Chapter 1809: Snap of the Fingers Sixty Years, Deploying Troops and Sending Generals

Sixty years passed in the blink of an eye.

South Sea, Green Lotus Island.

At Hundred Spirits Peak, Wang Qingling sat on a stone stool, while Wang Yingjie stood beside her, his eyes full of anticipation.

The Icewind Flood Dragon lay on the surface of the icy lake, its body significantly larger.

During their trip to the Meteor Immortal Ice Field, they acquired many Fourth-tier demon cores. Wang Yingjie refined them into pills and fed them to the Icewind Flood Dragon, which successfully advanced to the mid-tier Fourth-tier. It took the Icewind Flood Dragon over two hundred years to progress from low-tier Fourth-tier to mid-tier Fourth-tier, which is considered fast, given that demonic beasts have much longer lifespans than cultivators.

“Are you truly going to follow ancestor on the expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm? I can provide you with a spirit item for Nascent Soul formation,” Wang Qingling said earnestly. Wang Yingjie was the most promising and diligent in cultivation among her many descendants.

“Grandson thanks ancestor. With my aptitude, one spirit item for Nascent Soul formation might not be enough. The expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm is an excellent opportunity to achieve great deeds, and I hope ancestor will grant my wish.” Wang Yingjie bowed respectfully, his face filled with anticipation.

He was one of the Nine Heroes. According to family rules, once he cultivated to the ninth layer of Core Formation, the family would provide one spirit item for Nascent Soul formation. With the one Wang Qingling offered, he would have two. However, given his aptitude, he felt two spirit items were too few to ensure his advancement to the Nascent Soul stage.

“Since your mind is set, I will speak on your behalf to Ninth Uncle. You may return now!” Wang Qingling instructed.

Wang Yingjie breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and withdrew.

Suddenly, Wang Qingling took out a glowing communication disk and struck it with a magic seal. Wang Changsheng's voice immediately sounded: “Qingling, come to Green Lotus Peak. I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, Ninth Uncle, I’ll be right there.”

Wang Qingling put away the communication disk and leaped onto the Icewind Flood Dragon’s back.

“Let’s go, Little White, to Green Lotus Peak. Ninth Uncle needs me for something.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Icewind Flood Dragon soared into the sky.

Green Lotus Peak, a secluded courtyard.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan sat in a stone pavilion, while Wang Qingshan, Wang Mengbin, Ye Haitang, Wang Tianwen, Wang Youwei, Ouyang Mingyue, Wang Qingqing, and others stood before them.

Wang Qingqing was already at the mid-stage Nascent Soul, Wang Mengbin at the late-stage Nascent Soul, and Ye Haitang remained at the mid-stage Nascent Soul.

As they were embarking on an expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm, it was natural for them to bring some clan members to facilitate the acquisition of cultivation resources. While venturing to the Thousand Gourd Realm certainly carried risks, staying in the East End Realm wasn't necessarily safe either; risks and opportunities coexisted.

Wang Changsheng had no intention of forcing them to go to the Thousand Gourd Realm; it depended on their individual desires.

Wang Qingling walked in and stood respectfully.

“We are about to depart for the Thousand Gourd Realm. This journey might be an opportunity, but it could also be a crisis. If any of you wish to go, step forward,” Wang Changsheng said gently.

“Ninth Uncle, your nephew is willing to follow you and Ninth Aunt on this expedition,” Wang Qingshan stepped forward and said earnestly.

“I am also willing to go.”

“Your grandson is willing to follow ancestor on the expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm.”

“Uncle, Aunt, I am also willing to go.”

Wang Mengbin and the others all expressed their willingness to go to the Thousand Gourd Realm; not a single one showed fear.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan’s trip to the Heavenly Azure Realm, and their subsequent great advancements in cultivation upon returning, showed this was an opportunity.

“Qingshan, you have already cultivated to the Great Perfection stage of Nascent Soul. It’s better not to take risks; stay and guard Green Lotus Island,” Wang Changsheng advised, as Wang Qingshan was the family’s future hope, and Wang Changsheng did not want any harm to befall him.

