Chapter 2449: 2431 Su Chenguang, Su Chennian

A magnificent, gilded palace had a lacquered gold plaque above its entrance, bearing the large characters "Purple Crystal Hall."

The main hall was spacious and brightly lit. An elderly woman in purple robes, her face lined with wrinkles and her eyes sharp and piercing, sat on the main seat. A burly man in a golden robe was reporting on the arrival of guests.

The elderly woman in purple robes was Ma Yulin, the most senior member of the Ma family and a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator. The man in the golden robe was Ma Yunfeng, the current head of the Ma family.

"Ancestor," Ma Yunfeng respectfully reported, "representatives from the Zhang, Wang, and Lan families have all arrived and been settled in."

"Once Daoist Lin arrives," Ma Yulin said with a solemn expression, "immediately invite the other Void Refinement cultivators to meet. I hope to exchange for treasures that will help me overcome the Grand Heavenly Tribulation. Are you certain Daoist Lin will definitely come?"

Ma Yulin's expression was grave. She had already overcome two Grand Heavenly Tribulations, and in a few hundred years, she would face her third, for which she had very little confidence. Coincidentally, a new Void Refinement cultivator had emerged in the Ma family. They seized this opportunity to organize a celebration and widely invite other Void Refinement cultivators, hoping to exchange for treasures that would improve her chances of survival.

The power of the Grand Heavenly Tribulation increased with each successive trial. Even with a Five-Element Thunder Cloud Talisman, she might not be able to overcome the third Grand Heavenly Tribulation. A mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure or a formation capable of weakening lightning power would be more suitable. Additionally, seventh-grade pills or natural treasures that rapidly restore spiritual power could also provide some assistance.

When high-level cultivators face the Grand Heavenly Tribulation, having ample spiritual power and preparing several defensive treasures can significantly increase their chances of success. This naturally makes natural treasures that restore spiritual power highly sought after.

If Void Refinement cultivators are undergoing the Grand Heavenly Tribulation, taking too many sixth-grade pills to restore spiritual power will significantly diminish their effect. The Grand Heavenly Tribulation lasts a long time; the more times it occurs, the longer it lasts and the greater its power, leading to greater spiritual power consumption for the tribulation-taker. As a result, natural treasures that restore spiritual power become extremely popular.

For smaller factions or rogue cultivators who cannot obtain treasures like the Five-Element Thunder Cloud Talismans or Sea Suppressing Pearls, preparing more defensive treasures and miraculous pills that restore spiritual power can increase their chances of overcoming the Grand Heavenly Tribulation. If quality is insufficient, quantity can make up for it.

After all, items like the Five-Element Thunder Cloud Talisman and Sea Suppressing Pearl are difficult to refine, and only a few Void Refinement cultivators have obtained similar treasures. Most Void Refinement cultivators facing the Grand Heavenly Tribulation cannot find artifacts to weaken the lightning tribulation, so they can only prepare more treasures and miraculous pills to restore spiritual power. This might be a clumsy method, but it is very practical.

One of the Ma family's ancestors had fortunately obtained a bottle of Jade Marrow Divine Milk, a single drop of which could instantly restore a Void Refinement cultivator's spiritual power. Relying on this bottle of Jade Marrow Divine Milk, four mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures for defense, and two sets of sixth-tier defensive formations, that ancestor successfully overcame his fourth Grand Heavenly Tribulation during the Void Refinement stage. Unfortunately, he could not advance to the Integration stage and perished during his fifth Grand Heavenly Tribulation.

"Rest assured, Ancestor," Ma Yunfeng said confidently, "I spent a fortune to acquire two fifth-tier Bloodbone Fish, a specialty of the Bone Clan. He cultivates by eating, so he will definitely come."

Ma Yulin's expression softened. "That's good," she said. "I hope I can exchange for treasures that will assist in tribulation transcending. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me to overcome the third Grand Heavenly Tribulation."

"Ancestor, a good person is always blessed by providence; there won't be any problems," Ma Yunfeng reassured her.

Ma Yulin smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Seven days quickly passed.

