Chapter 1954: All Replacements

Ye Liuyun also had no intention of acting; instead he hoisted Xiao Lan and trailed behind them to watch the spectacle.

Inside the mountain stronghold, the Martial Cultivators, seeing that they had fifth‑layer masters among them, felt as if facing a great enemy.

"Hold the gate! As long as their fifth‑layer strong ones can't get in, they can't exploit their realm advantage!"

The stronghold leader also assigned most of the manpower to the front.

After everything was set, Ye Tiandao came to the formation front and directly released a giant rhino Kuailei to charge the stronghold.

Wu Qingcheng and the others, together with the Monster Beasts, all raised shields to form a barrier, following behind the rhino.

The stronghold's gate, originally not as sturdy as a city wall, collapsed when struck by the rhino Kuailei.

Then Wu Qingcheng and the others rushed in and killed their way through.

At this moment, Ye Liuyun also unleashed Lei Ming, Long Nv, and Man Shu into the battle, letting them all move around.

Once the stronghold fell, Ye Tiandao, Lei Ming, Long Nv and the others, being the strongest Martial Cultivators, no one could stop them.

The stronghold leader was split by Lei Ming's lightning, crisp on the outside and tender inside, and his Soul was devoured by Lei Ming.

After a short fight, the remaining mountain stronghold members surrendered outright.

Not only were Ye Tiandao, Lei Ming and the others overwhelmingly strong, but Wu Qingcheng and the others also could not be stopped.

Even Lao Wei and the Mercenaries could cross realms to slay; how could they still fight this battle!

Ye Liuyun, meanwhile, stayed on high ground watching the war with Xiao Lan.

After many observations, she now has grown increasingly bold.

The captives of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Corps never even entered the stronghold, and the combat inside ended.

They originally thought they would become cannon fodder, but did not expect Ye Liuyun to be so powerful.

After the battle, Ye Liuyun ordered them to repair the stronghold.

Lao Wei went to have those surrendering mountain stronghold members sign a Divine Soul Contract of allegiance.

The Tiger Might Mercenary Corps instantly swelled from just over twenty members to two or three hundred.

Moreover, resources are now far more abundant.

Ye Liuyun also told Lao Wei and the others: "Those who don't want to fight may stay in the stronghold from now on.

Those who want to fight may continue to train."

The former Mercenaries of Lao Wei never imagined that within less than a month, their fate would be completely changed, and they no longer needed to go out and risk their lives.

Yet they still have to keep training.

They also know that only by becoming stronger can they achieve true safety.

Even while staying in the stronghold, they could be wiped out by a great power at any time.

But they didn't expect that the upcoming training would all be real combat.

This time, the captives of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Corps led the way, with He Lian Xiu in command, taking Wu Qingcheng and others to subdue some minor forces within the jurisdiction.

Ye Tiandao, together with Lei Ming, Long Nv, Man Shu and numerous Monster Beasts, were guarded by a clone in the shadows; plus Ye Liuyun gave them a hundred ordinary soldiers from the Sharp Blade Corps, launching a raid on another similarly squeezed survival faction.

These people dealing with the untrained Martial Cultivators were naturally a piece of cake, very easy.

Thus, Ye Liuyun instantly captured the two peripheral forces outside the buffer zones.

However, these two forces were separated by a large power in the middle.

That was the Kong Jia family, which issued the Huang Long Gang mission.

The Kong Jia family is a mercenary clan on the eastern border, doing business with many great families, specializing in exploring Secret Realms and providing cannon fodder.

It is said that within their clan there are Seventh Realm masters.

At this time they also sent people to Ye Liuyun's Qi Jia Zhai, demanding the final thirty Martial Cultivators to explore Huang Long Gang.

This time they gathered over three hundred people to explore Huang Long Gang.

Ye Liuyun, though curious about Huang Long Gang's situation, could not leave now, so he could only prepare to temporarily hand over the captives to meet the numbers.

"Huh, where is the Qi Jia Zhai chief?"

The Kong Jia sent an outer‑gate Steward named Kong Chenglin, a middle‑aged Martial Cultivator; originally after the numbers were met, he was to settle the fee with Qi Jia Zhai.

Unexpectedly, Qi Jia Zhai had changed hands.

"I killed them! This place is now the Tiger Might Mercenary Corps."

Ye Liuyun explained to him.

"You killed them?

We are Kong family's subordinates; you dare to say kill just like that?"

Kong Chenglin was clearly dissatisfied.

"Everything is done for money; does it matter whether we change hands or not?

Cooperation continues; whatever mission you have, we'll take it on!"

Ye Liuyun said calmly.

"Can it be the same?

We only recognize the Qi Jia Zhai chief!"

Kong Chenglin replied.

In the past, whenever he came, the Qi Jia Zhai chief always greeted and flattered him, sometimes even reaping many benefits.

But Ye Liuyun could never bow and scrape his knees, so his attitude toward Ye Liuyun was very dissatisfied.

Changing hands he didn't mind, but when it affected his interests, he naturally could not agree.

Ye Liuyun smiled: "The Qi Jia Zhai chief has already been split by my Yi Dao; if you want to find him, that'll be quite difficult!"

"You…" Kong Chenglin was also so angry he was speechless.

Ye Liuyun is a fifth‑layer cultivator; he is only a fourth‑layer early‑stage, and he only brought two guards, clearly unable to defeat Ye Liuyun.

A real hero doesn't take a loss, so he certainly wouldn't provoke Ye Liuyun.

He also has to bring thirty people back.

If they fail to complete the mission, the Kong family and the employer will have no explanation.

So he immediately said, "Regarding the personnel swap at Qi Jia Zhai, I will report it to the higher‑ups.

However, Qi Jia Zhai still owes us thirty people; give me the people first, so I can go back and report."

Ye Liuyun also nodded and said, "The transaction can continue.

I've already prepared the people! But for this final batch delivery, shouldn't you also settle the fees?"

"What settlement fee?

I'll settle it with the chief of Qi Jia Zhai, not with you!"

Kong Chenglin, upon learning of the personnel swap here, immediately began scheming how to pocket the money himself.

Ye Liuyun, unfazed by his flaw, said, "If you want to finish the transaction, settle the money! Otherwise what people are you still demanding from me?"

"Give me the thirty people directly, and I'll pay you for the thirty people! That's the deal between us!"

Kong Chenglin said treacherously.

"Get lost!"

Ye Liuyun cursed him outright, gave him no face, turned and returned to the village, and ignored him.

"Eh?

You dare insult me?

Good kid, just wait for me.

Once I gather the people, I'll come back and deal with you!"

Kong Chenglin hadn't expected that Ye Liuyun didn't treat him as a mere dish at all.

He immediately thought of the neighboring faction; if he rushed over now, they could still muster thirty people in time.

So he hurried toward the other faction, still plotting how to report Ye Liuyun when he got back.

But when he arrived on the other side, they had already swapped personnel there as well.

And it turned out to be the Hu Wei Mercenary Corps.

"This matter is not up to us; go find our commander Ye, he's at Qi Jia Zhai!"

Ye Tiandao tossed out a line and then ignored him completely.