Chapter 1278: Conversation

A strange, intense coldness surged from the blade. Wuchang's arm visibly froze, and the crimson flames covering his body were utterly ineffective against the ice. This was because the Grand Void Spirit-Slaying Blade had been forged with a ten-thousand-year profound jade, granting it a power far superior to ordinary ice-attributed magical treasures. In less than two breaths, Wuchang was transformed into an ice sculpture, his body encased in a thick layer of ice. Wang Changsheng could clearly see the look of terror on Wuchang's face.

If it had been a fight to the death, Wuchang would already be dead.

Murong Bo was dumbfounded. Just moments ago, the two had been locked in a fierce battle, but the situation had taken such a sudden turn that Wuchang was now in grave danger. Li Ling'er's beautiful face changed drastically, and she quickly shouted, "Stop! Fellow Daoist Wang, we concede!" With a shrug of her shoulders, eighteen two-foot-long red flying swords shot out, hovering erratically above her head. At the same time, she drew a shimmering red command flag with her right hand, adopting a posture that suggested she was ready to fight at the slightest provocation. With Wuchang's life hanging by a thread, Li Ling'er dared not be careless.

"Stop, Fellow Daoist Wang!"

A majestic voice suddenly rang out. The three light barriers instantly dissipated, and points of red light flared around Wuchang, revealing a slightly hunched old man in a golden robe. He placed his hand on the ice, and a surge of pale golden flames erupted, causing the ice to melt rapidly.

Wang Changsheng had already put away the Grand Void Spirit-Slaying Blade, as he had never intended to deliver a killing blow. His victory was largely due to Wuchang underestimating him; Wuchang had attempted to defeat him using only his physical strength, without employing any magical treasures. In contrast, Wang Changsheng used the Golden Lotus Gauntlets, a Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, and the Grand Void Spirit-Slaying Blade. Wuchang was truly a pure body cultivator, possessing immense strength. Even with his Golden Lotus Gauntlets, Wang Changsheng found it somewhat difficult to withstand the force. Had he not used the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl to break the stalemate, Wang Changsheng would undoubtedly have lost if the confrontation had dragged on.

By this time, Wuchang had regained his freedom. He let out a hearty laugh, then cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, your mastery of the Dao is profound. I am truly impressed."

"Fellow Daoist Wu, you flatter me," Wang Changsheng humbly replied. "Had you used your magical treasures, I would likely have been the one to lose. I have fought against demon beasts before, and your strength is not much inferior to that of a Nascent Soul stage demon beast." Wang Changsheng spoke humbly, but he was speaking the truth; his hands were somewhat sore from exchanging blows with Wuchang.

"Fellow Daoist Wang and Fellow Daoist Wu, your strengths are both considerable, each with your own merits," Murong Bo intervened smoothly. "Let's go back and have some tea!"

Li Ling'er put away her flying swords and walked to Wuchang's side, her beautiful eyes filled with concern. "Don't worry, my dear, I'm fine," Wuchang said with a simple, honest smile, sounding nonchalant.

Li Ling'er glared at Wuchang and said, "That's what you get for being so arrogant! You almost got yourself hurt. Let's see if you dare to be so reckless next time."

"Heh heh," Wuchang chuckled, speaking dismissively, "I didn't realize Fellow Daoist Wang was also a body cultivator. If not for his extraordinary magical treasures, I might not have lost." He had indeed been overconfident. However, this was a market, and within the Ten Thousand Treasures Pagoda; if Wang Changsheng had truly killed him, Wang Changsheng would not have been able to leave the Kyoto market alive either. Fights to the death were forbidden in the market; it was a strict rule. Anyone who dared to violate the rule would face no mercy from the Great Yan Imperial Family and the Three Great Trade Alliances. Though he had lost to Wang Changsheng, his bottleneck had loosened somewhat, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

Soon after, they returned to the teahouse, where the five of them enjoyed tea and conversation.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang," Wuchang enthusiastically invited, "if you have time someday, you are welcome to visit the Northern Frontier. We welcome both of you anytime, and when you come, we can have another good match." Wuchang was eager to invite them; having lost to Wang Changsheng this time, he was determined to defeat him next time.