Early in the morning on this day, Ma Tianming arrived with a team of Ma family disciples and successfully met Wang Qingshan.

"Senior Wang," Ma Tianming said sincerely, "the Ancestor has invited you to attend a gathering where all the attendees are Void Refinement cultivators. Please rest assured, we will arrange for our family members to host your clan members."

Wang Qingshan agreed, gave a few instructions, and then left with Ma Tianming. Wang Yuanwei and the others followed the Ma family disciples to other locations to attend their own gatherings and meet cultivators from other factions.

After a while, Wang Qingshan followed Ma Tianming to the foot of a tall peak.

The peak's slopes were steep, with a flight of azure stone steps stretching from the foot of the mountain to its summit. Large numbers of Purple Crystal Trees were planted on both sides of the azure stone steps, coloring everything purple as far as the eye could see.

At the foot of the mountain stood a golden stone tablet over ten zhang tall, inscribed with the three large characters "Purple Crystal Peak."

The summit was home to an expansive estate, built with green bricks and glazed tiles.

Passing through a long corridor, a hundred-mu lake appeared before Wang Qingshan. A purple hexagonal stone pavilion was situated on the lake, where over twenty Void Refinement cultivators were seated, sipping tea and chatting. Lan Fukong, Zhang Yuqian, and Zhang Yuxin had all arrived.

"Daoist Wang, long time no see."

Wang Qingshan looked at a nine-foot-tall brawny man in a red shirt and greeted him with a smile.

The brawny man in red was none other than Wang Dafei; Wang Qingshan had not expected him to be invited as well.

"Long time no see, Daoist Wang," Wang Dafei greeted him with a smile.

Ma Yunbiao invited them to sit down, enjoy tea, and chat.

Besides the over twenty Void Refinement cultivators from various corners of the world, mostly from immortal cultivation families, two red-clad youths with identical features caught Wang Qingshan's attention.

Not only did the two red-clad youths look identical, but their attire and even their voices were exactly alike.

Ma Yunbiao introduced them as twin brothers, Su Chenguang and Su Chennian, both from the Divine Weapon Sect. They both possessed mid-stage Void Refinement cultivation, were sixth-tier artifact refiners, and were elite disciples of the Divine Weapon Sect.

"Daoist Su," Lan Fukong said with a smile, "I heard you fought against foreign tribes in Biancheng and jointly slew two late-stage Void Refinement Yaksha. I, Lan, have finally met the real people. I'll offer this tea in place of wine, a toast to you both. Next time we meet, perhaps both Daoists will have advanced to the Integration stage." He then raised his teacup and drained it.

"Mere reputation, it's nothing." Su Chenguang's expression was indifferent, and he did not return the toast, showing no deference to Lan Fukong whatsoever.

Lan Fukong had publicly knelt and begged for mercy from enemies on more than one occasion. Su Chenguang and Su Chennian had also heard about this and despised Lan Fukong from the bottom of their hearts.

Wang Dafei frowned slightly. Regardless, meeting was a form of destiny, and returning a cup of tea was a small gesture.

Lan Fukong did not mind. He continued to chat with Su Chennian with a fawning smile, but Su Chennian also largely ignored him. Seeing that neither Su Chenguang nor his brother was willing to engage with him, Lan Fukong did not press further.

Ma Yunbiao diffused the awkwardness and quickly changed the subject: "Fellow Daoists, have any of you heard of Qingqiuzi?"

"Qingqiuzi?" Su Chenguang asked, somewhat curious. "That Senior is an Integration stage cultivator who cultivates by eating and has always been active in the Azure Glaze Sea Region. What, has Daoist Ma invited this Senior?"

"We don't have that kind of influence," Ma Yunbiao explained with a smile. "However, we have invited his disciple, Daoist Lin."

"If that's the case," Su Chennian said with some dissatisfaction, "why hasn't he appeared yet? Isn't he being a bit too ostentatious!"

"We bought two fifth-tier Bloodbone Fish at a high price," Ma Yunbiao explained. "He's cooking them now! He'll be here shortly."

"Cultivates by eating!" Wang Qingshan immediately thought of Guang Dongren. Unfortunately, he had already passed away in meditation.