Cheng Guangshan sighed. "To think such a wondrous thing exists in this world! Don’t worry, I’ll cultivate it carefully.

Regardless, we can continue to study the effects of this Red Jade Ganoderma. But that will have to wait.

As for blood, let’s use animal blood for now. Exotic Beasts are dangerous and hard to come by; we’ll have to rely on luck for that."

As he spoke, he transferred the Red Jade Ganoderma to a larger ceramic bowl and placed it in a sunny spot.

Cheng Zongyang said, "I’m taking this manual. You can handle the rest as you see fit."

Cheng Guangshan nodded. "Understood."

After leaving, Cheng Zongyang returned to his room. Using the excuse of closed-door Cultivation, he shut the door and entered the Wilderness World.

He handed the research manual for the Red Blood Pill to Zhang Jinquan. Upon seeing the experimental results, the latter burst out laughing.

"I never expected it to actually have an aphrodisiac effect! But this medicine has a clear effect on replenishing qi and blood for the Lower Three Grades. It’ll probably be less effective for the Middle Third Grades. No matter, my lord. This subordinate will make targeted improvements."

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "No need. For us, its most important function is that we can sell it for Points! There are plenty of drugs to aid Cultivation; we’re not short this one."

With that, Cheng Zongyang summoned Luo Dingran and said, "Try to purchase Red Jade Ganoderma. See if you can acquire any. If it’s possible, we can start mass production and specialize in selling Red Blood Pills."

After learning about the effects of the Red Blood Pill, Luo Dingran nodded. "This subordinate understands."

With his instructions given, Cheng Zongyang left the Wilderness World.

「The next day.」

The fifteen personnel finished assembling, with Cheng Zongyang leading the team and Zhou Zhendong accompanying him.

Before leaving, Cheng Zongyang also took thirty portions of Body Tempering Powder and a bottle of Qi Essence Pills. These were for Li Lu.

Once all preparations were complete, Cheng Zongyang led them out of Cheng Family Village.

They all carried Stone Skin Purses to negate the effects of the Geomagnetic Stones. However, once they were out of range, Cheng Zongyang collected all their Purses.

Control over the Purses had always been strict. They were only handed over to the guide for unified management when entering or exiting, to prevent any issues.

So, after leaving the mountains, Cheng Zongyang collected the Purses, took a detour, then headed down the country road south of Golden Bridge Village before turning north toward Tiantuan Village.

Everything that needed to be said had been said yesterday.

Some of these people would be assigned to Tiantuan Village, while others would be stationed in the County Town to take over some pre-selected shops in West City.

Those shops were in excellent locations. Once the Outsiders took over, they would surely fight for the best spots. He was just striking first to gain the advantage.

Upon arriving in Tiantuan Village, Cheng Zongyang found a Gang underling and asked about the whereabouts of Li Lu and the four Gang Leaders.

Learning they were all in the city, Cheng Zongyang didn’t send anyone to summon them. Instead, he first arranged for his own people to get settled.

Tiantuan Village was divided into an inner and an outer perimeter.

The outer perimeter was for ordinary people, while the inner perimeter was for core personnel. The inner perimeter was further divided into east and west residences. The east belonged to Cheng Zongyang, and the west to Li Lu.

Cheng Zongyang first led them to find housing in the eastern part of the inner perimeter.

"Zhendong, have them rest here for a bit first. I’ll bring some people over for introductions later."

To reduce issues of status, the two cousins addressed each other directly by name.

As for the others, they were to address Cheng Zongyang as Boss and Zhou Zhendong as Steward.

Later on, Zhou Zhendong and three members of the Earth Branch Lineage would work by his side. These three members would become Zhou Zhendong’s assistants, with each assistant managing four people.

Each group of four would be responsible for one industry.

Namely, grain, salt, and apothecaries.

Currently, these were the first three businesses the Cheng Family was getting into. The grain business was divided into rice, seeds, meat, and fish.

Salt was self-explanatory. As for the apothecaries, they would be divided into purchasing Medicinal Materials and selling Martial Arts medicines.

He didn’t plan to treat illnesses himself, but rather to sell medicinal cures and Cultivation drugs.

Of course, for now, it was all just about setting up the framework.

