Chapter 2699: Seven Calabashes Hermit Seeks Help

Over four hundred years passed quickly, as spring gave way to autumn.

On Qinglian Island, a vast estate, hundreds of communication talismans floated above the grounds.

The door to a secret chamber opened, and Wang Chuanming emerged, his aura significantly more powerful than before. He was now at the late stage of Soul Transformation, his cultivation having advanced considerably. During his five-hundred-year confinement, he had dedicated most of his time to cultivation, single-mindedly pursuing spiritual growth without concern for worldly matters.

Upon stepping outside, Wang Chuanming's brows furrowed at the sight of hundreds of communication talismans. He examined the contents of each talisman; most conveyed the news of Wang Chuanfeng's death.

“The Qian family!” A fierce glint flashed in Wang Chuanming’s eyes. From a young age, he had been favored by the clan elders. Many members of the 'Chuan' generation looked to him as their leader, naturally forming a close-knit interest group around him as they grew up, with Wang Chuanming at its head. Wang Chuanfeng, Wang Chuanyun, and Wang Chuanming had been inseparable since childhood. Hearing this devastating news immediately after exiting seclusion, his joy vanished.

He took out a golden communication plate and cast a spell. A woman’s voice, filled with both surprise and joy, echoed, “Brother Chuanming, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion!”

“How did Chuanfeng die? What exactly happened?” Wang Chuanming asked with a frown.

“According to the Law Enforcement Hall,” the voice replied, “Chuanfeng was killed by a disciple of the Qian family. Our clan dispatched experts to deal with the Qian family and avenge him. The Qian family’s medium-sized spirit stone mine and several fifth-tier ore veins have now fallen into our possession.”

Wang Chuanming frowned. He naturally didn't believe this explanation; Wang Chuanfeng was not a prominent or core member of the Wang clan, so it was unlikely the family would have gone to such great lengths for him. Upon learning the circumstances of Wang Chuanfeng’s disappearance, Wang Chuanming surmised what had likely happened. Wang Chuanfeng had probably tried to emulate his past actions of killing to seize treasures, but had failed.

“How are his descendants?” Wang Chuanming pressed.

“We are all taking good care of his descendants,” the voice replied. “Brother Chuanfeng’s descendants are currently working under Brother Chuanyun.”

Wang Chuanming was satisfied with this answer.

After asking a few more questions, Wang Chuanming put away the communication plate. Suddenly, colorful spirit patterns emerged on the wall, coalescing into a giant five-colored lizard. Wang Chuanming stored the five-colored lizard in his spirit beast bracelet, then transformed into a streak of light and swiftly departed his residence.

He had flown barely a hundred miles when a rapid pipa melody resounded across the sky and earth. A blue light surged upwards, forming a colossal female phantom holding a blue pipa.

“A Dharma Idol! Ancestor Yuanwei!” An envious expression appeared on Wang Chuanming’s face. He knew Wang Yuanwei was highly esteemed by Wang Ruyan, so her advancement to the Void Refinement stage was no surprise.

A rumbling sound of thunder interrupted Wang Chuanming’s thoughts. Dismissing his distractions, his escape light intensified.

A short while later, he landed on a vast bluestone plaza. Not far away stood a golden palace over ten zhang tall, its plaque bearing the three silver characters, “Xuan Yue Hall.” Numerous clan members moved in and out, making the area quite bustling. A teleportation array located here could transport individuals to Qinglian Valley. Wang Chuanming strode inside and used the teleportation array to depart Qinglian Island.

Qinglian Peak, a secret chamber.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a blue meditation cushion, his complexion rosy. A large expanse of sparkling blue sand floated in mid-air, its surface inscribed with golden spirit patterns. This was the Mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, Qianjing Divine Sand, refined primarily from Cold Gold Divine Sand. It was both soft and rigid, unpredictable in its transformations, and capable of generating cold attacks.

