Chapter 268: Returning Home

Wang Changsheng changed his spell incantation. The black shield transformed into a vast expanse of fine black sand, which swirled and reformed into hundreds of black flying knives. These knives then swarmed towards the cultivators from Jinyan Country. The three cultivators' expressions changed drastically, and they quickly conjured their defensive magical artifacts to block the assault.

The most cultivated among them was a middle-aged scholar at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment. He quickly conjured a ten-foot-long red scroll, which depicted two red eagles soaring high in the sky. Two clear bird cries rang out, and two massive, entirely red giant eagles flew out from the scroll to engage the white flood dragon.

The white flood dragon engaged in a fierce battle with the two massive red giant eagles, subtly gaining an advantage due to its sheer size. Meanwhile, hundreds of black flying knives struck the protective shields of the middle-aged scholar and his two companions, causing the shields' glow to dim.

Wang Changsheng also deployed second-tier puppet beasts. With the combined attack of ten second-tier puppet beasts and two top-grade magical artifacts, the middle-aged scholar and his two companions stood no chance.

The middle-aged scholar hastily retrieved a second-tier fire escape talisman. However, before he could crush it, a rapid琵琶 melody resonated. He felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy object, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. By the time he regained his senses, dozens of black flying knives had shattered his protective spiritual shield and pierced through his body.

The other two were also pierced through by dozens of black flying knives and fell from high in the sky.

From the moment Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan launched their attack until the three were killed, only five breaths passed. The couple's coordination was exceptionally skilled.

Wang Changping was secretly astonished and let out a long sigh of relief.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan retrieved their magical artifacts and puppet beasts. Wang Ruyan then flew on her artifact towards where the bodies had fallen.

"Fourteenth Brother, why are you here?" Wang Changsheng asked solemnly, looking at Wang Changping. "The Demonic Dao hasn't reached Wei Country yet, has it? Is the family alright?"

Wang Changping did not conceal anything and recounted everything he knew. He had been staying at his sect and didn't know the family's current situation. However, he did know that the Demonic Dao sects were temporarily held back by the Righteous Dao sects.

"Ninth Brother," Wang Changping said, "the current situation is quite grim. Over a dozen countries are warring against each other, and nearly half of the Eastern Wilderness is in chaos. I expect the higher authorities will soon intervene."

With so many countries warring, it was impossible for the higher authorities not to intervene.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "With these people dead," he said, "the cultivation world of Jinyan Country will surely intensify their search efforts. Let's hurry back!"

At this moment, Wang Ruyan also flew back, holding three storage pouches.

Wang Changsheng released two Green-Scaled Horses. He and Wang Ruyan shared one, while Wang Changping rode the other by himself. The three then disappeared into the vast mountains.

More than half a year later, Wang Changsheng and the two others returned to Wei Country. As Qingyue Market was closer than Wang Family Fort, they returned there first.

Immediately upon returning to Qingyue Market, they received astonishing news: Wang Family Fort had been attacked. Over a dozen clansmen, including Wang Mingzhong, had died in battle. Fortunately, Wang Mingzhong had promptly evacuated a large number of clansmen to the rear, so the losses were still acceptable.

Wang Changfeng's face was filled with self-reproach. "Seventh Uncle actually wanted to evacuate the entire clan," he said, "but the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Bailing Sect said that since the Demonic Dao hadn't attacked yet, a full clan evacuation by the Wang family would have a bad impact. If we had known this would happen, we should have strongly persuaded Seventh Uncle to retreat."

"Big Brother, this isn't your fault," Wang Changsheng comforted him. "What the Bailing Sect disciples said wasn't wrong either; a full clan retreat when the Demonic Dao hadn't attacked yet truly wouldn't have been justifiable. I just don't know what happened to Twenty-First Uncle. I hope he can return safely!" Since Bailing Sect had not conscripted them, he naturally wouldn't volunteer for the front lines.

