Chapter 3091: Qingshan Leads the Team to Search for Treasure

The Nine Flames Mountain Range served as the main headquarters of the Nine Flames Sect.

In the battle that annihilated the Lizard Clan, the Nine Flames Sect suffered heavy losses. They currently possessed six Integration Stage cultivators: two in the mid-Integration Stage and four in the early Integration Stage. Three hundred years prior, Lin Ziqi and Lin Zilin had successively advanced to the Integration Stage, which ultimately prevented the Nine Flames Sect from declining.

For major powers like the Nine Flames Sect, the Cold Flames Sect, and the Divine Weapons Sect, recovering their strength was merely a matter of time, provided they didn't face several major catastrophes in a row. Their ancient legacies and profound foundations made them incomparable to smaller factions.

Xu Lang, in the mid-Integration Stage, was the Nine Flames Sect's new Sect Master.

In a secluded manor, Xu Lang sat on a stone stool as a sharp-faced man in a red shirt reported to him.

"He got away?" Xu Lang asked, frowning. A group of rogue cultivators had murdered several Nine Flames Sect disciples to seize their treasures, a matter that touched upon the prestige of both Xu Lang and the Nine Flames Sect. He had dispatched people to apprehend these rogue cultivators, and after much effort, their whereabouts were finally discovered. However, two of the rogue cultivators broke through the encirclement and escaped.

"They had seventh-tier escape talismans, so we couldn't stop them. They got away," the man in the red shirt vowed, patting his chest, his expression uneasy. "But we've dispatched more personnel and will definitely bring them to justice."

"Hmph, they must be brought to justice!" Xu Lang ordered. As a new leader, it was important to demonstrate resolve. He had been Sect Master for less than two thousand years, and disciples had already been murdered. If the culprits couldn't be apprehended, the Nine Flames Sect would be disgraced.

Just as he was about to say more, he took out a red communication disc and channeled a spell into it. A respectful male voice sounded: "Sect Master, True Monarch Qiantu and Immortal Seven Splendors of the Qinglian Wang Family are visiting."

"True Monarch Qiantu! Immortal Seven Splendors! Why are they here?" Xu Lang asked, puzzled. True Monarch Qiantu was Wang Qingcheng, and Immortal Seven Splendors was Sun Yuejiao. The Nine Flames Sect didn't have a deep relationship with the Wang Family.

"They heard we were apprehending those two rogue cultivators and helped capture them. They've sent the culprits here for us to deal with." Xu Lang frowned slightly, looking utterly confused.

"Please invite them to the Guest Reception Hall, and hand the culprits over to the Enforcement Hall for disposal," Xu Lang instructed.

"Yes, Sect Master." Xu Lang put away the communication disc and ordered, "Come, follow me to meet them."

If it weren't for the sake of the Qinglian Immortal Couple, he would have simply sent someone else to receive Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao.

He left the manor and went to the Guest Reception Hall. Not long after, Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao walked in.

Their purpose for this visit was the Nine Flames Jade. Nine Flames Jade is a crafting material as renowned as Azure Gang Divine Jade, capable of suppressing ice-attribute dao techniques. When refined into a treasure, it facilitates the collection of seventh-tier ice flames.

The Qianfire Bottle had no problem collecting sixth-tier spiritual flames, but it was questionable whether it could handle seventh-tier ice flames.

The Wang Family had searched extensively but hadn't found a single piece of Nine Flames Jade. As a last resort, they had to approach the Nine Flames Sect.

The Nine Flames Sect controlled a medium-sized Nine Flames Jade mine. The Divine Weapons Sect had controlled a small Nine Flames Jade mine, but it had long been exhausted. If the Wang Family wanted to obtain Nine Flames Jade, negotiating with the Nine Flames Sect was the better option.

Coincidentally, the Nine Flames Sect was apprehending two rogue cultivators. Wang Yuanjiang, the head of the Wang Family's Enforcement Hall, personally took action and captured the culprits. Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao escorting the culprits over was a gesture of goodwill.

"This junior, Wang Qingcheng (Sun Yuejiao), pays respects to Senior Xu." Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao bowed respectfully.

The Wang Family was no longer what it used to be. It now stood on equal footing with powers like the Nine Flames Sect and the Cold Flames Sect, no longer the small clan it once was.

"Young Friend Wang, Young Friend Sun, there's no need to be so polite. Thank you for your assistance," Xu Lang said cordially. "If your Wang Family ever needs the Nine Flames Sect's help in apprehending rogue cultivators, we will not refuse."

