Chapter 1494: Siyu Mei

Five Dragon Sea, Qinglian Island.

On Bailing Peak, inside a spacious and brightly lit hall, Wang Qingling sat on the main seat, while Wang Yingjie stood respectfully to one side.

Wang Qingling has over a thousand descendants, but most are Qi Refining cultivators. Only Wang Yingjie has reached the Core Formation stage. Influenced by Wang Qingling, Wang Yingjie raised many spirit insects and beasts.

When Wang Yingjie achieved Core Formation with a five-element spiritual root aptitude, Wang Qingling was startled. Beyond her surprise, she became even more concerned about his cultivation, periodically bestowing elixirs upon him.

Wang Yingjie was set up as an example by the family, encouraging other clan members to learn from him.

"Yingjie, your aptitude isn't good. You must cultivate diligently. Don't be like me, raising so many spirit insects and beasts; I am different from you." Wang Qingling's tone was stern. As an only daughter, the wealth accumulated over two generations had been spent on her. Additionally, there were not many clan members of the "Qing" generation, making her relatively outstanding, which allowed her to raise so many spirit beasts and insects. Wang Yingjie's parents died when he was very young; his achievements today were due partly to the family and partly to fortunate encounters.

Frankly, Wang Qingling was not optimistic about Wang Yingjie's five-element spiritual root aptitude. For over ten thousand years, only Five-Spirit Rogue Cultivator, a five-element cultivator, had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. The Wang family was now strong and competitive, making it exceptionally difficult for Wang Yingjie to form his Nascent Soul. If he continued to raise many spirit insects and beasts, his chances would become even slimmer.

Wang Qingling cultivated the "Spirit Control Compendium," benefiting when her spirit beasts advanced. Wang Yingjie, however, cultivated Five-Element techniques; the two were incomparable.

"Grand Ancestor's teachings, your grandson will bear them in mind," Wang Yingjie replied without hesitation, his expression respectful. He knew well that reaching the Core Formation stage was already incredibly difficult for him. Core Formation cultivators required over ten times the cultivation resources of Foundation Establishment cultivators. As a five-element spiritual root, his cultivation speed was inherently slow, and spending vast resources on nurturing spirit insects and beasts would leave him virtually no hope of forming a Nascent Soul.

Wang Qingling flipped her hand, and a light-green porcelain bottle appeared. She handed it to Wang Yingjie, encouraging him, "This bottle of elixirs will benefit your cultivation. Take it! Cultivate diligently; I hope you become the second Five-Spirit Rogue Cultivator."

"Thank you for the Grand Ancestor's bestowal," Wang Yingjie said, accepting the green porcelain bottle with both hands, his expression excited.

Wang Qingling gave a few more instructions before dismissing him to continue his cultivation.

In a secluded courtyard in Jinlian Market, Zhang Wuchen and Lin Yuzong were chatting in a stone pavilion. Zhang Wuchen looked excited, while Lin Yuzong's face was filled with worry.

They had gathered many rare spiritual herbs, a good number of which were four or five thousand years old. Zhang Wuchen was confident she could advance to the late Nascent Soul stage within a century, with a certain chance of reaching the Spirit Transformation stage.

Because Zhang Wuchen had used the Silver Moon Spirit-Slaying Blade, and a Nascent Soul cultivator had managed to escape, they dared not stay long in Northern Xinjiang, nor did they dare return to Qingli Island. Instead, they hid in Jinlian Market. They had disguised themselves and concealed their aura before entering Jinlian Market, so the Wang family was unaware of their presence.

"Your injuries haven't healed yet. Focus on recovering! Once I reach the late Nascent Soul stage, I will go seek revenge on my senior sister. What belongs to me, Situ Mei, must be returned to me, haha!" Zhang Wuchen cackled menacingly. Her true identity was Situ Mei, the former Vice Palace Master of the Moon Palace in the Sun-Moon Palace.

Lin Yuzong hesitated slightly, then frowned and said, "The three major sects sent four Nascent Soul cultivators just to guard those spiritual herbs? I always feel something is amiss. Those murals we saw in the spiritual herb garden, it's as if something terrifying is sealed there."

"Why care so much? We're fine as we are. If something is sealed there, even better! Kill all the cultivators from the Nine Nether Sect; let them oppose me. Anyone who opposes me will die." Zhang Wuchen said nonchalantly, her face full of murderous intent.

Lin Yuzong started to speak but then stopped, glancing at Zhang Wuchen's murderous face, swallowing the words he was about to say.

Sun-Moon Palace, Sun-Moon Divine Hall.

