Chapter 2426: Secret Realm

Golden Scale Lake, with its abundant spiritual energy, is ideal for raising spiritual fish. It is one of the Wang family’s five inland strongholds.

Centered around Golden Scale Lake, an area spanning tens of millions of miles falls under the Wang family’s control, with thousands of Wang family disciples stationed there.

On a majestic emerald peak, a blue palace over ten zhang tall sits atop the summit. The main hall is spacious and brightly lit.

Wang Lijiao sat in the main seat, her gaze serious. A hint of heroism was evident in her expression.

She is the Wang family’s highest-cultivated female sword cultivator, at the Mid-Spirit Transformation stage.

An astute-looking middle-aged man was reporting the situation to her, and Wang Lijiao listened quietly.

“The Jiang family, the Cao family, and Qingyang Temple are fighting fiercely? Do you know the specific reason?” Wang Lijiao asked with a frown. These three forces all had Spirit Transformation cultivators, and their territories bordered each other. A sudden large-scale conflict likely stemmed from a struggle for cultivation resources.

The middle-aged man shook his head and replied, “I’m not sure. The Cao family is relatively close to us, but despite repeated inquiries, their disciples couldn’t provide an answer. Perhaps only the Cao family’s Spirit Transformation cultivators know.”

“Immediately spread the word that the Cao family has received strong reinforcements and is preparing to destroy the Jiang family and Qingyang Temple. I will personally go to the Cao family and have a good talk with Cao Yihong,” Wang Lijiao instructed.

The middle-aged man hesitated slightly, then said, “Ancestor, are we really going to destroy the Jiang family and Qingyang Temple? They both have Void Refinement cultivators backing them.”

“Just do as I say. I know what I’m doing,” Wang Lijiao ordered in an unequivocal tone.

The middle-aged man acknowledged and turned to leave.

Wang Lijiao took out a green magic disk, channeled a spell into it, and instructed, “Moyun, Moyu, each of you select twenty people and come with me to the Cao family. It’s time to earn some merit.”

“Yes, Ancestor.”

A short while later, Wang Lijiao departed with over forty clan members.

Heavenly Beast Mountain has a legacy spanning seventy thousand years. It once flourished, boasting fifteen Void Refinement cultivators, over a hundred Spirit Transformation cultivators, and more than one hundred thousand disciples.

During a racial war tens of thousands of years ago, most of Heavenly Beast Mountain’s Void Refinement cultivators perished at the hands of foreign races. Subsequently, Heavenly Beast Mountain suffered internal strife, greatly diminishing its vitality.

The Cao, Chen, Jiang, Yang, and Sun families wielded significant influence within Heavenly Beast Mountain. After Heavenly Beast Mountain’s last Void Refinement cultivator died during a great heavenly tribulation, these families fought fiercely for the position of sect master. They ultimately divided Heavenly Beast Mountain’s territory and cultivation resources, with Heavenly Horse Plains falling under the Cao family’s jurisdiction.

Tens of thousands of years have passed. The Cao family has continuously grown stronger, annexing the territories of the Chen and Sun families. They now boast as many as fifteen Spirit Transformation cultivators.

Heavenly Horse Plains is suitable for raising spiritual horses. The Cao family breeds various types of spiritual horses that not only possess extreme speed but also considerable divine abilities. Many cultivators specifically travel to Heavenly Horse Plains to purchase spiritual horses from the Cao family.

Deep within Heavenly Horse Plains stood a vast green city, its plaque bearing the three large characters: “Heavenly Horse City.”

In the deliberation hall, Cao Yihong and over twenty clan elders were discussing countermeasures. Their expressions were grave.

“Three Spirit Transformation cultivators have already fallen, and dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators have perished. Are we still going to continue fighting? Why don’t we shake hands and make peace with Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family, and develop that secret realm together?”

“Hmph, after so many deaths, now you want to make peace? What were you doing before? That secret realm was left behind by Heavenly Beast Mountain and hasn’t been opened for tens of thousands of years. It’s bound to contain numerous rare treasures. This is crucial for our family’s rise.”

“Exactly. We have three keys, while Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family each have one. Why should we concede to them? If the secret realm contains cultivation techniques or secret arts, this is a prime opportunity for our family’s resurgence.”

The clan elders each presented their arguments, with most wishing to seize control of the secret realm.

When the five families initially divided Heavenly Beast Mountain’s territory and cultivation resources, only this particular secret realm remained inaccessible, requiring five keys to open. The Cao family, having eliminated the Sun and Chen families, possessed three keys in total. Upon learning that Qingyang Temple had obtained another key, the Cao family originally intended to destroy Qingyang Temple. Unexpectedly, Qingyang Temple allied with the Jiang family and repelled the Cao family’s attack.

