Chapter 2779: Chen Yueying Faces Life and Death

Wang Yidao is a man of few words, Fairy Du, please excuse him. Wang Yihong quickly interceded. Wang Yidao had always been like this since childhood, barely speaking even to him, let alone to outsiders. The Wang family had tried many approaches. Clan elders brought Wang Yidao to celebrations hosted by other factions, and he attended gatherings with fellow clan members, yet he remained consistently silent.

Chen Ziqing quickly changed the subject. "Cousin Yidao has always been quite introverted, but his strength is formidable. He once single-handedly eliminated two high-grade fifth-tier demonic beasts."

Du Xueyao's face was filled with admiration. "Fellow Daoist Wang is truly worthy of the Wang family name. Unlike me, who can only brew wine, if I encountered a high-grade fifth-tier demonic beast, I'd be lucky to even escape."

Wang Yidao replied expressionlessly, "Oh."

Mu Qingyun politely suggested, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I'd like to spar with you, if you don't mind." Cultivators often forge friendships through martial arts.

Wang Yidao flatly refused, "No interest."

Chen Ziqing quickly intervened, "Cousin Yidao never spars with anyone, Fellow Daoist Mu, please don't take it personally."

Seeing this, Mu Qingyun said nothing further.

The cultivators began to chat amongst themselves, with no one engaging Wang Yidao. In contrast, Wang Yihong was approachable, and they preferred conversing with him.

Du Xueyao was exceptionally cheerful, engaging in wide-ranging conversations and touching on numerous topics. No matter what other cultivators discussed, she could always contribute a few words, keeping the conversation lively and enjoyable for everyone. Occasionally, she tried to engage Wang Yidao, but he consistently replied with just a few words, clearly reluctant to elaborate.

By the end of the gathering, all the cultivators recognized Wang Yidao's taciturn nature. Du Xueyao's optimistic and cheerful demeanor also left a deep impression on the cultivators, as her personality was a stark contrast to Wang Yidao's.

Over three hours later, the cultivators gradually departed, returning to their accommodations to rest, leaving only the siblings Chen Ziqing and Chen Zijin.

"Zijin, why didn't you speak to Cousin Yidao at all?" Chen Ziqing asked with a frown. The Chen family hoped Wang Yidao would marry a female cultivator from their clan, strengthening their alliance through kinship. Chen Ruyi had not disclosed Wang Yidao's true situation to the Chen family, so they were unaware of his aptitude. However, judging by his cultivation speed, they surmised he possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root.

"I've tried so many times, and you've seen it yourself. He absolutely refuses to talk to people, always wearing a blank expression. I've known him for years and have never once seen him smile. Let's just drop it! If I actually married him, I'd go insane," Chen Zijin complained. No matter what she said to Wang Yidao, he would only offer those same few phrases, never initiating a conversation or even cracking a smile. Wang Yidao was like a block of ten-thousand-year-old ice, utterly impossible to warm.

Chen Ziqing sighed softly, no longer attempting to persuade her. Chen Zijin was right; they had known Wang Yidao for years, and he had never once offered a smile, always maintaining a rigid expression. Wang Yidao was a man of exceptionally few words, never even cracking a smile. If he weren't a descendant of the Wang family, they would hardly bother to acknowledge him.

In a tranquil courtyard within a secluded manor, Wang Yihong was speaking with Wang Yidao.

"Yidao, what do you think of Fairy Du?" Wang Yihong casually asked. It was his first time encountering such a lively female cultivator.

Wang Yidao expressed his true feelings: "Too talkative."

Wang Yihong smiled and said, "Indeed, for you, she is quite verbose."

"I'm returning to cultivate," Wang Yidao said, and walked towards a two-story green pavilion nearby.

Duan Tongtian was seated in a chair, engrossed in a thick tome. He was Wang Yidao's protector; Duan Tongtian would accompany him until he advanced to the Integration stage. Wang Changsheng had used a secret technique to conceal Wang Yidao's aptitude. Even if an Integration stage cultivator were to probe him with spells, they would not discover his true talent, at best perceiving him as merely a Heavenly Spirit Root. Furthermore, Wang Qingfeng and dozens of other high-level artifact refiners collaborated to forge a protective treasure using esoteric methods. Should Wang Yidao encounter peril, this artifact would automatically activate to shield him. Whenever Duan Tongtian went out, he would alter his appearance and aura, blending in among the Wang family cultivators to facilitate Wang Yidao's protection.

