Chapter 1495: Qingshan Steps In

On Qinglian Island, there was a quiet courtyard with blue-tiled roofs.

Fairy Cailian and Wang Qingshan were chatting, with Wang Qingshan's brows deeply furrowed.

“What? You want me to go to the Northern Frontier to eliminate fierce insects?”

Wang Qingshan said with a frown. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but he felt somewhat surprised.

When disaster strikes, the most capable should bear the brunt. With a swarm of fierce insects appearing in the Northern Frontier, the ten major sects of the Northern Frontier should be the most concerned.

Fairy Cailian had returned to the Northern Frontier to handle the aftermath of True Monarch Tianyue's passing. Upon learning that a swarm of fierce insects had burst forth from the Puppet Emperor's Tomb, she immediately returned to the South Sea to ask Wang Qingshan for help.

Originally, she had intended to ask the Immortal Couple of Qinglian for assistance. She believed these fierce insects were the great calamity True Monarch Tianyue had spoken of, and that a calamity also presented a great opportunity. The Immortal Couple of Qinglian were destined to face this tribulation, making them the most suitable to go to the Northern Frontier to eliminate the insects. However, they were occupied and unable to leave, so she could only ask Wang Qingshan for help.

Fairy Cailian had grown up in the Northern Frontier and naturally did not wish to see it descend into a living hell. It was said that wherever the fierce insects passed, no living creature remained.

If she could persuade Wang Qingshan or the Immortal Couple of Qinglian to go to the Northern Frontier to deal with the insects, it could prevent the Northern Frontier from becoming a living hell. This was her responsibility, and indeed, the responsibility of all cultivators.

“With great power comes great responsibility”—this was the teaching True Monarch Tianyue had always imparted to Fairy Cailian.

Wang Qingshan pondered for a moment, then asked, “What is the origin of these fierce insects? How many are there? And what are their weaknesses?”

As this concerned the survival of humanity, Wang Qingshan naturally wouldn't refuse if he could contribute even a small effort.

“It's said that the Nether Spiders possess a trace of Ashura Spider bloodline, though it's very faint. They are extremely violent, devouring anything with spiritual energy, and they reproduce very quickly. Their exact numbers are unknown, but the Spider King is a peak fourth-tier creature. These insects are impervious to blades and spears, unaffected by water and fire. They are vulnerable to supreme Yang and supreme rigid treasures, as well as soul attacks. The ten major sects of the Northern Frontier have promised that anyone who participates in eliminating the Nether Spiders will receive generous compensation. The more effort contributed, the greater the reward. The cultivator with the greatest merit will be rewarded with a Spirit Treasure.”

Fairy Cailian explained in detail. With such generous rewards, brave individuals were bound to appear. The ten major sects of the Northern Frontier had offered many rare treasures, hoping to enlist powerful cultivators to resolve the Nether Spider threat.

Ashura Spiders were formidable, ferocious insects active during the primordial era, typically dwelling in the Yin-dense netherworld. They were exceedingly brutal, with adult Ashura Spiders feeding on dragons and phoenixes. Since these fierce insects possessed a trace of Ashura Spider bloodline, the ten major sects of the Northern Frontier named them Nether Spiders.

Wang Qingshan showed a hesitant expression. With his early Nascent Soul cultivation, he was naturally no match for the Spider King. However, he possessed the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire, which could incinerate all things in the world and happened to be a perfect counter to the Nether Spiders.

He wasn't acting on a whim. Publicly, eliminating these fierce insects would greatly benefit the Wang family's future development in the Northern Frontier. Privately, True Monarch Tianyue had died divining for the Wang family, and Fairy Cailian had personally asked for help, making it difficult for Wang Qingshan to refuse. Most importantly, he deeply agreed with True Monarch Tianyue's words: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Of course, Wang Qingshan would only participate; he wouldn't charge to the front. With two Spirit Treasures at hand, even if he couldn't win, retreating safely wouldn't be difficult, especially since there would be other Nascent Soul cultivators present.

“No problem,” Wang Qingshan said, “but it will have to be after some time. I can't leave right now.”

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had not yet returned, and Wang Qingling had only recently advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. Naturally, Wang Qingshan wouldn't leave at this time.

