Chapter 279: Exchange for a Spot

The last time Wang Changsheng visited Bailian Gate, Wang Minglong was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. He wondered what his current cultivation level was.

The participants for the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm were, of course, to be decided by Guang Dongren. However, Wang Changsheng wanted to try and see if he could persuade him to change his mind.

There were three clan members at the ninth level of Qi Refining: Wang Changhuan, Wang Qingqi, and Wang Qingshan. Wang Changhuan and Wang Qingqi's cultivation had been primarily boosted by elixirs, leaving them with little practical combat experience. Wang Qingshan, however, was different; he had extensive experience in combat and was a sword cultivator. Sending him would significantly increase their chances of success, though it admittedly carried a certain risk, as Wang Qingshan might encounter an accident.

Among the clan members of the "Qing" generation, Wang Qingshan possessed the firmest devotion to cultivation and was the most diligent in his practice.

Wang Mingjiang hesitated for a moment before saying, "If Senior Guang agrees, I have no objection."

Heaven and Earth Spirit Water was incredibly precious. Wang Changsheng and his wife had spent several years traveling and only managed to acquire a few dozen jin, nearly losing their lives in the process.

According to Zhao Ningxiang, there was a large quantity of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water—at least a hundred jin—and that was without any dilution.

If Wang Qingshan could bring back a hundred jin of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang would have enough to last them for over a decade, though he wouldn't dare speculate on a larger amount.

"Alright then," Wang Changsheng said. "I'll go find Qingshan and see if he has the courage to enter the secret realm. If he doesn't, we'll drop the idea; a forced endeavor never yields good results."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan went to Wang Qingshan's residence and explained the situation to him.

"Qingshan," Wang Changsheng began, "if you're willing to enter the secret realm, your Ninth Uncle will provide you with a talismanic treasure for defense, a second-order puppet beast, and a self-detonating spiritual artifact. As long as you're careful, your chances of success are quite high. Of course, there will certainly be dangers. Are you willing to go? Don't rush to answer; you are free to refuse."

If Wang Qingshan were unwilling to go, sending him into the secret realm would merely be a waste of resources for Wang Changsheng.

Wang Qingshan looked hesitant. As Wang Changsheng had mentioned, there were second-order demonic beasts in the secret realm, and he was no match for them.

"Qingshan," Wang Ruyan interjected, "if you're willing to enter the secret realm, your Ninth Aunt will give you a batch of second-order talismans and a map. Your chances of success will be quite good."

Wang Ruyan tried to persuade him.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingshan nodded and agreed, saying, "A soldier is trained for a thousand days to be used in an hour. It's finally time for me to repay the clan. Ninth Uncle, I am willing to go."

With so many items provided by Wang Changsheng and his wife, he believed that as long as he was careful, there shouldn't be much danger.

"Excellent, Qingshan!" Wang Changsheng exclaimed. "If you can bring back the Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, your Ninth Uncle promises to fully support you in establishing your Foundation."

Wang Qingshan smiled slightly and replied, "Ninth Uncle, there's no need to be so formal. This is simply my duty as your nephew."

With the discussion concluded, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan took Wang Qingshan and headed straight for Bailian Gate.

They traveled day and night without rest, arriving at Bailian Gate over a month later. Using Wang Changsheng's status as a registered disciple, the three of them quickly secured a meeting with Guang Dongren.

Guang Dongren was in the Earth Flame Hall, standing before a large red cauldron engulfed in raging flames. Inside the cauldron, various ingredients simmered, releasing a fragrant aroma.

"Master," Wang Changsheng said reverently, "please accept your disciple's humble bow."

Wang Changsheng bowed respectfully to Guang Dongren and spoke in a polite tone.

Guang Dongren nodded and asked, "Changsheng, have you run into some trouble?"

"Not at all, Master," Wang Changsheng replied. "It's just been too long since I last saw you, and your disciple was a little concerned, so I specifically came to pay my respects."

"Stop wasting my time with flattery," Guang Dongren retorted, his eyes stern. "Out with it! What do you want? If there's nothing, then go back. I don't have all day to spend with you."

