Within the Foundation Establishment Platform, the few martial artists experienced tremendous growth in strength.
However, the spirits and monsters progressed even more significantly .
Many spirits and monsters underwent three or four bloodline evolutions in just five or six years.
Previously, they would have needed to become demons or consume special elixirs to evolve their bloodlines.
But now, they could evolve their bloodlines simply by doing some work. This was enough for them to boast about for a lifetime. Some bull spirits grew six pairs of horns on their foreheads, each pair capable of unleashing different spells such as earth, fire, wind, water, thunder, and lightning. Some butterfly spirits grew more wings, fluttering and becoming even more beautiful. These spirits and monsters, after evolving their bloodlines, were only one step away from becoming demons. However, very few actually managed to reach that point. Wang Quan occasionally inquired with them and learned that these spirits and monsters needed certain internal transformations to become demons. Once they overcame these transformations, they would become demons. After becoming a demon queen, one can transform into human form: inside and out, internal organs, muscles, and flesh are exactly the same as a human. Such demons are far more powerful; most can rival cultivators whose true forms have descended to the second level of the world. A few even overpower these cultivators. Wang Quan initially thought these demons would leave after becoming stronger. However, not only did they not leave, they also called upon their friends, wanting more of their fellow spirits to come and work for him. However, Wang Quan felt that these spirits and demons actually just wanted to exchange their labor for his protection and some resources. Hmm... Linjiang Mountain is quite wealthy now. Even if they cannot enter the Foundation Establishment Platform, those spirits working outside are improving their cultivation, refining their techniques, and cultivating their skills much faster and more efficiently than in other places. Wang Quan doesn't care about this. Whether Linjiang Mountain is prosperous or declining, it is just a base for him to achieve his own goals. Now, if he wants, he can easily create a territory even better than Linjiang Mountain. Time flies: January... March... May... On this day, Wang Quan was practicing the "Yu Meiren" technique with Ying Jiaren in the second-floor scripture pavilion. While comprehending the Daoist scriptures, he suddenly had an epiphany. He picked up his brush and began answering questions with flowing strokes. Ying Jiaren was stunned for a moment, then chanted an incantation, transforming into a beautiful snake-woman with the lower half of a snake. She coiled around him, slowly moving, her heart pounding with excitement. "Senior brother, have you completed the 30,000th volume of the Daoist scriptures?" she wondered, watching Wang Quan answer questions at lightning speed. A cup of tea's time... an incense stick's time... two incense sticks' time... Wang Quan answered questions at lightning speed, but it took a long time. A full hour later, the final test ended. Whoosh! The Daoist scriptures automatically turned the pages, revealing the 30,001st volume. However, Wang Quan had no interest in looking at it. He immediately checked the Daoist seal information: the information on the seals hadn't changed much, but every change seemed important. He glanced at it briefly, then focused his attention on the characteristics. "If no new good traits appear, I'll choose the Dao Scripture as my fourth trait; I'll keep the fifth trait born from the third-grade Dao Seal as a reserve." This time, studying the last few volumes of the Dao Scripture had taken too long. Several times he couldn't resist the urge to choose [Dao Scripture +1] a second time. But, considering the future, he held back. Now, with the [Third-Grade Dao Seal], he no longer needed to hold back. Of the more than three hundred traits, over a dozen had disappeared; those that disappeared were relatively simple, like Dust Repelling and Water Repelling, traits he felt weren't very useful. In their place were several new traits: [Soaring], [Mountain Carrying], [Netherworld Connection], etc. These traits were also quite profound. However, after studying them, Wang Quan discarded them without hesitation. Although their effects were good, increasing his foundation and even enhancing certain aspects of combat power, they weren't as profound as [Scripture Reading +1], which brought a much stronger foundation. Moreover, after obtaining the third-grade Dao Seal, he gained a lot of information about the [Purple Mansion] realm. These traits didn't help with the [Purple Mansion] realm, so he naturally discarded them. After selecting the characteristic, the information for the [Third-Rank Dao Seal] changes as follows: [Third-Rank Dao Seal - Royal Power - Lifespan 36/330] [Dao Seal Promotion Requirements: 30,000/40,000] [Realm: Qi Refining/Breaking Limit 108 Heavenly Gang Earthly Fiend Yang God!] [Magic Power: [Bright Moon Magic Power - 1001 Dao], [Purple Qi Magic Power - 500 Dao], [Great Sun Magic Power - 11 Dao]. [Fundamental Laws: [Bright Moon Illuminates Me Law], [Purple Qi Extreme Heaven Law], [Great Sun Across the Sky Law], etc., totaling 365 types.] [Spells: [Plain Moon Paper Cutting Technique], [Moonlight Escape], [Yang Qi Furnace], [Yu Meiren], etc., totaling 108,000 types.] [Characteristics: Qi Gathering +1, Spirit Refining +1, Dao Scripture +2 - Consumes 10,000 Heavenly Secrets, can condense the fifth characteristic.] [Heavenly Secrets: 100 Dao.] [Yin Virtue: 200 Square!]
