Chapter 1658: White Cloud Island

All the other Nascent Soul cultivators possessed exceptional abilities, but Huang Fugui, however, would simply flee. Shen Wenbin was unsure whether the higher-ups had assigned Huang Fugui to this mission or if he had volunteered. He utterly despised Huang Fugui's cowardice. Huang Fugui only knew how to bully lower-level cultivators; he would back down when facing peers and flee at the slightest hint of danger. Shen Wenbin couldn't fathom what incredible luck Huang Fugui had to actually reach the Nascent Soul stage.

"Every talent has its use; you shouldn't say that," Wang Changsheng interjected, speaking favorably of Huang Fugui, as he had a decent personal relationship with him. "In certain specific situations, Fellow Daoist Huang can play a significant role."

Huang Fugui bullied the weak and feared the strong, clinging to life. However, he did value his promises, making him a reliable person to deal with, even if fighting alongside him was out of the question.

Shen Wenbin merely smiled and said nothing more.

Not long after, Huang Fugui and Liu Shuo returned. A yellow net enveloped three Foundation Establishment cultivators, who lay motionless, their eyes wide with terror.

"Senior Fu," Huang Fugui announced with a smile, pushing the three Foundation Establishment cultivators in front of Fu Wen, "we've captured the individuals."

"Fellow Daoist Du, Young Friend Wang," Fu Wen said coldly, "each of you take one person for interrogation. Cooperate with us, and you'll live; resist, and you'll be reduced to ashes immediately." Fu Wen could forcibly search their souls, but that would leave the three Foundation Establishment cultivators crippled. He needed their cooperation, ideally to quietly take over this branch.

According to Senior Qianli, this sea region was the Azure Carp Sea, abundant with islands and multiple branches. There was a possibility that a Soul Transformation cultivator was stationed there.

Wang Changsheng and Du Xu acknowledged, each taking one Foundation Establishment cultivator and walking away. Wang Changsheng chanted a spell, and a misty blue water screen materialized out of thin air, enveloping the three of them.

"What's your name?" Wang Changsheng asked sternly, his face grim. "If you don't want me to search your soul, honestly tell me what you know."

"My name is Su Chen, junior, and I am a disciple of the White Cloud branch," the cultivator replied. "Our branch has several Nascent Soul cultivators, but I'm not sure of the exact number."

Wang Ruyan frowned and asked, "Have there been any recent anomalies? Or has your branch received any important missions?"

Su Chen hesitated, as if he had something he couldn't express.

"What's wrong?" Wang Changsheng's expression turned cold. "Do we need to search your soul, or do you wish to die? Do you think we won't find out if you don't speak?" A powerful spiritual pressure burst forth, rushing directly towards Su Chen. Su Chen's face flushed crimson. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground.

"I'll speak, I'll tell you everything," Su Chen stammered. "A large number of experts were transferred recently, supposedly to participate in a realm war." Su Chen spoke truthfully. He guessed that his interrogators were likely cultivators from the Dongli Realm. If he didn't speak, he would die immediately; if he did, he might live longer.

Wang Changsheng's eyes lit up. He continued, "Is the spatial channel leading to the Dongli Realm located in the Azure Carp Sea?"

"I'm not sure about that," Su Chen cautiously replied. "I only know that many senior uncles and aunts were transferred to Jinsha Island. I don't know the specifics beyond that." Wang Changsheng asked a few more questions, which Su Chen answered honestly, though some questions he couldn't answer.

Based on Su Chen's answers, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had a clearer idea. The spatial channel leading to the Dongli Realm was very likely on Jinsha Island in the Azure Carp Sea. This suggested a high probability that a Soul Transformation cultivator was stationed there, meaning it would be difficult to destroy the spatial channel with just their current strength.

"Wife, keep an eye on him," Wang Changsheng instructed Wang Ruyan. "I'll go report to Senior Fu." Wang Changsheng then passed through the blue water screen to report to Fu Wen.

The information provided by the three Foundation Establishment cultivators was consistent. The Tianlan Sect had stationed a large number of high-level cultivators on Jinsha Island, and various cultivation resources were being transported there. The White Cloud branch controlled 1,300 islands, scattered across an area of 30 million li. Taking over all of them would require a considerable amount of time. With the active cooperation of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, Fu Wen searched their souls and confirmed they had not lied.

