Chapter 2711: Qingcheng Leaves the Pass

In a secluded courtyard in Scarlet Mist Valley, Wang Lihe sat in a blue stone pavilion while Wang Chuanming, Wang Chuanyun, Wang Yibing, Wang Yimiao, and Wang Yimei reported to him.

After leaving the Li family, Wang Chuanming sent people to investigate the Fu family. He discovered that the Fu family and the Li family had been in a long standoff, with neither willing to yield. However, shortly after the deaths of Wang Yongyue and four others, the Fu family began to retreat and consolidate their forces. This was a clear sign of guilt.

Wang Chuanming immediately led his people to the Fu family. With a guilty conscience, the Fu family refused them entry, so Fu Zhiyue came out to greet them personally. Wang Chuanming directly bluffed her, claiming to have evidence, and then immediately attacked Fu Zhiyue. Fu Zhiyue was no match and was captured alive by Wang Chuanming and his group. After employing various methods, they confirmed that the Fu family was indeed responsible.

The subsequent steps were straightforward. Wang Chuanming and his group attacked the Fu family's protective formation. Since Fu Yufei was not present, Wang Yibing used a formation-breaking talisman to breach the Fu family's protective barrier. They captured several Fu family elders, and a soul search revealed crucial clues. This evidence indicated that the Fu family had discovered an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling in the Scarlet Mist Mountains. Fu Yufei and Fu Zhiyue had personally gone to investigate. After some time, they rushed back, consolidated their forces, and ceased their conflict with the Li family.

Learning from past experiences, Wang Chuanming acted prudently this time. After consulting with Wang Yibing and the others, he simultaneously dispatched forces to attack the Fu family's strongholds and sent someone to notify Wang Lihe. All of the Fu family's strongholds had now been eradicated by the Wang family, with the Li family taking the lead as their enforcers.

"She didn't show any signs of abnormality throughout," Wang Lihe said, bewildered. "How did you determine she was problematic? What if it was a misunderstanding?" Even though Fu Zhiyue showed no unusual reactions when Wang Chuanming bluffed her, Wang Chuanming still attacked, with Wang Yibing and the others cooperating.

"If it were a misunderstanding, I would apologize to her, as long as she survived," Wang Chuanming respectfully replied, explaining that Fu Zhiyue had a soul-searching prohibition on her, but Ancestor Yibing used an illusionary treasure to make her reveal the truth. "Chuanyun, Yimiao, and Yimei also provided significant help."

"I understand," Wang Lihe instructed. "Everyone, except Yibing, may leave. Chuanming, contact the Xin family. Chuanyun, contact the Ji family. Yimiao, return to the family to report. For now, do not engage the Feng family." Wang Chuanming and the others acknowledged his orders and left one by one, leaving Wang Yibing and Wang Lihe.

"Is what Chuanming said true?" Wang Lihe pressed. "He must have discussed it with you beforehand, otherwise, your cooperation wouldn't have been so seamless." Wang Lihe understood that while Wang Chuanming handled the situation brilliantly, it would have been impossible without the assistance of Wang Yibing and the others. Their seamless cooperation in capturing Fu Zhiyue indicated prior agreement. Although Wang Yibing was senior to Wang Chuanming by generation, Wang Chuanming surpassed him in experience and cultivation.

"Chuanming said he would take full responsibility if anything went wrong, and everyone would share the credit for success," Wang Yibing truthfully explained. "I initially disagreed, but Chuanyun, Yimiao, and Yimei all agreed, so I consented." Wang Chuanyun, who had served for over seven hundred years in Qinghong Market, was the first to express support for Wang Chuanming. With Wang Yimiao and others also in agreement, Wang Yibing found it difficult to object. Since the Fu family had no Void Refinement cultivators, Wang Chuanming's act of merely capturing Fu Zhiyue alive was not considered excessive. Most importantly, Wang Chuanming's promise to take full responsibility for any issues while sharing credit for success was an irresistible temptation for Wang Yimiao and Wang Yimei.

