Chapter 2393

On Qinglian Island, Tianyin Peak often reverberated with various musical sounds, serving as the Wang family's center for cultivating sound cultivators. As Wang Ruyan was a sound cultivator, the family had amassed a considerable collection of musical cultivation techniques, leading some clan members to pursue this path. It was a common understanding in the cultivation world that sound cultivators had long casting times and were relatively weak in one-on-one combat. However, it was also true that the higher a cultivator's cultivation level and the more powerful their treasures, the shorter their casting time and the stronger their divine abilities became.

At the peak of Tianyin, a cyan palace, over thirty zhang tall, stood majestically. A graceful young woman in a golden dress was positioned at the entrance of the main hall, facing seven hundred and twenty Wang family members who stood in neat rows. Most of them were teenagers, and the highest cultivation level among them was Foundation Establishment. Due to Wang Ruyan's influence, many clan members chose the path of sound cultivation; some did so out of obedience to their parents, while others were genuinely interested in music.

A slender young woman in a cyan dress stood at the very front of the first row. She possessed cherry lips, a delicate nose, skin as fair as snow, and a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, her gaze firm and resolute. This was Wang Yuanwei, a descendant of Wang Liangpu, currently at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Wang Yuanwei's grandparents had accompanied Wang Liangpu to the front lines to combat foreign races and had both perished at their hands. Lacking talent in swordsmanship and finding body cultivation unsuitable for a woman, her parents hoped she would advance far in sound cultivation and one day avenge their relatives.

"Starting today, you will reside on Tianyin Peak and learn music from me," the young woman in the golden dress reprimanded. "Don't assume that simply entering Tianyin Peak guarantees you'll remain here indefinitely. If you become lazy or complacent, you'll eventually be sent back. Only the most exceptional clan members can become the family's elite. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yuanwei and the others responded, their voices echoing widely.

"Good that you understand," the young woman said. "Meng Yun, you and your team will arrange their accommodations, inform them of Tianyin Peak's rules, and tomorrow we will begin teaching the path of music." After giving these instructions, the young woman in the golden dress entered Tianyin Hall.

Wang Yuanwei and the others settled down on Tianyin Peak and began their study of musical cultivation techniques.

Golden Gull Island, blanketed with numerous golden maple trees, earned its name from its appearance—from high above, the island's shape strikingly resembled a giant seagull. Golden Gull Island belonged to the Zhao family, another cultivation family affiliated with Zhenhai Palace and part of the Ascension faction. However, the Zhao family was relatively weaker, possessing two Void Refinement cultivators and over a hundred thousand clan members, having primarily developed inland.

Zhenhai Palace had acquired numerous islands that required extensive development. These were awarded to meritorious individuals, and the Zhao family cultivators, having fought valiantly on the front lines, were granted over three hundred islands. For specific reasons, the Zhao family's Void Refinement cultivators remained inland, sending ten Soul Transformation cultivators and over ten thousand clan members to develop overseas. Since both the Zhao and Wang families belonged to the Ascension faction, they maintained close ties.

In the northwest corner of Golden Gull Island, a bluestone plaza spanning a hundred mu was bustling with over a thousand cultivators. They were drinking, chatting, and laughing, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Wang Yuanjiang sat behind a cyan jade table, engaging in conversation with the Zhao family disciples seated nearby. He remained in the Foundation Establishment stage; the "Four Seas Forging Spirit Technique" demanded an exorbitant amount of cultivation resources. The higher the cultivation level attained, the more resources were required, in addition to elixirs that enhanced divine sense. While the family possessed techniques for strengthening divine sense, most were common and had to be acquired using merit points.

A Nascent Soul cultivator from the Zhao family was celebrating their eight hundredth birthday, having invited numerous guests. Wang Yiyan, stationed on Golden Clam Island, also received an invitation and brought Wang Yuanjiang and dozens of other clan members to Golden Gull Island as guests. Typically, at such birthday celebrations or grand ceremonies, the host family would provide prizes for the younger generation to spar. Wang Yuanjiang had attended many such events, but most of the sparring matches involved Core Formation cultivators, leaving him no opportunity to participate. Nevertheless, whenever he had leisure, he proactively sought to accompany his elders on visits to other factions. This allowed him not only to spar with cultivators from different forces but also to broaden his knowledge and perspective.