"If there's a Soul Transformation cultivator, they are likely on Jinsha Island," Fu Wen instructed. "First, secure the White Cloud branch and capture the high-level cultivators. Young Friend Wang and Young Friend Wang Ruyan, you two will follow them back to White Cloud Island to investigate its situation. If there's no Soul Transformation cultivator, take control of White Cloud Island. It would be best to capture the high-level cultivators alive; they will be of great use."

Fu Wen explained that the over one thousand islands were too widely scattered. A direct assault would make it difficult to prevent news from leaking. If White Cloud Island and Jinsha Island had a direct teleportation array, and Jinsha Island sent several Soul Transformation cultivators as reinforcement, they would be in trouble. His greatest concern was the possibility of a Soul Transformation cultivator on White Cloud Island. If they were tied down by such an opponent, it would be troublesome, especially since they were in a foreign land. Senior Qianli, having been stationed in Wufeng Valley for several centuries, had no idea about the personnel arrangements in the Azure Carp Sea. Sending the Green Lotus Immortal Couple to take this risk meant that if they encountered a Soul Transformation cultivator, it would simply be their bad luck. However, if there was no such cultivator, then naturally, nothing could stop them.

"Yes, Senior Fu," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan responded in unison. They placed a restriction on Su Chen, had him lead the way, and disguised themselves as Tianlan Sect disciples to see if they could infiltrate the White Cloud branch and investigate its situation.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan followed Su Chen towards the White Cloud branch, while Fu Wen and the others kept their distance, following behind.

Two hours later, Su Chen stopped. Ahead of them was an island resembling a cloud, with numerous cultivators visible on it. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan held their breath, their hearts pounding in their chests, fearing someone would probe their identities. To their great relief, no one did, and they easily followed Su Chen onto White Cloud Island.

White Cloud Island was densely populated with buildings, and many cultivators were active on the island.

"Oh, Senior Brother Su, you're back?" a clear-eyed girl in a blue skirt asked, greeting Su Chen. "These two look a bit unfamiliar."

"These are Senior Brother Wang and Senior Sister Wang, who came from Jinsha Island," Su Chen quickly replied, seeming reluctant to say anything more to the blue-skirted girl. "We have important business to discuss with Senior Uncle Su at White Cloud Peak. I can't talk now, Junior Sister Yang."

"Senior Uncle Su? Didn't Senior Uncle Su already..." The blue-skirted girl stopped mid-sentence, suddenly remembering something. She immediately changed her words, saying, "Senior Uncle Su returned not long ago, you can go find him!"

Wang Changsheng's expression turned cold. He could tell they had been exposed; Su Chen would rather die than cooperate with them. It seemed the Tianlan Sect had trained its disciples well. Wang Changsheng flicked two fingers, and a blue light shot out, disappearing into the blue-skirted girl's body. The girl immediately became motionless. Su Chen tried to shout loudly, but a blue light struck his body, rendering him motionless and unable to make a sound.

Soon, the four of them landed in a five-mu estate. The estate contained many low-level spirit herbs, and no other cultivators were present. Wang Changsheng searched the blue-skirted girl's soul and discovered that the so-called Senior Uncle Su had passed away not long ago. Su Chen had indeed intended to send a warning.

"That was close; we almost capsized in a ditch," Wang Changsheng remarked, surprised. "Tianlan Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators actually don't fear death. They have much more backbone than Senior Qianli." It seemed the Tianlan Sect's six-hundred-year rule had been quite successful, as its disciples would rather die than betray the sect.

Su Chen remained motionless, consumed by anxiety. His relatives were all on White Cloud Island. If he betrayed the sect, even if the enemies were defeated, his relatives would face severe punishment. The Tianlan Sect's rules were extremely strict, and disciples who turned traitor faced heavy penalties.

"Wife, he still has relatives on the island," Wang Changsheng instructed. "Someone might return. You stay here and guard; I'll go investigate the situation." Wang Changsheng gave the instruction, then transformed into specks of blue light and disappeared.