[Qingfu Coins: 5 million]
[Spiritual herbs, essences, and magic treasures can all be converted into Heavenly Secrets.]
[Legend +1]
[Special Information: This information will be displayed after the second layer of the inner landscape is opened]
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The biggest change in the third-grade Dao Seal compared to before is actually lifespan.
Wang Quan didn't expect that just by raising the Dao Seal by one grade, his lifespan would increase again.
You must know that he is only a Qi Refiner now.
He hasn't even reached Foundation Establishment yet.
In this world, the orthodox Foundation Establishment only lasts for five hundred years.
He observed repeatedly before withdrawing his consciousness.
At this moment, Ying Jiaren rubbed her face against his a few times: "Did you choose the fourth characteristic?"
"Is it Scripture Reading +1? Or some other characteristic?"
Wang Quan took a deep breath, suppressing his hot blood: "Scripture Reading +1!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Jiaren closed her eyes.
One breath...
three breaths...
nine breaths...
She opened her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips: "I also chose Scripture Reading +1."
Wang Quan was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Perhaps the new trait you gain after mastering 30,000 volumes of Daoist scriptures is different from mine; there might be something even better than Scripture Reading +1!"
Ying Jiaren shook her head: "At the first and second ranks, our traits are the same!"
"At the third rank, naturally, they'll be the same too!"
Wang Quan nodded, no longer dwelling on the trait issue, and happily said: "Come on, let's continue!"
"Yes!"
With [Scripture Reading +2], Wang Quan's speed in studying Daoist scriptures skyrocketed.
The time it used to take to study one volume of Daoist scriptures, he could now study 1.5 volumes.
Ying Jiaren gained even more.
She was currently aiming for 30,000 volumes of Daoist scriptures, and after increasing the Scripture Reading trait by +2, her study efficiency tripled.
This annoyed her greatly: "If I had upgraded the Daoist scripture's attribute by +2 earlier, I would have 30,000 scrolls of Daoist scriptures by now."
Wang Quan laughed: "After you reach the third rank of Daoist scripture, you can choose to upgrade the Daoist scripture by +1 again and go ahead to explore."
Ying Jiaren chuckled: "Actually, it's also important to keep an attribute opportunity for emergencies!"
*Slap!
* Wang Quan slapped her: "You can slowly comprehend the Daoist scripture yourself. I'm going out to handle some matters."
Ying Jiaren blinked: "Handle what matters?" "Could
it be that the third rank of Daoist scripture has revealed a new Foundation Establishment secret?"
"Are you going to adjust the Foundation Establishment platform?"
Wang Quan shook his head: "This time, the hint is about the [Purple Mansion] realm." "My Foundation Establishment is
almost complete ."
"You need to prepare for the [Purple Mansion] realm in advance."
Ying Jiaren nodded: "Yes, after you complete your Foundation Establishment, I will also start preparing for it."
Wang Gao had just returned to his office when Mu Lan summoned him.
