Chapter 1584: Thirty Years

Years passed quickly; thirty years went by in the blink of an eye.

Qinglian Island, South Sea.

In the council hall on Qinglian Island, Wang Mengfen was holding a clan meeting. Over twenty clan elders attended, each with an exceptionally solemn expression.

Decades ago, the Dongfang family hosted a grand Dao Discussion Assembly. During this event, a certain agreement was reached between humans and various other races, leading to an easing of relations. High-level cultivators were forbidden from hunting Tier 4 demon beasts, with severe penalties for violators. Furthermore, human factions were strictly prohibited from attacking each other, and Nascent Soul cultivators were not allowed to engage in casual life-or-death battles.

After the Dao Discussion Assembly, even Tier 3 demon beasts, let alone Tier 4 ones, became rare. The major factions in the South Sea saw their income sharply decline. Large powers either shifted their focus to other areas or relied on their existing reserves. Loose cultivators, however, were unfortunate; they might not find even a single Tier 3 demon beast after several years at sea. With reduced income, their cultivation speed naturally slowed down.

With the sharp decrease in high-level demon beasts, the Wang family shifted its focus to the Northern Frontier and the Central Plains. Their income was affected to some extent, but the impact was not significant.

"Patriarch," a clan elder reported, "our clan currently has six Nascent Soul cultivators and fifty-seven Core Formation cultivators. In total, there are 14,300 cultivators in the South Sea, with eighty percent concentrated in the Five Dragon Sea Region."

The Wang family was developing well, but the growth of high-level cultivators was inevitably slow. As the number of cultivators within the clan expanded, expenses also grew, and the demand for various cultivation resources increased significantly. Previously, cultivation resources were abundant while cultivators were few. Now, with more and more cultivators and fewer resources, it was a situation of 'more monks than porridge,' meaning supply could not keep up with demand, and the growth rate of high-level cultivators naturally slowed down.

"Patriarch," another elder added, "we currently possess eleven Tier 3 flood dragons. Recently, we acquired an additional lightning flood dragon, which has already been sent to Ancestor Mengbin."

Wang Mengbin cultivated lightning-attribute techniques, making the lightning flood dragon a suitable companion for him.

"Reporting to the family, we currently have islands..."

A tremendous peal of thunder echoed, and strong winds swirled. Suddenly, multi-colored spiritual light burst forth in the void.

Wang Mengfen immediately flew out of the council hall. He gazed at the five-colored spiritual light in the void, his expression filled with excitement.

"The Nascent Soul phenomenon! Haha, this is wonderful!" Wang Mengfen burst into laughter, speaking with great excitement.

Needless to say, the Nascent Soul phenomenon was brought about by either Wang Qingjing or Wang Qingjun. Calculating the time, they had been in seclusion for a hundred years, so it was about time they triggered the phenomenon.

A small portion of Qinglian Island was enveloped in five-colored spiritual light, alarming many Wang family cultivators. However, clan elders quickly emerged to maintain order, preventing them from approaching the location of the lightning tribulation.

Above Qinglian Island, a massive thundercloud suddenly appeared, flashing with lightning and rumbling incessantly.

After the booming thunder subsided, another enormous black thundercloud appeared in a different direction. Lightning flashed, and silver lightning snakes could be seen continuously moving within the cloud.

"Two thunderclouds," Wang Mengfen murmured to himself. "It seems Ancestor Qingjun and Ancestor Qingjing have simultaneously triggered their lightning tribulations. I hope they both successfully pass into the Nascent Soul stage." He spoke to himself, his gaze fixed on the two thunderclouds high above, his eyes filled with worry.

Two members of the Wang family, Wang Mingren and Wang Huaxing, had previously failed to form their Nascent Souls. It remained to be seen whether Wang Qingjing and Wang Qingjun would succeed.

In a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, Fairy Cailian stood in a blue stone pavilion, gazing at the two thunderclouds in the sky with a thoughtful expression.

"Great-grandfather was right," Fairy Cailian murmured to herself. "Those close to individuals with great destiny can indeed partake in some of that fortune. However, fortune often comes with misfortune; great destiny often signifies great disaster." Fairy Cailian spoke to herself, her face solemn.

In a certain secret chamber, Wang Qingjing sat cross-legged on a futon, her eyes tightly closed. Before her lay a porcelain bottle and two jade boxes.

Suddenly, she frowned. Then, her features contorted as if she were enduring some intense pain.

In another secret chamber, Wang Qingjun sat cross-legged on the ground. The stone walls were inscribed with numerous profound red runes. The abundant fire spiritual energy in this place was highly suitable for Wang Qingjun's cultivation.

His eyes were tightly closed, and he frowned. A large amount of sweat seeped from his forehead, and he clenched his teeth, seemingly confronting something terrifying.

