Chapter 2616: Cheng Zhenyu's Visit (No More Today)

"A demonic core and essence blood from a mid-grade sixth-tier Darkwater Ape!"Wang Tianlong paused for a moment, then quickly understood, overcome with joy."The Darkwater Ape possesses the bloodline of the Mountain Giant Ape, sharing a common origin with it. This should be beneficial for its advancement," Sun Yuejiao instructed. "If it still hasn't reached the sixth tier after a while, go to the treasury and request to feed the Sea-Suppressing Ape a three-thousand-year-old Darkwater Lotus periodically. We hope it can reach the sixth tier."She had studied the family's history and was aware of the Sea-Suppressing Ape's contributions to the Wang family, as well as the deep affection Wang Changsheng and other family members who had ascended from the lower realm held for it.Wang Tianlong agreed. In Sun Yuejiao's presence, he fed the demonic core and essence blood to the Sea-Suppressing Ape.Upon consuming the items, the Sea-Suppressing Ape excitedly thumped its chest and snorted, clearly thrilled.The Sea-Suppressing Ape let out a resounding roar, causing the lake water to explode outwards and countless spirit fish to dissolve into a bloody mist.Wang Tianlong immediately worked to soothe the Sea-Suppressing Ape. After quite some time, the ape finally calmed down and fell into a deep slumber.The mid-grade sixth-tier Darkwater Ape's demonic core contained an astonishing amount of demonic power, which the Sea-Suppressing Ape would need time to refine.Sun Yuejiao gave a few more instructions, then blew a whistle. The Seven-Colored Luan Bird spread its wings, soared into the sky, and vanished into the distance.Wang Tianlong settled the Sea-Suppressing Ape in a valley abundant with water spiritual energy and stayed nearby to watch over it.

In the council hall, Wang Moshan, Wang Zonglang, Wang Qingcheng, Sun Yuejiao, Wang Qingfeng, and Dong Xueli convened, their faces solemn."We possess Heavenly Soul True Water, but its quantity is limited. Exchanging it for Nirvana Earth would be too great a loss," Dong Xueli said, frowning. "It's merely a sixth-tier wood demon's core; we can always find one elsewhere." While Nirvana Earth was indeed precious, for the Wang family at present, Heavenly Soul True Water held even greater value."Let's make a trip to Zhenhai Palace," Sun Yuejiao volunteered. "We always need to maintain appearances. Moreover, we should pay our respects to Martial Uncle Zhao, hoping the Ascended Faction will increase their support for our family." Periodically, they would visit Zhenhai Palace to trade or to pay respects to the Integration-stage cultivators of the Ascended Faction.This particular task could only be handled by them, as Sun Yuejiao's cousin had married Yang Qinglong's junior disciple, a connection no one else could replicate.With Chen Yueying absent from Zhenhai Palace, Zhao Yunxiao served as the head of the Ascended Faction.At that moment, Wang Moshan retrieved a pale green communication disk, cast a spell into it, and appeared somewhat surprised."Fellow Daoist Cheng and Fellow Daoist Zheng from Zhenhai Palace are here. They claim to be acting on the orders of the Zhenhai Palace Master," Wang Moshan stated gravely.Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan had recently advanced to the Void Refinement stage, but this marked their first visit."We've met them before. Let us entertain them," Wang Qingcheng volunteered.No one else voiced any objections.Wang Moshan, Wang Qingcheng, and Sun Yuejiao remained in the council hall, while the others departed.