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She was covered with a blanket, resting on the sofa.
"Wang Gao, from now on, you'll be in charge of arranging the daytime work. The military hospital follows military regulations. If you slack off and affect rescue efforts, I'll deal with you according to military law. Even your grandmother couldn't help you." "
Okay, Director, you seem very tired. Is it because the monsters in the East China Sea have been restless lately, and you need to personally take the night shift? I can come and keep you company tonight."
"You can come if you want to work overtime, but you have no right to ask about my whereabouts."
"I'm just concerned about you, Director..."
"No need, go out and get to work!"
Wang Gao had been clamoring to work at the military hospital because he was attracted to Mu Lan's beauty. He
was already getting a little tired of his newly married Fang Qiuyue.
He felt his family background was more than a match for Mu Lan's. Once Wang Xuehua became empress, he would be the grandson of the Jinglong Empire, and possibly even the grandson of the Blue Planet's ruler.
He Lianting naturally supported his beloved grandson; snatching Mu Lan away from the Queen would be a stroke of luck for the Wang family.
A wood-type medical officer was a highly sought-after commodity for any major family.
But Mu Lan's purpose in making these arrangements was to get a good rest during the day so she could accompany Yang Ding to search for the mermaid beast at night.
This was the real mission the Queen had given her.
With the mermaid beast appearing twice in a row, all the forces underwater in the East China Sea would be in turmoil, and every day would be filled with fierce battles.
Thinking of Yang Ding's safety and Wang Xuehua's cultivation level, Mu Lan couldn't help but feel anxious, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She finally got up and called Zhang Beiye, the Vice Admiral of the East China Sea Navy.
"Vice Admiral Zhang, I predict a major battle is about to break out, and Wang Xuehua could make a move at any time." "
But the princess's coming-of-age ceremony is in a month. She probably won't act rashly then."
"That's hard to say. The mermaid beast crystal is something Wang Xuehua will fight for; it absolutely cannot fall into her hands."
Silence fell on the other end of the phone.
Even the arrogant and unruly Zhang Beiye knew that if unrest broke out in the East China Sea, the fleet of the White Eagle Empire, and the two city lords of Jiangling City and Xiyu City might seize the opportunity to create chaos.
Whether the Grandmasters of the Royal City would suppress the unrest, whether they would even do so, or even whether they might secretly collude, were all unknown.
Suppression could lead to the annihilation of 50 million people in the two city-states, the loss of several Grandmasters for the Jinglong Empire, its annexation by other empires, and its eternal disappearance from the annals of history.
This was a battle second only to the Cataclysmic War in scale, and everyone involved could die.
"Retreat is useless. Have everyone prepare for the final battle," Mu Lan said.
"Yes, Commander Mu!"
A sound of stamping feet and standing at attention came from the other end of the phone.
Zhang Beiye's voice was loud and firm, showing absolute respect for Mu Lan.
Mu Lan was Mu Qingyao, one of the eight Grandmasters of the Royal City, a Grandmaster of the Wood element, the General of the Yaoguang Guard, the nominal commander-in-chief of the East China Sea Navy, and the Queen's most loyal partner.
When necessary, she would appear as Mu Lan, with Mu Qingyao merely a figurehead.
Only three people in the world knew her identity: the Queen, the Princess, and her confidant Zhang Beiye.
Mu Lan was also the initiator of the Dragon Guard Martyrs' Alliance, aiming to overthrow the current system of Grandmasters dividing power and establish a more rational human imperial system, allowing everyone on Blue Star to cultivate and participate in the cosmic struggle.
However, within the entire East Sea Navy, only Zhang Beiye knew her true identity, because not everyone in the East Sea Navy was loyal to the Queen.
Neither Mu Lan nor Zhang Beiye knew how many of the ten generals were truly willing to fight for the Queen.
Her infiltration as the head of the military hospital was also to lower the Wang family's guard and catch Wang Xuehua off guard.
