Chapter 2836: Liao Family Reinforcements Arrive

Wherever the red firebird passed, space twisted and deformed, and the temperature sharply rose.

"A sixth-tier spirit flame!"

Wang Qingxiao's expression hardened. Spirit flames offered numerous benefits, providing bonuses for both alchemy and artifact refining.

The red firebird flew directly towards Wang Qingxiao. Wang Qingxiao flicked his sleeve, and several slender white silk threads shot out, piercing the firebird's body. The red firebird then transformed into a mass of crimson flames.

The crimson flames suddenly condensed and surged along the white silk threads, heading straight for Wang Qingxiao.

Wang Qingxiao dared not be careless. He let out a resounding dragon roar, and a colossal white dragon phantom appeared above his head.

A surge of white chilling energy erupted from his palm, shooting towards the crimson flames. However, upon contact, the chilling energy vanished as if it had met its bane.

The white dragon phantom then unleashed a beam of white light, striking the crimson flames.

The crimson flames rapidly froze, solidifying into a massive block of white ice.

Cracks appeared on the ice block's surface, as if it were on the verge of shattering.

Wang Qingxiao flicked his right hand, and a small, white-glowing cauldron flew out. He cast a spell into it, and the white cauldron instantly expanded, emitting a stream of white ethereal light that enveloped the ice block and drew it inside.

The cauldron's lid vibrated continuously, the spirit flame seemingly trying to burst out, but to no avail.

Wang Qingxiao put away the white cauldron and headed towards the first stone chamber.

He flicked his sleeve, collecting the Spirit Gathering Divine Crystal and Spirit Gathering Stones. With their removal, the formation ceased to operate.

On the bluestone plaza, Liao Yunpeng stood in ragged clothes, his body marred by several gruesome bloodstains. A golden shield, its spiritual glow dim, floated before him, bearing numerous fine cracks on its surface, clearly heavily damaged.

The green lightning from the sky ceased. Liao Yunpeng first paused in surprise, then his face darkened as he looked towards the Beiming Palace.

Without a word, he transformed into a streak of light and fled. His current condition was dire, and he was no match for Wang Qingxiao in a fight.

Wang Qingxiao emerged from the Beiming Palace, his expression composed.

Had he not possessed the map, even a moment's delay would have meant the Liao family acquiring everything within the Beiming Palace.

He was about to move against Liao Yunpeng when he sensed something, frowned, and looked up at the sky.

"Let's go!" Liao Yunpeng shouted, flying off into the distance.

The Liao family disciples exchanged glances and quickly followed him.

Guo Xuefei and three others flew in from a distance. Guo Xuefei looked somewhat unwell, appearing to be injured.

They had set up a formation to deal with the Mighty Golden-backed Ape, but the Wang family cultivators had beaten them to it. To save her, Guo Xueqing had dismantled the formation, thus releasing the Mighty Golden-backed Ape.

In order to destroy the Mighty Golden-backed Ape, Guo Xueqing's physical body had been ruined. He now needed to find a new body to possess or undergo physical reconstruction; the latter option would significantly accelerate his cultivation.

Guo Xuefei's expression flickered when she saw Wang Qingxiao and his group. She glanced at the departing Liao Yunpeng and his people, then sighed softly. Taking her clansmen, she left, realizing they were still a step too late.

It appeared the Wang family cultivators possessed a map, otherwise they wouldn't have consistently seized the initiative.

Wang Qingxiao flew to Wang Yingjie and the others, saying, "Let's go! We should leave the secret realm now."

With this batch of materials, especially the Dharma Idol materials, the strength of the Wang family's Void Refinement cultivators could be significantly enhanced.

"The secret realm is quite large; there must be many ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs. Let's explore a bit more!" Wang Lihe suggested, his expression excited. He reasoned that neither the Liao nor Guo families dared to confront them directly, and since there were no seventh-tier demonic beasts and other beasts were no match, they could continue.

"One should learn to be content," Wang Qingxiao said. "Our gains have been considerable. It's better to leave the secret realm sooner and let others explore it. We should leave some valuable things for them; if we take everything, we'll invite resentment."

Wang Qingxiao's expression was solemn. One should not be too greedy. The most precious spiritual herbs from the medicine garden had already been harvested, and with this batch of artifact refining materials, the Wang family's gains were already substantial.

"Indeed," Wang Yingjie concurred. "While there are no seventh-tier demonic beasts in the secret realm, mutated ones might appear. We should know when to be content and heed Ancestor Qingxiao's words."

Wang Qingxiao took out three storage rings of various colors and handed them to Wang Yingjie, Wang Lihe, and Wang Chan.

