Chapter 2320: Return to Zhenhai Palace

Sixty years had passed.

At the bottom of a turbulent river, the riverbed suddenly glowed with a faint yellow light. Wang Changsheng emerged from underground. His injuries had almost healed, and he was ready to leave.

His body enveloped in a shroud of blue light, he ascended towards the river surface.

Not long after, Wang Changsheng reached the river surface.

He transformed into a streak of blue light and shot into the sky. To avoid attracting the attention of high-level demonic birds, he did not fly too high.

He had just flown a hundred miles when a sudden loud noise erupted ahead. A massive red mushroom cloud bloomed high in the sky, shaking the earth and mountains.

Startled, Wang Changsheng quickly stopped and extended his divine sense.

Moments later, his divine sense detected a powerful aura approaching him, that of a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator.

The Double-Pupil Mouse crawled out of Wang Changsheng's sleeve, climbed onto his shoulder, its eyes shining brightly.

Through the Double-Pupil Mouse's eyes, Wang Changsheng clearly saw a blue-robed youth with resolute features flying toward them. Judging by his attire, he was clearly a cultivator from Zhenhai Palace.

"Chen Lang, it's him."

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Changsheng's eyes. Fang Ming had once suggested that Wang Changsheng team up with Chen Lang and a few others, but Wang Changsheng had declined.

According to Fang Ming, Chen Lang and several other Void Refinement cultivators had gone to the Barren Land in search of Silver Gang Crystals. Why was Chen Lang the only one visible? Had the other Void Refinement cultivators been killed?

Chen Lang's escape speed was swift, and he soon appeared within Wang Changsheng's sight.

His face was pale, indicating severe spiritual power exhaustion.

From high above, a sharp, piercing bird cry resounded. A colossal red giant owl appeared, its wings spanning over a thousand zhang, its eyes gleaming with malice.

"Seventh-tier demonic bird!"

Wang Changsheng's expression changed.

The red giant owl flapped its wings fiercely, spewing forth a torrent of crimson flames that coalesced into a colossal red fire cloud. Carrying astonishing heat, it plummeted from the sky.

Wang Changsheng flicked his sleeve, and nine Sea-Stabilizing Pearls flew out. After spinning rapidly, they unleashed a vast quantity of blue seawater, forming a massive blue water curtain that enveloped them.

The red fire cloud crashed into the blue water curtain, instantly erupting into a colossal red mushroom cloud that engulfed a hundred-mile radius, filling the air with mist.

After a moment, the mist dissipated, and the blue water curtain, along with Wang Changsheng and Chen Lang, vanished.

At the riverbed, Wang Changsheng and Chen Lang, enveloped by a blue light barrier, rapidly moved forward.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for saving my life. I am Chen Lang from Zhenhai Palace," Chen Lang said earnestly.

Wang Changsheng paused, then asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Senior Brother Chen, do you not recognize me?"

"Have we met?" Chen Lang scrutinized Wang Changsheng.

"No, we haven't," Wang Changsheng replied, shaking his head and stating his name, "but I've heard of Senior Brother Chen."

"Ah, so it's Junior Brother Wang," Chen Lang said. "I've been in seclusion for many years and haven't had the pleasure of meeting you. If I may be so bold, Junior Brother Wang, under which Senior Uncle do you apprentice?"

"I was originally a disciple of Zhenhai Palace, but I have since left," Wang Changsheng explained, feeling a little confused.

It would be one thing for Soul Transformation cultivators not to know each other, but for a Zhenhai Palace Void Refinement cultivator not to have met him, they should at least have heard of him. Could it be that Chen Yueying had forbidden the dissemination of Wang Changsheng's deeds to prevent news of the Xuantian Item from leaking? That was a distinct possibility.

"I see. Thank you, Junior Brother Wang, for your assistance, otherwise, I would have been in grave danger," Chen Lang said gratefully.

"It was nothing," Wang Changsheng replied. "Senior Brother Chen, I heard from Senior Brother Fang that several of you entered the Barren Land to search for Silver Gang Crystals. Where are the others?"

