Chapter 120: Sharing Strength [Please Subscribe]

At night, Lu Sheng was studying the map in his room. Even when relocating, one must first carefully choose the route.

He took out the map and examined it closely.

The map given by the boss of the Xuanbing Merchants’ Guild covered the entire Luzhou region; it was the most comprehensive map the guild possessed.

There were a total of 31 wilderness areas and 119 main cities marked.

At this moment, Lu Sheng was in Area 21. He understood the meaning behind the area numbers—the higher the rank, the more dangerous it was. Area 21 wasn’t considered too perilous.

If he were to relocate now, he could only move eastward, towards Area 13, which neighbored it.

Traveling there would require crossing 500 li to reach the safe zone of Area 13.

This 500 kilometers was no easy journey, especially since he didn’t have enough White Cloud Horses; some would have to travel on foot.

That wasn’t ideal.

Riding a White Cloud Horse would take just over a day, but walking would take at least five days.

And that didn’t even account for potential monster encounters along the way.

He absolutely had to secure enough White Cloud Horses.

He wondered if the merchant guilds were still open at this late hour. Coincidentally, he was also planning to strengthen his Strawman Clone.

Currently, the Strawman Clone was only at the fourth rank and could only be controlled within a 500-kilometer range, which was gradually becoming insufficient.

First, he swapped positions between his true body and the Strawman Clone. His true body moved to the gathering place’s room, then entered the sub-dimensional space, and then he switched positions with the Strawman Clone again.

This way, he returned to Tiantan Mountain, and the Strawman Clone was now inside the sub-dimensional space.

He transformed the Strawman Clone into a card, then applied two consecutive enhancements, directly upgrading it to the sixth rank.

However... upon reaching the sixth rank, something pleasantly surprising happened to Lu Sheng!

[Strawman Clone]

Quality: Blue

Rank: Six

Skills: Anthropomorphize, Share Power, Ultra-Long-Distance Control

The original “Shared Origin” skill evolved into “Share Power,” and “Long-Distance Control” upgraded to “Ultra-Long-Distance Control.”

Share Power: The clone can use 70% of the true body’s power, requiring only the true body to synchronize the motivating force.

Ultra-Long-Distance Control: Connection range extended to 5,000 li.

The introduction of Share Power perfectly solved the problem of the clone’s weakness.

Yet, Lu Sheng was a bit puzzled. Did the true body need to perform the same attacks for the clone to use them?

If that were the case, the practicality would be limited.

He decided to test it.

Summoning the clone, he began the trial.

Within moments, Lu Sheng concluded that the true body didn’t need to use the same moves.

It only required the true body to activate and coordinate the spacetime ant’s motivating force; then the clone could naturally wield the true body’s power.

Moreover, it truly possessed 70% of the true body’s strength. Although slightly diminished, Lu Sheng believed it was still overwhelmingly powerful against those of the same rank.

In that case, he had to accelerate the improvement of his true body.

By noon tomorrow, when the Water Spirit Fruit matured, he could reach the perfect fifth rank.

Only the sixth rank’s governing law remained elusive, causing him some headache. So far, he hadn’t comprehended what that law was.

He wasn’t neglecting to send out the spacetime ants; they were always outside, bonding with him.

Still, he genuinely felt nothing...

He had no choice but to wait until he perfected the fifth rank.

The true body continued enhancing card quality, while the clone headed toward White Sheep City.

It was the closest main city to the wilderness, so resources should be abundant.

He wasn’t sure if it was open at night, but if not, there was nothing he could do.

Upon arriving at White Sheep City, Lu Sheng was surprised to find the entire city brightly lit and bustling, more lively than ever before.

People streamed in and out of the city gates nonstop.

Lu Sheng almost thought he’d stepped into a prosperous ancient town.

Soon, he roughly guessed the reason.

News about the otherworldly portal had undoubtedly spread across the wilderness. These people were likely preparing, like him, to gather resources and flee.

He hurried inside; if all the White Cloud Horses were sold out, his trip would be in vain.

He dashed to the Secret Codex Merchants’ Guild.

Being able to wield 70% of his true power wasn’t weak.

Within minutes, he arrived at the guild.

