Chapter 2445: Going Home

"Ye Xuanji! A True Spirit Family!"

Wang Changsheng was astonished, never expecting the artifact spirit's background to be so illustrious. The True Spirit Families in Xuanyang Realm were few, and the Ye family was one of them.

If the artifact spirit was indeed Ye Xuanji, why didn't True Monarch Taiyang go to the Ye family to find her? Why was the Lord of Seven-Month Tower also searching for her privately? Or perhaps they had visited the Ye family, and Ye Xuanji happened to be away?

"Yes, the Ye Xuanji I know is from the Ye family, but since I haven't seen her, I can't be certain. If she contacts you, tell her I need to see her urgently. She can find me at Zhenhai Palace, or she can set a time and place for us to meet." Lin Tianlong instructed. Wang Changsheng readily agreed, naturally not daring to refuse.

True Monarch Taiyang, the Lord of Seven-Month Tower, and Lin Tianlong were all searching for the artifact spirit. This suggested that the artifact spirit was no ordinary Integration Stage cultivator. Did she possess a method to reach the Mahayana Stage, or perhaps a treasure that could weaken the Grand Heavenly Tribulation?

"Here are two pieces of Xi Cloud Jade, suitable for you to condense your Dharma Idol. If you can contact Ye Xuanji, it will be beneficial for our Zhenhai Palace. You can also tell Junior Sister Chen what I've told you; she'll understand when you mention Ye Xuanji's name." Lin Tianlong produced an exquisite blue jade box and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Two pieces of Xi Cloud Jade were quite valuable for Void Refinement cultivators, but Wang Changsheng didn't think much of them; the Water of the Underworld was far superior. Since he didn't value the Xi Cloud Jade for himself, he could give them to Wang Yingjie to condense his Dharma Idol. Wang Yingjie had a five-spirit root, so all five-element materials were useful to him. This would make it easier for Wang Yingjie to reach the Void Refinement Stage, though he would still need more cultivation resources.

Wang Changsheng accepted the blue jade box with both hands.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave!" Lin Tianlong waved his hand, dismissing Wang Changsheng.

Lin Youxin emerged from a side courtyard and asked curiously, "Ancestor, who exactly is Ye Xuanji? I've never heard you mention her before."

"She is a member of the Ye family. You weren't even born when she advanced to the Integration Stage. Her whereabouts are unpredictable; I only met her by chance. Rumors claim she died during a Grand Heavenly Tribulation, but I believe that's a baseless rumor." Lin Tianlong explained.

"What's so special about her that makes her worthy of such importance to you?" Lin Youxin asked, puzzled.

"She has entered the Daoist temple of Heavenly Venerable Xuanling and knows about certain restrictions. Her artifact refining skills surpass mine, and she possesses a unique treasure that can weaken the power of a Grand Heavenly Tribulation for Integration Stage cultivators. It's rumored she also holds nine pages of the Heavenly Void Jade Book, which grants her a secret technique that provides a certain advantage for advancing to the Mahayana Stage." Lin Tianlong patiently explained.

Lin Youxin gasped, exclaiming, "Nine pages of the Heavenly Void Jade Book? That rumor might not be true." It was well known that even a single page of the Heavenly Void Jade Book appearing would cause a bloody upheaval.

"What are nine pages of the Heavenly Void Jade Book compared to what else is out there? There are many cultivators with greater opportunities than her. You'll understand once you reach the Integration Stage and travel to other places. The cultivation world never lacks individuals with immense opportunities!" Lin Tianlong said dismissively. He believed that aptitude only determined early cultivation speed. Any cultivator who reached the Integration or Mahayana Stage undoubtedly possessed great opportunities; it was merely a matter of scale.

Back at their residence, Wang Changsheng informed Wang Ruyan about Ye Xuanji.

