Chapter 2858: Golden Tiger True Lord, Purple Sparrow Immortal

The Ye family issued a large bounty for Ye Xuanji's whereabouts. Chen Yueying did not want Wang Changsheng to antagonize Ye Xuanji for a small gain. She had no desire to offend Ye Xuanji, nor did she want Wang Changsheng to do so. Wang Changsheng nodded, hesitated briefly, and then asked curiously, "Senior Sister Chen, why did Ye Xuanji leave the Ye family?"

"I'm not sure," Chen Yueying explained, "but I suspect Ye Xuanji merely separated from the Ye family rather than truly betraying them. Otherwise, a Grand Ascension cultivator from the Ye family would have intervened." "Not a true betrayal?" Wang Changsheng was momentarily stunned and utterly confused. Could betrayal be categorized as true or false?

"For instance," Chen Yueying offered an example, "if a disciple we've heavily cultivated in Zhenhai Palace enters the Integration Stage and then publicly announces their departure from our sect, and their actions severely harm Zhenhai Palace's interests without harming fellow disciples, it's still considered betrayal. However, Zhenhai Palace wouldn't send people to hunt them down." She explained that this was the only way to make sense of Ye Xuanji's continued freedom. The Ye family ostensibly had four Grand Ascension cultivators. If Ye Xuanji had truly harmed fellow clan members or leaked core Ye family secrets, a Grand Ascension cultivator would have acted long ago.

Ye Xuanji was extensively collecting Yin-attribute formation materials. Chen Yueying's decision to part with the Profound Nether Ghostwood was also with the hope of exchanging it with Ye Xuanji, provided she could enter the Grand Ascension stage. If she perished under the thunder tribulation, the Profound Nether Ghostwood would be left to Zhao Yunxiao. If Chen Yueying's guess was correct, the Ye family was seeking Ye Xuanji to persuade her to return. Given Ye Xuanji's formidable strength and the Ye family's background, she had a high probability of reaching the Grand Ascension stage. If Chen Yueying were a high-ranking member of the Ye family, she wouldn't kill Ye Xuanji unless she had harmed fellow clan members.

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood. This explained why Ye Xuanji had been able to remain free since leaving the Ye family: she hadn't harmed the Ye family's core interests; otherwise, she'd be long dead and buried. After chatting for over half an hour, Wang Changsheng rose to take his leave. Chen Yueying did not mention the Profound Spirit Celestial Venerable's cultivation site. It wasn't that she didn't trust Wang Changsheng, but rather that trust has its limits.

Wang Changsheng walked around the street but found nothing, so he returned to his residence. Seven days quickly passed. Wang Chuanming and the other three arrived at Azure Jiao Valley. He brought Du Xueyao before Wang Changsheng and briefly explained what had happened.

"Young Friend Du," Wang Changsheng said kindly, "you should stay in the market for now. During this time, interact frequently with other Refinement Stage cultivators and socialize. Do not act alone, and certainly do not leave the market by yourself." "No problem, Senior Wang," Du Xueyao replied, her face full of anticipation. "I will obey your orders. Will Fellow Daoist Wang accompany me as well?"

Wang Changsheng thought she was referring to Wang Chuanming and was about to answer when Wang Chuanming quickly explained, "Ancestor, Fairy Du is referring to Yidao." Along the way, Du Xueyao had constantly tried to strike up conversations with Wang Yidao, who remained very aloof. Both Wang Chuanming and Duan Tongtian could see that Du Xueyao liked Wang Yidao.

Wang Changsheng considered for a moment, then said, "It depends on Yidao's wishes. However, Yidao will not be responsible for protecting you; I will arrange for someone to protect you secretly." "No problem, Senior Wang," Du Xueyao replied, her smile as radiant as a blooming flower. "With your word, I am relieved." Wang Changsheng gave them a few more instructions before dismissing them.

He took out a pale blue communication disk and activated a spell. Long Tianheng's voice emerged: "Fellow Daoist Wang, there's a gathering tonight. Besides Integration Stage cultivators from various major sects, Fellow Daoist Ye from the True Spirit aristocratic family will also be attending. Would you like to come?" "What time?" Wang Changsheng asked, also keen to make the acquaintance of an Integration Stage cultivator from the Ye family.

