Chapter 1117: Treasure Hunting Competition

Half a day later, Wang Qingling returned. Upon learning that Wang Changsheng was looking for her, she immediately went to his residence.

“Ninth Uncle, you were looking for me? I exchanged a bottle of Jade Kylin Pills with Ouyang Minglin, which should be useful for the growth of the Kylin Turtle.”

As she spoke, Wang Qingling took out a blue porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Changsheng with both hands.

Wang Changsheng accepted the bottle and asked, “Qingling, where did you go today? Who did you meet? Did anyone inquire about the Icewind Flood Dragon? Think carefully, there’s no rush.”

Wang Changsheng pondered, suspecting that Huangfu Rui’s target might be the Icewind Flood Dragon. The Wang family had risen too quickly, and outsiders weren't aware of all their valuable possessions. Recalling Huangfu Rong's words to Wang Qingling, Wang Changsheng felt the issue revolved around the Icewind Flood Dragon.

The Icewind Flood Dragon was not a rare spirit beast. Why would Huangfu Rong risk offending Wang Qingling by offering to buy it? This made no sense, especially since he knew Wang Qingling had two Nascent Soul cultivators supporting her.

Wang Qingling did not conceal anything, detailing her day's itinerary, including her conversation with Ouyang Minglin.

Wang Changsheng nodded subtly, confirming his suspicion that the problem indeed lay with the Icewind Flood Dragon.

It was truly abnormal for Ouyang Minglin to suggest, during their first meeting, that the Icewind Flood Dragon compete against the Golden-Crowned Flood Dragon.

“Qingling, from now on, unless absolutely necessary, don't let your Icewind Flood Dragon engage in beast battles with others. Be careful when you go out. The Huangfu family might be eyeing your Icewind Flood Dragon, and there’s no guarantee they won’t resort to extreme measures.”

Wang Changsheng warned her solemnly. If his suspicions were correct, the Huangfu family might resort to underhanded tactics.

“Understood, Ninth Uncle.”

Wang Qingling honestly agreed. She knew Wang Changsheng wouldn't deceive her, and she certainly didn't want her Icewind Flood Dragon to be stolen.

Two days passed quickly.

Early that morning, the Ouyang family dispatched escorts to bring guests to Fire Kylin Peak.

Fire Kylin Peak was entirely crimson, resembling a lifelike red kylin.

At the summit was a vast plaza spanning over a thousand mu. The plaza's paving stones were crimson, and a palace resembling a kylin's head stood majestically on the red stone square. The three prominent characters "Fire Kylin Hall" glittered on its plaque.

Wang Changsheng and the other Nascent Soul cultivators flew into Fire Kylin Hall, where the Ouyang family had already prepared fine wine and delicious food.

Wang Qingling and other cultivators remained outside the Red Stone Plaza. The Ouyang family had organized a treasure-hunting competition. Only cultivators at Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 3 or above, but below Core Formation Stage, were eligible to participate. The top thirty would receive rewards, and the top five would each obtain a Core Formation spiritual item.

The Ouyang family had invited many factions to this event, including over twenty with Nascent Soul cultivators. Without offering substantial rewards, external cultivators might not participate in the treasure hunt. Furthermore, the Ouyang family also hoped to use this opportunity to train their younger generation, temper their arrogance, and expose them to the talented youths from other factions.

The treasure hunt restricted Foundation Establishment cultivators from using third-tier talismans and talisman treasures. After all, some cultivators were descendants of high-ranking cultivators, and without such restrictions, there would likely be many casualties, turning the competition into a showcase for "immortal second-generation" talents.

Wang Youwei was somewhat excited. He had only placed fourth in the clan competition, and with many factions attending True Monarch Haoyue's birthday celebration, achieving a good ranking here would sufficiently prove his excellence.

Wang Huaxun and Wang Jiyun also participated in the treasure hunt, engaging in combat and sparring with disciples from other major factions. Such opportunities were rare.

Achieving a good ranking would not only significantly boost their personal reputations but also bring honor to their respective factions.

A total of 1,520 Foundation Establishment cultivators signed up for the treasure hunt, with the majority coming from the Ouyang family's affiliated forces.

Due to the large number of participants, the competition was divided into ten groups.

The Ouyang family dispatched ten deacon disciples to manage the drawing of lots for the matches.

An Ouyang family cultivator held a silver disc with a spinning pointer. The disc was divided into a hundred small sections, numbered one to one hundred. Participants would spin the pointer, and the number it landed on would be their assigned number.

Wang Youwei was in Group B, number thirty, so he didn't need to compete immediately. This allowed him to observe other cultivators' battles, learn from their strengths, and compensate for his own weaknesses.

While the Foundation Establishment cultivators competed, thirty-three Nascent Soul cultivators gathered in Fire Kylin Hall. Ouyang Hongsheng sat in the main seat, with Wang Changsheng and others seated on either side. In front of each of them was a red jade table laden with fine wine and delicious food.

“Thank you, fellow Daoists, for coming to celebrate my birthday. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, please forgive us. I toast to all of you.”

Ouyang Hongsheng raised his wine cup and drained it.

Wang Changsheng and the others, naturally, did not neglect to reciprocate immediately.

After the toasts, Wang Changsheng and the others presented their birthday gifts. Wang Changsheng's gift consisted of two thousand-year-old fire-attributed spirit herbs. He offered such a significant gift, naturally hoping to collaborate with the Ouyang family to open up the remaining five sea regions and establish a stable trade route.

After receiving the gifts, Ouyang Hongsheng expressed his gratitude, urging the guests to make themselves at home and drink to their heart's content.

After several rounds of drinks, He Bin spoke up, “Fellow Daoist Ouyang, thank you for the wonderful wine. Surely, you didn't invite so many fellow Daoists here just for a birthday celebration, did you?”

The Ouyang family's grand arrangements clearly indicated more than just a simple birthday celebration for Ouyang Hongsheng.

“To be honest, I have something very important to announce. Fellow Daoists, do you still remember that small world in the Golden Toad Sea Region with the fierce ghosts?”

Ouyang Hongsheng's gaze was solemn.

“Of course, we remember. I recall your Ouyang family dispatched Nascent Soul cultivators to lead the clearing of those ghostly creatures. What's wrong? Has the seal on that small world loosened? Or has something else happened?”

All the guests showed curious expressions. If not for that small world, the Ten Great Sects would never have delayed the war, which led to the leak of information and the foreign tribes gaining the upper hand.

“My fifth brother, Ouyang Hongguang, possessed a mid-Nascent Soul cultivation base. He led a team to that small world to eliminate the ghostly creatures. However, somehow, he was possessed by a very powerful ghost and returned to our Ouyang family. Unexpectedly, our family's guardian spirit beast detected the anomaly. He desperately fought his way out and escaped into the Fallen Immortal Ice Plain.”

Ouyang Hongsheng sighed softly and spoke slowly.

A mid-Nascent Soul cultivator being possessed by a ghost brought no honor to the Ouyang family. However, they had to clarify the situation; otherwise, if the possessed clan member went on a rampage in the future, others would hold the Ouyang family accountable, which would be troublesome.

Since even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator was possessed by this ghost, ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators would certainly not be its match.

As soon as these words were uttered, there was a stir among the guests, and an expression of shock appeared simultaneously on every face.

A mid-Nascent Soul cultivator possessed by a ghost! This ghost must be terrifying!

“I want to inform all of you that if you encounter him in the future, kill him without hesitation. The Ouyang family will not be responsible for anything he does. Our Ouyang family is offering a bounty of five million spirit stones for his capture. If he is captured alive, we will add another five million spirit stones, along with a reasonable request.”