Chapter 1763: Murong Yuyao's Request and Refining Spiritual Treasures

This demonic beast was willing to surrender to Wang Changsheng, yet he still killed it for several reasons. First, the fifth-tier demonic beast's abilities weren't particularly strong; only its flame breath was somewhat powerful. Subduing it wouldn't offer Wang Changsheng much help. Second, he lacked materials for refining spirit treasures, and this fifth-tier demonic beast was excellent material for artifact refining. Third, forcibly subdued demonic beasts posed a certain risk, as their loyalty couldn't be guaranteed.

Considering all these factors, Wang Changsheng decided to slay the beast.

This time, Wang Changsheng relied on his physical strength to kill the beast, indicating his physical body still needed strengthening.

Wang Changsheng stored the corpse in his spatial ring, intending to take it back to refine spirit treasures.

Ye Haitang dismantled the formation, and the cultivators returned to the island.

"Father, while we were controlling the formation, some cultivators noticed something unusual," Wang Qingjing said with a frown. "However, they didn't dare approach and kept their distance. They probably went back to report it." The commotion from the battle was too significant. Several Core Formation cultivators had indeed discovered anomalies but didn't come closer; instead, they immediately went back to report.

"They didn't see you, did they?" Wang Changsheng pressed.

"No, they only observed from over ten *li* away, and we didn't reveal our identities," Wang Qingjing replied truthfully.

"First, return to Cloud Sea Sect and level this island," Wang Changsheng ordered. "Qiuxin, publicly announce that the remnants of the Heavenly Azure Sect attacked this island. Spread the word that the Heavenly Azure Sect remnants might cause trouble in the Crimson Moon Sea. Our family will also spread rumors, saying that their whereabouts were discovered in the Crimson Moon Sea." Wang Changsheng gave his instructions. Having killed the fifth-tier demonic beast, the Heavenly Grade Secret Realm no longer posed significant danger. They could explore it slowly later. For now, he would use the fifth-tier demonic beast's corpse to refine several spirit treasures to enhance his own and the family's strength.

"Yes, Ninth Grand-Uncle," Wang Qiuxin readily agreed. This was not a difficult task for him.

They used the teleportation array to return to Cloud Sea Sect.

In Cloud Sea Hall, Wang Xin briefed Wang Changsheng and others on the situation in the Heavenly Grade Secret Realm.

He had found over twenty millennium-old spiritual herbs, five two-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, but no three-thousand-year-old ones. There was a considerable amount of ten-thousand-year-old spiritual wood, and the number of fourth-tier demonic beasts was not large, as most had been eaten by the fifth-tier demonic beast.

"It seems Wang Xin will still need to enter the secret realm for further exploration," Wang Ruyan calmly stated. Wang Qingshan and others were the future of the family, so it was impossible to let them explore an unknown secret realm. If anything went wrong, the family's lineage would face a gap.

"Let's discuss it later," Wang Changsheng said. "Qingshan, you all may withdraw for now. I have something to discuss with young friend Murong." Wang Changsheng dismissed the other family members, leaving only himself, Wang Ruyan, and Murong Yuyao in the hall.

"Young friend Murong, we do not mistreat our own," Wang Changsheng generously promised. "You have presented us with a Heavenly Grade Secret Realm. Tell us, what do you wish for? As long as your request isn't too excessive, we can agree to it." Frankly, he was a little disappointed that there wasn't even one three-thousand-year-old spiritual herb, but obtaining a Heavenly Grade Secret Realm was still excellent. With this realm, the Wang family would continuously cultivate experts, which led to a particular concern.

Murong Yuyao was an outsider. Even if she didn't leak secrets now, would she do so in the future? If Wang Changsheng was present, it wouldn't matter much even if other forces knew the Wang family possessed a Heavenly Grade Secret Realm. However, once Wang Changsheng was gone, the news of the Heavenly Grade Secret Realm spreading would be a colossal disaster. As the saying goes, "An innocent man is guilty only for possessing a treasure." Sometimes, treasures were also troubles.

