Chapter 2300: Four Hundred Years

Four hundred years passed quickly, as seasons came and went.

In the northeast corner of Green Lotus Island, a massive thundercloud hung high in the sky, flashing with lightning and rumbling with thunder. Upon closer inspection, the thundercloud was faintly divided into five sections, indicating a Five-Nine Thunder Tribulation. Clearly, a clan member was attempting to break through to the Soul Transformation stage.

In the meeting hall, Wang Qingcheng sat in the main seat, a wide smile on his face. Over fifty clan elders sat on either side, all beaming.

"Patriarch," one elder began, "Our clan now boasts thirty-one cultivators at the Soul Transformation stage, two at the Void Refinement stage, and over seven hundred Nascent Soul cultivators. Our entire clan comprises more than forty-five thousand cultivators, and we control two thousand three hundred and forty-five islands. We can deploy ten Soul Transformation cultivators."

Over the years, the Wang family had been actively developing uninhabited islands, steadily expanding their influence. However, it was evident to any discerning observer that the Wang family's growth momentum had slowed, which was an inevitable progression. After a period of rapid development, the Wang family's growth rate had now become more moderate, though it was fortunately still maintaining steady growth.

Puppet beasts were the Wang family's primary source of income. During the great beast tide battle, the Wang family's puppet beasts gained significant renown and became highly popular among cultivators. The number of puppeteers in the Wang family was constantly increasing, with more and more clan members choosing to become puppeteers, specializing in creating puppet beasts in exchange for contribution points.

Wang Qingcheng nodded and instructed, "Keep up the good work, everyone! You may return to your duties. Cultivation is fundamental; do not slacken in your practice."

"Understood, Patriarch."

The numerous clan elders departed one after another.

A streak of green light flew in, revealing Wang Qingshan. He had been traveling for over four centuries, gathering all the materials needed to forge a sword embryo. He intended to attempt a breakthrough to the Void Refinement stage, but first, he needed to refine the sword embryo.

"Seventh Brother, you're finally back! Why were you traveling for so long?" Wang Qingcheng asked curiously upon seeing Wang Qingshan.

"The Profound Spirit Continent is vast, so it took me some time," Wang Qingshan replied, inquiring about Wang Changsheng's status. "By the way, has Ninth Uncle finished his seclusion?"

"Not long after you left, Yingjie returned," Wang Qingcheng stated truthfully. "Father used a soul-splitting technique to descend to the lower realm, and he's been in seclusion cultivating ever since his return."

"What? Yingjie ascended to the Profound Sun Realm?" Wang Qingshan asked, somewhat surprised.

"That's right. He's been in seclusion and hasn't emerged yet, but I imagine it will be soon!" Wang Qingcheng replied.

"Oh, and by the way, I stumbled upon a page of the Profound Spirit Forbidden Tome; Ninth Uncle should find it useful." Wang Qingshan took out the Profound Spirit Forbidden Tome and handed it to Wang Qingcheng. The Profound Spirit Forbidden Tome wasn't a powerful weapon, but rather an item that could restrain high-level cultivators. Wang Qingshan currently had no use for it, but Wang Changsheng likely would. Whenever Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan refined a powerful weapon or a secret talisman, they would always give one to Wang Qingshan, so naturally, Wang Qingshan wouldn't be stingy with Wang Changsheng.

"The Profound Spirit Forbidden Tome?" A flicker of surprise appeared in Wang Qingcheng's eyes, swiftly replaced by a look of delight.

"Also, if Ninth Uncle emerges from seclusion, please notify me immediately," Wang Qingshan instructed. "I intend to attempt the Void Refinement stage, and I need his help to forge a sword embryo. I wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting that to anyone else."

Wang Qingcheng agreed and put away the Profound Spirit Forbidden Tome.

After a brief chat, Wang Qingshan bid farewell and departed. He arrived outside a vast valley, surrounded on three sides by mountains. Outside the valley stood a green stone tablet, over ten zhang tall, inscribed with the three large characters "Five Spirit Valley." This was Wang Yingjie's residence. Dense white mist obscured the valley interior, making it impossible to discern anything within. Wang Qingshan took out a sound transmission talisman, whispered a few words, and tossed it into the valley.