Chapter 2213: The Curtain Falls, Ice Lion, Meng Bin Boards the Ship

They had all cultivated for many years and could naturally see that the cluster of azure flames enveloping the Heaven-Reaching Great Sword was extraordinary; even defensive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures couldn't withstand it.

"Ruihu, release him immediately, quickly!"

Zhao Ruilong urged, as he had already lost an arm, which would suffice as an explanation to the Liu family. If they continued to standoff, the Zhao family would undoubtedly suffer the most.

He had known Lan Kexin for years and was aware of her formidable abilities. Lan Kexin ranked among the top three cultivators there, and if even she was no match, much less anyone else.

Zhao Ruihu took a deep breath and flew back to Tortoise Island.

Lan Kexin stopped the bleeding; her face was pale, and her eyes were filled with terror. If the opponent had truly intended to kill her just now, she would already be dead.

She had arrived relatively late and was unaware that Wang Qingshan's Natal Magic Treasure consisted of nine Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure-grade flying swords.

Upon seeing Zhao Ruilong speak, the other Nascent Soul cultivators naturally ceased their actions. Ultimately, they all valued their lives, and with Zhao Ruilong and Lan Kexin as precedents, they had no desire to follow in their footsteps.

Not long after, Zhao Ruihu flew out with a bloodstained man in a green shirt. The man, Yan Ruofeng, was severely weakened.

After being captured by Zhao Ruihu, he was subjected to severe torture. Zhao Ruihu had also performed a soul search on him to ascertain if Yan Ruofeng knew any secrets of the Wang family.

"Ruofeng, are you alright?"

Wang Qingfeng asked with some tension, his expression darkening.

Yan Ruofeng was the Wang family's son-in-law, and beating him to such a state was a blatant insult to the Wang family.

"To beat my grand-nephew-in-law to such an extent without offering compensation is unacceptable. I demand ten million spirit stones."

Wang Qingshan stated in an unquestionable tone.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, isn't that going too far? Do you have no sense of reason? The Yan family injured and killed Zhao family cultivators first. You came to demand his release; letting him go is already quite generous."

Zhao Ruihu frowned. Releasing him was one thing, but also paying compensation? That would be a huge loss of face for the Zhao family.

"Exactly, everything should be reasonable, Fellow Daoist Wang. Don't go too far; know when to stop."

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Wang's abilities are considerable, but you are not invincible. Don't be too overbearing."

The other Nascent Soul cultivators chimed in, finding no issue with speaking their minds rather than acting.

"Reason? My flying swords *are* reason. When you abducted my grand-nephew-in-law and tortured him, where was your reason? Don't talk about reason with me until you've spoken with my flying swords."

Wang Qingshan retorted bluntly. The Heaven-Reaching Great Sword emitted a piercing sword hum, its light intensifying, as if ready to take a life at a moment's notice.

The Qilin Tortoise surfaced, emitting low roars. The blue thunderclouds high in the sky churned violently, and thick blue lightning bolts streaked across the firmament.

"A Class Five high-grade spirit beast!"

Zhao Ruilong's expression became very grim. Wang Qingshan alone was difficult to handle; with an additional Class Five high-grade spirit beast, they were even less a match.

Over the years, the Zhao family had been gathering intelligence on the Wang family and naturally knew that the Wang family possessed a Class Five spirit tortoise. It had immense divine abilities, was quite perceptive, and had single-handedly repelled a wave of beast hordes.

Zhao Ruilong took a deep breath and said, "Ten million is too much. Three million at most."

He couldn't let Wang Qingshan lead him by the nose. He also had his dignity; if he agreed to everything Wang Qingshan demanded, how could he face anyone in the future?

"Eight million."

Wang Qingshan haggled. He hadn't truly intended to demand ten million spirit stones; even a cornered rabbit would bite, let alone a Nascent Soul cultivator who had cultivated for over a thousand years.

Wang Qingfeng remained silent; he had no interest in managing affairs.

"Five million at most! Not a single spirit stone more."

Zhao Ruilong's voice was heavy. It wasn't the spirit stones he cared about, but his reputation.

Wang Qingshan pondered for a moment, then agreed.

Zhao Ruilong took out a green storage ring and tossed it to Wang Qingshan, saying, "The contents inside are worth five million spirit stones."

