Chapter 2066: Qianyang Transforms Misfortune Pill, Departure

"We heard your esteemed sect possesses a miraculous healing elixir called the Qianyang Karma Cleansing Pill. We would like to request one such pill, if Senior Zhao would be so kind." Wang Changsheng transmitted his voice. The Qianyang Karma Cleansing Pill is a sixth-tier healing elixir, and it was also the one Chen Haotian wished to acquire.

Chen Haotian had provided them with a sum of cultivation resources. Wang Changsheng had initially intended to purchase a pill from True Monarch Taiyang, but since True Monarch Taiyang had already offered, Wang Changsheng simply requested the Qianyang Karma Cleansing Pill.

"The Qianyang Karma Cleansing Pill?" True Monarch Taiyang was slightly taken aback. He had expected Wang Changsheng to request a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure or artifact refining materials, not a sixth-tier healing elixir.

True Monarch Taiyang nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, a golden jade box flew out and landed before Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng took the golden jade box, opened it, and found a golden porcelain bottle inside.

Wang Changsheng expressed his gratitude and accepted the golden jade box. The other cultivators looked on with envy; anything given by a Fusion Realm cultivator was bound to be extraordinary.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, congratulations! I knew from the start that you two were extraordinary. As expected, your exceptional strength means you're sure to be greatly valued, and reaching the Fusion Realm is only a matter of time." Lan Fukong quickly flattered them, his face full of obsequiousness.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you flatter us too much. Zhenhai Palace has far more formidable masters than us. Fairy Ye is much more powerful than we are," Wang Changsheng said modestly.

"Fairy Ye is indeed impressive; a renowned master naturally produces a brilliant disciple. As Senior Zhao's apprentice, she is certainly beyond what ordinary cultivators can compare to. However, you two are no less remarkable. Originating from Zhenhai Palace and frequently guided by your Grandmaster, your future achievements are boundless. It is truly my great fortune to have met the three of you this time." Lan Fukong continued his effusive praise, speaking endlessly.

Wang Changsheng felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. A simple polite remark would have sufficed, yet Lan Fukong kept lavishing praise. Did he not notice the disdainful looks from others? This reminded Wang Changsheng of Huang Fugui. Huang Fugui was timid and cowardly, but incredibly thick-skinned, completely unconcerned by others' opinions. Lan Fukong, fond of flattery, also seemed unbothered by how others perceived him.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you see boundless futures for everyone, implying the Void Refinement stage is within reach and the Fusion Realm easily attainable. Aren't you exaggerating a bit? By your logic, the Xuanling Continent would be teeming with Void Refinement cultivators and Fusion Realm experts everywhere." Dongfang Wu jested, her face showing clear contempt.

Lan Fukong was notoriously known as a sycophant. He possessed no great abilities, but his talent for flattery was top-notch, often making the subjects of his praise uncomfortable, though Lan Fukong himself seemed oblivious.

"One shouldn't speak like that. All of this is premised on everything going smoothly. The path of cultivation is long; who knows what the future holds? The Xuanling Celestial Venerable was powerful, wasn't he? Yet, his whereabouts are unknown. I'm not merely boasting; they truly are very strong, and I readily admit my inferiority." Lan Fukong shrugged off the comment.

"Of course, Fellow Daoist Lan, you'd feel inferior. Who else would kneel before someone in public like you did?" a Soul Transformation cultivator scoffed.

Lan Fukong was completely unconcerned, showing no displeasure. Instead, he proudly declared, "A true man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. What's wrong with kneeling? Am I not still living well?"

A flash of surprise flickered in Wang Changsheng's eyes. He hadn't known about this past incident of Lan Fukong's. To have one's embarrassing moments revealed in public and not be ashamed, but rather proud of them, made Wang Changsheng wonder whether to call Lan Fukong broad-minded or simply thick-skinned.

The cultivators quickly changed the topic and continued to drink and socialize.

After more than an hour, the banquet concluded, and the cultivators gradually departed, returning to their residences to rest.

