Chapter 2245: Wang Yingjie Smuggles Across, Sun Tianhu Advances to the Refining Void Stage

Upon obtaining the Realm-Transcending Stone, Wang Changsheng would not immediately cast a spell to descend to the lower realm. Sending a split soul to a lower realm was no easy feat; he needed to be fully prepared and could not afford to be careless.

When descending with a split soul, he wouldn't be able to carry physical items with him. However, some cultivation techniques and secret arts could be imparted to his clansmen in the lower realm, as knowledge was the most valuable asset.

He had already instructed Wang Qingcheng to collect cultivation scriptures, especially those related to flood dragons. Wang Qiuxiao's true form was a fifth-rank flood dragon, and a suitable cultivation method would significantly accelerate her progress. This was also the greatest advantage of a demon beast transforming into human form.

Besides cultivation scriptures, formations were also important. It would be even better if they could gather materials to establish communication between the clansmen in the lower realm and those in the Xuanyang Realm.

When Taiyang Sect's branch in the lower realm faced trouble, they could use formations to contact their grandmasters in the Xuanyang Realm and summon reinforcements.

While there were many communication formations, it might be difficult to gather the necessary materials to set them up in the lower realm. The formations would need to be modified, which would fall to Bai Yuqi, and it wouldn't be possible in the short term.

Wang Changsheng would assign Wang Qiupu to personally look after the Nine-Dragon Fruit Tree, Heavenly Origin Fruit Tree, and Nine Thunder Bamboo. Wang Qiupu was a spiritual plant cultivator, and he had recently acquired numerous cultivation scriptures, which would greatly aid his development.

Back in his private chamber, Wang Changsheng continued refining the fifth-rank puppet beast.

He could only cultivate with peace of mind after surviving the large-scale beast tide. Based on calculations, a major beast tide was bound to erupt within three hundred years, making time pressing.

Numerous refining materials were laid out on the ground, and some puppet limbs were visible among them.

Wang Changsheng picked up a piece of yellowish-brown ore, tossed it into the air, and unleashed his Glazed Ice Flame to envelop it.

As time passed, the ore began to show signs of softening.

At Green Bamboo Peak, Wang Qingshan sat on a bamboo chair while Wang Lihe and over twenty other sword cultivators stood respectfully by his side.

"From today onward, you will reside at Green Bamboo Peak," Wang Qingshan announced. "I will guide your cultivation, and how much you grasp will depend on your own comprehension."

Wang Qingshan's tone was stern. Before the arrival of the large-scale beast tide, he intended to meticulously guide the younger generations of the family, aiming to enhance their strength as much as possible.

"Yes, Ancestor Qingshan," Wang Lihe and the others replied in unison, their expressions respectful.

Southeastern Xuanling Continent, the Barren Lands.

The Barren Lands were home to numerous powerful ancient beasts, so formidable that even Integration-stage cultivators might perish if they encountered them. Nevertheless, the region also boasted an abundance of rare heavenly treasures, attracting various races who came to seek their fortune. It served as one of the buffer zones between the human race and other species.

Most only dared to operate in the outer areas; only a select few cultivators with exceptional strength or audacious courage dared to venture deep into the Barren Lands in search of treasures.

Deep within the Barren Lands, in a vast and boundless dense forest, towering trees over a hundred zhang tall stood everywhere, their branches lush and leaves verdant.

In a clearing, a red giant tiger, over ten zhang long, was battling a blue giant python, over a hundred zhang long. The red tiger had golden patterns on its body and a pair of red fleshy wings on its back, while the blue python sported a golden fleshy crown on its head. Both were fifth-rank demon beasts.

The red giant tiger opened its gaping maw and spewed a thick stream of crimson flames directly at the blue giant python.

The blue giant python spat out a misty green hurricane, blocking the crimson flames.

Roaring explosions reverberated as large scorch marks appeared on the ground. Towering trees were shredded into smithereens by dense, giant wind blades, while shockwaves surged and dust filled the sky.

The void vibrated and distorted, and a fissure several zhang wide suddenly appeared. A disheveled figure flew out of the fissure and crashed onto the crown of a towering tree. It was Wang Yingjie.

Blood flowed incessantly from Wang Yingjie's body, revealing white bones in multiple places. His back was a bloody mess, and his aura was weak.

He had sent clansmen to search for ancient cultivator caves, and after hundreds of years, they had found two unknown secret realms. These realms contained numerous millennium-old spirit herbs, which were then refined into elixirs for consumption. It was through these elixirs that Wang Yingjie finally advanced to the Mid-Stage Soul Transformation realm.

This was already remarkable. Having reached this stage, he only had just over five hundred years of lifespan remaining. He knew clearly that, given his aptitude, it was impossible to cultivate to the Late-Stage Soul Transformation realm; his only option was to forcefully ascend.

Forceful ascension was extremely perilous, with only a slim chance of survival. Therefore, Wang Yingjie had his clansmen refine several defensive spirit treasures, acquired two fifth-rank secret talismans from an ancient cultivator's cave, and cultivated multiple life-saving secret arts.

