Chapter 1255: Five Years

Five years passed in the blink of an eye.

Five Dragons Sea Region, Green Lotus Island.

In a unique courtyard, Wang Qingqi was teaching Wang Changjie alchemy.

Wang Changjie sat cross-legged on a futon, his gaze fixed intently on a red alchemy furnace, a look of concentration on his face.

After a while, a rich herbal fragrance wafted out. Wang Changjie retracted his spell and opened the alchemy furnace, revealing seven light green pills inside.

"Master of the Courtyard, how are the pills I refined?"

Wang Changjie’s still-boyish face was full of anticipation. After arriving at Green Lotus Island, Wang Qingqing had taught him basic cultivation knowledge, while Wang Qingqi taught him alchemy.

Wang Changjie had already established his foundation and was currently at the second level of Foundation Establishment.

Besides daily cultivation and alchemy, he also had to go to the Illusory Demon Tower to fight demonic beasts and improve his combat experience.

Wang Qingqi was in charge of the Alchemy Courtyard. Given their generational difference, Wang Changjie was required to address Wang Qingqi as "Master of the Courtyard" when learning alchemy. This was to prevent him from becoming arrogant or extravagant by directly calling him "Qingqi," as Wang Qingqi would not lower his standards simply because Wang Changjie belonged to a higher generation.

Wang Qingqi carefully examined the pills' color and shape, a hint of approval appearing in his eyes. He said with a stern face, "It's better than last time, but your pill-forming technique isn't skilled enough yet. You need to work harder."

"Yes, Master of the Courtyard."

At that moment, the sky suddenly darkened, with heavy clouds gathering.

"Oh! Another clan member has attracted the Core Formation lightning tribulation," Wang Changjie exclaimed, his face full of envy as he mumbled to himself. "I hope I can also advance to the Core Formation stage soon, so I can go to the East Wilderness to find my parents earlier."

Wang Qingqi smiled and said, "You will. As long as you cultivate diligently, you will certainly form your core."

Five massive dark clouds hovered over Green Lotus Island. The five clouds were scattered in different locations, clearly indicating that five clan members were attempting to reach the Core Formation stage.

In the Discussion Hall, Wang Mengfen gazed at the five dark clouds high in the sky, a joyful smile spreading across his face.

Xue Qingzhong, who stood nearby, quickly said, "Congratulations, in-laws! It seems your Wang family will have several more Core Formation cultivators. When you hold the celebration, please don't forget me."

With the Wang family's help, he had fortunately advanced to the Core Formation stage.

The Xue family heavily relied on the Wang family, acting as their vanguard and gaining numerous benefits.

"If I'm not mistaken, Uncle Youwei is also attempting to reach the Core Formation stage."

"So it's my esteemed son-in-law attempting Core Formation," Xue Qingzhong said. "I'm sure he will succeed in forming his core."

Xue Qingzhong's face was filled with delight; if Wang Youwei formed his core, he would also benefit.

Rumble!

Almost simultaneously, five thick silver lightning bolts shot out from the dark clouds, striking downwards.

As time slowly passed, silver lightning bolts continuously struck down amidst flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder, as if it were the end of the world.

Shortly after, Wang Mengfen received a report from a clan member: "Patriarch, great-uncle Youwei and grandmother Ouyang successfully advanced to the Core Formation stage. Hua Xun also formed her core. However, Sister Jiyun and the others failed."

Of the five clan members who attempted to reach the Core Formation stage, two failed and three succeeded, which was already a very good outcome.

"Excellent," Wang Mengfen said. "Tell them to rest and recover well. I will go see them later."

Wang Mengfen beamed with joy, the delight in his eyes unmistakable.

"Congratulations, in-laws!" Xue Qingzhong congratulated, appearing even more excited than Wang Mengfen. "The Wang clan will surely thrive! The Wang clan will surely thrive!"

"Fellow Daoist Xue," Wang Mengfen said, "I understand the situation you mentioned. You can go back for now. After a while, when our Wang family holds a celebration, you must come."

Xue Qingzhong patted his chest and agreed, "Absolutely, I will certainly prepare a generous gift."

