Chapter 1264: Great Yan Order

Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue teamed up to severely injure a Nascent Soul-stage spectral creature, which was then consumed by the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada.

Chen Hongguang's face broke into a sincere smile as he cupped his hands and said, "I've long heard of the Green Lotus Immortal Couple's formidable abilities, and seeing them today, their reputation is indeed well-deserved. Thank you both for your assistance. We are under orders to apprehend this individual. We hope Daoist Wang and Madam Wang can do us a favor and hand over the Nascent Soul of the Ghost Fiend Cultivator. We will certainly report this to the imperial court, and Daoist Wang will not be overlooked."

"Report to the imperial court? Daoist Chen, we were the ones who killed him. How much do you think a Nascent Soul cultivator's Nascent Soul is worth?"

Including the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's Nascent Soul, Wang Changsheng now possessed four. He could use soul-searching techniques to learn various divine abilities and secret arts. Furthermore, once his cultivation advanced, he could use them to refine clones, a process that was far from easy. Having a few extra Nascent Souls prepared was always beneficial.

Wang Changsheng hesitated to hand over the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's Nascent Soul to Chen Hongguang, fearing that Chen Hongguang might claim all the credit without mentioning him or Wang Ruyan.

Wang Changsheng wasn't concerned with the credit itself; what he wanted was reputation. He wished to make it known to other factions that the Green Lotus Immortal Couple had been active in the Central Plains cultivation world.

"Since Daoist Chen is acting on behalf of the imperial court, how about this? Daoist Chen, please take us to meet the imperial family. We will hand over the Nascent Soul to them. This way, both of you will also share in the credit, as it's not solely our achievement. However, since we did contribute, the imperial family should surely offer some compensation, right?"

Wang Ruyan said with a meaningful look. Chen Hongguang and his companion sought credit, while Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan sought renown. Their objectives were not in conflict.

"My apologies for not considering thoroughly. Please follow us, both of you. Coincidentally, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the imperial family is also currently in Bailu Prefecture."

Chen Hongguang made a gesturing invitation, transforming into a streak of azure light and shooting through the sky. The white-robed old woman followed closely behind.

Wang Changsheng performed a hand seal, causing the Green Lotus Dharma Seat to glow brightly. It transformed into a streak of azure light and sped after them, moving even faster than they did.

Five days later, they appeared above a vast, boundless sea of white mist.

Chen Hongguang flicked his sleeve, and a streak of azure light shot out, disappearing into the white mist below.

The white mist churned violently before suddenly vanishing, revealing a sprawling, gigantic valley with numerous buildings. Many cultivators could be seen moving about within.

An irresistible gravitational force appeared out of nowhere, slowly pulling them downwards until they landed just outside the valley.

A streak of azure light flew out and landed before them, revealing an elegant and dignified young woman in a green dress.

"Daoist Chen, Daoist Sun, how did it go? Did the Ghost Fiend Cultivator escape?"

The young woman in the green dress asked, a hint of tension in her voice. If not for the chaos caused by rogue demonic cultivators, that fiend would not have been released.

The Great Yan Dynasty had issued an order to thoroughly investigate all demonic cultivators within its borders, with instructions to kill on sight if confirmed.

"Daoist Zhou, these two are the renowned Green Lotus Immortal Couple. We assisted them in destroying the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's physical body, and his Nascent Soul is now in Daoist Wang's possession."

Chen Hongguang pointed to Wang Changsheng as he spoke, implying that even with mere assistance, their contribution was significant.

A flicker of surprise appeared in the young woman's eyes, then she smiled gracefully and said, "I am Zhou Xiangqin. It is a pleasure to meet Daoist Wang and Madam Wang. Let us go inside to speak."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan did not refuse and agreed.

A little less than fifteen minutes later, the five of them were inside a seven-story azure pavilion. As soon as they sat down, a maidservant approached with fragrant tea. After placing the tea, the maidservant withdrew.

"I have long heard of your esteemed reputations, and I've always wished to visit you in the South Sea, but never had the opportunity. Since you have rarely come to the Great Yan Dynasty, please stay for a while longer and allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts."

