Chapter 1880: Zhenhai Sect Ruins Appear, Qinghua Ancestor Seeks Help

The Ten Thousand Ghost Sea was once devastated by the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Sky Wave Sect, causing numerous ghostly entities to break free from their seals. This resulted in severe casualties among cultivators in the neighboring sea regions. Although centuries have passed and the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea has regained its calm, many restrictions persist, and powerful ghostly entities still inhabit its depths. Consequently, the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea remains one of the seven most dangerous locations in the South Sea.

A streak of green light, moving at an incredible speed, flew from the distant horizon. Shortly after, it came to a halt. As the light receded, it revealed a shimmering green lotus seat. Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Fairy Ziyue stood on it, their expressions solemn.

The sea beneath them was black and perfectly still.

"The main altar of the Zhenhai Sect has been submerged for many years," Wang Changsheng stated, "it's time for it to see the light of day again." The Zhenhai Sect ruins were home to a considerable number of cultivators, including many from the Wang family and disciples of the Zhenhai Sect, totaling five to six thousand individuals.

"I'll go retrieve the Zhenhai Sect ruins," Wang Ruyan said. "Husband, Junior Sister Tian, please wait here for a moment." After speaking, Wang Ruyan transformed into a streak of blue light and vanished into the depths of the sea.

"Senior Brother Wang," Fairy Ziyue asked softly, her teeth gently biting her red lip, "are you truly going to attempt ascension to the Spirit Realm with the artifact spirit in five years? Can the artifact spirit be trusted?"

"I don't know if the artifact spirit is reliable," Wang Changsheng sighed, "but I don't have a better alternative. Smuggling ourselves through a spatial node is not only dangerous, but there's also no telling how long the node will remain stable. We need to depart in three years." He continued, "Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. For tens of thousands of years, no one in the East Barrens Realm has managed to cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage. Sun Tianhu had the greatest potential, but his cultivation method was unique and could not be replicated by others."

If Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan didn't depart with the artifact spirit, their only option would be to covertly use a spatial node. Not only were the chances of success extremely low, but these nodes were also highly unstable and could become blocked at any moment. The Sky Wave Sect initiated the realm war precisely because clandestine travel was so perilous. After careful consideration, leaving with the artifact spirit seemed to be the best course of action. The artifact spirit's power was undeniable; it had wounded Master Jinsang, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, with a single strike and casually produced several Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures. This strongly suggested the artifact spirit was a powerful being from the Spirit Realm.

"So soon?" Fairy Ziyue asked, her delicate brows furrowing in surprise. "Are you going to the Thousand Gourd Realm to retrieve your nephew?"

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Yes," he replied. "After we depart, only Qingling will remain in the family, and she alone cannot sustain it." In terms of individual strength, Wang Qingshan was the strongest Nascent Soul cultivator in the Wang family, followed by Wang Mengbin, and then Wang Qingling. Wang Qingqing's personal strength was not particularly high.

If Wang Qingshan couldn't free himself, the Wang family would face a difficult transition period. Before ascending, Wang Changsheng felt it was crucial to leave the family with a solid foundation to ensure its security for the next thousand years. If he could retrieve Wang Qingshan, all would be well. If not, Wang Changsheng would have to devise another plan.

"Senior Brother Wang," Fairy Ziyue asked softly, biting her red lip slightly, "before you leave the East Barrens Realm with the artifact spirit, could you say goodbye to me privately?"

Wang Changsheng paused for a moment, then sighed softly and nodded. "Junior Sister Tian," he consoled her, "you possess a Nascent Soul-grade spiritual item; you have a chance to reach the Nascent Soul stage. The next time I encounter the artifact spirit, I will plead with it to see if there are any other methods for ascension to the Spirit Realm."

"Ascend to the Spirit Realm?" Fairy Ziyue chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I know my own limitations." Her Dao Heart was far from resolute. Ever since she began cultivating, she had lived in hiding, and her sole purpose for seeking strength was to avenge her family—this vengeance had been her strongest driving force. Yet, with the passage of time, her animosity towards the Sun and Moon Palace had waned, and she understood that she had no hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. Self-awareness is a valuable trait, and Fairy Ziyue had always possessed it.

