Chapter 1181: Encountering an Old Friend

In the Central Plains Immortal Cultivation World, within the Myriad Cloud Mountain Range.

On a certain lush, verdant peak, Wang Qingshan walked along a wide street, with Murong Yuyao by his side, introducing him to the Murong family's affairs. Many cultivators were present on the street, mostly Confucian scholars. The shops lining the street primarily dealt in spirit beasts. This area was designated by the Murong royal family for visiting cultivators to purchase goods. With the Grand Beast Assembly fast approaching, the Murong royal family had invited numerous factions and specifically provided a venue for visiting cultivators to trade and rest.

Wang Tianwen and Wang Qiuming were exploring elsewhere, while Wang Qingshan strolled leisurely with Murong Yuyao. The shops offered a wide array of goods, many of them exotic and peculiar, which greatly broadened Wang Qingshan's horizons.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, there’s a teahouse ahead. Shall we go in for some tea and rest?” Murong Yuyao suggested, pointing to a teahouse in front of them.

Wang Qingshan didn’t object and followed Murong Yuyao towards the teahouse. As soon as they entered, an inviting, unusual fragrance wafted out, instantly invigorating those who smelled it. The main hall was bustling, with every seat occupied.

Just as they ascended to the second floor, a hearty male voice suddenly rang out: “Fairy Murong, long time no see.”

Murong Yuyao looked towards the source of the voice and saw a dignified-looking middle-aged man gazing at her.

“Fellow Daoist Wu, long time no see.” Murong Yuyao smiled slightly, stepped forward, and Wang Qingshan followed her.

“Fellow Daoist Wu, allow me to introduce you, this is...” Before Murong Yuyao could finish, the middle-aged man interjected: “Fellow Daoist Wang Qingshan, I am Wu Rongxiang. I hail from the Eastern Barrens, and your illustrious name is as well-known as thunder there.”

Wang Qingshan nodded with a smile: “Fellow Daoist Wu, you flatter me. It’s merely a reputation.” He hadn't expected to encounter a Core Formation cultivator from the Eastern Barrens here.

“Fellow Daoist Wu, are you here alone? Where are your family members?” Murong Yuyao asked casually.

“My son and daughter-in-law are here too; they’re strolling through the streets! Oh, they’re coming this way. Feng’er, over here.” Wu Rongxiang raised his right hand and waved a few times.

Soon after, a handsome man in a green robe and a beautiful young woman in a red dress approached. When Wang Qingshan saw the woman in the red dress, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

“Fairy Murong, Fellow Daoist Wang, this is my son Wu Yufeng and my daughter-in-law Han Yuexin.” Wu Rongxiang introduced them warmly, gesturing towards the man in the green robe and the woman in the red dress.

Wang Qingshan nodded and smiled: “Fairy Han, I trust you’ve been well.” Back then, at Peach Mountain in the Beast-Taming Nation, Han Yuexin often sought out Wang Qingshan for sparring, much to his annoyance, leading him to announce his closed-door cultivation. After going to the South Sea, Wang Qingshan never saw Han Yuexin again. Many years had passed, and Han Yuexin was now a married woman.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, after all these years, you must be close to entering the Nascent Soul stage, aren’t you?!” Han Yuexin forced a smile and spoke politely.

After the Wang family’s three strongholds were attacked, and the family seemingly vanished, Han Yuexin believed something had happened to Wang Qingshan. She gave up on her feelings and, under her family’s arrangement, married a disciple from another cultivation family. Later, during the demon invasion, Wang Qingshan participated in the war, slaying several Core Formation half-demons, which brought him temporary fame. The Azure Lotus Immortal Couple gained renown in the South Sea, and as their nephew, Wang Qingshan’s reputation also soared.

She had never imagined they would meet again in the Central Plains Dynasty. Though she had also reached Core Formation, she was still far behind Wang Qingshan. She was now a married woman, and the past was in the past. From the very beginning, Wang Qingshan had never harbored any feelings for her. Some people are destined to be mere passersby in life; a forced melon is never sweet.

