Chapter 1743: Planning the Nine Nether Sect

"You can't assume human form! We heard the Tianlan Sect has a secret talisman that allows them to transform into other cultivators. How can we be sure you're not from the Tianlan Sect?"

Cheng Zhanxian's expression turned cold. He made a grabbing motion in the air towards Wang Changsheng's direction, and a silver light shot out. As it passed, a piercing whoosh that seemed to sting the eardrums echoed.

Among the three Spirit Transformation cultivators, Wang Changsheng's aura was the weakest. If Wang Changsheng were a fake, he naturally wouldn't be able to withstand this attack.

Wang Changsheng let out a soft snort. Countless blue light points appeared in the void before him, and after a momentary blur, a blue water wall, over a hundred zhang high, materialized out of thin air, blocking his front.

The silver light struck the blue water wall, piercing through it. However, the silver light quickly bounced back, hitting an empty space.

Boom!

With a loud crash, a massive crater, dozens of zhang in diameter, appeared on the ground.

"Is this how your demon race treats guests?"

Wang Changsheng's expression turned cold, and his voice, loud and clear, spread across a hundred-li radius.

"What? Just because I cannot assume human form, I can no longer command you?"

Old Ancestor Qinghua's tone grew cold, and a vast spiritual pressure surged from her body.

Members of the Azure Serpent clan were the first to rush forward, strictly preventing others from causing trouble.

Old Ancestor Black Tiger's lips moved slightly, seemingly transmitting a message to Old Ancestor Qinghua.

"It's Senior Hua, we misunderstood. We are truly sorry."

Old Ancestor Black Tiger's expression softened as he spoke with an apologetic tone.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Fu, thank you for escorting me back. Please wait a moment while I retrieve a few things."

Old Ancestor Qinghua transformed into a streak of azure light and flew into Qingmang Mountain.

After a while, Old Ancestor Qinghua flew out. She opened her mouth, and three azure storage rings flew out, heading towards Wang Changsheng and the other two.

A hint of fervent desire flashed in Cheng Zhanxian's eyes. Old Ancestor Qinghua was the leader of the Eastern Barren Demon Race, having ruled them for over a thousand years. Her treasured possessions were undoubtedly numerous. Not to mention anything else, the Eastern Barren Demon Race's only Transcendent Spirit Treasure was in Old Ancestor Qinghua's possession.

If he hadn't been wary of Old Ancestor Qinghua's strength, he would have already moved to seize it.

Old Ancestor Qinghua was unable to assume human form, indicating she must have suffered severe injuries. This presented him with a great opportunity to revive the Celestial Wolf clan.

Wang Changsheng and the other two caught the storage rings. After scanning them with their spiritual sense, they exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

"Our long journey together has come to an end. Fellow Daoist Hua, we shall not linger. Farewell."

Wang Changsheng put away the Blazing Sun Palace, and he and Wang Ruyan transformed into a streak of blue light, flying back along the way they came.

Fu Wen and Liu Ye also departed, leaving Old Ancestor Qinghua and the others behind.

"Senior Sister Hua, who injured you? How could it be so severe?"

Old Ancestor Black Tiger asked, concerned.

"Shangguan Tianhong. This time, we went to the Tianlan Realm and eliminated many high-level cultivators from the Tianlan Sect. Several Spirit Transformation cultivators from the Tianlan Sect perished. Our contribution was significant. Black Tiger, you represent me to negotiate with the old monsters of the Dongli Realm and demand more benefits. I cannot have made this trip in vain. Junior Brother Cheng, you contact the demon race in the South Sea and ask Fellow Daoist Feng to come to the Eastern Barren. I have a tremendous secret to tell her, one that concerns ascending to the Spirit Realm."

Old Ancestor Qinghua commanded, her tone authoritative.

She was currently gravely wounded. If Old Ancestor Black Tiger and Cheng Zhanxian discovered anything amiss, they might very well launch a lethal attack. The best course of action was to send them away.

Old Ancestor Black Tiger and Cheng Zhanxian exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

"Yes, Senior Sister Hua."