Coral Sea Region, Yellow Dragon Island.

A massive dark cloud hovered over a peak, and streaks of silver lightning, like snakes, shot out, striking downwards.

True Monarch Huang Long stood inside a green stone pavilion, his brows furrowed with worry.

A plump and beautiful young woman in a golden dress sat nearby, her expression calm.

The young woman in the golden dress was named Jin Yu, and she was at the early Nascent Soul stage.

"Senior Brother Huang," Jin Yu said with a smile, lifting her teacup and taking a sip. "Don't worry too much. Whether Yuxu can form a Nascent Soul has nothing to do with your worrying. Sit down, have some tea, and you'll know soon enough."

True Monarch Huang Long chuckled faintly and sighed, "Junior Sister Jin, even though you say that, I can't help but worry."

A quarter of an hour later, the thunderclouds dispersed, and a streak of yellow light flew towards True Monarch Huang Long.

The yellow light landed in front of True Monarch Huang Long, revealing Huang Yuxu. His face was pale, his arm charred black, and a powerful spiritual pressure emanated from his body. He had clearly advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

"Yuxu, you've advanced to the Nascent Soul stage!" True Monarch Huang Long exclaimed with a laugh. "Haha, good, good, good!"

True Monarch Huang Long was overjoyed, repeatedly saying "good."

"If not for great-grandfather and Aunt Jin's help," Huang Yuxu said humbly, his eyes full of joy, "your grandson might not have been able to advance to the Nascent Soul stage."

A low beast roar emanated from True Monarch Huang Long. He took out a palm-sized yellow formation plate, cast a spell into it, and his expression turned grim.

"What happened, Senior Brother Huang!"

Jin Yu asked with a frown; True Monarch Huang Long rarely lost his composure like this.

"True Monarch Taihao and a female Nascent Soul cultivator appeared in the Golden Whale Sea Region," True Monarch Huang Long said. "They entered Golden Whale Island together. At that time, Junior Brother Yuan was on Golden Whale Island, so his death must be related to True Monarch Taihao."

True Monarch Huang Long radiated killing intent. His worst fears had come true: the Wang family's strength was continuously growing, and would sooner or later become a serious threat.

"True Monarch Taihao is an uncle of Wang Qingshan, isn't he?" Huang Yuxu said. "This score will have to be settled with them sooner or later."

A hint of killing intent appeared in Huang Yuxu's eyes; in earlier years, he had almost died by Wang Qingshan's hand.

"It seems that female Nascent Soul cultivator has a deep connection with the Wang family and is a close associate," Jin Yu said. "The Wang family now has four Nascent Soul cultivators. This matter requires careful consideration and cannot be rushed."

The Wang family is currently a subordinate force of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. If Yellow Dragon Island were to directly engage the Wang family, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect would not directly intervene, but could designate other forces to engage.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so don't worry!" True Monarch Huang Long declared. "I've already made preparations. Junior Sister Jin, Yuxu, I need to make a trip to the Lu family. Either we don't act, or we leave no survivors."

True Monarch Huang Long intended to visit the Lu family. The Lu family had three Nascent Soul cultivators, making them a powerful force. Both the Lu family and Yellow Dragon Island were subordinate forces of the Sun Moon Palace, but the Lu family had been affiliated with the Sun Moon Palace for a longer time.

He certainly wouldn't immediately seek trouble with the Wang family, but he needed to prepare in advance. He would confront the Wang family sooner or later. The timing wouldn't be too long, as a long delay would be like raising a tiger to cause trouble, but if the time was too short and preparations were insufficient, they wouldn't be able to destroy the Wang family.

True Monarch Huang Long understood the principle of "striking a snake but not killing it, only to be bitten back."

He had originally considered repairing relations. After all, the Wang family's network of connections was too complex; besides the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Grand Unity Immortal Sect, there was also the Ouyang aristocratic family. Judging from Yuan Gang's death, if the Wang family continued to develop, they would surely destroy Yellow Dragon Island.

If Yellow Dragon Island didn't deal with the Wang family, the Wang family would still deal with Yellow Dragon Island. A conflict between the two was inevitable.