Chapter 305: Wang Changfeng's Plan

Wang Changsheng offered a faint smile. "Just as water flows downhill and people strive for higher places, there's no harm in Elder Brother staying in the market city to cultivate, as long as he doesn't abandon the family. Besides, Uncle Forty-two is still young; if Elder Brother remains here, he can keep an eye on him. Uncle Twenty-one, would you like to explore?"

Wang Mingjiang shook his head. "Our primary goal for this trip is to get Brother Forty-two into the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Once that's done, there will be plenty of time to look around."

Wang Mingren hesitated for a moment before asking, "Elder Brother Twenty-one, Changsheng, when can I go home?"

Being young, the Taiyi Immortal Sect was an unfamiliar place to him; he yearned to be home.

"Brother Forty-two, we risked our lives to secure this spot for you. You must cultivate diligently. As for returning home, that depends on the Taiyi Immortal Sect's regulations; generally, the higher your cultivation, the sooner you can go home. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Uncle Twenty-five and the others."

"Indeed! Uncle Forty-two, you just need to focus on cultivating at the Taiyi Immortal Sect. There's no need to worry about home."

On the bustling street, Wang Changfeng surveyed his surroundings with curious eyes.

He stood at the crossroads, looking left and right, as if searching for something.

Soon after, a shrewd-looking young man in a green robe approached Wang Changfeng.

The young man in green forced a fawning smile and spoke in an ingratiating tone:

"Esteemed senior, do you require a guide? My name is Li Qing. I grew up in this market city and know it like the back of my hand. How about just two spirit stones for my guidance?"

"Take me to the best pill shop. I'll pay you after, and also, tell me about the Taiyuan Market City."

"Certainly, senior, please follow me."

As Li Qing led the way, he simultaneously described the market city to Wang Changfeng.

"The Taiyuan Market City was established by the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and most of its shops specialize in monster beast materials..."

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Qing led Wang Changfeng to a five-story azure pavilion.

The azure pavilion was lavishly decorated. A ten-foot-long golden plaque hung at its entrance, inscribed with the three silver characters "Qian Dan Pavilion." The golden plaque pulsed with powerful spiritual energy, clearly an upper-grade magical artifact.

"They use an upper-grade magical artifact as a plaque?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Changfeng's eyes.

"Senior, Qian Dan Pavilion is the finest pill shop in the market city. Provided you can pay the price, it's rumored you can even acquire third-tier pills here."

Li Qing gestured towards the azure pavilion, giving an enthusiastic introduction.

"Wait for me here; I'll be out shortly."

Wang Changfeng gave the instruction and quickly entered Qian Dan Pavilion, leaving Li Qing to wait at the entrance.

After a short while, Wang Changfeng reappeared, a wide smile on his face.

"Let's go, take me on a proper tour of the Taiyuan Market City."

Li Qing assented and continued to lead Wang Changfeng.

Early the next morning, Wang Changfeng returned to the inn, a wide grin on his face.

"Changfeng, what's the good news? You're smiling so broadly."

Wang Changfeng grinned and said excitedly, "Nothing much. I hired a guide who took me around all night. The cultivation resources in Taiyuan Market City are truly abundant."

"Uncle Twenty-one, Uncle Forty-two, Elder Brother, it's getting late. Let's depart! We should aim to get Uncle Forty-two admitted to the Taiyi Immortal Sect today."

Wang Mingjiang nodded. "Yes, let's hope so!"

Once past the market city's restricted flight zone, Wang Changsheng released the Blue Lotus Boat, carrying them towards the Taiyi Immortal Sect's main gate.

Three hours later, patrol disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect intercepted them.

The leader was a middle-aged man with sharp eyebrows and clear eyes, at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment.

"Ahead lies the Taiyi Immortal Sect's territory. Unauthorized individuals are not permitted to approach."