Fairy Cailian breathed a sigh of relief. She nodded and said, “No problem, but it's best not to delay too long. When the time comes, I will set off with you. The Northern Frontier is my homeland, and I also have a responsibility to eliminate these Nether Spiders.”

After chatting for a while, Fairy Cailian stood up to take her leave and returned to her residence to rest.

Wang Qingshan took out a light blue magic disk and activated it with a spell. Wang Ruyan’s voice suddenly rang out: “Qingshan, I'm back! Is everything alright with the family? I heard something happened in the Northern Frontier?”

“A swarm of fierce insects burst forth from the Puppet Emperor's Tomb in the Northern Frontier, Ninth Aunt. Your nephew will come to Qinglian Peak to explain it to you!”

“Alright, I'll wait for you on Qinglian Peak.”

Soon after, Wang Qingshan arrived at Qinglian Peak. Wang Ruyan had also just returned to Qinglian Peak.

On the way, she had heard about the swarm of fierce insects appearing in the Northern Frontier, killing many cultivators and mortals. It was said that the ten major sects of the Northern Frontier had offered high rewards to invite high-tier cultivators to eliminate the insects.

Wang Qingshan reiterated Fairy Cailian's words, and Wang Ruyan's brows furrowed deeply as she listened.

“It's indeed hard to refuse Fairy Cailian's invitation,” Wang Ruyan said. “Qingshan, your cultivation is too low. You should stay in the South Sea. Once your Ninth Uncle returns, we will make the trip ourselves!”

Wang Ruyan did not know that Wang Qingshan possessed the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire and was concerned for his safety.

Wang Qingshan smiled faintly, raised two fingers, and a wisp of light blue flame appeared at his fingertips. The surrounding temperature abruptly rose.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Ruyan's eyes, and she asked curiously, “This couldn't be the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire, could it?”

Azure spiritual flames were not uncommon, but the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire was quite famous. From the expression on Wang Qingshan's face, this spiritual flame was clearly not an ordinary one.

“That's right,” Wang Qingshan confirmed. “I obtained it years ago when I traveled through the Central Plains cultivation world, in the forbidden area where Zhou Sihong was sealed. With the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire, even if I'm outmatched, your nephew can retreat safely. Qinglian Island needs Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt to oversee it. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our family's influence in the Northern Frontier, which will be useful for dealing with the Nine Underworld Sect in the future.”

Wang Qingshan spoke honestly, his expression firm.

Wang Ruyan sighed softly. She knew Wang Qingshan was very strong-willed; what he had decided, he wouldn't easily change.

She flipped her palm, and a talisman radiating five types of spiritual light appeared in her hand. Its surface was covered with rice-grain-sized runes, emitting an astonishing spiritual energy fluctuation. This was a Five-Element Talisman Soldier, possessing the power of a ninth-layer Core Formation cultivator. Wang Ruyan had specialized in talismancy for many years, yet she had only managed to refine one such Five-Element Talisman Soldier.

Limited by materials, she could only refine Five-Element Talisman Soldiers for the Core Formation stage. Refining Nascent Soul stage Five-Element Talisman Soldiers was extremely difficult, not much less than refining a fourth-tier puppet beast.

Wang Ruyan handed the talisman soldier to Wang Qingshan and said kindly, “Take this Five-Element Talisman Soldier. It shouldn't be a problem for it to briefly entangle a fourth-tier Nether Spider for you. Be extra careful, especially of Shangguan Wei. The Nine Underworld Sect has significant power in the Northern Frontier.”

“Thank you, Ninth Aunt. I will proceed with caution,” Wang Qingshan replied, taking the Five-Element Talisman Soldier.

The next day, Wang Qingshan and Fairy Cailian left Qinglian Island, heading for the Northern Frontier.

No sooner had they left than Dai Ren arrived. Wang Ruyan cordially received him.

Dai Ren and Wang Ruyan were old acquaintances. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Dai Ren went straight to the point: “Madam Wang, I represent my sect, and I wish to inquire about something. I hope you will answer truthfully. If you conceal anything, our Ten Thousand Swords Sect won't be able to protect your Wang family.”

Wang Ruyan was slightly taken aback. She nodded and said, “Fellow Daoist Dai, please speak your mind. If I know anything, I will certainly tell you the truth.”

“Have you left the South Sea at any point in the past two years?”