Chapter 2290: Demon Extermination Conference

Wang Qingshan embarked on a journey, primarily heading inland. He traveled to various places, experiencing diverse local customs and cultures, and befriending other Deity Transformation cultivators. Some regions, rich in spiritual herbs, had a greater number of alchemists, while others, abundant in metal ore veins, were home to more artifact refiners.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we've arrived at Violet Crystal Valley," said a handsome young man in a golden robe with fair skin and red lips, pointing ahead.

"We're finally back," a grateful young woman in a purple dress with a round face and large eyes exclaimed. "This time, we owe it all to Fellow Daoist Wang for his help; otherwise, we might not have made it back alive."

The young man in the golden robe was Ma Tianming, and the young woman in the purple dress was Ma Tianxue. Both were at the mid-stage of the Deity Transformation realm.

They had been attacked by a fifth-tier demonic beast in the wilderness and nearly died, but fortunately, Wang Qingshan had passed by and rescued them.

"It was just a small matter, Immortal Ma, nothing to worry about," Wang Qingshan said nonchalantly.

"You jest, Fellow Daoist Wang. How can a life-saving grace be taken lightly? Since you've made the rare trip to Violet Crystal Valley, we must fulfill our duties as hosts and express our gratitude," Ma Tianming said with a smile. He then activated a spell, and the purple flying boat slowly descended towards the ground, landing at the entrance of Violet Crystal Valley. The three of them disembarked.

Even before they entered Violet Crystal Valley, a clamor of voices drifted out from within.

Ma Tianxue activated a spell, and the spiritual glow of the purple flying boat dimmed. It shrank to palm size, transforming into a streak of purple light that disappeared into her sleeve.

The three walked together into the valley. The streets were wide and clean, and the buildings in the market were arranged in a distinctive, structured layout, all constructed from violet crystal wood in various styles.

The streets teemed with people, mostly Nascent Soul cultivators, with a fair number of Deity Transformation cultivators, but not a single Void Refinement cultivator was seen.

Wang Qingshan had visited Snow Goose Market before, and in terms of scale, Violet Crystal Valley was far from comparable. This was understandable, as the Ma family only had Void Refinement cultivators, lacking any Integration realm cultivators.

As they walked, most shops sold ores and spiritual wood, with only a few offering spiritual herbs. The inland region differed from the sea domain; in the sea domain, demonic beast resources were abundant, while metal ores and spiritual wood were comparatively scarce in quantity and variety, and alchemy primarily used demonic beast cores as main ingredients. In contrast, the inland boasted a greater abundance of metal ores, spiritual wood, and spiritual herbs.

From time to time, a patrol team of cultivators, all dressed in uniform purple long robes and all at the Nascent Soul realm, passed by.

After about half a quarter of an hour, Wang Qingshan followed the Ma siblings to a thousand-acre bluestone plaza, where a thirty-six-story-high violet tower stood in the center.

Above the entrance of the violet tower hung a rectangular golden plaque, inscribed with the three large, shimmering violet characters "Violet Crystal Pagoda." Many cultivators were going in and out, making the area quite lively.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this is the Violet Crystal Pagoda I told you about," Ma Tianming said proudly. "It's a shop opened by our Ma family, and it's also the largest shop in Violet Crystal Valley. We have everything other shops have, and we also have things that other shops don't."

"Impressive. To use a spiritual treasure as a shop is quite something," Wang Qingshan replied politely. He had seen larger and grander shops, but courtesy demanded such remarks.

"Come, we'll take you inside to have a look." Ma Tianming waved his sleeve and strode in, with Wang Qingshan following closely behind.

The main hall was spacious and brightly lit, with shelves crafted from violet crystal wood. The Violet Crystal Pagoda had thirty-six floors in total; the first thirty floors were used for selling goods, while the latter six served as residences for the Ma family cultivators.

The first floor sold spiritual wood and ores of low quality, which Wang Qingshan naturally found uninteresting.