Wang Changsheng made a hand seal, and the blue sand glowed intensely, suddenly coalescing into a colossal blue-gold fist that slammed against the stone wall. A thunderous roar echoed! The stone wall vibrated violently, and a large expanse of blue ice instantly formed on its surface, rapidly spreading outwards. Soon, the entire stone chamber was encased in ice. Wang Changsheng flicked his sleeve, and a powerful gust of wind swept through, shattering the ice.

Wang Changsheng nodded, then put away the Qianjing Divine Sand. His injuries had fully healed, and he had successfully refined this Qianjing Divine Sand using Cold Gold Divine Sand as the primary material.

Wang Changsheng rose and walked out. Wang Ruyan was still in secluded cultivation. Wang Changsheng took out his communication plate and contacted Wang Moshan to inquire about cultivation techniques.

“Ancestor,” Wang Moshan reported, “we’ve acquired a blade technique, the 'Eight Desolation Demon Slaying Spirit Scripture,' which can be cultivated up to the mid-stage Body Integration. As for water-attribute cultivation techniques, most only reach the Void Refinement stage.” Cultivation techniques were difficult to come by, especially those with specific attributes. Wang Changsheng understood the difficulty and didn’t put excessive pressure on Wang Moshan.

“Send more people to search,” Wang Changsheng instructed. “If you find any leads, acquire it, even if it comes at a higher cost.”

Wang Moshan agreed and then provided an update on the clan’s situation over the past few years.

“The Qian family? Well done,” Wang Changsheng remarked. “However, try not to provoke the affiliated forces of the Xuanqing Sect. If things escalate too much, it could become difficult to manage.” After offering a few more admonitions, Wang Changsheng put away his communication plate.

He whistled, and soon, the Twin-Eyed Mouse scurried out from a nearby courtyard. It had grown noticeably chubbier but remained a low-grade sixth-tier beast. The Twin-Eyed Mouse quickly scurried onto Wang Changsheng’s shoulder, its tail wagging excitedly. Wang Changsheng took out two five-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs and fed them to the Twin-Eyed Mouse. The Twin-Eyed Mouse let out happy squeaks, as if saying, “My master is the best!”

Wang Changsheng frowned, then took out his communication plate and cast a spell. “What is it, Moshan?” he asked.

“Ancestor,” Wang Moshan reported, “the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator has arrived. He insists on seeing you about an urgent matter and won’t disclose it to me, despite my efforts to persuade him. He is currently in the reception hall.”

Since Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Body Integration stage, countless cultivators had sought an audience with him. As the clan’s patriarch, he was naturally not someone outsiders could simply meet on a whim.

“Fellow Daoist Jiang?” Wang Changsheng mused. “Please invite him to Qinglian Peak. He’s an acquaintance.” Wang Changsheng instructed, recalling that when he first arrived in the Xuanyang Realm, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator was already a Void Refinement cultivator. They had engaged in exchanges on a few occasions, establishing a degree of familiarity.

“Yes, Ancestor,” Wang Moshan replied.

Wang Changsheng patted the Twin-Eyed Mouse, and the creature, understanding his gesture, jumped to the ground and went to play with the Wood Demon and Rift Beast.

A moment later, Wang Moshan entered, followed by the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator.

“This junior greets Senior Wang!” the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator said, bowing deeply. He had been incredulous when he first heard that Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Body Integration stage. Yet, the truth was undeniable: Wang Changsheng had indeed reached the Body Integration stage.

“There’s no need to be so formal, Fellow Daoist Jiang,” Wang Changsheng said kindly. “I hear you have an urgent matter for me? Please speak freely.”

“This is the hide of a high-grade sixth-tier Golden-Scaled Beast,” the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator said, taking out a golden storage ring and handing it to Wang Changsheng, his expression anxious. “This junior wishes to ask Senior Wang to help refine a defensive mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure.” He was about to face his fourth grand heavenly tribulation, and he hoped that with a defensive mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, he might be able to survive it. Few Body Integration cultivators possessed the ability to refine mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures. Since Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Body Integration stage, his clan could now offer sixth-tier puppet beasts as exchange. Given that the Wang family could trade for sixth-tier puppets, it implied they could self-produce them. If they could refine sixth-tier puppet beasts, they should certainly be capable of refining mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures.