Chapter 1756: Heavenly Grade Secret Realm Treasure Hunt

Three years flew by quickly.

In a vast and tranquil courtyard, strange flowers and exotic plants grew, surrounding a central azure pavilion adorned with carved railings and jade.

Wang Yingjie pushed open his door and stepped out, a broad smile on his face. After accompanying Wang Changsheng on an adventure to the Tianlan Realm, Wang Yingjie returned with a substantial reward. Coupled with cultivation resources provided by Wang Qingling, his progress was rapid. He had already reached the sixth layer of Core Formation, which was remarkably fast, especially considering he possessed a five-spirit root.

Today was the day of the clan competition, where the first-place winner would receive a spirit treasure as a reward.

Wang Yingjie left his residence, transforming into a streak of light that pierced through the air. He could clearly see numerous clansmen flying towards the martial arts arena.

Shortly after, Wang Yingjie arrived at the arena, where over a thousand clansmen had gathered. In the center stood the Green Lotus Spirit Suppressing Pagoda. To participate in the clan competition, individuals needed to be at least at the third layer of Foundation Establishment and be official members of the Wang family; guest cultivators were not permitted to compete. The generous rewards attracted many clansmen to participate.

"Dong dong dong!" A loud bell chimed as a golden streak of light descended from the sky, landing atop the Green Lotus Immortal Suppressing Pagoda. It was Wang Qiuming.

"I will personally preside over this clan competition," Wang Qiuming's voice resounded across the entire arena. "The first one to clear the pagoda will be rewarded with a spirit treasure. Do your best, understand?"

"Yes, Old Ancestor!" the clansmen responded in unison.

"Line up to challenge the Green Lotus Spirit Suppressing Pagoda, one at a time," Wang Qiuming instructed, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Green Lotus Peak.

Meanwhile, on Green Lotus Peak, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingshan, Wang Qingling, Wang Qingjing, Fairy Ziyue, Wang Xin, Murong Yuyao, and Ye Haitang—a total of nine individuals—were gathered in a secret chamber. Inside the chamber was a teleportation array spanning over a hundred *zhang*. Wang Ruyan had used the Seven Star Heart-Seeking Talisman to verify Murong Yuyao's truthfulness, confirming she had not lied. Wang Changsheng was now preparing to journey to a Heaven-grade secret realm to seek treasures and bolster the family's strength.

He possessed nine Underworld Moon Pearls, distributing one each to Wang Qingshan, Wang Qingjing, Ye Haitang, Fairy Ziyue, Wang Qiuming, and Wang Xin. However, there was little Ten-Thousand-Year Black Jade and Grand Yin Divine Crystal remaining, making it impossible to refine more Underworld Moon Pearls unless these rare materials were acquired.

"Let's go! It's time to depart; the sooner we leave, the sooner we return." Wang Changsheng strode onto the teleportation array. Wang Qiuming was to remain on Green Lotus Island, presiding over the clan competition. His primary role was to provide cover for Wang Changsheng and the others' expedition. Additionally, Wang Qiuming was tasked with monitoring the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda. Should it appear while Wang Changsheng was away searching for treasures in the Heaven-grade secret realm, Wang Qiuming would be prepared to lead the clansmen to challenge it, ensuring a two-pronged approach. There was no other option; no one knew when the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda would manifest. Otherwise, Wang Changsheng would have brought more elite disciples.

Wang Ruyan and the others stepped onto the teleportation array one by one. Wang Changsheng cast a spell, causing countless runes to illuminate the array. A thick spiritual light flared, enveloping everyone's figures.

After a brief sensation of dizziness, Wang Changsheng and the other eight appeared in a simple underground cave. Not far away, a pool of water shimmered, with occasional drops falling into it. Ye Haitang approached a steep rock wall. With a flip of her hand, she produced a shimmering yellow array flag and gently waved it towards the surface. The wall glowed with a yellow light, then abruptly revealed a cave entrance several *zhang* wide, through which dazzling sunlight streamed in.

