Chapter 1485: Target Appears

With a flick of his two fingers, a white light shot out and vanished into the blue water curtain. The blue water curtain instantly froze, transforming into a massive white ice sphere that enveloped both him and the Twin-Pupil Rat.

Yellow sound waves struck the white ice sphere, causing tiny cracks to appear on its surface. Soon after, with a tremendous crash, the white ice sphere fragmented.

The Twin-Pupil Rat, not yet finished, let out an extremely sharp roar, and waves of yellow sound waves surged forth.

Through the connection he had established with the Twin-Pupil Rat, Wang Changsheng could clearly sense its condition. The immense demonic power contained within the fourth-grade mid-tier demon core was too potent, threatening to rupture its body. It needed to release some of this energy.

He summoned eighteen Sea Stabilizing Beads, and with a flick of his incantation, the eighteen beads spun rapidly. They swelled in size, releasing a vast expanse of seawater that formed a colossal blue water curtain, enveloping both him and the Twin-Pupil Rat.

The yellow sound waves struck the blue water curtain, creating ripples, but the blue water curtain remained perfectly intact.

The ground tore open, sending dust flying. However, the dust automatically dissipated within ten zhang of Wang Changsheng.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Twin-Pupil Rat's body quickly shrank, and it fell into a deep sleep.

Wang Changsheng carefully examined the Twin-Pupil Rat, confirming it was merely in a deep sleep with no abnormalities. Only then did he feel relieved, returning it to his Spirit Beast Orb.

He performed another incantation, and the eighteen Sea Stabilizing Beads swiftly shrank, flying back into his sleeve and vanishing. The seawater then receded back into the lake.

A sound transmission talisman flew in. Wang Changsheng flicked two fingers, sending out a blue light that accurately struck the talisman. Wang Mengyang's voice abruptly rang out: "Old Ancestor, your grandson is here."

Wang Changsheng restored his true appearance and opened the courtyard door. Wang Mengyang stood at the entrance, and Wang Changsheng invited him inside.

"Your grandson greets Old Ancestor," Wang Mengyang bowed respectfully, his expression reverent.

He truly hadn't expected to encounter Wang Changsheng in this place.

Wang Changsheng asked gently, "Mengyang, you haven't told anyone else about my presence here, have you?"

"No, Old Ancestor, not even my cultivation partner is aware."

Wang Mengyang replied truthfully, understanding that Wang Changsheng's disguised presence here must be for an important matter.

Wang Changsheng inquired about Wang Mengyang's situation, and the latter answered truthfully. The Qinglian Merchant Association collected cultivation resources throughout the Eastern Barren Realm, selling a portion to Wang Mengyang. Wang Mengyang then resold these resources, earning substantial profits for the Heavenly Wind Commercial Alliance. His status had continuously risen, his authority expanded, and he frequently participated in major auctions, using these opportunities to gather materials for the family.

"You've done very well. By the way, the Heavenly Wind Commercial Alliance will be staying in Golden Eagle Market for a while, won't it? Please keep an eye out for any cultivators, especially rogue cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, who might be inquiring about fourth-grade flood dragon essence blood. Notify me immediately if you hear anything."

Wang Changsheng instructed gravely, believing Wang Mengyang's assistance might make things easier.

"Yes, Old Ancestor," Wang Mengyang replied without hesitation. This was a simple favor for him.

Wang Changsheng retrieved a green storage bag and handed it to Wang Mengyang, saying gently, "Mengyang, these items will be beneficial for your cultivation; please accept them."

Wang Mengyang quickly thanked him, his face alight with joy as he accepted the bag.

"Oh, and Old Ancestor, this is what you asked me to procure: the corpse and inner core of a fourth-grade Soul-Devouring Serpent."

Wang Mengyang took out an exquisite jade casket and presented it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng accepted the jade casket, gave a few final instructions, and then dismissed Wang Mengyang.

He opened the jade casket; inside lay a black jade box and a small black serpent, approximately three feet long. The serpent had a golden fleshy crest on its head and silver patterns along its belly. It was lifeless.

"A Soul-Devouring Serpent!"

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood; no wonder his Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada had reacted. Soul-Devouring Serpents also feed on spirits and typically inhabit areas rich in Yin energy.

Soul-Devouring Serpents aren't large; only their inner core holds significant value. Otherwise, a mere section of ten-thousand-year-old Ghost-Yin Wood wouldn't have been enough to acquire it.

With a flick of his wrist, the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada flew out. It had even devoured ghost creatures at the Nascent Soul stage, yet still hadn't advanced to the fourth grade.

The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada chirped excitedly, its wings fluttering incessantly. It appeared to be very interested in the Soul-Devouring Serpent's corpse and inner core.

Wang Changsheng opened the black jade box, revealing an egg-sized black demon core. The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada immediately spewed a golden light that enveloped the black demon core and the Soul-Devouring Serpent's corpse, drawing them into its mouth. It chirped excitedly, darting erratically around the courtyard.

After approximately seven and a half minutes, the Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada flew back to Wang Changsheng, drowsily landing on his hand.

Wang Changsheng placed it back into the Spirit Beast Orb and returned to his dwelling to cultivate.

Three days passed quickly.

From the Golden Eagle Palace, a tall, yellow-robed youth emerged. It was Huang Yuxu, now in disguise.

He had traveled to other sea regions to search for fourth-grade flood dragon essence blood, and indeed, he had managed to gather some information. Unfortunately, the person in possession of it had an urgent matter and couldn't attend. He had consequently missed the large auction held at Golden Eagle Market, inadvertently escaping a potential calamity.

Soon after, Huang Yuxu appeared before the entrance of a magnificent palace. A golden plaque above the palace gates bore the three large silver characters: "Golden Eagle Palace."

Two Foundation Establishment stage guards stood watch at the entrance, barring ordinary people from entering.

"This old man wishes to speak with Madam Li Ru; please inform her," Huang Yuxu stated in a deep voice. Li Ru was one of the two Nascent Soul cultivators overseeing Golden Eagle Market, and he intended to inquire about fourth-grade flood dragon essence blood from her.

"Senior, please wait a moment. This junior will go and inform her."

Soon after, a graceful young woman in a green dress emerged; it was Li Ru herself.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, long time no see. Let's go inside to talk."

Since Huang Yuxu had introduced himself as Zhao, Li Ru naturally addressed him as Fellow Daoist Zhao.

The two entered a side chamber and sat down on meditation cushions.

After a few brief pleasantries, Huang Yuxu got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Li, is there any news regarding fourth-grade flood dragon essence blood?"

"Did Fellow Daoist Zhao not attend the auction? What a pity. Someone brought out the essence blood of a fourth-grade high-grade flood dragon at the auction. Though diluted, it would certainly be perfectly fine for alchemy."

Li Ru said with a tone of regret. She herself had desired to acquire the fourth-grade high-grade flood dragon essence blood but had been unable to trade for it.

"What? Fourth-grade high-grade flood dragon essence blood? Is the fellow Daoist who possesses it still in the market?"

Huang Yuxu's expression shifted, his face filled with regret. Had he known, he wouldn't have wasted time wandering elsewhere; he would have stayed put in the market.

Li Ru's face showed an apologetic expression as she said, "I'm not entirely sure if they're still in the market. You might inquire with Fellow Daoist Chen of the Heavenly Wind Commercial Alliance."

She didn't have a close relationship with Huang Yuxu, so naturally she wouldn't willingly disclose Immortal Zi Yue's whereabouts. Otherwise, if Immortal Zi Yue were ever ambushed and killed, wouldn't she be considered an accomplice?