Cao Yihong’s brows furrowed. Just as he was about to speak, a well-featured man in a green robe strode in, looking flustered.

“Ancestor, Fairy Wang from the Azure Lotus Wang family is here to visit. She’s outside now.”

The Cao family cultivators exchanged bewildered glances; they had no idea of Wang Lijiao’s purpose.

“Invite her in quickly, don’t keep her waiting. The rest of you may withdraw; Yubin, you stay.” Cao Yihong instructed, and the others left one by one.

A moment later, a streak of light flew in; it was Wang Lijiao.

“Fairy Wang, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence. Please forgive our lack of proper welcome,” Cao Yihong said courteously, gesturing for Wang Lijiao to sit.

“Fellow Daoist Cao, we share some acquaintance, and I truly cannot bear to see your Cao family destroyed. I’ve received news that Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family have allied with multiple forces and seem to have invited the Heavenly Blade Sect to eliminate your Cao family.” Wang Lijiao sighed. This was, of course, a fabrication, merely a tactic to probe Cao Yihong.

“The Heavenly Blade Sect?” Cao Yihong’s brows furrowed deeply. The Heavenly Blade Sect had Void Refinement cultivators presiding over it; if they became involved, it would be troublesome.

His gaze shifted, and he said earnestly, “Fairy Wang, please ask your Wang family to assist us. Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family have harmed many of our Cao family disciples, forcing us to retaliate. The fact that they’ve even invited the Heavenly Blade Sect is alarming. Please, Fairy Wang, lend us your aid.”

“I treated Fellow Daoist Cao with sincerity. Since Fellow Daoist Cao treats me like a fool, then consider that I never came.” Wang Lijiao turned to leave.

“Wait, Fairy Wang. This matter is of great importance. Please stay in Heavenly Horse City for now, and allow us to discuss it,” Cao Yihong stopped Wang Lijiao and said courteously.

“Very well. However, you must make a decision quickly. I can wait, but Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family might not. If the Heavenly Blade Sect arrives at your doorstep, there’s nothing I can do to help. If you act swiftly, I might still be able to inform Ancestor Qingshan.” After saying this, Wang Lijiao turned and left.

Cao Yihong immediately convened a meeting of his clan members to discuss countermeasures.

“What she said might not be true. The Wang family probably just wants a share of the spoils. How could the Heavenly Blade Sect possibly intervene on behalf of Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family?”

“Better safe than sorry. I think cooperating with the Wang family isn’t a bad idea. Setting everything else aside, even just purchasing a few fifth-tier puppet beasts from them could enhance our family’s strength.”

“Hmph, we’ve been fighting for so long, and the Wang family just wants to step in and take most of the benefits? Is there such an easy deal? I think she’s just trying to scare us.”

“If it’s true, our family might face extinction.”

The clan members debated, their opinions varying.

Cao Yihong’s brows were tightly knit. He looked at a refined-looking middle-aged scholar and asked, “Yubin, what’s your opinion?”

“Ancestor, respected elders, if this matter is true, our Cao family might indeed face extinction. If it’s false, we certainly won’t be able to control that secret realm alone. However, our three families’ fierce conflict has surely alerted Void Refinement cultivators. Rather than waiting for other Void Refinement cultivators to arrive at our doorstep, it would be better to cooperate with the Wang family; at least we’d get a share. Even if the Heavenly Blade Sect doesn’t act, if Qingyang Temple or the Jiang family spread the news, it would be difficult for us to monopolize that secret realm. In summary, cooperating with the Wang family is the best choice,” Cao Yubin spoke slowly, his tone gentle.

“We’ve suffered so many casualties, only for the Wang family to swoop in and take the prize,” a clan elder expressed dissatisfaction.

“Our strength is insufficient, so this is our only option. We can only blame ourselves for not realizing that Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family conspired against us. They also want to destroy us and monopolize the secret realm. Continuing this fight will only deplete our family’s strength. This is my personal opinion, and I ask Ancestor to make the final decision,” Cao Yubin respectfully said.

Cao Yihong showed a look of hesitation; he was also somewhat unwilling.

A well-featured man in a green robe quickly walked in, saying in a panicked tone, “Ancestor, Qingyang Temple and the Jiang family are contacting other forces; they seem to be planning something.”

Cao Yihong’s face darkened, and he let out a long sigh before instructing, “All of you, withdraw! Please invite Fairy Wang here; I will speak with her personally.”

Given the situation, they could only ask the Wang family to intervene.

“Yes, Ancestor.”