Chapter 2400: For Duan Tongtian's Protection

A hint of nostalgia appeared in Duan Tongtian's eyes. He said, "When I was young, I was obsessed with cultivation, and Qing'er always supported me. To become stronger, I often sparred with others, including members of the Xia family. Later, by chance, I entered a secret realm of the Void Sky clan to search for treasures. I acquired some valuable items, which allowed me to advance to the Void Refinement stage."

"Perhaps the cultivators who vied with me for the treasures spread rumors. Because of this, the Xia family targeted Qing'er and her two children. By the time I returned home, our home was gone. I single-handedly stormed the Xia family's residence, killed all their cultivators, and then I couldn't find Xueli. When I finally found her, she no longer recognized me. Fortunately, she's doing well now; otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain it to her mother."

As he spoke of these heartfelt matters, Duan Tongtian's eyes reddened, and tears welled up.

"Xueli is my daughter-in-law, and she has contributed a lot to our Wang family. We will treat her well; you can rest assured. Where do you, my in-law, plan to attempt your Void Refinement breakthrough? I will protect you during the process."

Wang Changsheng's tone was sincere; he had already intended to provide protection for Duan Tongtian.

High-level cultivators undergoing a Great Heavenly Tribulation usually have family members, sect elders, or masters protecting them. After passing the tribulation, high-level cultivators become very weak. Without protection from another high-level cultivator, encountering powerful enemies or high-level demonic beasts would be problematic.

For safety, some high-level rogue cultivators often seek remote locations to undergo their Great Heavenly Tribulation. If they are lucky, they don't encounter powerful enemies. If unlucky, a high-level cultivator might pass by just after they've completed the tribulation, leading to murder and treasure theft.

"I'm about to set off. The Great Heavenly Tribulation should arrive within the next hundred years."

Duan Tongtian's expression was solemn. Theoretically, a Void Refinement cultivator would face the Great Heavenly Tribulation every three thousand years. However, this timing isn't entirely precise, with a margin of error of about a century. Certain special secret arts or treasures could postpone the tribulation.

The Great Heavenly Tribulation is immensely powerful. It's usually undertaken in secluded areas; few high-level cultivators attempt it at their main base.

"No problem. I'll go with you! I will personally protect you."

Wang Changsheng agreed. Since it was Duan Tongtian's first Great Heavenly Tribulation, and he had a sixth-tier formation and a complete set of Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures, there should be no issues.

Duan Tongtian nodded, put away his treasures, and walked out, with Wang Changsheng following him.

Leaving Jade Sun Valley, the two transformed into streaks of light and sped away.

The Black Wind Mountain Range is located in the central part of the Mysterious Spirit Continent. The spiritual energy here is sparse, high-grade spiritual medicines are rare, and fifth-tier demonic beasts are uncommon. High-level cultivators are rarely seen in this area.

A blue streak of light flew from the distant horizon. Before long, the blue streak stopped.

The light faded, revealing a gleaming blue flying boat. Wang Changsheng and a gaunt, blue-robed old man stood on it. The blue-robed old man was Duan Tongtian.

Due to the Song family, Duan Tongtian always presented a disguised appearance when outside.

"This spot will do! No need to trouble yourself further."

Duan Tongtian said this after Wang Changsheng had taken him around, searching for a suitable location.

Wang Changsheng nodded, made a hand seal, and the Azure Luan Boat slowly descended near a lake about a hundred *mu* in size.

Duan Tongtian raised his right hand, and a vast expanse of hazy blue saber energy swept out, plunging into the lake.

After a loud roar, lake water splashed everywhere, and a significant portion of the lake was stained red with blood. Numerous demonic beast corpses could be seen.

Duan Tongtian shook his sleeve, and thousands of gleaming blue formation flags flew out, vanishing into the lake. He cast a spell, and the lake surface lit up with a dazzling blue light, ripples spreading across it.

He flew to the center of the lake and sat down cross-legged on its surface.

Wang Changsheng shook his sleeve, and hundreds of yellow-glowing formation flags flew out. With a hand seal, the hundreds of yellow flags instantly brightened, transforming into hundreds of streaks of yellow light that vanished into the ground.

Wang Changsheng took out a gleaming yellow hexagonal formation disk and cast several spells into it.

The ground trembled slightly, and countless yellow mists emerged, covering an area of three hundred *li*.

After a moment, the yellow mist disappeared, and the lake was gone. Wang Changsheng and Duan Tongtian had also vanished.

Even if a Soul Transformation cultivator passed by, it would be difficult to detect their presence.

Scarlet Falcon Island was one of the islands controlled by the Song family overseas, home to over a thousand cultivators.

Song Huizong had been cultivating for over two thousand years and was currently at the late Soul Transformation stage. He was also the patriarch of the Song family's overseas branch, managing all family affairs.

On a peak ten thousand *zhang* high, with steep slopes, a golden palace stood atop, measuring over ten *zhang* tall. It featured upturned eaves and decorative brackets, with exquisite floral patterns carved into its stone pillars.

The palace's grand entrance was open, revealing a luxurious hall with a floor paved with golden malachite jade.

Song Huizong sat on a golden jade chair, a smile on his face, while over fifty clan elders were seated on either side, reporting on various matters.

The Song family had exchanged some islands with the Wang family and, combined with rewards from Zhenhai Palace, acquired many new islands. They had dispatched over twenty thousand clan members to develop their presence in the outer seas.

Thanks to the abundant demonic beast resources in the overseas region and the support of Zhenhai Palace, the Song family had developed remarkably well, with an increasing number of experts emerging in their overseas branch.

"Patriarch, over the past fifty years, our family has gained thirty-five new Nascent Soul cultivators and three new Soul Transformation cultivators. We now have as many as eighty-three Soul Transformation cultivators in the outer seas."

An elder reported.

Hearing this, all the clan members were very pleased.

Song Huizu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Everyone has worked hard over the past fifty years. I hope you will all continue your efforts in the future to ensure the family..."

Before he could finish speaking, a burly middle-aged man walked in quickly, his expression grave, as if something significant had occurred.

"What happened? Why the rush?"

Song Huizu asked.

"Patriarch, True Monarch Zixiao of the Wang family on Green Lotus Island has advanced to the Void Refinement stage."

The middle-aged man reported respectfully. It was worth noting that both the Song and Wang families were immortal cultivation families affiliated with Zhenhai Palace, though they belonged to different factions.

The Song and Wang families didn't harbor a deep-seated vendetta and still maintained some contact.

"True Monarch Zixiao... So, the Wang family now has five Void Refinement cultivators?"

Song Huizong frowned. The stronger the Wang family became, the more it could support the Ascension faction. The competition between the Song and Wang families outweighed their cooperation.

The stronger the Wang family grew, the greater their influence would be in this sea region, allowing them to gain more benefits, which would inevitably impact the Song family.

The Song family members present exchanged glances, their expressions grim. They had just been smug about their family gaining three new Soul Transformation cultivators, but the Wang family had directly added a Void Refinement cultivator.

"Is that true? It's not false news, is it?"

Song Huizong asked, skeptically.

The middle-aged man nodded and replied, "Absolutely true. A Wang family disciple said it himself, and the news has already spread throughout Tianhai Market."

"You've all heard it. You must work even harder from now on."

Song Huizong's face darkened as he urged them on.

"Yes, Patriarch."

The Song family cultivators agreed and returned to their respective homes.