"Taking full responsibility for problems and sharing credit for achievements—this young man truly has great potential," Wang Lihe praised. "No wonder so many clan members of the 'Chuan' generation rally around him." Who wouldn't appreciate such a leader?

Just then, Wang Yimei returned, her expression grave. "Ancestor Lihe," she said, "Feng Xueshuo, the head of the Feng family, contacted us. He claims the Fu family's actions have nothing to do with their Feng family."

"Where is he now?" Wang Lihe inquired.

"He is in Scarlet Mist Valley, accompanied by several Deity Transformation stage elders," Wang Yimei replied truthfully.

"Invite him over. Let's have a talk," Wang Lihe instructed. Wang Lihe gave the order, as he did not wish for the matter to escalate, given that the Feng family was backed by the Nine Flames Sect. It would be unwise for the Wang family to provoke an affiliate of the Nine Flames Sect so soon after Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Integration stage. It wasn't a matter of fear, but rather that the Fu family wasn't worth the trouble. If it were for a secret realm or rare resources, the Wang family would naturally not hesitate.

"Yes, Ancestor Lihe," Wang Yimei acknowledged, accepting the order.

A few days later, the matter concluded, with the Wang family having fully occupied the Fu family's territory. With the Fu family serving as an example, other minor forces became even more hesitant to provoke the Wang family, fearing a similar fate. Wang Lihe brought in a group of enforcement disciples and severely punished clan members who violated family rules, preventing arrogance from causing further trouble. He employed a two-pronged approach.

On Qinglian Island, the door to a secret chamber suddenly opened, and Wang Qingcheng emerged, a smile on his face. He had advanced to the mid-Void Refinement stage. As a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator, his cultivation speed was naturally faster, although breaking through to the Void Refinement stage was more challenging. Five-Spiritual Root cultivators found it somewhat easier to reach this stage. Sun Yuejiao was still in secluded cultivation and had not yet emerged.

Shortly after, Wang Qingcheng appeared in a secluded small courtyard with blue tiles. Sensing something, Wang Qingcheng took out a yellow-glowing communication disk from his sleeve. He activated a spell, and Wang Moshan's voice resonated: "Ancestor Qingcheng, we have collected three keys to enter the Mysterious Spirit Cave."

"Keys? Where did you get them?" Wang Qingcheng asked, curious, as these were no ordinary items.

"It's like this: The Fu family discovered an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling in the Scarlet Mist Mountains, and then they sent people..." Wang Moshan recounted the entire incident. He explained that while he hadn't wanted a direct confrontation with the Feng family, the Fu family's killing of Wang clan members in the Scarlet Mist Mountains was an act of extreme maliciousness. Failing to severely punish the Fu family would have given the impression that the Wang family was weak and easily bullied.

"If the Fu family is destroyed, then so be it. It's a good way to establish our authority," Wang Qingcheng said with a frown. "However, we shouldn't do this too often. Making enemies everywhere is not advisable."

"Naturally," Wang Moshan said, remembering something. "By the way, the Mysterious Spirit Cave will be opening soon, won't it? Can the Wang family send people inside?" Only the ten major human forces on Xuangling Continent were permitted to send people into the Mysterious Spirit Cave for treasure hunting. For the Wang family to gain entry, either Zhenhai Palace would have to grant them a few spots, or the Wang family would need recognition from other powers. The latter was impossible, as the Wang family was not the only human force with Integration stage cultivators; everyone wanted to send people into the Mysterious Spirit Cave. Thus, the only option was for Zhenhai Palace to relinquish some spots.

Wang Qingcheng nodded. "I'll go to the market to find Martial Uncle Zhao and see what he says." With an Integration stage cultivator now in the family, the Wang family could negotiate terms with Zhenhai Palace.

"Then I'll trouble you with this," Wang Moshan replied truthfully. "I'm still sending people to collect keys, hoping to gather a few more." Wang Qingcheng nodded, put away the communication disk, and left Qinglian Island.