Chapter 1876: Immortal Suppression Tower Spirit Appears

"We sent many people to search for them, but couldn't find them. Unexpectedly, they came to us on their own. They are currently in the reception hall. Should I bring them to you, or would you prefer to go yourself?"

Zhong Yunxiu spoke politely. She had hired Wang Mengbin as a revered guest of the Zhong family, providing him with cultivation resources and array formations. This wasn't out of pure benevolence; she had tasks for Wang Mengbin to undertake, though the time wasn't yet right.

If Wang Mengbin's background proved extraordinary, it would establish a valuable connection.

While cultivation resources were abundant in the Azure World, possessing a spirit treasure was a luxury for most Nascent Soul cultivators. Wang Mengbin unexpectedly owned a flying spirit treasure, which greatly surprised Zhong Yunxiu. Unable to ascertain his origins, she naturally became even more courteous.

"Thank you for your kindness, Immortal Zhong," Wang Mengbin replied. "I'll go fetch them myself; there's no need to trouble you."

As Wang Mengbin finished speaking, countless lightning bolts flared around him, and he vanished in a burst of ear-splitting thunder.

Lightning Escape!

Even without using his Lightning Roc Wings, Wang Mengbin could perform the Lightning Escape technique, though employing the wings significantly amplified its power.

In the reception hall, Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan sat on stools. A green-robed elder, over fifty years old, occupied the main seat. His complexion was ruddy, his face serene, giving an approachable impression.

This was Zhong Yangming, the head of the Zhong family.

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, Madam Zheng," Zhong Yangming asked politely, "may I be so bold as to inquire about your sects or affiliations?"

The Zhong family held considerable influence in the Azure World, but they were not among the top powers and needed to maintain good relations with other forces. The Zhong family maintained alliances with many major powers, yet they had never heard of Wang Mengbin and his two companions.

"My wife and I are like wandering clouds and wild cranes, rarely showing ourselves," Cheng Zhenyu said lightly. "It's not surprising you haven't heard of us, Fellow Daoist Zhong."

After arriving in the Azure World, he and Zheng Nan had no one to rely on and had to revert to their old ways, hunting demonic beasts to survive. Some forces had extended invitations, wanting to recruit them as guest elders, but being accustomed to a leisurely life, they politely declined. They had joined the Zhenhai Sect primarily because Zheng Nan's ancestor had been a disciple of that sect.

While hunting demonic beasts, the couple had also been searching for Wang Mengbin. They had achieved Nascent Soul formation over two hundred years ago, and thanks to the abundant cultivation resources in the Azure World, both had subsequently advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

By a stroke of luck, they learned the Zhong family was looking for them. At first, they thought they had offended the family, but later discovered that the Zhong family had recruited a revered guest named Wang, and it was *he* who was searching for them. Only then did they decide to seek out the Zhong family.

Zhong Yangming was about to ask more questions when a hearty voice suddenly came from outside: "Fellow Daoist Cheng, Fellow Daoist Zheng, I've finally found you!"

No sooner had the words faded than Wang Mengbin walked in, looking excited.

Seeing Wang Mengbin, Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan both stood up, joy evident on their faces.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, these two must be the people you've been looking for, aren't they?" Zhong Yangming asked politely. Wang Mengbin's strength was already considerable, and now with Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan, the Zhong family couldn't help but feel a touch of apprehension.

"They are indeed my friends, Fellow Daoist Zhong," Wang Mengbin said with a smile. "I didn't expect them to come to us on our own. Thank you. Fellow Daoist Cheng, Fellow Daoist Zheng, let's go to my residence to chat!"

Zhong Yangming said nothing, watching the three of them leave.

No sooner had the three departed than Zhong Yunxiu walked in.

"I know the names and appearances of most renowned Nascent Soul cultivators in the Azure World," Zhong Yangming said with a frown, his face full of confusion. "It's truly strange that I've never heard of Fellow Daoist Wang, given his powerful cultivation."

