Chapter 2292: Departure

Lan Fukun dared to joke with minor forces, but he absolutely wouldn't dare to joke with Zhenhai Palace. There would be no benefit for him in doing so. Not just Lan Fukun, but no other cultivators would dare to joke with Zhenhai Palace either.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this Demon Extermination Assembly was initiated by my master, Qing Xuzi," Zheng Yang explained enthusiastically. "We welcome all cultivators to participate. Soul Transformation cultivators who join the assembly can receive one million spirit stones. After exterminating the spectral creatures, if their contributions are substantial enough, they can also share some Soul Nourishing Wood or Profound Soul Crystals."

Wang Qingshan nodded and continued to ask, "How do I register? What procedures are required?"

"No procedures are needed. If Fellow Daoist Wang wishes to participate, you can simply come with us when the time comes," Zheng Yang replied cheerfully, believing it would be a great opportunity to befriend a cultivator from the Wang family.

"Okay, I'll participate," Wang Qingshan said politely. "I'm not familiar with the situation in Moyang Forest. Do you happen to have a map of Moyang Forest, Fellow Daoist Zheng? I'd like to take a look."

"Of course," Zheng Yang replied enthusiastically. "Some areas are frequented by powerful sixth-tier demonic beasts and are rarely explored, so we only have a map of most of Moyang Forest." He took out a piece of green beast hide and handed it to Wang Qingshan.

The reputation of Zhenhai Palace was clearly very effective. Disciples from other sects would not have received such favorable treatment.

Other Soul Transformation cultivators took turns introducing the conditions of Moyang Forest to Wang Qingshan. Lan Fukun, who had never been to Moyang Forest, couldn't contribute to the conversation.

Lan Fukun was participating in the Demon Extermination Assembly solely for the one million spirit stones. With multiple Void Refinement cultivators leading and Buddhist treasures borrowed, he was confident there would be no problems.

"Oh, by the way, you just mentioned Water Moon Convent. Is that a Buddhist sect?" Wang Qingshan asked curiously. Wang family cultivators primarily operated in the sea regions and knew little about inland sects.

Lan Fukun quickly replied, "Water Moon Convent was established over 100,000 years ago and boasts many masters. However, its main headquarters are very far from here. It has a branch temple on Lotus Stream Mountain, 300 million li away. Speaking of which, I met Grandmaster Yuyin many years ago. The first time I saw her, I felt she possessed an extraordinary aura, with subtle Buddha light emanating from her. I had a premonition that Grandmaster Yuyin would surely advance to the Integration stage."

Water Moon Convent does not engage in power struggles; its primary focus is to propagate Buddhist teachings. In terms of overall strength, Water Moon Convent can be ranked alongside the Cold Flame Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, why do you love to boast so much? Can't you be quiet for a while?" Zheng Yang rolled his eyes and said irritably. Lan Fukun didn't do proper work; he only knew how to excessively praise others.

Lan Fukun showed no shame whatsoever, righteously declaring, "This old man never boasts about others; everything I say comes from the heart."

The cultivators were speechless for a moment and no longer paid attention to Lan Fukun.

A majestic male voice came from the mountaintop: "Cultivators participating in the Demon Extermination Assembly, gather immediately at the plaza on the mountaintop. We are preparing to depart. All others, please leave this place promptly."

"Let's go, Fellow Daoist Wang, let's head up! We're about to set off," Zheng Yang said. He waved his hand and strode towards the mountain, with Wang Qingshan and the others quickly following.

Upon reaching the summit, a vast bluestone plaza appeared before them.

In the center of the plaza was a circular platform over a hundred zhang wide. Four men and one woman stood on the platform, and Ma Yunbiao was among them.

Leading them was a lean, tall Daoist priest with a square face and a goatee, wearing a green robe that fluttered in the wind. He carried a peach wood sword on his back, exuding a distinctly immortal aura. This was Qing Xuzi, a mid-Void Refinement cultivator.