As for Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures, he possessed none, making such an ascension exceedingly dangerous.

By chance, a secret realm appeared, but unfortunately, all the high-grade spirit herbs within it had been consumed by a fifth-rank Void-Rending Beast.

This fifth-rank Void-Rending Beast had not yet taken human form, but it could speak human language and had mastered spatial divine abilities.

Initially, the beast intended to devour Wang Yingjie to enhance its cultivation. However, Wang Yingjie used a fifth-rank secret talisman to transform into a fifth-rank demonic bird, injuring the beast and forcing it to sign an oath on a forbidden scroll, vowing mutual non-aggression.

Wang Yingjie had originally planned to wait several hundred years, attempting ascension only after his cultivation had significantly improved. However, his clansmen discovered an ancient cultivator's cave. While it held no major treasures, it revealed two spatial nodes leading to the Spirit Realm. One had already collapsed, and the other wouldn't last much longer.

Forceful ascension was extremely perilous, largely due to the lack of accurate spatial nodes. It could lead to a nether realm or even other realms entirely.

After much deliberation, Wang Yingjie decided to seize this opportunity and attempt ascension together with the Void-Rending Beast. Despite possessing secret talismans and multiple spirit treasures, Wang Yingjie was still severely wounded, though fortunately, he survived. As for the Void-Rending Beast, Wang Yingjie had no idea of its whereabouts.

Feeling the abundant spiritual energy of the place, Wang Yingjie's face lit up with joy, relieved that he hadn't landed in a nether realm.

He quickly scanned the area, and upon seeing two fifth-rank demon beasts, he was scared out of his wits. His body glowed with escape light, transforming into a streak that tore through the air and fled.

The two fifth-rank demon beasts were so engrossed in their furious battle that they had no interest in Wang Yingjie.

Wang Yingjie's current condition was dire; he needed to find a place to heal his injuries.

"May the ancestors of the Wang family protect me," Wang Yingjie muttered to himself. "I must be in the Spirit Realm; please don't let me be in some other lower realm."

Wang Yingjie muttered to himself, then accelerated his escape speed and vanished into the horizon.

Myriad Spirit Sect, a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides.

A massive thundercloud hovered high above, accompanied by flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder. Thick silver bolts tore through the sky, striking towards the valley.

On a distant peak, a burly old man in red robes stood with a solemn gaze.

The red-robed old man was Su Yuntao, the Deputy Sect Master of Myriad Spirit Sect and an Integration-stage cultivator.

A short while later, accompanied by an earth-shattering roar, the thundercloud transformed into a giant silver tiger and pounced towards the valley.

Following a colossal bang, a massive silver sun ignited, engulfing the entire valley.

After a while, the roars of dragons and tigers resonated, and several phantom images of demon beasts suddenly appeared high in the sky, accompanied by beast roars, bird calls, and insect chirps.

When the silver sun dissipated, the valley was gone.

Sun Tianhu stood within a massive crater, his body bearing several horrific bloodstains, yet exuding an astonishing spiritual pressure.

"Haha, I've finally advanced to the Void Refinement stage!" Sun Tianhu exclaimed.

Sun Tianhu laughed heartily, his face beaming with pride.

Su Yuntao descended from the sky, landing before him.

"Disciple Sun Tianhu greets Master," he said, bowing.

Sun Tianhu bowed. He had ascended and landed in Myriad Spirit Sect's territory, joining the sect and becoming Su Yuntao's disciple. Had it not been for this, it would have been very difficult for him to advance to the Void Refinement stage.

Su Yuntao handed Sun Tianhu a green porcelain bottle and said, "Take these elixirs for your injuries. I remember you inquired about the Azure Lotus Immortals. Do you know them?"

"Yes, I know them," Sun Tianhu replied. "They were cultivators from the East Wisteria Realm, just like me. With the help of the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit, they reportedly ascended to the Spirit Realm, but I wasn't entirely certain."

Sun Tianhu answered truthfully. After joining Myriad Spirit Sect, he had repeatedly inquired about the whereabouts of the Azure Lotus Immortals, but unfortunately, he had received no news.

"They are indeed in the Xuanyang Realm," Su Yuntao said, "and my clone even fought with them."

Su Yuntao's gaze was solemn. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had been formidable even in the Soul Transformation stage, and now that they had advanced to the Void Refinement stage, they were undoubtedly even stronger.

He didn't dwell on it. Everyone served their own master, and with the Profound Heavenly Artifact in Xuanqing Sect's hands, it generally strengthened the human race's power.

A flicker of surprise crossed Sun Tianhu's eyes; he hadn't realized Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were so powerful.

"Your master and they became acquainted through combat," Su Yuntao slowly stated. "I didn't expect you knew them. You'll have a chance to meet them later. For now, focus on healing your injuries; we can talk more afterward. They've already advanced to the Void Refinement stage and established a family."

"Yes, Master," Sun Tianhu replied.

Sun Tianhu responded and returned to his dwelling to cultivate.