Chapter 164: Exploration

Three months passed by quickly.

Inside the Artifact Forging Room of the Spiritual Armament Pavilion.

Wang Changsheng was seated cross-legged on a green meditation cushion. Before him, a blue crescent blade shimmered with spiritual light as it floated in the air.

The blade was half a zhang in length. Its handle measured about three feet and was engraved with cloud patterns, while the blade itself was about two feet long.

With a beckoning motion of his right hand, Wang Changsheng drew the blue crescent blade, which promptly flew into his grasp.

This Azure Cloud Crescent Blade was forged from the base of the Azure Cloud Staff. Though still a mid-grade magical artifact, it now possessed chopping and slashing capabilities, significantly enhancing its power.

Gripping the Azure Cloud Crescent Blade with both hands, Wang Changsheng brandished it within the Artifact Forging Room. The blade swiftly cut through the air, creating a series of whooshing sounds.

With a 'thud,' the hilt of the Azure Cloud Crescent Blade struck the floor, leaving a small indentation where it landed.

Wang Changsheng's face showed satisfaction. The Canglan Mountain Range was rich in demon beast resources; it would be the perfect place to test the power of the Azure Cloud Crescent Blade.

He put away the Azure Cloud Crescent Blade and exited the Artifact Forging Room.

Just as he stepped out of the Artifact Forging Room, he saw Wang Ruyan approaching him.

"Fairy Wang, you've arrived at a good time. I need to request a month's leave."

Wang Ruyan's brows furrowed slightly. "A month's leave? Fellow Daoist Wang, are you planning to go into seclusion for cultivation?"

Noticing Wang Ruyan's preoccupied expression, Wang Changsheng asked curiously, "Is something wrong? Are you looking for me, Fairy Wang?"

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside and discuss it."

Upon entering the Artifact Forging Room, Wang Ruyan looked hesitant, as if she had something difficult to express.

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, could you accompany me somewhere?"

"Somewhere? Where?"

Knowing that Wang Changsheng wouldn't agree without a clear explanation, Wang Ruyan proceeded to explain the entire situation.

Song Yihang and Li Tianzheng, while hunting Tier 2 demon beasts, had stumbled upon an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling. They had attacked its restrictions for several days but were unable to breach them, so they sought to invite Wang Ruyan to help them break the formation.

Wang Ruyan was naturally not one to trust easily, but Song Yihang's repeated invitations and promise to divide the treasures equally afterward left her somewhat tempted.

As a native of Song Country, she only had a casual acquaintance with Song Yihang and dared not trust him lightly. Thus, she wanted to bring Wang Changsheng along, believing that having multiple parties would create checks and balances, thereby ensuring her safety.

"An ancient cultivator's cave dwelling? There are disciples from the Sword Palace and White Cloud Monastery here in Canglan City; why would they invite you, Fairy Wang? Wouldn't it be better for them to call upon their fellow sect members?"

Wang Changsheng voiced his doubts.

"The restrictions of that ancient cultivator's cave dwelling are very strong; it's likely a dwelling left behind by a Core Formation stage cultivator. They are mutually suspicious, worried that one might betray the other. The two of them are currently inseparable, fearing that one might notify their sect members and claim all the treasures. As I am unfamiliar with the area and have shallow ties with them, they eventually agreed."

"Aren't they worried you'll notify your clan members and follow them to seize the treasures?"

Wang Ruyan shook her head, explaining, "They've been observing for several days. In Canglan City, I am the only Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Wang family. If I don't go, they will leave immediately. In that scenario, they would ask their fellow sect members to watch me to prevent any deception. I told them I didn't trust them and proposed bringing you along, and after much deliberation, they eventually agreed."

Wang Changsheng frowned slightly. Song Yihang and Li Tianzheng's reasoning seemed quite logical.

"Do you know what restrictions the cave dwelling has? They've attacked it for days together and can't break through? They are both sect disciples and powerful, so it shouldn't be impossible for them to break through restrictions that have existed for years!"

"According to Fellow Daoist Song, it's the Three Talents Thick Earth Array. This is a mid-grade Tier 3 formation, renowned for its defensive capabilities. If the formation cannot be completely destroyed, it will slowly repair itself. The chances of breaching the formation are higher if multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators attempt it simultaneously."

