Chapter 1193: Ghostly Disturbance

Wang Qingshan was both surprised and pained to see his Azure Glaze Sword damaged; it was the first time such a thing had happened.

"My Natal Flying Sword incorporates many rare materials," Wang Qingshan said with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I haven't seen you in decades, and your strength has improved remarkably quickly!"

Wang Qingshan smiled, acknowledging that there's always someone stronger. If Zhou Yunxiao had always fought him to a standstill, Wang Qingshan would have found it boring.

Zhou Yunxiao was now stronger than Wang Qingshan, though the outcome of a life-or-death battle remained uncertain. Still, this sparked Wang Qingshan's fighting spirit.

"I previously visited the Fallen Immortal Cave and acquired some refining materials," Zhou Yunxiao stated with a touch of fervor. "After incorporating them into my saber, its power significantly increased. Your cultivation is lower than mine; if you can block this attack, I'll consider myself defeated. When we meet next, I expect to be at the Nascent Soul stage. I hope you'll have also advanced to Nascent Soul by then. It's not easy for Nascent Soul cultivators to progress, but when our cultivations are equal, we can truly determine a winner. Fair and square."

Zhou Yunxiao spoke with a hint of fanaticism. According to their agreement, he had lost to Wang Qingshan, but in truth, Wang Qingshan had suffered a minor setback.

He had sparred with Wang Qingshan numerous times, never gaining an advantage before. This minor setback for Wang Qingshan greatly boosted Zhou Yunxiao's confidence, and he was certain he would defeat Wang Qingshan once they both reached the Nascent Soul stage.

"It's a deal," Wang Qingshan said with a smile. "Once we both reach the Nascent Soul stage, we'll have a proper fight. However, it's inconvenient for me to travel to the Central Plains cultivation world; you can come to the South Sea to spar with me."

Wang Qingshan smiled, not one to admit defeat after suffering a minor loss this time.

He suddenly turned his head, looking towards the distant sky with a hint of panic. He quickly said, "My apologies, Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have urgent matters to attend to. I must take my leave."

A large expanse of green light suddenly surged from beneath Wang Qingshan's feet, transforming into a ten-foot-long azure sword energy. It carried him through the air, covering a hundred feet in an instant, moving quite swiftly.

Zhou Yunxiao was slightly taken aback; it was the first time he had seen Wang Qingshan behave in such a manner.

Less than fifteen minutes later, a red streak of light appeared in the distant sky. Shortly after, the red light halted above Zhou Yunxiao.

With a flash of red light, a fiery young woman in a red dress appeared. She had delicate features and an uncommon heroic spirit in her brows. In her hand, she held a shimmering red long whip, and beneath her feet was a red jade shuttle.

This was Du Huowu, one of the Great Yan Dynasty's Eighteen Talents, ranked tenth. The Du family was royalty, and by lineage, Du Huowu was Zhou Yunxiao's maternal cousin aunt.

"Maternal Cousin Aunt, why are you here?" Zhou Yunxiao asked politely, bowing to Du Huowu.

"Where's Wang Qingshan? Where did he hide? Was he just here?" Du Huowu inquired. On an accidental occasion, she had heard about Wang Qingshan's deeds and developed a strong interest in him. When Wang Qingshan traveled to the capital, Du Huowu actively sought him out, relentlessly badgering him until he was forced to spar with her.

After an intense battle, Du Huowu lost to Wang Qingshan. Unwilling to accept defeat, she continuously sought him out for more spars. Wang Qingshan, not wanting to be entangled, left the capital overnight.

Du Huowu inquired everywhere about Wang Qingshan's whereabouts. Learning that he was looking for Zhou Yunxiao, she sent people to find Zhou Yunxiao under the pretense of being a senior relative. To her surprise, she still arrived a step too late.

"Uh... Fellow Daoist Wang just left. You can still catch up if you pursue him now." Zhou Yunxiao pointed in another direction, thinking to himself, "I certainly don't want to have to call Fellow Daoist Wang my Maternal Cousin Uncle-in-Law next time I see him."

"Nephew Yunxiao, you wouldn't be deceiving me, would you?" Du Huowu said, slightly suspicious. She hadn't interacted much with Zhou Yunxiao, but she had heard about Wang Qingshan and Zhou Yunxiao, so it was possible Zhou Yunxiao might be covering for Wang Qingshan.

