Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

In Su Ye’s view, Luo Qing’e had been decisive. She struck first and stabilized her control over the corporation.

Her only flaw was that her methods were too brutal, the purge too severe, which left the company in a weakened state.

The executions of Jueying and Chengying, the passing of Qinghe, and the cleansing of a host of Spirit Control Sect cultivators and their clans had left the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s power in obvious decline.

The promotions of Yuefu and Yuqing only yielded two Early-stage Crystal cultivators—barely adequate replacements.

However, they were nowhere near enough to compensate for the negative impact of losing that batch of Crystal Perfection cultivators.

For one thing, the fall of these three Crystal Perfection cultivators had weakened the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s ability to cross the gray wall by ninety percent.

If not for the fact that times had changed and the Boundary Wall Remains had become so weak that a Mid-stage Crystal cultivator could now punch through the gray wall, the Nanyaoguang Corporation might have been forced to lose contact with the Far South Continent for some time. The losses from that would have been enormous!

Furthermore, Su Ye also found the purge of the Spirit Control Sect cultivators regrettable.

These cultivators were, for the most part, elites. Disciples trained by a Golden Core sect were, in all respects, of a much higher average caliber than Loose Cultivators.

To be honest, purging and slaughtering this group of cultivators was something of a waste.

They should have become the backbone of the corporation, serving it and dedicating their lives to its cause.

’Still, it’s understandable.’

’No matter how vigorous a branch becomes, if it threatens the main trunk, the only choice is to snap it off.’

Su Ye understood her reasoning.

He believed that Luo Qing’e was well aware of the help the Spirit Control Sect cultivators could have provided.

But unlike him, Luo Qing’e didn’t possess his overwhelming power—she wasn’t a towering tree like the Divine Vault Wood, which could afford to let a few branches grow wild.

But on a small sapling, overly vigorous branches can overwhelm the main trunk, causing one to lose control.

Luo Qing’e’s actions could not be considered wrong.

It was the best possible solution.

’If it weren’t for the war in the Day Flame Sea Region that’s making Wanlong’s Chu Family look south, perhaps... even if I hadn’t returned, the Nanyaoguang Corporation could have ruled for a long time?’

Su Ye wondered.

With Luo Qing’e’s methods, and with Luo Xiyin and Bai Xiuying—two Crystal cultivators with outstanding combat prowess—the corporation’s main lineage truly had the foundation for a long-term rule.

...

’But unfortunately...’

’That foundation is still fragile.’

’It’s like a castle made of sand—one giant wave and it’s washed away...’

He wasn’t underestimating Luo Qing’e.

It was simply a matter of fact.

The appearance of Master Yufeng signified that the Chu Family was looking south and had already put their plans into motion—and according to his memories, he was not the only cultivator they had dispatched!

Although, for the sake of secrecy, Master Yufeng’s memories contained no detailed intelligence about this group of cultivators.

However, based on a vague, general impression, Su Ye could sense that this group’s strength was far superior to Master Yufeng’s!

After all, Master Yufeng’s mission was to infiltrate the Far South Continent and take control of Hope Port.

And while the Far South Continent was a bountiful region, the force the Nanyaoguang Corporation had stationed there was led by just a single Early-stage Crystal governor.

Therefore, it wasn’t hard to deduce that Master Yufeng was merely a disposable pawn for the Chu Family.

And yet, even a disposable pawn like him had considerable combat strength at the Mid-stage Crystal realm and was even equipped with an exotic treasure!

Extrapolating from that single detail, one could see just how weak the Nanyaoguang Corporation was in comparison to the Chu Family.

Faced with a behemoth like the Chu Family, no matter how skillfully Luo Qing’e might negotiate, it would be impossible to change the outcome.

Moreover, the Nanyaoguang Corporation controlled the Far South Continent, a blessed land of immense wealth and fertility. With the corporation’s current strength, this was no different from a child carrying gold through a bustling market—courting a fatal disaster!

’But... I’m back!’

Su Ye let out a soft laugh, his expression filled with a calm, unhurried confidence.

His journey to the Mist Forest Divine Kingdom had been a blessing in disguise; his Divine Techniques had advanced tremendously. Even if the Chu Family’s Golden Core Ancestor, Chu Wunian, came in person, he would be no match for him!

Besides...

’According to Master Yufeng’s memories,’

’Chu Wunian’s injuries have not yet healed. Furthermore, as a Golden Core of high status and great authority, he bears the responsibility of guarding his territory and can hardly leave to come here.’

’So the most I’ll face is a Crystal Perfection cultivator... plus a Golden Core Edict?’ Su Ye estimated. He was quite familiar with Golden Core Edicts.

It was a type of high-grade talisman.

A high-level Talisman Master would craft a special talismanic edict from high-grade materials and hand it over to a Golden Core cultivator.

The Golden Core cultivator would then infuse it with their own Magical Power, imprinting it with one of their Divine Techniques!

Wielding a Golden Core Edict, a Crystal cultivator could use its Divine Technique, displaying a hint of a Golden Core’s power... However, the might of the Divine Technique imprinted into the edict was significantly diminished.

An edict created by someone at Chu Wunian’s level would, at most, possess the power of an Early-stage Golden Core... and only for a single strike. A killing move of that level...

To Su Ye, it was a joke.

’Perfect. I can capture this group of Chu Family cultivators and use it as a pretext for intervening in the Day Flame Sea Region...’ Su Ye mused, formulating a simple plan.

...

After sorting through his thoughts, Su Ye looked at Phantom Zhenren.

"You’ve done well."

"Once your current term as Governor of Hope Port is over, you may serve another."

He promised with a slight nod.

Phantom Zhenren had chosen the correct side this time, and her position had been firm.

While she had some minor flaws, they were largely harmless and acceptable.

"Thank you, Mr. Su!"

"I swear to fulfill my duties to the best of my ability and guard this place for you, Mr. Su!"

Phantom Zhenren was ecstatic, her smile so brilliant she couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up. The governorship of Hope Port was a thirty-year term, and she had served less than ten years of her current one.

In other words, she could serve in this position for another fifty years!

With the governor’s compensation package, even without earning any extra income, the salary was still substantial. Fifty years was enough time for her to break through to the Mid-stage Crystal realm, and she might even have a hope of reaching the late stage!

’I really bet on the right horse this time!’

...

Next, the two returned to the port.

Phantom Zhenren personally took action, bringing the remaining Spirit Control Sect traitors under control.

According to her, she had their scapulas pierced and their cultivation sealed, and was preparing to send them to the mines.

Only when they had turned over a new leaf and sincerely repented their past wrongs would they be allowed to see the light of day and regain their freedom.

However, a few of the die-hards were especially defiant.

"Phantom Zhenren, you traitor to the sect! You’ll die a dog’s death!"

"Me, a traitor? What a joke!"

"I am one of the Four Shadows, a proper member of the Spirit Control Sect’s Four Shadows! Are you saying only Jueying and Chengying count, and I don’t?"

Phantom Zhenren retorted sharply.

But faced with her questioning, the die-hard cultivators wore strange expressions, a look that all but screamed, ’Isn’t it obvious? You’re just a placeholder.’

That look utterly enraged Phantom Zhenren, piercing her proud yet deeply insecure soul.

In a fit of rage, she summoned her bonded Spirit Spider and had it inject the men with venom, causing their muscles and internal organs to dissolve into a pool of pus amid excruciating agony!