Chapter 2675: Heavenly Smile True Monarch

More than thirty years passed quickly, as spring turned to autumn.

The streets of Tianhai Market were bustling, with people shoulder to shoulder. As Wang Changsheng's Integration Ceremony drew near, a large number of guests arrived in the outer sea. Only a portion of them were allowed to enter Qinglian Island immediately; most stayed temporarily on the outer islands, waiting for the ceremony to commence before gaining entry.

Most guests seized this opportunity to purchase cultivation resources at Tianhai Market. The Wang family, in turn, used this occasion to offer sixth-tier puppet beasts and Sky Thunder Spirit Transformation Charms for trade, seeking Dharma Idol materials and Tribulation Crossing materials. With an Integration Stage cultivator overseeing their affairs, the Wang family was able to offer sixth-tier puppet beasts and Sky Thunder Spirit Transformation Charms for trade.

Naturally, the Wang family's rapid growth to such a large scale within ten millennia attracted considerable attention from many forces. Rumors circulated: some claimed the Zhenhai Palace provided strong support, others suggested the Wang family had acquired the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll, and still others believed they had inherited the legacy of an Integration Stage cultivator. Over the years, persistent rumors circulated about various immortal cultivation families affiliated with Zhenhai Palace, including the Song, Qin, and Wang families. The Song family, in particular, was rumored to have obtained multiple pages of the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll. After a while, these rumors naturally lost credibility. In fact, every major force and race on the Xuanling Continent was subject to such speculation; only the most insignificant powers remained free of them. When news spread that the Wang family had obtained the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll, few truly believed it. As long as the Wang family had an Integration Stage cultivator in residence and the Zhenhai Palace didn't decline, their position was secure. Ultimately, everything stemmed from strength.

In Tianhai Market, Lin Tianfeng walked through the streets with a team of Qianyuan Sect disciples, who gazed around, their faces full of curiosity. Though they had visited numerous markets before, this was their first time in Tianhai Market. Most of the shops in Tianhai Market specialized in monster beast materials, including hides, bones, and blood. Lin Tianfeng had already spent several days in the market and was preparing to depart for Qinglian Island. Upon exiting the market, Lin Tianfeng summoned a red-glowing flying boat. He boarded it, followed by his disciples. Lin Tianfeng performed a hand seal, and the red flying boat emitted a dazzling crimson light as it soared into the sky.

Three days later, the red flying boat appeared above a vast, azure sea. A gentle sea breeze rustled, and the sky was clear for miles. Just then, a man's booming laughter echoed from high above, reverberating across the heavens. Lin Tianfeng's brow furrowed slightly. He changed his hand seals, and the red flying boat came to a halt.

A streak of green light appeared on the distant horizon, swiftly approaching their location. The green light was unmistakably a massive azure seagull, shedding numerous feathers and clearly appearing injured. As spatial ripples emerged, a gigantic, shimmering green bell materialized out of thin air.

A resounding clang! A loud bell rang out, and a misty green sound wave swept forth, striking the azure seagull. The creature's body trembled, and a shower of green feathers fell from it. It opened its beak and unleashed a gust of misty green gale, sending the colossal green bell flying.

Just as the azure seagull was about to employ an escape technique to flee, a man's jovial laughter echoed from high above, resonating for tens of thousands of miles in every direction. The azure seagull, still dizzy and disoriented, was once again enveloped by the descending green bell. Following a rapid succession of clanging sounds, the azure seagull's body was torn apart, dissolving into a pool of blood.

Two streaks of escape light descended from the distant sky, revealing a golden-robed youth with sharp eyebrows and star-like eyes, and a blue-skirted maiden with delicate features. They were Wang Yi'er and Wang Yixin. They had been dispatched to clear high-tier monster beasts within their jurisdiction, preventing any potential clashes with incoming guests.

“Junior Wang Yi'er greets Senior.” Wang Yi'er, his face wreathed in smiles, bowed respectfully.

“So it's True Monarch Tianxiao!” Lin Tianfeng said, smiling.

