Chapter 342

342. Chapter 337: The Golden Peng King's Brainwashing Assembly

The Great Mercy Fortress basked in bright sunshine, rosy clouds flying alongside lone wild ducks, green waters sharing one hue with the vast sky.

As the Golden Peng King gave an order, all female cultivators working in the Great Mercy Fortress halted their tasks and gathered toward the central square.

Seeing everyone assembled, the Golden Peng King's voice rang out again in the air.

"What is the purpose of our cultivation?

He asked sternly, his voice shaking the wilderness.

"To rise above others, to rise above others."

Newly arrived Huanyu cultivators ahead, all the female cultivators seized by the Golden Peng King shouted in unison.

The newcomers were stunned.

They saw many familiar faces in the crowd, not a few from major sects across Huanyu.

What demonic art did the Golden Peng King use to make those female cultivators follow him wholeheartedly?

"To rise above others, what must you do?"

The Golden Peng King shouted loudly.

"Labor, labor, labor.

Labor earns us merit, labor lets us exchange for resources, labor makes us stronger."

Female cultivators, faces flushed, called out with fervent passion.

At this moment, the Golden Peng King approached those newly entered into the Great Mercy Fortress and said.

"Esteemed ones, do you resent being brought here?"

"No.

Serving the seniors offers prospects."

Scarred man Rong Hao said,

"Rong Hao, you joining our camp, the Great Mercy Fortress will not shortchange you; no need for you to answer for them.

Their silence proves their hearts are not true."

The Golden Peng King said.

"If you wish to leave, it is merely for freedom.

You have your own clans, your own sects, your own friends.

When you first cultivated, was it not to rise above others?

Then, for your clan, for your sect, you shed blood, braved frost, tasted snow, traveled a thousand miles, braving boiling water and fire—what did you gain?

Did you obtain resources belonging to you, elixirs, techniques, treasures?

Has your status in the sect improved?

Do powerful cultivators in the sect bully you, and does the sect stand up for you?

Is all you have sacrificed truly able to let you rise above others?

Answer me!"

Upon saying this, the Golden Peng King's voice suddenly rose, a vast sound flooding into every cultivator's mind.

Countless histories of blood and tears were unearthed in every cultivator's mind.

Countless Huanyu cultivators at this moment clenched their fists, their eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

The Golden Peng King's words were like a fierce blade piercing each cultivator's heart.

"Tell me, you sacrificed for your sect—did the sect stand up for you?"

The Golden Peng King approached a cultivator, gazing at that sorrowful cultivator and asked.

"I am Qian Li, from the Dahu Star Domain, Wangyue Sect.

I once fought with my sister for the sect's safety in a great battle, in which I lost my only kin.

When I sought my due reward and returned to my cultivation abode, I was stopped by stronger cultivators who seized my resources.

I once went to the Law Enforcement Hall seeking justice, but the steward ordered men to beat me, forcing me to desist.

Only because the sect cultivator who seized my resources is the nephew of a sect elder.

My resources—those were earned by fighting bloody battles with my life, my sister gave her life for them."

The cultivator said this, his voice turning hoarse, as he wailed to the heavens.

"And you?"

The Golden Peng King stopped before a cultivator with crystal tears in his eyes, sternly asking.

"I am Mu Ya, from the Han Yu Star Domain, a branch of the Mu clan; the main clan holds an annual clan competition.

Ten years ago, in a competition, my father fought for the branch, overpowering all rivals, but at the final moment, the main clan patriarch's son entered the arena and crippled his cultivation.

That patriarch's son is indeed the host of this competition; my father, by rules, won the championship and sought to return to the main clan—what wrong is there?

Yet that man crippled my father's cultivation, crippled the hopes of my Mu clan's branch.

Therefore, I must enter the Tian Yuan to strengthen my strength, to avenge my father, to avenge my branch!"

Mu Ya spoke, trembling all over.

