Chapter 2385: Taiyang Zhenren's Inquiry

Bai Ruohan was surprised and delighted, pressing, "Where is Fellow Daoist Liu? Bring her here quickly!"

Although they hadn't completely annihilated the Golden Roc race this time, the Golden Rocs were severely weakened. After this battle, the human race's territory could expand significantly.

The Cold Flame Sect hadn't contributed much to this battle; only Bai Ruohan had used spirit insects to help break formations. This wasn't enough to secure a large share of the spoils. If someone from an affiliated force had killed the Golden Roc race's young patriarch, that would certainly be a major achievement, earning a substantial reward.

"Her physical body was destroyed; Jiao Mingzhu said so herself," Yang Xuemei explained. "Oh, and Jiao Mingzhu was killed by a human Void Refinement cultivator, and her soul was captured. We'll know the truth once that person returns."

"How could the Golden Roc race's young patriarch be so easily killed? Without concrete evidence, are we just going to rely on Jiao Mingzhu's word?" Liu Qingfeng sneered. Since it concerned the distribution of benefits, solid proof was essential to convince everyone.

Wang Changsheng had altered his appearance and spread the news that Liu Yunlan had killed Jin Shuo. Many cultivators now knew this, whether they believed it or not was up to them. Jiao Mingzhu's soul had already been consumed by Wang Ruyan's Soul-Devouring Golden Cicada, leaving no verifiable proof. Wang Changsheng's original intention was to frame the Liu family. Even if it failed, it didn't matter; since Jin Ao was still alive, it was like a sharp sword suspended over the Liu family's head. Given the issue of benefit distribution, Liu Qingfeng's disbelief was normal. Whether Jin Ao would believe it was hard to say, especially since the Liu family had participated in the major battle, killing several Void Refinement cultivators. Even if Liu Yunlan hadn't killed Jin Shuo, it would still be normal for Jin Ao to seek revenge on the Liu family.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, your contribution to breaking through Heavenly Roc Island this time was significant. You killed Peng Zhai, and for that, you earn a major merit," Liu Qingfeng said, smiling as he looked at True Lord Taiyang. This was an attempt to win over True Lord Taiyang and counter the Cold Flame Sect. Zhenhai Palace had long coveted the profits of Snow Goose Market and had always wanted to intervene but lacked the opportunity. This racial war was a perfect chance for a redistribution of power, and Zhenhai Palace naturally wouldn't let it slip away.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you jest," True Lord Taiyang humbly replied. His words clearly favored Zhenhai Palace. Zhenhai Palace's overall strength was second only to the Xuanqing Sect, and since Wang Qingshan had helped the Taiyang Sect, True Lord Taiyang naturally sided with Liu Qingfeng.

Bai Ruohan snorted coldly and said, "Then let's leave it at that for now. Once we get Jiao Mingzhu's soul, we'll know after a soul search."

Liu Qingfeng and the others arranged for personnel to hunt down the Golden Roc race's scattered forces, establish formations, occupy the islands, treat the wounded, and collect cultivation resources. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan ordered their clan members to gather as many cultivation resources as possible, but not to stray too far or act alone. The Golden Roc race was in disarray, making it an excellent time to collect cultivation resources. However, even a cornered rabbit would bite, and relentlessly pursuing the Golden Rocs could lead to significant casualties.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan returned to Golden Eagle Island to rest. As soon as they arrived at their residence, True Lord Taiyang visited.

"Greetings, Senior Zhao," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities. I just came to check on you two," True Lord Taiyang chuckled, his expression serene and approachable.

Wang Changsheng invited True Lord Taiyang inside, his expression unreadable. He wondered what True Lord Taiyang's purpose was. Was it the Divine Water of Creation? Or something else?

"Fellow Daoist Wang, may I see the small drum you used earlier?" True Lord Taiyang asked.

