Chapter 2050: External Assignment

He was the leader of this stronghold; all disciples had to obey his commands.

It was rumored that Qingtian Jade Silver, a material used to condense Dharma Idols, had appeared in a certain area. Chen Haotian, needing to remain at Xuanyue Mountain, found it inconvenient to leave. He dispatched two disciples to search for the Qingtian Jade Silver, but they had not returned for a long time.

"Master, I was just about to report to you. They have perished; their life soul lamps have gone out. Calculating the time, they were killed two years after leaving Xuanyue Mountain." A clear, bell-like female voice came from a green compass.

"What? Their life soul lamps are extinguished? Did we send anyone to look for them? Life soul lamps can sometimes be inaccurate; they are not absolutely reliable." Chen Haotian's expression turned grim. His two disciples were quite strong, otherwise he wouldn't have sent them out. Their unexplained deaths truly infuriated him.

"We've already sent people to search. According to the investigation by the Enforcement Hall, they perished before reaching their destination, the cause unknown. However, anyone daring to kill members of our Zhenhai Palace is certainly no ordinary person; it might have been done by another sect. Oh, and by the way, two Spirit Transformation cultivators were dispatched from the main headquarters, personally recommended by Martial Uncle Fang of the Deacon Hall. They said they have something to discuss with you, Master. What do you think?"

Chen Haotian pursed his lips and said, "I'm not in the mood to see them right now. Keep an eye out for any sixth-tier healing elixirs. I lost a lot of vital essence undergoing the Great Heavenly Tribulation and need to recuperate. Don't disturb my recovery unless it's urgent." Sixth-tier healing elixirs were not common; he had already used up all the ones he possessed. He could only buy them or exchange them for merit points. However, he was stationed here primarily to undergo the Great Heavenly Tribulation, so he didn't have many merit points. Buying them was his only option.

"Yes, Master."

Putting away the green compass, Chen Haotian let out a long sigh and said in a deep voice, "Once I've fully recovered, I will personally investigate this matter. I'd like to see who dares to kill my disciples."

Chen Haotian activated a spell, and countless green runes lit up on his body. A layer of green radiance appeared close to his skin, protecting his entire being.

Three months passed quickly.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, his eyes closed, enveloped in a layer of blue radiance. After a while, he seemed to sense something. The radiance around his body dispersed, and he opened his eyes. Wang Changsheng exhaled a long breath of turbid qi, stood up, and walked out.

Wang Sen stood at the doorway, holding a storage ring.

"True Monarch Taiyang of the Taiyang Sect has advanced to the Integration Stage! He's hosting a celebratory banquet for all." Wang Sen brought back significant news: the Taiyang Sect was a newly established sect, founded by True Monarch Taiyang, and had been developing for over four thousand years.

"Taiyang Sect! True Monarch Taiyang!" Wang Changsheng's face showed a thoughtful expression; he had naturally heard of True Monarch Taiyang. True Monarch Taiyang was a cultivator who had ascended from a lower realm. He hadn't joined any existing power but had established his own sect, the Taiyang Sect, developing it for over four thousand years. In over four thousand years, True Monarch Taiyang had advanced from the Spirit Transformation Stage to the Integration Stage, which was considered a fast cultivation speed. Chen Haotian had been in the Void Refinement Stage for over three thousand years but was only in the mid-Void Refinement Stage.

"Go back and cultivate! I hope you reach the Spirit Transformation Stage soon." Wang Changsheng waved his hand, and Wang Sen bowed and withdrew.

Wang Changsheng entered the artifact forging room and began forging artifacts. He tossed the Fire Rock Divine Crystal into the air, opened his mouth, and sprayed out Profound Jade Ice Flame, which enveloped the crystal, causing a hiss and a wisp of green smoke to rise. Just then, a sound transmission talisman flew in. Wang Changsheng frowned, flicked his sleeve, and the Profound Jade Ice Flame transformed into a white light, flying back into his sleeve and disappearing. He crushed the talisman, and Wang Ruyan's voice suddenly rang out: "Husband, Martial Uncle Chen is calling for us; he has something to summon us for."