As each cultivator recounted their bloody tear-stained history, the atmosphere suddenly became unprecedentedly oppressive.

Only those disciples with backing in their sects gloated over misfortune.

In their eyes, lowly cultivators must unconditionally obey them, serve them.

The blood-and-tear histories of those cultivators are, in the eyes of cultivators with background, mere jokes.

The Golden Peng King returned to the high platform at the central square, his voice vast.

"You stand here as the elite among cultivators, you are the mainstay of the future Great Mercy Fortress, you are its future glory.

Our Great Mercy Stronghold has a demon master stationed here, causing Huanyu cultivators to tremble with fear upon hearing of him.

You who have come to this place are the demon master's subjects; from now on, you will no longer be helpless, nor will you be at the mercy of extortion and slaughter.

All your efforts will receive the fairest return, distributed according to labor.

Great Mercy Stronghold will stand up for you in all that you face.

The demon master will stand up for you; you are no longer wandering souls without reliance, for Great Mercy Stronghold is your home.

Here, all are equal; here, all are united.

There is no mutual slaughter, no plundering of interests.

All your efforts will be recorded as merit; only merit brings resources and status, without merit you are nothing.

Those with public virtue are honored; Great Mercy Stronghold will spare nothing for you, while those without merit can only serve those with merit, and nothing else.

Do you still wish to serve the high-ranking sect elders protected by their ancestors' lingering influence, willingly becoming their hounds and falcons?

To trade your lives for their prideful capital, aiding the tyrant in his cruelty.

Helping them act as they please, commit wanton evil, slaughter each other within factions, private feuds rampant, harming you and even your future descendants.

Why not give your loyalty to us? We can offer you fairness, a backing, dignity, and the safest security for your descendants.

Must your loyalty still go to those who oppress you, rewarding you only with scraps and leftovers—sects, factions, clans, and dynasties?

Cultivators are the most adorable in the cultivation world.

To labor and gain is your most basic right; do you still wish to return to the powers that exploit your most basic rights?

As Jin Peng spoke these words, his entire body's magical power surged violently, shooting straight into the clouds.

Layer upon layer of black clouds rolled, thunder surged, and the coiling dragon in the Coiling Dragon Grand Formation leapt from the Battle Prefecture Mansion, landing behind Jin Peng Wang.

"O cultivators, I, the king, promise you.

As long as you strive here, all your efforts will be rewarded.

Any being that infringes upon your labor's fruits will be punished; Great Mercy Stronghold is built by you, belonging to you and your descendants.

All your efforts will turn into merit, which you can exchange for elixirs, treasures, cultivation techniques, and formations—all cultivation resources.

You shall become stewards, elders, vice hall masters, hall masters, vice sect masters, sect masters, and supreme elders.

We will spare nothing for your cultivation; your strength will reach the utmost, revered across all realms.

Do you dare to seize for Great Mercy Stronghold, dare to strive for us, dare to risk your lives for the demon master, your greatest reliance?

Do you dare or not?"

As Jin Peng Wang's words fell, the coiling dragon behind him let out a supreme dragon roar; winds rose, clouds surged, and thunder roared in the sky.

"We are willing.

We are willing.

We are willing."

In the crowd, countless cultivators' blood boiled; they raised their fists, hot tears streaming from their eyes.

At this moment, they felt a new sense of belonging, belonging to a faction that would give everything for each member.

"When the marshal achieves fame, ten thousand bones wither.

Jin Peng Wang's voice surged as he recited poetry.

"When the marshal achieves fame, ten thousand bones wither.

When the marshal achieves fame, ten thousand bones wither.

"

All cultivators present silently recited it in their hearts, all feeling profoundly enlightened, a great path shining brightly in their minds.

They found the purpose of life, willing to give everything, to sacrifice life and forget death.

"Everyone, now you choose your teammates; each team may select ten people.

Be sure to remember that for a long time to come, you and your teammates will share honor and disgrace.