A member of the Wang family was notably optimistic; no matter the circumstances, he always wore a cheerful smile and maintained a positive outlook, earning him the title of True Monarch Tianxiao. True Monarch Tianxiao was none other than Wang Yi'er. The family had acquired a set of cultivation techniques called the "Tianxiao Secret Manual," which included several powerful divine abilities and could be cultivated up to the Integration Stage. However, its practice required the practitioner to maintain an optimistic and positive attitude, making it unsuitable for pessimists. Feeling that this set of techniques suited him perfectly, Wang Yi'er switched his cultivation to it. He always wore a smile, no matter the situation, consistently maintaining a cheerful expression, which earned him the moniker True Monarch Tianxiao.

“Senior, you flatter me,” Wang Yi'er said humbly. “This junior is not worthy.” Wang Yi'er spoke humbly, as he was currently only in the Nascent Soul Stage and dared not act presumptuous in front of a Void Refinement cultivator.

“What an excellent True Monarch Tianxiao! Truly a kinsman of Senior Wang. As the saying goes, 'A dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix, and a rat's offspring knows how to burrow.' Young friend Wang's divine abilities are extraordinary; it is only a matter of time before you catch up to Senior Wang.”

A jovial male voice drifted down from high above, and a long streak of azure light appeared on the distant horizon. Soon after, the azure streak of light halted, revealing a blue flying boat carrying Lan Fukong and over a hundred cultivators.

“Greetings, Senior Lan! Ancestor Qingshan was just mentioning you recently!” Wang Yi'er dared not be remiss and quickly bowed in salute.

“True Monarch Bluster!” Lin Tianfeng recognized Lan Fukong, though it was his first time seeing him in person. Lan Fukong was well-known for his excessive flattery. Throughout the entire Xuanling Continent, he was the only Void Refinement cultivator with the surname Lan known for such behavior. He even flattered Nascent Soul cultivators; aside from Lan Fukong, what other Void Refinement cultivator would stoop to such lengths?

“Speaking of which, I haven't seen Fellow Daoist Wang in a long time and miss him dearly. I'm sure his magic power has advanced considerably; I, Lan, can barely keep up.” Lan Fukong continued his effusive praise.

Wang Yi'er was somewhat amused and perplexed. Though this was their first meeting, he had seen Lan Fukong's portrait. The family's intelligence hall meticulously collected images of renowned high-tier cultivators, ensuring that even their younger generations could identify them if they met.

Lan Fukong's gaze then fell upon Lin Tianfeng. “You must be Fellow Daoist Lin from the Qianyuan Sect!” he exclaimed, “I've long admired your reputation and am delighted to finally meet you in person. Fellow Daoist Lin, establishing a sect, widely recruiting disciples, and vanquishing demons and evil — truly a paragon for our generation!”

Given the Wang family's recent closeness to the Qianyuan Sect, the Lan family's intelligence network was certainly not to be underestimated. Lin Tianfeng merely nodded in acknowledgment. The Qianyuan Sect and the Lan family were hundreds of billions of miles apart, and their strengths were comparable, meaning the Lan family couldn't offer much assistance to the Qianyuan Sect. He held no interest in befriending a sycophant like Lan Fukong.

He then turned to Wang Yi'er and said pleasantly, “We are on our way to the Wang family to offer our congratulations. Would it be convenient for young friend Wang to lead the way?”

Wang Yi'er readily agreed. Wang Yixin put away the treasure and the azure seagull's corpse, and the two of them began to lead the way. Lan Fukong's group and Lin Tianfeng's group followed behind. Lan Fukong continuously showered Lin Tianfeng with various forms of praise, to which Lin Tianfeng offered only polite, brief responses. The Lan family disciples were accustomed to this behavior; they had become numb to it, as everyone knew Lan Fukong's penchant for flattery.

Less than half a month later, they halted. Qinglian Island lay before them, and Wang Yi'er sent out a sound transmission talisman. A short while later, a team of cultivators flew out, led by Wang Mofei, who personally escorted Lan Fukong into Qinglian Island. Lan Fukong's face was alight with pride; knowing Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Qingshan personally, he naturally received preferential treatment. Lin Tianfeng, however, did not receive such treatment and was directed to an outer island. He paid it no mind, as this was precisely what he had expected.