Chapter 1877: West Desert Master Jin Sang

"Why are only you here? Where are the Azure Lotus Immortals?" the tool-spirit asked with a frown, its gaze sweeping over Jiao Mingzhu and the other five.

"How should we address you?" Baili E asked courteously. He couldn't discern the tool-spirit's origin or true cultivation level.

"My surname is Ye. Have the Azure Lotus Immortals met with trouble? With the treasure I bestowed, that young man shouldn't be in danger, as long as he doesn't encounter a late-stage Soul Transformation cultivator." The tool-spirit's brow furrowed tightly.

"Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang are handling some matters in the Thousand Gourd Realm. They are likely already on their way back," Gongsun Yang quickly interceded for the Azure Lotus Immortals.

"Hmph, they're not even concerned about ascending to the Spirit Realm. Never mind, just bring out what I asked for first!" the tool-spirit commanded.

Baili E and the other five exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and each took out a storage ring, tossing them to the tool-spirit.

The tool-spirit scanned them with its divine sense, then frowned. "Why is there so little? Your efficiency is far too low!"

Jiao Mingzhu and the five others gave a wry smile. They had brought out many valuable items from their personal treasuries, their prized collections accumulated over years, rarely used. Yet, what five major powers had gathered was merely "a little" in the tool-spirit's eyes.

"Adding the materials collected by our Heavenly Ripple Sect, there should be more," a dignified male voice suddenly rang out.

A faint azure dragon-boat flew from the distance. Shangguan Tianhong, Sun Hao, and Situ Qing stood upon the blue dragon-boat, their expressions solemn.

To eliminate the demon race, the Heavenly Ripple Sect suffered heavy losses, with many Soul Transformation cultivators dead or injured. However, they were also the most ruthless in plundering cultivation resources, focusing their power on major undertakings. While the Eastern Glade Realm appeared stronger than the Heavenly Ripple Sect on the surface, it was hard to say who would win in an actual fight.

Not all Soul Transformation cultivators trusted the tool-spirit. The Heavenly Ripple Sect was currently divided into two factions: one advocated for recuperation, proposing a ceasefire for several centuries before invading other realms; the other advocated following the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda's tool-spirit to ascend to the Spirit Realm.

Shangguan Tianhong had lost an arm and was severely weakened. In this state, it would be even harder for him to advance to the late-stage Soul Transformation. The Thousand Gourd Realm alone had cost him an arm, so invading other realms might not guarantee victory.

"And us, Divine Weapon Palace!" a hearty male voice suddenly resounded as Lu Dao flew from the distant horizon.

Soon after, the blue dragon-boat and Lu Dao halted in the void several thousand feet from the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda. Shangguan Tianhong and Lu Dao each tossed a storage ring to the tool-spirit.

The tool-spirit scanned them with its divine sense, its expression softening slightly. Suddenly, it frowned and looked towards a certain direction, stating coldly, "A mere junior dares to use concealment techniques before me? Do you truly think I haven't noticed you?"

The tool-spirit gently pointed its right index finger in that direction. A whooshing sound broke the air, and a golden beam shot forth.

As soon as the golden-robed monk appeared, ripples spread through the void in front of him, and a golden light suddenly manifested before him.

The golden-robed monk remained unperturbed. He clasped his hands together and intoned, "Amitābha," as a faint golden sound wave surged forth to meet the attack.

With a thunderous roar, the golden sound wave was shattered by the golden light. The void vibrated and distorted as the golden light struck the golden-robed monk's left shoulder, piercing directly through it. Faint traces of blood could be seen.

"Master Jinsang, what brings you here?" Baili E exclaimed in surprise. Master Jinsang was the most highly cultivated individual from the Myriad Buddha Temple in the Western Desert. He had advanced to the Soul Transformation stage in the same year as Sun Tianhu and was currently a mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivator.

Even during the invasion of the Heavenly Ripple Realm, Master Jinsang had not appeared. Baili E had assumed Master Jinsang had met with an accident, but he was unexpectedly still alive.

What astonished him even more was that the tool-spirit could injure a mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivator like Master Jinsang with a single strike. Buddhist cultivators were known to focus on cultivating their Dharma Body, and Soul Transformation-stage Buddhist monks possessed physical bodies no weaker than those of Soul Transformation-stage demonic beasts; they could withstand spirit treasures without issue. Yet, he couldn't block a single attack from the tool-spirit.