Otherwise, having a Grandmaster in East Sea City would surely cause trouble every day, and if she colluded with the White Eagle Empire to launch an attack, it would lead to even greater casualties.
"Should we notify Fang Hongbo?" Zhang Beiye asked.
"Of course, he's a vital fighting force, and I trust his loyalty to the Empire."
"He should be fine; he also likes Yang Ding as his son-in-law."
Thinking of Yang Ding, Mu Lan was completely uncertain. Was this guy really worth such a huge fuss?
But he was the Queen's only card; otherwise, when Wang Xuehua obtained the Mermaid Chieftain's beast crystal, it would have been the day Jinglong perished.
After hanging up, Mu Lan prepared to sleep a little longer, but unexpectedly, Yang Ding showed up.
"Who let you sneak into my office without my permission?" Mu Lan asked.
Her position, status, and cultivation were far too high; she naturally lacked approachability, and her tone was always commanding.
Most people would definitely find her unapproachable and wouldn't dare to get close.
But Yang Ding wasn't afraid of her at all; they'd already kissed, so what was the use of being fierce?
He plopped down on the sofa, startling Mu Lan, who quickly got up and sat back in her office chair, buttoning her shirt collar.
This guy couldn't be killed, and he liked to act like a rogue; even as a Grandmaster, she couldn't be careless.
"If you have important matters to discuss, don't give me this nonsense," Yang Ding said.
"I'm the dean, you're just an employee."
"And I'm also the captain of the Jinglong."
"Then I'm not a crew member either, and besides, this captaincy was achieved with my help..."
"No, no, no, I think this was the Queen's idea, you're just a messenger."
"You..."
Mu Lan was very angry. This really wasn't the Queen's idea; the Queen couldn't manage such details.
She just wanted to see what this guy was capable of.
If his cultivation was mediocre, and his brain was mediocre too, then the Queen might have entrusted herself to the wrong person.
"Speak, what do you want?"
Yang Ding opened the door, looked around, then furtively locked it again and walked towards the desk.
Mu Lan was startled and immediately became wary. "What are you going to do? Just stand there and say it."
"This is top secret, no one can hear."
"If you come any closer, I won't be polite."
Mu Lan hid behind the chair, snapped her fingers, and the green ivy on the desk instantly sealed off the room.
"Okay, go ahead and say it, just stand there and say it."
Yang Ding was puzzled. "Why are you so nervous? I'm here to talk about serious matters. You don't think I'm some kind of frivolous man, do you?"
"What do you think? You're fucking poisoned, and you still dare to sneak up on my mouth."
Thinking of this, Mu Lan wanted to curse, wanted to kill someone.
Her first kiss, which she had guarded for 102 years, was gone just like that, boohoo!
At first, she was Ye Jian's little fangirl.
Later, Ye Jian died, and the Queen told her to wait, promising to arrange a husband a hundred times better than Ye Jian for her
in the future. Mu Qingyao never imagined he would be such a shameless guy.
Yang Ding had no choice but to reveal his thoughts.
"Last night I saw Wang Hongxiang was furious like a mad dog. He'll definitely retaliate next time he encounters the Wang family. The Wang family has many water-based experts; we won't have the upper hand."
Mu Lan nodded. "Of course, so what?"
"As a resourceful captain, I've decided to use someone else to do the dirty work."
"With your status and position, who will shield you? Who dares to oppose the Wang family?"
"The White Eagle Empire, the Three Lions Empire, the Giant Bear Empire, the King Serpent Empire, and all the scattered pirates—all can be used."
"If we can mobilize these people, we'll naturally have a better chance of winning, and we can also fish in troubled waters, delaying the grandmasters of other city-states. But why should they listen to you?"
"Think of a way. They all want to hunt fish-beasts. What if the mermaids are willing to cooperate with me?" Yang Ding countered.
Mu Lan hadn't considered this.
Her original plan was to seize the mermaid beast's crystal and help Zhou Ruoxi and Fang Jing directly advance their cultivation to SSSSS level.
Cooperation?
Never even considered it!
Could an alien beast be trusted?