Chapter 2289: Negotiated

**Xuanyang Realm, Green Lotus Island.**

Green Lotus Peak hosted a manor spanning ten thousand *mu*, adorned with pavilions, waterside gardens, and peculiar rock formations. Sun Tianhu sat in a green pavilion, gazing into the distance. Following his gaze, one could see a giant blue turtle, identified as a Qilin Turtle.

The Qilin Turtle was growing larger and larger, necessitating continuous expansion of the lake where it resided. Highly intelligent and understanding, the Qilin Turtle could hunt sea beasts on its own. However, it stayed within the Wang family's territory and never ventured far. If it failed to catch prey, the Wang family regularly sent people to feed it. Its appetite was enormous, capable of consuming up to seven fifth-tier demonic beasts in a single meal. Fortunately, it only ate infrequently. Sun Tianhu naturally perceived that the Wang family's Qilin bloodline was extraordinary, with a high probability of advancing to the sixth tier.

A sound transmission talisman flew in and landed before Sun Tianhu. His expression hardened as he crushed the talisman, and Wang Qingcheng's voice abruptly sounded: "Senior Sun, my father requests your presence at Dongli Hall." Sun Tianhu took a deep breath, finally able to meet Gongsun Yang. Upon exiting the manor, Sun Tianhu saw Wang Qingcheng standing at the entrance, his expression respectful. The two arrived at Dongli Hall, where Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had been waiting for a long time.

Entering the main hall, Wang Changsheng nodded to Bai Yuqi. Bai Yuqi took out a shimmering formation disk and cast a spell into it. The formation array shook violently. After all the array patterns illuminated, Gongsun Yang's ethereal image suddenly appeared above the formation. "Master, is that you? Is it really you?" Gongsun Yang's expression was agitated.

Sun Tianhu nodded. He looked at Wang Changsheng and politely said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, may I speak with Yang'er privately for a while?" "No problem, but please try to stick to the main points. Each time the communication array is activated, it requires a material like Golden Ring Divine Crystal, which is scarce in the lower realm. Each use depletes it." Wang Changsheng cautioned them before walking out with Wang Ruyan and Bai Yuqi. The doors of Dongli Hall slowly closed, leaving Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan standing outside.

After a moment, the hall doors opened wide, and Sun Tianhu emerged. "Fellow Daoist Wang, I have finished speaking with Yang'er. You may speak with your clansman now!" Sun Tianhu's tone was sincere. Gongsun Yang's lifespan was limited, and if he couldn't ascend to the Xuanyang Realm before his life essence ran out, he would simply pass away there. Wang Changsheng nodded and walked inside. Gongsun Yang's ethereal image had vanished, replaced by Wang Zonglang's.

"How many more times can the Golden Ring Divine Crystal be used?" Wang Changsheng got straight to the point. "It should be usable two more times." Wang Zonglang naturally didn't tell the whole truth; the Wang family's treasury still held a piece of Golden Ring Divine Crystal that could be used five or six times.

"I will first discuss this with Fellow Daoist Sun. Once we've settled on the details, I'll have you arrange Fellow Daoist Gongsun's ascension. For now, have him remain on Green Lotus Island." Wang Changsheng instructed. "Yes, Old Ancestor." Wang Zonglang assented, and his ethereal image suddenly dissipated.

"Let's go, Fellow Daoist Sun, let's have a good talk." Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Sun Tianhu proceeded to the reception hall, where the three discussed the matter of compensation. Sun Tianhu understood the difficulties of the lower realm. He spoke, "Fellow Daoist Wang, please name your price! How can you help Yang'er ascend?" Only cultivators from the Wang family could activate the Spirit Ascension Array using the Spirit Ascension Token. If the Wang family was unwilling, it would be useless for Gongsun Yang to try and seize it by force. Moreover, Sun Tianhu did not know where the ascension would land.

