Chapter 1364: Home Visit for Guidance

Golden Mirror Island is situated in the southern Fire Dolphin Sea, stretching 735 li in length and 320 li in width. The island is abundant with Golden Glaze Spirit Trees, which, when illuminated by sunlight, reflect shimmering golden rays, making the island resemble a colossal golden mirror.

Golden Mirror Island serves as the stronghold of Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror. Besides this island, he also controls 278 other islands. Over the years, leveraging his Mid-Nascent Soul cultivation, Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror has employed a strategy of befriending distant allies while attacking nearby rivals, successfully annexing 121 islands. Nascent Soul cultivators from other factions found themselves outmatched and were forced to grudgingly surrender their territories.

Golden Mirror Island currently boasts one Nascent Soul cultivator, nine Core Formation cultivators, and four thousand disciples. Unlike the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, Golden Mirror Island operates as an autocracy under Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror, with all political and military commands unified. Consequently, there are no significant internal rifts among the island's cultivators.

On a towering peak adorned with exotic flowers and rare plants, within a magnificent palace of golden bricks and glazed tiles, Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror sat silently on the main seat, while Song Yuning brewed tea by his side.

"Husband, I heard you were trapped by Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign's sword formation. Are you alright?" Song Yuning asked, her face etched with concern, as she poured a cup of tea for Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror.

"I'm fine," he replied with a light chuckle. "His strength is indeed formidable, but I believe he also took a hit. Otherwise, why would he be so quick to suggest a draw?" He explained that after he broke Wang Qingshan's sword formation, Wang Qingshan's proposal of a draw naturally implied he had suffered a hidden attack.

"Took a hit?" Song Yuning asked curiously. "But he seemed perfectly fine, didn't he? How could he have taken a hit?"

"By a stroke of luck, I acquired a spirit art called 'Spirit Slaying Golden Light'," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror explained. "This art is challenging to master, but it's an incredibly potent weapon for subtle attacks. I've used it to eliminate numerous formidable adversaries. Wang Qingshan is merely at the Early Nascent Soul stage; even if he managed to withstand the Spirit Slaying Golden Light, he must have been injured. If he wasn't, why would he have suggested a draw?"

"Spirit Slaying Golden Light? That's a spirit art ranked twenty-ninth on the Heaven and Earth Spirit Arts List!" Song Yuning exclaimed, her face showing both surprise and envy. "Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign must have had a rough time." Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror had always kept this particular art a secret from her; she had never heard of it, nor had he ever revealed its existence.

"This spirit art requires a long cultivation period and comes with numerous restrictions," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror began. "You can't learn it just yet, which is why I hadn't told you. I'll teach it to you after some time..."

Before Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror could finish speaking, Li Feng walked in quickly, his expression one of panic.

"Master," Li Feng announced, "True Monarch Taihao has arrived and wishes to visit you."

Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror frowned. Wang Changsheng had arrived at his doorstep shortly after his return to Golden Mirror Island. Was he here to avenge Wang Qingshan, or did he have an ulterior motive?

"Is True Monarch Taihao alone, or are the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple together?"

"Only True Monarch Taihao, Master, no one else," Li Feng replied. "Also, True Monarch Taihao has already reached the Mid-Nascent Soul stage." Having received numerous Nascent Soul cultivators before, Li Feng could naturally discern the difference between the Mid-Nascent Soul and Early Nascent Soul stages.

After a moment of thought, Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror instructed, "Invite True Monarch Taihao in, bring him to the Golden Mirror Hall, strengthen our defenses, and be cautious of any surprise attacks." Just as he could lead other forces to attack the Golden Saber Sect, Wang Changsheng could similarly rally forces to assault Golden Mirror Island. Wang Changsheng's solo visit undoubtedly indicated he had a strong reliance or plan.

"Yes, Master," Li Feng affirmed. Li Feng promptly agreed and departed to execute the order. Song Yuning remained silent, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes.

Outside Golden Mirror Island, the Kirin Tortoise floated on the sea, with Wang Changsheng standing indifferently on its back. The Kirin Tortoise held half a giant python in its mouth, slowly devouring it before submerging its head into the seawater to wash off the blood.

A streak of green light emerged, revealing Li Feng. "Senior Wang, my master invites you," Li Feng said respectfully, making a welcoming gesture. He felt a surge of nervousness, remembering that over ninety years ago, he had been dispatched by Song Yuning to investigate the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple's whereabouts and had been discovered by Wang Tianwen while staking out their residence.

Wang Changsheng nodded, dismissed the Kirin Tortoise, and followed Li Feng as they flew towards the island.

Soon after, they landed in a vast golden stone plaza, entirely paved with a type of golden jade, exuding an air of lavish opulence. After ascending forty-nine steps, a dazzling and majestic palace emerged before them. A lacquered gold plaque prominently displayed the three silver characters "Golden Mirror Hall."

Inside the Golden Mirror Hall, the main chamber was luxuriously adorned but empty; Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror had not yet arrived. "Senior Wang, my master will arrive shortly," Li Feng stated. "Please have a seat for a moment." With that, Li Feng bowed and withdrew.

Wang Changsheng narrowed his eyes, remaining in place as he quietly waited. After a moment, golden patterns illuminated the golden jade floor, forming a pale golden array. Wang Changsheng appeared unfazed, smiling as he said, "Since Fellow Daoist Jin has arrived, please reveal yourself!"

A large expanse of golden runes shot forth from the golden jade, blurring momentarily before coalescing into the form of Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, what an honor your visit is," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror said, settling into the main seat. "I apologize for not coming out to greet you. Please, have a seat." Soon after, Li Feng entered, carrying a steaming cup of spirit tea, which he placed on the table.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror said warmly, his gaze fixed on Wang Changsheng, "this is our Golden Dew Spirit Tea, unique to Golden Mirror Island. Please try it."

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly and picked up the teacup. The tea was a pale golden hue, with a few golden tea leaves floating within, emitting a unique, exotic aroma. He took a sip without hesitation, understanding that refusing would suggest he had something to hide. Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror breathed a sigh of relief as Wang Changsheng drank the tea without hesitation. He certainly wouldn't poison it; true poisons capable of killing Nascent Soul cultivators were exceedingly rare, and even the Ten Great Poisons couldn't instantly incapacitate such a cultivator. Still, Wang Changsheng's readiness to drink the tea significantly eased his mind.

"Excellent tea, indeed worthy of being Golden Mirror Island's unique spirit tea," Wang Changsheng complimented. "Fellow Daoist Jin, I have long heard of your profound Daoist cultivation, and I have specifically come here to seek your guidance. Would you be willing to impart some wisdom?" Wang Changsheng exchanged a brief courtesy, then promptly got straight to the point.

"A sparring match!" Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror exclaimed, slightly stunned, his gaze filled with surprise and uncertainty. Had Wang Changsheng specifically come here to spar with him? Could Wang Qingshan have been severely injured in their previous encounter? Was Wang Changsheng here to avenge his nephew?

"What? Is Fellow Daoist Jin inconvenienced?" Wang Changsheng asked, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He had heard that Wang Qingshan and Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror's spar had been an even match.

"Not at all," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror responded, "but I recently sparred with your nephew. How about this: we limit it to five moves. If Fellow Daoist Wang can withstand five moves from me, then I will concede defeat." A sparring match could be brief or protracted, and if it went awry, Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror's life could be in peril. He couldn't discern Wang Changsheng's true objective: was it to avenge Wang Qingshan, or was he merely using the spar as a pretext to compel Golden Mirror Island into making concessions on certain issues?

"Five moves? No need for such trouble," Wang Changsheng confidently stated. "Three moves will suffice. Fellow Daoist Jin, how about you withstand three moves from me?" Wang Changsheng appeared brimming with confidence, also eager to test his own strength.

"Alright, three moves it is," Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror agreed.

Soon, they appeared in a vast open area, with no other person within a hundred li radius. Song Yuning and Li Feng stood some distance away, both their expressions solemn. Song Yuning's gaze was somber. Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign had fought Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror to a draw, and even if it was just a verbal agreement, it indicated Wang Qingshan's considerable strength; otherwise, Rogue Cultivator Golden Mirror would not have conceded a tie. True Monarch Taihao had been renowned for a long time and had cultivated to the Mid-Nascent Soul stage; his divine abilities were likely no inferior to Wang Qingshan's.