Chapter 2686: Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Spirit Sutra

In the Xuanyang Realm, on the Xuanguang Continent, the Black Haze Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of millions of li in the southeast. It is home to a vast number of poisonous insects and beasts, including many at the seventh rank, and some have even encountered eighth-rank poisonous beasts.

In a small valley encircled by mountains on three sides, located in the northwest corner of the Black Haze Mountain Range, Chen Yueying was speaking with Ye Xuanji. Chen Yueying looked pale and severely weakened.

They had met in the Xuanling Celestial Venerable's cultivation ground. Initially, Ye Xuanji ignored Chen Yueying and Yang Qinglong, but later, too many foreign cultivators entered, forcing Ye Xuanji to team up with Chen Yueying. During their treasure hunt, they were ambushed by eleven Fusion-stage foreign cultivators. Yang Qinglong was killed by the Bloodshadow Clan, Chen Yueying was severely injured, Shangguan Tianhong also sustained heavy injuries, while Ye Xuanji received only minor injuries.

“Our cooperation was limited to the Xuanling Celestial Venerable's cultivation ground. Now that we've left, let's part ways. Whether you can advance to the Mahayana stage is entirely up to you,” Ye Xuanji said. She then transformed into a streak of light and vanished, with Shangguan Tianhong quickly following suit. Ye Xuanji's strength was monstrous; if it weren't for Ye Xuanji's protection, Shangguan Tianhong would have died countless times over.

Chen Yueying sighed deeply, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Junior Brother Yang, once I advance to the Mahayana stage, I will surely avenge you,” she murmured to herself. Yang Qinglong had covered her retreat, which led to him being besieged by multiple Fusion-stage foreign cultivators and killed by the Bloodshadow Clan's unique secret technique. Her gains were also considerable; the most precious items were a damaged high-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure and two Nine-Turn Exquisite Palace Fruits. The Nine-Turn Exquisite Palace Fruits could assist Fusion-stage cultivators in breaking through to the Mahayana stage.

She was severely injured now and needed time to recuperate. After recovering, she would return to the Xuanling Continent. With Yang Qinglong's death, there was no one to protect her. Naturally, she dared not attempt to break through to the Mahayana stage out in the open. She was still far from the Mahayana stage, currently only at the late Fusion stage. A yellow light erupted from Chen Yueying's body, and she vanished underground.

***

In the Xuanling Continent, at Azure Lotus Valley, the valley was densely populated with buildings, flags fluttered, and the streets were bustling with crowds and carriage traffic, making it very lively. Within a vast estate, Wang Yingjie and Wang Huayue were sitting in a green stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting. Liu Hongxue was in secluded cultivation. With Wang Mousen's growth, Liu Hongxue had become much more relaxed.

Wang Yingjie held a red jade box in his hand, a wide smile on his face. Wang Changsheng had brought back a secret art, the Five Elements Forbidden Light, from the Azure Glaze Sea Domain. This divine ability required the collection and refinement of vast amounts of Five Elements Essence to cultivate. It was a potent ability, but not easy to master, and only cultivators with five spirit roots could practice it. This divine ability was divided into four stages: Initiation, Minor Accomplishment, Great Accomplishment, and Grand Perfection. Initiation was easy, but achieving Grand Perfection was difficult. Upon learning of this secret art, Wang Yingjie dispatched clan members to gather Five Elements Essence. They managed to collect some, enough to just initiate the cultivation of the Five Elements Forbidden Light. With over a hundred thousand cultivators within the clan, along with numerous in-laws and allies, collecting cultivation resources was relatively convenient.

“You actually collected so much Li Fire Essence; you've worked hard,” Wang Yingjie said, his face filled with satisfaction.

“This is what a daughter should do. It's enough to be able to help Father,” Wang Huayue replied, overjoyed.

Wang Yingjie nodded, about to speak, when he sensed something. He took out a golden communication plate from his robes, and a respectful female voice echoed: “Elder Yingjie, a senior named Wang Dafei is looking for you; he says it’s urgent.”

