Chapter 104

After settling with Xiong Ba, Wang Shan also didn't delay.

The next day, on the most conspicuous large stone slab in the camp, a crooked notice was posted, still written by the literate Zhang Mei on behalf.

"Recruiting! Recruiting warriors! Jointly venture deep into the Man Yun Mountains to seek rare spirit plants! Food and lodging provided……uh, this probably doesn't need writing. In short, pills are sufficient, talismans not lacking, outstanding performers will also receive generous spirit stone rewards! Interested parties, hurry to Elder Wang's place to sign up!"

As soon as the notice went up, the entire pioneer camp exploded in an uproar.

"Is Elder Wang going to lead a team into the mountains? And still provide pills and talismans?"

"Goodness, with Elder Wang's hand, could the pills and talismans be lacking? Surely not just at the second tier starting step!"

"Deep in the Man Yun Mountain Range……I hear that inside, third-tier demonic beasts run all over the ground, and there are even stronger ones……" A man shrank his neck.

"What's there to fear! With Elder Wang's pills and talismans, plus the Bear Leader's people, let's go for broke!"

"Exactly! The bold get fed, the timid starve! Nowadays, if you don't take a gamble, where does your chance to rise come from?"

For a while, the threshold of Wang Shan's stone hut was almost trampled broken.

However, those who actually dared to write their names on the registration list were few.

Most came just to gather information, or wanted to reserve pills and talismans in advance.

"Elder Wang, is……this risk perhaps a bit too great?" A man who usually exchanged a few pills with Wang Shan stepped forward and asked quietly.

Wang Shan smiled: "Wealth and honor are sought in danger. Of course, I also don't insist; everything is voluntary."

He knew clearly that when it came to risking lives, one needed trustworthy and capable people.

After a few days of screening, the final list was set. Li Hu and the Zhang Mei siblings were the first batch to sign up.

"Old brother Wang, count us in!" Li Hu patted his chest, "You saved my sister; we remember this favor!"

Zhang Mei also nodded firmly: "Elder Wang, don't look down on our low cultivation."

Wang Shan looked at them, feeling a bit warm in his heart: "Good, with you here, I feel much more at ease."

Besides them, there were about ten more renowned fighters in the camp, the lowest cultivation being Body Refining Eighth Layer, two of them even at Body Refinement, Ninth Stage, Early Phase, usually hanging out with Xiong Ba.

Xiong Ba also sent three of his close followers, all skilled at Body Refining Ninth Layer, led by a man called "Tie Tou", true to his name, his head oily and shiny, said to be able to ram a stone with his head.

"Old brother Wang, these few men of mine, you can use them as you like!" Xiong Ba said bluntly, "But we've agreed—I take forty percent of the spoils, and you must supply ample pills and talismans, not less than what I get!"

"Leader, rest assured, I treat everyone equally." Wang Shan replied. He thought to himself, this Xiong Ba really is the type who won't act unless he sees a rabbit.

The expedition team was thus formally assembled.

Wang Shan was no less generous, immediately distributing a batch of newly refined pills and talismans—potent Return Spring Pills, Metal Edge Talismans, Armor Coagulation Talismans, Swift Movement Talismans—all rare goods hard to find on the market.

Upon receiving them, everyone beamed with joy, and their confidence in this expedition grew considerably.

"Elder Wang is magnanimous!"

"Follow Elder Wang, and there'll be meat to eat!"

Just as the expedition team was preparing in full swing, drilling coordination, a sudden urgent horn blast came from outside the camp.

"Woo—woo—"

This is the camp's highest alert!

"What's going on?" Wang Shan, who was pointing out to everyone the secrets of activating talismans, furrowed his brow at the sound.

Li Hu's face changed: "Not good, there's a strong enemy!"

The camp instantly stirred, many cultivators rushed out with weapons in hand.

Xiong Ba was the first to rush onto the watchtower at the camp gate, his loud voice roaring so the whole camp could hear: "Who goes there?!"

Only see, at a distance of a hundred zhang outside the camp, dust rose as a force of about thirty to forty people slowly approached. Each wore tight gear, weapons at their waists, moved with hidden order, and exuded an aura far fiercer than ordinary pioneers.

"Damn, looking at this formation, they're no pushovers!" Tie Tou rubbed his bald head, his eyes solemn.

"Their uniforms are uniform……they don't look like mountain loose cultivators." Zhang Mei whispered.

