Chapter 2855: Give Me a Smile

The Long family ancestors originated from the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect and were experts in insect repelling and beast taming techniques, possessing unique insights in this area. However, Long family cultivators had never cultivated tree demons and thus lacked experience in this field.

Wang Changsheng consulted Long Tianheng about the method for cultivating wood demons, but Long Tianheng knew very little.

It was inherently difficult for plants and trees to gain sentience; most became tree or flower demons. It was even harder for thorns to become demons.

"True Monarch Qingyuan!"

Wang Changsheng's expression grew serious. True Monarch Qingyuan was one of the Nine Sons of Xuanqing, an old-guard Integration cultivator.

"The auction is about to begin. You should get a good night's rest. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to Azure Flood Dragon Valley together. By the way, regarding the Five Yin Maiden you mentioned, our family has also found one and has already dispatched people to protect her in secret."

Long Tianheng said solemnly that they were holding the auction not just to exchange cultivation resources, but also to lure out the culprits, bring them to justice, and perhaps extract some information from them.

"I'm not tired. Let's go to Azure Flood Dragon Valley now! Have my clansmen arrived?" Wang Changsheng asked. According to the plan, Wang Lihe and others were to escort Wang Shenfeng to Azure Flood Dragon Valley.

Long Tianheng nodded: "They've already arrived. I've arranged accommodations for them."

"Good, let's go then!" Wang Changsheng urged. If this matter was related to the Lizard Clan and he could uncover their purpose for collecting such a large number of souls, reporting it to Xuanqingzi would certainly be a great meritorious deed.

Long Tianheng agreed and left the Golden Flood Dragon Mountain Range with Wang Changsheng.

The Hundred Flowers Mountain Range stretched for a million miles, its peaks vying for beauty amidst exotic flowers, rare herbs, and grotesque rock formations.

In the northwestern corner of the Hundred Flowers Mountain Range, at the base of a towering, steep peak, stood a colossal azure stone archway bearing the four golden characters "Hundred Flowers Villa."

This was the Du family's stronghold. Several years ago, the Du family had begun to heighten their defenses.

Buildings stretched from the mountainside to the summit, with many figures visible moving about.

A vast estate featured pavilions, towers, terraces, waterside pavilions, and long corridors.

Du Xueyao sat in an azure stone pavilion. Inside the pavilion hung several paintings, all depicting Wang Yidao.

Several years ago, while she and her clansmen were out on business, they encountered an attack by rogue cultivators. Fortunately, a Wang family cultivator passed by and scared off the rogue cultivators.

Wang Yidao did not personally intervene, but Du Xueyao was still very grateful to him. When she spoke to Wang Yidao, his attitude was very cold.

She knew Wang Yidao treated everyone that way, so she didn't mind.

"Always so stoic," Du Xueyao murmured to herself, cupping her chin in her hands. "I really wonder what it would take to make him smile."

She took out a shimmering azure magic disk from her robe and activated a spell seal. A male voice sounded, "Xueyao, Fellow Daoist Wang from Qinglian Island is here, and he specifically asked for you."

"Fellow Daoist Wang? He came to find me personally? Is he alone?" Du Xueyao's face was filled with disbelief.

"There are three Void Refinement cultivators. They said they have urgent business with you. They are already in the reception hall," the man replied truthfully.

"Understood, I'll be right there." Du Xueyao agreed, put away the paintings, and left her residence.

In the reception hall, Du Yunfeng was greeting Wang Chuanming, Wang Yidao, and a tall, thin old man in a green robe. The old man was Duan Tongtian, disguised.

As long as Wang Yidao hadn't advanced to the Integration stage, he would remain by Wang Yidao's side.

Wang Chuanming was ordered to find the Five Yin Maiden. However, the chances of a Five Yin Maiden appearing were very low. If they were to test individuals one by one using techniques, secrecy couldn't be maintained, and once the news spread, the rogue cultivators would be even less likely to fall into the trap.

Several years ago, when Wang Yidao and others were on their way to take up their posts, they unexpectedly rescued Du Xueyao and another person.

Du Xueyao stated that she didn't recognize the rogue cultivators who attacked them, saying they had appeared suddenly. Wang Chuanming suspected Du Xueyao might be the Five Yin Maiden, so he came to her residence with Wang Yidao.

The Wang family and the Du family didn't have a deep relationship. Wang Yihong and Wang Yidao had previously interacted with Du Xueyao, but since Wang Yihong was out on business, Wang Chuanming had to bring Wang Yidao along.

Soon after, Du Xueyao walked in, her gaze sweeping around until it landed on Wang Yidao. She smiled sweetly and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wang, are you here for me?"

"Yes," Wang Yidao acknowledged.

"Fairy Du, this is what happened: a group of rogue cultivators is collecting the souls of Five Yin Maidens. They possess treasures or have mastered certain secret arts, allowing them to discover a Five Yin Maiden's identity even without direct contact. May I ask, are you a Five Yin Maiden? This matter is of great importance, and if I'm not mistaken, they will strike again," Wang Chuanming's tone was heavy.

Du Xueyao's brows furrowed. She looked at Du Yunfeng, who nodded. Given the Wang family's strength and status, it wouldn't be worth their while to deceive them.

"No problem, I am willing to be a decoy. But can Fellow Daoist Wang stay by my side to protect me?" Du Xueyao's gaze landed on Wang Yidao, her face full of anticipation.

"Yidao's cultivation is too low; he won't be able to help much. We will send experts to protect you, and they are much stronger than Yidao," Wang Chuanming tactfully declined. He didn't know that Wang Yidao possessed a spirit body, but judging by Wang Yidao's cultivation speed, he guessed that Wang Yidao was a spirit body cultivator.

"Alright then, can I make a small request? Can I speak to him alone?" Du Xueyao's face was full of anticipation.

Wang Chuanming looked at Wang Yidao and asked for his opinion.

Wang Yidao nodded: "You may."

Wang Chuanming and the other two left, leaving Wang Yidao and Du Xueyao alone.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I've known you for so long, and I've never seen you smile! Could you smile for me?" Du Xueyao said earnestly.

"I can't!" Wang Yidao refused directly.

"Just smile a little! Just once, that's all," Du Xueyao said persistently.

"Ask for a different condition," Wang Yidao shook his head.

"I just want to see you smile. That's my only condition. If you just smile once, I'd climb a mountain of blades or descend into a sea of fire for you, no problem," Du Xueyao's expression was solemn.

Wang Yidao furrowed his brow, forced a smile onto his face, but quickly reverted to his usual stoic expression.

"You look truly handsome when you smile," Du Xueyao said, a radiant smile appearing on her face. She took out a portrait and handed it to Wang Yidao.

Wang Yidao opened the portrait and looked at it, seeing himself depicted with a blank expression. He then put it into his storage ring.

"Promise me you won't throw away this painting, alright?" Du Xueyao said earnestly, her face full of anticipation.

"Okay!" Wang Yidao agreed.

After they finished their discussion, Du Xueyao called Wang Chuanming back in.

"We've settled everything," she said with a smile. "I can leave with you now."

Wang Chuanming nodded and led Du Xueyao away from Hundred Flowers Villa.