Chapter 2054: Deng Yibo, Dongfang Wu, Xia Yunyan, Lu Shisan, Long Yunxin, Long Yunzhen

Three days passed quickly.

Inside a secret chamber in Tingtao Palace, Wang Changsheng was chatting with Wang Ruyan.

Wang Changsheng seemed to sense something. He took out a shimmering blue compass, cast a spell, and Wang Qingfeng's voice suddenly rang out: "Father, Senior Yang is here to visit, just outside Tingtao Palace."

"Got it, we'll be right out."

Wang Changsheng put away the blue compass and walked out with Wang Ruyan.

Before they even reached the main hall, they heard a hearty male laugh: "Nephew Wang, you flatter me. Breaking through to the Void Refinement stage is not that easy."

“Senior Yang, you’re too modest. Given your sect’s power and your personal capabilities, I believe it's only a matter of time before you reach the Void Refinement stage. When you hold your celebration, I’ll definitely come to toast you.”

Wang Qingcheng's humble voice rang out.

Upon entering the main hall, Wang Changsheng saw Wang Qingcheng chatting and laughing with Yang Hao.

Wang Qingcheng was naturally cheerful and adept at handling social situations. Wang Changsheng hadn't expected him to get along so well with Yang Hao.

Two disciples from the Taiyang Sect stood respectfully to the side.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, there are so many guests that I only found some free time today. Please forgive any oversight on my part," Yang Hao said politely as he stood up.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, you are too kind. There has been no neglect at all," Wang Changsheng said with a light, warm chuckle.

"We're holding a gathering and have invited many fellow Daoists. I've come to escort the two of you there. As for your sons, Junior Nephew Li and his companions will look after them and take them to the junior gathering," Yang Hao explained with a smile, adding that since the celebration was still some time away, they, as hosts, naturally needed to entertain their arriving guests well.

"You two, stay with young Master Li and don't wander off, understand?" Wang Ruyan instructed with a serious expression.

"Understood, Mother. Don't worry, Father and you!" Wang Qingcheng replied with a smile. He also wanted to use this opportunity to make more friends.

Outside Tingtao Palace, Yang Hao summoned a giant blue crane, while the two Taiyang Sect disciples summoned two white giant cranes. Each carried two of Wang Changsheng's group, and they flew off in different directions.

In less than fifteen minutes, the blue giant crane appeared above a vast blue lake, covering ten thousand mu. In the center of the lake was a colossal blue lotus, ten thousand zhang wide. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the blue lotus was carved from a single immense jade stone.

Thousands of colorful koi fish chased and played in the lake, creating ripples that shimmered across the water.

Dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators sat around a blue tea table, sipping tea, chatting, and laughing.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan successively alighted onto the blue lotus. Yang Hao put away his blue giant crane and said with a smile, "Allow me to introduce you. These are Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang from Zhenhai Palace."

"I am Wang Changsheng; greetings to all fellow Daoists."

"And I am Wang Ruyan; greetings to all fellow Daoists."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan introduced themselves. When traveling, one relies on friends, and they also wanted to take this opportunity to make more acquaintances.

"I am Deng Yibo from Xuanyun Mountain. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang." A good-natured looking man in a yellow robe said with a cupped-fist salute. The yellow-robed man had a round face, small eyes, and fair skin, giving off an impression of honesty and sincerity.

"I am Dongfang Wu from Jinyuan Valley. I've long heard that Zhenhai Palace is a place of outstanding talents, and seeing Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang today, it truly lives up to its reputation," a graceful young woman in a golden dress said with a charming smile. Her long sleeves trailed the ground, and her jade ornaments jingled softly with every step. Her hair was styled in a tall bun, her face lightly powdered, and her beautiful eyes held a captivating allure.

"I am Xia Yunyuan, an elder from Yuyang Gate. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang." A green-robed elder with slightly graying temples said with a cupped-fist salute. The elder was as thin as a bamboo pole, with gaunt cheeks, looking as if a gust of wind could blow him away.

"Lu Shisan of Heavenly Blade Sect." A burly, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard said heartily. He carried a long saber on his back, its sheath wrapped in coarse cloth, with a miniature flood dragon coiled around its hilt.

The cultivators introduced their sects and names one by one. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan then took their seats and joined them in sipping tea and chatting.

Among the cultivators present, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had the strongest background, which was not surprising. True Lord Taiyang had only recently entered the Integration stage, and his celebration only invited forces and high-level cultivators with whom he had good relations.

Forces like the Xuanqing Sect, Myriad Spirit Sect, and Nine Flames Gate had no particular ties with True Lord Taiyang, so he didn't send them invitations. As for the reasons, outsiders were unaware.

A loud roar of a dragon-beast echoed continuously throughout the area.

Wang Changsheng and the others looked up at the sky. A golden light appeared on the horizon, rapidly flying towards them.

Soon after, the golden light landed on the blue lotus. It was a massive golden eagle, carrying a burly young man in a golden robe and a beautiful young woman in a red dress on its back.

The golden-robed youth had a strong, square jaw, red lips, and white teeth, with a green jade flute tucked into his waist. The red-dressed maiden had bright, large eyes, cherry lips, and a graceful aquiline nose, her smile captivating.

A blue light followed closely behind. Soon, it descended, revealing a short, stout old man in a blue robe.

"The Long Family!"

Wang Changsheng narrowed his eyes, a thoughtful expression on his face.

True Lord Taiyang advancing to the Integration stage was good news, but it also presented a crucial question for the Taiyang Sect: which major force would they align with?

After reaching the Integration stage, True Lord Taiyang would definitely need to pledge allegiance to a major power. Choosing the wrong side would be disastrous, but not choosing a side at all would be even worse.

If they didn't align themselves, during a major conflict between great powers, the Taiyang Sect might be jointly destroyed, or sent as cannon fodder in a war between races.

With members of the Long Family appearing at the Taiyang Sect, did this mean the Taiyang Sect intended to align with the Long Family?

"I am Long Yunxin, and this is my sister Long Yunzhen. Greetings to all fellow Daoists." The golden-robed youth offered a brief introduction, then his gaze fell upon Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. A flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes; he hadn't expected to see disciples from Zhenhai Palace here.

"Fellow Daoist Long, Immortal Long, you've finally arrived. Please, have a seat," Yang Hao invited them to sit and join the tea and conversation.

At first, the cultivators were a bit reserved, but after a few cups of tea, the conversation flowed freely.

The topics were wide-ranging, covering everything from interesting anecdotes of the cultivation world to insights on cultivation techniques.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, simply drinking tea and chatting isn't very interesting. How about some sparring to make friends? I've long heard that your Taiyang Sect disciples possess profound techniques, and I've been eager to experience them firsthand," Lu Shisan said, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

"Another martial arts fanatic!" Wang Changsheng smiled indifferently. Some high-level cultivators enjoyed sparring; it was their path and a unique method of cultivation.

There are three thousand Great Daos, and every path can lead to immortality. Whether one achieves immortality depends entirely on the individual.

"Sparring? Excellent! I, too, would like to witness Fellow Daoist Lu's divine abilities," Yang Hao readily agreed. In the cultivation world, strength speaks louder than words; background is merely for bluffing.