Wang Changsheng's face showed interest, as if he had never been to the Northern Frontier. "The Northern Frontier?" he said. "My wife and I have long heard that the Northern Frontier is rich in mineral resources, but we never had the chance to visit. If the opportunity arises, we will certainly go. Fellow Daoist Wu, could you tell us about the cultivation world of the Northern Frontier? We can tell you about the cultivation world of the South Sea in return."

Wang Ruyan smiled and said, "If not for the hot and dry environment of the Northern Frontier, which affects my husband's cultivation, we would have visited the Northern Frontier cultivation world long ago."

"Indeed!" Murong Bo said, stroking his beard. "I've also heard a little about the abundant mineral resources in the Northern Frontier cultivation world. However, the Northern Frontier does not promote the Way of the King and lacks propriety. It would be wonderful if the Way of the King could be implemented in the Northern Frontier cultivation world."

Wang Changsheng and the other three exchanged glances and smiled. They all disliked the numerous formalities of the Central Plains cultivation world, from bowing to friends to deferring to elders; there were simply too many courtesies.

Wuchang began describing the situation in the Northern Frontier cultivation world, mainly introducing the power of his Wu family. The Wu family's ancestors originated from the Holy Talisman Palace, maintaining intricate ties with it, and many Wu family descendants had become disciples of the Holy Talisman Palace.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, Fellow Daoist Murong," Wuchang said with a simple, familiar smile, "the Northern Frontier boasts countless beautiful sights; it would take three days and three nights to describe them all. It would be best if you could find time to visit the Northern Frontier cultivation world; we'll take you on a proper tour." Wang Changsheng and the other two agreed, leaving the timing of their visit up to themselves.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I've heard that the South Sea is rich in demon beast resources. Besides that, there are also many forbidden ruins. Is this true?" Li Ling'er asked with some curiosity.

Wang Ruyan smiled charmingly and said, "Naturally, it's true. The South Sea is rich in demon beast resources, but hunting demon beasts carries great risks. As for the forbidden ruins, there are indeed many treasures, but they are also very dangerous; a slight misstep can lead to death."

"We heard there's a Murong family in the South Sea that was once the foremost of the Ten Great Cultivation Families of the South Sea. Fellow Daoist Murong, you must have heard of the Murong family, right?" Wuchang said with a half-smile.

Murong Bo gave a wry smile and explained, "Of course, I've heard of them. We can't compare to the Murong family. Tsk tsk, the foremost cultivation family in the South Sea—just that title alone is captivating."

"The Murong family was long ago wiped out," Wang Changsheng casually remarked. "However, rumor has it that they left behind a secret realm, said to contain countless rare treasures. It's unknown whether that's true or false." Wang Changsheng said this offhand. After entering the Nascent Soul stage, he had sent people to gather intelligence on the forbidden ruins in the South Sea, and the rumors about the Murong family's secret realm, said to contain countless rare treasures, were among them.

"Most rumors aren't credible," Murong Bo chuckled and said. "Rumor also has it that the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple can contend with cultivators at the mid-Nascent Soul stage!"

Wang Ruyan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Murong is right; rumors are just rumors, after all. I heard that the Murong royal family has a spiritual medicine called the Beast Origin Pill, which can heal the injuries of demon beasts. I would like to buy a Beast Origin Pill from you, Fellow Daoist Murong. I wonder if you would be willing to part with one." The Sea-Quelling Ape was severely wounded; without a pill, it would not recover anytime soon.

Murong Bo shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Madam Wang. The materials for refining Beast Origin Pills are too precious. We have very few left in our clan and do not easily sell them."

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Wuchang said with a wry smile, "don't waste your efforts. The Beast Origin Pill is a sacred healing medicine on par with the Nine-Transformation Disaster-Averting Pill. I've known Fellow Daoist Murong for many years, and he wouldn't even sell me one, let alone you."

After chatting for more than half an hour, they left the teahouse and returned to their respective homes.