Chapter 1581: Yuan Ying Late Stage

Spring turned to autumn, and cold gave way to heat. Five years passed quickly.

In the Central Plains, within the Great Yan Dynasty, at Mount Chongyang, the streets were deserted, and all shops were tightly shut.

Five years earlier, a Soul Transformation cultivator had delivered a sermon at Mount Chongyang. Thousands of cultivators attended, and after the lecture, some gained insights. For reasons unknown, Zhou Xingguo ordered the closure of the market city on Mount Chongyang. Only a select few cultivators were permitted to remain; all others had to leave.

In a secluded courtyard with blue-tiled roofs, a Kirin Turtle frolicked in the lake. Nearby stood an elaborately carved and painted pavilion.

Inside a guest room, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a blue meditation mat, his eyes gently closed. A faint blue aura enveloped his body, and the room was filled with a soft mist.

A moment later, the blue aura around Wang Changsheng's body dissipated. He opened his eyes, which gleamed with a sharp light.

Wang Changsheng's aura was considerably stronger than before, though he remained at the Mid Nascent Soul stage. The Soul Transformation cultivator's sermon had not been without benefit for him, specifically in the realm of artifact refinement.

"It's been so long, my wife must have awoken by now!" Wang Changsheng murmured to himself, then rose and walked out.

As he stepped out of the pavilion, the Kirin Turtle let out a joyful cry, then abruptly transformed into scattered blue lights and vanished. The next moment, a mass of blue light materialized beside Wang Changsheng, blurring briefly before solidifying into the form of the Kirin Turtle.

The Kirin Turtle, with its slender neck, nudged Wang Changsheng's trouser leg with its head, emitting joyful barks, as if begging for a treat. Wang Changsheng took out two light blue fruits and tossed them to the Kirin Turtle. The creature quickly devoured both, yet it remained unsatisfied, emitting a series of joyful barks while staring intently at Wang Changsheng.

"There are no more water-attributed spiritual items. I'll give you some next time I acquire them." Wang Changsheng stroked its head, returned it to his Spirit Beast Pearl, and continued walking.

As he stepped out of his residence, Wang Ruyan and Wang Tianwen approached him. Wang Ruyan's aura was even more potent than Wang Changsheng's, and her face was alight with joy. Having gained profound insights from the Soul Transformation cultivator's sermon, Wang Ruyan had diligently cultivated for five years and successfully advanced to the Late Nascent Soul stage. Wang Tianwen's aura had also grown considerably stronger, though he remained at the ninth layer of Core Formation.

"My dear, you've advanced to the Late Nascent Soul stage! That's wonderful!" Wang Changsheng was ecstatic. With the great tribulation looming, Wang Ruyan's advancement to the Late Nascent Soul stage significantly bolstered the Wang family's strength. Once Wang Changsheng also reaches the Late Nascent Soul stage, it's estimated that few cultivators would be able to contend with them, provided Soul Transformation cultivators don't intervene.

"This time, it's all thanks to Senior Zhou. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how long it would take me to reach this level," Wang Ruyan expressed her gratitude, acknowledging that the Mid Nascent Soul stage was a significant hurdle. Many cultivators became stuck there, with only a small fraction reaching the Late Nascent Soul stage. Now that she had achieved this, even if the Zhenhai Sect affair were exposed, the Sun and Moon Dual Sages would still have reason to be wary before taking action against them. Wang Ruyan had indirectly incurred a significant debt of gratitude to Zhou Xingguo, a favor she would need to repay in the future.

"We both owe Senior Zhou a debt of gratitude. We'll find an opportunity to repay it in the future. By the way, are many others still in secluded cultivation?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously, his concern being for True Person Haoyu.

"I'm not entirely sure. When I awoke, I was already outside. I don't know the exact circumstances, but it's likely Senior Zhou intended it this way, perhaps not wanting others to know the status of the cultivators who were undergoing secluded cultivation," Wang Ruyan said with some uncertainty, suspecting that Zhou Xingguo was likely protecting True Person Haoyu. True Person Haoyu was a rare genius, encountered only once in a millennium, with a strong potential to advance to the Soul Transformation stage. It was only natural for Zhou Xingguo to protect him.

