Chapter 2215: Meng Bin Returns

Wang Changsheng executed a magic art, and his Dharma Idol disintegrated, dissolving into specks of blue light and vanishing.

He had previously observed other Void Refinement cultivators using Dharma Idols to harm enemies; these Dharma Idols were typically incorporeal, with only parts of their bodies materialized.

Materializing a Dharma Idol was extremely difficult. He had used two pieces of Xiyun Jade just to solidify a single fist, unable to even form an entire arm.

To his knowledge, even Body Integration cultivators couldn't always fully materialize their Dharma Idols. Different cultivation techniques and different Dharma Idols required distinct materials.

Some Dharma Idols needed demon beast essence blood, others demon beast souls, some minerals, and others spiritual water from heaven and earth.

Once a Dharma Idol was materialized, its power significantly increased, far surpassing its incorporeal form.

Cultivators above the Void Refinement stage had no lifespan limitations. They either cultivated, materialized their Dharma Idols, or underwent major heavenly tribulations, rarely appearing in public.

For over three centuries, Wang Changsheng had dedicated his time to materializing his Dharma Idol, apart from refining artifacts and cultivating.

According to his estimation, even if he were to retrieve the remaining Styx Water from the lower realm, his Dharma Idol wouldn't fully materialize. Being able to solidify a small portion of its body would be a significant achievement.

This was precisely why materializing a Dharma Idol was so challenging; many Void Refinement cultivators only managed to materialize parts of their Dharma Idols.

It was said that some fully materialized Dharma Idols could even withstand attacks from Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures without issue.

Wang Changsheng stood up and walked out, entering a secret chamber. The Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron floated above a formation, gleaming with spiritual light, its azure lotus patterns shining brightly. The Seven-Star Soul Nourishing Lamp was placed in a corner.

After Wang Changsheng entered the Void Refinement stage, he had separated a wisp of his sub-soul and placed it in the Seven-Star Soul Nourishing Lamp to nurture. Over three hundred years had passed, and it should have grown considerably stronger. If he could acquire a World-Transforming Stone, he might be able to use a secret technique to send the sub-soul to the lower realm.

He cast a magic art into the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron. The cauldron's lid flew open, and a small, ink-black umbrella and a black-gleaming inner armor flew out, exuding astonishing spiritual energy.

The ribs of the black umbrella were entirely silver, covered in profound spiritual patterns. Upon closer inspection, the ribs were made from beast bones, and the umbrella canopy had some mysterious patterns.

The surface of the black inner armor bore a black turtle pattern, shimmering with spiritual light.

The Ink Spirit Umbrella and the Black Tortoise Armor were both low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures. Both were primarily made from the hide of a sixth-rank low-grade Silver-Horned Sea-Devouring Whale. They could weaken the power of lightning tribulations but barely suffice for surviving a major heavenly tribulation.

The Black Tortoise Armor had the refined soul of a fifth-rank high-grade Black Tortoise integrated into it, providing even stronger defense.

If not for the difficulty in collecting such materials, Wang Changsheng might have been able to refine them into mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures. After all, the Wang family's power wasn't strong, and their members' activities were primarily confined to this sea area, limiting their ability to gather cultivation resources.

Wang Changsheng was already very satisfied. With these two treasures, if Wang Ruyan and Wang Qingshan were to attempt to break through to the Void Refinement stage, their chances of surviving the Six-Nine Lightning Tribulation would be greatly increased.

He flicked his sleeve, put away the two treasures, and walked out.

As soon as he stepped out, he heard a cheerful zither melody.

Wang Ruyan sat in the stone pavilion, playing intently, while two Soul-Devouring Golden Cicadas continuously circled her.

After devouring a large piece of Profound Soul Jade, Wang Ruyan's Soul-Devouring Golden Cicadas had slept for over a century, successfully advancing to the fifth rank.

Wang Ruyan was already at the Great Perfection stage of Nascent Soul. She hadn't consumed any Jade Moon Peaches; her advancement was purely through arduous cultivation.

Wang Changsheng's cultivation technique was special, and his magic power was pure; even at the late Nascent Soul stage, he was no worse than a Great Perfection Nascent Soul cultivator. Wang Ruyan's magic power wasn't as pure as Wang Changsheng's, but she hadn't resorted to artificial means, relying on arduous cultivation to reach the Great Perfection stage of Nascent Soul.