"As long as they can help our Zhong family, that's enough," Zhong Yunxiu said solemnly, her face filled with longing. "Our family has been planning for this day for thousands of years. If we succeed, we can contact our ancestors in the Spirit Realm. Perhaps they can bestow treasures or perform secret arts to restore our family's glory. Even if not, a word from our backers in other forces would significantly improve our situation."

The Zhong family currently had no Soul Transformation cultivators, but their ancestors had ascended to the Spirit Realm and established a cultivation family there, which was not weak. To contact their ancestors in the Spirit Realm, they needed to set up a special array formation and also a unique medium. They needed Wang Mengbin's help to obtain this medium, for a simple reason: the location of the medium was protected by lightning-attribute restrictions, and ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators entering it would either die or be severely injured.

Wang Mengbin invited Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan to his residence, where the three sat in a stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.

The three briefly recounted their experiences over the years, all feeling a sense of wistfulness.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Cheng Zhenyu sighed, "if we want to return to the Eastern Wisteria Realm, we'd need to find a cross-realm teleportation array that leads back to the Eastern Wisteria Realm or the Thousand Gourd Realm. However, as far as we know, the materials for such arrays are extremely rare, and the methods for setting them up might even be lost. Unless we advance to the Soul Transformation stage, we shouldn't hope to return to the Eastern Wisteria Realm or the Thousand Gourd Realm."

Wang Mengbin nodded. "Indeed! What are your plans?"

"We've confirmed that cultivators in the Azure World can ascend to the Spirit Realm upon reaching the mid-Soul Transformation stage," Cheng Zhenyu asked politely. "We don't plan to return to the Eastern Wisteria Realm. What about you, Fellow Daoist Wang?" They had no children and no lingering attachments. For them, since the Azure World offered better prospects for cultivation, staying there was the natural choice.

"I plan to cultivate diligently," Wang Mengbin said gravely. "Once I reach the Soul Transformation stage, I'll see if there's a way to bring our ancestors here. In terms of both cultivation resources and future prospects, the Azure World is far superior to the Eastern Wisteria Realm. Strength is the most crucial factor; once I reach the Soul Transformation stage, everything will become much more convenient."

"If you don't mind," Wang Mengbin suggested, "you could join the Zhong family. We all hail from the Eastern Wisteria Realm; we should support each other." Wang Mengbin trusted Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan more than other cultivators; after all, huddling together for warmth was human nature.

"Naturally," Cheng Zhenyu agreed. "We'll rely on Fellow Daoist Wang for the introduction to join the Zhong family."

Wang Mengbin sighed softly. "We've been missing for so many years; our ancestors must be terribly worried."

"If we can reach the Soul Transformation stage, there's hope of returning to the Eastern Wisteria Realm," Zheng Nan said, her face filled with longing. "If we're fortunate enough to ascend to the Spirit Realm, that would be even better."

Wang Mengbin nodded, a look of yearning appearing on his face.

In the Azure World, ascending was possible upon reaching the mid-Soul Transformation stage, which was challenging for cultivators of ordinary aptitude. However, Wang Mengbin possessed a lightning spirit root, meaning that reaching the mid-Soul Transformation stage through steady cultivation was merely a matter of time for him. This was unlike the Eastern Wisteria Realm, where ascension required reaching the late-Soul Transformation stage, and for tens of thousands of years, no cultivator had managed to reach that stage before their lifespan ran out.

In the Eastern Wisteria Realm, within the Coral Sea, tens of thousands of cultivators surrounded a certain sea area, preventing idle individuals from approaching.

On a desolate island, stood a towering, steep peak.

Jiao Mingzhu, Baili E, Ye Yan, Meng Tianzheng, and Gongsun Yang stood atop the steep peak, their expressions solemn.

The Immortal Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit was almost due to appear, but it was unknown if it would be willing to tell them how to ascend to the Spirit Realm.

A ripple suddenly spread through a certain void, emitting a buzzing sound, and a magnificent, constantly shimmering pagoda materialized out of thin air. It was precisely the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda.

A golden light shone from the pagoda's summit, and the artifact spirit abruptly appeared at the spire, its expression indifferent.