Lan Fukong returned to his residence with a group of Lan family disciples. He kept his direct grandson, Lan Haisheng, with him and sent the others to rest.

"Haisheng, what are your thoughts after attending the banquet?" Lan Fukong asked, his tone gentle and pleasant.

"Grandfather, at least try to be a bit more restrained. Your grandson can't even hold his head up with you like this. The Sun family and the Zhao family are both making a joke of you," Lan Haisheng said with a frown, his face full of helplessness.

While other people's grandfathers were either immensely powerful, meticulously cautious, or mature and steady, Lan Fukong was something of an anomaly. He would flatter even cultivators of the same realm whose cultivation was lower than his, earning him the moniker "Sycophant."

It was one thing to be fond of flattery, but when a formidable enemy attacked, Lan Fukong hadn't considered fighting to the death or even fleeing. Instead, he had publicly knelt to beg for mercy, ceded territory, and paid reparations, becoming a laughingstock.

Lan Haisheng didn't even want to admit he was Lan Fukong's direct grandson; it was simply too humiliating.

"Hmph, are others' opinions really that important? Our Lan family is not as strong as other forces; we can only endure. 'Patience for a moment brings calm, a step back opens vast horizons.' The lives of tens of thousands of our entire clan rest in my hands, so I had no choice but to endure. What if I knelt to that old ghost Yu? Our Lan family still exists, even if our territory is a bit smaller, while the Yu family has been annihilated. Doesn't that prove my point?" Lan Fukong said earnestly. Then, changing his tone, he added, "Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang possess extraordinary divine abilities and are disciples of Zhenhai Palace. Given time, they are sure to achieve great things. You should interact more with their descendants and form good relationships. It would be best to bring your sister along; if we could arrange a marriage alliance with Fellow Daoist Wang, that would be truly excellent."

Lan Haisheng was speechless. "One must be strong oneself to forge iron," he thought. With such a cowardly grandfather, even slightly stronger cultivators disdained associating with him, and Lan family disciples were often ridiculed when they traveled outside.

"Yes, Grandfather, your grandson obeys," Lan Haisheng readily agreed, though whether he would actually follow through was another matter entirely.

In the cultivation room of the Listening Wave Palace, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, holding a golden porcelain bottle in his hand.

He had only asked for one Qianyang Karma Cleansing Pill, but True Monarch Taiyang had given him five. He planned to hand over two and keep three for his own use.

This visit to Taiyang Sect had truly not been in vain.

Wang Changsheng put away the golden porcelain bottle and began meditating to cultivate.

Over the next half month, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan accompanied Yang Hao on excursions, sightseeing, and socializing with other Soul Transformation cultivators. Lan Fukong was also present.

During every casual conversation, Lan Fukong would flatter Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. At first, they were somewhat unaccustomed to it and would modestly deflect the compliments, but later they became numb to it and stopped responding.

Lan Fukong flattered everyone he met. In his words, even a wild weed could be exaggerated into a rare spirit herb seen only once in ten thousand years. Whether others believed him or not, Lan Fukong certainly did.

Half a month later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan arrived at Taiyang Hall. True Monarch Taiyang was seated on the main seat, with Yang Hao standing nearby.

For other Soul Transformation cultivators, a simple farewell to Yang Hao before leaving would suffice. However, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were representatives of Chen Haotian, who was a close friend invited by True Monarch Taiyang.

"Senior Zhao, we have imposed for many days and must now return. Is there anything you would like us to convey to Martial Uncle Chen?" Wang Changsheng asked cautiously.

"If I find the time, I will visit him at Zhenhai Palace myself. Be careful on your journey. Nephew Yang, please see them off," True Monarch Taiyang instructed.

"Understood, Senior Zhao," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan replied, then departed with Yang Hao.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, please visit Xuanmoon Mountain whenever you have time. Farewell." Wang Changsheng said to Yang Hao, who was seeing them off, his tone cordial.

Yang Hao nodded. "Very well, I certainly will. Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, travel safely."

Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal, and the Azure Lotus Dharma Seat immediately burst forth with brilliant azure light, transforming into a streak of green escape light that vanished into the horizon.