand to release the Vajra chains. He casually stripped Wei Shanze's spatial ring, then grabbed the unconscious man by the arm, spun him once, and hurled him into the distance like a sack of trash.
Dusting off his hands, he turned to Ding Ming.
"You… what are you trying to do…"
"Nothing."
Wang Yu chuckled. "Wei Shanze attacked me unprovoked, ruined the banquet I prepared with care, and smashed my table—crafted from ten-thousand-year spiritwood.
"This spatial ring is just compensation. Fair, don't you think?"
"Ten-thousand-year spiritwood…"
Ding Ming nervously rubbed his fingers, glancing at the shattered wood on the floor. He couldn't quite describe what he was feeling. If he'd known it would turn out like this, he never would've helped Xie Xie'an.
This place was a dragon's den. Let someone else take the risk.
"Hand it over."
Seeing Wang Yu extend his hand, Ding Ming suddenly remembered.
"Oh, right—the 'friendship repair fee,' right? Fifty thousand spirit stones, and we're friends again?"
"We've always been friends. But you offended me and disrupted our harmony. Isn't it only right to pay a little to mend the bond?"
Wang Yu's smile remained unchanged. Ding Ming, understanding the subtext, handed over the spirit stones without hesitation. He knew this was the price for information.
"Dealing with smart people is always easier. I'll be honest with you: I don't know the ending of the story. Neither does Zhuo Shouqing. But…
"If you can gather a full set of the bloodstained shackles and manacles, and enter the Zhenxie Prison beneath Eastern Polaris, you should see a blood-colored sword. That weapon likely belonged to the ancient sword cultivator."
Ding Ming's eyes lit up, though he looked at Wang Yu with a trace of grievance. "Junior Brother Wang, you seem to know so much. Have you tried it yourself?"
"No," Wang Yu replied with a sincere expression. "This is just my deduction, based on current intelligence from Eastern Polaris and what Zhuo Shouqing told me. I'd say there's a seventy percent chance I'm right. Try it and see."
If it were confirmed intelligence, he wouldn't have sold it for just fifty thousand spirit stones. He'd have doubled the price.
Wang Yu's real goal was to send Ding Ming to test the waters. He was indeed tempted by the treasures of the ruins—but the timing wasn't right.
If this theory proved true, then the two top-tier Soul Formation inheritances were likely hidden within the Zhenxie Prison. This ancient ruin was far more terrifying than expected. Who knew what lay at the heart of the imperial city?
With the deal done, Ding Ming took his leave. Before departing, he offered a final warning.
"Wei Shanze holds a grudge. The Wei Clan has a Nascent Soul elder in the Holy Sect. They're a first-rate clan, just beneath the Zhuo Clan, and wield considerable influence in Barbarian Ghost Peak."
Wang Yu merely replied:
"Oh? What if he were facing the Zhuo Clan, the Yu Clan of Sacred Mountain, or the Zuo Clan of Xianyin?"
Ding Ming had no answer.
The matter of the two true disciples was just a minor episode. Since Wei Shanze was still alive, the spiritual imprint on his spatial ring remained intact.
Even with Wang Yu's formidable spiritual sense, it would take a few days to erase the imprint and access the contents.
A few days later—
Wei Shanze returned alone, tearfully pleading that the ring contained all his most important possessions.
His best weapon, the [Violet Lightning Twin Axes]—a top-grade tier-two artifact. Without it, his combat power would drop significantly.
There was also a tier-three [Heavenly King Life-Saving Pill], capable of saving him from the brink of death.
Two [Void Escape Talismans], five [Seal-Breaking Talismans], and various high-grade tools from his clan elders—formation flags, spirit pills, magical artifacts… the list went on.
All of it had been prepared for exploring the ruins. Now that Wang Yu had stripped him clean, he didn't even dare enter Eastern Polaris.
Ding Ming had mocked him for days. Unable to endure the humiliation, he finally returned to apologize.
Truth be told, this was exactly the kind of situation Wang Yu dreaded.
He was just a sliver away from breaking the imprint. Once that was done, everything inside would be his.
But now that Wei Shanze had come clean—especially about the life-saving items from his clan elders—Wang Yu couldn't just take it all.
Otherwise, the consequences would be severe.
Even as compensation, it would be excessive. These second-generation elites weren't rootless rogues. Their backgrounds had to be respected.
So—
Wang Yu made Wei Shanze wait another day. Once the imprint was removed and the contents verified, he split the loot.
He took half: 230,000 spirit stones, assorted rare herbs and spirit metals.
