Chapter 1922: Wang Mengbin's Seclusion, Wang Yingjie Takes the Lead in Qianhu World

The Azure Cloud Islands are located in the southeastern part of the Qinghuan Realm. Named for the abundant Azure Cloud Sharks, a prized monster beast with numerous uses, these islands attract a multitude of merchants and travelers.

Qingyang Island, situated at the edge of the Azure Cloud Islands, spans a thousand li in circumference. It boasts a fourth-order spirit vein, abundant spiritual energy, lush vegetation, and countless perilous mountains and unique peaks, making it an ideal place to settle. However, its peripheral location also means it's frequently attacked by monster beasts. In the event of an unfortunate large-scale beast tide, Qingyang Island becomes a primary target for these creatures.

Three streaks of light appeared on the horizon. After a few blinks, they halted above Qingyang Island. As the light dissipated, the figures of Wang Mengbin, Cheng Zhenyu, and Zheng Nan were revealed.

Given the significant influence of the Zhong and Deng families in the Qinghuan Realm, Wang Mengbin sought to avoid trouble. The three of them had disguised their appearances, changed their names, and fled to the Azure Cloud Islands. Wang Mengbin had traveled a great distance to this place, naturally, to attempt a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage.

Qingyang Island's unique location means it frequently experiences beast tides. While minor tides are manageable, major ones involve multiple fourth-order monster beasts, and their timing is unpredictable. Previous attempts by various factions to establish themselves on Qingyang Island invariably resulted in heavy losses. Consequently, the island became desolate over time. It's suitable for a short stay, but not for permanent residence.

Developing on Qingyang Island necessitates the year-round presence of three Nascent Soul cultivators to prevent monster beasts from exploiting vulnerabilities. Yet, any group capable of assembling three such cultivators would likely choose to establish themselves on a more suitable island rather than Qingyang. Dilapidated buildings and a few third-order monster beasts could still be seen on the island.

Wang Mengbin chanted a spell, and a deafening thunderclap echoed from high above. The previously clear sky abruptly darkened with ominous clouds, accompanied by lightning and thunder. This unusual phenomenon terrified the low-level monster beasts, causing them to flee Qingyang Island en masse.

Wang Mengbin and his two companions landed on Qingyang Island and proceeded to set up four sets of fourth-order formations.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, please focus on your secluded cultivation,” Cheng Zhenyu sincerely stated. “My wife and I will protect you. As long as we live, we will ensure no monster beasts disturb your breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage.”

“Then I will impose upon you both,” Wang Mengbin promised. “I always keep my word. If I successfully advance to the Deity Transformation stage, I will find a way to acquire a spiritual item for each of you to aid in your own breakthroughs to the Deity Transformation stage.” Wang Mengbin made this promise. In the unfamiliar Qinghuan Realm, having Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan as his protectors would allow him to focus entirely on his breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage. In return, if he succeeded, he would endeavor to secure a spiritual item for them to aid in their own attempts at the Deity Transformation stage.

With smiles on their faces, Zheng Nan and Cheng Zhenyu readily agreed.

After a few final instructions, Wang Mengbin headed towards a narrow, elongated valley nearby. The valley was flanked by uneven cliffs, completely covered in green vines. At the end of the valley, a cave several zhang in size could be seen. Wang Mengbin retrieved his formation flags and set up two sets of fourth-order formations outside the valley. He had acquired numerous formation flags during his time in the Thousand Gourd Realm, which proved quite useful.

The cave was not large, roughly an mu in size. The stone walls bore clear signs of artificial excavation, with stone tables and stools visible, clearly remnants of previous cultivators. In a corner, a square, greenish stone bed was positioned.

Wang Mengbin released his Gold-devouring Beast. After devouring a large quantity of fourth-order metal ores, its injuries were mostly healed.

“Guard this place,” Wang Mengbin instructed, “and don't let anyone intrude.” He then took out a small piece of Golden Orb Divine Crystal and tossed it to the Gold-devouring Beast. The Gold-devouring Beast was rather picky and wouldn't consume ordinary ores. The Gold-devouring Beast swallowed the Golden Orb Divine Crystal, chewing it a few times with a distinct crunching sound before fully ingesting it. A golden light glowed from its body as it burrowed into the stone wall and vanished.

Wang Mengbin quickly tidied the cave, then approached the greenish stone bed and sat down cross-legged.