"You shouldn't say that," Wang Changsheng comforted her. "As long as you put in the effort, I believe you'll have an opportunity." Honestly, he had even considered how convenient it would be if the Sun and Moon Palace had betrayed them or committed heinous acts. He could have then decisively destroyed them, showcasing his power. However, not only did the Sun and Moon Palace not betray them, but its two Palace Lords, in their fight against the enemy, even sacrificed their most treasured artifact and their lives for a noble cause. Such a display of integrity made it impossible for Wang Changsheng to act against them.

He harbored no ill will towards the Sun and Moon Palace; they had never harmed any cultivators from the Wang family. Furthermore, Wang Changsheng had already fulfilled his promise to Grand Elder Nangong Miao. Wang Changsheng had already instructed that the Zhenhai Sect be allocated fifteen sets of Nascent Soul-forming spiritual items and fifty sets of Core-forming spiritual items to aid in cultivating high-level cultivators. Additionally, he had crafted several spiritual treasures to serve as the sect's foundational artifacts, and the Zhenhai Sect's main altar had been returned to them. Wang Changsheng's conscience was clear. The cultivation resources he had provided to the Zhenhai Sect over the years far surpassed what Grand Elder Nangong Miao had once given him. Wang Changsheng remained deeply grateful to Grand Elder Nangong Miao, embodying the saying: "When drinking water, never forget those who dug the well."

"Senior Brother Wang," Fairy Ziyue asked softly, lowering her head, "do you hope I ascend to the Spirit Realm?"

"Yes, I do," Wang Changsheng stated earnestly. "I believe you can achieve it." Honestly, even he wasn't entirely certain he would reach the Spirit Realm, and the artifact spirit couldn't guarantee it either; it would largely depend on luck. His courage to ascend to the Spirit Realm with the artifact spirit stemmed from a crucial reliance: the Zhenhai Xuanwater Token. This treasure appeared ordinary, yet its defensive capabilities were comparable to those of defensive Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures.

Fairy Ziyue's eyes brightened. Staring intently at Wang Changsheng, she asked, "Really?"

"Truly!" Wang Changsheng affirmed sincerely. "I hope we can meet again in the Spirit Realm someday."

The two continued to chat, undisturbed by any other cultivators.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Fairy Ziyue frowned. "Senior Sister Wang has been down there for quite a while," she said, "and there's no sign of anything. Could it be that the Zhenhai Sect ruins cannot be brought to the surface?"

"I doubt it," Wang Changsheng chuckled softly. "It's probably just a bit difficult to activate the formation; it's been nearly a thousand years, which is quite normal." Not long after, the sea surface began to ripple with wave-like movements, and colossal waves surged. A deafening roar erupted from the seabed, as if something monstrous was about to emerge from beneath the earth.

Ten breaths later, a massive island abruptly surfaced from the ocean. It was adorned with verdant pines and willows, jagged rocks, rich spiritual energy, and brilliant rays of light.

"It's out!" Wang Changsheng exclaimed. "Let's go! We'll control the formation and move the Zhenhai Sect back to the Five Dragon Sea Region." Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal, and the Green Lotus Throne flew towards the enormous island.

Soon, they found themselves in a spacious and brightly lit grand hall. Inside, more than a dozen formations of varying sizes were actively humming. Wang Ruyan stood beside a massive formation, several hundred zhang wide, holding a misty, water-infused token engraved with the characters "Zhenhai."

"Let's proceed, my dear," Wang Changsheng urged. "Move the Zhenhai Sect back to the Five Dragon Sea Region; it will be easier to defend there."

Wang Ruyan nodded, formed a hand seal, and a blue light shot from the token in her hand, vanishing into the formation. The next moment, the Zhenhai Sect's main altar began to shake violently. A shimmering, light-blue barrier of light materialized, enveloping the entire island. The island then submerged once more, traveling beneath the waves to return to the Five Dragon Sea Region.

In an underground cave in the East Barrens.

