Chapter 3135: Unlucky Han Family

The Summit of the Green Lotus

Azure Glaze Sea Region, Flying Cloud Island.

On a vast bluestone plaza, dozens of cultivators were gathered. Their eyes were slightly closed, seemingly engrossed in some state. Each cultivator was enveloped by a thick blue light barrier, preventing external interference.

Wang Xiangrong and Duan Tongtian stood at the edge of the plaza, their gazes fixed on Wang Qingshan and Dong Xueli.

Wang Qingshan and Dong Xueli had been in a state of enlightenment for several years. During this time, some individual cultivators gained insights, breaking through a minor realm; some resolved bottlenecks, while others had no gains. It varied from person to person.

Dong Xueli suddenly opened her eyes, exhaling a long breath. An astonishing sword intent surged from her, and her face lit up with joy.

After listening to True Monarch Seven Swords' discourse, she successfully resolved her bottleneck. This was an unexpected outcome, as some Void Refinement cultivators could remain stuck at a bottleneck for tens of thousands of years if they were unlucky.

She had traveled extensively with Wang Qingfeng, attending various gatherings, hunting demonic beasts, and exchanging cultivation insights and sparring with other cultivators, yet none of that had resolved her bottleneck. However, True Monarch Seven Swords' personal discourse allowed Dong Xueli to break through.

The methods for resolving bottlenecks vary greatly for each individual; not all cultivators stuck at a bottleneck can break through simply by listening to a Mahayana cultivator's discourse.

The blue light barrier enveloping Dong Xueli dissipated, and she walked out.

She hadn't gone far when Wang Qingshan opened his eyes, a thoughtful expression on his face. The blue light barrier covering him also dissolved.

True Monarch Seven Swords' cultivation journey had given him some inspiration, which would be somewhat helpful for his future cultivation.

Wang Qingshan gently exhaled and walked towards Wang Xiangrong.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, they appeared in a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, where they began chatting.

"The Blood Whale Clan, Azure Carp Clan, and Nine Dragon Palace have allied to deal with the Witch Tribe and the Wind Falcon Tribe. Currently, Body Integration cultivators haven't entered the fray; the primary combatants are Void Refinement cultivators," Duan Tongtian said in a deep voice.

With a war among five tribes, the Human Race couldn't possibly remain uninvolved. Perhaps they could even benefit from the chaos. If the Human Race were to join the war, they might be conscripted.

"Why did they suddenly start fighting? Doesn't this allow our Human Race to reap the benefits of their conflict?" Dong Xueli asked, puzzled. "Didn't the high-ranking members of the Azure Carp Clan, Nine Dragon Palace, and Blood Whale Clan consider this? All because of a mid-grade Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm?"

"The Witch Tribe's curse techniques are very tricky, and other races have suffered greatly from them. The Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm is merely a fuse; it won't lead to the annihilation of the Witch Tribe, but heavy casualties among their experts are inevitable," Wang Xiangrong explained.

The Witch Tribe and other races had long-standing grievances. This outbreak of war, with the Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm merely serving as a trigger, might even involve some instigation from the Human Race, though he wasn't clear on the full truth.

"By the way, have you contacted the Han family?" Wang Qingshan remembered something and asked.

A tribal war might break out in the Azure Glaze Sea Region. If the Han family's Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship were to set sail, Wang Qingshan intended to return to the Profound Spirit Continent and hand over the Tier 7 Ice Flame and the Heavenly Void Jade Tome to Wang Changsheng.

"Qingfeng went to contact the Han family. Judging by the time, he should have arrived at the Han family's residence by now!" Duan Tongtian explained.

Wang Qingshan nodded and said, "Let's leave too! I hope we don't get caught up in this tribal war."

The six of them left Flying Cloud Island and headed for the Han family.

Golden Swallow Market, a market opened by the Han family.

The streets were bustling with throngs of pedestrians and the clamor of carriages.

