Chapter 1422: Preparation

Without permission from the ten major sects, it was impossible to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins for treasure hunting. Even the Ye family was only granted three spots.

The Immortal Relic Ruins are home to fourth-tier demonic beasts, making them equivalent to a Heavenly-grade secret realm.

Each time the Immortal Relic Ruins opened, the ten major sects dispatched individuals to search for treasures. They allocated spots to their affiliated forces to minimize casualties.

During the first opening of the Immortal Relic Ruins, the ten major sects and ten prominent immortal cultivation families of the South Sea each sent fifteen Core Formation cultivators. In the end, only just over fifty Core Formation cultivators survived and left the ruins. Most perished there, mainly at the hands of fourth-tier demonic beasts.

The Murong family, Zhenhai Sect, and Myriad Ghosts Sect had all previously sent people into the Immortal Relic Ruins and sustained heavy losses. The downfall of these three powers was, to some extent, connected to the Immortal Relic Ruins.

"Immortal Relic Ruins!"

Wang Changsheng looked thoughtful. He had obtained numerous ancient texts from the Zhenhai Sect's scripture pavilion, among which was a map of the Immortal Relic Ruins.

He had initially believed he wouldn't be able to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins for treasure hunting, so he was surprised when the Myriad Swords Sect proactively offered the Wang family five spots.

Unprovoked goodwill often hides deceit.

Did the Myriad Swords Sect really send Dai Ren specifically to deliver this news to Wang Changsheng? The Myriad Swords Sect seemed overly benevolent!

"Indeed! The Immortal Suppressing Pagoda originated from the Immortal Relic Ruins. However, treasure hunting there carries significant risks. You've heard of the Shen family, one of the ten major immortal cultivation families of the South Sea, right? During the last opening of the Immortal Relic Ruins, the Shen family sent ten Core Formation cultivators, but only two returned alive. I heard they encountered foreign races."

Wang Changsheng frowned and asked doubtfully, "Foreign races? Are there other races in the Immortal Relic Ruins?"

Dai Ren nodded and said, "Yes, but they are from other realms. According to the Myriad Swords Sect's research, the Immortal Relic Ruins are situated between several minor realms and the Spirit Realm. Every thousand years or so, the power of the realm interfaces weakens, making it possible for cultivators from other realms to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins. Since its initial opening, foreign races have only been encountered during the last time."

"Fellow Daoist Dai, do you have any other business besides the Immortal Relic Ruins?"

Wang Changsheng asked cautiously, having initially expected Dai Ren to inquire about the Zhenhai Sect ruins.

"No, that's all. Oh, by the way, congratulations to your Wang family on rebuilding Qinglian Mountain Manor. I heard that Senior Liu from the Taiyi Immortal Gate also made an appearance. Are you planning to return to the Eastern Wasteland for development in the future? The South Sea is rich in immortal cultivation resources, which is why there are ten major immortal cultivation families here. The strongest immortal cultivation family in the Eastern Wasteland is the Tang family, and you should be well aware of their background!"

The Myriad Flowers Palace was attacked by demonic beasts and severely weakened, and the discord between its two factions led to the rise of the Tang family.

If the Wang family were to migrate back to the Eastern Wasteland, they wouldn't fare well. What advancement could they achieve simply by farming?

Most of the spirit stone mines and metal ore veins in the Eastern Wasteland are controlled by the six great immortal sects. If the Wang family were to return to the Eastern Wasteland for development, they would only be able to rely on farming, which would be insufficient to support tens of thousands of clan members.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Dai, while the Eastern Wasteland is our ancestral land, the focus of our Wang family will remain in the South Sea."

Wang Changsheng naturally wouldn't move the family back to the Eastern Wasteland; doing so would render his centuries of effort meaningless. The Wang family's current standing was largely due to Wang Changsheng's expansion in the South Sea.

Of course, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's current success was largely due to their inheritance from the Zhenhai Sect. Such a profound foundation is difficult to quantify; only time can truly reveal its depth.

Hearing Wang Changsheng's reply, Dai Ren felt relieved and said with a smile, "That's for the best. The Myriad Swords Sect will not interfere with your family's affairs in the Eastern Wasteland. However, in the South Sea, as long as your Wang family obeys our Myriad Swords Sect's commands, we will protect your family."