Wang Shan also brought the newly assembled expedition team members to the camp's edge, meeting up with Xiong Ba.

He narrowed his eyes, a vague bad premonition stirring in his heart.

"Everyone, on guard!" Xiong Ba waved his hand, all the fighters in the camp gathered, bows strung, swords drawn, ready in strict formation.

That force stopped at fifty zhang outside the camp; its leader was a middle-aged man with a sinister visage, hooked nose, thin lips, his cultivation astonishingly at Body Refining Ninth Layer Peak, just one step away from the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

He swept his gaze over the camp's people, with a hint of disdain, and spoke loudly: "Come out, the steward inside! We are the Wan family of Qingyang City! Ordered to pursue a fugitive!"

Speaking, he pulled a folded paper from his bosom, shook it open, and lo and behold, it was a portrait.

"This person is called 'Old Wang', recently likely fled here with a few accomplices! Whoever has seen him or knows his whereabouts, report immediately! The Wan family will surely give a generous reward! If you dare to harbor him……" The middle-aged man's voice turned cold: "Hmph, don't blame us for being impolite!"

The portrait was held high; although somewhat blurry and the lines rough, its general outline and a hint of demeanor made both Xiong Ba and Wang Shan's hearts jump.

Xiong Ba's face changed instantly; he turned his head to glance at Wang Shan beside him, his eyes complex and hard to describe. The Wan family……they actually tracked down this bird‑shit‑free pioneer camp? And even called out the name!

"This 'Old Wang' isn't just the alias Wang Shan used in Heishi Town, is it?"

Wang Shan's heart also gave a thump, silently thinking, "Trouble."

He had calculated over and over, trying to stay low‑key, yet still the Wan family's people managed to pick up a clue.

It seems that even his careful activities in Heishi Town inevitably left traces.

Mercenary Guild? Or some other channel in Heishi Town? The Wan family's influence is indeed not to be underestimated.

This portrait……although blurry, those who know him would likely recognize him at a glance.

Already some people in the camp were whispering, their glances unintentionally or intentionally drifting toward him.

"Bear Leader," Wang Shan made a swift decision, immediately sending a secret voice transmission to Xiong Ba: "This matter arose because of me; I alone will bear it, and will not implicate the camp. The Wan family's power is great, not easily resisted head‑on. If it cannot be done, please, Leader, out of our past friendship, give me a chance to escape. Afterwards, I will surely repay handsomely; I will cover all the pills and talismans the camp needs."

He was putting his posture at the lowest.

Xiong Ba's heavy breathing sounded in Wang Shan's ears, evidently his inner turmoil was intense.

On one side is the limitless‑potential pill‑and‑talisman master Wang Shan, who could bring the camp huge benefits and strength; on the other side is the mighty Wan family of Qingyang City, whose offense could bring the entire pioneer camp to utter ruin.

This deal, no matter how you calculate it, is not worthwhile!

But to just hand over Wang Shan like that? How would Xiong Ba ever mix in the underworld thereafter? Who would still dare to sincerely rely on him?

Damn it, this is really a hot potato!

After a moment, Xiong Ba took a deep breath, as if making a decision. He stepped forward and said in a muffled voice to the middle-aged man leading the Wan Family: "Friend, this is the pioneers' camp, and we have our own rules! Although you Wan Family are powerful, you can't just come here shouting for a fight and demand we hand over someone, can you?"

"Old Wang"? There are plenty of people surnamed Wang in our camp; which one are you referring to as 'Old Wang'? You need some proof, right?

Xiong Ba's words were soft on the outside but firm inside; he neither directly agreed nor refused, obviously trying to buy time or see if there was any room for compromise.

"As for harboring... our pioneers' camp only recognizes contribution points, not origins. As long as you're part of our camp, you're protected by our rules!"

While he was speaking, he secretly signaled a few confidants with gestures, indicating they should quietly organize manpower and prepare for the worst—either fight to the death, or... take the core personnel and retreat through the secret passage.

The atmosphere in the camp instantly tightened to the extreme, like a bowstring about to snap.

The air was heavy with the tension of an impending storm.

Li Hu, Zhang Mei, and the others also silently gripped their weapons and stood beside Wang Shan.

Hearing Xiong Ba's words, the middle-aged man leading the Wan Family furrowed his brow, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What? Bear Leader, are you planning to protect them to the end?"

Behind him, the Wan Family cultivators all stepped forward in unison, their aura fierce.

A conflict was already on the verge of breaking out.