Chapter 1626: Resolving Grudges

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would indeed confront the Sun and Moon Palace, but only if they reached the Deity Transformation stage while the Dual Sages of Sun and Moon did not.

The Nine Underworld Sect was the largest sect in the Northern Border, but after internal strife, it was severely weakened. It had just begun to recover in recent years when the insect plague caused heavy losses. The Sun and Moon Palace, however, was different. Its internal conflicts did not significantly weaken it; instead, it prospered with a continuous lineage. The biggest issue was that the Wang family had no deep-seated grudge against the Sun and Moon Palace.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had agreed to help Nangong Miao rebuild the Zhenhai Sect, but they had not committed to fighting the Sun and Moon Palace to the bitter end. The Wang family lacked the strength for such a confrontation.

If the Wang family truly engaged in a direct conflict with the Sun and Moon Palace, even if they managed to destroy it, the Wang family would be severely weakened.

The Wang family had allies through marriage, and the Sun and Moon Palace also had its own allies.

If their strength was sufficient, rebuilding the Zhenhai Sect would not be difficult. Destroying the Sun and Moon Palace, however, would be challenging.

If they did not develop in the South Sea, the Sun and Moon Palace might not discover their true identities. However, the South Sea was rich in cultivation resources, and for the Wang family to grow and prosper, they had to expand there. This was a deadlock.

"Husband, the Dual Sages of Sun and Moon's visit this time is likely related to the Zhenhai Sect."

Wang Ruyan's brows were furrowed; this was not good news.

Fairy Ziyue bit her lip, saying, "Senior Brother Wang, if necessary, you can hand me over! It's already very good that you agreed to rebuild the Zhenhai Sect."

"Junior Sister Tian, there's no need to say such things again. Do you think I'm the kind of person who would betray a friend for personal gain?"

Wang Changsheng said with a frown. He believed in repaying kindness with gratitude, and he would naturally treat well anyone who treated him well.

With the Dual Sages of Sun and Moon and three Deity Transformation cultivators visiting, they naturally dared not neglect them.

"Junior Sister Tian, please step aside for a moment. We'll go out to greet Senior Liu. Since Senior Liu is also here, nothing serious should happen."

Wang Changsheng said to Fairy Ziyue. Wang Qingshan was Liu Ye's grand-disciple, and from an outsider's perspective, since the Wang family originated from the Eastern Barren Lands, Liu Ye would likely not stand by and watch other forces destroy them.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan transformed into two streaks of light and flew out of Qinglian Peak.

Shortly after, they appeared above Qinglian Island.

A jade shuttle, over ten zhang long and colored gold and silver, floated high in the sky. Its spiritual energy was potent, and two men and one woman stood at the forefront.

To Liu Ye's left was a seven-chi tall youth in a blue robe. The blue-robed youth had a face as fair as jade, and sharp eyes. His name was Dongfang Yulin, and he was at the early Deity Transformation stage.

A young woman in a blue ruqun stood to Liu Ye's right. The woman in the blue dress had fair skin, a melon-seed face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and long black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her expression was cold. Her name was Liu Ruyi, and she was at the early Deity Transformation stage.

Fang Yue and Du Xu stood behind the three, their expressions respectful.

Their visit to Qinglian Island this time was to resolve the grievances with the Wang family. No one knew what the great catastrophe would be—would the demon race invade the Eastern Barren Lands again? Or would the Tianlan Realm invade the Eastern Barren Lands? Or would the major forces within the Eastern Barren Lands attack each other? No one knew.

If the forces of the Eastern Barren Lands united, there would be a good chance of surviving the great catastrophe. If they continued to fight amongst themselves, the Eastern Barren Lands would be doomed.

The Dual Sages of Sun and Moon had paid a huge price to invite Dongfang Yulin to act as a mediator. Given the close relationship between the Wang family and the Myriad Swords Sect and Taiyi Immortal Sect, Liu Ruyi and Liu Ye naturally had to be present.

