Chapter 1926: Huang Yun'er’s Request, Lin Gui Advances

Huang Ge'er hesitated, seemingly burdened by an unmentionable secret.

Shen Yunfei and Shen Yunlong understood implicitly. "We have other matters to attend to," they quickly said, "so we'll take our leave." The two returned the restriction tokens to Wang Changsheng and then departed.

"There are no outsiders here. Speak your mind! If your request isn't too excessive, I can grant it," Wang Changsheng promised.

"Years ago, I witnessed Senior Uncle Wang demonstrate his immense power, and I have admired you ever since. I wish to become your disciple, and I hope Senior Uncle Wang will grant my request." Huang Ge'er's tone was sincere, and her expression was tense.

As the saying goes, new officials bring new policies. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were newly appointed Deity Transformation cultivators, so Huang Ge'er naturally sought to understand their backgrounds, preferences, and temperaments. She had asked a relative serving on Xuanyue Island to make inquiries, but they hadn't uncovered any significant information, leading her to believe Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were newly ascended Deity Transformation cultivators without strong connections.

By chance, Li Yaoyao, a prominent figure in the Ascension Faction, sent someone to inquire about Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. Huang Ge'er's relative happened to be responsible for receiving this envoy. It was only after their conversation that the relative learned of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's powerful background. It was well known that most cultivators stationed on Xuanling Island belonged to the Ascension Faction. Given that Wang Changsheng and his wife were closely associated with the faction's leaders, they were clearly no ordinary Deity Transformation cultivators. Upon hearing this, Huang Ge'er naturally sought ways to curry favor with Wang Changsheng.

Huang Ge'er possessed a three-spirit root. Her Huang family boasted five Deity Transformation cultivators, yet her own aptitude wasn't the best among her kin. She was acutely aware that, barring extraordinary circumstances, it would be exceedingly difficult for her to advance to the Deity Transformation stage. Among the many affiliated cultivation families of Zhenhai Palace, the Huang family was not particularly strong. The most successful family elder served in the Deacon Hall, but his authority was limited, offering her only minimal assistance. Becoming a disciple of a Deity Transformation cultivator with a powerful background would greatly benefit her personal cultivation path.

"Take a disciple? I don't accept disciples," Wang Changsheng flatly refused. The thought had never crossed his mind; he was merely staying at Zhenhai Palace temporarily and had no intention of remaining there permanently. What Wang Changsheng yearned for most was to achieve great merit, acquire his own territory, and establish his family.

Huang Ge'er paused to consider, then produced a section of blood-red spirit wood, over five feet in length. Its surface was marked with intricate, mystical patterns, and upon closer inspection, it appeared rough and pitted, as though chewed by insects.

"This is Blood Qilin Wood! This spiritual wood is difficult to cultivate. Unfortunately, it's a bit young, only over eight thousand years old. If it were over ten thousand years old, it could be used to refine Calamity Substitution Pearls. Was this cultivated by your Huang family?" Wang Changsheng identified the spiritual wood and its properties. Ten-thousand-year-old Blood Qilin Wood can be used for Calamity Substitution Pearls or for refining blood-path treasures. This spiritual wood has a wide range of applications, though it is exceptionally difficult to cultivate.

"It wasn't cultivated by our family. I acquired it at an underground auction. My cultivation is low, and this Blood Qilin Wood would be wasted in my hands, like a pearl veiled in dust. It would be more fitting for Senior Uncle Wang to keep it," Huang Ge'er said sincerely, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. She had spent hundreds of thousands of spirit stones to secure the Blood Qilin Wood, and the Thousand Fruit Brew was a fifth-tier spiritual item. Their combined value exceeded a million spirit stones.

"What is your request? I don't take disciples, and neither does my wife," Wang Changsheng stated, not accepting the Blood Qilin Wood but inquiring about Huang Ge'er's demand.

