Chapter 2642: Green Hills Beyond the Pass

Seven Star Island, Celestial Star Archipelago.

Two streaks of light flew in from a distance. After approaching within a hundred miles of Seven Star Island, they slowed down, revealing the figures of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. They had been on the run for decades, frequently changing their appearance. Fortunately, they possessed the Celestial Mirage Pearl, which allowed them to bypass numerous blockades. The Celestial Mirage Pearl was a heaven-reaching spiritual treasure; ordinary artifacts couldn't see through their disguise, otherwise they would have been captured long ago. Additionally, the ongoing war on the front lines also played a role. The human race had achieved significant victories, slaying over a dozen Integration-stage foreign cultivators and expanding their territory. Major forces were scrambling to claim land. Furthermore, True Monarch Jinhong, in his quest to seize the Soul-Quaking Gong, hadn't widely publicized their true objective. He merely claimed to be apprehending spies from the Witch Clan. Unaware forces naturally acted perfunctorily.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan entered the Seven Star Market. The streets were bustling with people, and many cultivators were discussing the war on the front lines. They circled the market several times, visited a few large shops, purchased some artifact refining materials, and then rented a small courtyard where they settled down.

Wang Changsheng took out a golden, shimmering communication disk, cast several incantations into it, and said, "Everything's fine. Be careful when you come in."

"Understood," replied Wang Xiangrong's voice from the disk, sounding a little weak. Wang Xiangrong had been severely injured by Lin Shuo. Even with the Azure Marrow Pill, he would need several centuries of recovery to fully heal.

Over half an hour later, the communication disk lit up again. Wang Changsheng cast another incantation, and Wang Xiangrong's voice resonated, "I'm in. No anomalies. I've made inquiries, and within a century, a Spirit Treasure Ship will pass through here on its way to Xuanling Continent."

"Understood. Focus on your recovery! We'll go back together then," Wang Changsheng advised, putting away the communication disk.

"We can finally go back," Wang Ruyan said with a smile. "I wonder how Qingcheng and the others are doing." They had been away for over a thousand years; this was their longest journey from home.

"With Qingshan and the others there, and the protection of Zhenhai Palace, there should be no problems," Wang Changsheng said with a light chuckle.

After chatting for a while, Wang Changsheng released Wang Xiao, instructing him to find a private cultivation chamber. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan each entered a private chamber to cultivate. Their current task was to wait for the Spirit Treasure Ship to pass and return to their clan. Wang Changsheng had acquired the spiritual items needed to attempt breakthroughs to the Integration stage. However, advancing to the Integration stage would invite the Seventy-Nine Thunder Tribulation, which was far more powerful than the second Grand Heavenly Tribulation. It was preferable to attempt this breakthrough within the clan, with fellow clan members providing protection. His second Grand Heavenly Tribulation had attracted the covetous gaze of three Void Refinement cultivators, but fortunately, Wang Ruyan had helped protect him.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a blue futon, his eyes closed, hands forming seals. A colossal humanoid phantom appeared above his head, and a large amount of water spiritual energy materialized out of thin air, surging towards him.

Xuanling Continent, Azure Lotus Island.

On Azure Bamboo Peak, the door to a certain cultivation chamber opened, and Wang Qingshan emerged, a smile on his face. His aura was considerably stronger than before. After nearly a millennium of arduous cultivation, he had successfully advanced to the Mid-Void Refinement stage. Reaching this stage after only his first Grand Heavenly Tribulation was an exceptionally fast cultivation speed; most Void Refinement cultivators only reached the mid-stage after their second Grand Heavenly Tribulation, unless they encountered extraordinary fortuitous encounters.

After entering the Mid-Void Refinement stage, Wang Qingshan's magic power and divine sense had both improved. However, simultaneously wielding all nine Azure Glaze Swords was still somewhat taxing for him; it would be easier in the Late Void Refinement stage. Throughout the entire Xuanling Continent, instances of Mid-Void Refinement cultivators possessing a nine-piece set of mid-grade heaven-reaching spiritual treasures were rare. Such items typically belonged to core disciples of major powers or a few individuals who had obtained great fortuitous encounters.

A sound transmission talisman flew towards him. Wang Qingshan flicked it with two fingers, and a green light shot out, hitting the talisman. Wang Moshan's voice then echoed: "Ancestor Qingshan, if you've emerged from seclusion, please contact me. There's an urgent matter that requires your attention."

