Chapter 1235: Sudden Wealth

On Huanglong Island in the Coral Sea, within Huanglong Hall, a pale-faced middle-aged man was nervously reporting to True Monarch Huanglong, whose gaze was grim.

"What? Junior Martial Brother Yuan's soul lamp has gone out?" True Monarch Huanglong demanded, his face cold and a chilling glint in his eyes. "Does anyone know his whereabouts? Why did his soul lamp suddenly extinguish?" Yuan Gang was not only a Nascent Soul cultivator but also a fourth-tier artifact forger, someone True Monarch Huanglong relied on heavily. His death was an unbearable and severe loss for Huanglong Island, the greatest it had suffered since its establishment.

"Your disciple asked Senior Martial Uncle Yuan's two apprentices," the middle-aged man replied, "and they said he went to attend the Divine Weapon Convention.""Investigate!" True Monarch Huanglong commanded. "Immediately dispatch people to Divine Weapon Island to gather information. I refuse to believe the culprit left no trace. Find out everything and report back to me at once."

Huanglong Island, which once boasted three Nascent Soul cultivators, was now left with only two, having sustained severe losses. True Monarch Huanglong found some solace in the fact that Huang Yuxu was in secluded cultivation, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, with a high probability of success.

"Yes, Island Master," the middle-aged man affirmed.

In the northwestern part of the Myriad Serpent Sea, on a desolate island over a hundred miles wide.

Suddenly, several-zhang-high waves surged from the calm sea as Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue emerged from the depths, flying into a hidden mountain cave.

Fairy Ziyue was deathly pale, clearly having sustained severe injuries.

Wang Changsheng flicked his sleeve, sending dozens of yellow formation flags shooting out to vanish into the stone wall. He then cast a spell onto a formation plate, causing a surge of yellow mist to erupt, forming a yellow earthen wall that completely sealed the cave entrance. A faint, shimmering yellow light barrier then became visible on the stone wall.

"Junior Martial Sister Tian, quickly take this Haoyuan Pill to heal your injuries," Wang Changsheng said, producing a white pill and offering it to Fairy Ziyue.

Fairy Ziyue thanked him, accepted the pill, and immediately swallowed it without the slightest hesitation. She knew that if Wang Changsheng wished her ill, he wouldn't need to resort to tampering with medicine.

The recent encounter had been extremely perilous. If not for the assistance of the Sea Suppressing Ape, Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue genuinely would not have been able to defeat Yuan Gang and his companion; that fourth-tier puppet beast alone was enough to cause them significant trouble.

What perplexed Wang Changsheng was that Yuan Gang seemed to have discovered their identities. He carefully replayed the events in his mind.

Why would Yuan Gang claim Wang Changsheng was there for the Myriad Immortal Token? Even if it were true, Yuan Gang had no reason to reveal it, and certainly no reason to leave the market.

He retrieved a jade box, took out Grandmaster Huoyun's Nascent Soul, and placed his right palm upon the miniature form, his hand glowing with a white light.

The miniature Nascent Soul contorted in pain; not every Nascent Soul cultivator could keep their divine soul tightly locked.

After a moment, Wang Changsheng withdrew his hand, leaving Grandmaster Huoyun's Nascent Soul looking despondent.

"He can identify women by scent, Junior Martial Sister Tian," Wang Changsheng revealed. "This fellow recognized your figure and your walking posture. They knew who we were long ago and were just putting on an act."Fairy Ziyue's delicate brows furrowed in surprise. "What? Recognized my figure and walking posture? That's even possible?" she exclaimed.

Wang Changsheng glanced at Fairy Ziyue's curvaceous figure and explained, "Every art has its specialists, and this fellow has a unique ability to identify women by scent. It's not your fault. However, it seems they were actually heading to the Myriad Immortals' Tomb to search for treasure. Junior Martial Sister Tian, have you heard of True Monarch Lieyang?"

"True Monarch Lieyang? Of course, I've heard of him. He was active during the Immortal-Devil War, the chief of the Five Overseas Immortals of that era, and highly skilled in artifact forging. Why? Did Yuan Gang and his group discover True Monarch Lieyang's secluded cultivation cave?"

Wang Changsheng nodded. "During the Immortal-Devil War, True Monarch Lieyang was stationed at what is now the Myriad Immortals' Tomb, though it was then known as Ju Xian Island. After the war, all trace of him was lost. It turns out he died in battle. Yuan Gang and his group discovered True Monarch Lieyang's secluded cultivation cave and were intending to go treasure hunting when they encountered us."