Wang Changsheng was slightly taken aback but quickly agreed, retrieving the Nine Dragon Drum and handing it to True Lord Taiyang. True Lord Taiyang examined it carefully, his expression somewhat peculiar.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this bottle of Nine Yang Spirit Forging Pills can strengthen the physical body and should be helpful to you," True Lord Taiyang said as he flicked his sleeve, producing a red porcelain bottle and handing it to Wang Changsheng. "If your clansmen hadn't intervened, my sect in the lower realm would have been destroyed."

Wang Changsheng was confused and thanked him repeatedly, accepting the bottle of pills. Naturally, he didn't believe the explanation. If True Lord Taiyang truly wanted to thank him, he could have sent someone with the pills earlier. The timing, delivering them only after Wang Changsheng presented the Nine Dragon Drum, was clearly suspicious.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, could you tell me the origin of this treasure?" True Lord Taiyang asked amicably.

"This treasure was given to me by Senior Ye. I haven't seen her in many years," Wang Changsheng replied truthfully.

"Senior Ye? What's her full name? Is she also on Xuanguang Continent? Where did you meet her?" True Lord Taiyang pressed, his expression somewhat agitated.

"Senior Ye gave me the Nine Dragon Drum when I was in the lower realm. I don't know her full name, and I haven't seen her since I arrived in the Xuanyang Realm," Wang Changsheng stated truthfully.

"The lower realm?" True Lord Taiyang sounded somewhat disappointed. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Could you describe her appearance to me, and perhaps her related divine abilities?"

"This... it's not that I don't want to tell you, Senior," Wang Changsheng said, looking troubled. "But Martial Uncle, the Sect Master, has ordered us not to reveal any information about Senior Ye."

"I merely wish to know her appearance and divine abilities. I won't tell anyone else; it will be a secret between you and me," True Lord Taiyang said gently. He then took out another red porcelain bottle and continued in a tempting tone, "Tell me the truth, and this bottle of Nine Yang Spirit Forging Pills is also yours."

Wang Changsheng hesitated slightly, then briefly described the artifact spirit's appearance and divine abilities. He had initially intended to lie, but it was too unwise to offend an Integration cultivator over this matter. After weighing his options, Wang Changsheng decided to tell the truth.

True Lord Taiyang's eyes brightened. With a flick of his sleeve, a large pile of items appeared on the ground, including Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures, artifact refining materials, pills, talismans, and even the corpses of sixth-order demonic beasts.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, how about I exchange some items with you for this Nine Dragon Drum?" True Lord Taiyang asked gently. "How about two of my items for one of yours?"

Wang Changsheng was stunned. He had indeed guessed correctly: the Nine Dragon Drum and the Nine Python Drum must have both been crafted by the artifact spirit. What was the artifact spirit's cultivation level, exactly? Given True Lord Taiyang's emphasis on the artifact spirit, its identity was clearly not simple. An Integration cultivator wanted to make an exchange with him; how could Wang Changsheng dare to refuse?

His gaze quickly swept over the items on the ground, landing on a green jade bottle. He asked curiously, "Senior Zhao, are there pills in this jade bottle?"

"Those are two streams of Azurewood Divine Lightning, which can be used to refine single-use lightning-attribute treasures," True Lord Taiyang explained.

Wang Changsheng's face lit up with joy as he picked up the green jade bottle. In addition, he also requested a bottle of Qianyang Misfortune Transformation Pills, a sixth-order pill and a sacred healing medicine of the Taiyang Sect.

"If you encounter her in the future, you can mention me to her. Tell her that I await her distinguished presence at the Taiyang Sect," True Lord Taiyang instructed.

"Yes, Senior Zhao," Wang Changsheng readily agreed. From True Lord Taiyang's words, the artifact spirit's identity was extraordinary. Was she True Lord Taiyang's savior? Or perhaps a Mahayana cultivator?

True Lord Taiyang put away the Nine Dragon Drum, turned, and left.