"Urgent matter!" Wang Qingshan's expression darkened. Had something major happened to the clan? He quickly took out his communication disk and contacted Wang Moshan, who briefly explained the situation.

"Mengshan has encountered trouble and is being ostracized by two factions. If this continues, problems are bound to arise sooner or later. That secret realm must not fall into the hands of other forces," Wang Moshan's tone was heavy. Over four hundred years ago, Wang Mengshan had reported to him that both the Sky Tiger Sect and the Qianyuan Gate had two Void Refinement cultivators, and both factions harbored strong animosity towards the Guangyuan Sect. Wang Mengshan had not been in the Void Refinement stage for long, and he didn't believe he had the ability to eliminate veteran Void Refinement cultivators, so he directly sought assistance from the clan.

"I understand. I'll take care of it with some people. Crippling them should be enough; outright destroying them would attract too much attention," Wang Qingshan suggested. Naturally, he couldn't appear directly in such matters; he would have to disguise himself or find other methods. It would be best to pit the Qianyuan Gate and the Sky Tiger Sect against each other, intensifying their mutual hatred. If the Wang family were to suddenly destroy two sects, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion from other forces, effectively announcing their involvement.

"You have my full authority to handle it," Wang Moshan said politely. With Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan away, all clan members were to obey Wang Qingshan.

"Understood. Focus on your cultivation! It's good timing, as I've just advanced to the Mid-Void Refinement stage. I could use some activity," Wang Qingshan said, ending the call and contacting Wang Lihe, asking him to come over.

In less than fifteen minutes, Wang Lihe appeared before Wang Qingshan. Wang Qingshan inquired about Wang Lihe's cultivation progress. Wang Lihe humbly sought guidance, and Wang Qingshan offered some pointers.

"Come, we're going out to handle something. This matter is top secret and absolutely cannot be divulged to anyone," Wang Qingshan said with a solemn expression. Only a few high-ranking members of the Wang family knew about the existence of the Rengui Immortal Apricot Fruit.

Wang Lihe's heart tightened, and he readily agreed. Stepping out of his residence, Wang Qingshan whistled. A Golden Horn Thunder-Qilin Beast flew in from a distance and landed before him. The ground beneath swelled into a mound, and a stone golem emerged from the earth. Wang Qingshan stored the Golden Horn Thunder-Qilin Beast and the stone golem into his spirit beast bracelet, then left Azure Lotus Island with Wang Lihe and teleported to the mainland.

The mainland, Guangyuan Sect.

In the reception hall, Wang Mengshan sat on the main seat, his gaze authoritative. Li Yu and Han Shuo stood beside him, their expressions solemn. Luo Qinghong stood to one side, holding a golden invitation card.

"Senior Wang, three years from now, Junior Sister Lin will be getting married. Senior Martial Uncle Lin invites you to attend the wedding," Luo Qinghong said cautiously.

"Understood. Go back and tell Fellow Daoist Lin that I will definitely attend on time," Wang Mengshan instructed. Li Yu stepped forward and accepted the invitation. Luo Qinghong acknowledged him and turned to leave.

"Master, could this be a Hongmen Banquet? Perhaps your disciple should go in your stead?" Li Yu suggested.

"When soldiers come, generals block; when water comes, earth covers. I've long anticipated this day; it's merely a banquet," Wang Mengshan said, looking unconcerned. He was, after all, carrying a Tier 6 puppet beast with him.

Li Yu suddenly recalled something and said, "By the way, the Sky Tiger Sect's affiliated forces have been frequently harassing our own affiliated forces and annexing much of our territory. Shouldn't we retaliate?"

"Let them have it. If there's nothing else, you may withdraw! Remember, there's no need to engage in direct conflict with the Sky Tiger Sect," Wang Mengshan instructed, dismissing them.

After the Sky Tiger Sect gained its second Void Refinement cultivator, it became aggressive, constantly harassing the Guangyuan Sect, yet surprisingly, it avoided conflict with the Qianyuan Gate. The marriage of the Qianyuan Gate's Grand Elder's descendant might very well be a Hongmen Banquet. He had already reported to the clan, and he needed to exercise patience until the clan's reinforcements arrived. His clan was his backing, and he believed they could help resolve the situation.