“Ninth Uncle, flowers in a greenhouse do not grow big, and an eagle will always have a day to spread its wings and soar. I wish to use this opportunity to temper myself. I ask Ninth Uncle to grant my wish,” Wang Qingshan said earnestly. In the past, he would have remained on Green Lotus Island, but now things were different. The family’s protective formation could conceal Green Lotus Island by submerging it deep into the sea.

The sword intent he comprehended was 'guarding,' but this did not mean he had to constantly remain with the family. He had cultivated for many years, and the family had provided much assistance, yet he wasn't limited to guarding the family; he could also follow Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan on expeditions.

Wang Changsheng showed a pensive expression. His initial intention was to protect Wang Qingshan, but perhaps this protection was somewhat excessive. Wang Qingshan was different from other clan members; he had made significant sacrifices himself to reach his current stage.

During the previous trip to the Heavenly Azure Realm, the major powers of the East End Realm had essentially sent no elites, which, to some extent, was a form of overprotection.

“Qingshan, we don’t know much about the Thousand Gourd Realm, as we haven’t been there ourselves. You must consider this carefully; there are significant risks in going to the Thousand Gourd Realm,” Wang Ruyan reminded him solemnly.

“Ninth Aunt, your nephew believes that cultivation is not just about arduous training; one should also venture out, experience the customs and traditions of different places, and exchange pointers with other cultivators. Your nephew knows Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt are concerned about my safety, but cultivation itself is defying the heavens, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. Won't Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt face dangers in the Thousand Gourd Realm? Your nephew is willing to follow Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt on this expedition.”

Wang Qingshan’s expression was serious, implying that staying on Green Lotus Island wasn't necessarily safe either.

Wang Changsheng showed a look of relief and instructed: “Since that’s the case, you can come with us! Qingshan, Mengbin, Haitang, Youwei, Mingyue, the five of you will join us. Additionally, select twenty Core Formation cultivators and one hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators from within the clan. Qingling, Mengfen, Tianwen, Qingqing, you will remain on Green Lotus Island. Effective immediately, strangers are strictly forbidden from entering Green Lotus Island, and vigilance must be heightened. If a Soul Transformation cultivator attacks, immediately activate the clan’s protective formation to submerge Green Lotus Island into the seabed.”

With Wang Qingling, the Icewind Flood Dragon, and a top-tier Fourth-tier puppet beast, the defensive strength would not be weak.

“Yes, Ninth Uncle (Ancestor),” Wang Qingshan and the others replied in unison.

“Qingshan and Qingqing, stay here. The rest of you, go back and prepare!” Wang Ruyan instructed.

Wang Qingling and the others acknowledged, bowed, and withdrew.

Wang Changsheng flicked his sleeve, and nine glistening green flying swords flew out, hovering before Wang Qingshan. These were precisely the Azure Glaze Swords, which had already advanced to become Spirit Treasures.

“Qingshan, the Azure Glaze Swords have advanced to become Spirit Treasures. As long as you don't encounter a Soul Transformation cultivator with excessively fast escape speed, you should be able to retreat safely,” Wang Changsheng said gently. His agreement to let Wang Qingshan accompany them was largely due to Wang Qingshan's strength; he was reluctant to let Wang Qingqing go to the Thousand Gourd Realm.

Wang Qingqing's eyes were filled with envy. A complete set of Spirit Treasures – Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan themselves didn’t even have a complete set of Spirit Treasures during their Nascent Soul stage, did they? It was understandable for Wang Qingshan to have a complete set of Spirit Treasures while accompanying Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan on the expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm.

“Thank you, Ninth Uncle.” Wang Qingshan’s expression was one of excitement as he accepted the Azure Glaze Swords.

“Qingshan, this is a Five-Element Talisman Soldier that I personally refined. It possesses the strength of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Take it for your self-defense!” Wang Ruyan took out a glowing talisman and handed it to Wang Qingshan.

She had been in the Soul Transformation stage for over a hundred years and could now refine Five-Element Talisman Soldiers with a maximum strength equivalent to mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Wang Qingshan thanked her profusely and accepted the Five-Element Talisman Soldier.

Wang Changsheng gave a few more instructions before letting Wang Qingshan depart.