Chapter 1558: Mysterious Person

Sima Mei is now at a dead end, wanted by the immortal cultivation worlds of North Frontier and South Sea. Her only options are to go to the East Barren or the Central Plains.

If Wang Changsheng were Zhang Wuchen, he would most likely come to the Central Plains immortal cultivation world. It's unclear how the Sun and Moon Dual Sages discovered Sima Mei hiding on Golden Lotus Island; it must have been some kind of secret technique. They truly live up to their reputation as a major sect with tens of thousands of years of legacy and profound heritage.

As long as there's a secret technique to pinpoint Sima Mei's location, she can only flee far away. The Central Plains immortal cultivation world is in chaos and densely populated, making it easier for her to hide.

"Thank you, young friend Zhou. We have other matters to attend to, so we won't stay any longer. Farewell."

Wang Changsheng greeted them and departed with Wang Ruyan and Wang Xin.

The Azure Lotus Business Alliance had opened numerous shops in the Great Yan Dynasty. To learn more detailed information, they could simply inquire with the Alliance's representatives.

Youzhou. The Chongguang Mountain Range, stretching for a million li, was located in the southeastern part of Youzhou. The spiritual energy there was sparse, and immortal cultivators rarely appeared.

A deafening roar echoed from deep within the mountain range. Suddenly, a massive crimson fire cloud appeared high in the sky, visible for a hundred li in every direction.

Deep within the mountains, Sima Mei was barely clothed, her body covered in scars. Several horrifying bloody gashes on her left shoulder bled profusely.

A three-zhang-tall Lion-Peng Beast and a silvery-white giant tiger lay dead on the ground, their heads missing.

On the ground lay a black iron chain with dim spiritual light. Numerous mysterious runes and many demonic beast patterns were faintly visible on its surface.

The ground was pockmarked with multiple large craters.

Murong Bo, Zhou Ningshuang, and Li Jiong surrounded Sima Mei, their expressions cold.

With the help of the Thousand-Foot Blood Gu worm, they had located Sima Mei's whereabouts. To eliminate her, five Nascent Soul cultivators had already died in battle, and two fourth-tier spiritual beasts were destroyed.

Sima Mei had paid a heavy price as well: the Nine Underworld Demon-Locking Chain, stolen from the Deputy Sect Master of the Nine Underworld Sect, was destroyed, her natal magic treasure self-destructed, and she had run out of spiritual talismans.

"Sima Mei, your crimes are unforgivable. Today marks your demise," Li Jiong said coldly. To find Sima Mei, the Sun and Moon Palace had deployed a large number of people. The Sun and Moon Dual Sages had headed to the East Barren, while he led a team to the Central Plains. The North Frontier immortal cultivation world was also searching for Sima Mei.

"Unforgivable? I possess the Moon Splendor Spiritual Physique, formed my Nascent Soul at a hundred years old, and reached the late Nascent Soul stage before turning three hundred. Why shouldn't I be the Palace Master of the Moon Palace? Master was simply biased. What I desire, no one can take from me!" Sima Mei sneered, her smile chilling.

Zhou Ningshuang said coldly, "Stop wasting words with her. Let's finish her quickly before complications arise." To deal with Sima Mei, the Sun and Moon Palace had offered generous terms that the Great Yan Imperial Family could not refuse.

Just then, a deafening roar suddenly came from high above. A massive thundercloud, a hundred li in size, suddenly appeared, obscuring the sky and sun. Lightning serpents danced wildly, and thunder continuously rumbled.

With a rumbling sound, hundreds of fist-thick silver lightning bolts shot out, striking towards Zhou Ningshuang and the others.

"What's going on?" Zhou Ningshuang muttered, slightly startled, and quickly cast spells to defend herself.

Huge silver lightning bolts descended from the sky, creating a hundred-li wide silver lightning curtain, as if a thunderstorm had erupted. If low-level cultivators were passing by, they might have thought someone was undergoing tribulation again!

Ten breaths later, a thick red light suddenly illuminated within the silver lightning curtain, shooting straight into the clouds, splitting the thundercloud in half. The sky returned to normal, the silver lightning curtain disappeared, and Sima Mei had vanished.

"Where did she go? Someone must have helped her." Li Jiong's expression turned grim. Sima Mei, who was surely doomed, had been rescued right under their noses. Was it a Deity Transformation cultivator? Probably not. Who could it be? Why would someone rescue Sima Mei?

"I refuse to believe she can escape this place. I'll immediately contact the Myriad Immortals Bureau and have them send reinforcements. Sima Mei must not leave the Great Yan Dynasty alive."

Zhou Ningshuang's eyes were filled with a cold glint. In Sima Mei's current state, she definitely couldn't have fled far. This was the best time to eliminate Sima Mei. If she escaped, she would surely retaliate fiercely against the Great Yan Imperial Family.

South Sea, Azure Lotus Island.

In the discussion hall, Wang Qingshan sat on the main seat, Wang Mengfen stood by his side, and more than a dozen clan elders sat on either side, each with an unusually grave expression.

