Chapter 1713: Forty Years

Forty years passed in the blink of an eye.

East Wasteland, Taiyi Immortal Sect.

In a secret chamber, Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. A blue lotus flower hovered above his head, while nine other blue lotus flowers revolved erratically around him, accompanied by continuous sword humming.

Wang Qingshan suddenly opened his eyes, a faint blue light shooting out from them. The ten blue lotus flowers spun rapidly, and a fierce wind abruptly arose.

"Late Nascent Soul stage, I've finally reached this point."

Wang Qingshan gently exhaled a turbid breath, a smile gracing his face.

With a single hand gesture, the ten blue lotus flowers transformed into ten blue flying swords, which then plunged into the ground in front of him. The Azure Lotus Sword was in the center, flanked by the nine Azure Glaze Swords. Each Azure Glaze Sword emitted a loud hum and shook continuously, seemingly celebrating Wang Qingshan's advancement to the late Nascent Soul stage.

"So many years have passed, I wonder if Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt have returned," Wang Qingshan muttered to himself. With a flick of his sleeve, he put away the ten flying swords.

He walked out of his residence, performed a sword incantation, and a dazzling blue sword light suddenly burst forth beneath him, carrying him high into the sky. He intended to pay his respects to Sword Venerable Xiaoyao and incidentally inquire about the situation in the East Fence Realm.

Before long, Wang Qingshan arrived at Sword Venerable Xiaoyao's residence. Just then, a unique fragrance wafted into his nostrils. At first, it resembled a fishy smell, but upon closer inspection, it was more like sandalwood, seemingly mixed with a medicinal aroma.

At the same time, numerous beast roars echoed, and even the Three-Headed Sly Beast in Wang Qingshan's spirit beast pouch became somewhat restless.

RUMBLE!

A tremendous clap of thunder sounded. The previously clear sky suddenly became overcast with dark clouds; lightning flashed and thunder boomed. All beasts roared in unison, and many spirit beasts lost control, stampeding in a certain direction. Fortunately, they were stopped in time.

"All disciples, heed my command! Do not approach within a hundred miles of Tianyun Valley. From now on, no disciple is allowed to enter or exit. Violators will be severely punished."

Zhang Zhanfeng's voice suddenly rang out, spreading throughout the entire Taiyi Immortal Sect.

At the same time, one hundred and eight white light pillars shot into the sky, forming a massive white light barrier that encompassed and protected the entire Taiyi Immortal Sect.

"Tianyun Valley... Junior Martial Brother Meng is attempting to break through to the Deity Transformation stage."

A familiar male voice suddenly rang out. Wang Qingshan turned his head and saw that Sword Venerable Xiaoyao had suddenly appeared beside him.

"Master, Martial Uncle Meng is attempting to break through to the Deity Transformation stage?" Wang Qingshan was deeply shocked. Breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage was the dream of countless Nascent Soul cultivators. If Meng Tianzheng succeeded, the Taiyi Immortal Sect's influence would rise to another level.

"The body turning into sandalwood, there's no mistake," Sword Venerable Xiaoyao remarked with emotion. "Our sect has activated part of the sect-protecting array's restrictions. Such a grand display would only occur for a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage." If he hadn't been trapped by love, it should have been him attempting the breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage now.

"You've reached the late Nascent Soul stage, that's good!" Sword Venerable Xiaoyao suddenly recalled something and praised him with a smile. "Come, let's talk at my residence."

Before long, the master and disciple were sitting by a tea table, sipping tea.

"Master, have all the cultivators from the Heavenly Ripple Sect been apprehended? What's the current situation? Is there any news of my Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt?" Wang Qingshan posed several questions.

"Another Deity Transformation cultivator from the Heavenly Ripple Sect has died, and over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators have been executed," Sword Venerable Xiaoyao replied. "However, our losses are significant; several forces have been annihilated, including the Sacred Talisman Palace in the Northern Frontier and the Blood Flame Gate in the South Sea. There's no good news about your Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt. I asked your clansmen, and they said the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple's soul lamps have not extinguished, so they should still be alive. Oh, and Gongsun Yang has advanced to the Deity Transformation stage. Beast Island truly possesses deep blessings." Sword Venerable Xiaoyao remarked with emotion that it was not surprising Gongsun Yang had advanced to the Deity Transformation stage, as he had cleared the thirty-sixth level of the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda, obtained a Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure, and become the first person to do so in ten thousand years.

"What about True Man Haoyu from the Central Plains and Fairy Song from the Three Flames Palace? Haven't they made any moves?" Wang Qingshan pressed on.

