Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Xiao Ding’s Wisdom
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that small interlude, things returned to the main task.
"The so-called spatial mirage is exactly what it sounds like... The principle is simple—it’s a trick that works by distorting and bending light to deceive visual perception," Yao Lao explained.
"I’m sure you’re both already familiar with the basics of this technique, so I won’t repeat the theory. But even a simple trick like this has its nuances. For example—watch this..."
As he spoke, Yao Lao’s fingers swiftly changed seals, summoning vast spatial power as he began demonstrating the spatial mirage technique along with his own practical insights.
Wei Yang and Medusa paid close attention, following his rhythm step by step.
Even Xiao Yan, watching from below, was fully engrossed.
That was because the Dou Technique he practiced—Three Thousand Lightning Movement contained a skill that involved creating mirage-like clones of himself.
This, however, was exactly where Xiao Yan had hit a wall.
Since he hadn’t touched the power of space before, his understanding of Three Thousand Lightning Movement had only scratched the surface. He’d merely figured out some superficial basics—nothing truly deep.
But now, as he watched the three above manipulating spatial force and constructing a spatial mirage, he began to feel a sense of clarity dawning within him.
Not long after, the final phase of the spatial barrier was nearly complete.
As the spatial mirage fused into the barrier—
Buzz—
The entire hazy dome trembled slightly—and then, miraculously, it slowly vanished from sight.
It was as if it had melted into the very fabric of the void, disappearing without a trace.
The space where the massive black structure had once stood was now completely empty—as if nothing had ever existed there.
From the outside, it looked like just another ordinary, barren patch of land.
The once-imposing black rock hall had simply vanished into thin air.
"What the..." Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both left speechless as they stared ahead in astonishment.
After a long pause—
Xiao Ding let out a sigh of awe. "So this is the power of space... Incredible."
Xiao Li nodded, equally amazed.
They had witnessed the entire process with their own eyes—watched as a massive structure, built entirely of black stone, simply disappeared before them.
How could they not be shocked? How could they not be impressed?
—
At that moment, beside the invisible barrier—
Wei Yang, Yao Lao, and Medusa hovered in the air, carefully inspecting the completed spatial formation one last time.
After confirming everything was stable—
"Let’s go inside. There are still adjustments to be made within. Otherwise, after ten years or so, it’ll probably need repairs," Yao Lao said, stroking his beard.
"Got it," Wei Yang and Medusa nodded.
Then—
With a single step forward, the space in front of them warped and twisted slightly—and their figures vanished into thin air.
Xiao Yan and his two brothers walked up to where the barrier stood.
Looking at the space ahead—which appeared completely ordinary—they couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement.
To them, there wasn’t the slightest hint of anything unusual in front of them.
If they hadn’t watched the whole process with their own eyes, it would be impossible to believe that just a few steps ahead lay an entirely separate "little world."
"A legendary spatial barrier..." Xiao Li muttered with admiration, reaching out his hand toward the space ahead. Almost instantly, a subtle ripple appeared where his fingers touched.
His palm had clearly made contact with an invisible wall.
He pressed forward experimentally.
Visibly, the space in front of him slightly dented inward from the pressure.
Then—
Boom.
With a soft muffled sound, the compressed space rebounded instantly.
A surge of force erupted from the barrier, rushing back through Xiao Li’s arm, forcing him to stumble backward several steps before finally steadying himself.
"Second Brother!"
"Second Bro!"
Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding both called out in surprise.
Hiss—
Xiao Li winced, shaking out his slightly numb arm. "I’m fine... that rebound just packs quite a punch."
"Obviously." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "This is a spatial barrier. If you try to brute-force it, unless your strength completely overwhelms the person who built it, you’re just asking for pain. The harder you hit it, the stronger the rebound."
"Impressive." Xiao Li smacked his lips in admiration.
This thing really had a "use their own strength against them" kind of flavor to it.
"If someone’s flying fast and accidentally crashes into this thing, they’re in for a world of hurt," Xiao Ding chuckled.
Just imagining it made his heart skip a beat.
Getting a bloody nose and seeing stars would be considered lucky. Losing a couple of teeth—that’s probably the more realistic outcome.
"All the better," Xiao Li sneered. "This is the Xiao Clan’s backyard. People who know won’t go running around here. If someone does crash into it, they deserve it."
"True enough," Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding both smiled and nodded.
After all, none of the three brothers were saints.
After a short while...
Buzz—
The space ahead rippled and twisted, slowly forming a faint, blurry gateway.
"Xiao Yan, come in," Yao Lao’s voice echoed gently from within the portal.
"Let’s go." Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up, and he took the lead.
Behind him, Xiao Li pushed Xiao Ding’s wheelchair and followed.
As the three of them passed through the shimmering entrance, their vision blurred slightly, and then—the world before them changed completely.
That previously vanished black hall appeared once again before their eyes.
It felt like they’d stepped into a completely separate dimension—a small world of its own.
Ahead of them, the grand doors of the hall stood wide open.
The trio walked inside.
Inside the hall, rows upon rows of wooden shelves were neatly arranged.
Wei Yang, Yao Lao, and Medusa were already there, standing beside a shelf and chatting casually.
Wei Yang’s hands didn’t stop moving—he kept pulling items from his storage ring, placing them on the shelves.
"Master, Brother Wei," Xiao Yan greeted as he approached with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. He also gave Medusa a respectful nod.
Noticing Wei Yang’s actions, Xiao Yan walked up, letting his spiritual perception enter his own storage ring. He began taking out items he no longer needed and placed them on the shelves one by one.
"You two alliance leaders are doing your jobs well—already volunteering to stock up the treasury," Yao Lao chuckled, stroking his beard.
He swept his gaze around.
The place was so empty that even rats would be moved to tears if they wandered in.
"Just stuff I don’t use anymore," Wei Yang replied with a smile. "It’s just gathering dust in my ring, so I might as well contribute it to the alliance."
"Heh heh," Xiao Yan laughed sheepishly as well.
Off to the side, Xiao Ding sat quietly in his wheelchair, eyes lowered to hide a subtle smirk.
This whole thing? It was exactly what he had planned.
The reason the treasury was so pathetically empty—so empty it could starve rats—wasn’t just because it was newly built.
Xiao Ding had done that on purpose.
Let’s be real—even if they were broke, they could’ve tossed in a few things for show.
But Xiao Ding deliberately left it barren—absolutely nothing.
Why?
Because at the start of an alliance, there were a million things to do—but the top priority was the treasury.
As long as the treasury had inventory, every other issue became manageable.
And the fastest way to fill it?
Confiscate from the rich—uh, no—**"tax" the big players.
And who was the alliance’s biggest "player"?
Wei Yang, of course.
So Xiao Ding’s plan was simple—let Wei Yang see the empty shelves for himself.
He believed that once Wei Yang saw the state of things, he’d naturally feel the urge to contribute.
It was way smarter than going to ask him directly.
More effective, too.
After all, subordinates who constantly go asking their leader for help are bound to get on their nerves eventually.
But if the leader volunteers—and does so willingly?
Well then, everybody’s happy.
And all of this didn’t escape the eyes of the ever-perceptive Yao Lao.
From the corner of his eye, he gave Xiao Ding a discreet glance, a look of appreciation flickering in his gaze.
He couldn’t help but think:
The three Xiao brothers... not a single one is easy to deal with.
Xiao Yan was already extraordinary—no need to even mention him.
Xiao Ding—smart, capable, and full of foresight.
Xiao Li—a ruthless man. Ruthless to enemies—and even more ruthless to himself.
With these three holding down the fort, how could the Xiao Clan not rise?
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