Chapter 2778: Advancing in the Late Refining Void Stage

The increasing number of Void Refinement cultivators in the family, coupled with the growth of the younger generation, has significantly eased their burden.

Wang Yingjie and Liu Hongxue had not yet traveled outside; after reaching the Void Refinement stage, they mostly remained in Green Lotus Valley.

Wang Yingjie nodded, smiling, and said, "Now that our family has two Integration stage cultivators, it should be much more convenient for us to travel."

The Wang family, having formed a marital alliance with the Long family and absorbed many other forces, saw its power and influence grow significantly. As a result, family members enjoyed many conveniences when traveling, and cultivators from smaller forces also held them in high regard.

Liu Hongxue and Wang Yingjie left Green Lotus Valley and returned to Green Lotus Island.

Green Lotus Island, Green Bamboo Peak.

Inside a simple green bamboo building, Wang Qingshan was speaking with Wang Lihe and Wang Lihe.

Wang Qingshan's aura was much stronger than before; he had already advanced to the late Void Refinement stage, whereas Wang Lihe and Wang Lihe remained in the early Void Refinement stage.

Without the Imjin Water Immortal Apricot Fruit, Wang Qingshan would at most be in the mid Void Refinement stage.

"Oh, by the way, how is Taiyi Immortal Sect doing?" Wang Qingshan inquired, remembering something.

"Su Qingyun has already advanced to the Void Refinement stage," Wang Lihe reported truthfully. "Taiyi Immortal Sect currently has over twenty Soul Transformation cultivators, one Void Refinement cultivator, and thousands of disciples. They are developing very well."

The Wang family had provided Su Qingyun with some islands to establish Taiyi Immortal Sect, and with their support, the sect had developed quite well.

After the Wang family gained two Integration stage cultivators, their influence in this sea area grew significantly. With the Wang family allying with Zhenhai Palace, the Cold Flame Sect was marginalized.

The once-powerful Liu family had now dwindled into a minor family, their territory continually seized by the Wang family's affiliated forces. The Liu family's affiliated forces were also impacted; conversely, the Wang family's affiliated forces steadily grew stronger.

Including the islands controlled by their affiliated forces, the Wang family possessed over ten thousand islands, with more than half of them directly managed by Wang family cultivators.

Wang Qingshan nodded. Having received much kindness from Taiyi Immortal Sect, he would naturally take good care of Su Qingyun.

"In a few more millennia," Wang Lihe excitedly said, "Ancestor Qingshan will have reached the Integration stage. By then, our family will have three Integration stage cultivators."

They were well aware of Wang Qingshan's strength; despite being fellow Void Refinement cultivators, they were no match for him.

"Oh, by the way, what stage is Yidao at?" Wang Qingshan inquired about Wang Yidao's situation, curious about the cultivation speed of spirit body users.

"He is already in the late Soul Transformation stage," Wang Lihe truthfully replied. "He accompanied Youxin to the Chen family to celebrate the Chen family ancestor's 8,000th birthday and should be able to advance to the Void Refinement stage before long."

Both Wang Youxin and Chen Ruyi had advanced to the Void Refinement stage. All three of their children were in the Soul Transformation stage, with Wang Yidao cultivating the fastest and eventually surpassing the others.

"Alright, you may return," Wang Qingshan said. "Cultivate diligently, and I hope you reach the mid Void Refinement stage soon." He waved his hand, dismissing them.

Inland, at Twin Falcon Valley, resided the Chen family.

The Chen family, which had risen to prominence in less than ten thousand years, currently boasted four Void Refinement cultivators, largely thanks to the significant assistance provided by the Wang family.

The Chen family was Chen Ruyi's maternal family. With both Wang Youxin and Chen Ruyi having advanced to the Void Refinement stage, and Wang Youxin being a sixth-tier artifact refiner and a descendant of Wang Mousen, the Chen family was able to enjoy many conveniences.

A sprawling estate featured exotic flowers, unusual rocks, pavilions, and towers.