Upon reaching the twentieth floor, an enticing tea fragrance wafted into Wang Qingshan's nostrils. He felt a refreshing coolness rise from his abdomen, rapidly spreading throughout his body, leaving him feeling completely invigorated.

The twentieth floor exclusively sold tea leaves of various kinds.

"Tianming, Tianxue, you're finally back! I thought you had gone to get involved in the Demonic Extermination Assembly," a gruff male voice suddenly boomed.

A dark-skinned, burly middle-aged man approached. He had large hands and feet, a broad back and powerful build, and exuded a strong aura of malevolence, giving off an intense sense of pressure. Judging by the fluctuations in his magic power, he was clearly a Void Refinement cultivator.

"Seventh Uncle, what is the Demonic Extermination Assembly?" Ma Tianming asked, slightly stunned and curious.

"Five Deity Transformation cultivators from the Azure Void Sect entered the Ink Sun Forest to hunt demonic beasts and unexpectedly discovered a Void Refinement stage ghost. Only one person managed to escape. Azure Void Daoist from the Azure Void Sect personally intervened, only to find not just one Void Refinement stage ghost, but two, along with numerous Deity Transformation stage ghosts. Azure Void Daoist has now allied with the Golden Flame Sect, Blazing Fire Sect, and Golden Maple Palace. Each of the four factions has dispatched a Void Refinement cultivator, and they've issued a proclamation inviting other cultivators to participate in eradicating these ghosts. Oh, by the way, who is this young friend?" The middle-aged man's gaze fell upon Wang Qingshan, his face full of curiosity.

"This junior is Wang Qingshan of Green Lotus Island. Greetings, Senior Ma." Wang Qingshan bowed respectfully and spoke courteously.

"The Wang family of Green Lotus Island? How are you related to True Monarch Taihao?" the middle-aged man pressed.

"He is my clan uncle. Does Senior know my Ninth Uncle?" Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback; he had never heard Wang Changsheng mention this person.

"No, I don't," Ma Yunbiao replied. "However, I heard that Fellow Daoist Wang killed three sixth-tier demonic beasts. If the journey weren't so far, I would truly like to spar with your clan uncle." The middle-aged man's eyes gleamed with fervor as he finished speaking.

"Seventh Uncle, why haven't I heard about this?" Ma Tianxue was slightly surprised. There were many cultivation families on the Xuanling Continent, and Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had not done anything earth-shattering, so many forces were unaware of their existence.

"Green Lotus Island is in the northwest corner of the Xuanling Continent, close to the Golden Roc clan. It's a long journey, so it's normal that you haven't heard of it," the middle-aged man said warmly. "By the way, young friend Wang, is your clan uncle also in Violet Crystal Valley?"

Wang Qingshan shook his head. "No, this junior is out traveling. Ninth Uncle is not in Violet Crystal Valley."

"Seventh Uncle, it's a good thing Fellow Daoist Wang helped us; otherwise, we wouldn't have made it back," Ma Tianming said, recounting their perilous encounter.

"It was merely a small effort, nothing to mention," Wang Qingshan said. "By the way, Senior Ma, this junior wishes to purchase some items. I wonder if the Violet Crystal Pagoda has them." Wang Qingshan took out a green jade slip and handed it to the middle-aged man with both hands.

The middle-aged man scanned it with his divine sense. "We only have some of these materials. Since you saved Tianming and the others, there will be no charge. By the way, my name is Ma Yunbiao. When you return to Green Lotus Island in the future, please extend my greetings to your Ninth Uncle. If I have time another day, I will certainly pay a visit."

"No problem. This junior will certainly convey your message to Ninth Uncle upon returning to Green Lotus Island," Wang Qingshan promised.

Ma Yunbiao took out a purple-glowing spell disk, input a spell, and made a few gestures.

"Someone will deliver the items later. Tianming, take young friend Wang to a private room to rest. Young friend Wang saved you both, so you must treat him well. I need to make a trip to the Azure Void Sect. I heard there's a Soul-Nourishing Wood tens of thousands of years old in the ghosts' lair, so these ghosts must be eliminated." Ma Yunbiao instructed them, then hurriedly departed.