"How would your nephew dare to deceive you!" Zhou Yunxiao said with a wry smile. "If you don't pursue him soon, you might not catch up to Fellow Daoist Wang; his escape speed is quite fast."

Du Huowu said nothing more and pursued in the direction Zhou Yunxiao had indicated.

Before long, Du Huowu vanished into the sky.

***

Hongcheng, Quanzhou.

Hongcheng was the prefectural capital of Quanzhou and its economic hub. Located in a prosperous area, it saw a constant flow of merchants and travelers.

The rear courtyard of the Governor's Yamen.

Liu Xian paced anxiously in his study, while a pale-faced middle-aged man stood by.

"Master Sun, have the cultivators sent by the Myriad Immortals Bureau not arrived yet?" Liu Xian said with a frown. After parting ways with Wang Tianwen, he had embarked on an official career. With the help of his father-in-law and his own significant political achievements, he had risen steadily through the ranks and was currently the Governor of Quanzhou.

He still aspired to climb higher, but recently, a grave matter had arisen. Several malevolent ghosts had appeared within Quanzhou, harming many passing merchants and travelers. Tens of thousands of common people in several villages had been wiped out by these ghostly entities, their malevolent aura soaring into the sky.

As governor, Liu Xian was protected by Core Formation cultivators. Upon learning of the malevolent ghosts' actions, he immediately dispatched a team of cultivators to eliminate them. However, the ghosts proved too powerful, killing most of the cultivators, with only a small number managing to escape.

Liu Xian was completely helpless in such matters.

"Two months have passed already; I reckon the fellow Daoists from the Myriad Immortals Bureau should be arriving soon!" The middle-aged man said somewhat uncertainly. Had he not fled quickly, he too might have perished at the hands of the malevolent ghosts.

"Is this malevolent ghost truly that formidable? Fellow Daoist Song, who has been in Core Formation for years, couldn't escape, yet two Foundation Establishment cultivators managed to flee?"

A somewhat indifferent female voice suddenly rang out. No sooner had the words faded than a woman and two men entered, followed by a team of Foundation Establishment cultivators, among whom was Wang Tianwen.

"Oh, Brother Tianwen, it's you! You've reached Core Formation?" Liu Xian exclaimed, somewhat surprised.

Wang Tianwen smiled faintly and explained, "I was fortunate enough to reach Core Formation. Brother Liu Xian, it's been many years, and you've actually risen to the position of Governor. Congratulations!"

After Wang Tianwen returned to the Myriad Immortals Bureau, having already formed his Core, his tasks were fewer. He spent most of his time cultivating at his residence, diligently practicing for over a decade, and had now reached the fourth layer of Core Formation.

Hearing that a Core Formation stage malevolent ghost had appeared in Quanzhou, Wang Tianwen was ordered to come and eliminate the ghostly entity.

"If that malevolent ghost can't be dealt with soon, I'm afraid my time as governor will come to an end," Liu Xian said with a bitter smile. Within his jurisdiction, tens of thousands of common people had died at the hands of the ghostly entity. If his father-in-law hadn't intervened to strongly protect him, his official position would have long been lost.

As long as he eliminated the ghostly entity, it would be considered atoning for his misdeeds through meritorious service. With his father-in-law's help in smoothing things over, he could continue in office, at worst being demoted but retained, and then reinstated to his original position in a few years. Such situations were not uncommon in the Great Yan Dynasty.

The saying "It's good to be an official when you have connections in court" perfectly illustrated this principle.

"Madam Chen is exceptionally powerful, having previously exterminated Core Formation stage ghostly entities," Wang Tianwen said slowly. "With Fellow Daoist Yang, myself, and a team of Foundation Establishment cultivators, eliminating a Core Formation malevolent ghost shouldn't be an issue. However, you must tell us in detail how this Core Formation stage malevolent ghost appeared."

Wang Tianwen spoke with a hint of confusion in his eyes. The Great Yan Dynasty had strong grassroots forces, with every village protected by Qi Condensation cultivators. Any appearance of ghostly entities would have been reported through the ranks long ago, leaving no chance for them to grow powerful.