The two agreed. Even if they harbored other intentions, they would still wait to secure the benefits first. Old Ancestor Qinghua had accumulated prestige over many years, and the two of them were not united, so they did not act against her for the time being.

After Old Ancestor Black Tiger and Cheng Zhanxian left, Old Ancestor Qinghua announced her seclusion, instructing the younger generation to handle any affairs.

***

Taiyi Immortal Sect, Ancestral Hall.

Liu Ye, Zhang Zhanfeng, Wang Changsheng, and Wang Ruyan stood before the portrait of the Four Seasons Sword Venerable, their expressions respectful.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, thank you for returning this sword formation that our Patriarch left behind. That was very considerate of you."

Liu Ye said gratefully.

When Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were in the Myriad Thunder Sea, they discovered the cave dwelling where the Four Seasons Sword Venerable once resided. The Four Seasons Sword Venerable had left a sword formation there, which Wang Changsheng returned to the Taiyi Immortal Sect upon his return to the Dongli Realm, thus restoring it to its rightful owners.

"It was merely a small effort, Fellow Daoist Liu. Did your Patriarch not disclose his whereabouts?"

Wang Changsheng asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. When cultivators traveled, they would usually state their destination so their clansmen could send messages if anything urgent arose.

"He did. The Patriarch reportedly went to the Ice Sea Realm, but we don't possess a Transcendent Spirit Treasure capable of breaking through realm barriers, so we couldn't go there. We never expected he had also been to the Tianlan Realm."

Liu Ye said with a wry smile. The Four Seasons Sword Venerable had not left a life soul lamp, which made others even more apprehensive.

"The Ice Sea Realm?"

Wang Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. It appeared the Four Seasons Sword Venerable first went to the Ice Sea Realm, then to the Tianlan Realm. It was unknown whether he later ascended to the Spirit Realm or journeyed to other realms.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, do you know how one might ascend to the Spirit Realm?"

Wang Changsheng humbly sought advice. Judging by the whereabouts of Dongli Realm's prodigies like True Monarch Azure Dragon, True Monarch Celestial Wolf, and the Four Seasons Sword Venerable, they had all left the Dongli Realm. If they could ascend to the Spirit Realm, why would they have left the Dongli Realm? And why would the Tianlan Realm go to such great lengths to invade the Dongli Realm?

"It is said that one must cultivate to the late Spirit Transformation stage to ascend to the Spirit Realm. If one lacks the cultivation of the late Spirit Transformation stage, they must either seek spatial nodes for clandestine passage or find other methods. The Tianlan Realm invaded the Dongli Realm precisely for its resources. Tens of thousands of years ago, one could ascend to the Spirit Realm upon reaching the mid-Spirit Transformation stage. However, an unknown change occurred, and thereafter, one needed to reach the late Spirit Transformation stage to ascend. Oh, and the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda appeared after that."

"The Immortal Suppressing Pagoda contains a Transcendent Spirit Treasure, and some people link it to the Spirit Realm, believing that a major change occurred in the Spirit Realm, thus requiring cultivation to the late Spirit Transformation stage to ascend."

Liu Ye said slowly, a look of yearning on his face. Who wouldn't wish to ascend to the Spirit Realm?

Wang Changsheng nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject, asking, "Now that the war has concluded, what are the Taiyi Immortal Sect's future plans? Do you have any ideas regarding the Northern Frontier?"

"The Northern Frontier? Fellow Daoist Wang, please speak freely."

"The Nine Nether Sect in the Northern Frontier killed members of my clan; my son died at their hands. The Nine Nether Sect Master is already dead, and my brother-in-law, who was an elder of the Nine Nether Sect, is also gone. I wish to support my niece to become the Nine Nether Sect Master. Fellow Daoist Liu, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

Wang Changsheng's eyes narrowed. The Taiyi Immortal Sect's current strength was considerable. With their assistance, Wang Changsheng's chances of helping Ye Haitang become the Nine Nether Sect Master would be significantly higher.

"Your niece? The Nine Nether Sect Master?"

Liu Ye's brows furrowed slightly. The Nine Nether Sect controlled a considerable territory, and even Liu Ye found himself somewhat tempted.