Chapter 2398: Encounter with Cheng Zhenyu and His Wife

Wang Changsheng's physical strength was significantly enhanced after he consumed three bottles of Body-Tempering Pills. He emerged from seclusion this time to resolve some potential issues and attend to personal matters.

"Father, what brings you here?" Wang Qingfeng was both surprised and delighted to see Wang Changsheng.

"I came to see you," Wang Changsheng said. "By the way, where is Xueli? Take me to her; I have something to ask her."

Wang Changsheng instructed, explaining that he wanted to meet Duan Tongtian. After all, they were in-laws. He had been preoccupied with cultivation, fending off large-scale beast tides, and participating in racial wars, but now that peace had returned, he intended to visit Duan Tongtian. While Dong Xueli might choose not to acknowledge Duan Tongtian, Wang Changsheng felt it was his duty to recognize his in-law; it was a matter of basic courtesy.

Wang Qingfeng agreed and led Wang Changsheng out of the Thousand Puppet Tower.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a secluded manor, where a three-story green pavilion stood nearby.

"Father, these are the materials we just collected," Wang Qingfeng said, handing Wang Changsheng a green storage ring. "Five-Colored Divine Clay and Sky-Thunder Crystals. The Sky-Thunder Crystals are contaminated with toxic blood. I'll go get Xueli."

Wang Changsheng took the storage ring. The Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron should be able to remove the toxic blood. Moreover, with Wang Mengbin having just advanced to the Void Refinement stage, he could use the Sky-Thunder Crystals to refine his Dharma Idol. It struck him as odd that the Dongfang family offered these two materials as a deposit, requesting ten items right away. Given that no major war was currently underway, he wondered if the Dongfang family was preparing for a large-scale conflict with another power, or perhaps using them for exploring a secret realm.

The Dongfang family of Golden Ape Valley was located inland, too far from the Wang family for Wang Changsheng to be familiar with their current situation. Selling fifth-tier puppet beasts was common, but sixth-tier ones were rare, and seventh-tier puppet beasts were even rarer, likely only producible by a select few powerful factions.

Not long after, Dong Xueli approached with Wang Qingfeng.

"Xueli, how can I contact your father? Do you know where he is?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Dong Xueli frowned and asked, "Father, why are you looking for my father?"

"He is Qingfeng's father-in-law and the maternal grandfather of Qiuya and the others," Wang Changsheng explained. "By custom and reason, I should visit him and get acquainted. It's proper etiquette. You are my daughter-in-law, and it's simply unacceptable that I haven't even met your father." Wang Changsheng's expression was serious.

"He has no idea how many enemies he's made," Dong Xueli said, "It's better not to contact him." Dong Xueli instinctively resisted, still unable to let go of her resentment.

"Madam," Wang Qingfeng interjected, "no matter what, he is still my father-in-law." Wang Qingfeng tried to persuade her. He had suggested privately seeking out Duan Tongtian many times before, but Dong Xueli had always refused.

"He should be in Jade Sun Valley, which was established by the Jiang family," Dong Xueli said. "You can find him at Jade Sun Pavilion. This is a Thousand Sounds Disk; you can use it to contact him." Dong Xueli took out a shimmering green spell plate and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng accepted it, gave a few instructions, and then departed. He strolled down the street, heading directly for the exit.

"Senior Wang." A somewhat familiar male voice suddenly rang out.

Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan walked towards him. Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised to see them. Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan looked excited; they had arrived on the Profound Spirit Continent aboard a Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship and had heard about Wang Changsheng's deeds during their journey.

"This isn't the place to talk," Wang Changsheng said. "Let's find somewhere to chat." Wang Changsheng led them to a teahouse and requested a private room.

"Mengbin told me you were stranded with him in the Azure World," Wang Changsheng asked curiously, "Why have you only ascended now?" It seemed likely they had ascended to a human faction within the Azure Glass Sea Domain.

Cheng Zhenyu didn't conceal anything and recounted their story truthfully, as there was nothing to hide.

"What are your plans next?" Wang Changsheng asked, "Will you join Zhenhai Palace or...?" Wang Changsheng inquired about their future plans, adding that if they wished to establish their own family, he could provide them with territory.