"Ye Xuanji. We can send someone to investigate her background, or perhaps purchase information from Seven-Month Tower," Wang Ruyan suggested. Knowing Ye Xuanji's origins gave her a sense of reassurance.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Naturally. If the artifact spirit is indeed Ye Xuanji, that's truly astonishing. How did an Integration Stage cultivator descend to the lower realm? As a remnant soul? Is the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda a unique treasure?" Wang Changsheng was utterly confused. If the artifact spirit was Ye Xuanji, then Ye Xuanji must possess a treasure similar to a World-Breaking Disk. There were too many mysteries surrounding the artifact spirit, and Wang Changsheng wasn't sure if he would ever see her again.

Seven days later, Wang Changsheng bade farewell to Sun Yueshuo and left Misty Cloud Island with his family. Upon returning to Azure Lotus Island, Wang Changsheng summoned Wang Yingjie and handed him the two pieces of Xi Cloud Jade.

"Yingjie, these two pieces of Xi Cloud Jade are for you to condense your Dharma Idol. I hope you remember your original aspirations and reach new heights." Wang Changsheng instructed.

"Thank you, Ancestor. I will work hard," Wang Yingjie replied gratefully, accepting the Xi Cloud Jade.

After a brief chat, Wang Changsheng sent Wang Yingjie back to cultivate. Wang Changsheng approached the entrance of a secret chamber, opened the door, and the Mirage Dragon burst out with joyful roars.

Wang Changsheng took out some spirit fruits and herbs and fed them to the Mirage Dragon. It accepted everything without hesitation, swallowing them all. The Mirage Dragon possessed a powerful bloodline; if its existence were to be revealed, it would undoubtedly cause significant trouble. Naturally, Wang Changsheng would not easily allow it to appear in public. After feeding the Mirage Dragon, Wang Changsheng played with it. He needed to cultivate a bond with the Mirage Dragon now; otherwise, it would be difficult to do so once it reached higher stages of growth.

The Mirage Dragon let out a series of low roars, exhaling a shimmering golden mist that spread outwards. As the golden mist dissipated, the surroundings transformed. Wang Changsheng suddenly found himself in a dilapidated temple, filled with numerous cobwebs.

The Mirage Dragon was showcasing its abilities, much like a young child displaying their talents to their parents. Wang Changsheng did not stop it. The Mirage Dragon let out an odd roar, and the scene before them abruptly changed. Wang Changsheng now stood in an endless yellow desert, buffeted by fierce winds. The Mirage Dragon continuously altered the illusion, and Wang Changsheng cooperated by showing expressions of amazement.

In the Demon Realm, on the Fiery Demon Continent. Above a steep black peak, a colossal thundercloud hovered, filled with flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder.

Ye Haitang stood on a low hilltop, gazing at the thundercloud high above, a hint of worry in her eyes. The thundercloud churned violently like boiling water, then suddenly transformed into a hundred-zhang-long silver lightning tiger, its body enveloped in countless silver electric arcs.

The silver lightning tiger swooped down from the sky, charging directly at Fang Mu. Fang Mu's face was pale, and he was breathing heavily. His expression hardened, and he waved a dark black banner, unleashing a thick black light that pierced through the silver lightning tiger's body.

After a deafening roar, the silver lightning tiger dissolved into a blinding silver lightning blast, engulfing the entire hilltop in thick smoke and dust. A moment later, the smoke and dust cleared. The hilltop had been flattened, and Fang Mu lay in a massive crater, his aura weak and his eyes somewhat hollow.

Ye Haitang flew over and asked with concern, "Fellow Daoist Fang, are you alright?" Fang Mu shook his head and sighed, "The lightning power I attracted was just ordinary, far inferior to yours." He had successfully advanced to the Void Refinement Stage, but was somewhat disappointed that he hadn't managed to attract special lightning power.

"There's nothing strange about that," Ye Haitang consoled him. "Even venerated ancestors like Venerable Qiangu and Old Demon Xuanyue didn't attract special lightning power when breaking through major realms before reaching the Mahayana Stage. They only attracted the Seven-Colored Divine Thunder when advancing to the Mahayana Stage itself." Ye Haitang continued, stating that nothing was absolute; even Mahayana cultivators who didn't attract special lightning power might not necessarily have weaker divine abilities than those who did.

Fang Mu nodded and left the area with Ye Haitang to recuperate.