Du Xu and Fang Yue sat on the main seats, both frowning deeply.

Song Tianyang was gravely reporting to them about the fierce insects in Northern Xinjiang.

"Hmph, who does Shangguan Wei think she is? Uniting with other sects to rush to the South Sea and flatten our Sun-Moon Palace? Does she truly believe the Nine Nether Sect is still the top sect in Northern Xinjiang? It's just other forces elevating them." Du Xu said with disdain, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"The Silver Moon Spirit-Slaying Blade is our sect's unique spiritual art. Only the Palace Master and Vice Palace Master of the Moon Palace can cultivate it. Yue Hua has always been cultivating at the main headquarters, so this matter is a frame-up." Fang Yue's expression turned cold. Three words, "Situ Mei," surfaced in her mind. If Situ Mei were still alive, she would absolutely have the strength to break into the Puppet Emperor's Tomb.

After a moment of thought, she instructed, "Tianyang, you may leave! During this period, maintain strict vigilance. This matter must not be spread outside."

"Yes, Madam," Song Tianyang replied, bowing and withdrawing.

"Could Junior Sister Situ really not be dead? Could she survive self-detonating her Nascent Soul on the spot?" Du Xu muttered to himself, an incredulous expression on his face.

Fang Yue nodded, "She is unscrupulous in her actions. I also didn't expect her to be so ruthless, not just to others, but even more so to herself. If someone hadn't recognized the Silver Moon Spirit-Slaying Blade, we would still be in the dark. She must still be alive. Someone must have helped her erase her tracks back then; otherwise, it would have been impossible to escape our investigation."

"Whether she is alive or dead doesn't matter. If this matter isn't handled properly, we will face big trouble. Although it's unlikely the ten major sects of Northern Xinjiang would truly come to the South Sea to destroy our Sun-Moon Palace, becoming an unwarranted scapegoat and falling out with the ten major sects of Northern Xinjiang would be unwise."

The most crucial task now is to eliminate those fierce insects. The Sun-Moon Wheel, the Sun-Moon Palace's treasured artifact, is an item of supreme yang and hardness, capable of dealing with the fierce insects. However, the Sun-Moon Palace already has a private feud with the Nine Nether Sect. If they were to take their treasured artifact to eradicate the fierce insects, who knows if Shangguan Wei would seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow? Shangguan Wei is notoriously vengeful.

"The Nine Yang Bottle, one of the Nine Yang Sect's three treasured artifacts, is also an item of supreme yang and hardness. Let's send someone to greet Fellow Daoist Li! As for whether Fellow Daoist Li is willing to go, that depends on what price the ten major sects of Northern Xinjiang offer. We must find Situ Mei, the Nascent Soul cultivator who wields musical artifacts. A man and a woman, the 'Qinglian Immortal Couple,' somewhat match the characteristics of the culprits. Appearances can be changed, and voices can be altered."

Fang Yue's gaze was uncertain. Could Wang Ruyan be Situ Mei? It was possible. If that were the case, this matter would indeed be difficult to handle. The Wang family was backed by the Taiyi Immortal Sect and the Myriad Sword Sect. More troublesome still, Wang Qingshan was the grand-disciple of Liu Ye, a Spirit Transformation cultivator from the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Taking action against the Wang family would have too great an impact, and if they made a mistake, it would be problematic.

"We'll contact the Myriad Sword Sect directly and have them investigate this matter. As long as it's proven that the 'Qinglian Immortal Couple' has been in the South Sea all along, that will suffice. If the 'Qinglian Immortal Couple' happens to be in Northern Xinjiang, then we'll inform the Nine Nether Sect! Let the Nine Nether Sect cause trouble for the Wang family. As long as we are alive, I doubt Shangguan Wei would dare to set foot in the South Sea, or else she won't return alive." Du Xu said coldly, his eyes filled with a chilling light.

This matter involved the ten major sects of Northern Xinjiang, so the Myriad Sword Sect would certainly not dare to cover it up. It would be better to have the Myriad Sword Sect conduct the investigation. As for Situ Mei, after so many years, she must have shown some clues. With careful investigation, finding Situ Mei's whereabouts would only be a matter of time.

Fang Yue nodded and said solemnly, "The turmoil in the South Sea has only recently subsided, and now fierce insects have appeared in Northern Xinjiang. The balance of the Central Plains cultivation world is about to be broken. It seems something major is about to happen in the Eastern Barren Realm. I just don't know if it will be more terrifying than the demon calamity over four thousand years ago."

As she finished speaking, a hint of worry appeared in her eyes.