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng fell into deep thought.

Both Wang Ruyan and he were cultivators from Song Country and also partners, so it was unlikely she would plot against him. Song Yihang and Li Tianzheng hailed from the Sword Palace and White Cloud Monastery, both renowned righteous sects. However, caution was always wise. He wasn't particularly eager to go; even if there was no conspiracy, if treasures were found, could they truly be divided equally?

This was the first time Wang Ruyan had asked for his help. Refusing her would be a significant loss of face.

Noticing Wang Changsheng's hesitation, Wang Ruyan pondered for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist Wang, to be honest, I don't fully trust them either. However, this is a Core Formation stage cultivator's dwelling; perhaps this is our destined opportunity. Even if they harbor other intentions, with us united, they may not be our match."

Wang Changsheng remained silent, a difficult expression on his face.

"How about this? I'll give you two low-grade Tier 2 Thousand Ice Talismans. If they make any suspicious moves, we can join forces and eliminate them. Would that suffice?"

Wang Ruyan took out two shimmering blue talismans and handed them to Wang Changsheng, a fleeting glimpse of reluctance passing through her beautiful eyes.

With six Tier 2 puppet beasts and two low-grade Tier 2 Thousand Ice Talismans, their chances of victory were considerable, even if a conflict arose.

"Fairy Wang, could they be deliberately setting a trap for us? It's always wise to be cautious."

Wang Ruyan considered this carefully, then shook her head. "Probably not. What do we possess that they would want to scheme for? If their actions were exposed, they would face severe repercussions. Furthermore, the Sword Palace and White Cloud Monastery are both renowned righteous sects; their disciples shouldn't engage in such behavior."

What Wang Ruyan didn't explicitly say was that Song Yihang's invitation to break the formation and retrieve treasures was surely an attempt to curry favor with her. Song Yihang had frequently visited the Spiritual Armament Pavilion over the past two years, and she was well aware of his subtle intentions, but out of respect for the Sword Palace's reputation, she had merely endured entertaining him.

"That's not necessarily true. A fair lady is sought by a gentleman. If Song Yihang harbored ill intentions towards you, deliberately set a trap, and tricked you into going, that would be problematic. Don't forget, Song Yihang has frequently visited the Spiritual Armament Pavilion over the past two years; I'm sure you, Fairy Wang, are aware of his purpose without me even saying it!"

Wang Changsheng wasn't baselessly slandering Song Yihang; Song Yihang certainly had the motive. One might know a person's face but not their heart, so it was entirely possible Song Yihang was precisely that kind of individual!

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruyan's cheeks immediately flushed crimson. After a moment of contemplation, she said with an uncertain tone, "Surely not! He doesn't seem like that kind of person. What if this truly is a stroke of luck? If we miss this opportunity, we might not find another."

The prospect of a Core Formation stage cultivator's secluded dwelling also tempted Wang Changsheng. After a long moment of deliberation, he said, "Alright! Since Fairy Wang has made such a compelling case, I'll accompany you on this trip! But if a fight breaks out, who should we target first?"

Wang Ruyan replied without hesitation, "Song Yihang. He's at Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 5, from the Sword Palace, and quite powerful. Li Tianzheng is at Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 4, posing less of a threat. I possess a single-use magical artifact, a Fire Thunder Orb, which is comparable to the full-strength strike of a Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 3 cultivator. As long as we coordinate properly, eliminating Song Yihang won't be an issue."

Clearly, she had considered this question long ago.

She had already advanced to Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 3, and Wang Changsheng was also at Foundation Establishment Stage Layer 3. Should a real fight erupt, it was natural to focus their attacks on the one with the highest cultivation.

"I was thinking the same thing. Before we set off, let's inform our clan members! If anything happens to us, they can report it to the family, and our family can then seek justice on our behalf."

"Indeed. Then let's proceed separately. We'll meet at the Canglan City gate in half an hour; Fellow Daoist Song and his companion are already waiting there."

"Alright, see you at the city gate."

Upon returning to his residence, Wang Changsheng informed Wang Mingzhan and Wang Mingxiao about the situation. They initially wished to dissuade him from going, but as Wang Changsheng was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they found it difficult to oppose his decision. They merely cautioned him to proceed with utmost care.