After getting them settled to rest, Cheng Zongyang took Zhou Zhendong into the city.

At the city gate, he happened to see a Gang underling.

"This humble one greets you, my lord." The Gang underling immediately clasped his hands in greeting upon seeing Cheng Zongyang.

"Where is your Gang Leader?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

"He should be at the County Magistrate’s Office. This humble one isn’t certain," the Gang underling said, a little unsure.

Cheng Zongyang gave a slight nod and continued toward the County Magistrate’s Office with Zhou Zhendong.

"Zongyang, you’re so impressive," Zhou Zhendong said, excited. He had noticed that on their way here, everyone from the common folk to these Gang members treated his cousin with great respect.

’Maybe I’ll be like this in the future.’

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "They don’t respect me, they respect my strength! Only when you are strong enough will anyone and everyone respect you.

So, in the future, when you have free time from your duties, you must not neglect your Cultivation. No matter how busy you are, you must cultivate every day. We have the medicines, so don’t be frugal with them. Only by becoming powerful will you also earn everyone’s respect."

Zhou Zhendong nodded, silently committing it to memory.

He held this cousin, who was just a year younger than him, in high regard and felt no resistance whatsoever to this kind of lecture.

「Rear courtyard of the County Magistrate’s Office.」

"Greetings, Lord Cheng." At the entrance, two Gang underlings immediately clasped their hands.

"Mm," Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Are they all inside?"

The underling clasped his hands and replied, "Yes, the four Gang Leaders and Lord Li are in the main hall discussing matters."

"Good." Cheng Zongyang walked straight inside.

Li Lu, who was inside, seemed to hear the voices outside and looked over.

He immediately saw Cheng Zongyang walk in. Delighted, Li Lu stood up to greet him with a hearty laugh.

"Brother Cheng, you’re back so soon. And this is?"

As he spoke, Li Lu looked at the young man standing behind and to the side of Cheng Zongyang. He looked to be about the same age.

"This subordinate greets Lord Cheng."

The four Gang Leaders also clasped their hands in greeting.

"Mm." Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly, then turned to Li Lu. "My people have set up a fairly secret transit area somewhere. I just need to escort them that far. This is someone the family sent to work with me. There are fifteen others back in the village. Zhendong, this is Li Lu. You can just call him Uncle Li. As for the titles, we’ll each use what we’re comfortable with."

"So you’re one of us. HAHAHA, you can just call me Brother, too. Calling me ’uncle’ just makes me sound old," Li Lu laughed freely.

"Greetings, Uncle Li." Zhou Zhendong also smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.

"These four are the Gang Leaders of the four Gangs: Li Xian, Zhao the Seventh..."

Cheng Zongyang introduced the other four to Zhou Zhendong. Both sides exchanged polite greetings.

After the small talk was over, Cheng Zongyang also sat down.

Zhou Zhendong stood behind Cheng Zongyang, listening quietly.

"What were you all discussing?" Cheng Zongyang got straight to the point.

At this, the lingering smiles on everyone’s faces gradually faded.

"Ma Yue, the man you sent out, has returned." Li Lu frowned, delivering a piece of news that greatly surprised Cheng Zongyang. "He’s currently resting at home."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Xian. The latter nodded slightly, stood up, and left.

Cheng Zongyang asked, "What happened?"

Li Lu’s brow furrowed. "The Foreign Race Influence has taken over Shangyong. They’ve already reorganized and cleaned up the County Town. A large amount of manpower and resources have entered the city, and they’ve quickly stabilized the situation in Shangyong."

At this, Cheng Zongyang’s expression also grew grim.

"A total of seven factions have entered the area. Ma Yue isn’t sure which specific family factions they are.

But based on what Ma Yue reported, I suspect the situation in Jade Peak County will be similar soon. The faction taking over is likely the same Foreign Race Influence that originally conquered Jade Peak County.

We were just discussing how we should respond. Right now, our people still need some time before they reach Entry Grade. But even if they do, they’ll only have raw Power and nothing else.

If a conflict breaks out, I’m afraid they won’t be of much use."

After hearing Li Lu’s account, Cheng Zongyang fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he looked at Li Lu and asked with a serious expression, "How many factions were involved in the last attack on Jade Peak County?"