"Fellow Daoist, not long ago, we saw your sect's wanted poster for a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Chen Qingshu. It stated that his head could be exchanged for a spot to enter the Taiyi Immortal Sect. We are here to claim that reward."

Wang Mingjiang clasped his fists and spoke courteously.

The middle-aged man's expression shifted slightly. "What? You killed that traitor?" he asked in surprise.

"Indeed. Please convey this on our behalf, fellow Daoist. We've come to collect the reward."

"The rest of you, continue your patrol. Esteemed Daoists, please follow me."

The middle-aged man summoned a giant azure crane and mounted it.

A clear crane cry echoed as the giant azure crane flapped its wings and soared into the distance. Wang Changsheng quickly maneuvered the Blue Lotus Boat to follow.

Over two hours later, the giant azure crane descended onto the summit of a cloud-piercing peak. At the peak stood an azure palace over ten feet tall, its plaque emblazoned with the three prominent, gleaming characters: "Welcoming Hall."

Inside, the hall was spacious and neat, and a long queue had formed before an azure wooden table.

The middle-aged man led Wang Changsheng and his three companions to a side chamber, instructing them not to wander.

In a private chamber, a refined middle-aged scholar was playing chess with a young woman in an azure skirt.

A rush of footsteps sounded as a middle-aged man entered. He bowed to the two and respectfully announced, "Martial Uncle Liu, Martial Uncle Li, several cultivators surnamed Wang have arrived. They claim to have killed the traitor Chen Qingshu and are currently waiting in the side chamber."

"What? They killed that traitor? Bring them here; I wish to question them myself."

"Yes, Martial Uncle Liu."

Shortly after, the middle-aged man ushered Wang Changsheng and his three companions into the room.

Wang Changsheng and his three companions spoke in unison, "Juniors pay their respects to both seniors."

The middle-aged scholar looked at the middle-aged man and instructed, "Nephew Li, you are dismissed."

The middle-aged man acknowledged and turned to leave.

"Nephew Li informed us that you killed that traitor. Please present the traitor's corpse for our inspection."

Wang Changsheng acknowledged, quickly released Chen Qingshu's corpse, took out Chen Qingshu's storage bag, and respectfully presented it to the young woman in the azure skirt with both hands.

The middle-aged scholar retrieved a shimmering silver mirror and directed it at Chen Qingshu's corpse.

A flash of silver light erupted, and a thick silver beam shot out, engulfing Chen Qingshu's corpse.

The silver mirror showed no anomalies, nor did Chen Qingshu's body itself.

The young woman in the azure skirt retrieved the contents of the storage bag and examined each item.

The middle-aged scholar looked at the young woman in the azure skirt and asked, "Martial Sister Li, what's your assessment? Are there any issues with the items?"

"Yes, these are indeed the traitor's belongings. His vital magical artifact, the Green Serpent Sword, is here, along with the set of Azure Cloud Swords—all magical artifacts used by that traitor. However, the identity token is missing."

Wang Mingjiang quickly explained, "After we killed him, there were no tokens at all in his storage bag."

"Now, recount the entire process of how you killed Chen Qingshu, without omitting a single detail."

Wang Mingjiang dared not delay and meticulously recounted the entire sequence of events.

"Chen Qingshu's murder of Martial Uncle Shangguan's great-grandson is an unforgivable crime. You have done well in carrying out the order to eliminate this traitor. According to our rules, I will now question you again using this Heart-Inquiring Mirror. It is best not to lie, as the mirror can detect deceit. If your origins are clear, we can grant you a spot."

The young woman in the azure skirt produced a palm-sized azure mirror. After infusing it with spiritual power, it emitted a large swathe of azure radiance that enveloped Wang Changsheng and his three companions.

She briefly inquired about the backgrounds of Wang Changsheng and his companions, then repeated her questions about the process of killing Chen Qingshu. Wang Changsheng and the others answered truthfully, and the azure mirror displayed no anomalies throughout.