"The ascension array we arrange lands on the Spirit Ascension Platform of Zhenhai Palace. This is not something to discuss solely with me; you need to ask Senior Su to intercede and speak with Martial Uncle Chen. If Martial Uncle Chen agrees, then it will be easy for me, considering we are acquaintances." Wang Changsheng stated seriously. If it were an ordinary Soul Transformation cultivator, joining the Myriad Spirit Sect would be one thing, but a Spirit Physique possessor was different. Given Gongsun Yang's talent, he was bound to make a name for himself in the Xuanyang Realm. If Chen Yueying investigated, Wang Changsheng would face severe repercussions. When dealing with Su Yuntao, Wang Changsheng naturally dared not be greedy. However, if Chen Yueying was involved, there would be no issue. Wang Changsheng believed in shared benefits and had no intention of monopolizing the advantages. He could have Gongsun Yang impersonate a Wang family cultivator and then join the Myriad Spirit Sect, but this would yield few benefits from the Myriad Spirit Sect and displease Chen Yueying. By involving Chen Yueying, Su Yuntao would surely have to pay a hefty price, and Wang Changsheng's own gains would be substantial.

Sun Tianhu frowned and said, "Can't the Spirit Ascension Array be moved to where this old man ascended? That way, it would surely land in the Myriad Spirit Sect's territory." Involving a Body Integration cultivator would undoubtedly incur a significant cost.

"I have a clansman who has already successfully ascended from that particular ascension platform. The place you mentioned, Fellow Daoist Sun, has never been tested. Furthermore, what if the array is damaged during the relocation process? Fellow Daoist Gongsun is a Spirit Physique possessor; are you willing to risk his cultivation path? This matter cannot bypass Martial Uncle Chen, and I dare not act rashly on my own." Wang Changsheng's stance was firm: Chen Yueying had to be involved, ensuring shared benefits. Before the Wang family produced a Body Integration cultivator, they had to cling tightly to Chen Yueying's support. Only mutual interest could maintain relationships permanently; there were no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

Sun Tianhu pondered for a moment, then said, "I will immediately return to the Myriad Spirit Sect to report to my master. If Yang'er can successfully ascend to the Xuanyang Realm, I will owe you a favor." "No problem, but Fellow Daoist Sun, you must act quickly. Activating the Spirit Ascension Array consumes Void Cloud Crystal, and there isn't much of it in the lower realm." Wang Changsheng advised. Sun Tianhu agreed and immediately left Green Lotus Island to return to the Myriad Spirit Sect with the news.

"Our family is currently lacking elixirs that prolong life. With this merit, we can request some from Zhenhai Palace," Wang Ruyan said with a smile. Wang Changsheng nodded and replied, "Given Fellow Daoist Gongsun's aptitude, he will certainly advance to the Void Refinement stage after ascending to the Xuanyang Realm, and he might even become a Body Integration cultivator. Forging a good relationship with him would be beneficial. I wonder how Qingshan's travels are progressing." "Calculating the time, he should have reached the mainland by now." After chatting for a while, Wang Changsheng returned to crafting artifacts, while Wang Ruyan went back to cultivating.

The Purple Crystal Mountain Range, named for its abundant growth of purple crystal wood, was rich in spiritual energy and consisted of one hundred thousand peaks of varying sizes. It served as the stronghold of the Ma family. Over thirty thousand years ago, the Ma family's ancestor, Ma Yuliang, ascended from the lower realm and founded the Ma family. After more than thirty millennia of development, the Ma family now boasted five Void Refinement cultivators and over fifty thousand immortal cultivators within its ranks, making them a powerful force.

In the northwestern part of the Purple Crystal Mountain Range lay a massive valley, three sides surrounded by mountains. Outside the valley stood a purple stone tablet over twenty *zhang* tall, bearing the three large characters "Purple Crystal Valley." Purple Crystal Valley was a market town established by the Ma family, primarily selling ores and spiritual wood. Its streets were wide, bright, and bustling with people, making it very lively.

A long purple streak of light flew from the distant horizon. As it approached within a hundred *li* of Purple Crystal Valley, its speed abruptly slowed. The purple light dissipated, revealing a purple flying boat over ten *zhang* long. Two men and one woman stood on the flying boat. One of the men, wearing a green long gown, had star-like eyes and sword-like eyebrows. He carried an exquisite green sword scabbard on his back, its surface engraved with several green lotus flowers. This was Wang Qingshan.