Chapter 1636: Leading the Expedition

Deng Yunbo grew up in the Sihai Gate, enduring countless hardships before finally advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, where he is currently in the mid-Nascent Soul realm.

He was stationed at the entrance to the Buried Immortal Sea, along with three other Nascent Soul cultivators. A formation had been set up at the entrance, ensuring that even if Long Hanji attempted to infiltrate the Buried Immortal Sea underwater, she would be unable to do so undetected. The outer perimeter of the Buried Immortal Sea was heavily patrolled by cultivators. Deng Yunbo and the other three Nascent Soul cultivators also possessed long-range communication talismans, enabling them to immediately raise the alarm if Long Hanji's whereabouts were discovered.

On an island over a hundred li in size, there were several buildings in the open area at its center. Inside a three-story azure pavilion, Deng Yunbo sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, his eyes slightly closed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and took a pale silver orb from his pocket. The orb was the size of a pigeon's egg, its surface covered with arcane runes.

It was a Profound Cloud Orb, a treasure refined by the Divine Weapons Palace. Such orbs usually came in pairs; if one detected a spatial fluctuation within 500,000 li, its counterpart would issue an alert. Due to the unique environment of the Buried Immortal Sea, they were unable to patrol its depths. However, they had placed a Profound Cloud Orb deep inside. The alert from the orb in Deng Yunbo's hand indicated a spatial fluctuation within the Buried Immortal Sea. This, without a doubt, was the work of Long Hanji and other cultivators from the Heavenly Expanse Realm.

Deng Yunbo quickly pulled out a long-range communication talisman, intending to inform his fellow disciples. Just then, a cold male voice suddenly rang out: "You actually prepared a contingency; I truly underestimated you." No sooner had the words been spoken than the void behind him rippled, and Zhao Hengbin suddenly appeared behind Deng Yunbo, his expression cold.

The moment Zhao Hengbin appeared, he flicked his wrist, sending three golden lights shooting straight towards Deng Yunbo. As Deng Yunbo was about to summon his magic treasure to resist, an eerie roar sounded, making his head spin and causing his movements to falter. By the time he reacted, three gleaming golden rings had already locked around his neck and hands. Each golden ring bore a small snake pattern on its surface, and to his horror, he found himself completely unable to wield any magic power.

Deng Yunbo struggled violently, but to no avail. "Don't waste your effort," Zhao Hengbin said coldly. "Captured by my Golden Serpent Rings, you are now no different from a mortal."

Seven days passed quickly.

Deep within the Buried Immortal Sea, on a deserted island, Long Hanji and three others stood in an open area, all gazing expectantly at a black hole high in the sky. The black hole suddenly lit up with a dazzling spiritual light. Immediately afterward, an azure beam shot out, revealing an azure dragon boat over a hundred zhang long. The dragon boat emitted astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations, and hundreds of cultivators, including Lei Yunbin, stood upon it. There were no less than twelve Spirit Transformation cultivators, the most powerful among them being Lei Yunbin, who was in the mid-Spirit Transformation stage.

Seeing such a large number of high-level cultivators, Situ Mei gasped, her expression growing even more respectful.

"Senior Brother Lei," Long Hanji said with some surprise, "How did you manage to come here? Weren't you unable to pass through?"

"Senior Brother Shangguan refined a treasure that allowed me to come," Lei Yunbin explained, innumerable silver lightning arcs surging across his body, his face filled with killing intent. "This time, we must conquer the Eastern Fence Realm!"

"This is the Buried Immortal Sea, one of the Seven Great Perilous Lands of the South Sea Cultivation World, and it's still quite dangerous," Long Hanji cautioned. "Let's leave here first! It would be troublesome if an outbreak of spiritual void energy occurs."

"Junior Sister Song," Lei Yunbin instructed a comely young woman in an azure dress, "You and your people guard the entrance. We will fight our way out, first occupying the territory outside and using it as a bridgehead to gradually advance." The young woman in the azure dress stayed behind on the deserted island with ten Nascent Soul and thirty Core Formation cultivators. The others boarded the Azure Dragon Boat and flew outwards.