True Man Haoyu, Gongsun Yang, the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple, Song Xiruo, and Tai Han Tianxuan—all six of them triggered unusual phenomena when they formed their Nascent Souls. Both True Man Haoyu and Gongsun Yang possess Spirit Bodies. Now that Gongsun Yang has advanced to the Deity Transformation stage, True Man Haoyu is probably not far behind.

"True Man Haoyu was hired as the National Master by the Great Yan Dynasty," Sword Venerable Xiaoyao said with a regretful tone. "When he was attempting to break through to the Deity Transformation stage, he was sabotaged by cultivators from the Heavenly Ripple Sect, forcefully interrupting his advancement. It was also at that time that one of the Heavenly Ripple Sect's Deity Transformation cultivators was killed, which is why our sect activated part of the sect-protecting array's restrictions. There's no news of Song Xiruo." He further explained that the place where True Man Haoyu attempted his breakthrough was very secluded and protected by two Deity Transformation cultivators. However, Long Xiaoyao and two other Deity Transformation cultivators forced their way in, forcefully interrupting True Man Haoyu's advancement. As a result, True Man Haoyu was not only unable to advance to the Deity Transformation stage but also suffered severe injuries.

He suddenly thought of something and said, "If you are willing to formally become a disciple of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, only then will you have the opportunity to obtain the Taiyi Pill. It's too difficult to rely on chance to acquire spirit items needed for a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage. I, your master, have ventured into many dangerous places, only finding over a dozen types of spiritual herbs, but I haven't been able to gather all the materials to refine the Taiyi Pill."

Refining the Taiyi Pill requires spiritual herbs that are three to four millennia old as the main ingredient. While some rare and exotic fruits can also aid in breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, these are extremely uncommon. Back then, Sword Venerable Four Seasons left behind over a dozen sets of spiritual pills and miraculous medicines for Deity Transformation breakthroughs, which ensured the Taiyi Immortal Sect could produce new Deity Transformation cultivators. Liu Ye's ability to advance to the Deity Transformation stage was also largely thanks to Sword Venerable Four Seasons.

"Master, I appreciate your kindness, but my original intention will not change." Wang Qingshan subtly refused. He clearly understood that Sword Venerable Xiaoyao's words were an empty promise. Even if he formally joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect, there were many cultivators ahead of him, and his sense of belonging to the sect was far less than that to his family. It was impossible for the Taiyi Immortal Sect to give Wang Qingshan a Taiyi Pill.

"Master, how long does it typically take for a Nascent Soul cultivator to break through to the Deity Transformation stage?" Wang Qingshan changed the subject.

"The duration is not fixed," Sword Venerable Xiaoyao replied. "Generally, once a cultivator successfully passes the lightning tribulation and their physical body completes its sandalwood transformation, they enter the Deity Transformation stage. I hope Junior Martial Brother Meng succeeds in reaching the Deity Transformation stage!" Sword Venerable Xiaoyao gazed at the distant thunderclouds, his face filled with worry.

Taiyi Peak, a crucial location of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, was sealed off at its summit. Liu Ye and Zhang Zhanfeng stood within a stone pavilion, gazing at the thunderclouds high in the sky.

"Martial Uncle Liu, do you think Martial Nephew Meng can advance to the Deity Transformation stage?" Zhang Zhanfeng asked nervously.

"The power of the Five-Nine Lightning Tribulation is considerable," Liu Ye slowly replied. "Even with array formations and defensive spirit treasures, cultivators still need to absorb some lightning power to temper their physical bodies and purify their Nascent Souls, thereby undergoing transformation. Most cultivators use their vital magic treasures to weaken the lightning power, using only a small amount to purify their Nascent Souls. Martial Nephew Meng has a defensive spirit treasure protecting him, and he uses the Qi of Earthly Fiends and Heavenly Gang to improve his physical body, so he should be able to do it." He explained that he had provided Meng Tianzheng with three spirit items. To acquire these items, he had taken many rare materials from the sect's treasury and actively participated in battles. If Meng Tianzheng could not advance to the Deity Transformation stage, it could only be said that the Taiyi Immortal Sect's fate was sealed.

Zhang Zhanfeng nodded and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple has been in the Heavenly Ripple Realm for almost a hundred years, haven't they? I wonder how they are."

"The concept of 'fated chance' is profound and mysterious," Liu Ye said in a deep voice. "If their fated chance is great enough, perhaps both of them will advance to the Deity Transformation stage. If it's not enough, perhaps both will perish. Just as great waves wash away the sand, many talented individuals in the past were stronger than our Patriarch, but only our Patriarch had the last laugh. Luck, too, is a part of strength." His kindness towards Wang Qingshan was also due to the possibility of the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple advancing to the Deity Transformation stage, a gesture to build a connection in advance.