Chapter 253: Purple Moon Mountain Range

If all the Wang family members were to evacuate, it would definitely cause panic. At least until the demonic cultivators reach Wei State, the Wang family cannot fully retreat. “Uncle Twenty-One, if you leave, I alone won't be able to defend Wang Family Fort. Why don't we recall Uncle Seven? My second sister and the others are at the Hundred Spirits Sect and cannot be permanently stationed at Wang Family Fort.”

“That works too. Additionally, all clan members from Red Leaf Ridge should evacuate to Qingyue Market. A war broke out just a few years after Changsheng left. It would be great if he were here.”

Wang Mingjiang sighed, his eyes filled with sorrow.

He didn't know how long this war would last.

“Uncle Twenty-One, did Ninth Brother and the others not say where they were going? I'll send someone to look for them!”

“Changsheng said he was going to look for Heaven and Earth Spirit Water. Heaven and Earth Spirit Water is a naturally occurring treasure; it's not that easy to obtain. Send someone to the large markets in neighboring states to search for him. I hope you can find Changsheng. While I'm gone, I'll rely on you to take care of the family. Oh, before Changsheng left, he gave me a Flying Needle Talisman Treasure. Take it for self-defense! I hope you won't need to use it.”

Wang Mingjiang took out a green wooden box, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, and handed it to Wang Changfeng.

Wang Changfeng was tempted, but after a moment's hesitation, he shook his head and said solemnly, “A Talisman Treasure! Uncle Twenty-One, this is too precious. You'll be in more danger fighting on the front lines; you should keep it for self-defense! With the clan's protective formation and the second-tier puppet beast, nothing will go wrong.”

“No, you've only recently advanced to the third level of Foundation Establishment, and Seventh Brother is at the second level. I can't feel at ease going to the front lines with just the two of you. Just take it!”

Wang Mingjiang's attitude was firm. Two years prior, he had married a Qi Refining female cultivator from an immortal cultivation family, and she had given birth to a son.

As long as the family remained, his son would grow up safely. If the family couldn't be preserved, given the demonic cultivators' ways, his son might not survive to adulthood.

Wang Changfeng hesitated for a moment, then accepted the green wooden box, advising with concern, “Uncle Twenty-One, please be very careful. I'll wait for your return.”

“I will,” Wang Mingjiang replied. “While I'm away, I'm entrusting the family to you and Seventh Brother.”

After they finished their discussion, they called for Wang Changhao and Wang Changyue, giving each of them a Foundation Establishment Pill.

“Changhao, Changyue, the demonic cultivators have invaded, and the front lines are strained. By order of the Hundred Spirits Sect, I must take the clan members to fight on the front. You are already at the ninth level of Qi Refining. I hope you can successfully advance to the Foundation Establishment stage after taking the Foundation Establishment Pills. If I don't return, I'm entrusting Changyang to you.”

Wang Mingjiang said solemnly, his voice heavy.

Wang Changyue quickly comforted him, “Uncle Twenty-One, you will definitely return safely.”

“That's right! Uncle Twenty-One, don't say such things.”

Hearing their reassurances, Wang Mingjiang nodded with relief.

He gave a couple of final instructions, then, taking a group of clan members, followed the disciples of the Hundred Spirits Sect to the front lines. Wang Changyue and Wang Changhao returned to their residences to take the Foundation Establishment Pills and attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Flying Phoenix Valley, rear courtyard of the Hundred Weapons Hall.

Inside the room, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a futon, his face extremely pale, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead, and bloodshot eyes.

A ball of blue flame hovered before him, radiating an astonishing heat.

He made a hand seal, and the blue flame flew back into his mouth and vanished. A two-foot-long blue wooden sword appeared before him. The sword's body was about an inch wide, with a flame pattern on its hilt. The blue wooden sword emitted an astonishing spiritual energy fluctuation.

“It's finally successful.”

Wang Changsheng exhaled slowly, a look of joy appearing on his pale face.

