Chapter 1420: The Murderer Punished

South Sea, Myriad Swords Sect.

Inside Myriad Swords Hall, Baili Yi sat in the main seat, flanked by over a dozen Myriad Swords Sect elders, all bearing solemn expressions.

The ten major sects of the South Sea had joined forces to hunt down Zhou Sihong with grand fanfare. However, they failed to kill him, and instead, a number of their high-level cultivators were killed or injured. Regardless of how severe Zhou Sihong's injuries were, he was still alive. This was a direct slap in the face to the ten major sects of the South Sea. Zhou Sihong had used a secret technique to go into hiding, and no one knew his whereabouts. They could only intensify their patrols, as there was no other recourse.

“Sect Master Brother, do you have any news of Zhou Sihong?” Dai Ren broke the silence. This matter was disgraceful to speak of, yet it was the truth.

Baili Yi shook his head. “No, that guy used some secret technique; even Xuan Yuanzi couldn't divine his location. Xuan Yuanzi has made two consecutive attempts; in the short term, he won't be divining again—that would be no different from killing him. We can only intensify our efforts.”

“Sect Master Uncle, I heard the Wang family has taken control of the ruins of a major cultivation sect. Should we make them hand it over?” The Myriad Swords Sect was busy apprehending Zhou Sihong, but that didn't mean they were cut off from news.

“That ruin is located deep within the Myriad Ghosts Sea Domain and is guarded by a Nascent Soul stage ghostly creature. No one has actually seen the ruin, so who knows if it’s real or not?”

“I'd say it's very likely true. The Azure Lotus Immortal Couple were inconspicuous before forming their Nascent Souls, but their reputation soared afterward. It's clear they obtained some valuable treasure. The Wang family should hand over the ruin; we can give them some compensation, like two Nascent Soul formation spiritual items and several hundred islands. Only our Myriad Swords Sect can make the best use of it.”

“This might not be appropriate! Even if this news is true, everyone has their own fortuitous encounters. The Wang family isn't an ordinary affiliated family; they have the backing of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. I think we should treat it as if nothing happened. If the Wang family is willing to hand it over, we can give them a reward. If not, we'll act as if nothing happened.”

The high-level cultivators of the Myriad Swords Sect argued endlessly, each holding their own opinion.

Baili Yi waved his hand and asked Dai Ren, “Junior Brother Dai, what do you think?”

“We don't know the details of the ruin. What treasures does it hold? How large is it? Which sect's ruin is it? For a ruin that may not even exist, I don't think we should demand it from the Wang family. The most important point is that a Soul Transformation cultivator from the Taiyi Immortal Sect made an appearance. He went to Azure Lotus Mountain Villa to support Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign and explicitly stated that Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign was his disciple's grandson. Do you still think we should demand that ruin from the Wang family?” Dai Ren said slowly. “Liu Yebi almost came to blows with Bai Xin over Wang Qingshan. Is the Myriad Swords Sect going to offend Liu Yebi for a ruin whose circumstances are unknown?”

Soul Transformation cultivators do not easily make a move; this is a consensus in the cultivation world. Just because Soul Transformation cultivators rarely show themselves doesn't mean they don't care about their reputation. As soon as these words were spoken, the cultivators present were speechless.

“Let's drop this matter. Offending a Soul Transformation cultivator for a ruin whose situation is unknown is a very foolish thing to do. By the way, judging by the time, the Flying Immortal Ruins should be opening soon, right? Let's give the Wang family a few slots; it would be doing them a favor. The Azure Lotus Immortal Couple forming their Nascent Souls triggered a phenomenon—this indicates great fortune. Back then, the Four Seasons Sword Sovereign triggered a phenomenon when he formed his Nascent Soul and founded the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Who's to say the Wang family won't become one of the ten major cultivation families in the South Sea? Providing help when it's most needed is better than merely adding to what's already splendid.” Baili Yi said in a deep voice, “The Azure Lotus Immortal Couple obtained the ruins of a major cultivation sect, simultaneously formed their Nascent Souls, and then triggered a phenomenon, rising to prominence in the South Sea. This is truly great fortune.”

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the rise of the Wang family was only a matter of time. Baili Yi was willing to give the Wang family a push, considering it an act of forging a good relationship.

“Yes, Sect Master Brother!” and “Yes, Sect Master Uncle!” Dai Ren and the others agreed in unison, their expressions respectful.

“Junior Brother Dai, you are close with the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple, so why don't you make a trip to Azure Lotus Island?”

“Yes, Sect Master Brother.”

Five Dragons Sea Domain, Azure Lotus Island. Azure Lotus Peak, a certain secret chamber.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, surrounded by numerous puppet beasts and artifact refining materials. After returning from the Myriad Ghosts Sea Domain, Wang Changsheng began to refine a large number of Rank 3 puppet beasts, hoping to someday be able to refine Rank 4 ones.

A mass of light golden liquid floated before him, enveloped by a layer of blue flame. From time to time, he dropped a piece of metal ore into the golden liquid, which gradually expanded. After a while, Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal. Under the control of his divine sense, the golden liquid gradually transformed into a golden ape about a zhang tall, its entire body glittering like gold foil. Wang Changsheng took out a green jade bottle, struck a hand seal into it, and a large amount of silver powder flew out, merging into the golden ape's body. Silver spirit runes appeared on the golden ape's surface, constantly flickering with spiritual light. Wang Changsheng retracted his hand seal, and the golden ape landed on the ground. He had only refined the model; it still required a series of processing steps to be completed as a Rank 3 puppet beast.

Wang Changsheng frowned slightly, took out a constantly flickering blue spiritual disc from his robes, and struck a hand seal into it, his expression changing. He hastily put away the blue spiritual disc and walked out.

Wang Ruyan, Ye Haitang, Wang Qingling, and Wang Qiuming were gathered together, with a young woman of captivating figure standing nearby.

“Haitang, Qingling, are you sure?” Wang Changsheng quickly walked over, his tone anxious.

Ye Haitang had first gone to the Northern Border, then to the Central Plains, and unexpectedly managed to capture a killer, achieving something neither Wang Changsheng nor Wang Ruyan had been able to do. Ye Haitang nodded affirmingly and said, “I've tried it many times with the Yellow Springs Bewitching Soul Grand Art, and there's no doubt. She is the killer. Uncle, you can try with a Soul Search Art.”

Wang Changsheng took a deep breath, quickly stepped forward, and placed his right hand on Sun Linlin's forehead. A dazzling white light emerged from his palm. Just then, Sun Linlin's face contorted in pain, a large area of profound black spirit runes appeared on her face, and her head suddenly burst open. Almost simultaneously with her head bursting open, a large expanse of blue light erupted around Wang Changsheng, enveloping Sun Linlin. Blood stained Wang Changsheng's clothes red, but none splattered onto the others. Clearly, a restriction had been planted in Sun Linlin's sea of consciousness; it would trigger if anyone attempted to probe it. This sudden turn of events somewhat surprised all four of them, but they said nothing.

Ye Haitang flipped her hand and took out a black banner, about a foot long, its surface shrouded in flickering dark light. She gently shook it, and a large expanse of black spiritual mist flew out, enveloping the corpse and drawing an egg-sized green light mass into the black banner. The green light mass was Sun Linlin's primordial spirit. Even in death, Ye Haitang would not let her rest easily; she intended for her to suffer torment day and night, unable to live or die, thus avenging her brother's murder.

“Since it's confirmed that the Nine Nether Sect is the culprit, then it will be simple.” Wang Changsheng took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a cold glint.