"I heard that Ancestor Master Song is recruiting artifact refiners for assistance. I have some rudimentary knowledge of artifact refining; could Senior Uncle Wang perhaps recommend me?" Huang Ge'er cautiously inquired. The Ancestor Master Song she mentioned was a Void Refinement cultivator stationed on Xuanyue Island. Recently, Ancestor Master Song had dispatched people to assemble a group of artifact refiners to help him process certain materials.

"Senior Uncle Song? That elder requires Nascent Soul stage artifact refiners for assistance?" Wang Changsheng frowned. The Ancestor Master Song Huang Ge'er referred to was Song Feng, a mid-Void Refinement cultivator. He was highly skilled in artifact refining and a member of the Ascension Faction.

"As far as I know, Ancestor Master Song has already gathered several Deity Transformation cultivators to assist him, and he still needs Nascent Soul cultivators, primarily to process less crucial materials. It seems Ancestor Master Song is forging a complete set of Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures, which will be time-consuming and require substantial manpower." Huang Ge'er's expression was tense. If she couldn't become Wang Changsheng's disciple, then assisting a Void Refinement cultivator with material refinement would still be beneficial. Should a Deity Transformation cultivator happen to take an interest in her and accept her as a disciple, that would be ideal.

"Refining a complete set of Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures!" Wang Changsheng was somewhat tempted. He was in the process of improving his artifact refining skills, and receiving guidance from a Void Refinement cultivator would undoubtedly make forging Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures much easier for him in the future. The chance to learn artifact refining from a Void Refinement cultivator was exceedingly rare. Song Feng belonged to the Ascension Faction, making him an ally. Wang Changsheng wondered if assisting Song Feng with artifact refining would violate the palace regulations. He thought of Sun Wu; perhaps she could temporarily replace him in guarding Xuanling Island.

"I'll inquire for you, but I can't guarantee success," Wang Changsheng said deeply.

"Naturally. I'll be much obliged, Senior Uncle Wang." Huang Ge'er readily agreed, filled with delight. Even if she wasn't selected, with Wang Changsheng having accepted so many valuable items from her, she would feel much more secure working under his command.

Wang Changsheng nodded, accepting the Blood Qilin Wood and the Thousand Fruit Brew. "I'm heading to Xuanyue Island soon. You can come with me," he instructed. "Go back and prepare yourself, then meet me at the Teleportation Hall."

"Yes, Senior Uncle Wang," Huang Ge'er replied, accepting her orders before departing.

Wang Changsheng strode towards Xuanling Valley. As he entered, he saw numerous demonic beast skeletons scattered across the ground, along with several beasts that were not yet deceased. Two mountain-sized sea rhinoceroses lay prone, their bodies covered in green thorns. These thorns bristled with sharp barbs, interspersed with purple flower buds.

An excited roar echoed as points of blue light coalesced before Wang Changsheng, revealing the Qilin Tortoise. Unseen for over a century, the tortoise was now startlingly massive, over a thousand *zhang* in size. It had advanced from Fourth-tier Low-grade to Fourth-tier Mid-grade, its body now ten times larger than it had been a hundred years prior. At this rate, in another ten thousand years, it might grow to the size of a large island. The Qilin Tortoise emitted a low rumble, affectionately nudging Wang Changsheng's pant leg with its head.

"You're growing incredibly fast! Looks like you've been eating well!" Wang Changsheng chuckled, glancing at a nearby lake where a group of demonic tortoises scattered. The Qilin Tortoise let out an excited roar, looking somewhat smug.

Suddenly, a mass of green thorns burst from the ground beside Wang Changsheng—it was the Wood Spirit. It was currently at Fourth-tier High-grade. The Wood Spirit, a descendant of Bloodthirsty Thorns, was extremely sanguinary, usually consuming the essence blood of demonic beasts or devouring venomous insects and creatures. For it, the essence blood of cultivators or demonic beasts, as well as venomous insects and poisons, were all highly potent nutrients.

After more than a century apart, the Twin-Eyed Mouse, the Qilin Tortoise, and the Wood Spirit had all advanced a minor realm. This was primarily due to their excellent diet; the disciples of Zhenhai Palace frequently fed them high-quality provisions.