Chapter 582 - 350: All or Nothing
The Celestial Dao Cauldron’s surveillance range was vast, but ultimately limited. It couldn’t bring every Spiritual Vein in the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm under its control.
And for any Spiritual Veins extending into the Northern Domain, the Sect could only dispatch disciples to stand guard.
The Spiritual Veins of the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm were a special product, born from the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect plundering the resources of the Ten Thousand Realms to nourish them.
Not only did they produce dense Spiritual Qi and high-quality Spirit Stones, but they could also give rise to a variety of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.
Even ordinary people who lived near the Spiritual Veins would gradually grow into rare talents.
In short, to the Alien Races and other factions driven out by the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm was a land overflowing with treasure. From time to time, they would risk their lives to try and plunder it.
Invading from the Fallen Immortal Sea was clearly unwise. After all, Zou Feng had personally experienced last time that the coastal regions were within the Celestial Dao Cauldron’s signal range.
Thus, the more remote Northern Domain, far from the Celestial Dao Cauldron’s signal range, naturally became the best point of entry.
Outer Realm Alien Races, all sorts of demons, remnants of sects annihilated by the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, and those chaotic, lawless Evil Cultivators swarmed the Northern Domain, constantly clashing with the Sect’s forces stationed near the Spiritual Veins.
Although these groups were no match for the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect and didn’t dare to truly march south and invade, their periodic raids to snatch some scattered resources never ceased.
Of course, the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect would launch "northern expeditions" from time to time, but the barren lands to the north were even more expansive than the Eastern Land, making them nearly impossible to truly cleanse.
Another crucial point was that these northern expeditions were simply not cost-effective.
Expeditions into the Outer Realm could yield plundered resources, but besides killing some remnants of hostile factions, the northern expeditions offered no other tangible benefits.
Therefore, every time the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect mobilized its forces for a northern expedition, it was essentially a net loss.
It was better to just dispatch more disciples to guard the strategic passes of the Northern Domain.
But being stationed in the Northern Domain was, of course, an arduous and extremely dangerous task. Normally, a True Disciple in their prime would never volunteer for such a post.
Yet, despite the hardship and danger, the assignment wasn’t entirely without its advantages.
One must understand that such places were the best for tempering a person. Any disciple who tempered themselves in the Northern Domain and survived would have their practical combat abilities absolutely maxed out.
It was especially suitable for disciples who cultivated the Dao of Slaughter.
And if one could slay some high-value remnants of hostile factions while guarding the Northern Domain, that would constitute a glorious battle merit, adding a brilliant entry to one’s personal record.
This was precisely Jiang Wanzhao’s plan: volunteer to guard the Northern Domain and establish battle merits to break free from her current predicament.
"Are you willing to go with me?" Jiang Wanzhao asked casually after she finished her explanation.
Guarding the Northern Domain wasn’t a one-person-show, a rampage of slaughter. There would be countless miscellaneous tasks to handle, and Jiang Wanzhao couldn’t possibly attend to everything personally.
So, much like an expedition to the Outer Realm, she would certainly bring numerous trusted subordinates with her.
And Zou Feng, having forged a Top Grade Celestial Tier Dao Foundation, could now naturally be considered a capable commander.
As for Zou Feng’s own wishes...
’Although the best gig would be following Jiang Wanzhao on an expedition to the Outer Realm, the situation no longer allows for it. I can only settle for the next best thing.’
’Following Jiang Wanzhao to the Northern Domain is still far better than being conscripted by some unfamiliar True Disciple or being randomly assigned to some mission full of unknowns.’
’Besides, the Northern Domain is filled with chaotic and lawless Evil Cultivators?’
’There should be no shortage of Poison Cultivators among them!’
’For me, doesn’t that mean I can refine them all without any hesitation?’
’There are far too few Poison Cultivators in the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, and because of the sect’s rules, I can basically only look but not touch.’
’But if I go to the Northern Domain and refine hostile forces, I naturally won’t have those concerns.’
Zou Feng had long since realized that while guarding the Northern Domain seemed like an arduous assignment, it didn’t mean he couldn’t profit handsomely from it...
"It is my duty!" Zou Feng replied to Jiang Wanzhao without a moment’s hesitation.
Jiang Wanzhao nodded, gratified. "Once this business is settled, I will absolutely not treat you unfairly. In any future expeditions to the Outer Realm, you will be the vanguard!"
Zou Feng knew full well that being the vanguard for an Outer Realm expedition wasn’t a cannon fodder role. Instead, it was a position that guaranteed a larger share of the spoils during the final distribution.
In the past, this position was usually held by Zhao Feixiong.
"Prepare yourself well. Eight days from now is an auspicious day for us to depart for the Northern Domain!"
With that, Jiang Wanzhao rose and departed.
After Jiang Wanzhao left, Zou Feng immediately entered a meditative state, preparing to carefully experience the various marvels of the Dao Foundation Realm.
The most immediate change was that his Divine Sense had strengthened immensely.
When he spread out his Divine Sense, the entire Hongxing Inn came into view as if he were looking down from above.
He could even clearly see and hear Tian Yun and the other women chatting idly together.
This suddenly reminded Zou Feng that after entering the Dao Foundation Realm, he should be able to perform "Divine Communication" with relative ease while cultivating the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill.
Zou Feng’s Divine Sense immediately extended to the room where the five women were, transmitting his intention to cultivate the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill with them.
The five women received this wisp of divine thought simultaneously. Believing Zou Feng was about to enter the room, they all rose to prepare.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, their bodies trembled slightly. Then, without any physical contact, they entered the state of cultivation for the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill.
In about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, even Gongsun Jinghong, who usually took the longest, was defeated amidst hoarse cries.
Finishing the cultivation in such a short time wasn’t because Zou Feng was too quick, but because his efficiency had increased dramatically after he entered the Dao Foundation Realm.