“Boss! Do you still have any White Cloud Horses? I’ll take them all!” Lu Sheng burst in and nearly collided with some people at the door, two of whom looked vaguely familiar.

However, his focus was on the White Cloud Horses, so he didn’t dwell on it and quickly approached the counter.

As Lu Sheng rushed past, one casually dressed elder stopped the group.

“The person is here.”

“Huh?”

Several looked puzzled and glanced toward the one who’d just run by.

Xiong Zijie and Zhang Haoran whispered the name: “Lu Sheng?”

Their voices were low, audible only to themselves.

Zhang Haoran looked at his master: “Master, is Lu Sheng the one you’ve been waiting for? We bought all the White Cloud Horse cards just for him?”

Zhang Haoran was somewhat confused. He admitted Lu Sheng was special, but was it really necessary for his master to care this much?

Zhang Tiandao nodded: “Yes, he’s the big shot.”

Xiong Dabiao scratched his head reluctantly: “I say, Elder, your fate-sensing bug only sensed a big shot. Do we really need to suck up to him this much?”

Zhang Tiandao was displeased: “What do you know? If I didn’t constantly guide you, you’d have been torn to pieces long ago. And now you still don’t trust me?”

Xiong Zijie twitched at the side, always amused by Zhang Tiandao’s exaggerated scolding of his father.

Especially seeing his father meek and silent was hard not to laugh at, though he dared not make a sound.

Otherwise, he’d face a whipping when he got home.

Xiong Dabiao fell silent. Zhang Tiandao’s bound beast was very special, belonging to the fate category; upon activation, it showed strange visions, each representing some meaning.

But the meaning needed personal comprehension, so many times their interpretations were just guesses.

For example, when Xiong Dabiao joined the Cult Extermination Alliance, Zhang Tiandao gave him a prophecy.

He saw a blood-stained sword and an escape route.

Xiong Dabiao initially thought the bloodied sword was theirs and the escape route belonged to the Wild God Cult.

At that time, the Wild God Cult’s strength was concealed, with only a sixth rank publicly known.

Unexpectedly, the escape route was theirs, and the bloodied sword belonged to the Wild God Cult.

Thus, Zhang Tiandao’s power was to see a future vision.

But the image was cryptic, requiring interpretation.

This was why Zhang Tiandao himself wasn’t entirely certain of his own visions.

Xiong Dabiao softened his tone: “Alright, I’ll listen to you. No harm in trying.”

They had known each other for many years, and Zhang Tiandao’s persistence had never been wrong. Xiong Dabiao trusted him.

Also, he knew about Lu Sheng—his strength was indeed impressive, with six sixth-rank subordinates already demonstrated. Helping him out wouldn’t hurt.

Zhang Tiandao nodded contentedly: “I might as well tell you, I’ve already broken into the seventh rank. Just keep quiet and let me speak later.”

“Seventh rank?” Xiong Dabiao was delighted. “You’re at seventh rank already? Then why worry? We might as well wipe out the Wild God Cult. Why bother relocating?”

“Enough, shut up. This crisis isn’t simple. It’s no longer just our region—it’s a planet-wide matter. I see no hope, only the big shot,” Zhang Tiandao said calmly.

“Haoran, Zijie, you know this guy, right?”

Zhang Haoran nodded: “Yes, last time Zijie and I teamed up with him to break out of the Wild God Cult’s encirclement.”

“Good. Stay close to him. Don’t care about short-term gains. I can’t control those two bandits, but you must listen to me and get along with him.”

Zhang Tiandao had come because he foresaw how to grab onto a powerful ally.

The vision showed a White Cloud Horse with the words “Secret Codex” inscribed.

Once he saw this, he immediately investigated anything related to the Secret Codex.

There was only one such guild, so the conclusion was obvious.

Plus the White Cloud Horse, the prophecy was easily deciphered.

...

Lu Sheng stared at the boss: “Hey, boss, what’s going on? I want to buy White Cloud Horses!”

“I know, why yell?” The boss rubbed his ear, annoyed. “Sold out. All bought up.”

“That’s them,” the boss pointed to four people standing at the entrance.

Lu Sheng looked over, suspicion turning into delight; he recognized two of them.