"Yuan Gang is from Huanglong Island. Why didn't he go back and invite True Monarch Huanglong instead of treasure hunting with Grandmaster Huoyun?" Fairy Ziyue asked.

Wang Changsheng smiled and explained, "Yuan Gang discovered True Monarch Lieyang's secluded cultivation cave, but it required passing through a very dangerous area. Grandmaster Huoyun happened to possess a Fiery Crow Bottle, which could weaken the restrictions there. That's why he invited Grandmaster Huoyun along. Their friendship is quite deep; they've known each other since the Foundation Establishment stage and maintained a good relationship."

"Simply put, Yuan Gang didn't want to share the treasures with too many people, which is understandable," Wang Changsheng continued. "After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, further advancement becomes extremely difficult. It's not uncommon for cultivators to remain stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage for hundreds of years if they lack sufficient opportunities. True Monarch Lieyang's secluded cultivation cave undoubtedly holds many valuable items, possibly even a complete map of the Myriad Immortals' Tomb. The tomb was originally known as Ju Xian Island, but it was renamed after all the cultivators stationed there perished in battle. With all the resident cultivators dead, few knew the island's enchantments or terrain. In short, if True Monarch Lieyang's secluded cultivation cave contains a complete map, the treasure hunt would be considerably easier, which explains why Yuan Gang kept it from True Monarch Huanglong."

"Senior Martial Brother Wang, are you planning to go treasure hunting in the Myriad Immortals' Tomb?" Fairy Ziyue asked.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "True Monarch Lieyang has quite a reputation," he said. "Since we have the topographic map and the Fiery Crow Bottle, we can risk a trip. After all, True Monarch Lieyang was the chief of the Five Overseas Immortals of his time, so what he left behind must be extraordinary. Of course, we'll wait until you've fully recovered from your injuries."

The concept of the Five Overseas Immortals originated from the cultivation world of the Central Plains. To be recognized among them, one had to be a Nascent Soul cultivator of exceptional strength, and the chief of the Five Overseas Immortals would undoubtedly possess late Nascent Soul stage power. Currently, Old Man Beihan holds that title, and he is indeed a late Nascent Soul cultivator. Wang Changsheng would be lying if he claimed he wasn't tempted by what a late Nascent Soul cultivator might leave behind.

Fairy Ziyue nodded in agreement.

Wang Changsheng emptied the possessions from Yuan Gang and his companion. Among the nine magic treasures, only the Fiery Crow Bottle and a damaged spiritual treasure were worth keeping; the other seven could not be used. In addition to the magic treasures, there were numerous materials, including over a hundred catties of fourth-tier spiritual water. However, the most valuable items were two pages from the Divine Weapon Manual, which detailed the crafting methods for two types of fourth-tier puppet beasts. The golden phoenix puppet Yuan Gang used was not among the fourth-tier puppet beasts described in the manual, but it still warranted cautious use.

Qinglian Island and Huanglong Island harbored a mortal enmity, but their significant distance prevented any immediate conflict. However, if True Monarch Huanglong were to learn of Yuan Gang's death at Wang Changsheng's hands, he might well launch an attack.

If Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingshan, Ye Haitang, or Wang Qingling were killed by True Monarch Huanglong, Wang Changsheng, even if he didn't directly assault Huanglong Island, would undoubtedly disguise himself to eliminate a group of Huanglong Island cultivators, seeking blood for blood and a tooth for a tooth.

Should such a situation arise, reconciliation would become impossible, and feigning ignorance would no longer be an option.

"Our success in slaying Yuan Gang is indeed a joyous occasion," Fairy Ziyue said with a soft sigh. "Our great-grandfather, in the spirit world, would also feel relieved."

"Indeed! If they knew, they would certainly feel relieved," Wang Changsheng agreed, recalling that his son-in-law and other relatives had perished at the hands of Huanglong Island cultivators.

By eliminating Yuan Gang, he and Fairy Ziyue had collected some interest. Given the opportunity, Wang Changsheng intended to annihilate the entire Huanglong Island to honor the heroic spirits of his fallen clan members.

Crucially, one must cut the grass and remove the roots, or the troubles will be endless.

Even with one Nascent Soul cultivator dead, Huanglong Island still possessed two. The Wang family was not yet in a suitable position to engage in a full-scale war with them.