"Young friends Wang, if you have no further business, please leave. And do not speak of what transpired here to others." Zhou Xingguo's voice suddenly resonated in the ears of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. They paused in slight surprise, then bowed towards the square, speaking in unison: "Yes, Senior Zhou. Your great kindness is deeply appreciated by this junior. We will certainly repay you well if the opportunity arises in the future."

"There is no need for repayment. Just remember, you are human cultivators from the Eastern Glazed Realm. I hope that when your efforts are needed in the future, you will not decline." Zhou Xingguo's voice echoed in their ears.

"Yes, we juniors will bear your teachings in mind," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan agreed in unison, their expressions respectful.

Zhou Ningshuang flew from a distance and landed abruptly before them. "Fellow Daoist Wang, if you have no further matters, you may now leave Mount Chongyang. By our Ancestor's command, we will provide Young Friend Wang with the spiritual items necessary for forming a Nascent Soul. As for whether he can successfully advance to the Nascent Soul stage, that will be entirely up to him," Zhou Ningshuang said with a smile. To the Great Yan Dynasty, two sets of Nascent Soul forming spiritual items were minor, but they were rare and valuable to the Wang family. Since Wang Ruyan had gained insights from Zhou Xingguo's sermon and reached the Late Nascent Soul stage, Zhou Ningshuang estimated that Wang Changsheng's advancement to the Late Nascent Soul stage was only a matter of time. Offering two sets of Nascent Soul forming spiritual items in exchange for the goodwill of the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple was a sure profit.

"Since it is Senior Zhou's will, Tianwen will gratefully accept this. Tianwen, you must not let Senior Zhou's kindness be in vain," Wang Changsheng considered for a moment, then earnestly instructed Wang Tianwen. He perceived Zhou Ningshuang's intention. They already owed Zhou Xingguo a favor, so two additional sets of Nascent Soul forming spiritual items were a small matter. Furthermore, with Zhou Ningshuang directly citing Zhou Xingguo, Wang Changsheng found it difficult to refuse.

"This junior thanks Senior Zhou. Your great kindness will be remembered for a lifetime," Wang Tianwen bowed towards the square, his expression filled with excitement. The Wang family was currently rich in talent, but resources for forming a Nascent Soul were in short supply, unable to meet the growing demand.

"As the Deputy Commander of the Myriad Immortals Division, you have accumulated considerable merit over the years. Even without the Ancestor's decree, we would still provide you with the spiritual items necessary for Nascent Soul formation," Zhou Ningshuang said with a smile, though it was, of course, merely a polite formality. It was clear that if the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple had not possessed extraordinary strength and widespread renown, the Great Yan Dynasty would not have been so benevolent as to provide Wang Tianwen with the spiritual items for Nascent Soul formation. To put it plainly, the Great Yan Dynasty wouldn't act without a clear advantage. Wang Tianwen understood this implicitly but chose not to voice it, merely nodding with a smile.

"We will provide you with a dedicated secluded ground where you can attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, or you may choose to return to the South Sea." Zhou Ningshuang's tone was cordial.

Wang Tianwen looked to Wang Changsheng, seeking his opinion.

"Since the Grand Princess is so kind, Tianwen, you should remain here in the Great Yan Dynasty for your secluded cultivation. I will personally refine a set of magic artifacts for you," Wang Changsheng instructed him, acknowledging that Wang Tianwen's journey to his current status had indeed been arduous.

"Yes, Ninth Uncle. Then I will trouble the Grand Princess. If I successfully advance to the Nascent Soul stage, I will return to Azure Lotus Island," Wang Tianwen agreed, his expression respectful, as he had not forgotten his origins.

Wang Changsheng gave a few final instructions, then walked down the mountain with Wang Ruyan. Descending Mount Chongyang, Wang Changsheng summoned his Azure Lotus Dharma Seat and leapt onto it, with Wang Ruyan following immediately.

"Grand Princess, feel free to visit Azure Lotus Island whenever you have time. You are always welcome. Farewell for now." With these words, the Azure Lotus Dharma Seat glowed brightly with green light, transforming into a streak of emerald light that soared into the sky and vanished into the horizon.