Chapter 2304: Lin Gui Refines the Thunder-Inducing Pearl

At the Golden Swallow Market in the Azure Glaze Sea area, Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan sat in a stone pavilion within a vast courtyard with blue-tiled roofs, deep in conversation.

Utilizing the cultivation resources left behind by Wang Mengbin, both men successively advanced to the God Transformation stage. After nearly a millennium of arduous cultivation, they reached the Mid-God Transformation stage and then simultaneously ascended to the Xuanyang Realm. Aware of the Qingyun Sect's presence, they ascended from the same location as Wang Mengbin, successfully arriving in the territory controlled by the Han family. Upon their arrival in the Xuanyang Realm, just like Wang Mengbin, they temporarily joined the Han family as revered cultivators, seeking life-extending elixirs and Dust-Cleansing Pills.

"According to intelligence provided by the Seventh Moon Tower, there's a sect called Zhenhai Palace on the Profound Spirit Continent. It's likely connected to the Zhenhai Sect. Fellow Daoist Wang probably went to the Profound Spirit Continent, and perhaps True Man Taihao is there as well." Zheng Nan spoke with a hint of excitement. Given that he cultivated the Zhenhai Sect's core technique, journeying to the Profound Spirit Continent would be ideal for them, possibly leading to an encounter with Wang Changsheng.

The challenge, however, was that with their current cultivation level, reaching the Profound Spirit Continent safely on their own would be extremely difficult, unless they could board a Trans-Spiritual Treasure Ship. Since no Trans-Spiritual Treasure Ships were currently bound for the Profound Spirit Continent, they had no choice but to wait.

"Let's wait until a Trans-Spiritual Treasure Ship departs for the Profound Spirit Continent," Cheng Zhenyu suggested. "Hopefully, we'll get to see True Man Taihao and the others again." Cheng Zhenyu reasoned that meeting Wang Changsheng and his companions would be ideal, given their past acquaintance.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Zheng Nan agreed. "We can discuss it further once we reach the Profound Spirit Continent." Zheng Nan agreed. They had few old acquaintances in the Azure Glaze Sea and felt little sense of belonging there. Any new relationships they forged might not be reliable. Most importantly, if Zhenhai Palace and Zhenhai Sect shared a common ancestor, they would be more readily accepted.

Wang Mengbin had indeed established a reputation in the Azure Glaze Sea area, but then he suddenly vanished. They had no idea where he went, but speculated he had traveled to the Profound Spirit Continent, given the existence of the Qinglian Wang family there. They had inquired about Wang Mengbin with the Han family, but the family offered few details and certainly didn't mention him joining the Qinglian Wang family. Cultivators who ascend from the lower realms to the God Transformation stage are highly talented individuals, and the Han family was keen to retain their services.

***

Meanwhile, on Qinglian Island, Profound Spirit Continent.

On Qinglian Peak, the door to a secret chamber abruptly opened, and Wang Changsheng stepped out, his face alight with joy. He had successfully refined the Thunder Roc feather into the Thunder Roc Wings, elevating them to the rank of a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure. He retrieved his communication disk and contacted Wang Mengbin: "Mengbin, the Thunder Roc Wings have been upgraded to a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure. Come to Qinglian Peak."

"Yes, Old Ancestor," Wang Mengbin replied.

Wang Changsheng left his dwelling and settled into the stone pavilion. Soon after, Wang Mengbin appeared before him. Wang Changsheng retrieved the Thunder Roc Wings and presented them to Wang Mengbin.

"I will make a trip to Zhenhai Palace to inquire about methods for lightning spirit root cultivators to reach the Void Refinement stage. You are to remain on Qinglian Island and cultivate peacefully; do not wander off." Wang Changsheng's tone was grave as he gave the instruction. Currently, two members of the family were poised to attempt the Void Refinement stage: Wang Qingshan and Wang Mengbin.