"To be honest, Senior Xu, we came on my father's orders, hoping to trade for some materials with you," Wang Qingcheng said politely.

In fact, he wasn't acting on Wang Changsheng's orders at all; he only said so because Wang Changsheng had a greater reputation.

"Trade for materials? What materials?" Xu Lang asked, perplexed.

Sun Yuejiao took out a green jade slip and handed it to Xu Lang with both hands. Xu Lang scanned it with his divine sense and frowned. The Wang Family wanted to exchange for a considerable amount of fire-attribute crafting materials. The materials they offered in exchange were also good, making the trade a fair one.

"For Fellow Daoist Wang's sake, it's no problem. I'll send someone to retrieve them," Xu Lang asked. "Do you have these materials with you?"

Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao delivering the culprits was a gesture of goodwill, and the exchange wouldn't cause the Nine Flames Sect any loss. If Xu Lang refused, it would imply unwillingness to foster good relations with the Wang Family. The Nine Flames Sect wasn't afraid of the Wang Family, but they were wary of Zhenhai Palace. Since these weren't materials for Tribulation Transcendence or Dharma Idol cultivation, exchanging some crafting materials was perfectly acceptable.

"We have them with us. Thank you, Senior Xu, for your help. After we return, this junior will certainly report truthfully to my father," Wang Qingcheng said gratefully, a wave of relief washing over him.

The Wang Family's influence now ran deep. It was now one of the top ten human powers in the Xuangling Continent. With Zhenhai Palace as their backing, their endeavors were significantly easier.

Xu Lang nodded, took out a red communication disc, and made a series of gestures.

Half an hour later, a tall, slender man in a golden robe walked in and handed a golden storage ring to Xu Lang. Xu Lang then passed it to Wang Qingcheng. After Wang Qingcheng verified the contents, he handed the exchange materials to Xu Lang.

After some casual conversation, Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao bid farewell and departed.

On Qinglian Island, at Azure Bamboo Peak, stood a blue bamboo building.

Wang Qingshan and Duan Tongtian sat on bamboo chairs, sipping tea and chatting.

Wang Yi'er stood to the side, pointing to a piece of green beast hide and explaining. The green beast hide was a topographical map drawn by the Thousand Puppets Rogue Cultivator.

The Wang Family took this treasure hunt very seriously, with multiple halls mobilizing to prepare for it.

"Considering that the restrictions might change, it's not advisable to bring too many people," Wang Yi'er suggested. "It would be best to bring a formation master along; they might be useful for breaking formations."

He compiled the intelligence and maps collected by Wang Qingfeng and reported them to Wang Qingshan and Duan Tongtian. Wang Qingfeng was leading the family's artificers in refining puppet beasts and treasures, while Wang Yibing and Wang Defeng were refining sixth-tier talisman soldiers and sixth-tier talismans.

This wasn't to say the Wang Family lacked reserves; it was because the Myriad Spirit Ruins were quite dangerous. They were refining specific talismans for the Myriad Spirit Ruins, which would help reduce casualties.

Wang Qingshan nodded. For this treasure hunt in the Myriad Spirit Ruins, he planned to bring seven people in total: Wang Qingfeng, Dong Xueli, Duan Tongtian, Wang Xiangrong, Wang Tunian, and Wang Huanyu.

Wang Tunian had a keen sense of smell and excelled at finding rare natural treasures. Wang Huanyu could temporarily tear open a temporary space for them to hide in.

"Calculating the time, the Han Family's Cross-Spirit Treasure Ship is about to set sail," Duan Tongtian said, frowning. "Have we still not collected the Nine Flames Jade? Ordinary treasures probably can't contain seventh-tier ice flames."

Wang Qingshan took out a green communication disc and channeled a spell into it. With a joyful expression, he said, "Qingcheng and the others are back! They got the Nine Flames Jade. Time is pressing, so we'll have to refine the treasures on the way."

Duan Tongtian nodded: "That's good. Let's prepare, and we'll depart in a few days!"

Three days later, Wang Qingshan and the other seven left Qinglian Island. They brought the Illusory Moon Treasure Mirror, three seventh-tier talismans, and a set of seventh-tier formation flags.

Upon reaching Tianhai Market, they purchased tickets and successfully boarded the ship.

Over half a month later, the Cross-Spirit Treasure Ship set sail for the Qingli Sea Region.