Duan Tongtian nodded with a slight smile. "You're back." He had imparted all his life's knowledge to Wang Yidao, including techniques for exploration, treasure hunting, and combating foes, noting Wang Yidao's exceptional comprehension.

Wang Yidao nodded. "Mhm." He then stepped into a room, sat cross-legged, and began to cultivate.

Duan Tongtian said nothing further, resuming his tea and book.

At Zhenhai Palace, within the Ancestral Hall, Chen Yueying, Xiao Wentian, Song Yiming, and Lin Tianlong were engaged in a solemn discussion.

"I intend to enter life-and-death seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Mahayana stage," Chen Yueying declared gravely. She briefly recounted her recent experiences, including the death of Yang Qinglong in battle. Such a severe event demanded Song Yiming's immediate attention. She did not disclose her gains, only stating her intention to seclude herself for a breakthrough to the Mahayana stage.

"I can deploy two additional sets of defensive seventh-tier formations to assist Senior Sister Chen," Xiao Wentian solemnly offered. Should Chen Yueying successfully advance to the Mahayana stage, the entire Zhenhai Palace would reap immense benefits.

"Junior Brother Liu and I will make a trip to the Barren Lands, hoping to slay a seventh-tier demonic tortoise and refine a few more defensive treasures," Lin Tianlong stated earnestly. He was at the late Integration stage, but he lacked miraculous elixirs such as the Nine-Turn Exquisite Fruit. While his rivalry with Chen Yueying stemmed from conflicting interests, they were not mortal enemies. If Chen Yueying was indeed attempting a breakthrough to the Mahayana stage, he would still offer his assistance. The interests of Zhenhai Palace superseded all else; if the palace grew stronger, all its disciples would benefit. In terms of foundational strength, Zhenhai Palace could not compare to the Xuanqing Sect or the Myriad Spirit Gate. This might well be an opportune moment for Zhenhai Palace to rise.

Song Yiming's face showed a relieved expression as he said earnestly, "Junior Sister Chen, you can go into seclusion with peace of mind. At the critical moment, the palace's grand protective formation can be activated to withstand the lightning tribulation. I will dispatch more personnel to seek out materials that can weaken the tribulation." The power of the Eight-Nine Lightning Tribulation was immense; a seventh-tier formation or a seventh-tier lightning-absorbing bead could only withstand a few more bolts. It would be ideal if materials like the Eastern Yi Divine Wood were available.

Chen Yueying nodded. "Then I'll leave it in your hands. Oh, and by the way, do you think the Lizard Tribe is capable of putting up a fight?"

The Human, Yaksha, and Fiery races were all confronting the Lizard race, and a full-scale racial war could erupt at any moment.

Song Yiming nodded. "Soon. The Lizard race is currently organizing their forces for resistance. After years of stalemate, they've lost some territory. At the very least, we can confirm that the Lizard race's Mahayana cultivator is not on the Xuanling Continent." The life or death of a Mahayana cultivator is a race's utmost secret, known to very few and strictly guarded. Even if the Lizard race's Mahayana cultivator had indeed perished, likely only a small number of high-ranking Lizard officials would be aware. The subsidiary races of the Human, Yaksha, and Fiery races were relentlessly assaulting the Lizard race's allied tribes. They had already severely crippled over a dozen minor tribes and were continuing their advance. If a full-scale racial war were to truly erupt, it would certainly not be a temporary skirmish like in the past, where forces eventually withdraw. It could very well lead to the complete annihilation of the Lizard race.

"You should go into seclusion with peace of mind! Even if a racial war erupts, I will protect you. For caution's sake, it might be better to attempt your Mahayana breakthrough in the interior," Lin Tianlong suggested. Zhenhai Palace possessed considerable territory inland.

Chen Yueying nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. So it's settled."

After more than half an hour of detailed discussion, they departed the Ancestral Hall. Soon, Zhenhai Palace, the colossal organization, began to mobilize. They issued bounties for tribulation materials, offered high prices for their acquisition, and dispatched disciples to dangerous territories to seek them out. All affiliated forces also received orders to locate these crucial materials. News quickly circulated that an Integration-stage elder from Zhenhai Palace was preparing to face a grand heavenly tribulation, and without high-grade materials, it would likely be impossible to survive the ordeal.