Dongfang Yulin and Liu Ruyi also did not wish for the Sun and Moon Palace and the Wang family to clash. Primarily, the strength of the Azure Lotus Immortals was considerable; if the great catastrophe erupted, they could play a significant role. Of course, if their strength were too weak and the Dual Sages of Sun and Moon destroyed them, Dongfang Yulin and Liu Ruyi would at most utter a few reprimands.

Strength was eternal; without sufficient power, one had no right to speak.

"Greetings, Senior Liu, Senior Liu, and Senior Dongfang."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan bowed respectfully, their expressions deferential.

"Little friend Wang, there's no need to be nervous. We've come today merely to mediate; it's nothing serious."

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng felt much more at ease. He smiled and said, "Your esteemed presence, Seniors, brings immense honor to our Qinglian Island. Please, come inside."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan invited Liu Ye and the other four into Qinglian Island. Soon, they were in the main hall, where Wang Qingshan had been waiting for a long time.

"Disciple greets Grandmaster Liu, Senior Liu, and Senior Dongfang."

Upon seeing Liu Ye, Wang Qingshan quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"It's been a while, and your cultivation has progressed significantly. Well done."

Liu Ye scrutinized Wang Qingshan, then praised him.

This was his way of supporting the Wang family and subtly hinting to Liu Ruyi and Dongfang Yulin not to go too far.

"It's all thanks to Grandmaster Liu's guidance; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Wang Qingshan said modestly.

"Enough with the pleasantries; we can save them for later! We're not here to chat today; urgent matters take precedence."

Dongfang Yulin urged them. The Myriad Flame Palace had been attacked and almost destroyed by Long Hanji; it was a troubled time, and they indeed had no time to waste.

Liu Ye, Liu Ruyi, and Dongfang Yulin took seats at the head of the table. Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingshan, Fang Yue, and Du Xu stood to the side, all five of them looking respectful.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we have some questions for you, and we hope you will answer truthfully. Rest assured, as long as you are not colluding with cultivators from the Tianlan Realm, no one in the Eastern Barren Lands will trouble you."

Dongfang Yulin's tone was serious.

"Yes, this junior will certainly answer truthfully."

Wang Changsheng agreed, already having guessed what Dongfang Yulin was about to say.

"Do you cultivate the Zhenhai Sect's foundational cultivation technique? Are you descendants of the Zhenhai Sect?"

They had investigated the Wang family's background. The Wang and Wang families already existed before the Zhenhai Sect's destruction, though they were minor families. If the Azure Lotus Immortals cultivated the Zhenhai Sect's foundational technique, it would not be an exaggeration to call them descendants of the Zhenhai Sect.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "Yes."

This matter could not be concealed, so it was better to admit it openly. This way, they wouldn't have to act cautiously in the future. In any case, with Liu Ye and Liu Ruyi present, it was impossible for them to unfairly favor the Sun and Moon Palace.

"Do you wish to rebuild the Zhenhai Sect? Did the Sun and Moon Palace kill your kin?"

Dongfang Yulin continued to ask.

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then said, "We do indeed wish to rebuild the Zhenhai Sect. The Sun and Moon Palace did not kill our kin, but our fellow disciples died at their hands."

Since Dongfang Yulin had directly asked, there was no need for Wang Changsheng to feign ignorance; it would serve little purpose.

Hearing this, Du Xu and Fang Yue frowned deeply. Their worst fear had come true: they had made enemies with the Azure Lotus Immortals.

"Little friend Wang, you must have heard that the Eastern Barren Lands will face a great catastrophe. During these troubled times, we do not wish for you to engage in internal strife. Our visit to Qinglian Island this time is to mediate and resolve your grievances."

Dongfang Yulin's tone softened considerably. Since it was fellow disciples who had died, there was still a possibility of resolving the grievances. If it had been their kin, it would have been much more troublesome.