Wang Yiyan raised his wine glass, looking towards a burly, red-faced elder in golden robes. With a smile, he said, "Brother Shiyu, I toast you. May your cultivation greatly advance, and may you soon reach the Soul Transformation stage." Having spoken, he drained his glass.

Zhao Shiyu, not daring to be negligent, promptly returned the toast. His primary reason for inviting the Wang family this time was to propose an intermarriage between the two families, thereby strengthening their relationship. One of the Zhao family's Void Refinement cultivators had been severely injured, requiring the other to remain by their side for care. Consequently, the Zhao family's power in this sea region was not robust, necessitating significant reliance on the Wang family.

"Brother Shiyu," Wang Yiyan suggested, "since it's your birthday today, why don't we organize a friendly competition? Each family could send a few of their younger generation to spar and foster camaraderie through martial arts. What do you think?"

"Excellent!" Zhao Shiyu exclaimed. "I've long heard of the profound cultivation of your Wang family disciples. Yufeng, Yulin, you two will represent our Zhao family and spar with the disciples and descendants of the other fellow Daoists. Regardless of who wins, two magic treasures will be awarded as prizes." As Zhao Shiyu instructed, two Zhao family disciples stepped forward; both were Core Formation cultivators.

"Hold on, Brother Shiyu," Wang Yiyan interjected. "How about we let the Foundation Establishment stage juniors spar instead? Two representatives from each faction would suffice. What do you say?" Zhao Shiyu didn't ponder the suggestion much and readily agreed, producing two bottles of Golden Core Jade Liquid as prizes. Representatives from other factions also offered rewards and sent their own participants for the sparring matches.

"Yuanjiang, Yuanhong," Wang Yiyan instructed, "you two will represent our Wang family and spar with the other fellow Daoists!" Wang Yiyan gave the command. Wang Yuanjiang was not one to indulge solely in arduous cultivation; besides his practice, he would, whenever he had the time, accompany his elders to various grand events and celebrations to broaden his horizons and forge new friendships. As he and Wang Yuanjiang were from the same lineage, he also wished to give him a hand.

"Yes, Uncle Yiyan," Wang Yuanjiang and Wang Yuanhong responded, stepping forward with noticeable excitement. This was an excellent opportunity for them to distinguish themselves.

A total of fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators participated in the sparring, divided into two groups, with matches determined by drawing lots. The Zhao family cultivators summoned twenty-five shimmering stone platforms. After infusing a spell, each platform instantly expanded to over a hundred zhang in size. Wang Yuanjiang and the others successively stepped onto the platforms, preparing for their two-on-two matchups. As streaks of spiritual light flared, thick light barriers materialized out of thin air, encasing each stone platform.

Wang Yuanjiang's opponent was a graceful young woman in a cyan dress, whose cultivation was slightly higher than his own. As soon as the fight began, Wang Yuanjiang first applied two defensive enhancements to himself, then summoned two second-tier puppet beasts, controlling them to attack the young woman in the cyan dress. The young woman in the cyan dress held a red folding fan, and with a gentle flick, she unleashed scarlet fireballs that struck the puppet beasts. However, the puppets remained completely unaffected.

Unable to pierce Wang Yuanjiang's defenses or overcome his puppet beasts, the young woman was soon engulfed by a torrent of flames spewed by the giant tiger puppet. Before she could react, the ape puppet beast delivered a punch that shattered her defense, stopping mere inches from her heart, a clear sign of Wang Yuanjiang's mercy.

"I surrender," the young woman conceded, bowing gracefully. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang, for your mercy."

"It was my good fortune, Madam Li," Wang Yuanjiang replied humbly.