In a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, Wang Qingfeng and Han Changsheng were sitting in a blue stone pavilion, discussing something.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship will not set sail for the Profound Spirit Continent for over a thousand years," Han Changsheng said with a chuckle.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances?" Wang Qingfeng frowned. That was a vague statement; whether it was 'unforeseen' or not was ultimately up to the Han family. Without the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship, there was no way for them to cross the sea region.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please rest assured. If the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship is planning to set sail for the Profound Spirit Continent, I will inform you immediately." Han Changsheng promised. Earlier, he had guarded the Flying Spirit Platform on Xuan-yan Island. When Wang Mengbin ascended to the Xuan-yang Realm and landed on Xuan-yan Island, Han Changsheng had rendered a service. He was now at the Mid-Void Refinement stage, having survived three major heavenly tribulations.

Wang Qingfeng nodded. After chatting for a while, he bade farewell and left.

Han Changsheng took out a light blue communication disk and inserted a magic incantation. A low female voice sounded: "Changsheng, I need to rush back. Something has happened within the clan. The market is now entrusted to you. Immediately impose martial law, close all teleportation arrays, and only our Han family disciples can use them."

"What? Something happened in the clan?" Han Changsheng exclaimed.

"I'm not clear on the specifics. I must return immediately. Go execute the orders!" With that, the spiritual light of the communication disk dimmed.

"Could it be the Witch Tribe?" Han Changsheng's face darkened as he muttered to himself.

The Han family claimed the Witch Tribe stole the Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm, while the Witch Tribe asserted the Han family acquired the Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm and framed the Witch Tribe.

He had no time for further thought and immediately relayed orders to his clan members to close the teleportation arrays and impose martial law on the market.

An island that resembled a gourd when viewed from high above—the Han family's stronghold.

A team of Han family cultivators patrolled near the island, their faces filled with vigilance.

In a secret chamber over a hundred feet wide, Han Yiqing lay on a blue jade bed, her face pale. Han Yilong, Han Xuemei, Han Xueyao, and five other Body Integration cultivators stood by, their faces filled with worry.

The Witch Tribe had dispatched four Body Integration cultivators to attack the Han family's ancestral land. At the time of the incident, there were only three Body Integration cultivators on the island, with Han Yilong handling matters elsewhere.

After a bloody battle, one Han family Body Integration cultivator was killed by a curse, and the clan's protective spirit beast suffered severe injuries. Three Mid-Body Integration Witch Tribe cultivators used their own bodies as conduits to unleash the Seven-Star Soul Severing Arrows. Although Han Yiqing dodged two of them, she was struck by one, and her soul was rapidly dissipating, indicating her life wouldn't last much longer.

All four Witch Tribe Body Integration cultivators were eradicated by Han Yiqing. Strictly speaking, the Witch Tribe Body Integration cultivators had employed self-destructive curses, suicide attacks, with no intention of surviving. If not for the powerful clan protection array, the Han family's losses would have been even greater.

"I'm afraid I won't last until Senior Xu arrives. After I... I die, Yilong will take my place and continue to guard..." Han Yiqing closed her eyes before finishing her sentence, her soul completely annihilated.

Han Yilong and the others were overcome with grief. Within ten years, the Han family had lost five Body Integration cultivators, suffering a severe blow to their vitality. No person or power can remain at its peak forever; every force experiences its share of ups and downs.

A blue light flew in—it was True Monarch Wan Hai, his gaze somber.

Had it not been for the Han family's assistance in his early years, he might not have reached his current standing. For years, he had protected the Han family, allowing them to grow stronger. He never imagined that, due to a mid-grade Tier 7 Nine-Colored Worm, the Han family would lose five Body Integration cultivators within a decade.

"Greetings, Senior Xu." Han Yilong and the others respectfully bowed.

True Monarch Wan Hai approached Han Yiqing, examined her carefully, and shook his head. He had still arrived too late.

"What exactly happened? Explain in detail." True Monarch Wan Hai asked with a frown.

Han Yilong recounted the entire incident in detail, not daring to conceal anything.

"The Witch Tribe, hmph. It seems they've had it too easy these past few years. You handle the aftermath, and dispatch a group of elites to Wan Hai Island," True Monarch Wan Hai instructed.

"Yes, Senior Xu." Han Yilong and the others agreed in unison.

True Monarch Wan Hai gave a few more instructions, then departed.

At Han Yilong's command, elite forces were dispatched to Wan Hai Island. Almost simultaneously, major Human Race factions gathered their experts in one place, seemingly preparing to launch a major war.