Half a month later, startling news quickly spread throughout the South Sea Cultivation World: cultivators from the Heavenly Expanse Realm had launched a massive invasion. It was said that there were as many as twelve Spirit Transformation cultivators among them, indicating their formidable strength. The Ten Great Sects and Ten Great Cultivation Families of the South Sea immediately mobilized their forces to clear out the Heavenly Expanse Realm cultivators. Instantly, the shadow of war loomed over every South Sea cultivator.

Five Dragons Sea, Azure Lotus Island.

In the council hall, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan sat in the main seats, their expressions grim, with dozens of clan elders seated on either side. The Wang family had already received a conscription order from the Myriad Swords Sect. Liu Ruyi had personally specified that the Azure Lotus Immortals must participate in the war.

"Mengbin, Qiuming, Ji Yun, and others will accompany us to battle," Wang Changsheng said in a deep voice. "Qingshan, you will remain on Azure Lotus Island. Qingling is still in seclusion, so I will be at ease with you guarding Azure Lotus Island." Wang Changsheng's reasoning was that Ye Haitang and Wang Qingqing were in the Myriad Ghosts Sea, Wang Qingjun was cultivating in seclusion at Zhenhai Sect, Wang Tianwen had only recently advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, and Wang Qingling had not yet emerged from seclusion. The Thunder Phoenix and the Ice Wind Flood Dragon had both fallen into a deep slumber, and it was unknown if they would advance to the fourth tier upon reawakening.

"Yes, Ninth Uncle," Wang Qingshan and the others affirmed.

In addition to the four Nascent Soul cultivators, Wang Changsheng also mobilized twenty Core Formation and three hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators. The Myriad Swords Sect had provided a sum of cultivation resources in advance, including two sets of Nascent Soul spiritual items and a batch of artifact refining materials, which served as resettlement compensation. Great merits would be heavily rewarded, and for those who died or were injured in battle, the Myriad Swords Sect would provide compensation. To make affiliated forces fight to the death, relying solely on a righteous cause was insufficient; sufficient benefits also had to be provided.

"Grandfather, is the war situation so dire?" Wang Qiuming asked with a frown. "Is it necessary to mobilize so many people?" It was the first time the Wang family had mobilized so many cultivators, which was truly rare.

"The Heavenly Expanse Realm has dispatched twelve Spirit Transformation, over a hundred Nascent Soul, and over a thousand Core Formation cultivators," Wang Changsheng said with a serious tone. "They have already captured one sea region. With their strength, conquering five sea regions wouldn't be an issue. However, they are not rushing to conquer new territories but are consolidating the areas they have already occupied. Some forces, unwilling to be annihilated, have submitted to the Heavenly Expanse Realm cultivators and are now aiding the invaders." Wang Changsheng's tone was serious, noting that Situ Mei had appeared and subdued many forces. These forces then turned around to fight their own people, a truly unforgivable sin. If the Heavenly Expanse Realm cultivators were allowed to continue conquering territories, it would only be a matter of time before they reached the Five Dragons Sea.

"Qingshan," Wang Ruyan instructed, a hint of worry in her eyes, "Send some of our clan members back to the Eastern Barren Lands to avoid the brunt of the conflict. The Heavenly Expanse Realm's invasion this time is fierce; the South Sea may not be able to hold out." Twelve Spirit Transformation cultivators, over a hundred Nascent Soul, and over a thousand Core Formation cultivators—what an immense force! Even if the South Sea Cultivation World didn't fall, it would be reduced to ruins. They had to preserve their lineage.

"Understood, Ninth Aunt," Wang Qingshan replied. "I will immediately give the orders. You all be very careful." Wang Qingshan agreed, knowing that the South Sea being the main battlefield was not good news.

After a few more instructions, Wang Changsheng left Azure Lotus Island with hundreds of clan members and headed to the front lines. Wang Yingjie, Wang Youwei, Ouyang Mingyue, and others all accompanied Wang Changsheng to battle. If they wished to form a Nascent Soul, this great war presented an excellent opportunity; it just depended on whether they could seize it.