"Naturally, our Wang family has always followed your esteemed sect's lead," Wang Changsheng replied. "Fellow Daoist Dai, when will the Immortal Relic Ruins open? And where is it located?"

"The Immortal Relic Ruins are in the Golden Toad Sea and will open in two years," Dai Ren explained. "They will remain open for over a month, so prepare well. This map records some dangerous areas within the Immortal Relic Ruins; do not share it with outsiders."

As Dai Ren spoke, he took out a green jade slip and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng quickly thanked him and accepted the green jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist Dai, thank you for coming all this way to Qinglian Island. This is a small token of my appreciation."

Wang Changsheng flipped his palm, retrieved a palm-sized green wooden box, and handed it to Dai Ren.

As Dai Ren was relatively close to the Wang family, Wang Changsheng naturally wanted to further cultivate their relationship, knowing that a generous gesture is never frowned upon.

Dai Ren opened the wooden box to find a fourth-tier demonic beast core inside, and his smile deepened.

"I was just in need of a fourth-tier demonic beast core for alchemy. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang."

After seeing Dai Ren off, Wang Changsheng had Wang Mengfen summon Wang Qingling, Ye Haitang, Wang Qiuming, Wang Qingjing, and Wang Huafeng, and he informed them about the Immortal Relic Ruins.

Wang Changsheng had the highest hopes for Wang Qingling and Ye Haitang, whose strengths were evident. Ye Haitang, in particular, possessed a Nascent Soul stage ghostly creature, which would enable her to survive even if she encountered a fourth-tier demonic beast in the Immortal Relic Ruins. Wang Qiuming, on the other hand, had risked his life to clear the thirty-fifth floor, making Wang Changsheng somewhat hesitant to let him enter the Immortal Relic Ruins.

"The Immortal Relic Ruins! Uncle, I am willing to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins for treasure hunting."

Ye Haitang volunteered. Having learned that the Nine Nether Sect was responsible for Ye Yutong's death, Ye Haitang yearned for revenge. The Nine Nether Sect was a powerful force, and even if Ye Haitang advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, she wouldn't be able to exact revenge unless she cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage. However, by the time she reached that level, the Nine Nether Sect would likely have recovered its strength, and if Shangguan Wei were to advance to the Soul Transformation stage, Ye Haitang would have virtually no hope of revenge.

Her hatred was directed at Shangguan Wei, not the Nine Nether Sect. This venture into the Immortal Relic Ruins presented an excellent opportunity.

If she obtained treasures from the Spirit Realm that had fallen to the lower realms, Ye Haitang's chances of revenge would significantly increase. Coincidentally, she was currently stuck at a bottleneck, and perhaps this opportunity could help her overcome it.

"Grandfather, your grandson also wishes to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins for treasure hunting," Wang Qiuming said. "This is an excellent opportunity to revitalize our family."

Wang Qiuming's gaze was firm. The Immortal Relic Ruins opened only once every thousand years, so Wang Qiuming naturally wouldn't let this chance pass.

Wang Qingling and the other three had no objections; they all desired to enter the Immortal Relic Ruins for treasure hunting.

"You have two years; prepare well!" Wang Changsheng said. "I will refine a few more treasures for your self-defense, but you must also be very careful yourselves."

After a few simple words, Wang Changsheng dismissed Wang Qingling and the other three, keeping Wang Qingjing.

"Qingjing, are you truly decided on entering the Immortal Relic Ruins?"

Wang Changsheng sighed. His descendants had spanned over a dozen generations, and while the deaths of his other children and grandchildren didn't greatly affect his emotions, he would find it very difficult to accept if anything happened to Wang Qingjing.

As a father, he wished for Wang Qingjing to live a safe and peaceful life. He didn't want her to take risks, nor did he want her to endure the same hardships that he and Wang Ruyan had experienced.

Wang Qingjing sighed and said with a smile, "Father, your daughter has grown up. You can protect me for a while, but not for my entire life. I've undergone considerable training over the years, and I know my strengths and weaknesses. I want to contribute to the family; I am also a part of it. Every time there's danger, I remain on Qinglian Island refining artifacts, and I feel ashamed of myself."