Chapter 1182: Beast Summit

Han Yuexin sighed inwardly. Decades had passed, and Wang Qingshan was no longer the same; those competing with him were core disciples from major powers. She and Wu Yufeng were merely ordinary Core Formation cultivators, far from matching Wang Qingshan.

After some casual conversation, Wu Rongxiang bid farewell and left. Before leaving, he invited Wang Qingshan to be a guest at the Wu family. Wang Qingshan merely said he would visit when he had time, without committing to a specific date.

An hour later, Wang Qingshan returned to his residence. Wang Tianwen and Wang Qiuming had not yet returned.

Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and began cultivating.

The void twisted and distorted as a vast expanse of azure sword shadows materialized out of thin air. After a momentary blur, the sword shadows rapidly solidified into physical entities. Each azure flying sword emitted a clear, resonant hum, forming a captivating melody. Wang Qingshan's eyes were tightly closed as a large cluster of azure flying swords spun erratically above his head. Wherever the azure flying swords passed, a piercing whooshing sound echoed through the void.

In a secluded valley, abundant exotic flowers and plants grew. A fair-faced woman in a white dress and a kind-faced old man in white robes were playing chess.

"Many people have come to this Hundred Beasts Convention," the white-robed elder said in a deep, unequivocal voice. "The Wang family from Qinglian Island in the South Sea and the Shen family from Fire Crow Island have both sent representatives. The forces we previously cooperated with were wiped out, so we must seek new partners. Entertain them well, and ideally, form marriage alliances. One day, we will return to the South Sea cultivation world; that is our ancestral land."

"Yes, Fourth Uncle-Grandfather, your granddaughter knows what to do," the woman in the white dress readily agreed. She suddenly remembered something and asked, "Fourth Uncle, did our family not leave behind any secret grounds in the South Sea? Why don't we gather people and open our clan's secret grounds? With ancestral secret grounds, we could certainly cultivate more high-level cultivators. Our development has reached its peak now. The imperial family has always been wary of us; they know we originate from the South Sea cultivation world, and they fear that we might unite with the South Sea cultivation world to overthrow their rule."

The white-robed elder sighed softly and said, "Back then, when our family faced a great calamity, the family head sent a group of clansmen away from the South Sea, scattering them to develop in various places. The clansmen in the Eastern Desolate and Northern Borders did not flourish; only our branch has grown strong. However, to restore our ancestral glory, we must plan carefully and not act too hastily. The exact location of the family's secret grounds is unclear, and without a key, it requires the combined effort of eight Nascent Soul cultivators to open it. Otherwise, I would have sent people to open the secret grounds long ago. First, we will establish our presence in the South Sea, and when the time is right, we will open the family's secret grounds."

"Such is the prevailing atmosphere in the Central Plains dynasty," he continued. "Unless another Immortal-Demon War breaks out, there will be no opportunity to overthrow the imperial family of the Great Yan Dynasty. The imperial family not only guards against our Murong family but also views the other six vassal kings with suspicion."

Seven days later, the Hundred Beasts Convention officially commenced. On the peak of a lush, thousand-zhang-tall mountain, a bluestone plaza spanning over a thousand mu was filled with hundreds of Core Formation cultivators. In the center of the plaza were dozens of azure arenas, each over ten mu in size.

Wang Qingshan and his companions were arranged in a prominent position. The Murong Royal Family sent Murong Rong to preside over the Hundred Beasts Convention. Besides Core Formation cultivators, there were also Nascent Soul cultivators present.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists, to our Murong family's Hundred Beasts Convention," Murong Rong announced. "The rules are the same as before: everyone releases their spirit beasts to compete, and the top ten will receive generous rewards." After a brief introduction, Murong Rong declared the Hundred Beasts Convention officially open.

All spirit beasts participating in the Hundred Beasts Convention were third-tier. Wang Qiuming and Wang Tianwen did not possess any third-tier spirit beasts, so they could only watch. Wang Qingshan sent his Three-Headed Fox to compete. The Three-Headed Fox was a third-tier low-grade beast, equivalent to a Core Formation Level Three cultivator. However, having consumed multiple Divine Ability Fruits, it was a mutated spirit beast whose strength far surpassed that of ordinary third-tier spirit beasts.

The competition proceeded by drawing lots, with a total of eighty-five third-tier spirit beasts participating. The Three-Headed Fox drew lot number nine, and its opponent was a red giant python over twenty zhang long.

At the start of the match, the Three-Headed Fox's three heads simultaneously opened their mouths. They unleashed three types of spells: crimson flames, white chilling winds, and golden lightning, striking towards the red giant python. The red giant python was too massive to evade. While the crimson flames and white chilling winds had little effect, the golden lightning, as thick as an adult's arm, struck the python, causing its body to writhe uncontrollably. It opened its gaping maw and let out a strange roar.

A flash of red light, and a house-sized fiery orb flew out, striking towards the Three-Headed Fox. Boom! A series of roars erupted, and a vast expanse of crimson flames engulfed the Three-Headed Fox's body, sending out rolling heat waves. However, the Three-Headed Fox quickly burst out from the sea of crimson fire, appearing instantly before the red giant python. A flash of golden light, and an extremely thick golden lightning bolt shot from the Three-Headed Fox's middle head, striking the red giant python in a fleeting instant. A painful hiss rang out as the red giant python's body twisted incessantly, as if enduring immense pain. The next moment, a howling sound intensified, and a swirling white chilling wind swept out, striking the red fire python's head precisely. Its head instantly froze, and the ice spread visibly.

"The Three-Headed Fox wins!"

The Three-Headed Fox won without exception. Generally, spirit beasts master single-attribute spells. Spirit beasts like the Three-Headed Fox, which control three different elemental spells, are not common in the cultivation world.

Most cultivators attended the Hundred Beasts Convention to make friends. Many Core Formation cultivators did not participate in the battles, instead exchanging cultivation insights or discussing the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. Wang Qiuming discussed artifact refining with several Core Formation cultivators, while Wang Tianwen conversed about poetry, calligraphy, and painting with a few Confucian scholars.

A tall, upright young man in a golden robe stood up, looked towards Wang Qingshan, and said in a deep voice, "I am Lü Ping of the Golden Blade Sect. I've heard that Daoist Wang possesses extraordinary divine abilities. I wonder if Daoist Wang would be willing to offer some guidance." Lü Ping's voice was not loud, but the cultivators present heard him clearly.

Due to his connection with the Immortal Couple of Azure Lotus and the Leisurely Sword Venerable, many Core Formation cultivators were filled with curiosity about Wang Qingshan. Upon hearing Lü Ping's words, many cultivators looked towards Wang Qingshan. If Wang Qingshan were to refuse in front of so many people, it would give the impression of cowardice.

"Daoist Lü is only at Core Formation Level Six," Wang Qiuming volunteered. "Allow me to spar with you! I am Wang Qiuming." Wang Qiuming took the initiative, knowing that some Core Formation cultivators would want to challenge Wang Qingshan.

"Wang Qiuming? Very well. If I defeat you, then Daoist Wang can spar with me, correct?"

Wang Qiuming's expression was indifferent. "Daoist Lü, talk to me after you defeat me!"

"Blades and swords have no eyes," Murong Rong cautioned with a serious expression. "Two young friends, stop before anyone is seriously injured, and do not harm the friendly atmosphere." Murong Rong's face was solemn as he admonished them, for all who came were guests, and injuring any of them was not an outcome the Murong family desired.