"You also wish to ascend to the Spirit Realm? Then present some rare artifact-refining materials," the tool-spirit said indifferently.

"Senior, you misunderstand. This humble monk merely came to ask you a few questions. Hiding here was indeed impolite," Master Jinsang said neither humbly nor arrogantly. Given that a single strike could injure him, the tool-spirit's true cultivation was clearly above the Soul Transformation stage.

"Speak your mind. I detest indecisiveness," the tool-spirit said with some impatience.

"Senior, can you truly lead us fellow daoists to ascend to the Spirit Realm? Without any danger?" Upon hearing this, the cultivators' expressions tightened. They were also deeply concerned about this question.

"What endeavor is without danger? Even cultivation can lead to qi deviation! If you fear death, then don't follow me to ascend to the Spirit Realm. It's not as if I'm begging you to come with me!" The tool-spirit's tone was calm, as if discussing an insignificant matter.

At these words, Shangguan Tianhong and the other cultivators displayed various expressions: apprehension, hesitation, resolve, and more.

"Fellow daoists, the so-called great calamity might not necessarily refer to the Heavenly Ripple Sect and the demon race. If all of you leave with Senior Ye, and should evil forces cause trouble again, it would be problematic. Please consider the common people and your disciples and clansmen, and think twice before acting." Master Jinsang's tone was sincere. He dared not openly doubt the tool-spirit, but if Shangguan Tianhong and the others all left with the tool-spirit, they would be utterly unprepared for any new powerful enemies.

"Hmph, if I can ascend to the Spirit Realm, why should I remain in the Human Realm?" Shangguan Tianhong said indifferently. As long as he could ascend, the destruction of the Heavenly Ripple Sect wouldn't matter to him.

"Master Jinsang, you are overly concerned. The combined number of Soul Transformation cultivators dead or injured in the Heavenly Ripple Realm, Eastern Glade Realm, and Thousand Gourd Realm exceeds twenty. Is this not a great calamity!? Where are these 'evil forces' you speak of? We can't just remain in the Human Realm forever out of fear that some evil forces might harm the common people! In tens of thousands of years, has a single person cultivated to the late-stage Soul Transformation? I know I'm not that lucky, and perhaps only Fellow Daoist Sun from Myriad Beasts Island could achieve it." Lu Dao said with a frown. With the cultivation resources in the Human Realm, it was extremely difficult for Soul Transformation cultivators to advance even a small stage. To Lu Dao's knowledge, for at least thirty thousand years, no cultivator had reached the late-stage Soul Transformation.

Sun Tianhu's hope of cultivating to the late-stage Soul Transformation was not only due to Myriad Beasts Island's profound heritage but also related to his unique cultivation technique, which others could not replicate. Why did the Heavenly Ripple Sect seek to unify the Heavenly Ripple Realm and invade other realms? Was it not precisely because cultivating to the late-stage Soul Transformation was exceptionally difficult?

"Exactly, each person has their own aspirations. This old man intends to take a chance!" Ye Yan echoed. After losing an arm, he had even less confidence in advancing to the late-stage Soul Transformation.

Master Jinsang let out a long sigh and said helplessly, "Very well, each person has their own aspirations. This humble monk shall not disturb Senior Ye and the fellow daoists any further. I take my leave." Master Jinsang transformed into a golden streak of light and vanished into the horizon.

"Senior Ye, when can you take us to ascend to the Spirit Realm? And how will we ascend?" Shangguan Tianhong asked, his gaze fervent. Having heard of the tool-spirit's power was one thing, but witnessing its formidable strength firsthand, Shangguan Tianhong dared not be presumptuous.

As the tool-spirit was about to answer, a deafening dragon's roar suddenly echoed. A blue light flew from the distance and, shortly after, came to a halt. It was a blue scroll, precisely the "Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram," with Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan standing upon it.

"You've finally arrived. Are you not concerned about the ascension?" the tool-spirit said with a frown.

Wang Changsheng's heart tightened. He quickly explained, "Senior Ye, you misunderstand. One of our kin went missing in the Thousand Gourd Realm, and we were delayed while searching for him." To be honest, if it weren't for searching for Wang Qingshan, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would have returned to the Eastern Glade Realm long ago.