The Northern Continent isn't just about 4 major kingdoms. There are also various smaller kingdoms. However, they have been annexed by these four giants and have to pay taxes to them. There are still many kingdoms that have retained their freedom, mainly due to the fact that these four giants don't find them worth annexing.

However, in the last 20 years, the Wei Dynasty has been on the move, annexing these smaller kingdoms. How did it start?

20 years back, Wei Dynasty

A young man was wandering around a vast grassland in the southern part of the Wei Dynasty. The grassland consisted of various kinds of wild spiritual beasts; however, for some reason, the young man was able to avoid them with ease and reached the destination he wished. It was Li Gang.

Li Gang murmured inwardly. "This Bow Heart is very useful. I am able to sense things far away from me, however, it also consumes a lot of Spiritual Essence! The farther the distance I want to perceive, the more Spiritual Essence it consumes, and there is also the mental fatigue."

Suddenly, he found there was a caravan passing through the grassland under his perception. From his perception, he could clearly see they were not just a simple caravan, but some great businessmen, transporting some valuable goods. It may be for some aristocrat or even royalty.

He immediately went in their direction, neither too fast nor too slow. Just enough to meet them 'accidentally.'

The caravan's scout was a burly man named Wu Meng. He was the first person to spot him. He looked at him and asked, "Are you looking for a ride?"

Li Gang looked at him and instantly figured out his cultivation level. He murmured inwardly, "A Rank 2 Warrior as a guard. From what I know, the Northern Continent lacks Spiritual Essence, thus Warriors are nurtured carefully and each of them is precious. Having a Rank 2 Warrior as a guard is already impressive. The caravan should be related to royalty."

Li Gang nodded. "Yes, if it is not too much trouble." He appeared to be a humble traveler.

Wu Meng nodded. "You have to ask Master Zhang, he is the one in charge."

Li Gang looked in the direction of Wu Meng's sight and nodded. He immediately went to Zhang Bao and asked, "Master Zhang?"

At the same time, he also gauged his strength. "Rank 3 middle-stage Warrior."

Zhang Bao looked at Li Gang and asked lightly, "You want to travel?"

Li Gang nodded and bowed to him, showing respect for seniority. "I am Ren Ying, a traveling alchemist. I want to go to the capital."

It was quite common to meet a traveler for Zhang Bao. For him, Li Gang was just another traveler who wanted to ensure his safety in numbers.

He said casually, "We don't have much room. If you can pay, we can accommodate you."

Li Gang nodded. He took out a few Spiritual Stones from his space ring and handed them to him.

Zhang Bao was surprised to see this. It is very rare for someone to have a Space Ring in the Northern Continent. No ordinary person would possess one. The status of Li Gang unknowingly increased in his heart.

However, it didn't matter to him much. He had more important tasks in his hands. He said casually, "Keep to yourself and don't cause much trouble."

Li Gang nodded gratefully.

Over the next few days, Li Gang settled into the caravan, maintaining a low profile. He observed the caravan's daily routines, paying close attention to the security around Zhang Bao's precious cargo. During meals and campfire chats, he struck up casual conversations with various members of the caravan.

He also continued his cultivation, mainly focusing on alchemy. He was already a Rank 5 Alchemist and was able to refine Rank 5 pills with an 80% success rate.

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Due to his discipline, he had already become popular in the caravan. People even teased him for being a workaholic.

One evening, he was refining a red-colored soup in an isolated room. He took out a space ring, and from it, he poured a thick, sticky red liquid into the cauldron. He also put in some flowers of the Red Margosa tree and leaves of the Mangrove tree.

He used his Spiritual Essence to develop a small fire and heat up the cauldron, while at the same time mixing them properly.

At that moment, he felt someone's presence nearby. He calmly stood up and went near the door, and at that moment, he heard a knock.

Li Gang opened the door.

Wu Meng looked at Li Gang and said with a smile, "You have been working day and night, how about coming out to meet others? We should also enjoy our life!"

Wu Meng seemed like a very enthusiastic person.

Li Gang smiled. "I will finish it fast and come, wait a bit."

Wu Meng nodded. "Okay, come fast."