"We wish to meet the seniors of Zhenhai Palace," Cheng Zhenyu said politely, "Senior Wang, could you introduce us?" Cheng Zhenyu said politely that after careful consideration, they still wished to join Zhenhai Palace. Zhenhai Palace was far stronger than the Wang family. Cultivation techniques alone were a significant concern, not to mention life-extending elixirs. Would the Wang family simply give those away for free? With tens of thousands of cultivators, wouldn't the Wang family itself have insufficient life-extending elixirs? Venturing out independently would be even more challenging. They had been rogue cultivators for many years, and reaching their current stage was due to both their own efforts and Wang Mengbin's assistance.

"No problem, follow me." Wang Changsheng agreed, thinking that if they joined Zhenhai Palace and attained high positions, they might be able to advocate for the Wang family.

Wang Changsheng led them to a blue palace over ten *zhang* (approximately 33 meters) tall, where a large plaque above the entrance read "Heavenly Sea Palace." All disciples of Zhenhai Palace stationed in the market resided there. He led Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan inside and introduced them to Zhenhai Palace.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Changsheng emerged, looking relaxed. As ascended cultivators, Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan would be sent back to Floating Cloud Island by the Ascension Faction. Their decision to remain with Zhenhai Palace or strike out on their own would be entirely up to them.

Leaving the market, Wang Changsheng summoned the Azure Phoenix Boat and hopped aboard. He cast a spell, and the Azure Phoenix Boat immediately glowed brightly with green light, transforming into a streak of green light that pierced the air and vanished into the horizon.

The Yellow Maple Mountain Range, composed of one hundred thousand mountains of various sizes and stretching for tens of millions of miles, was rich in spiritual energy. It was also the stronghold of the Song family. The Song family's ancestor, originally from Zhenhai Palace, established his own family after realizing he had no hope of further breakthrough. With years of support from Zhenhai Palace, the Song family now boasted over a hundred thousand cultivators, more than ten Void Refinement cultivators, and one Integration cultivator.

In a secluded manor, Song Huizu was speaking to a handsome young man in a golden robe. The golden-robed youth had fair skin, a sturdy physique, and golden light faintly emanating from his eyes. An aura as vast as the ocean radiated from his person. This was Song Yunlong, a Spirit Body user, the most cultivated member of the Song family since its establishment, currently at the early Integration stage.

"You actually lost track of him?" Song Yunlong's face was grim. Song Huizu had allegedly discovered traces of Fiery Blade Master, but they had lost him.

"His escape speed was too fast," Song Huizu explained carefully, "and he possesses a disguise treasure. We couldn't catch him."

"Does he frequently interact with cultivators from the Wang family?" Song Yunlong pressed. He didn't care much for the Wang family; what he was concerned about were the Integration cultivators from the Ascension Faction, such as Chen Yueying.

"No," Song Huizu replied truthfully. "Aside from that one instance, he has never interacted with Wang family cultivators again. Perhaps it was intentional, or perhaps he has no real connection to the Wang family."

"Forget about losing him," Song Yunlong instructed. "You haven't seen his true appearance, so you can't be 100% sure he is Fiery Blade Master. Our family is still in a period of growth, so don't lightly offend high-level cultivators. Be careful when you go out, and be prepared for anything."

"Yes, Ancestor." Song Huizu agreed, feeling uncertain himself. It was completely unnecessary to antagonize the Wang family over a Void Refinement cultivator whose identity couldn't be confirmed. Of course, the main reason was that he wasn't even sure if Duan Tongtian truly possessed the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll. There were too many rumors; some even claimed the Song family itself had obtained the scroll. Any human force that was somewhat powerful or rising rapidly would inevitably be subject to rumors claiming they had obtained the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll or the legacy of a mighty ancient being. Perhaps some rumors were true, or perhaps they were deliberate misdirections. Since Chen Yueying backed the Wang family, Song Yunlong didn't want to confront them based on unverified information; it wasn't worth the risk.

Song Yunlong gave a few more instructions and dismissed Song Huizu.