Chapter 280: The News of the Longmen Ceremony

Wang Changsheng didn't hide anything and truthfully recounted the events. He knew that offering the essence blood of a third-tier flood dragon just for a single spot seemed unreasonable without a strong justification. So, instead of saying he needed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water for cultivation, he claimed he needed several 400-year-old spiritual herbs to refine a certain elixir to aid his cultivation.

"You can have a spot, but you cannot take too many spiritual herbs," said Guangdong Ren after a moment of contemplation. "If he comes out alive, he can only keep one-tenth of the spiritual herbs he acquires. Spiritual herbs over 500 years old cannot be taken. Other than spiritual herbs, he can keep everything else he obtains. As for the map you mentioned, you must hand it over."

Guangdong Ren didn't fully believe Wang Changsheng's story. However, the most valuable resources in the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm were spiritual herbs. The five sects of Wei State and the three sects of Medicine King Valley jointly opened the secret realm precisely to harvest spiritual herbs for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. By controlling the supply of Foundation Establishment Pills, they could control the affiliated immortal cultivation families. Since Wang Changsheng was skilled at refining puppet beasts, Guangdong Ren guessed he might need some high-grade spiritual wood or certain minerals. These matters didn't concern him; Guangdong Ren's primary interest lay in the spiritual herbs used for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

Wang Changsheng inwardly rejoiced but put on a long face and said, "Master, Qingshan is not as capable as the elite disciples trained by the sect. What if he only brings out the spiritual herbs that I need?""If that's the case," Guangdong Ren replied, "then he can take them. As long as they are not spiritual herbs for refining Foundation Establishment Pills or those over 500 years old, it's fine."

Wang Changsheng's face showed gratitude. He took out a bottle of flood dragon essence blood, a larger piece of flood dragon meat, and a map, handing them to Guangdong Ren. Of course, the map he presented was only a partial one.

"Alright, it wasn't easy for you to come all this way," Guangdong Ren said. "Stay at Hundred Spirits Gate for a few more days. Later, I'll have Su Cheng send you a Foundation Establishment Pill. I won't take advantage of you. Next time you acquire the essence blood or meat of a third-tier demon beast, be sure to send it to me. Also, when it comes to killing for treasure, either don't do it, or if you do, make sure it's clean, so I don't have to clean up after you later. If there's nothing else, you may leave."Wang Changsheng repeatedly agreed and then left with Wang Ruyan and Wang Qingshan.

After leaving the Earthfire Hall, the three of them, guided by a Hundred Spirits Gate disciple, arrived at Su Cheng's residence. Wang Changxue was teaching cultivation knowledge to Su Bingbing, who, upon seeing Wang Changsheng and the others, eyed them curiously.

"Bingbing, quickly say hello to Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin Qingshan.""Hello, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin Qingshan."Wang Changsheng gazed at Su Bingbing with a doting look, took out a white jade box, and handed it to her. "It's been years, and Bingbing has grown so much. This is a gift from your uncle."Wang Ruyan and Wang Qingshan also took out gifts and gave them to Su Bingbing. Su Bingbing thanked them and accepted the presents.

"Ninth Brother, you've spent too much," Wang Changxue said. "You've given Bingbing so many things just for one visit."Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. "We're family; it's no trouble at all. By the way, Second Sister, why are you personally teaching Bingbing cultivation knowledge? Doesn't Hundred Spirits Gate have specialized instructors for that?"

"Yes, there are," Wang Ruyan slowly explained, "but Bing'er is too mischievous. Last time, while practicing spells, she froze Junior Martial Brother Li's grandson. Her father scolded her severely and intended to confine her, but Martial Uncle Guang intervened, and your brother-in-law didn't punish her with confinement. However, since then, Bingbing has been studying cultivation knowledge at home."

"Second Sister," Wang Ruyan said with a faint smile and a compliment, "Qingqing is a few months older than Bingbing, and she's still at the fourth level of Qi Refining, while Bingbing is already at the sixth level. Her cultivation speed is truly remarkable! It won't take a hundred years for Bingbing to become the second Core Formation cultivator."

