Chapter 2841: The Family's First Soaring Spirit Platform

The Xuanyang Realm, Sky Lizard Mountain Range, the Lizard Tribe’s lair.

A secluded manor, with red bricks and green tiles, served as their base. Hu Yan was speaking with Yifeng, and both of them looked displeased.

"The Wang family of Qinglian Island," Hu Yan said with a frown, "It seems we won't be able to get our hands on that Profound Nether Ghost Wood. If that's the case, we'll need a large number of refined souls. Even many low-level cultivators' souls won't be very effective; we need a batch of high-level cultivators' souls."

"The Golden Thunder Ape has been subdued, right? Can it be used by us?" Yifeng changed the subject.

Hu Yan nodded, "Yes, it has been subdued. The Darkwater Ape and the Five-Colored Gigantic Ape would rather die than serve us. Fortunately, the Golden Thunder Ape was willing to submit and serve our cause."

The Lizard Tribe possessed four Spirit Ascension Platforms. Non-human cultivators ascending from lower realms and landing on one of the Lizard Tribe's platforms could join the tribe. Additionally, the Lizard Tribe was keen to absorb demonic beasts from the desolate lands that could transform into human form, seeing them as fresh blood. Few non-human races ascended from the lower realms; over ten thousand years, only a handful had ascended. Thus, the Lizard Tribe saw no need to build more Spirit Ascension Platforms.

"That's good," Yifeng said, his face filled with killing intent. "The Purple Scorpion Tribe, the Golden Spider Tribe, and the Fire Centipede Tribe are acting strangely; they're associating with the Human Race, the Yaksha Race, and the Spirit Fire Race. Take the Golden Ape and the others and wipe out these three minor tribes! Use their heads as a warning to other disloyal minor tribes."

The war had been going on for over a thousand years, and it was clear to anyone with discernment that the Human Race, the Spirit Fire Race, and the Yaksha Race intended to annihilate the Lizard Tribe. The Lizard Tribe's allied races had suffered heavy losses. To preserve their strength, some minor tribes were secretly colluding with the Human Race, the Spirit Fire Race, and the Yaksha Race. Due to the Lizard Tribe's power, these minor tribes dared not openly betray them, but their frequent private contact with the Human Race, the Spirit Fire Race, and the Yaksha Race meant rebellion was inevitable. Absolute loyalty was required; minor tribes disloyal to the Lizard Tribe had no reason to exist.

"Very well," Hu Yan replied, "We'll make an example of them to deter other minor tribes, and it will be a good opportunity to collect some high-level cultivators' souls." By the end of her sentence, her face was filled with killing intent.

Yifeng gave a few instructions, then dismissed Hu Yan. "If you merely wanted to occupy some territory, that would be one thing," Yifeng muttered to himself, his expression savage. "But if you truly intend to annihilate our Lizard Tribe, you will also pay a heavy price."

***

In the northwestern corner of the Xuanyuan Continent lay Tianji Island, one of the Wang family's seven satellite islands. The island was characterized by a continuous range of perilous mountains and strange peaks, constantly bustling with birds. Peculiar rocks and ancient cypresses were abundant, shrouded in mist. Spiritual energy permeated the air, and waterfalls cascaded from the heavens.

In the island's northwestern corner stood a towering peak that pierced the clouds. At its summit was a vast bluestone plaza spanning a thousand acres. In the center of the plaza stood a blue platform over three hundred *zhang* in size, intricately carved with profound spiritual patterns that emitted astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations.

Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and dozens of other cultivators stood before the blue platform. The Wang family disciples looked excited, and Wang Moshan was also present. This was the Spirit Ascension Platform, the first one built by the Wang family.

"Martial Uncle Wang, Martial Aunt Wang," Liu Yihang said respectfully, "The Spirit Ascension Platform is complete. Each time a cultivator ascends from a lower realm, it requires the consumption of Seven-Star Jade. Which specific realm the ascending cultivator comes from and lands on this platform is entirely a matter of luck."

Soul Transformation cultivators from the same realm could ascend from different locations and appear at vastly different spots in the Xuanyang Realm; it was purely a matter of luck. This was precisely why Zhenhai Palace had constructed more than ten Spirit Ascension Platforms.

"Martial Nephew Liu, you've worked hard," Wang Changsheng said pleasantly.

Wang Moshan took out five storage rings of different colors and handed them to Liu Yihang and his four companions, saying with a smile, "It's just a small token of our appreciation; please don't take offense." Given the current strength of the Wang family, even if they hadn't given Liu Yihang and his group any rewards, they wouldn't have dared to complain. However, Wang Changsheng would naturally not act that way; anyone who helped them or the Wang family would certainly be rewarded—that was simply how things worked.