"We encountered a seventh-tier demonic beast, and they all perished," Chen Lang explained. "Fortunately, we managed to find some Silver Gang Crystals. Once we return to Zhenhai Palace, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Chen Lang promised, his tone sincere.

Wang Changsheng nodded, not pressing further. He formed a hand seal, and the blue light barrier accelerated its movement.

The red giant owl cast spells, attacking the riverbed. Dense red fireballs rained down, erupting with massive roars, churning mist, and rising dust.

After a moment, the red giant owl swooped down from high above and flew into a hidden mountain cave.

Inside the cave stood a curvaceous young woman in a red dress. Her face bore several red spiritual patterns, her waist was slender, her eyebrows were gracefully arched, and her bosom was ample.

"With someone as a witness, it should reduce the suspicion of Zhenhai Palace's higher-ups," the young woman in red muttered to herself as the red giant owl transformed into a streak of red light and vanished into her spirit beast bracelet.

The young woman in red took out a shimmering red magic disk. She infused it with a hand seal and instructed, "The mission is complete. You may return. Assemble immediately."

"Yes, Esteemed Yan Ji. By the way, we encountered Esteemed Bai Xuan. What are your thoughts?" A respectful male voice suddenly responded.

"Why would he be in the Barren Land?" Yan Ji asked, puzzled.

"I came here to find materials for condensing Dharma Idols, and I didn't expect to run into you," a jovial male voice suddenly interjected. "Yan Ji, I've discovered a miniature Golden Flame Divine Jade ore vein, but it's guarded by two seventh-tier ancient beasts. Are you interested in joining forces?"

"A miniature Golden Flame Divine Jade ore vein? No problem," Yan Ji replied. "Come over; I'll wait for you here. And by the way, if you encounter any human cultivators, ignore them. Pretend you didn't see them." Yan Ji instructed.

"Pretend we didn't see them?" the man scoffed, his voice filled with great dissatisfaction. "My grandfather, father, and mother all died at the hands of human cultivators. You want me to pretend I didn't see them? Without a reasonable explanation, I'll find that very difficult."

"I am acting on orders," Yan Ji stated firmly. "This is the Second Elder's command. As for the specific mission, I cannot tell anyone; I report only to the Second Elder." Yan Ji's tone was severe.

"The Second Elder? If that's the case, then never mind. We'll hurry over to meet you."

Putting away the magic disk, Yan Ji's face showed an excited expression. "I didn't expect such an unexpected bonus," she muttered to herself. "A Golden Flame Divine Jade ore vein. I hope the reserves are substantial."

In a secret chamber within Zhenhai Palace's Deacon Hall, Fang Ming sat cross-legged on a blue futon, his eyes closed and hands forming seals, his body enveloped in a dazzling spiritual light.

After a while, the spiritual light on his body dissipated, and he opened his eyes.

He took out a shimmering blue magic disk, infused it with a hand seal, and a respectful male voice immediately responded, "Master, Senior Uncle Chen and Senior Uncle Wang have returned. They brought back the Silver Gang Crystals."

"I know. I'll go out now."

Fang Ming put away the magic disk, stood up, and walked out.

Moments later, he arrived at a side room where Wang Changsheng and Chen Lang sat on chairs, chatting and laughing.

"Junior Brother Chen, Junior Brother Wang, you've finally returned," Fang Ming greeted them with a smile.

"If I hadn't met Junior Brother Wang, I'm afraid I wouldn't have returned," Chen Lang gave a bitter smile.

"Junior Brother Chen," Fang Ming said, "the Enforcement Hall needs to inquire about the whereabouts of Junior Sister Li and the others. Please go there first. I have something to discuss with Junior Brother Wang."

Fang Ming's tone was gentle. Since Chen Lang and several other Void Refinement cultivators had gone to the Barren Land and the life-bound soul lamps of the others had successively extinguished, the Enforcement Hall was required to conduct a routine investigation according to Zhenhai Palace's rules.

Chen Lang acknowledged, stood up, and left.