Wang Qingshan shook his head with a wry smile and said: “Forming a Nascent Soul is hardly that easy. Perhaps you two will reach it before me.”

“What? Wife, you know Fellow Daoist Wang? You never mentioned it?” Wu Yufeng asked curiously. Wang Qingshan had a great reputation in the Eastern Barrens, possessing a strong background, formidable strength, and exceptional talent.

“We had a few encounters in the past, but then Fellow Daoist Wang suddenly disappeared. When he reappeared, he was already a Core Formation cultivator. During the human-demon war, Fellow Daoist Wang slew several Core Formation half-demons; he truly is a role model for our generation.” Han Yuexin said politely. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Wang Qingshan’s ascension to the Nascent Soul stage was only a matter of time. For Han Yuexin, reaching the Core Formation stage was already quite good, as she didn’t have the backing of three Nascent Soul cultivators.

“A role model? What kind of heroes can emerge from that small patch of land called the Eastern Barrens? What’s there to boast about for killing a few half-demons? If you want to talk about role models, one should speak of the Eighteen Prodigies of Great Yan.” A somewhat disdainful male voice suddenly cut in.

Murong Yuyao looked towards the source of the voice and saw a pale-faced Confucian scholar in white robes. The scholar was slender, appearing frail and delicate, like a weak intellectual. However, the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from him clearly indicated he was a Core Formation cultivator. Wang Qingshan had heard Wang Tianwen speak of the Eighteen Prodigies of Great Yan. The Great Yan Dynasty had eighteen exceptionally outstanding Core Formation cultivators, possessing vast divine abilities. Each of these cultivators had a high probability of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, and they were known to the outside world as the Eighteen Prodigies of Great Yan.

“Zhao Richen, there are excellent Core Formation cultivators in the Eastern Barrens too. Don’t underestimate the heroes of the world.” Murong Yuyao said with a frown. The Murong royal family had invited numerous factions to the Grand Beast Assembly. Zhao Richen belonged to the Zhao family, one of the seven non-royal princely families. The Zhao family’s overall strength was not much inferior to the Murong royal family’s, and Zhao Richen, a core disciple of the Zhao family, was known for his arrogance.

“Is that so? Fellow Daoist Wang, I am Zhao Richen. I have long heard of your esteemed name, and I would like to spar with you. What do you say, Fellow Daoist?” Zhao Richen stood up and addressed Wang Qingshan.

“My apologies, but I’m not interested in sparring.” Wang Qingshan’s tone was flat as he shook his head in refusal, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of spirit tea. Zhao Richen was clearly trying to stir up trouble, and Wang Qingshan had no interest in humoring him.

“Fairy Murong, is this the ‘hero’ you speak of? He doesn’t even dare to spar, and it’s not even a fight to the death.” Zhao Richen sneered, a look of disdain on his face. Wang Qingshan had fought Zhou Yunxiao to a draw, and in the eyes of the few Core Formation cultivators in the Great Yan Dynasty, Wang Qingshan was an excellent whetstone. Whoever defeated Wang Qingshan would gain greater fame and be more likely to become a key cultivation target for their respective faction.

Murong Yuyao frowned and glanced at Wang Qingshan, who remained composed and showed no sign of anger at the remark.

“That’s it? And he’s called a role model? The Eastern Barrens aren’t much to speak of, after all.” Zhao Richen laughed heartily, then stood up and left, several cultivators quickly following him.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Zhao is just outspoken; there’s no ill intent. Please don’t take him too seriously.” Murong Yuyao said apologetically. Since Wang Qingshan had been put in an awkward position by Zhao Richen on the Murong family’s territory, the Murong family felt the need to smooth things over.

“It’s nothing, just idle talk. There’s no need to dwell on it.” Wang Qingshan smiled faintly and said indifferently. He was well aware of Zhao Richen’s intentions: the other party wished to use his reputation to assert his own power, but Wang Qingshan chose not to give him the opportunity.