Chapter 1559: 崇阳山

Chongyang Mountain, located southwest of Chongzhou, is the largest market in Chongzhou and the venue for the Hundred Immortals Assembly.

The Great Yan Dynasty hosts the Hundred Immortals Assembly once every five hundred years. It has been held dozens of times, consistently attracting a large number of cultivators. The Great Yan Dynasty places great importance on this grand event, and this time was no exception.

As early as six months prior, Chongyang Mountain had activated most of its protective formations, increased the number of patrolling cultivators, and dispatched a group of cultivators from the Myriad Immortals Division to enhance security.

Chongyang Mountain was adorned with exotic flowers and rare plants, and rugged, strangely shaped rocks. From its base to its summit, buildings of varying sizes dotted the landscape, ranging from simple stone huts to magnificent palaces and elegantly decorated pavilions. The streets teemed with cultivators, bustling with activity, loud chatter, and a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

Wang Tianwen and Murong Yuyao strolled along the streets, chatting and laughing, clearly enjoying each other's company.

Wang Tianwen, who had successfully handled his mission of contacting the Prince of Rites from the Great Qin Dynasty, encountered Murong Yuyao being pursued by demonic cultivators during his assignment. He intervened and saved her life. This shared experience drew them closer.

The Hundred Immortals Assembly was held in Chongzhou, a territory controlled by the Murong Royal Clan. Murong Yuyao had been dispatched to Chongyang Mountain to maintain order, and she was surprised to meet Wang Tianwen there.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Murong Yuyao began, "I owe you my life from last time. This is our home territory, so please don't be a stranger. Allow me to express my gratitude as a host."

Murong Yuyao's voice was clear and melodious, very pleasant to the ear.

Wang Tianwen smiled and nodded. "No problem, I..."

Before he could finish, he suddenly quickened his pace.

Murong Yuyao paused for a moment, then looked in the direction Wang Tianwen was heading. Seeing Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan approaching, a look of understanding dawned on her face, and she let out a sigh of relief. She naturally knew about Wang Tianwen's connection to the Wang family, a fact few outsiders were aware of.

"Excellent," Wang Changsheng remarked, thoroughly examining Wang Tianwen. "It's been years, and your cultivation has advanced significantly."

Wang Tianwen had already reached the ninth layer of Core Formation and could now attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. However, the Wang family's accumulated spirit items for Nascent Soul formation had long been depleted, making this Hundred Immortals Assembly a valuable opportunity. Among the numerous Core Formation cultivators in the clan, Wang Tianwen had endured the most hardships. He began his travels in the Central Plains cultivation world during the Foundation Establishment stage, gradually establishing himself with the family's assistance. His steady rise to his current position was a result of both his personal efforts and the family's support. In the "Qiu" generation, only Wang Qiuming was a Core Formation cultivator. From the "Tian" generation, there were Wang Tianqi and Wang Tianwen. Wang Tianqi primarily focused on intelligence gathering and did not experience as many hardships as Wang Tianwen. Wang Tianwen, serving in the Myriad Immortals Division, had traveled extensively over the past few decades, narrowly escaping death on multiple occasions.

"Ancestor, you flatter me," Wang Tianwen transmitted, his expression respectful. "It's thanks to the family's help, otherwise, your grandson wouldn't be alive."

Murong Yuyao approached, bowing respectfully. "Junior Murong Yuyao greets both seniors. If my ancestor knew you two seniors were in Chongzhou, he would certainly be delighted."

"You must be Young Friend Murong!" Wang Changsheng chuckled teasingly. "Tianwen mentioned you to me. Indeed, this boy Tianwen has good taste." In reality, Wang Tianwen had never mentioned Murong Yuyao; he never discussed personal matters with the family. Wang Changsheng had merely said it on a whim.

Hearing this, a blush crept onto Murong Yuyao's face, a hint of shyness in her expression.

