Chapter 1480: Clues?

"Senior Brother Wang, this gift is too valuable; I can't accept it without earning it..."

Fairy Ziyue intended to refuse, but before she could finish, Wang Changsheng interrupted her: "Junior Sister Tian, there's no need to be so polite. Our Wang family's puppet craftsmanship wouldn't have improved so rapidly over the years without your help. Several times, you nearly died, and it was all related to me. The East-Lí Realm might be facing great turmoil. With a fourth-tier puppet beast by your side, I'll feel much more at ease. Besides, I actually have something I need your help with!"

Wang Changsheng then recounted in detail the visit of True Monarch Tianyue to the Wang family and the purpose of their trip.

"If Huang Yuxu is still alive, he should have advanced to the Nascent Soul stage by now. Since he might be in the Myriad Ghost Sea, I'll accompany you on this journey. My great-grandfather, after all, indirectly died by his hand." A cold glint flickered in Fairy Ziyue's beautiful eyes. During their earlier trip to the Zhenhai Sect ruins, Huang Yuxu and True Monarch Huanglong had trailed Fairy Ziyue and Tian Jiong. Tian Jiong had stayed behind to cover Fairy Ziyue's retreat, which ultimately led to his demise.

"There's no rush for this matter; we won't find him immediately. By the way, these are thousand-year ironwood, along with a fourth-tier demonic beast soul. You can try to refine a fourth-tier puppet beast now." Wang Changsheng took out a green storage ring and handed it to Fairy Ziyue.

Fairy Ziyue didn't decline; she thanked him repeatedly and accepted both the storage ring and the fourth-tier puppet beast.

Fairy Ziyue took out tea leaves and brewed tea to entertain Wang Changsheng. The two of them drank tea while discussing puppet craftsmanship.

After most of the day had passed, Wang Changsheng bid farewell to Fairy Ziyue and arrived at a courtyard adorned with many green lotus flowers. Wang Tianqi and Wang Rongmiao reported on the situation at the Zhenhai Sect ruins to him.

The Zhenhai Sect ruins currently housed 2,076 cultivators. Among them were seven Core Formation cultivators. Wang Rongmiao had the highest cultivation at the seventh layer of Core Formation, while Wang Tianqi was only at the sixth layer. All of them were stuck at bottlenecks, and remaining at the Zhenhai Sect ruins would make it very difficult for them to overcome these obstacles. Besides them, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators were also trapped by bottlenecks. To resolve these, they needed to leave the Zhenhai Sect ruins and gain experience.

"Tianqi, Rongmiao, cultivate diligently. After some time, I will take you away from here. I'll send people to replace you. Please count the clan members who are stuck at bottlenecks; you'll take them with you when you leave." Wang Changsheng instructed. Hundreds of clan members being stuck at bottlenecks was a serious problem. Once Huang Yuxu was dealt with, he planned to transfer these clan members to the Central Plains, Northern Wilderness, and Eastern Barrens. In any case, they wouldn't remain in the South Sea, as a leak of information there would be troublesome.

"Yes, Great-Grandfather (Old Ancestor)." Wang Tianqi and Wang Rongmiao readily agreed. Both of them, coincidentally, showed a hint of joy. They could finally leave this place. While the spiritual energy here was abundant and their cultivation speed was fast, it was easy to encounter bottlenecks that were difficult to resolve.

Wang Changsheng inquired about their cultivation. Both of them practiced water-attribute cultivation methods, as did Wang Changsheng. After receiving his guidance, the two had a sudden realization, understanding some cultivation problems that had troubled them for a long time.

For the next seven days, Wang Changsheng either discussed puppet arts with Fairy Ziyue or guided Wang Tianqi and Wang Rongmiao in their cultivation. Both of them benefited greatly.

Atop a steep, ten-thousand-zhang peak, Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue stood, gazing into the distance.

Mists swirled, vaguely revealing perilous mountains and exotic peaks. Hundred-zhang-tall ancient trees formed vast stretches of forest. Strange beasts ran through the mountains, and peculiar birds circled high above. Through the mists, numerous buildings could be seen: some courtyards were perched on cliffs, others built over lakes, and some nestled halfway up mountains. A team of cultivators flew through the sky, riding clouds. In the vast spiritual fields, a group of farmers were diligently working.

Observing the prosperous scene on Zhenhai Sect Island, Wang Changsheng felt very content.