Liu Yihang showed a hint of hesitation and looked uneasy. "What? Is it too little?" Wang Ruyan asked with a faint smile.

Liu Yihang quickly replied, "No, not at all! Thank you, Martial Uncle Wang, Martial Aunt Wang." They accepted the storage rings, one for each person. A quick scan with their divine sense revealed expressions of satisfaction on all their faces.

"Yuqi, Yong'an, make sure to consult Martial Nephew Liu frequently and learn humbly from him," Wang Changsheng instructed. Wang Yong'an had already advanced to the Void Refinement stage and was a sixth-rank formation master. During the construction of this Spirit Ascension Platform, Wang Changsheng had arranged for them to learn from Liu Yihang. They had participated in the entire construction process of the Spirit Ascension Platform, but still needed to seek further guidance from Liu Yihang.

Bai Yuqi and Wang Yong'an agreed. Being able to participate in the construction of the family's first Spirit Ascension Platform was a tremendous honor and a testament to their skill in array formations.

Wang Moshan flew over, his expression solemn. "Patriarch," Wang Moshan transmitted, "Our clansmen in the lower realms have contacted us. They're waiting for you to return."

Wang Changsheng's expression tightened. "Resolved so quickly? That's quite unexpected." Wang Qingshan's soul clone descending to the lower realms should have been sufficient to handle it.

He gave a few instructions, then left Tianji Island and returned to Qinglian Island.

Not long after, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Moshan, Bai Yuqi, and Wang Mengbin arrived at Dongli Hall, where the formation within the hall was gently swaying.

Wang Moshan took out a shimmering formation plate and infused it with a spell. The formation shook violently, and countless array patterns lit up brilliantly. The illusory figure of a handsome young man in a green shirt appeared above the formation.

"Ninth Uncle, Ninth Aunt," the young man in green stated truthfully, "Four high-level cultivators from the Lizard Tribe used soul clones to descend to the lower realms. Desheng and his team killed two of them, while the other two are missing. By the time we entered the Purple Fire Mountain Range, they had already vanished."

"What about the Profound Nether Ghost Wood? Did you get it? How damaged are its roots? Can it be transplanted?" Wang Changsheng asked with concern.

"We got it," the young man replied. "Many of the Profound Nether Ghost Wood's roots are broken, but with Creation Divine Water, it should be possible to transplant it. Desheng is at the mid-Soul Transformation stage and can ascend at any time. Oh, and the Heavenly Fire Realm is also under the control of foreign races, with very few humans left. I plan to lead a team to the Heavenly Fire Realm to eliminate the foreign races there." If they could control these two realms, the Wang family could cultivate more immortals. Moreover, the cultivation resources in both realms were substantial; not to mention, there were many spiritual medicines over ten thousand years old.

Since Wang Qingshan had gone to the lower realms, he naturally wouldn't return empty-handed. He had descended to resolve the trouble and, while he was at it, to gather cultivation resources.

"Have Desheng ascend using the Spirit Ascension Formation with the Profound Nether Ghost Wood. I'll send someone to pick him up. Be careful. If you can eliminate the foreign races in the Jade Morning Realm and the Heavenly Fire Realm, you can relocate some clansmen there and gather more cultivation resources. This is also an opportunity for you, but don't be too reckless. It's better to maintain a sense of reverence." Wang Changsheng instructed. When the secret realm appeared, Wang Qingshan was not on Qinglian Island and missed the opportunity, while Wang Yingjie and Wang Qingxiao acquired many cultivation resources. Since Wang Qingshan's soul clone had descended, he naturally couldn't make the trip in vain. There were many dangerous areas in the lower realms, some capable of killing Soul Transformation cultivators. It was always better to be cautious. Even Wang Changsheng himself hadn't explored every dangerous area when he was in the lower realms.

"Understood. If anything urgent happens, I'll inform you immediately. I'll have Desheng ascend using the Spirit Ascension Formation right away," Wang Qingshan promised.

"Patriarch, I'll go personally to pick up Desheng," Wang Mengbin offered.

Wang Changsheng nodded, gave a few instructions, then severed the connection. "Be careful on your way and bring Desheng back safely," Wang Changsheng urged. He added that if it weren't for a Profound Nether Ghost Wood over two hundred thousand years old being involved, there would have been no need for Wang Mengbin to make the trip.

Wang Mengbin agreed. His body erupted with thunderous light, transforming into a streak of silver lightning that vanished from sight.