Chapter 1894: Two Major Factions

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan quickly bowed, their expressions uneasy. They did not know the purpose of the others' visit. Since their surname was Lin, could they be descendants of Old Devil Lin, as the tool spirit had mentioned?

The maiden in the blue dress held a light blue, nine-sided Dharma plate, her willow-like eyebrows furrowed. She looked at Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, asking in a deep voice, "What are your names, and how did you come to be on our Zhenhai Palace's territory?" Generally, only cultivators at the Mid-Spirit Transformation stage could ascend from the lower realms. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were merely at the Early-Spirit Transformation stage, so she subconsciously assumed they were deliberately hiding on Xuanguang Island.

"Senior Lin, we ascended from the lower realms," Wang Changsheng calmly stated. According to Liu Yang, weren't cultivators who ascended from the lower realms highly regarded? The blue-robed maiden did not seem to like them very much.

"What? You ascended from the lower realms?" the blue-robed maiden exclaimed, her face showing an incredulous expression.

Liu Yang quickly explained, "Martial Aunt Lin, they truly are cultivators who ascended from the lower realms. Moreover, they ascended from the Dongli Realm to the Spirit Realm, and they are from the Zhenhai Sect." The blue-robed maiden and the red-clad youth were stunned; it seemed they had completely misunderstood the situation.

"Lin Youxin, Lin Youyan, you've gone too far. Trespassing on Xuanguang Island without permission, what exactly are you trying to do?" A commanding male voice suddenly boomed from the sky.

A deafening beast roar echoed, and a golden streak of light appeared in the distant sky. After a few flashes, it suddenly materialized above the bluestone square. The golden light was a magnificent golden oriole, with a wingspan of over ten zhang. Its entire body was covered in golden feathers, its talons were scarlet and sharp as knives, its neck was slender, and its head was remarkably small. A golden-robed old man, over seventy years old, stood on the oriole's back.

The golden-robed old man was as thin as a bamboo pole, with a square face, a pale complexion, and no beard. His tiger-like eyes commanded respect without anger. Draped in a shimmering golden Daoist robe, he exuded a powerful aura of oppression.

"Martial Uncle Zhao, these two fellow cultivators ascended from the Dongli Realm. They have a significant connection to our Zhenhai Palace's sect in the lower realms, the Zhenhai Sect," Liu Yang quickly explained, thinking Lin Youxin was trying to steal credit. Cultivators who ascended from the lower realms were highly sought after, and all major powers would try to win them over.

Upon hearing this, the golden-robed old man's expression softened. He spoke gently to Wang Changsheng, "Don't worry, with me here, no one can harm you. According to the 102nd precept of Zhenhai Palace, those who fight amongst themselves will have their magic power crippled in minor cases, and be executed without mercy in severe cases."

Lin Youxin scoffed lightly, saying, "I'm not trying to kill them. I'm here by the ancestor's command to apprehend the murderer of my seventh brother."

Lin Youyan looked at Wang Changsheng and asked gently, "Little Friend Wang, do you perhaps have a token? One that can transform into a palace? That was our seventh brother's identity token. He was murdered by a villain, and the token was lost."

Wang Changsheng had an epiphany. He quickly took out the Zhenhai Profound Water Token, showing a reluctant expression, and handed it to Lin Youyan. "We obtained this from a foreign race. We've been on Xuanguang Island since we ascended and haven't gone anywhere else. We don't know your relative, Senior." Wang Changsheng explained sincerely. Kill a Void Refinement cultivator's relative? He had never done such a thing.

"Cultivators at the Early-Spirit Transformation stage can ascend to the Spirit Realm? You're not deliberately fabricating a lie to deceive us, are you? Our Lin family isn't that easy to fool," Lin Youxin said, frowning, her beautiful eyes filled with suspicion.

The golden-robed old man's brows furrowed deeply. He looked at Liu Yang, who quickly explained, "Martial Uncle Zhao, Fellow Daoist Wang and his companion truly ascended from the lower realms. The Spirit Ascension Platform cannot be wrong. As for their cultivation level, this disciple doesn't know how to explain it."

"Never mind," the golden-robed old man suggested, "Let's ask the Sect Master for clarification. He can discern the truth." The conflict between the Ascension faction and the Local faction was overt, and continuing to argue would be useless.

"I have no objections. Let's take them to see the Sect Master. As long as they are not the culprits, we won't make things difficult for them." Lin Youxin's tone was calm. For over ten thousand years, the Ascension faction had not gained any new blood, and the Local faction's influence had grown stronger. With two new cultivators suddenly appearing, the Ascension faction might just rise again.

"Martial Nephew Liu, you are to continue guarding this place. If they prove to be innocent, you will be credited. Guard this place well," the golden-robed old man instructed, then looked at Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan and said gently, "Come on up! Return to the main altar with me. My ancestors also ascended from the lower realms."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan acknowledged him and leaped onto the back of the golden oriole.

With a clear cry, the golden oriole flapped its wings powerfully, stirring up a gust of wind, and soared into the sky. Lin Youxin chanted a spell, and the golden flying boat's escape light intensified, chasing after them.

After about a quarter of an hour, the golden oriole appeared above a massive island, ten thousand li in circumference. Spiritual energy permeated the island, ancient trees towered, and pavilions and palaces were everywhere. The golden oriole circled for a moment before landing in front of a magnificent, golden-adorned grand hall, where two Spirit Transformation cultivators stood guard.

Lin Youxin and Lin Youyan landed as well, retracting their golden flying boat.

"There's a teleportation array here that leads back to the main altar. Let's teleport back," the golden-robed old man said, jumping off the golden oriole's back. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan followed closely. He was concerned about potential accidents, so teleporting directly back seemed safer.

For over ten thousand years, no cultivators from the lower realms had ascended, leading to various elders of Zhenhai Palace voicing complaints. They suggested dismantling the Spirit Ascension Platforms, as maintaining one required significant manpower and resources, making the cost too high and becoming a major burden for Zhenhai Palace. The Ascension faction advocated for keeping the Spirit Ascension Platforms, while the Local faction argued for their removal. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were the best possible achievement; bringing them back safely would silence the elders who proposed dismantling the platforms. At its peak, Zhenhai Palace had thirty-six Spirit Ascension Platforms. Now, only thirteen remained. In a sense, the number of Spirit Ascension Platforms was one of the important indicators of a sect's power.

The grand hall was spacious and bright. Inside, there was a hundred-zhang-wide teleportation array, its surface intricately carved with numerous profound array patterns. It had hundreds of uniformly sized indentations, each containing a high-grade spirit stone. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were secretly astonished. Just one teleportation array required so many high-grade spirit stones to activate; Zhenhai Palace's financial resources were considerable!

The golden-robed old man, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Lin Youxin, and Lin Youyan stepped onto the array one after another. The golden-robed old man cast a spell. The array began to tremble slightly. Countless runes glowed brightly, rising one after another and transforming into thick screens of light that enveloped the five of them.

A blinding golden light flared, and Wang Changsheng felt dizzy. After a moment, Wang Changsheng felt better and found himself in a blue stone chamber over a hundred zhang wide. Its stone walls were engraved with countless profound runes, emitting powerful forbidden energy fluctuations.