Guang Dongren puffed out his beard and glared at him.

Wang Changsheng quickly produced an unassuming green porcelain bottle and swiftly approached Guang Dongren, handing it to him with both hands. "Master," he said, "this is a bottle of third-order demonic beast essence blood. It would be wasted if your disciple kept it, so I specially offer it to you."

"Third-order demonic beast essence blood?" Guang Dongren questioned. "Do you know what kind of beast it is?"

"Your disciple doesn't know either," Wang Changsheng replied. "Your disciple saved someone, and they gave it to me as a token of gratitude for saving their life."

Guang Dongren naturally didn't believe this explanation, as Wang Changsheng clearly wasn't willing to tell the truth. However, he didn't press the matter.

He opened the porcelain bottle, poured out a single drop, and placed it in his mouth. His eyes suddenly widened, and his breathing grew rapid. "This is third-order flood dragon essence blood!" he exclaimed.

Guang Dongren, who cultivated through the path of gastronomy, was familiar with the taste of numerous ingredients. He had a particularly deep impression of flood dragon essence blood, having personally slain a third-order flood dragon before.

"A third-order flood dragon? Your disciple truly didn't know."

Wang Changsheng feigned ignorance, his face showing a surprised expression.

He had originally intended to use the third-order flood dragon essence blood and meat to exchange for a spot from Guang Dongren, but to maintain secrecy, he hadn't explicitly mentioned it was from a flood dragon.

Without further ado, Guang Dongren took out a porcelain bowl, added some hot soup, and dripped a single drop of the flood dragon essence blood into it. The soup instantly changed color and emitted a peculiar aroma.

He raised the bowl and took a sip, a look of profound satisfaction spreading across his face. "Yes," he said excitedly, "this is indeed the taste of flood dragon essence blood; there's no mistaking it!"

Wang Changsheng was only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, making it impossible for him to have slain a third-order flood dragon. It was more likely that he had acquired it by killing someone and seizing their treasure, and was now seeking Guang Dongren's protection.

"Changsheng, you're quite thoughtful," Guang Dongren said. "Stay at Bailian Gate for a few days before you leave. When you depart, your Master will give you a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Wang Changsheng's face showed gratitude, yet also a hint of hesitation, as if he had something difficult to say.

"There are no outsiders here," Guang Dongren prompted. "Speak your mind directly!"

Wang Changsheng produced a blue jade box and handed it to Guang Dongren. "Inside this is a piece of third-order beast meat, likely from a third-order flood dragon," he explained. "To be honest, Master, both this meat and the essence blood were obtained by your disciple and his wife by slaying someone and seizing their treasures."

Guang Dongren showed no surprise. He opened the jade box to reveal a piece of blood-soaked beast meat.

"If there's anything you need help with, just say it directly!" Guang Dongren instructed. "Don't beat around the bush; your Master dislikes that."

Wang Changsheng acknowledged with a nod and then continued, "I heard that our sect is planning to unite with Medicine King Valley and two other sects to open the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm and enter it to gather spiritual herbs. Master, is there any truth to this?"

"Yes, that's correct," Guang Dongren confirmed. "Our Bailian Gate has twelve spots, and I'm currently preparing to hold a competition to select twelve elite disciples from within the sect to enter the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm. What? Do you want your clan uncle to go in? If it's just for Foundation Establishment Pills, your Master can give you two, but you'll have to hand over all the flood dragon essence blood and beast meat you possess."

Wang Changsheng gave a wry smile, a pained expression on his face. "Your disciple knew I couldn't hide it from you, Master," he admitted. "Indeed, I still have another bottle of flood dragon essence blood and a piece of beast meat, which I am willing to offer to you. However, your disciple has a small request: I'd like a spot, not for my clan uncle, but for my grand-nephew."

Wang Qingshan stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Junior Wang Qingshan greets Grandmaster Guang," he said.

"You want a spot?" Guang Dongren questioned, his expression serious. "You're not asking for Foundation Establishment Pills? Explain yourself clearly to your Master."