Stepping out of the cave, they found themselves on a deserted island spanning over a hundred *li*. The island was devoid of demonic beasts, and its spiritual energy was sparse.

"Fly east, and we'll reach our destination," Ye Haitang said, simultaneously conjuring a dark, small boat. Its hull was etched with grotesque ghost faces, emanating an oppressive surge of Yin energy. This was the Hundred Ghosts Spirit Evasion Boat, a flying spirit treasure Ye Haitang had acquired from the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda.

Wang Changsheng and the others boarded the Hundred Ghosts Spirit Evasion Boat. As Ye Haitang activated a spell, the ghost faces carved on the hull seemed to awaken, emitting mournful wails. They then spewed out a vast cloud of black Yin energy, shrouding Wang Changsheng and the others. Any cultivator attempting to probe with their divine sense would find it blocked by this dark energy. The Hundred Ghosts Spirit Evasion Boat transformed into a streak of light and soared through the air, quickly diminishing into a black speck that vanished into the distant horizon.

***

Red Moon Sea Region, Cloud Sea Island.

Inside Cloud Sea Hall, a portly, golden-robed man sat on a golden jade chair, which creaked under his weight. Beside him sat a beautiful young woman in a blue dress, her brow furrowed in a frown.

The golden-robed man was Wang Qiuxin, son of Wang Changxing, who had long been responsible for overseeing the Cloud Sea Sect. The young woman in blue was Wang Qiuli, stationed at Silver Snake Island. They had received orders that the family was undertaking an operation in the Red Moon Sea Region and required their assistance.

"Why haven't the family members arrived yet? I hope nothing went wrong!" Wang Qiuli said with a frown. In recent years, turmoil had spread across various regions; even Silver Snake Island had faced attacks, though they were swiftly repelled.

"With me here, nothing will go wrong. Who would dare to plot against our Wang family?" A commanding male voice suddenly resounded. As the words faded, Wang Changsheng and the others emerged from a side hall.

"Ninth Uncle, Seventh Elder," Wang Qiuxin and Wang Qiuli immediately stood up and bowed in greeting.

"Qiuxin, have you secured that island?" Wang Changsheng asked. The entrance to the Heaven-grade secret realm was located above a small island, which also served as the base for a cultivation family.

"I approached them as the branch master of the Zhenhai Sect, and we have successfully taken control of the island," Wang Qiuxin replied truthfully. "That family has already been absorbed into the Zhenhai Sect. Now, the island is entirely staffed by our people, and a direct teleportation array has been established for immediate transport." He added that while the entire Cloud Sea Sect had joined the Zhenhai Sect, some personnel remained stationed on Cloud Sea Island, which now served as a branch of the Zhenhai Sect. Due to the Wang family's influence, no other force dared to interfere with the Cloud Sea branch. He elaborated on how they had taken control of the island. The cultivation family there was significantly weaker than the Cloud Sea branch. Wang Qiuxin had used a combination of threats and incentives, securing the family's submission effortlessly and without any loss of life.

"Well done. You've worked hard these past years," Wang Changsheng said with a smile, promising, "This counts as your achievement, and Qiuli also deserves credit. You will both be handsomely rewarded upon our return to Green Lotus Island."

Wang Qiuxin and Wang Qiuli's faces lit up with joy. "Thank you, Ninth Uncle!" they said in unison.

"All right, let's proceed," Wang Changsheng instructed.

Led by Wang Qiuxin, they entered a secret chamber over a hundred *zhang* in size, which contained a teleportation array spanning over fifty *zhang*. Wang Changsheng and the other ten individuals stepped onto the teleportation array one by one. As Wang Changsheng cast a spell, a blinding white spiritual light surged upwards, engulfing their forms.

As the white light dissipated, Wang Changsheng and his companions found themselves inside a spacious and brightly lit grand hall with its doors closed. Wang Qiuxin pushed open the hall doors, and Wang Changsheng and the others stepped outside. They were now on a small, oval-shaped island dense with vegetation. Over fifty cultivators were present, mostly at the Foundation Establishment stage.