The unique life-saving items, he left untouched.
In the end, Wei Shanze left with a bitter expression—but still had to thank Wang Yu for being "fair."
This approach kept the grudge between them personal and manageable. It wouldn't escalate into a blood feud.
Of course—
If Wei Shanze had been a rogue cultivator, things might've gone differently. For them, resources were life itself. For young masters, it was just "stuff."
With his wealth once again increased, Wang Yu ramped up his efforts to acquire more resources, high-grade talismans, and formation flags.
He'd come to realize—formations were absurdly effective.
Especially in duels, they were the ultimate tool for defeating stronger foes. The [Spirit-Sealing Execution Array] alone had saved him countless times.
He also possessed the [Eightfold Illusion Array]—only tier one, but with immense potential. If he could find the original flags, it could become a portable tier-three trapping array—immensely valuable.
Who knew what kind of fortune that old man Ning had stumbled upon?
…
In the days that followed, Wang Yu began investing in Spiritridge's marketplace. He adjusted wages for alchemists, artificers, talisman masters, and formation experts—attracting more talent to the City Lord's Manor.
He expanded the Manor's affiliated shops, claiming more market share.
The first batch of loyalists he'd trained were finally ready to take up posts. Most were at Qi Refining third layer, with a few standouts reaching mid-stage.
Especially Xu Ruzhou—the only dual spiritual root among them. With the Manor's resources, his cultivation soared. Wang Yu had long since planted a demonic seed in him.
Not to steal his aptitude—but as insurance.
His four disciples were political alliances, not true confidants. They were more like noble assets than family.
Xu Ruzhou, however, was being groomed to join the Manor's inner circle. Wang Yu held a 300-year lease on Spiritridge. He needed capable, loyal subordinates.
If Xu proved faithful, he'd be rewarded handsomely. If not—well, the Demonic Embryo would grow stronger. Either way, Wang Yu wouldn't lose.
One day—
Wang Yu sat before his alchemy furnace.
He gazed at the freshly refined top-grade tier-two [Demonic Spirit Pill], satisfied. It was crafted specifically for Xueyu's cultivation. With its help—
She'd reach Foundation Establishment third layer within two years.
"Eat up. Grow strong. I don't need you to be invincible—just strong enough to fight by my side."
In high spirits, Wang Yu suddenly paused.
Xu Ruzhou's voice arrived right on cue.
"City Lord, urgent news. A major anomaly has erupted at the Eastern Polaris ruins. The cultivators exploring it have begun fighting. The message arrived half an hour late."
Boom—
The palace doors flew open. Wang Yu's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Did the image stone capture it?"
"Yes. Everything's recorded. More updates will arrive in another half hour."
"Excellent."
This was the benefit of commanding a vast intelligence network. He could sit in his manor and still grasp the pulse of the world.
As Wang Yu infused true essence into the image stone, the projection shimmered to life—revealing the surface ruins of Eastern Polaris.
At first, the scene was calm. Scattered cultivators clustered in small groups, setting up temporary camps and scouting the area.
But the peace didn't last.
Suddenly, two sections of the ruins collapsed, revealing bottomless pits. From within, two beams of light—one gray, one crimson—shot into the sky.
They pierced the clouds, twisting them into a vortex. The air grew thick with killing intent and malevolence. In the heavens above, two spectral figures began to take shape—one gray-black, one blood-red.
One held a banner. The other, a sword.
They clashed violently in the sky.
This was the newly triggered phenomenon—Rakshasa Clashes with Asura!
The moment it appeared, the entire Eastern Polaris region erupted into chaos.
It had been years since the first anomalies began. Some cultivators had left, others had arrived. Now, tens of thousands were gathered at the site.
It wasn't a sealed secret realm—anyone could enter. Even Qi Refining cultivators came hoping to get lucky. And now, with this vision in the sky, the crowd surged toward the twin pillars of light.
Their expressions were crazed. Their methods—ruthless.
Blood splattered across the ancient ruins. Slaughter spread in every direction. The fastest runners died first. Even those trailing behind were ambushed without mercy.
These weren't just treasure seekers. Some were predators—opportunists who didn't care about ancient inheritances. They came to hunt the hunters, to rob and kill. Cunning and vicious, they were experts at exploiting chaos.
This was no longer a mere exploration.
It was an uprising from afar.
Wang Yu's gaze locked onto the base of the twin light pillars. As expected, several tiny black figures were already there.
They had been waiting from the very beginning.
(End of Chapter)