Chapter 1238: Huanglong Zhenren's Suspicion

Furthermore, Zhang Wuchen was highly vigilant. Each meeting took place in the territory of a force hostile to the Sun Moon Palace, and she changed her appearance every time. Thus, even if Zhong Chen betrayed Zhang Wuchen, it would be difficult to kill her. After all, in hostile territory, the Sun Moon Palace couldn't completely seal off all escape routes. Moreover, as a disciple of the previous palace master, Zhang Wuchen had managed to escape even when besieged by the Sun and Moon Saints, which was sufficient proof that she had mastered some special spiritual technique.

Zhang Wuchen was very satisfied with Zhong Chen's attitude. She took out a cyan jade box and handed it to Zhong Chen, saying, "It's rare that you still remember me, your godmother. This magic treasure is your reward. Alright, I can't stay long. Please do your best to erase this person's traces and prevent Yellow Dragon Island from investigating them. I will send someone to investigate myself. If there's an emergency, leave a special mark, and I will find you."

With that, Zhang Wuchen hastily departed.

Zhong Chen sighed softly, a look of worry appearing on his face.

Coral Sea Region, Yellow Dragon Island.

In Yellow Dragon Hall, a young woman in a green dress and another in a red dress stood inside, their expressions fearful. True Monarch Yellow Dragon stood before them, his expression indifferent.

"So," True Monarch Yellow Dragon asked coldly, "Junior Brother Yuan left the market with your husbands, and Loose Cultivator Huoyun didn't tell you where they went?"

"No, they didn't say, True Monarch Huang," the young woman in the green dress replied, her voice carrying a hint of a sob. "Everything we said is true! We truly don't know where our husbands and Senior Yuan went." Loose Cultivator Huoyun had not returned since leaving, and cultivators from Yellow Dragon Island had come to their door, forcibly bringing them back to Yellow Dragon Island.

"You two can stay on Yellow Dragon Island for now," True Monarch Yellow Dragon said with a menacing tone. "As long as you don't make any suspicious moves, I won't trouble you. But if you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being impolite." Yuan Gang had been murdered, and there were three possibilities.

First, Loose Cultivator Huoyun hadn't brought his concubines, so they were likely searching for treasure and might have died in a forbidden area. Second, they discovered a rare treasure, and Loose Cultivator Huoyun, overcome by greed, killed Yuan Gang, then was severely injured himself and is now hiding somewhere. Third, Yuan Gang died at the hands of Wang Changsheng.

Loose Cultivator Huoyun was a rogue cultivator without a fixed residence, and he hadn't left a life-bound soul lamp. No one knew if he was alive or dead.

During the Divine Weapon Assembly, both Wang Changsheng and Yuan Gang appeared on Divine Weapon Island. Yuan Gang had once sent his disciples to investigate the whereabouts of the Wang family's cultivators.

More than half a year later, Yuan Gang and Loose Cultivator Huoyun appeared in the Golden Whale Sea Region. Not long after, Yuan Gang was murdered, making Wang Changsheng a suspect. If there was evidence that Wang Changsheng had been to the Golden Whale Sea Region, Yuan Gang would almost certainly have died at Wang Changsheng's hands, as old enemies meeting would naturally ignite intense hatred.

A piece of information mentioned in the intelligence shocked True Monarch Yellow Dragon: Wang Changsheng was with a female Nascent Soul cultivator surnamed Lin. This female cultivator was very likely Wang Changsheng's friend, or even a hidden force of the Wang family. Adding Guan Dongren, the Wang family would have four Nascent Soul cultivators. In that case, their strength would outweigh his, and True Monarch Yellow Dragon had to be cautious. Without conclusive evidence, he couldn't jump to conclusions.

"Yes, Senior Huang," the two women replied. They naturally dared not refuse. They repeatedly agreed, bowing before withdrawing.

True Monarch Yellow Dragon took out a palm-sized yellow magic disk, cast a spell into it, and commanded, "Junior Nephew Li, you and Junior Nephew Sun are to make a trip to Golden Whale Island in the Golden Whale Sea Region. Quietly inquire whether True Monarch Taihao has appeared on Golden Whale Island. Remember, it must be discreet; this matter cannot be known by too many people."

"Yes, Senior Uncle Huang."

Ten Thousand Python Sea Region, a certain deserted island.

In a hidden mountain cave, Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue sat opposite each other. A golden luan bird floated between them. Around them, numerous crafting materials lay scattered.

The golden luan bird had three sparkling golden claws, and its spiritual energy was formidable.

Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal and cast a spell into the golden luan bird. The bird let out a clear cry, spread its wings, and soared towards the sky. To avoid being recognized, Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue re-tempered the Level 4 puppet beast, adding an extra claw. This was all they could do; if they were to melt it down completely, they wouldn't be able to re-forge it. Even so, this Level 4 puppet beast could not be easily used; it was perfectly suitable as a trump card.

This Level 4 puppet beast required high-grade lightning-attributed spirit stones to activate; it was a rare lightning-type puppet beast. Yuan Gang's storage ring contained seven high-grade spirit stones, two of which were lightning-attributed.

High-grade spirit stones were the hard currency for Nascent Soul cultivators. Whether for setting up formations or restoring magic power, they were the best choice. High-grade spirit stones were mainly used for setting up formations, and not many circulated on the market, let alone top-grade spirit stones. Even with the treasures inherited from Zhenhai Sect, Wang Changsheng only had slightly over fifty high-grade spirit stones. This wasn't because Zhenhai Sect lacked them, but because the ruins had been plundered once before, and outsiders had taken away a batch of treasures, including many high-grade spirit stones.

Generally speaking, only large spirit stone mines were likely to produce high-grade spirit stones. As for top-grade spirit stones, it was a matter of luck; to some extent, they could no longer be considered a form of currency, but rather rare treasures. When Wang Changsheng had searched Zhenhai Sect's treasure vault, he hadn't found a single top-grade spirit stone.

Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal. With a dull mechanical thud, the golden luan bird transformed into a gleaming golden metal sphere and flew into Wang Changsheng's hand.

"Junior Sister Tian, your strength is too weak. Keep this Level 4 puppet beast for self-defense!" Wang Changsheng handed the metal sphere to Fairy Ziyue, speaking sincerely. In any case, Fairy Ziyue didn't show her true appearance, so even if she used this puppet beast, Yellow Dragon Island wouldn't suspect the Wang family. If it weren't for the magical properties of the bellyband Fairy Ziyue wore, she would have already died at the hands of Loose Cultivator Huoyun.

A flicker of surprise appeared in Fairy Ziyue's eyes. Honestly, Wang Changsheng deserved most of the credit for their ability to kill Yuan Gang and Loose Cultivator Huoyun; Fairy Ziyue had only helped to hold back Loose Cultivator Huoyun. She hadn't expected to receive a Level 4 puppet beast, and she certainly hadn't imagined that Wang Changsheng would give her a Level 4 puppet beast for self-defense. Amidst her surprise, her favorable impression of Wang Changsheng greatly increased. Her heart was a mix of emotions. A Level 4 puppet beast was incomparable to a magic treasure; if Wang Changsheng hadn't possessed the Level 4 Zhenhai Ape, he might not have been Yuan Gang's match.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Wang." Fairy Ziyue did not decline. Her strength was indeed not great, and with a Level 4 puppet beast by her side, she would have an extra layer of reliance in combat.

"Alright, we've been out for quite a while now. Let's head to the Myriad Immortal Tomb!" Wang Changsheng put away the materials and formation array on the ground, then walked out with Fairy Ziyue.

Exiting the cave, they transformed into two streaks of light and sped away.