He gave Wang Lihe two sets of Dharma Idol materials, Wang Yingjie six sets, and kept five for himself, entrusting the remaining materials to Wang Chan.

The sixth-tier spirit flame was also turned over to Wang Changsheng for refinement, which would make his future artifact refining more convenient and efficient.

As a descendant of Wang Qingling, Wang Yingjie received considerable care from Wang Qingxiao.

Wang Mofei had unfortunately perished. The family would ensure his descendants were well cared for. Upon returning to the clan to recount their merits, Wang Qingxiao would personally advocate for Wang Mofei, which would significantly improve the treatment of his descendants.

As the three of them—Wang Yingjie, Wang Lihe, and Wang Chan—scanned the contents with their spiritual sense, expressions of surprise and delight appeared on their faces.

They then ascended into the sky and departed from the area.

Outside the secret realm, on a steep peak, Wang Changsheng and four other Integration cultivators were chatting idly.

Wang Changsheng suddenly looked up towards the distant sky, frowning. "Two fellow daoists are approaching," he said.

Liao Zhongyan was overjoyed. Guo Yulin had fiercely fought her for the secret realm, and two Liao family disciples had gone to summon reinforcements. It seemed their aid had arrived.

In the cultivation world, strength dictates terms. Even if they had previous agreements, they could now be nullified.

"They've emerged," Wang Ruyan said.

Seven streaks of light flew out from the green light portal; it was precisely Wang Xiangrong and his group.

Liao Zhongyan and Guo Yulin frowned, their faces filled with confusion. How did the Wang family cultivators emerge first? Had they encountered a seventh-tier demonic beast? Or had they found something incredibly valuable and were eager to leave the secret realm?

Wang Xiangrong and the other six flew to Wang Changsheng's side. Wang Xiangrong privately transmitted a message to him. He didn't mention their gains, only that Wang Mofei had perished.

It was best to be cautious, as the cultivation world had many secret arts, and some might be capable of eavesdropping on their private transmissions.

The Nine-Yuan Profound Wood, Nine-Yuan Stone, and Dharma Idol materials, among other treasures, could significantly bolster the Wang family's foundation. The Nine-Yuan Profound Wood, in particular, would enhance the spiritual energy density of Green Lotus Island, allowing clansmen to cultivate at a much faster pace there.

A streak of green light appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly approaching their location.

Shortly after, the green light halted, revealing a glowing green flying boat. Hundreds of cultivators stood aboard, with Fairy Xuanyue at the forefront, accompanied by a ruddy-faced elderly man in green robes, also an Integration cultivator.

"Fairy Yang, Fellow Daoist Xu, you've arrived," Liao Zhongyan exclaimed.

With their arrival, the secret realm would certainly not fall into outsiders' hands.

The green-robed elder was Xu Yusen, an early Integration stage cultivator. The Xu family had been passed down for over ten millennia and was a cultivation family supported by the Xuanqing Sect. The Xu and Liao families were old acquaintances, consistently moving forward or retreating together.

Guo Yulin's expression darkened. With the Xuanqing Sect's intervention, it would be difficult not only to seize the secret realm but also to simply take away its rare resources.

"We have other matters to attend to, so we won't linger. Farewell," Wang Changsheng said, summoning the Azure Luan Boat and taking Wang Ruyan and the others away.

"Wait, Fellow Daoist Wang, let your..." Liao Zhongyan began.

"Let them go," Fairy Xuanyue interrupted Liao Zhongyan. She was well aware of the Azure Lotus Immortals' power.

Given Xuanqingzi's plans for a species war, it was ill-advised for the Xuanqing Sect's Integration cultivators to engage in a deathmatch with other Integration cultivators at this moment. Otherwise, when it came time to conscript other Integration cultivators to fight the Lizard Clan, they might feign compliance while secretly obstructing.

Liao Zhongyan paused, a hint of unwillingness on her face.

"Fairy Yang," Liao Zhongyan prompted, "the Wang family cultivators were the first to leave the secret realm; they must have acquired something valuable."

"Even mid-Integration stage foreign races are no match for the Azure Lotus Immortals," Fairy Xuanyue snapped, glaring at Liao Zhongyan. "Do you think you are their match?"

"What?" Liao Zhongyan gasped, her face filled with shock. "Even mid-Integration stage foreign races are no match for them?"

Guo Yulin's brow furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with apprehension, flickering ceaselessly as he pondered something unknown.

By this time, Wang Changsheng and his group had already departed.

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Guo Xuefei and other Guo family disciples progressively emerged from the secret realm. Fairy Xuanyue did not trouble them, allowing them to depart. However, the secret realm now belonged to the Liao family.