“I wonder how Ancestor is doing,” Wang Mengbin mused to himself, his gaze firm. “If I can't return to the East-Wood Realm, I'll ascend to the Spirit Realm, then find a way to descend back. I will return someday.”

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and a crackling sound emanated from his body as countless silver electric arcs surged forth. He prepared to attempt his breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage here, intending to find a way to return to the East-Wood Realm once successful.

***

Meanwhile, at the Thousand Gourd Sect Headquarters in the Thousand Gourd Realm, inside the Purple Gourd Hall on Purple Gourd Peak.

In a certain secret chamber, Wang Yingjie sat cross-legged on a green futon, his body enveloped by a five-colored spiritual light. After a while, the five-colored spiritual light around Wang Yingjie dissipated, and he opened his eyes, which gleamed with joy.

“Mid-Nascent Soul stage,” Wang Yingjie murmured to himself, his expression excited. “A fifth-order spirit vein truly is excellent.”

He had originally accompanied Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan on their expedition to the Thousand Gourd Realm. After the demonic cultivators were eliminated, he remained there. Utilizing five spiritual items for Nascent Soul formation, he successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, becoming the first Nascent Soul cultivator in the Wang family's history with a five-spirit root aptitude.

After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Wang Yingjie cultivated continuously on the fifth-order spirit vein at the Thousand Gourd Sect Headquarters. After over eighty years of arduous cultivation, he successfully advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. This achievement was not only due to the abundant spiritual energy from the fifth-order spirit vein but also because his clansmen consistently helped him gather cultivation resources. Otherwise, with his five-spirit root aptitude, he would not have been able to progress from the early to mid-Nascent Soul stage within eighty years. If he had remained in the East-Wood Realm, he might still be stagnating in the early Nascent Soul stage, even after breaking through. The Wang family had, by then, secured a significant territory in the Thousand Gourd Realm.

A sound transmission talisman flew into the chamber and landed before Wang Yingjie. Wang Yingjie crushed the talisman, and a respectful male voice immediately spoke: “Uncle Yingjie, Senior Jin from Jinyun Island is here to visit. It appears they might be looking for trouble.”

He was, of course, familiar with Jinyun Island. The Jin family of Jinyun Island had pledged allegiance to the Tianlan Sect, and traditionally, the two families had coexisted peacefully, not interfering with each other's affairs. However, ever since the Tianlan Sect closed the realm passage between the East-Wood Realm and the Thousand Gourd Realm, the Jin family's demeanor had shifted. They had intentionally or unintentionally created friction with the Wang family, though without escalating matters significantly.

Wang Yingjie took out a pale green Dharma plate, cast a spell into it, and inquired: “Huayang, is Ancestor Haitang not present?”

“No, sir,” the respectful male voice replied from the Dharma plate. “Senior Fang Mu from the Yin Corpse Sect came to visit, and Ancestor Haitang departed with him. Before leaving, she instructed you to handle all affairs at the Thousand Gourd Sect Headquarters.”

“Fang Mu?” A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Yingjie's eyes. Fang Mu and Huang Fugui were known as the two eccentric figures of the East-Wood Realm; Fang Mu specialized in corpse manipulation, while Ye Haitang excelled at ghost expulsion. Their association was therefore not surprising.

“Understood,” Wang Yingjie said. “Please invite Fellow Daoist Jin and his companions to the assembly hall. I'll be there shortly. Hmph, I'd like to see what the Jin family intends to do.”

“Yes, Uncle Yingjie.”

Wang Yingjie put away the communication plate and exited the chamber.

Soon after, Wang Yingjie arrived at the assembly hall and took the main seat. A golden streak of light flew in, revealing a massive golden eagle with a five-zhang wingspan, a burly man in golden robes, and a beautiful young woman in a green dress.

The golden-robed man possessed dignified features, thick, powerful arms, and a pair of tiger-like eyes that commanded respect without needing anger. The young woman in the green dress had skin as white as snow and graceful willow-leaf eyebrows. The golden-robed man was Jin Yunyu, and the young woman in the green dress was Sun Yao. Both were at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

The golden giant eagle's wings flapped incessantly, stirring up gusts of wind that toppled the tables and chairs within the assembly hall.

“My apologies, Fellow Daoist Wang,” Jin Yunyu said, his gaze flirtatious. “I've just subdued this Golden Feather Eagle, and its wild nature is proving difficult to tame. Please forgive any perceived rudeness.”

Wang Yingjie chuckled. “Difficult to tame? Such a spirit beast isn't worth cultivating. Simply dispatch it and subdue another one.”