"This junior hopes to acquire some islands for our Murong family's development," Murong Yuyao said carefully, taking a deep breath. "Our Murong family is willing to pledge allegiance to the Wang family." She knew very well that the best solution was to marry into the Wang family. However, if she did, the entire Murong family would likely merge into the Wang family. Her clan elders had fought to the death to cover her escape, and she was determined to rebuild the Murong family.

"The Murong family? Now?" Wang Changsheng frowned. To be honest, Wang Changsheng would have been willing to give Murong Yuyao one or two spirit treasures, but he hadn't expected her to want to rebuild the Murong family. Over ten thousand years ago, the Murong family was the foremost cultivation family in the South Sea. It seemed they had acted too domineeringly and were jointly annihilated by other forces. For him to help Murong Yuyao rebuild the Murong family would indeed invite significant trouble.

"Not exactly," Murong Yuyao replied earnestly. "It would be better not to use the Murong family's name yet. This junior hopes the family can develop in the South Sea, and I ask for Senior Wang's support in this endeavor."

"Are you giving up your territory in the Central Plains?" Wang Ruyan asked, somewhat puzzled. "Will the Great Yan Dynasty agree to this?"

Murong Yuyao shook her head. "They've already divided up most of our Murong royal family's territory. Staying in the Central Plains is merely a formality. There are too many 'corrupt scholars' in the Central Plains cultivation world who believe the imperial family is supreme and all other forces should serve them. I dislike that greatly."

"We can provide you with some islands for development," Wang Changsheng instructed. "However, it's best not to overtly use the Murong family's banner for now; otherwise, it will cause considerable trouble. Once your strength is substantial, then you can reconsider this matter." With the Murong family developing under the Wang family's watchful eye, Wang Changsheng wouldn't have to worry about Murong Yuyao leaking secrets.

Murong Yuyao expressed her gratitude repeatedly and agreed.

"Besides the islands, I will also give you a spirit treasure," Wang Changsheng added. "I don't have a suitable one at the moment, but we can discuss it later. I never mistreat my own." Wang Changsheng gave a few more instructions, then dismissed her.

A few days later, a startling piece of news spread throughout the Crimson Moon Sea: cultivators from the Wang family of Azure Lotus Island had discovered remnants of the Heavenly Azure Sect. A branch sect under Cloud Sea Sect was suspected to have been attacked by these remnants. After the news broke, fear gripped the Crimson Moon Sea, and all major forces heightened their vigilance.

Cloud Sea Island, a secret chamber.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, holding a pale red eyeball in his hand. This was the eyeball of the fifth-tier demonic beast. According to Wang Xin, the beast could cast illusions using this very eyeball. Incidentally, Wang Ruyan's Dark Phoenix Dharma Eye was refined using a Dark Phoenix's eyeball. The eyeball in Wang Changsheng's hand was suitable for refining a soul-capturing treasure. Additionally, the beast's hide could be refined into a set of fire-attributed spirit treasures, enhancing the family's foundation.

Wang Changsheng currently possessed seven spirit treasures: the Ice Moon Ring, Dragon Lock, Seven-Colored Glazed Bowl, Sea-Calming Axe, Soaring Dragon in the Sky Scroll, Sea-Splitting Gauntlets, and Seven-Star Demon-Slaying Blade. Wang Ruyan had three: the Phoenix Lock, Blazing Sun Divine Pagoda, and Illusionary Spirit Pipa. The Eastern Hedge Realm had rewarded four spirit treasures, one each to Wang Qingjing, Immortal Purple Moon, Wang Qiuming, and Wang Qingling. Wang Mengbin, Wang Qingshan, and Ye Haitang also had spirit treasures. This was already quite impressive, with most of them acquired through battles. As the saying goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." As long as Wang Changsheng improved his artifact refining skills, he could refine more spirit treasures, strengthen the family's foundation, and benefit future generations.

Wang Changsheng tossed the red eyeball forward, cast several incantations, and exhaled the Profound Nether Cold Flame, which enveloped the red eyeball...

Three months later,