He had spent over half a year and a total of forty thousand spirit stones, refining multiple wood-attribute flying swords. Combining this with the artifact refining insights left by his ancestors, he successfully forged his Natal Artifact.

“This sword is refined primarily from Cold Flame Bamboo, so let's call it the Cold Flame Sword!”

Wang Changsheng murmured to himself, and with a wave of his hand towards the Cold Flame Sword, it flew into his grasp.

To increase its durability, this Cold Flame Sword had several metal materials mixed in, so it wasn't made purely from wood-elemental materials, allowing Wang Changsheng to wield it.

Truth be told, his success in forging a Natal Artifact, besides his ancestors' artifact refining insights, greatly benefited from his powerful divine sense. Of course, if Wang Ruyan hadn't refined and sold many second-tier talismans to help him purchase materials for refining wood-attribute flying swords, he wouldn't have been able to successfully create his Natal Artifact either.

Wang Changsheng put away the Cold Flame Sword and stepped out.

As soon as he reached the front desk, he saw Pan Sheng.

Pan Sheng came to the Hundred Weapons Hall every few days, worried that Wang Changsheng might abscond with the materials.

To be honest, the five-hundred-year-old section of Cold Flame Bamboo he provided would have sold for over thirty thousand spirit stones if put up for auction. If not for the fact that Wang Changsheng and his wife were not local residents and had saved his life, Pan Sheng would never have offered a third-tier material for Wang Changsheng to practice with.

Seeing Wang Changsheng, Pan Sheng's expression tightened, and he quickly asked, “Fellow Daoist Wang, how is it? Has it been successfully refined?”

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly and took out the Cold Flame Sword.

Pan Sheng was incredibly excited upon seeing the Cold Flame Sword and reached out to grasp it, but Wang Ruyan blocked him.

“Fellow Daoist Pan, money in one hand, goods in the other.”

Pan Sheng responded, taking out a blue storage bag and handing it to Wang Ruyan. After confirming its contents, Wang Ruyan nodded to Wang Changsheng, who then handed the Cold Flame Sword to Pan Sheng.

From the blue storage bag, Wang Changsheng took out a two-foot-long section of Cold Flame Bamboo and observed it carefully.

Pan Sheng meticulously examined the Cold Flame Sword, looking utterly delighted, his heart brimming with excitement.

With this Natal Artifact, his future hunts for demonic beasts would be much safer.

“Haha, Fellow Daoist Wang, I truly didn't misjudge you. You actually succeeded in refining it!”

Pan Sheng put away the Cold Flame Sword and praised him.

“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Pan. If I may be so bold as to ask, where did you obtain this Cold Flame Bamboo?”

“I apologize, but I cannot disclose that. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now.”

After saying this, Pan Sheng hurriedly departed.

“Wife, let's pack our things. We're going to Yue State to attend the Sword Discussion Assembly hosted by the Yang family of Purple Moon Villa. I hope we can acquire Mysterious Dark Cold Water there.”

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan packed their belongings. After ensuring they hadn't missed anything, they left Flying Phoenix Valley and headed directly for Yue State.

Yue State was largely composed of towering mountains and rugged ranges, with relatively abundant spiritual energy. There were numerous immortal cultivation powers, including one sect, two families, and three factions, totaling six cultivation forces.

The two families were the Yang family and the Zhao family, with the Yang family being the most renowned.

The Purple Moon Mountain Range, where the Yang family resided, was a famous spiritual mountain sanctuary in Yue State.

In the early morning, as dawn broke, towering peaks pierced the clouds as far as the eye could see. Mist swirled and lingered, and occasionally, a flock of cranes flew by, making it seem like a paradise on earth.

On a mountain peak on the outskirts of the Purple Moon Mountain Range, a row of exquisite green pavilions was built into the hillside. At the foot of the mountain stood a silver stone tablet over ten zhang tall, inscribed with the three large, gilded characters: “Welcoming Peak.”