Knowing them made things much simpler!

“Brother Zhang, Brother Zijie, long time no see!” Lu Sheng greeted them, ignoring the boss.

“Brother Lu, you’ve done an impressive job today!” Xiong Zijie was superstitious about Zhang Tiandao’s prophecy—if the master said to get along well, why not?

“Oh, where, where? They don’t come to bother me; I don’t want such fame.”

The two sides exchanged friendly greetings.

Lu Sheng looked at the other two and asked Xiong Zijie: “Who are these two?”

They clearly looked like elders to Zijie and Xiong Dabiao. Since Zijie and Dabiao had similar looks and builds, Lu Sheng assumed they were father and son.

Zhang Haoran and Zhang Tiandao dressed similarly, though Zhang Tiandao was more carefree. From prior information, Lu Sheng guessed they were master and disciple.

Still, it was better to ask to avoid misunderstandings.

After all, looking alike doesn’t guarantee family—might just be Uncle Wang next door.

What if Lu Sheng blurted out, “Is this your father?”

Then Zijie answered, “He’s my father’s brother,” causing awkwardness.

Xiong Zijie introduced: “This is my father, Xiong Dabiao; this is Zhang Haoran’s master, Zhang Tiandao.”

After brief introductions, Lu Sheng spoke directly: “I heard from the boss that the Xiong family head bought all the White Cloud Horses?”

Xiong Dabiao nodded: “Yes, all in my hands. I guess you want some too?”

“Exactly.” Having just shouted loudly, it was natural they knew. “Can the family head spare some for me?”

“Talking money ruins feelings. Since you’re close with Zijie and them, it’s just White Cloud Horses. How many do you want? I’ll give them to you,” Xiong Dabiao said generously.

He was the one opposing fawning over Lu Sheng, yet now he was the most enthusiastic to do so.

Zhang Haoran and Zhang Tiandao had no say here.

“Master, is the family head always like this?”

“Yes, you’re just inexperienced. He used to be even more shameless.”

They whispered, casting disdainful glances at Xiong Dabiao.

He didn’t seem to notice.

Lu Sheng chuckled: “I feel bad, but with such generosity, I can’t refuse. I want nine hundred White Cloud Horses.”

Xiong Dabiao: ???

That’s all?

The silence was deafening.

Xiong Dabiao laughed heartily: “No problem. But I have a question and a request.”

Lu Sheng replied: “Go ahead.”

He wanted to hear what it was; if feasible, he’d comply. If not, he could always pay.

He wasn’t the type to summon all sixth-rank monsters to rob.

“Is your relocation planned eastward?” Xiong Dabiao asked.

Lu Sheng was surprised: “Yes, I am. How do you know?”

He hadn’t told anyone yet. How did they find out?

Xiong Dabiao smiled: “Just a guess. Since we’re moving the same way, why not meet tomorrow? Better to watch out for each other on the road.”

“Is that your request?” Lu Sheng found it odd; after all, Xiong Dabiao was the head of a bandit stronghold, but the request sounded like flattery.

“Yep, that’s my request,” Xiong Dabiao said straightforwardly.

“Alright, no problem,” Lu Sheng agreed.

“Here are nine hundred White Cloud Horses. Where shall we rendezvous tomorrow?” Xiong Dabiao smiled.

Lu Sheng studied him. Though a bandit in looks and manner, his speech and actions didn’t match that rough image.

“With such generosity, I can only respectfully obey,” Lu Sheng said.

The flattery was obvious, but he didn’t mind accepting gifts handed so freely.

Whether any tricks were planned, his strength was his greatest assurance.

Taking the nine hundred White Cloud Horse cards, Lu Sheng informed Xiong Dabiao of the gathering place’s location, then took his leave.

Watching Lu Sheng leave hastily, Xiong Dabiao’s forced smile faded.

“Crazy Elder, I did as you said. If I don’t see anything special from him, I won’t keep this attitude.”

Zhang Tiandao smiled: “Don’t worry, I can’t even fully see his special traits. This person is definitely extraordinary.”

Xiong Dabiao paid no heed. He would treat a newly met stranger kindly only because of Zhang Tiandao’s face, not because he truly believed Lu Sheng was special.