A massive green python lay coiled on the ground, its body shimmering with spiritual patterns. The green python's head glowed with a dazzling green light, and a human face abruptly materialized, revealing Old Ancestor Qinghua. However, the human face soon blurred, then abruptly dissipated, restoring the python to its original form.

"Damn it, I've failed again," the green python spoke in human tongue. "It seems I need a Transformation Pill to regain my human form." Old Ancestor Qinghua had returned to the East Barrens Realm over two hundred years ago. Utilizing her previously accumulated cultivation resources, she had successfully recovered her fifth-rank cultivation. However, the python bloodline she had taken over was too common, preventing her from transforming into human form on her own. If she couldn't assume human form, Old Ancestor Qinghua would find many tasks inconvenient. Furthermore, her lifespan was dwindling, and she was currently only a low-grade fifth-rank cultivator.

Just then, the ground suddenly shook violently. Old Ancestor Qinghua seemed to sense something; her body flared with a strong green light, and her size rapidly diminished.

Boom!

With a deafening roar, the underground cave collapsed, and the small green snake darted towards a narrow crevice. A muffled thud sounded as the green snake was blocked by something.

"Sister Qinghua, long time no see. Your junior brother has missed you dearly," an icy voice suddenly resounded. As the voice faded, a streak of light descended from above, landing within the stone cave. It was Cheng Zhanxian. Years ago, Old Ancestor Qinghua had concocted an excuse to dispatch Cheng Zhanxian and Old Ancestor Black Tiger. By the time they returned, she had absconded with centuries of accumulated wealth, vanishing without a trace. Cheng Zhanxian and Old Ancestor Black Tiger, furious and astounded, had been searching for her ever since, but to no avail. Heaven favors the diligent; Cheng Zhanxian had finally located Old Ancestor Qinghua.

"Cheng Zhanxian, what do you want?" the green snake retorted, its voice cold. "Without me, your Heavenly Wolf tribe would have been annihilated long ago."

"Hmph," Cheng Zhanxian sneered, his gaze icy. "After your Green Snake tribe gained power, you suppressed our Heavenly Wolf tribe at every turn. Did you truly believe I wouldn't notice? I won't waste words with you. Hand over your cherished treasures, and I might spare your life." He flipped his right hand, and with a flash of golden light, a shimmering golden long blade materialized. Its hilt was carved with a lifelike wolf's head, and the blade itself resembled a wolf's tail. This was the Heavenly Wolf Blade, a spiritual treasure and the Heavenly Wolf tribe's ancestral artifact, and it was also the only spiritual treasure in Cheng Zhanxian's possession. It was truly embarrassing to admit that as a Nascent Soul cultivator, Cheng Zhanxian possessed only a single spiritual treasure. This was unavoidable, as the cultivation resources of the East Barrens demon race had long been controlled by Old Ancestor Qinghua and Old Ancestor Black Tiger. The only reason Cheng Zhanxian even had one spiritual treasure was because it had been left behind by True Monarch Heavenly Wolf.

"Hmph," the green snake scoffed, "do you truly believe one spiritual treasure is enough to subdue me? At worst, we'll both perish. I cannot tolerate threats." The small green snake emitted a blinding emerald spiritual light, its body rapidly expanding into a green python over a hundred zhang long. If she were to hand over her treasures, she would undoubtedly face death.

"I'm done wasting words with you," Cheng Zhanxian said gravely. "You probably don't know this, but the artifact spirit is preparing to take the five Green Lotus Immortal Couple to ascend to the Spirit Realm. Other Nascent Soul cultivators will have no choice but to smuggle themselves through spatial nodes. If you don't wish to perish of old age in the East Barrens Realm, hand over your treasures. I will present them to the artifact spirit of the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. Perhaps then we might also have a chance to follow the artifact spirit to the Spirit Realm." If he were to remain in the East Barrens Realm, even with the longer lifespans of the demon race, he wasn't confident he could cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage. As for smuggling himself to the Spirit Realm? That was a jest; he didn't even know which spatial nodes led there. Attempting to figure it out himself would undoubtedly be a waste of time. The optimal solution was to seek assistance from the Demon Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit. Old Ancestor Qinghua had ruled the East Barrens demon race for millennia, surely accumulating countless treasures. If she offered them, perhaps the artifact spirit would be willing to transport them as well.

