Chapter 2652: Closing the Life-and-Death Gate

The Han family had no intention of keeping the news a secret, but it hadn't widely spread yet.

"This disciple conducted business with the Han family, selling them several puppet beasts."

Wang Changsheng reported this, understanding that such a matter could not be concealed from Zhao Yunxiao and thus required his disclosure.

"Make sure you don't lose out. This is an excellent opportunity to profit. The Han family will transport these back to the Azure Glaze Sea, and they'll make a significant profit by reselling them. I've also spoken with Madam Han; our Zhenhai Palace will sell them a batch of resources. Since there are many orders, you will be responsible for supplying some of the raw materials. We will ensure you don't incur any losses."

Zhao Yunxiao gave his instructions. As the head of Zhenhai Palace in this region and Chen Yueying's senior disciple, he naturally had the authority to make such decisions.

The Han family required a large quantity of cultivation resources. Zhao Yunxiao allocated some orders to the Wang family, a gesture of support. While the local faction also received a share, it was considerably smaller.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhao. We found some valuable items in the Demonic Heaven Grotto-Heaven; I hope you'll find them agreeable."

Wang Changsheng took out a blue storage ring and presented it to Zhao Yunxiao.

Inside the Demonic Heaven Grotto-Heaven, he had discovered various types of spiritual water and several yin-attributed spiritual herbs.

"The Demonic Heaven Grotto-Heaven! I've heard of it. What interesting things did you find there?"

Zhao Yunxiao accepted the storage ring and inquired casually.

Wang Changsheng truthfully recounted his experiences in the Demonic Heaven Grotto-Heaven, providing a brief overview, but he omitted any mention of the Styx River Water.

"This is a map of my route through the Demonic Heaven Grotto-Heaven. Martial Uncle Zhao might find it useful."

Wang Changsheng produced a pale green beast hide and handed it to Zhao Yunxiao.

Zhao Yunxiao's gaze swept across it. He nodded and said, "You've already advanced to the Void Refinement stage. Are you now considering attempting a breakthrough to the Integration stage?"

"This disciple does indeed have that intention. I humbly request Martial Uncle Zhao's guidance."

Wang Changsheng's tone was earnest; his primary aim was to seek Zhao Yunxiao's insights on breaking through to the Integration stage.

"For cultivators, Integration means that their essence, qi, and spirit merge completely with their physical body, becoming one. Spirit merges with the body, qi merges with the body, and essence merges with the body. Different cultivators will encounter varying bottlenecks and limitations."

"To advance to the Integration stage, a cultivator's physical body must be sufficiently robust. If you liken the body to a vessel, then the essence, qi, and spirit are the spiritual water. If the vessel is too small, it cannot contain enough spiritual water. Conversely, if it's too large, it cannot be adequately filled, which is equally problematic. Achieving this balance is the most challenging aspect; to reach Integration, one must perfectly balance all these elements."

Zhao Yunxiao spoke slowly. While these were theoretical principles known to all cultivators, the practical insights were not as common.

"This disciple has been in the Grand Completion stage for over a hundred years. Does Martial Uncle Zhao have any good recommendations?"

Wang Changsheng humbly sought advice.

"Only a little over a century? You should ideally enter secluded cultivation for several hundred years to thoroughly refine your magic power. There are no shortcuts here; do not consider relying on the power of elixirs."

Zhao Yunxiao's tone grew solemn as he advised, "Your physical body is robust, which is beneficial for enduring lightning tribulations. However, to attempt a breakthrough to the Integration stage, your essence, qi, and spirit must also be sufficiently powerful. Your spirit refers to your soul, while essence and qi are contained within your Nascent Soul. My advice to refine your magic power is essentially to strengthen your Nascent Soul. Spiritual elixirs can indeed fortify your soul. However, the most challenging aspect is achieving a perfect balance between your physical body and your essence, qi, and spirit."

After a cultivator forms their Nascent Soul, both their essence and qi are stored within it.

"Our Zhenhai Palace possesses two items that can offer assistance. The first is the Seven Star Separation and Reunion Mirror, a revered treasure of our sect. It is currently under the control of Senior Brother Lin and his associates, and gaining their permission to use it is exceedingly difficult. The second is the Two Energies Elixir, refined by Senior Brother Yang. However, to acquire the Two Energies Elixir, one must accrue extraordinary merit. Neither the Sect Master nor Senior Brother Lin would readily concede on that."

Zhao Yunxiao stated in a deep voice.

Both the Seven Star Separation and Reunion Mirror and the Two Energies Elixir necessitate significant contributions.

"Significant contributions? Such as?"

Wang Changsheng pressed for more details, his thoughts turning to the Heavenly Void Jade Book.