Li Gang entered the room, and his face turned serious as he looked towards the cauldron. He immediately drank the red-colored soup he prepared, carefully cleaned up the cauldron, and then left with Wu Meng.

Wu Meng introduced Li Gang to many people. Li Gang was also polite. He had no interest in these people; however, making connections was also important. He had already figured these people were connected with higher-ups in the dynasty. Thus, they could be valuable assets in some uncertain circumstances.

Soon, night came, and these warriors started preparing for camp. It was not advisable to move during the night. Who knows which beast may attack? This area is dangerous during the night, due to the presence of some beasts which are especially good at hunting at night. They have sharp eyes, which are more effective in dim light.

As usual, the fire was set up, and people made their camp around it.

Everyone sat around the fire, the food was also prepared. There were a few warriors who hunted wild beasts and grilled their meat properly.

Wu Meng went there and took one of the portions and handed it over to Li Gang. He smelled the meat and said with a satisfied expression, "Tasty!"

Li Gang looked at the meat for a moment, and his internal emotion became quite complex for some reason. He sighed, then suppressed his internal conflicts, and started eating it with pure elegance.

Wu Meng suddenly looked at Fei San and said unhappily, "Fei San, you hid the Moonscale Carp?"

However, as soon as he said that, he regretted it instantly and murmured inwardly, "Oh no!"

Fei San retorted, "I didn't hide it! Don't sabotage my reputation. Am I that kind of person?"

Zhang Bao laughed lightly. "Fei San, no need to hide it. You know that Wu Meng's nose is like a dog's. He can smell that from miles away!"

Wu Meng didn't say anything, because his focus was somewhere else.

Li Gang, who was silently eating his portion, suddenly turned serious. As soon as he heard Zhang Bao's words, his eyes became sharp, with a trace of killing intent, which he easily hid.

Wu Meng murmured inwardly, "Not good, I didn't expect to make such a huge blunder!"

Wu Meng's thoughts sped up exponentially. He instantly thought of multiple countermeasures. However, in the end, he could only sigh. "There is no escape, I can only team up with him. I have to show my sincerity first!"

Later that night, everyone went into their camps to sleep. There were a few guards who were still awake for protection.

Li Gang suddenly stood up. As he was about to go out, he suddenly heard some movement. Even though the footsteps were quiet, for a Rank 4 Warrior like him, it was easy to sense.

He moved to open the door, and he was surprised to see the guest.

Wu Meng was standing there, with his usual demeanor.

Li Gang smiled lightly. "No longer pretending?"

Wu Meng nodded. "Can I come in?"

Li Gang smiled and nodded.

As soon as Wu Meng entered, Li Gang said calmly, "You are smart!"

Wu Meng didn't care about his words. He said lightly, "How else could I have survived in this world? It is difficult to be a demon!"

Li Gang glanced at him deeply, waiting for him to continue.

Wu Meng was nervous; however, externally, he tried to be calm. He said slowly, "I am here to invite you to our demonic faction. You know, we demons are very few in number. If someone found out your identity, you could be in trouble!"

However, why did Wu Meng called Li Gang a demon?

A few hours back

Wu Meng was chatting with someone when he suddenly smelled blood. His sense of smell was very strong, and this was why he acted as a scout in this caravan.

He followed the scent of blood and came near one of the tents. He peeked inside and found Li Gang using human blood to refine something.

However, even though he didn't make a move, he suddenly found Li Gang standing and instantly became cautious. He realized Li Gang had higher cultivation and thus possessed sharp senses.

He instantly thought of a way to handle this situation. If he had run away, he would have been immediately caught with the opponent's senses. Thus, there was only one way to counter this situation. It was to meet him head-on.

Sometimes, facing the danger is the only option to save yourself.

He boldly met Li Gang head-on and almost deceived him. However, he made a blunder when he created a situation where someone could highlight his sense of smell.

As someone who has faced countless life and death moments and dealt with demonic Warriors, he had already realized that this person was cautious. He might eliminate him to keep the secret.

Wu Meng knew he can either run away or shake hands. He again decided to shake hands. It is difficult to escape even for him in the presence of so many guards. It will cause a lot of suspicion, especially when his role is so important. He might be chased down by these guards if he tried to escape.