Wang Qingshan took the storage ring, swept his divine sense over it, and nodded. He then performed a sword incantation, and the Heaven-Reaching Great Sword transformed into nine gleaming azure flying swords and a cluster of azure flames.

The nine Azure Glazed Swords flew back into their sword scabbard and vanished, while the azure flames disappeared into his sleeve.

"A complete set of Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures! Nine of them!"

Lan Kexin's expression became exceedingly grim. For years, she had gained renown in this sea region, relying on her four Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure-grade flying swords and a Class Five spiritual flame. This was also the source of her confidence when she dared to stop Zhao Ruilong earlier.

Had she known Wang Qingshan possessed nine Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure-grade flying swords, she would never have confronted him directly.

A low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure was worth ten million spirit stones. Nine Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure-grade flying swords would be worth over one hundred million spirit stones. Of course, if a spirit treasure merely advanced to Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure status, it wouldn't cost that many spirit stones.

It was well-known that the more Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures in a set, the more difficult they were to forge. Lan Kexin had expended great effort to commission a Class Five artificer from the Liu family to help forge her set of flying swords. It was precisely with these four flying swords, crafted from ten-thousand-year profound jade, that she had established her reputation.

The expressions of the other Nascent Soul cultivators varied, showing either envy or apprehension.

"Before you target anyone from my Wang family again, ask yourselves if you can withstand my flying swords. Whether it's sparring among juniors or a life-and-death duel, I won't interfere. No matter how badly my peers lose, I won't intervene. But for matters concerning juniors, the older generation should not get involved. Bullying the young is not good conduct. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Abiding by the rules is beneficial for everyone."

After saying this, Wang Qingshan flew onto the Qilin Tortoise's back, with Wang Qingfeng following closely.

The Qilin Tortoise turned around and headed back the way it came, disappearing into the vast ocean.

"Let's go! Let's return! This old man has done his best."

Zhao Ruilong sighed and returned to Tortoise Island to heal his injuries. The other Nascent Soul cultivators went their separate ways.

This incident quickly spread, and with it, the reputation of the Azure Lotus Sword Sovereign.

In a certain area of the Azure Glazed Sea.

A gleaming azure dragon boat floated high in the sky. The boat was a thousand zhang long and four hundred zhang wide, topped with a thirty-six-story azure pavilion. Its sail bore a shimmering emblem of a nine-headed giant lion.

Over a thousand cultivators stood on the deck, among them Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi, their expressions filled with excitement.

The Han family did not make things difficult for them; they were allowed to leave and were even given additional cultivation resources.

This trans-spirit treasure ship belonged to the Ye family of Ice Soul Valley. The Ye family was one of the few True Spirit Families in the Profound Yang Realm. Their ancestor, Immortal Ice Soul, renowned for her great divine abilities, had once fought seven adversaries single-handedly, slaying multiple foreign Mahayana cultivators. She was the most famous human cultivator in the Profound Yang Realm over the past hundred thousand years.

The Ye family's stronghold was in the Northern Cold Ice Plains, a region perpetually covered in ice and snow, home to many powerful foreign tribes. Immortal Ice Soul's battle had established her fame, and the Ye family subsequently founded their clan in the Northern Cold Ice Plains.

The Ye family had come to the Azure Glazed Sea to conduct business. Their transported goods were mostly sold, and they were now selling tickets to prepare for their journey to the Profound Spirit Continent. Wang Mengbin spent three million spirit stones to purchase two tickets, allowing them to reach the Profound Spirit Continent aboard this trans-spirit treasure ship.

The Azure Glazed Sea was tens of trillions of miles in a straight line from the Profound Spirit Continent. Azure Lotus Island, located in the northwestern corner of the Profound Spirit Continent, was a bit farther. However, they had already inquired and learned that the Ice Lion would dock at Snow Goose Market. Azure Lotus Island was not particularly far from Snow Goose Market.

"Please hold onto your tickets; they must be surrendered upon disembarking. You may return to your rooms to rest according to your room numbers. You are permitted to move about only below the fifth floor. Should you trespass onto or above the fifth floor, do not fault us for being impolite."

A refined-looking middle-aged man stated in a deep voice.

Wang Mengbin and the others assented in unison and successively returned to their rooms to rest.

Fifteen minutes later, the Ice Lion ship glowed with a dazzling white light, ascended into the sky, and soon vanished into the horizon.