Wang Changfeng hesitated for a moment, then took out a Flying Needle Talisman Treasure and handed it to Wang Changsheng. "Oh, right, Ninth Brother," he said, "before Twenty-First Uncle left, he left this Flying Needle Talisman Treasure for me. With my cultivation, activating this talisman treasure would take quite some time. Please take it back! This talisman treasure can exert greater power in your hands."

Wang Changsheng did not decline and accepted the talisman treasure.

"Big Brother," Wang Changsheng continued, "with the Twelve Sects fighting the Five Sects, we probably won't need to go to the battlefield. Even if we do, Ruyan and I will go. You should focus on cultivating! Striving to improve your cultivation is the most important thing."

Wang Changfeng nodded in agreement.

"Brother, where did you and Sister-in-law go?" Wang Changyue asked curiously, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "Did you gain anything?"

Wang Changsheng did not conceal anything and recounted his experiences over the past few years, though he naturally omitted the part about killing the black flood dragon.

"With all this Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Water," Wang Changyue said, "Brother, you can honestly stay in the family and cultivate now, right!"

Wang Ruyan smiled sweetly. "Your brother and I won't easily leave Wei Country until the war ends," she said. "Oh, and Changyue, these are some pastries I bought for you. They are all specialties from other countries."

She took out two exquisite food boxes, from which she retrieved some pastries and distributed them for Wang Changyue, Wang Changfeng, and Wang Changhao to taste.

"Hehe," Wang Changyue giggled, "Sister-in-law still dotes on me the most."

"You've misunderstood your brother here," Wang Ruyan corrected her. "A good portion of these pastries were bought by your brother for you, and they are all your favorite flavors."

"Oh, right, younger sister-in-law," Wang Changfeng chimed in, "a few years ago, Qingshan discovered an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling and brought back a musical cultivation technique that can be cultivated up to the Core Formation stage. See if you can cultivate it. Eighteenth Brother, go fetch that text for younger sister-in-law to examine. Also, ask Qingshan to come here."

Wang Changhao acknowledged and stood up to leave.

"A musical cultivation technique?" Wang Changsheng responded. "Big Brother, when we attended a large auction, we obtained a sword cultivation technique that can be cultivated up to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. It's perfect for Qingshan."

Immortal cultivation sects controlling Foundation Establishment Pills only limited the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in cultivation families. While there were other ways to break through to Foundation Establishment without the pills, lacking a good cultivation technique meant one couldn't cultivate to higher levels. This was the helplessness faced by cultivation families. Cultivation techniques, generally speaking, were not carried around by cultivators but memorized. Wang Changsheng had killed multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators and only obtained several Five Elements cultivation techniques that could only be cultivated to the ninth layer of Qi Condensation—which was almost like having nothing. This demonstrated the immense value of cultivation techniques.

"This is great news!" Wang Changfeng exclaimed. "You helped Qingshan get a sword cultivation technique, and Qingshan helped your sister-in-law get a musical cultivation technique."

Not long after, Wang Changhao returned, with Wang Qingshan following him.

"Ninth Sister-in-law," Wang Changhao said, handing a blue jade slip to Wang Ruyan, "this is the musical text 'Treasured Canon of A Thousand Sounds' that Qingshan obtained. It doesn't state its grade, but it can be cultivated up to the third layer of Core Formation stage."

Wang Ruyan took the jade slip, immersed her spiritual consciousness in it, and a look of delight appeared on her face.

"Excellent, this cultivation technique is quite suitable for me; I can cultivate it," Wang Ruyan said, looking at Wang Qingshan with a smile. "Qingshan, you've rendered a great service!"

"Ninth Aunt, you flatter me," Wang Qingshan said humbly. "Your nephew was just lucky. I also didn't expect that ancient cultivator's cave dwelling to actually contain a Core Formation stage cultivation technique. It's excellent that Ninth Aunt can cultivate this technique."

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. "Core Formation stage cultivation techniques are not common," he said with a laugh. "You truly rendered a great service. The family rewards merits, so if we obtain any more Foundation Establishment Pills in the future, we'll definitely save one for you."