"How wonderful it would be if there were no conflicts in the world, and everyone could live happily." Fairy Ziyue sighed, speaking softly. Her years had not been easy; she had constantly hidden from the Sun Moon Palace's pursuers. Even on Green Lotus Island, she worried that the Sun Moon Palace would come knocking. Only here, she didn't have to worry about the Sun Moon Palace finding her.

Wang Changsheng let out a dry chuckle, gazing at the clan members working in the spiritual fields. He sighed and said, "Who wouldn't want that? But resources are limited. If you don't fight for them, others will. Even mortals will fight over resources. Wherever there are people, there are disputes. Conflicts are unavoidable. All we can do is make ourselves stronger, so we don't become someone else's prey."

Fairy Ziyue smiled but said nothing.

The next morning, Wang Changsheng summoned Wang Tianqi and Wang Rongmiao and instructed them: "Tianqi, Rongmiao, manage the clan members well. It won't be long before I take you away from here." Wang Changsheng gave a few more instructions, then departed the Zhenhai Sect ruins with Fairy Ziyue.

Golden Eagle Market, Huixian Pavilion.

In a private room on the third floor, Ye Haitang stood by the window. Through the half-open window, she could clearly see the faces of passing cultivators. Wang Ruyan sat nearby, drinking tea.

During this period, they had taken turns observing cultivators on the street, but it was useless; they hadn't discovered any trace of Huang Yuxu. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Huang Yuxu would certainly not use his true appearance. If he wanted to conceal his identity, he would naturally live a secluded life. Their current method was largely pointless; they could only hope that the auction would draw Huang Yuxu out.

Wang Ruyan suddenly took out a light green Dharma plate, and after casting a spell, Wang Jiyun's voice abruptly sounded: "Old Ancestor, your grandson has made a significant discovery. A Core Formation cultivator contacted me, promising to accept any price for fourth-tier flood dragon essence blood. He claimed it was on his master's orders. This person is a rogue cultivator by origin, and I've never heard him mention having a master before."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan analyzed that Huang Yuxu likely couldn't rely solely on his own power to collect fourth-tier flood dragon essence blood. It was highly probable that he would recruit some lower-tier cultivators to gather materials for him.

Wang Ruyan's eyes lit up. She instructed, "Don't alarm him. I'll be right there."

Half a quarter of an hour later, Wang Ruyan and Ye Haitang appeared at a small courtyard with green tiles. Wang Jiyun reported the situation to them.

"This person calls himself Zhang. He used to make a living by hunting Yin beasts, but in recent decades, he has rarely sold demonic beast materials. However, he frequently asks me about the whereabouts of fourth-tier flood dragon essence blood. He has always been your grandson's suspected target. He just contacted me again, saying that if there's any lead on fourth-tier flood dragon essence blood, any amount of spirit stones won't be an issue." Wang Jiyun said slowly, pointing to a portrait in Wang Ruyan's hand.

The portrait showed a black-robed man in his early forties, with a handsome face and sharp features.

"This person has always been active in various tea houses and taverns. He has rarely sold demonic beast materials in recent years, clearly indicating he has joined a major force, which is why he no longer needs to hunt demonic beasts." Wang Ruyan frowned and asked, "How do you know he no longer needs to hunt demonic beasts?"

"Your grandson made an agreement with him: if he acquired demonic beast materials, he would prioritize me, and if I found fourth-tier flood dragon essence blood, I would immediately inform him. Over these decades, he rarely sold demonic beast materials, so I questioned whether he was trading with others. He repeatedly explained, and only after your grandson pressed him, did he reveal that he had pledged allegiance to a Nascent Soul cultivator and no longer needed to hunt demonic beasts, instead being responsible for gathering demonic beast materials. There are many people like him."

Wang Ruyan suddenly understood. This practice wasn't unusual; the Wang family also recruited some Core Formation rogue cultivators, such as Sun Feiyang of the Flowing Cloud Sect, to help them gather information and collect demonic beast materials.

"We understand. You need to keep him stable and not reveal any clues. Leave the rest to us." Wang Ruyan instructed, naturally not wanting to lose the lead they had rarely found.

Wang Jiyun assented, bowed, and withdrew.

"Haitang, let's split up and act carefully so he doesn't discover us. Hopefully, this will lead us to Huang Yuxu." Wang Ruyan told Ye Haitang, a hint of excitement in her expression. After all this effort, they finally had a lead.

Ye Haitang nodded and said, "Understood, Aunt."