"My dear wife, you are in high spirits. Are you preparing to attempt a breakthrough to the Void Refinement stage? The Ink Spirit Umbrella I refined for you, primarily made from the hide of a sixth-rank low-grade Silver-Horned Sea-Devouring Whale, will greatly increase your chances of surviving the Six-Nine Lightning Tribulation with its protection."

Wang Changsheng walked out, smiling as he spoke, raising his right hand. The Ink Spirit Umbrella flew out and landed in front of Wang Ruyan.

Wang Ruyan's face lit up with joy. "The Ink Spirit Umbrella! With this treasure, my confidence is even greater. By the way, have you managed to get the Five-Element Spirit Imbuing Talisman?"

"I have it, my dear wife. Are you really going to use the Five-Element Spirit Imbuing Talisman to attempt a breakthrough to the Void Refinement stage? I've heard of rogue cultivators using this talisman to try to enter the Void Refinement stage. In severe cases, they explode and die; in less severe cases, they suffer serious vital energy damage and take hundreds of years to recover. Using the Five-Element Spirit Imbuing Talisman doesn't guarantee entry into the Void Refinement stage."

Wang Changsheng's expression grew solemn. Safe and reliable methods were not absent, but they were in the hands of major powers, and the Wang family simply didn't have access to better alternatives.

"I still have over a thousand years of lifespan left, so there's no harm in trying. If it fails, I can seek other methods. I am willing to try."

Wang Ruyan said seriously. The Wang family had only Wang Changsheng as a Void Refinement cultivator, putting immense pressure on them. Wang Changsheng couldn't leave Azure Lotus Island for too long. Besides the Liu family, there were several other powers with Void Refinement cultivators, all of whom had good relations with the Cold Flame Sect.

With Zhenhai Palace present, unless there were exceptionally important cultivation resources at stake, these powers wouldn't fight to the death with the Wang family.

Their current peace didn't mean it would last forever. If Wang Ruyan advanced to the Void Refinement stage, Wang Changsheng's pressure would be lighter. If there were a better method, she would also be willing to try it.

If this method failed, she could still cultivate techniques of other attributes or use other methods. With over a thousand years, she could attempt at least two more times, provided she survived the failed attempt to break through to Void Refinement.

Wang Changsheng sighed softly, taking out the Five-Element Spirit Imbuing Talisman and the Five-Element Thunderous Heaven Talisman. "Besides the Five-Element Spirit Imbuing Talisman, I also acquired a Five-Element Thunderous Heaven Talisman. You should have no problem surviving the Six-Nine Lightning Tribulation; the Five-Element Thunderous Heaven Talisman should be usable multiple times."

"A Five-Element Thunderous Heaven Talisman? That's wonderful!"

Wang Ruyan's face lit up with joy as she took the two talismans.

A deafening clap of thunder resonated, and they looked towards the distance.

"It seems another clan member has entered the Nascent Soul stage."

Wang Ruyan was overjoyed.

Wang Changsheng nodded with a smile. "It's Qiuyu. That child has dual spirit roots; he should have entered the Nascent Soul stage a long time ago."

He seemed to sense something, taking out a shimmering magic disk and casting a magic art into it. Sun Yuejiao's voice then echoed, "Father, there are two Nascent Soul cultivators outside. They claim to be our clan members, and the leader is named Wang Mengbin."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were stunned.

According to Wang Qingshan, when he left the Eastern Li Realm, Wang Mengbin and Ye Haitang's life soul lamps had not extinguished, indicating they had already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

"Mengbin is also in the Xuanyang Realm? That's fantastic, haha!"

Wang Changsheng's expression was excited. The family was in dire need of talented individuals, especially Nascent Soul stage experts. Wang Qingfeng and others hadn't fully matured yet; their cultivation was too low, and their strength too weak.

Like Wang Qingshan, Wang Mengbin had also emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, possessing rich combat experience. Most importantly, Wang Changsheng had acquired a cultivation technique in his early years, the "Five Thunder True Scripture," which could be cultivated up to the Body Integration stage. It would be perfect for Wang Mengbin to cultivate.

"Let's go, my dear wife, let's go out and greet them. I wonder who the other person is—could it be Haitang?"

Wang Changsheng called out, and he and Wang Ruyan left Azure Lotus Peak, flying towards the outside of the island.