Standing beside Qing Xuzi was a rosy-faced, portly Daoist priest in a red robe. His belly was like a large ball, plump and fair, giving him an approachable impression. This was True Monarch Liehuo, a mid-Void Refinement cultivator. The remaining three were all early-Void Refinement cultivators.

"Oh, Young Friend Wang, are you also participating in the Demon Extermination Assembly?" Ma Yunbiao said, noticing Wang Qingshan with some surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, is he your junior?" A graceful young woman in a golden dress asked curiously. The woman had cherry lips, a delicate nose, slender dark eyebrows, and bright, expressive eyes. She was Lady Jinyan, an early-Void Refinement cultivator.

"No, Young Friend Wang is from Azure Lotus Island, and his clan uncle, True Monarch Taihao, is from Zhenhai Palace," Ma Yunbiao explained.

"True Monarch Taihao! Zhenhai Palace!" Qing Xuzi exclaimed in surprise, involuntarily giving Wang Qingshan a second, more respectful look.

"Regardless of one's sect, it is the responsibility of us cultivators to slay demons and eliminate evil. Anyone willing to participate in the Demon Extermination Assembly is commendable, and the promised rewards will certainly not be lacking," a pale-faced, middle-aged Confucian scholar said in a deep voice. The middle-aged man had well-defined features, a somewhat slender build, and an refined appearance. This was Chen Wenzheng, an early-Void Refinement cultivator from Seven Sages Mountain. Seven Sages Mountain is a Confucian sect with a heritage of over 80,000 years. Currently, it has one Integration stage cultivator, though at its peak, it had four. However, three Integration stage cultivators perished during the great racial war.

Qing Xuzi nodded and instructed the cultivators to line up neatly. For this operation, five Void Refinement cultivators and fifty Soul Transformation cultivators were being deployed—a formidable force.

The fifty Soul Transformation cultivators were divided into five teams of ten each. Wang Qingshan and Lan Fukun were in the same team. Out of respect for Zhenhai Palace, Ma Yunbiao appointed Wang Qingshan as the team leader.

"Depart, to slay demons and eliminate evil!" With a sweep of his sleeve, Qing Xuzi sent forth a streak of green light, revealing a shimmering green flying boat. This was a flying spirit treasure; Qingxu Sect was merely a minor sect and could not produce a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure for flight.

The cultivators flew onto the green flying boat one after another. Qing Xuzi formed a hand seal, and the green flying boat immediately emitted a brilliant green light, transforming into a long green rainbow that sped towards Moyang Forest at an exceptionally high speed.

After more than an hour, the green flying boat appeared above a dense, dark forest. The surrounding mountains and vegetation were all black, with not a single green plant in sight.

Qing Xuzi formed another hand seal, and the green flying boat slowly descended, with the cultivators disembarking one by one.

Wang Qingshan keenly noticed that there was some restriction on divine sense in this area. According to Zheng Yang's explanation, the Profound Yin Vein imposed a slight restriction on divine sense, but the impact was not significant.

"To avoid alerting them, let's conceal our spiritual power auras and advance towards the spectral creatures' lair," Qing Xuzi instructed with a stern tone. "Upon reaching our destination, we will proceed according to the plan. Zheng Yang, Young Friend Wang, and Young Friend Ma, you will control the formation to trap everything within a hundred thousand li, preventing the spectral creatures from escaping. The rest of you will follow us to eliminate the spectral creatures, destroying them in one fell swoop."

Wang Qingshan and the others agreed, their expressions grave. Lan Fukun's demeanor became tense, but a glance at Qing Xuzi and the other four eased his mind slightly.

The group split into five teams, advancing abreast towards the dense forest. After a while, they disappeared into the woods.

More than an hour later, they emerged on a steep peak deep within Moyang Forest. The mountain was permeated with a large amount of black mist, which somewhat restricted divine sense and vision.

"Young Friend Wang, you and your group go set up the formation! Proceed according to the plan," Qing Xuzi commanded, his voice heavy.

Wang Qingshan assented and departed with Lan Fukun and two others, flying towards the northwest.