In a green hexagonal stone pavilion, over thirty Soul Transformation cultivators were gathered, sipping tea, chatting, and laughing.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," a slender young woman in a white dress curiously asked, "I heard the Wang family also sent someone to attend the birthday celebration. Why haven't we seen any Wang family cultivators?" The young woman had a melon seed-shaped face, cherry lips, a delicate nose, and skin like congealed fat, a true beauty in the making.

"Indeed! Haven't the Wang family cultivators arrived yet?" another chimed in. "They should have arrived! The Wang family and the Chen family are in-laws, so the Wang family should definitely send representatives for the Chen family ancestor's grand birthday celebration." The cultivators were all full of curiosity. Given the immense power of the Wang family, they rarely had the opportunity to meet its members.

"Zijin has already gone to invite them; they should be here soon," a tall, slender young man in a green shirt said with a proud smile. This was Chen Ziqing, a representative of the Chen family's younger generation.

Just as he finished speaking, a soft rustle of footsteps was heard as four men and two women entered. Among them, a tall young man in a golden robe immediately caught the attention of the cultivators.

The golden-robed young man was expressionless, carrying an exquisite golden scabbard on his back, adorned with carved golden lotus flowers.

This was Wang Yidao, who had accompanied Wang Youxin to the Chen family to attend the Chen family ancestor's grand birthday celebration.

An attractive young man in a green shirt stood beside Wang Yidao, smiling and exuding an approachable demeanor. This was Wang Yihong, Wang Yidao's elder brother, a mid Soul Transformation cultivator, who was adept at handling affairs and had a wide circle of friends. Wang Youxin had asked Wang Yihong to take Wang Yidao around to meet Soul Transformation cultivators from other forces and make more friends, hoping Wang Yidao would become more outgoing.

The cultivators promptly stood up to greet them, not daring to be disrespectful.

"Cousin Yihong, Cousin Yidao, you're finally here. Please, have a seat," Chen Ziqing said, inviting Wang Yidao and the others to sit.

"I am Wang Yihong, and this is my brother, Wang Yidao," Wang Yihong introduced himself.

"Du Xueyao of Hundred Flowers Villa."

"Li Yufang of Snow Cloud Gate."

"Mu Qingyun of Golden Python Lake."

Not daring to be disrespectful, the cultivators quickly introduced themselves.

Chen Ziqing picked up an exquisite golden wine pot and poured a measure of spiritual wine for Wang Yidao and the others. The wine was golden and emitted a rich aroma.

"This is Golden Ganoderma Ambrosia, personally brewed by Fairy Du. Please have a taste," Chen Ziqing said with a smile.

Wang Yihong picked up his cup, took a small sip, and with a look of approval, praised, "Excellent, a fine wine."

Wang Yidao picked up his cup, drained it in one gulp, then set it down, remaining silent and expressionless. Chen Ziqing was not surprised; he had known Wang Yidao for many years and was familiar with his temperament.

The cultivators started chatting casually, their conversation covering a wide range of topics. Wang Yidao remained silent, sitting quietly aside, expressionless like a wooden figure.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Du Xueyao asked, looking towards Wang Yidao, "I heard that seven-tier demonic beasts appear during the beast tides in the outer sea. Is that true?" They had been chatting for over half an hour, but Wang Yidao had not uttered a single word.

"Never seen one," Wang Yidao replied coolly.

"I heard there are many demonic beasts in the outer sea," Du Xueyao continued, "You must have gone out to sea to hunt them, right?"

"Mhm," he responded.

"Then have you encountered any seven-tier demonic beasts?" Du Xueyao asked, full of curiosity.

"No."

"A million miles from here, there's a place called Golden Centipede Ridge," Du Xueyao persisted, "A six-tier demonic beast appeared there, harming many cultivators. Fortunately, Senior Chen intervened and eliminated it." Du Xueyao, somewhat unwilling to give up, continued to engage Wang Yidao in conversation, attempting to get him to say a few more words.

"Oh," Wang Yidao replied.

"I heard your Wang family's puppet beasts are very powerful," Du Xueyao continued to ask. "Fellow Daoist Wang, can you refine puppet beasts?"

"No," he replied.

No matter what Du Xueyao said, Wang Yidao's replies never exceeded five words.