Wang Changxue shook her head. "Bingbing won't become the second Core Formation cultivator of Hundred Spirits Gate. In a few years, the Seven Great Immortal Sects will hold the Dragon Gate Ceremony. Martial Uncle Guang intends to send Bingbing to the Grand Unity Immortal Sect. Hundred Spirits Gate has ten recommendation slots, and with her ice spiritual root aptitude, she should be able to enter the Grand Unity Immortal Sect."

"Dragon Gate Ceremony? Second Sister, what is this Dragon Gate Ceremony about? I've never heard of it before.""It's normal that you haven't heard of it," Wang Changxue replied. "Not many people know about this, at least very few among the immortal cultivation families."

Wang Changxue then explained the origins of the Dragon Gate Ceremony in detail. Minor sects like Hundred Spirits Gate were affiliated forces of the Seven Great Immortal Sects. Every hundred years, the Seven Great Immortal Sects would open their gates to recruit disciples. Affiliated forces had a certain number of recommendation slots, and those who passed the assessment could join an immortal sect. This was a method for the Seven Great Immortal Sects to gather talent and also to control their affiliated forces. The relationship between minor sects like Hundred Spirits Gate and the immortal sects was similar to that between immortal cultivation families and major sects. If a recommended disciple achieved success, they would become a powerful backing for their affiliated force. The reason Huangsheng Palace became the leading sect among the five sects of Wei State was because Li Haifeng's legitimate granddaughter held a high position in the Grand Unity Immortal Sect.

After hearing Wang Changxue's explanation, Wang Changsheng and the other two suddenly understood, and their gaze toward Su Bingbing became even warmer. With Su Bingbing's ice spiritual root aptitude, she would undoubtedly achieve better development within the Grand Unity Immortal Sect.

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng also considered sending Wang Mingren to the Grand Unity Immortal Sect. However, he had just presented the flood dragon essence blood and meat; the only things left that could impress Guangdong Ren were the black flood dragon's innate scale and soul. If he were to reveal those two items, Guangdong Ren would surely suspect that he had slain a third-tier flood dragon, and he wouldn't be able to produce its inner core if asked. After much deliberation, he dismissed the idea. The cost and risk of sending Wang Mingren to the Grand Unity Immortal Sect were too high. Furthermore, Hundred Spirits Gate only had recommendation slots; one still needed to pass an assessment to truly join the Grand Unity Immortal Sect.

"By the way, Ninth Brother, is something wrong within your family that brought you here this time?"Wang Changsheng shook his head and recounted the events, this time telling Wang Changxue the full truth.

"With Qingshan alone, it might be difficult to obtain Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water smoothly," Wang Changxue mused. "Fourteenth Brother also wants to send disciples into the secret realm. Why don't we call Fourteenth Brother and his disciple over so they can get acquainted? They could assist each other in the secret realm.""That would be wonderful, Second Sister. Thank you for the trouble."

Wang Changxue took out a communication disk, cast a spell on it, and said, "Fourteenth Brother, Ninth Brother and his wife are here. They're with me now. Bring your disciple and come over.""Understood, Second Sister. I'll bring them right over."After cutting off the communication, Wang Changxue began to tell Wang Changsheng about Wang Changping's situation over the years.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Wang Changping had taken on four disciples to help him gather materials or run errands. Two of these disciples came from minor cultivation families and would offer Wang Changping a respectful tribute every festival. The other two disciples helped him with miscellaneous tasks. This kind of arrangement was common in sects; after a sect cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, they would typically take on disciples. The disciples would be responsible for helping their master gather resources, inquire about information, or run errands, while the master would provide some care and occasional guidance, for which the disciples would be immensely grateful. Wang Changxue had also taken on two disciples to help her tend to her spiritual fields.

About fifteen minutes later, Wang Changping appeared before Wang Changxue and the others with three of his disciples. After simple greetings, Wang Changping introduced his three disciples to Wang Changsheng and the others. His eldest disciple, Sun Siwen, was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and came from an immortal cultivation family. His second disciple, Liu Yue, was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and both her parents were Qi Refining cultivators at Hundred Spirits Gate, giving her extensive connections. His third disciple, Zhang Hongshi, was at the seventh level of Qi Refining and also came from an immortal cultivation family. His fourth disciple, Sun Hong, was out on an errand and had not yet returned.