They had been at this stronghold for over eighty years. Chen Haotian had been in seclusion for cultivation and was only now summoning them. Wang Changsheng put away his forging materials and walked out. Wang Ruyan stood at the doorway, her expression solemn.

"Wife, why is Martial Uncle Chen suddenly summoning us?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.

Wang Ruyan shook her head and said, "I'm not sure. Senior Sister Liu informed me; it seems quite urgent, telling us to go immediately."

"Let's go! We shouldn't keep Martial Uncle Chen waiting."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan left their residence and headed for Qingyun Peak. About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Qingyun Peak and successfully met Chen Haotian.

A young woman with picturesque features stood nearby. She wore a moon-white fish-scale dress, goose-yellow satin shoes, and possessed an ample bosom, a slender waist, and shapely buttocks. This was Liu Yu Ning, a Spirit Transformation early-stage cultivator and Chen Haotian's youngest disciple.

"Disciples Wang Changsheng (Wang Ruyan) respectfully greet Martial Uncle Chen." Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan bowed in salute, speaking in unison.

Wang Changsheng took out a glimmering blue seashell and handed it to Chen Haotian, respectfully saying, "Martial Uncle Chen, Martial Uncle Fang asked me to bring this to you." Chen Haotian took the blue seashell, infused it with spiritual power, and it immediately lit up brightly. Fang Ming's voice suddenly resounded: "Junior Martial Brother Chen, these disciples ascended from a lower realm. Please take good care of them."

"Which realm did you ascend from?" Chen Haotian asked curiously.

"The Dongli Realm." Wang Changsheng replied truthfully.

Chen Haotian nodded. He took out a gold-lacquered invitation, handed it to Wang Changsheng, and instructed, "The Sect Master of the Taiyang Sect has advanced to the Integration Stage and is holding a celebration. I have some acquaintance with True Monarch Taiyang, and he sent someone to deliver an invitation to me. I am unable to attend in person, so you two will go on my behalf. If you can obtain any sixth-tier healing elixirs, I will reward you handsomely." He then took out an exquisite golden jade box and a golden storage ring, handing them to Wang Changsheng. He said, "This is a piece of thirty-thousand-year-old Yan Yang Wood. Please deliver it to True Monarch Taiyang for me. Also, here are some cultivation resources; see if you can exchange them for any sixth-tier healing elixirs."

Wang Changsheng accepted the jade box and storage ring, agreeing to the task.

"Martial Uncle Chen, are only the two of us going? Can we bring others along? For instance, my two sons?" Wang Changsheng hesitated slightly, then asked cautiously. Attending True Monarch Taiyang's celebration was an opportunity to broaden their horizons, and he planned to bring his two sons.

"You may. Just be careful on your journey. Two of my disciples were killed while out on a mission, and I'm not sure if someone is targeting our Zhenhai Palace. Be extra vigilant." Chen Haotian cautioned, his expression serious.

"Yes, Martial Uncle Chen." Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

"Master, is someone really targeting our Zhenhai Palace?" Liu Yu Ning asked curiously.

"Who knows? It's just my speculation. If your cultivation weren't so low, I would have sent you. So many years have passed, and True Monarch Taiyang has already advanced to the Integration Stage, while I am still only in the mid-Void Refinement Stage." As he finished speaking, Chen Haotian let out a long sigh.

"Your cultivation speed is already very fast, Master. True Monarch Taiyang must have encountered some great fortune to reach the Integration Stage! It's only a matter of time before you reach the Integration Stage, Master." Liu Yu Ning said in a fawning tone.

"Stop flattering me. I'm well aware of my own limits. Now, I need to circulate my qi to heal. You may withdraw!" Chen Haotian waved his hand, and Liu Yu Ning bowed and withdrew.

"How many Void Refinement cultivators get stuck at a minor stage for thousands of years? Of course, I want to reach the Integration Stage. That girl is right; True Monarch Taiyang must have encountered some great fortune to reach the Integration Stage. After my injuries heal, I need to step down and travel. Remaining on the Xuanling Continent, my chances of advancing to the Integration Stage are slim." Chen Haotian muttered to himself, his expression solemn.