Zhou Xiangqin spoke with enthusiasm. She had just asked Chen Hongguang and learned that the destruction of the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's physical body was primarily due to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's efforts.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "My wife and I have long yearned for the Central Plains cultivation world. We've traveled here for several years and gained much. The customs and culture of the Central Plains are vastly different from those of the South Sea and Eastern Barrens, and the etiquette of the Great Yan Dynasty, in particular, has truly opened our eyes."

"To be honest, if we hadn't been delayed in the Great Qin Dynasty for a while, we would have arrived in the Great Yan Dynasty much sooner. The Central Plains truly lives up to its reputation as the birthplace of the Sage Confucius, and the Great Yan Dynasty, in particular, is undeniably a land of propriety and etiquette. It would be wonderful if the South Sea could achieve the same."

Wang Ruyan spoke with a tone of admiration. The Central Plains cultivation world comprised five independent dynasties. Wang Qingling and Wang Qiuming had spread rumors years ago that the Green Lotus Immortal Couple had been active in the Central Plains, so Wang Ruyan's words did not arouse suspicion.

With the Great Yan imperial family's endorsement, other factions would not suspect anything. After all, in the eyes of other powers, the Green Lotus Immortal Couple had no reason to lie. High-level cultivators often enjoyed traveling to other regions, and Wang Qingling and Wang Qiuming had extensively participated in various celebrations, making it even less likely for any faction to doubt the Green Lotus Immortal Couple.

At Wang Ruyan's complimentary remarks, a trace of satisfaction simultaneously appeared on the faces of Zhou Xiangqin and the other two.

If an ordinary cultivator had praised the Great Yan Dynasty as a land of propriety, they might not have paid much attention, but coming from the Green Lotus Immortal Couple, it was different.

Flattery, however excessive, rarely offends.

"You flatter us, esteemed Daoists," Zhou Xiangqin said. "The Great Qin Dynasty rose to power illegitimately. When it comes to propriety and etiquette, one must look to our Great Yan Dynasty. The longer you stay in the Great Yan Dynasty, the more you will understand what a land of propriety truly means."

Zhou Xiangqin's tone was warm. Her words disparaged the Great Qin Dynasty while elevating the Great Yan Dynasty, but they also indirectly confirmed that the Green Lotus Immortal Couple had indeed visited the Great Qin Dynasty.

In future conversations with other fellow Daoists, Zhou Xiangqin could now confidently state that the Green Lotus Immortal Couple themselves had declared the Great Yan Dynasty's etiquette superior to that of the Great Qin Dynasty, thus solidifying the rumor of the Green Lotus Immortal Couple's travels in the Central Plains cultivation world in recent years.

"Naturally," Wang Changsheng replied. "We also wish to visit the capital. We've heard from Qingshan that, in terms of scale alone, the capital's market can rank among the top five in the Eastern Barrens Realm."

Wang Changsheng said with a smile. This was, of course, flattery. Without healing elixirs, it would take them at least fifty or sixty years to fully recover. With healing elixirs, it wouldn't take nearly that long.

The capital's market was indeed the Great Yan Dynasty's largest market, rich in cultivation resources, but to claim it was among the top five in the Eastern Barrens Realm was an exaggeration.

Hearing this, Zhou Xiangqin's smile deepened. "Daoist Wang, you truly flatter us. The capital's market is indeed considerable in scale, but there's still a certain gap compared to Bright Moon Island in the South Sea cultivation world. Furthermore, Mount Myriad Flames in the Northern Frontier cultivation world is also comparable in scale to the capital's market. However, since you two esteemed Daoists have come to the Great Yan Dynasty, it would be a great pity not to visit the capital's market. Oh, by the way, Daoist Chen mentioned that the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's Nascent Soul is in your possession. I wonder if Daoist Wang would allow me to conduct a soul-search on it? I need to verify some information."

"As a token of gratitude, I will present this Great Yan Token to both of you. Should you encounter any trouble, simply present this token, and cultivators of Great Yan will do their best to assist you. Additionally, it will grant you a certain discount when purchasing cultivation resources from shops operated by our imperial family."

She flipped her hand, and a pale golden, square token appeared in her palm.

She clearly understood the significance of a Nascent Soul. She simply needed to verify some information.

Wang Changsheng considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. With a raised hand, a shimmering azure miniature pagoda flew out and instantly landed on the ground.

He cast a spell, and with a flash of azure light, the Ghost Fiend Cultivator's Nascent Soul flew out from the azure pagoda.