If Lu Sheng failed to impress, he’d just treat him normally—not grovel or hand over gifts.

...

Lu Sheng rode the White Flame Blue-Scaled Bird back to the gathering place.

When drowsiness came, he swapped his true body back from Tiantan Mountain.

The next morning,

Early, Li Kuang gathered everyone, saying Lu Sheng wanted to address them.

This was instructed by Lu Sheng the day before; Li Kuang was efficient.

Lu Sheng had just gotten up and tidied himself when he saw everyone assembled.

Seeing this, Lu Sheng simply washed up and came out.

“Master, come up to the platform to speak,” Li Kuang flattered as he saw Lu Sheng emerge.

“Alright.”

Walking over, Lu Sheng sensed the genuine respect from the crowd.

He ascended the only platform in the gathering place.

“Today, I must deliver some unfortunate news. I hope everyone is mentally prepared.”

His words silenced the crowd momentarily.

They wondered what he meant.

Was he leaving?

If so, abandonment would indeed be unfortunate.

But they knew it would be normal for Lu Sheng to leave eventually.

Before they could think further, Lu Sheng continued.

“Our wilderness is about to face a large influx of powerful monsters, so we must relocate. This will be a long move, about 500 kilometers from here.”

“And it’s not just our gathering place—every gathering place and faction in this region must move. Please don’t resist.”

“But don’t worry. I’ve prepared a storage card, a White Cloud Horse, and a tent for each of you. Bring whatever you need.”

“I’ll give these to Li Kuang to distribute. Then pack up quickly; we leave soon.”

The news was sudden and shocking. Even after Lu Sheng left the platform, many remained stunned.

Lu Sheng found Li Kuang and handed him the items for distribution.

Li Kuang was also surprised but wasted no time.

Lu Sheng’s words were clear: relocation was imperative. He had prepared everything needed.

As the leader, Li Kuang knew his role.

He went to the platform and reiterated Lu Sheng’s message, then called on the leaders of each squad to collect supplies.

After a while, once distribution was complete, Li Kuang loudly announced:

“You all know Lu Sheng’s orders. This crisis is widespread. We must move. Hurry and pack!”

The people looked at their belongings, realizing something.

Lu Sheng had equipped each of them with priceless gear!

At least, to them, storage cards and White Cloud Horses were invaluable.

Many couldn’t afford to buy these themselves.

Someone led a shout: “Thank you, Lord Lu Sheng!”

Then everyone echoed it in unison, loud enough to be heard throughout the gathering place.

Even with Lu Sheng at home, he could hear the distant voices.

...

Half an hour later, everyone had packed.

They placed their items into the storage cards, making packing efficient.

Hence the speed.

Li Kuang approached Lu Sheng: “Master, when do we depart?”

Lu Sheng answered: “Not yet. We’re waiting for someone.”

“Waiting? Who?”

Li Kuang was puzzled but obeyed.

It wasn’t really a subordinate’s concern.

They waited nearly two hours.

During this time, many people passed near the gathering place.

This made everyone realize Lu Sheng’s words were true.

Though they had believed him, some doubts remained.

Now, with so many people relocating, it confirmed the wilderness was truly in trouble.

And it wasn’t just one or two—it was a crowd.

After almost two hours, the sound of many hooves approached, shaking the ground.

Just as they thought another fleeing group had arrived, a massive cavalry halted at their gate.

Xiong Zijie and Zhang Haoran entered.

“Brother Lu, how’s your packing?”

They were curious about Lu Sheng’s living place.

They couldn’t imagine how such a place could nurture someone as fierce as Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng had already sensed the hooves and came out. At the gate, the two saw him.

“I’m ready, just waiting for you.”

“Shall we depart now?”

“Let’s go.”

The gathering place’s people were still nervous.

They could feel the newcomers’ strength.

All carried a fierce aura, clearly veterans of monster battles.

And not just against weak first or second-rank monsters.

The power gap humbled them involuntarily.

Lu Sheng felt this atmosphere too.

It annoyed him slightly—these were his people. How could they be inferior?

He had to train them. He had plenty of red capsules for that.

The team began to move.

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