The true value of the Heavenly Void Jade Book depends on its contents. For Zhenhai Palace, those three secret arts would likely be most applicable and should be sufficient to exchange for the Two Energies Elixir.

"For instance, the Nine-Flame Dragon Ganoderma Fruit, the Ren Water Immortal Apricot Fruit, high-grade Sky-reaching Spiritual Treasures, the Heavenly Void Jade Book, a medium-sized seventh-tier spiritual ore vein, seventh-tier puppet beasts, or even Profound Heaven materials, among others."

Zhao Yunxiao stated frankly that Zhenhai Palace has over three hundred Void Refinement cultivators. To even request the use of the Seven Star Separation and Reunion Mirror or the Two Energies Elixir, one must accumulate extraordinary merit and secure the unanimous consent of the local faction, the ascension faction, and the Sect Master.

Otherwise, the Song family would have already produced Integration stage cultivators.

"How did Senior Song of the Song family achieve the Integration stage? Did he utilize the Seven Star Separation and Reunion Mirror, or the Two Energies Elixir?"

Wang Changsheng inquired further.

Zhao Yunxiao shook his head. "No, he discovered his own opportunity in the desolate lands. I'm not privy to the exact details. You've only recently reached the Grand Completion stage, so there's no need to consider this for now. Your priority should be to enter secluded cultivation and refine your magic power."

"Understood. This disciple will respectfully heed Martial Uncle Zhao's instructions."

Wang Changsheng assented.

Zhao Yunxiao retrieved a green jade slip and a green crystal ball, handing them to Wang Changsheng. "The jade slip contains the insights of several cultivators from our ascension faction who attempted to reach the Integration stage, while the scrying crystal records their tribulation processes. Your current task is to refine your magic power. After that, focus on acquiring more defensive treasures. Should you find a seventh-tier defensive talisman or a mid-grade Sky-reaching Spiritual Treasure focused on defense, your chances of surviving the Seven-Nine Lightning Tribulation will significantly increase."

Wang Changsheng profusely thanked him, accepting the jade slip and crystal ball with both hands. Having such a powerful patron was indeed a great advantage, a privilege not afforded to everyone.

After offering a few more admonitions, Zhao Yunxiao dismissed Wang Changsheng.

Upon returning to Qinglian Island, Wang Changsheng summoned Wang Moshan and instructed him, "I will enter secluded life-and-death cultivation to attempt a breakthrough to the Integration stage. Dispatch individuals to seek materials or treasures for transcending the tribulation; the more, the better. Also, find items that enhance the soul. Gather materials for Yuqi to establish a grand defensive formation. Let the location be Tianshu Island!"

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

Wang Moshan readily assented, his expression filled with excitement.

"My secluded cultivation for the Integration stage breakthrough is a secret; the fewer people who know, the better."

Wang Moshan, understanding the gravity of the matter, readily agreed.

"These are the items Zhenhai Palace wishes to acquire. Have your people keep an eye out for them; it would be excellent if they could be found, but proceed within your means."

Wang Changsheng took out a green jade slip, gave a few final instructions, and then dismissed Wang Moshan.

Wang Changsheng then summoned Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao, informing them of his intention to enter secluded cultivation for an Integration stage breakthrough.

"Father, please rest assured. We will certainly acquire as many defensive treasures as possible."

Wang Qingcheng pledged.

The Wang family's development had reached a bottleneck. If Wang Changsheng were to successfully advance to the Integration stage, the family would experience a significant surge in prosperity.

"You two must also not neglect your cultivation. I hope you both reach the mid-stage soon."

Wang Changsheng inquired about their cultivation progress and offered them some guidance.

An hour later, Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao departed.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan teleported to Tianshu Island, where Wang Gonghu, who had received the news much earlier, had been waiting for a considerable time.

"We will enter secluded cultivation here. Relocate most of the clan members and place the entire Tianshu Island under strict lockdown."

Wang Changsheng gave his orders; Wang Ruyan was preparing to undergo the Grand Heavenly Tribulation, while he intended to attempt a breakthrough to the Integration stage.

Wang Gonghu agreed and left to relay the orders.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan settled on Tianshu Island, prompting a mass evacuation of most clan members from the island.

Under Wang Moshan's command, numerous Wang family disciples dispersed to various major market towns and perilous areas, diligently searching for defensive materials and healing spiritual herbs. The entire clan's efforts were dedicated to assisting Wang Changsheng in reaching the Integration stage. Naturally, only a select few high-ranking members were aware of Wang Changsheng's true goal; the majority of the clan remained ignorant.

The Wang family's actions, naturally, did not escape the attention of other factions. Wang Moshan fabricated several excuses, leaving it up to them to believe what they wished.