"What? The Demon Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit?" Old Ancestor Qinghua asked, half-skeptical. "Can it really take us to the Spirit Realm?" She had spent these past years recovering her cultivation, leading to limited information. Moreover, this matter was known only to a select few, inaccessible to ordinary cultivators. Had Cheng Zhanxian not had dealings with Jiao Mingzhu, he would not have learned this news.

"Why would I lie to you?" Cheng Zhanxian scoffed. "The artifact spirit of the Demon Suppressing Pagoda has even produced several Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures." Cheng Zhanxian briefly recounted the two occasions the Demon Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit had appeared.

"Go and invite the Green Lotus Immortal Couple," Old Ancestor Qinghua said coldly. "I need their help with something. If you don't agree, then let's fight! I guarantee you won't get my treasures." Her voice was cold; she had no intention of trusting Cheng Zhanxian. The Green Lotus Immortal Couple, having the opportunity to attempt ascension to the Spirit Realm with the artifact spirit, held far greater sway.

"You trust humans but not me?" Cheng Zhanxian's expression immediately turned cold.

"I trust no one," Old Ancestor Qinghua replied indifferently. "You claim they can travel to the Spirit Realm with the Demon Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit? I must inquire with them myself. I don't believe they would lie alongside you. Bring them here, and I will hand over some treasures to you then."

Cheng Zhanxian's expression flickered with uncertainty. Old Ancestor Qinghua's cultivation was deeper than his, and what he truly desired were her meticulously preserved treasures. Even if he could kill her, failing to obtain the treasures would render the act meaningless. Without the chance to ascend to the Spirit Realm, everything else was idle talk.

"How do I know you're not trying to deceive me again?" Cheng Zhanxian said in a deep voice. "You tricked me and Daoist Tiger last time. How about this: I'll go with you to Green Lotus Island, and we can speak directly with the Green Lotus Immortal Couple. That way, both you and I can be at ease, what do you say?"

"You're not bringing Black Tiger along?" Old Ancestor Qinghua asked.

Cheng Zhanxian let out a cold laugh. "The artifact spirit cannot take that many people to ascend to the Spirit Realm," he said. "Lu Dao, Meng Tianzheng, and others have all been refused. I hope the treasures you present will satisfy me; otherwise, I won't hesitate to fight you to the death. Anyone who dares to obstruct my ascension to the Spirit Realm will be killed by me." The artifact spirit was extremely selective. Cheng Zhanxian wasn't even confident that the artifact spirit would take him along, let alone if Black Tiger were added to the equation.

"Hmph, if Black Tiger hadn't vehemently persuaded me, I wouldn't have helped you advance to the Nascent Soul stage," Old Ancestor Qinghua's voice was laced with sarcasm. "If Black Tiger knew this, I wonder what he would think." After Bai Xin's demise, the East Barrens demon race found itself facing threats from both the East Barrens human race and the Sky Wave Sect, necessitating the cultivation of another Nascent Soul cultivator. Old Ancestor Qinghua had initially disliked Cheng Zhanxian. Without her explicit consent, Cheng Zhanxian would never have obtained the demon core left by his ancestors. It was solely due to Old Ancestor Black Tiger's persistent persuasion that Old Ancestor Qinghua finally agreed.

"Every man for himself, or heaven will destroy him," Cheng Zhanxian retorted unceremoniously. "You worked alongside Black Tiger for years, yet didn't you still deceive him, absconding with years of treasured wealth and going into hiding? That's the pot calling the kettle black. Don't speak to me of grand righteousness; it's all about individual gain."

"I didn't realize you were so insightful," Old Ancestor Qinghua remarked. "Alright, I'll accompany you to Green Lotus Island. But I warn you, don't try any tricks. Even if I can't defeat you now, self-destruction is certainly within my power. If I die, you can forget about getting my treasured possessions."

"Don't worry, I'm not that foolish," Cheng Zhanxian replied indifferently. With that, he and Old Ancestor Qinghua transformed into two streaks of light and vanished into the horizon.