Soon after, Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan entered, their faces bright with smiles.After a brief exchange of greetings, Cheng Zhenyu asked, "Are Senior Brother Wang and Senior Sister Wang not present?""Our parents are in secluded cultivation, but we are authorized to make decisions," Wang Qingcheng replied courteously."It's nothing significant," Cheng Zhenyu said warmly. "Martial Uncle Song has advanced to the Integration stage, and her grand ceremony will be held in thirty years; we were sent to inform you. Also, there's good news: Martial Uncle Zhao has been transferred to this sea region, and Martial Uncle Liu has been recalled to the main headquarters." Song Yuchan, being a spiritual body user and the sect master's daughter, cultivated very quickly and had indeed reached the Integration stage.Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao were stunned. While Song Yuchan's advancement to the Integration stage had little direct impact on them, the transfer of Zhao Yunxiao to this sea region and Liu Qingfeng's recall to the main headquarters was an entirely different matter.This development meant the Wang family's future growth would be much smoother; at the very least, they would not be denied their rightful benefits.Liu Qingfeng's partiality towards the native faction was well-known."It's normal for Martial Uncle Song to reach the Integration stage," Wang Qingcheng mused, puzzled. "But why would Martial Uncle Liu be recalled to the main headquarters out of the blue?""That, I don't know," Cheng Zhenyu explained. "Aside from Martial Uncle Liu, many elders from the native faction have been transferred out of this sea region and replaced with elders from the Ascended Faction. According to Senior Brother Fang from the Discipline Hall, it seems the higher-ups made an exchange of interests. Our Ascended Faction conceded some interests in the inland areas to the native faction, and in return, the native faction had to concede some interests.""The native faction's power has grown steadily over the years," Zheng Nan added with some dissatisfaction. "The Song family now has over thirty Void Refinement cultivators, and the newly supported Situ family also has seven Void Refinement cultivators." The stronger the native faction became, the more the Ascended Faction's interests would be compromised.During the war of races, the Ascended Faction suffered numerous casualties at the Integration stage, while Lin Tianlong eliminated multiple alien Integration-stage cultivators. This led to an imbalance of power between the two factions, with the native faction overwhelmingly suppressing the Ascended Faction. Several cultivation families supported by the native faction subsequently grew stronger, particularly the Song family, which showed signs of producing a second Integration-stage cultivator.If this trend continued, the native faction would become increasingly powerful, and the Ascended Faction would become increasingly weak.Cheng Zhenyu then recalled something. "Oh, by the way, I heard that both the Long family and the Li family have produced an Integration-stage cultivator, making them even more powerful. I also heard that the Zhou family, supported by the Nine Flames Sect, now has nine Void Refinement cultivators."The Long and Li families were among the three major families, possessing deep foundations. With the backing of the Myriad Spirits Sect and the Profound Azure Sect, the emergence of new Integration-stage cultivators was not surprising.The cultivation families supported by major powers like Zhenhai Palace, Myriad Spirits Sect, Profound Azure Sect, and Nine Flames Sect were growing stronger. The Song family, supported by Zhenhai Palace's native faction, seemed on the verge of surpassing the Li family."If your Wang family could produce an Integration-stage cultivator, that would be excellent," Cheng Zhenyu sighed. "Our Ascended Faction would also gain more influence." The Song family had indeed gained significant influence after Song Yunlong advanced to the Integration stage."We certainly hope so," Wang Qingcheng said warmly. "You've worked hard, please rest well first! Do stay on our Green Lotus Island for a while; we have many things we'd like to consult you about." Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan, having arrived from the main headquarters, surely possessed a wealth of information."Then we shall impose," Cheng Zhenyu replied courteously. "If Senior Brother Wang or Senior Sister Wang are available, we'd like to meet them."Wang Qingcheng agreed and personally arranged their accommodation, inviting them to settle in.

On Drifting Cloud Island, at the Zhenhai Palace Headquarters, Song Yiming and Song Yuchan sat in a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, sharing tea and conversation within a green stone pavilion."You've finally reached the Integration stage," Song Yiming remarked. "Now, many matters can be handled.""I heard Senior Brother Lin intends to refine a seventh-tier puppet beast? And he's gathered over fifty sixth-tier artifact refiners?" Song Yuchan inquired with some curiosity.Zhenhai Palace had over three hundred Void Refinement cultivators, most of whom were distributed across islands, with a smaller number in the inland regions.Lin Tianlong's act of assembling over fifty sixth-tier artifact refiners demonstrated his absolute determination to forge a seventh-tier puppet beast.Song Yiming nodded. "Indeed," he affirmed. "The native faction's power is growing stronger, which is not a positive development. The sect seeks balance. In the future, you should cultivate closer ties with members of the Ascended Faction, especially the Wang family. The Wang family has developed exceptionally well in recent years. Only if the Wang family also produces an Integration-stage cultivator can they truly contend with the Song family."