On Qinglian Peak, Wang Ruyan stood on the eaves of a blue pavilion, gazing worriedly towards Wang Qingjing's residence. "It's been over a hundred years, Qingjing," she murmured to herself, her voice tinged with worry. "You've finally triggered the Nascent Soul phenomenon."

Fifteen minutes later.

*Boom!*

A deafening roar came from high in the sky. Spiritual energy from a hundred-mile radius converged beneath the two thunderclouds, forming two enormous spiritual energy whirlpools. These whirlpools slowly descended towards the ground.

Wang Ruyan's heart tightened as she fixed her gaze on the spiritual energy whirlpools.

Under her watchful eyes, the spiritual energy whirlpools gradually sank into Wang Qingjing's residence and disappeared.

Seven and a half minutes later, both spiritual energy whirlpools vanished. The two thunderclouds high above churned violently, flashing with lightning. A massive peal of thunder rang out, and two thick bolts of lightning shot forth, striking downwards.

*Boom!*

A tremendous clap of thunder echoed. A dazzling expanse of silver lightning enveloped both courtyards. Rolling airwaves scattered countless flying sand and stones, and strong winds swirled violently.

Wang Ruyan let out a sigh of relief, her suspended worries finally easing. Having passed the inner demon tribulation, the lightning tribulation itself wasn't too significant an issue.

Central Plains, Great Yan Dynasty.

Lingzhou, as its name suggests, was a place brimming with spiritual energy, rich in resources, and home to outstanding individuals.

The Hundred Spirits Mountain Range was located in the northwest corner of Lingzhou, stretching for millions of miles. This area was perpetually shrouded in thick fog. Woodcutters and hunters who accidentally ventured deep into the mountains would find themselves going in circles, unable to escape, only to wake up the next day on the outskirts of the range. It was said that the depths of the mountains were where immortals resided.

What ordinary people didn't know was that this was a secret location of the imperial family, used to host high-level cultivators.

Deep within the mountain range, a colossal peak soared into the clouds. The peak was covered with pavilions and palaces, with structures extending from the foot of the mountain all the way to its summit.

At the summit was a massive bluestone plaza, upon which stood over a dozen intricately carved and painted pavilions and palaces.

In a five-story blue pavilion, Zhou Ningshuang was playing chess with Li Jiong. Li Jiong had been busy for years pursuing Situ Mei, but unfortunately, despite repeated increases in the bounty, Situ Mei remained unfound.

"It seems Situ Mei is not in the Central Plains cultivation world," Li Jiong said politely. "It's time for this old man to depart. Thank you for your hospitality, Princess. If you ever have the chance to visit the South Sea in the future, this old man will, on behalf of the Sun and Moon Palace, certainly offer you the warmest reception."

Li Jiong spoke courteously; Zhou Ningshuang had been very helpful, and he needed to repay this favor.

Zhou Ningshuang nodded and replied, "Certainly. I will see you off, Fellow Daoist Li."

Just then, a deafening peal of thunder echoed, and strong winds erupted. The previously clear sky suddenly became overcast, flashing with lightning and rumbling with thunder. A vast amount of five-colored spiritual light appeared in the void, sparkling like fireworks suspended in the air.

Li Jiong was slightly surprised, but quickly realized what was happening. He cupped his hands and congratulated, "The Nascent Soul phenomenon! Congratulations, Princess! It seems your Great Yan imperial family has gained another Nascent Soul cultivator."

Zhou Ningshuang smiled faintly and said, "You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Li. The one who triggered the Nascent Soul phenomenon is not a member of our imperial family, but Wang Wen, the Deputy Commander of the Myriad Immortals Bureau."

Wang Wen, whose real name was Wang Tianwen, originated from the Wang family of Qinglian Island.

Zhou Ningshuang naturally would not reveal this information to Li Jiong.

Li Jiong didn't dwell on it. He bid farewell and departed, needing to rush back to the South Sea to report to the two Palace Masters and see if there was any way to find Situ Mei. After seeing Li Jiong off, Zhou Ningshuang looked at the thunderclouds high above, a hint of pleasant surprise on her face.

"Will the Wang family be the next Taiyi Immortal Sect?" Zhou Ningshuang mused to herself. "It seems the talk of destiny really cannot be underestimated." Zhou Ningshuang continued, "The Four Seasons Sword Master was also an individual of great destiny, and it was because of him that the Taiyi Immortal Sect holds its current status. From all indications, the Wang family might very well be the next Taiyi Immortal Sect. This favor is truly invaluable."

Fifteen minutes later, accompanied by a tremendous peal of thunder, the thundercloud churned violently, and a thick bolt of silver lightning struck a certain blue pavilion.

After a deafening crash, the blue pavilion shattered into pieces. An expanse of silver lightning engulfed it, and rolling airwaves sent countless fine wood splinters flying in all directions.