"At You Shi, at my residence," Long Tianheng replied. "Very well, I will be there on time," Wang Changsheng agreed, putting away the communication disk. The streets were bustling with people and traffic, a very lively scene.

Wang Yidao walked along the street, expressionless and not moving quickly. Having entered the Refinement Stage and being within the market, there was no need for Duan Tongtian to follow him, allowing him to move freely. "Fellow Daoist Wang, wait for me, wait for me!" Du Xueyao quickly caught up. Wang Yidao glanced at Du Xueyao, said nothing, and continued walking. Du Xueyao walked beside Wang Yidao, her face beaming with a broad smile.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Du Xueyao said enthusiastically, "I've been to Azure Jiao Valley before. Let me tell you about it and show you around properly!" "Oh," Wang Yidao replied, his attitude rather cold. Du Xueyao was already accustomed to this, as Wang Yidao was cold to everyone.

"Azure Jiao Valley has a Thousand Spirits Pavilion that sells a wide variety of spirit beasts, spirit birds, and spirit insects. Shall we go take a look?" Du Xueyao suggested. "No interest," Wang Yidao shook his head. Du Xueyao's beautiful eyes darted to Wang Yidao's scabbard. She smiled and said, "Then let's go check out the stalls in the plaza. Perhaps there are materials there that can enhance the power of your treasured blade." "Alright," Wang Yidao agreed.

"Great, follow me then," Du Xueyao said, overjoyed, and led the way. As she guided him, she continued to introduce the features of Azure Jiao Valley to Wang Yidao, who seldom replied. The sky gradually darkened, and merchants brought out their lighting tools, making Azure Jiao Valley brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Inside a secluded manor with blue bricks and glazed tiles, over a dozen Integration Stage cultivators—including Wang Changsheng, Long Tianheng, Chen Yueying, Bai Ruohan, Guo Yulin, Liao Zhongyan, Huang Yilong, and Venerable Golden Python—sat in a green stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.

"Fellow Daoist Long, has Fellow Daoist Ye not arrived yet?" Guo Yulin asked casually. He wouldn't have traveled such a long distance if not for the significant scale of this auction, which featured a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. Learning that an Integration Stage cultivator from the Ye family would also attend, he also wished to make their acquaintance.

Faint footsteps sounded, and the cultivators all looked outwards. A burly young man in a gold robe and a graceful woman in a purple gown entered. The gold-robed young man had well-proportioned features, bronze-colored skin, and large hands and feet that exuded power. The purple-robed woman wore a long purple gown embroidered with several purple sparrows. Her hair was styled into a flying immortal bun, adorned with a diagonally placed carved orchid jade hairpin. Her face was lightly powdered, and her vermilion lips were naturally red.

Both were Integration Stage cultivators, though the gold-robed young man's aura was stronger, indicating a mid-Integration Stage cultivation. "True Monarch Golden Tiger, Fairy Violet Sparrow," Wang Changsheng recognized their identities. The Golden Flame Tiger clan was an affiliated race of humanity; intermarriage between the two races resulted in half-demons, and such situations were common.

True Monarch Golden Tiger was a half-demon with a Golden Flame Tiger bloodline, though it was very diluted. He came from a rogue cultivator background and had endured countless hardships to finally enter the Integration Stage. Fairy Violet Sparrow was also a half-demon with a Violet Flame Sparrow bloodline, passed down through so many generations that it was almost negligible. She too came from a rogue cultivator background. She and True Monarch Golden Tiger had shared hardships, supported each other, and both eventually entered the Integration Stage. The couple had not appeared for over five thousand years, so their presence here was unexpected.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, Madam Lin, long time no see," Guo Yulin greeted them. From his words, it was clear they knew each other. "Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Guo," True Monarch Golden Tiger replied, and then sat down. The cultivators began to chat, and the conversation turned to the impending war between races. All the Integration Stage cultivators present knew that a racial war was bound to erupt; it was only a matter of time.

"After so many years, Fellow Daoist Lin, your cultivation has advanced greatly," Guo Yulin complimented. "If a racial war breaks out, you'll surely give the Lizard race a run for their money." "Fellow Daoist Guo, you jest," True Monarch Golden Tiger replied, his gaze falling on Wang Changsheng, his face full of curiosity. "In terms of strength, the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple is far superior to us. I heard the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple eliminated a mid-Integration Stage alien cultivator. Could you tell us about it?"