“Wang Dafei? Quickly invite him here,” Wang Yingjie instructed. Wang Dafei was a rogue cultivator; he had collaborated with Wang Qingshan in the past.

“Understood, Elder Yingjie,” the clan member assented.

Wang Yingjie put away the communication plate and said to Wang Huayue: “You may go attend to your duties. I need to receive Fellow Daoist Wang.” Wang Huayue nodded and stood up to leave.

A short while later, Wang Yixin entered, with Wang Dafei following behind. Wang Yixin had been reassigned to Azure Lotus Valley, where she generally had more leisure time, allowing for ample cultivation.

“Yixin, you may go about your business.” Wang Yingjie waved his hand, dismissing Wang Yixin.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, is Brother Qingshan not here?” Wang Dafei asked, puzzled, as he was not familiar with Wang Yingjie.

“Elder Qingshan is preoccupied and cannot be disturbed. Whatever matter you have, you can tell me, Fellow Daoist Wang; I can take responsibility,” Wang Yingjie said solemnly.

Wang Dafei pondered for a moment, then took out a green jade slip and handed it to Wang Yingjie, saying: “I heard your clan is heavily acquiring cultivation techniques and secret manuals. What do you think of this 'Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Spirit Scripture'?” The Wang family was extensively acquiring cultivation techniques and secret manuals; the better the technique, the more valuable the exchange.

“The Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Spirit Scripture!” A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Yingjie's eyes, and his divine sense probed into it. According to the jade slip, this set of cultivation techniques was created by a blade cultivator at the Mid-Fusion stage and consisted of twenty levels. Over the years, the Wang family had collected many cultivation techniques, but most were ordinary. This 'Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Spirit Scripture' was quite good by comparison. Wang Yingjie was concerned that such a good cultivation technique might have an dubious origin or that there might be issues with the technique itself.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, rest assured, this set of cultivation techniques has a legitimate origin. I obtained it from an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling. This senior lived in the same era as Heavenly Sea Divine Monarch, but unfortunately, he did not manage to advance to the Mahayana stage.”

“We'll take this set of cultivation techniques. What does Fellow Daoist Wang wish for in return? Spirit elixirs? Or talismans and formations?” Wang Yingjie said in a deep voice. The core cultivation techniques of major powers like the Xuanqing Sect and Zhenhai Palace were well-known and easy to identify.

“I want a Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talisman.” Wang Dafei was filled with anticipation. The Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talisman was a unique talisman of the Wang family, sharing similar ingenious properties with the Five Elements Thundercloud Talisman.

“A Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talisman?” Wang Yingjie frowned. This was no small request. If the cultivation technique's origin was indeed legitimate, then it might be acceptable. “Fellow Daoist Wang, your request is too high. Cultivation techniques can be copied, so how can I be sure that the origin of this set of techniques is legitimate? What if it's a technique from a major sect? We would suffer a huge loss.” Wang Yingjie looked troubled. Some unscrupulous merchants would alter the names of cultivation techniques and sell them to Wang clan members. Those eager to gain merit below found it difficult to spot the deception, leading to considerable losses.

“I can swear an oath by my Inner Demon that I truly obtained this set of cultivation techniques from an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, and not a single word has been altered. If you still don't believe me, then so be it,” Wang Dafei said with a frown. The jade slip he provided only contained the cultivation methods for the first eight levels.

“How about this? Let's both take a step back. You can temporarily reside in Azure Lotus Valley, and I will consult with the higher-ups. This matter is of great importance,” Wang Yingjie said sincerely. The Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talisman and Rank-6 puppet beasts were currently the Wang family's most valuable strategic resources. Especially the Heavenly Thunder Spirit Transformation Talisman; not only did clan members hoping to break through to the Void Refinement stage desire one, but Void Refinement cultivators also hoped to possess one when facing their Grand Heavenly Tribulation.