Be sure to make your choice seriously."

Seeing the moment ripe, Jin Peng Wang issued the command.

Upon hearing, the cultivators felt stirred, began contacting those they knew.

Jin Peng Wang observed the demeanor and movements of the Huanyu cultivators, deeply imprinting certain ones in his heart.

Great Mercy Stronghold lies in ruins, awaiting revival; it must proceed in orderly fashion to swiftly fulfill the demon master's command.

"Reporting to Great King Jin Peng, we have already divided into teams according to your order."

A middle-aged cultivator from among the Huanyu cultivators handed over a list and said.

First team captain, Rong Hao

Second team captain, Mu Ya

Third team captain, Qian Li

Fourth team captain, Pang Bo

Fifth team captain, Jin Ling

Sixth team captain, Li Shixiong

Seventh team captain

Jin Peng Wang glanced at the list above, scanning each of the eleven newly formed teams, committing everyone to memory.

He assigned the construction tasks for each team.

Some cultivators were sent into the forest beneath the Coiling Dragon Grand Formation covering Mount Great Magnet, where female cultivators formerly guided newcomers in felling timber and quarrying stone.

With a command from Jin Peng Wang, each team of cultivators began to labor diligently.

Countless giant trees were felled at the trunk, cleared, and transported to the construction base.

On the construction site, there were specialized array masters who carved array patterns, using Spiritual Power to suppress and complete the array, then handed it over to the cultivators responsible for the construction work to assemble.

On the first day, everyone worked in an orderly manner.

On the second day, everyone continued to do so.

On the third day, everyone worked in an orderly and systematic way.

The Golden Peng King watched as the cultivators divided their tasks clearly, each performing their work, and nodded in satisfaction.

"The Golden Peng King is truly skilled at commanding people."

Li Bai and the others came to the Golden Peng King's side and praised him.

The scene of the Golden Peng King mobilizing the Huanyu cultivators was something they watched with great interest.

Those passionate and inspiring words, each one directly pointing to the cultivators' hearts, were thought-provoking.

"The sect we wish to establish is one of harmony, equality, and freedom.

Everyone shall be like a dragon, everyone's strength like a vast flood."

When the Golden Peng King spoke, he raised his head to gaze at the sky, giving people a feeling of extraordinary nobility.

"However, Peng King, in recent days, there have been undercurrents surging between the various teams.

If not stopped, I fear something bad will happen."

Zuo Ci said this.

He looked at a team constructing the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, where the team leader was directing his subordinates, the cultivators, to work.

"Those cultivators who disturbed the construction have already been recorded; when the time is ripe, we will certainly call them to account.

Now the cultivators have not yet changed their identities, so we give them a chance.

If they do not mend their ways, I, the king, am not one to be trifled with.

Know this: to govern people, one must first govern the heart."

The Golden Peng King looked at several figures in the crowd, his expression unpleasant, and said.

At the construction site of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Li Shixiong barked orders at his companions, constantly urging the work forward.

"Wang Zhuo, you fool, hurry up and erect that main beam.

With such slow speed, when will the Hundred Treasures Pavilion ever be completed?"

The cultivator called Wang Zhuo had a face flushed red, his whole body trembling.

In this small team of theirs, there were nine disciples of the Slaughter Ghost Sect; he had been lured in by Li Shixiong.

He had not expected.

The Slaughter Ghost Sect cultivators had previously said everything was fine, but when Wang Zhuo worked, he realized he had entered a den of wolves.

Those Slaughter Ghost Sect disciples boasted of being from the great Huanyu sect, only doing light work, while all the heavy labor was shoved onto him.

The main beam was made from the trunk of a giant tree, stamped with countless array patterns and runes, forged into something of immense weight.

Although he stood at the front of the main beam, his teammates behind him did not exert themselves, so the entire weight of the main beam pressed upon his shoulders.

Boom.

