"When the world changes, seize the opportunity; if not, it is like a big tree with deep roots that won’t be easily swayed by the cunning of dead rabbits and cooking dogs.
Of course, all of this is based on the premise that he can overcome the crisis of his own short life span.
Three years is still too short.
Xu Qing urgently needs to open the Xuantian Treasure Vault to see if he can get more useful items, or make new breakthroughs in his cultivation.
As the news about Jinghai Guard and Xu Qing successfully taking over Dongming Island quickly spread in all directions.
"Duke Wei refused to help us take down that mountain," Ren Tianyou said with a face full of surprise, even though he had emphasized the mountain’s treasure and great benefits after capturing it.
Duke Wei’s side still refused.
Moreover, Ren Tianyou also learned that the True Gang Sect’s Gu Wuji was preparing to open a Martial Arts dojo on Dongming Island, and this had received support from the Duke Wei Mansion.
Dongming Island was now Xu Qing’s territory.
Even though the Duke Wei Mansion did not say anything.
Ren Tianyou still felt a chill down his spine.
The problem is, even if he were to give up and defect to Xu Qing, it wouldn’t be possible.
Because the roots of the Giant Whale Gang are in Yingtian Prefecture, which is Duke Wei’s territory.
Unless he abandoned his brothers and started anew.
But without these followers, Ren Tianyou would be nothing more than a Refining Internal Master, and whether it’s maintaining his condition or seeking further advancement in Martial Arts, without the support of power, even daily food and drink is a problem.
Because Martial Arts Masters are fine when young, as long as they have enough meat, their Martial Arts can stay solid, even making some minor progress. But once they are old, they have to walk a one-way path where "in eating they seek only the finest, in cutting they seek only the finest cuts".
The requirements for Divine Soul Experts in this aspect are naturally not low.
That is why Great Zen Temple has become a Martial Arts Holy Land, because they have a trump card—the Yellow Millet Rice.
The stable yield of Yellow Millet Rice ensures the continuous emergence of Refining Internal Masters in Great Zen Temple, and the stable maintenance of their own levels, strengthening the cohesion of the masters inside the temple, naturally also ensuring that Great Zen Temple has a very high lower limit.
Golden Ray Monastery, although it is the Dao of the Red Moon Master and has many Martial Arts from the Great Zen Temple, cannot have Refining Internal Masters appear constantly like Great Zen Temple—it must be said, Yellow Millet Rice is an important reason.
Red-haired Yan Kong sighed, "It seems that Xu Gongming is behind this, we still underestimated him."
"Master, now that Dongming Island has fallen into Xu Gongming’s hands, I am in constant danger. What should I do?"
Red-haired Yan Kong saluted with a fist, "Gang Leader Ren, thank you for your hospitality these days, let’s part ways here." He felt that Ren Tianyou was no longer able to help him reclaim his possessions, so it was natural to make a clean break and leave.
His face was incredulous, but Red-haired Yan Kong had disappeared like a specter on Ren Tianyou’s ship.
All these days, taking advantage of him, even deceiving him of Martial Arts insights, and now just leaving? Even though Ren Tianyou also received guidance from Red-haired Yan Kong, but...
He felt abandoned by the whole world.
He just wanted to protect his base, make money, and seize opportunities, where did he go wrong...
However, the departure of Red-haired Yan Kong was a loud slap in his face.
He really wasn’t capable enough.
A hundred miles outside Dongming Island, on a giant ship.
"What, Dongming Island was captured by the Imperial Navy?" On the ship, a majestic woman, her expression incredulous.
Her face was beautiful, about in her early twenties, with a heroic aura between her eyebrows.
This is the Dongming Princess.
After her subordinates reported the recent events, Dongming Princess frowned; she had only been gone for a few days and such chaos had erupted.
"Gather our people, we will take back Dongming Island." Dongming Princess decisively ordered.
"Wait a moment." An elderly Daoist spoke up.
"Master Gu, what do you mean?"
Daoist: "Chuyun, right now our most important task is to open the treasure vault in Liubo Mountain, not to engage in futile disputes over Dongming Island."
"How can the position of Dongming Island be considered a futile dispute?" Dongming Princess frowned.
Daoist: "The Imperial Navy’s ability to capture Dongming Island indicates that the Yu Dynasty has started to pay attention to maritime defense, and training the Navy. With the background of the Yu Dynasty, as long as they put effort in this area, subsequent fleets will continuously come to sweep the coasts. Even if you reclaim Dongming Island, you won’t be able to hold it. Besides, we Daoists, as long as we progress in our Cultivation, can naturally watch the rise and fall of Dynasties. Wealth can be obtained, but Longevity is hard to come by. This time, Liubo Mountain is a very important opportunity, we must not miss it."
Dongming Princess: "Master Gu, you always talk of Longevity, but have you seen anyone who has achieved it? Chongyang True Master? Master Lü? Even these renowned predecessors have died. We people, born into this world, can only achieve immortal fame through our deeds."
Even though she knew the Daoist had extraordinary Cultivation, she didn’t believe in such elusive ideas like Longevity.
Daoist shook his head: "Chuyun, in truth, even if you could take back Dongming Island once, twice, what then..."
Dongming Princess fell silent: "I can’t just sit and watch the Yu Dynasty’s Navy show off their might, making us have no place to stand."
Daoist smiled: "You’re mistaken; the strength and weakness of things constantly change. The Yu Dynasty’s Navy is strong, but it’s only for the moment. If you are patient, there will soon be another time. Over the years, the East Sea Gang has also made a lot of money. Besides, it’s just the loss of Dongming Island, not all of your territories. Be patient, things will naturally take a turn."
Dongming Princess pondered the pros and cons, knowing that the Daoist spoke sensibly.
Now that the Court was serious, if she resisted forcibly, she would only lose her core strength, benefiting others."