Seeing Murong Yuyao's reaction, Wang Ruyan knew there was potential. If Wang Tianwen liked Murong Yuyao, they could consider visiting the Murong family to propose a marriage. Given the friendly relations between the two families and the standing of Wang Changsheng and his wife, the Murong family would likely not refuse.

Wang Tianwen quickly waved his hand, explaining, "There's nothing between me and Immortal Murong. We're just..."

"Alright, let's find a place to talk," Wang Ruyan interjected, fearing he might say something inappropriate.

"A clan elder is looking for me, so I won't disturb you any further. I'll take my leave now. Fellow Daoist Wang, I'll go first, and I'll host a banquet for you in a few days." With an apology, Murong Yuyao departed.

Wang Tianwen said nothing more than an affirmative reply. He then led Wang Changsheng and the other two to a quiet, tiled courtyard featuring a three-story blue pavilion and a small pond. As the Deputy Commander of the Myriad Immortals Division, Wang Tianwen naturally had his own private residence. Inside the blue pavilion, Wang Tianwen activated the courtyard's protective formations.

Wang Changsheng's expression turned serious. "Tianwen," he asked in a stern tone, "have you met Shangguan Wei, the sect master of the Nine Nether Sect?" According to reports from the Wang family members in the Great Yan Dynasty, Wang Tianwen had indeed met Shangguan Wei.

Wang Tianwen looked at Wang Xin, hesitating as if to speak.

"He's one of us. You can speak freely."

"Yes, Ancestor." Wang Tianwen recounted the entire incident in detail. Afterward, he had participated in the investigation, interrogating some members of the Song family, which yielded more information.

"Manipulating cultivators' emotions and desires? Why didn't Shangguan Wei kill the Song family's Core Formation cultivators?" Wang Changsheng asked, somewhat puzzled. Shangguan Wei had easily controlled the Song family's Core Formation cultivators using the divine ability of the Nine Nether Heaven Illusion Tome to attack the Song family ancestor's secluded cultivation spot.

"She might have been wary of the Great Yan Dynasty," Wang Tianwen replied truthfully. "Elder Ouyang of the Ouyang family is quite polite to members of our Myriad Immortals Division, and the Ouyang family has significant business dealings in the Great Yan Dynasty. Shangguan Wei clearly isn't someone to be trifled with. If I hadn't been serving in the Myriad Immortals Division, I might not have survived."

"Shangguan Wei defeated Ouyang Hongguang so quickly! Truly worthy of a sect master," Wang Ruyan frowned. From Wang Tianwen's description, Shangguan Wei had defeated Ouyang Hongguang with seemingly no effort, a terrifying display of power. According to intelligence, Ouyang Hongguang was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. Could a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator truly be defeated so easily by Shangguan Wei?

"Oh, and she also had a fourth-tier spirit bird," Wang Tianwen added. "It was too fast for me to get a clear look."

Wang Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. The fourth-tier spirit bird Wang Tianwen mentioned was likely the Nine Nether Sparrow.

"By the way, Tianwen, is True Monarch Haoyu in the market? Could you introduce us?" Wang Ruyan asked, as they hoped to befriend True Monarch Haoyu at the Hundred Immortals Assembly.

"Your grandson isn't sure, but I know someone who might know True Monarch Haoyu's whereabouts."

"Who?"

"True Monarch Tianmo. She has a good private relationship with True Monarch Haoyu, so she might know his whereabouts. Your grandson knows where she resides."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's expressions turned somewhat strange. From the name, True Monarch Tianmo sounded like a demonic cultivator. Given the current situation, demonic cultivators from the Great Qin Dynasty were reviled, so why would she come to attend the Hundred Immortals Assembly? Wasn't she afraid the Great Yan Dynasty would act against her?

"True Monarch Tianmo has forsaken evil for righteousness and has pledged allegiance to the Great Yan Dynasty," Wang Tianwen quickly explained, sensing their confusion.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan realized, "So that's how it is."

"Good. Then please introduce us."