Chapter 2072: Wang Mengbin's Decision, Bai Linger's Choice

"Hmph, do you think I'd believe such nonsense? Whether I hand over the Heavenly Void Jade Book or not, I'll likely be wanted as soon as I appear in the Xuanyang Realm. If that's the case, why should I surrender it? I might as well fight to the death. At worst, I'll just flee to another realm and ascend there."

Wang Mengbin sneered. He had consulted the ancient texts in the Zhong family's scripture pavilion. The so-called "Spirit Realm" was merely a term used by cultivators in the lower realms. The Qinghuan Realm was a subsidiary realm of the Xuanyang Realm, and most cultivators from Qinghuan who ascended normally would ascend to the Xuanyang Realm.

"As far as I know, more than a dozen neighboring realms are subsidiary to the Xuanyang Realm," Chen Hong said, regaining her composure. "Fellow Daoist Wang, if you possess a Sky-Piercing Spirit Treasure capable of breaking through realms, you could freely traverse and slowly search. Otherwise, it would be better to cooperate with us. Senior Brother Liu is in secluded cultivation, and you wouldn't want to be hunted by him, would you? Why not turn hostility into friendship?"

Chen Hong's tone was filled with temptation. She didn't even know Liu Hongji's precise whereabouts, let alone Wang Mengbin.

"I'll consider it," Wang Mengbin said coldly. "But you attacked my home, and now you want to turn hostility into friendship? Is it really that easy?"

"Indeed, we were in the wrong this time. How about this: I'll offer a spirit treasure to Fellow Daoist Wang as a token of my apology?" Chen Hong said cautiously. If the matter could be resolved with a treasure, there was naturally no issue.

Wang Mengbin flicked his sleeve, and a green jade slip flew out, landing in Chen Hong's hand.

"I don't lack spirit treasures. I want the items listed on this slip," Wang Mengbin threatened. "If you want the Heavenly Void Jade Book, gather these items first. If you go back on your word and bother me again in the future, I, Wang, will dedicate my entire existence to hunting down cultivators from your Azure Cloud Palace. I have nothing to lose anyway." If not for his apprehension of Liu Hongji's presence and his lack of certainty in killing Chen Hong, he would have attacked already.

Chen Hong scanned with her divine sense, her delicate brows furrowed. After a moment's thought, she nodded and said, "Very well! If I gather these materials, I will personally deliver them to Fellow Daoist Wang."

"No need," Wang Mengbin said coldly. "I won't be staying here. Who knows how many Soul Transformation cultivators will come knocking next time? You gather these items first, and I'll come to you after a while." How could he possibly remain at the Zhong family's residence?

Chen Hong agreed and left the place with the old woman in the golden robe.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we owe you greatly this time," Zhong Yunxiu said gratefully. "Otherwise, our entire Zhong family would have faced utter destruction." If Wang Mengbin had died, Chen Hong certainly wouldn't have spared the Zhong family.

"This time, it was a high-ranking cultivator from the Xuanyang Realm who gave the order, which is why Chen Hong teamed up with Deng Tianxin," Wang Mengbin said gravely, his face filled with murderous intent. "The Deng family won't let us go, and they've already gone back on their word, so there's nothing more to say. I plan to destroy the Deng family. What do you think, Fairy Zhong?" The enmity had already been established; whether he destroyed the Deng family or not, they wouldn't spare him.

"Even if Fellow Daoist Wang hadn't said anything, I, too, had this intention," Zhong Yunxiu replied, strongly agreeing.

"Aren't you afraid of the Deng family's retaliation?" Wang Mengbin asked, a little surprised. "They might send people down to this realm to wipe out your Zhong family."

Zhong Yunxiu smiled faintly. "What good would fear do? If I don't destroy the Deng family, and they get a chance to wipe out our Zhong family, do you think they wouldn't act? Coincidentally, their Lightning-Attracting Pillar is quite useful. If Fellow Daoist Wang uses it for cultivation, your divine abilities should become even stronger."

"Without further ado, let's head to the Deng family immediately."

Wang Mengbin transformed into a silver streak of light and sped away, with Zhong Yunxiu following close behind.

Deng Tianxin had destroyed his physical body, but his nascent soul remained, and his vital soul lamp had not extinguished. This presented an opportunity for Wang Mengbin.