Wang Zhuo could bear it no longer; the main beam crashed to the ground. Fortunately, he seized the moment to roll to the side, otherwise he would surely have been crushed into serious injury.

The few Slaughter Ghost Sect teammates behind him, who had been gloatsing over his misfortune and failed to react in time, had their hands pressed beneath the main beam by its end.

Crack.

Li Shixiong, who had been directing, saw his fellow sect member injured, took two quick steps to reach Wang Zhuo's side, and grabbed his collar in one fist.

"Damn it, trash."

Li Shixiong spat at Wang Zhuo, then slapped him to the ground.

Wang Zhuo clenched his fists tightly, feeling utterly wronged in his heart, his entire face red as if it could drip blood.

"Damn it, get up. If the main beam cannot be erected,

then one day when I leave this place, I will skin you."

Li Shixiong said angrily, then kicked Wang Zhuo in the leg.

Wang Zhuo let out a miserable cry, then staggered to his feet, trembling.

At this moment, the cultivators laboring nearby, upon seeing the situation beside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion construction site, all stopped what they were doing to watch.

Wang Zhuo, under the gaze of everyone, felt a strong sense of humiliation surge through his heart.

"If you don't give your full effort, how can I possibly erect the main beam?

Even if I die today, I will not do this work."

Wang Zhuo said angrily, kicked aside the person doing work beside him, and was about to leave.

"Damn it, you've rebelled against me."

Li Shixiong flashed his figure, and his palm hooked like a claw toward Wang Zhuo's throat to seize it.

Wang Zhuo's heart suddenly tightened; he raised his hand to resist.

Although they were both cultivators of the Earth Origin Realm, Li Shixiong was a cultivator of the Earth Origin Realm's Great Perfection.

After just one exchange, Wang Zhuo was knocked to the ground.

"You ungrateful wretch."

Li Shixiong cursed angrily, then lunged forward, a claw reaching to seize Wang Zhuo's throat.

In that instant of life and death, a strange power appeared before Wang Zhuo.

Li Shixiong and that strange power became entangled for a moment, then were blown away by a cry like an eagle's scream.

"Golden Peng King."

Li Shixiong and the others saw the cultivator appearing beside Wang Zhuo, and their faces changed dramatically.

"Get up."

The Golden Peng King turned his back to Wang Zhuo, who trembled as he rose to his feet, wiping the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve.

"Do you know why I helped you?"

The Golden Peng King's stern voice rang out, shaking Wang Zhuo to the core.

"Please, Peng King, enlighten me."

Wang Zhuo said.

"Since you entered this place, everything has been under my control.

Though you were oppressed by them, the merit on your merit tablet was earned by your labor, far exceeding theirs.

Your mistake was not knowing how to resist earlier.

That is why I did not intervene to help you.

Remember, fate has always been in your own hands.

Your choices demand that you bear the consequences.

The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven's forty-nine, with one evaded.

To contend for heaven and earth is numbered; only death brings rest.

You are excellent, finally daring to defy fate."

The Golden Peng King's words were like sweet dew poured upon the crown, a sudden blow to Wang Zhuo's head.

A great wave surged in Wang Zhuo's heart; his once murky eyes gradually cleared, and an ineffable aura blossomed upon his body.

Boom.

When that aura reached its peak and fully retracted into Wang Zhuo's body.

"Peak of the Earth Origin Realm.

I have actually broken through.

Thank you, Peng King, for your guidance."

Wang Zhuo found that with his breakthrough, all his injuries had fully healed, and he bowed deeply to the Golden Peng King in excitement.

The Golden Peng King gestured for him to rise, then turned his gaze toward Li Shixiong and the others.

Those present only felt the scene before them shift, and they arrived directly at the central square.

"Assemble at the bell."

The Golden Peng King issued a killing sound, and the female cultivator guarding the golden bell on the central square immediately began striking it. (Chapter complete)