"Old Ancestor, I removed this Lightning-Attracting Orb from the Lightning-Attracting Stake. It should be beneficial for the growth of the Qilin Turtle." Wang Mengbin produced a silver jade box and respectfully presented it to Wang Changsheng with both hands. He had acquired the Lightning-Attracting Stake after eliminating the Deng family, and typically used it to channel natural lightning for his cultivation. Everyone harbors personal desires, and Wang Mengbin was no exception. He had previously parted with a Lightning-Absorbing Orb because it held little use for him, but this Lightning-Attracting Orb was different; it could channel natural lightning for cultivation. While Bai Yuqi could set up formations, their effects couldn't compare to the Lightning-Attracting Stake. The Thunder Roc's vital feather was exceptionally precious, yet Wang Changsheng had not hesitated to directly refine it into the Thunder Roc Wings. And now, he was even preparing to travel to Zhenhai Palace to seek out methods for Wang Mengbin to break through to the Void Refinement stage. Wang Mengbin felt a pang of shame, prompting him to offer the Lightning-Attracting Orb.

Wang Changsheng paused for a moment. He opened the jade box, revealing a spherical silver orb the size of a longan pit. Instantly, a deafening thunderclap echoed from high above, and thick silver lightning bolts became visible streaking across the sky. Wang Changsheng closed the jade box, then produced an even larger silver orb. This Lightning-Attracting Orb was more than ten times the size of the one Wang Mengbin had offered. The sky abruptly darkened, as dense black clouds gathered. The thunderclouds churned violently, and massive lightning bolts tore across the firmament, accompanied by blinding flashes and deafening roars. Wang Changsheng flipped his hand, and the silver orb vanished. The thunderclouds dispersed instantly, and the sky reverted to its clear state.

"A Lightning-Attracting Orb!" Wang Mengbin was dumbfounded. He could clearly discern that the Lightning-Attracting Orb in Wang Changsheng's hand was far superior to his own, having been nurtured by at least a Seventh-Order demonic beast.

"This Lightning-Attracting Orb is far more potent than yours," Wang Changsheng explained. "It has been nurtured by heaven and earth for tens of thousands of years. It can be used to set up formations and assist both our cultivation. However, your cultivation level is currently too low, which is why I hadn't revealed it. You'll be able to utilize it once you reach the Void Refinement stage." Wang Changsheng explained that the Lightning-Attracting Orb he had revealed was so powerful it could alter the very appearance of the sky; even Void Refinement cultivators might struggle to control it, let alone those at the God Transformation stage. He understood Wang Mengbin's intentions; everyone has their own private considerations.

"That's wonderful!" Wang Mengbin exclaimed with a smile. "Let the Qilin Venerable refine my Lightning-Attracting Orb then! It will certainly aid its advancement. With both a Lightning-Attracting Orb and a Lightning-Absorbing Orb, the Qilin Venerable's cultivation speed will accelerate even further, possibly reaching the Void Refinement stage even before Old Ancestor Qingshan!"

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Your thoughtfulness is enough," he said. "You should go back and rest now. I need to make a trip to the main altar of Zhenhai Palace." Wang Mengbin acknowledged, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.

Wang Changsheng transformed into a streak of blue light, piercing the sky as he departed, arriving above a massive lake. The lake surface churned violently, and the Qilin Turtle emerged, emitting joyful roars. Wang Changsheng took out the Lightning-Attracting Orb Wang Mengbin had given him and said, "Refine this Orb; it will greatly benefit your cultivation." With a flick of his wrist, the Lightning-Attracting Orb flew towards the Qilin Turtle. The creature opened its vast maw, swallowed the orb, and submerged to the lake bottom.

Wang Changsheng summoned the Azure Phoenix Boat, leaped aboard, and cast a spell. The boat instantly glowed with brilliant azure light, transforming into a streak of green that pierced the air and vanished into the horizon.

Every thousand years or so, a major beast tide would erupt in this sea region. Over seven hundred years had passed since the last one.