A year later, news of the Deng family's annihilation spread throughout the Qinghuan Realm. Simultaneously, the name "True Immortal Zixiao" also became widely known across the realm.

Golden Butterfly Valley, ancestral land of the Deng family.

On a steep peak, Wang Mengbin stood at the summit, gazing into the distance with a thoughtful expression.

He and Zhong Yunxiu had attacked the Deng family, successfully breached their defenses, annihilated the family, and obtained the Lightning-Attracting Pillar along with a vast amount of cultivation resources.

Wang Mengbin consulted the ancient texts in the Deng family's scripture pavilion, acquiring considerable information about the Xuanyang Realm.

The Xuanyang Realm was vast, primarily divided into seven regions. The Deng family was active on Xuanyin Continent, an area ten thousand times larger than the Qinghuan Realm. This meant that as long as he ascended to a different location, he wouldn't have to worry about harassment from the Deng family.

He performed soul-searching on Deng Tianxin's nascent soul, learning that above the Soul Transformation stage were the Void Refining, Integration, and Mahayana stages. The Deng family had two Void Refining cultivators.

"Deng family of Xuanyun Mountain! I'll remember you," Wang Mengbin said coldly. According to the ancient texts, ascending to Xuanyin Continent required ascending from a specific region. Conversely, ascending to other parts of the Xuanyang Realm required ascending from different regions.

Not long after, two streaks of light flew from afar and landed before Wang Mengbin; they were Cheng Zhenyu and his wife.

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, Madam Cheng," Wang Mengbin said, taking out a green storage ring and handing it to Cheng Zhenyu. "I plan to find a place for secluded cultivation. It's too dangerous for you to follow me. Here are some cultivation resources, including a spiritual item for breaking through to the Soul Transformation stage. Please accept them."

"Senior Wang, you're too kind," Cheng Zhenyu said earnestly. "We are strangers in a strange land. If you don't mind, please let us follow you! While we might not be able to help with major matters, we can certainly assist with smaller troubles." It was safest to stay by Wang Mengbin's side; leaving him would be perilous.

"Exactly," Zheng Nan echoed. "We both come from the Dongli Realm and should support each other. We may not possess great abilities, but guarding you during cultivation is no problem."

Wang Mengbin nodded. "Alright, in that case, let's depart for the Myriad Avian Mountains." The Myriad Avian Mountains were occupied by a fifth-tier Golden-Winged Roc, and the area had the most abundant lightning energy. Wang Mengbin had acquired many treasures and did not fear the fifth-tier Golden-Winged Roc.

He lightly tapped his right foot on the ground, transforming into a silver streak of light that shot through the air. Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan quickly followed, and the three vanished into the horizon.

Thousand Gourd Realm, Gale Secret Realm.

In a hidden space, Wang Qingshan was speaking with Bai Ling'er, both of their expressions solemn.

"Fairy Bai, do you truly intend to do this?" Wang Qingshan asked, frowning. "If it fails, you might be trapped here forever." They had been trapped there for centuries. After repeated hesitation, Bai Ling'er finally used an ancient altar to contact the Ancient Demon Realm and obtained a secret technique: a Soul Transformation cultivator performing a spell to send another person out.

Bai Ling'er intended to send Wang Qingshan away while she herself would go to the Ancient Demon Realm.

"We've tried every method," Bai Ling'er sighed. "There's no other way. If we continue to stay here, we won't even be able to cultivate to the mid-Soul Transformation stage before we die. It's better to send you away and for me to go to the Ancient Demon Realm." After entering the Soul Transformation stage, it was very difficult to advance to the mid-Soul Transformation stage through arduous cultivation alone.

Wang Qingshan's brows furrowed deeply. "What if this is a trap, and the people from the Ancient Demon Realm intend to harm you?" They knew too little about the Ancient Demon Realm; who knew if its cultivators were plotting against Bai Ling'er?

"That would be my fate," Bai Ling'er said solemnly. "Only one of us can leave, and it should be you. If you can return to the Dongli Realm, I hope you'll help me look after my clan." Her greatest concern was her clan.

"I promise you," Wang Qingshan agreed, his tone serious. "If I can return to the Dongli Realm, I will certainly take good care of your clan."

Bai Ling'er smiled sweetly. "With your word, I'm at ease. Let's practice the secret technique first! We'll cast the spell to send you away after some time."