The fact that Zhang Wuchen was Sima Mei didn't significantly impact the Wang family. The real trouble lay with the cultivators who died in the aftermath of the battle. These cultivators came from various forces, including prominent immortal cultivation clans and major sects, and the Wang family bore undeniable responsibility.

Besides the loss of personnel, there was also damage to goods. More than half of the market was destroyed, and various cultivation resources such as magic treasures, magic tools, elixirs, and talismans were ruined, with losses exceeding ten million spiritual stones.

The Sun and Moon Palace, the Myriad Swords Sect, and the Ouyang family all helped with the aftermath. Even so, the Wang family suffered heavy losses. Golden Lotus Island had been rebuilt, but its popularity was far from what it once was. Conservatively, it would be good if it recovered in fifty years.

"Mengfen, is there any news from Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt?" Wang Qingshan asked with a frown. This matter had to be conveyed to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, but their whereabouts were hard to determine since they were traveling.

"Not yet," Wang Mengfen replied truthfully. "I've already sent the message to the family's outposts in various locations. As soon as the Ancestor comes into contact with any clansmen, they will learn of it." It was common for high-level cultivators to travel, and since they couldn't directly contact Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, they could only relay the message.

This matter wasn't actually a major issue. The root of the trouble was Sima Mei; once she died, the matter would conclude.

"Issue an order," Wang Qingshan commanded deeply. "For businesses in Golden Lotus City, rent will be waived for one year. Previous tenants will have their rent waived for ten years. Additionally, compensation for each family will be increased by forty percent." He explained that to restore the market's former prosperity, they had to offer benefits.

"Yes, Ancestor. What about the Zhang family? Some people are causing trouble for them." Wang Mengfen asked cautiously. Sima Mei had seized control of a Zhang clan member and then simply left, leaving a mess behind. Wang Changsheng's great-granddaughter, Wang Tianqing, was even married to a Zhang clan member.

If it weren't for the Deity Transformation cultivator from the Myriad Swords Sect speaking up, the Zhang family would have long been wiped out. The Zhang family on Azure Carp Island still existed. Due to Sima Mei, the Zhang family had been pushed into the spotlight and coveted by multiple forces. If not for the Wang family, the Zhang family would not have been annihilated, but their influence would have been greatly diminished.

"What is the Zhang family's stance?"

"The Zhang family is willing to pledge allegiance to our Wang family. Furthermore, Zhang Sichun is now the head of the Zhang family, and all cultivators from the branch close to Zhang Wuchen have had their spiritual power crippled." The Zhang family currently had only one Nascent Soul cultivator. Zhang Wuchen had made too many enemies, and with only one Nascent Soul cultivator, the Zhang family would struggle to sustain itself. With strong support from the Wang family, other forces would be hesitant. Zhang Sichun was Wang Tianqing's Dao-companion, and his assumption of the family head position was telling.

"Then let's accept the Zhang family!" Wang Qingshan instructed. "Don't make it explicit; just hint to Zhang Sichun. It's best to have the substance without the formal title." The Zhang family was a hot potato now, and the Wang family dared not take direct control. Letting Zhang Sichun manage the family was the best option.

"Yes, Ancestor." Wang Mengfen readily agreed, as he also thought the same. In this way, the Wang family effectively absorbed thousands of cultivators, significantly strengthening its power.

Wang Qingshan gave a few more instructions, dismissed the others, and kept Wang Mengfen.

"Mengfen, I plan to enter secluded cultivation to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. You can handle the clan's affairs. Unless it's a matter concerning the family's survival, do not disturb me." Wang Qingshan instructed gravely. He didn't know how long Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would be traveling. His secluded cultivation to reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage would take at least twenty to thirty years, possibly over a hundred.

"Yes, Ancestor." Wang Mengfen agreed. The chances of the Wang family facing a clan-annihilation crisis were very low, so it was unlikely Wang Qingshan's cultivation would be disturbed.

"By the way, how long has Tenth Sister been gone?" The Dongfang family was hosting a Dao Discussion Assembly, and the Wang family had also received an invitation. Wang Qingling had taken a group of clan members to attend the assembly. Guang Dongren and An Ran also went to the Dao Discussion Assembly. Ye Haitang was in charge of guarding Golden Lotus Island, while Wang Qingshan, Wang Qiuming, and Wang Mengbin remained on Azure Lotus Island.

"It's been over two months. They should be arriving soon!"

Wang Qingshan nodded thoughtfully. With Guang Dongren accompanying her, he wasn't worried about Wang Qingling.

Returning to his dwelling, Wang Qingshan released his Three-Headed Fox, allowing it to roam freely in the courtyard.

Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged and meditated for a while. He then summoned his Azure Lotus Sword and nine Azure Glaze Swords, performing a sword incantation. The ten flying swords all emitted clear, resonant sword cries. The Azure Lotus Sword hovered above Wang Qingshan's head, swaying continuously, its blade sweeping out chilling sword light. The nine Azure Glaze Swords rapidly rotated around Wang Qingshan at extreme speed, their sword light like lightning, and their sword qi like a rainbow.