Although Lucien felt that the other noble families would fail woefully if they ever try to invade his territory, he knew they had something he is desperately lacking.
Experts!
No matter how powerful his defensive formations are they will all remain within his territory. But once he leaves, he has to depend on his strength alone. At his current level, Lucien acknowledged there are things he can't do alone and that's why he wishes to gain powerful allies. Although he would have loved to bring the spirit beast cultivators into the empire, Lucien was well aware of the fact that this will not be allowed. He is already viewed as a threat, bringing in hundreds of spirit-beasts cultivators who are far stronger than normal body cultivators is too absurd! The nobles will rise against him and even the emperor would feel uncomfortable with a powerful force loyal to only him.
