Chapter 3172: The Deeds of the True Sword Lord

Half a month passed quickly. On this day, Wang Changsheng was meditating in his secret chamber. A communication talisman flew in. Wang Changsheng opened his eyes, parted his lips, and a blue light shot out, striking the talisman. The talisman spontaneously ignited, and Wang Yong'an's voice followed: "Ancestor, Senior Qin has sent word, asking us to gather at Welcoming Immortal Peak." Wang Changsheng walked out; Wang Yong'an was standing at the entrance. "Gather all the clan members and follow me to Welcoming Immortal Peak," Wang Changsheng instructed.

The Wang family cultivators followed the Xuanqing Sect disciples to Welcoming Immortal Peak. Thousands of cultivators had gathered there, including disciples from major powers like the Nine Flame Gate, Cold Flame Sect, Divine Weapon Sect, Suppressing Sea Palace, Seven Star Gate, and Myriad Spirit Gate. Many Spirit Transformation and Void Refinement cultivators were present. Cultivators below the Integration stage stood in neat rows outside the Welcoming Immortal Hall. Wang Changsheng entered the Welcoming Immortal Hall, where more than twenty Integration stage cultivators, including Lin Tianlong, stood in solemn, neat rows. Wang Changsheng didn't ask any questions; he simply walked over and took his place. There were twelve Tier 7 artifact refiners, four Tier 7 formation masters, one Tier 7 talisman master, as well as spirit controllers and spirit plant cultivators.

Soon after, Qin Yufeng's clear voice rang out: "Senior Martial Uncle Lin has arrived." As soon as she finished speaking, Xuanqingzi strode in and stood before the cultivators. "Greetings, Senior Lin," Wang Changsheng and the others bowed and said in unison. Xuanqingzi's gaze swept over the assembled cultivators, and he nodded with satisfaction. He said, "I plan to forge a Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship and will require your assistance. A Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship is unlike ordinary flying treasures; it possesses considerable combat power. Before we forge the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship, you will first collaborate on refining some artifacts and formations to familiarize yourselves with each other's methods, and then we will proceed with the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship." Just gathering the materials for the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship took over ten thousand years, and that was only possible because many items were seized from the Lizard Tribe. This is one reason for the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship's immense value. Given this, it was naturally impossible to have them start forging the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship immediately. This was expected by Wang Changsheng and the others. For increasingly precious artifacts, materials are hard to come by, and it's common practice to start with ordinary materials for practice. This was also how Wang Changsheng had gathered his clan members to forge Tier 6 puppet beasts: by having them collaborate on ordinary artifacts first, achieving proficiency, and then moving on to the Tier 6 puppet beasts.

"For a long time to come, you will all stay at the Xuanqing Sect. My junior martial niece Qin will do her best to meet your needs, and I will occasionally offer guidance on artifact refining. This forging of the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship is also an opportunity for all of you; perhaps some of you will be able to improve your skill level," Xuanqingzi said slowly. "It is our great fortune to be able to serve Senior Lin," a short, stout old man in golden robes said with a fawning expression. This was Guo Yuyan, Guo Yulin's clan brother, an early-Integration stage cultivator. After the destruction of the Lizard Tribe, all three tribes gained substantial resources. Following over two thousand years of recovery and recuperation, the human race had seen a new batch of Integration stage cultivators emerge. The Guo family also acquired many cultivation resources, allowing Guo Yuyan to advance to the Integration stage. He was a Tier 7 artifact refiner, and being conscripted to participate in forging the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship was a great honor for him. "Fellow Daoist Guo is right," said a young woman in a green dress with delicate features, speaking in a flattering tone. "We are honored by Senior Lin's regard and will surely do our utmost to help him forge the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship. In truth, even without us, Senior Lin's artifact refining skill alone would be enough to create a Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship, and it would undoubtedly be superior to the Han family's." This was Liu Qing, from the Cold Flame Sect, a newly advanced Integration stage cultivator and a spirit plant cultivator. The Cold Flame Sect was an established power on the Xuanling Continent, with abundant reserves, incomparable to smaller forces—this was its foundation. Many Integration stage cultivators voiced their agreement, praising Xuanqingzi. However, a few, like Wang Changsheng and Lin Tianlong, remained silent. Their backing came from Chen Yueying, so they had no need to deliberately flatter Xuanqingzi; doing their job well was enough.

"Just get the job done; no need for empty talk. All right, junior martial niece Qin, they're yours," Xuanqingzi said before leaving the Welcoming Immortal Hall. Qin Yufeng divided them into five groups. Wang Changsheng, Lin Yiyi, Liu Qing, Zheng Tianhong, and Fairy Yufu were placed in one group of five. Zheng Tianhong was the deputy head of the Divine Weapon Sect, and Fairy Yufu was from the Xuanqing Sect, a Tier 7 talisman master. Their group was fully equipped with an artifact refiner, a formation master, a talisman master, and a spirit plant cultivator. Besides the Integration stage cultivators, Wang Yong'an and others were also divided into multiple smaller teams, responsible for assisting the Integration stage cultivators. The core components of the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship would all be refined by Xuanqing Sect disciples. Wang Changsheng and the others were responsible for the non-core parts, which also served as a protective measure for the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship. If all participants knew the details of every part and its refining materials, maintaining secrecy would be difficult. Wang Changsheng's group of five was settled in a giant valley surrounded on three sides by mountains. Within the valley was an estate covering ten thousand acres, built with blue bricks and glazed tiles. Qin Yufeng provided some artifact refining materials for them to first practice refining various items, allowing them to familiarize themselves with each other and hone their teamwork before jointly refining the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship. They would also communicate and discuss with other Integration stage cultivators; they were not isolated from them. And so, Wang Changsheng settled down at the Xuanqing Sect, spending his time either refining artifacts or exchanging insights with other Integration stage cultivators.

***

Meanwhile, on Glazed Island in the Qianyuan Continent, in a secluded courtyard, Wang Zongyun and Liu Hongxue were talking. "I heard that an Integration stage cultivator's secluded cave dwelling, suspected to be the Nine Swords True Monarch's, appeared not long ago. I wonder which fortunate individual will receive such a great opportunity," Wang Zongyun said, his face full of envy. The Nine Swords True Monarch was very famous among the human race on the Qianyuan Continent. It was said that a clan with five Integration stage cultivators angered him and was subsequently wiped out by him. However, this individual had not appeared for many years, and his whereabouts were unknown. "Nine Swords True Monarch? He's from the Xuanling Continent, isn't he? Could it be that he died on the Qianyuan Continent?" Liu Hongxue asked, puzzled. Wang Zongyun shook his head and said, "I'm not sure. He was pursued by several Integration stage cultivators from the Ancient Sky Clan, and his whereabouts became unknown. The Ancient Sky Clan is still pursuing him." Wang Mengbin had destroyed the Skyhowl Tribe's stronghold. Concerned about retaliation from the Ancient Sky Clan, they had been monitoring news about them and unexpectedly discovered that the Ancient Sky Clan had placed a bounty of one billion spirit stones for the capture of the Nine Swords True Monarch, a bounty that had not yet been withdrawn. "Keep an eye out to see if it truly is his secluded cave dwelling," Liu Hongxue advised. "I know, I'll pay attention. This person was indeed formidable. I heard he once slew a Tier 7 Three-Headed Ice Flood Dragon that had already transformed into human form, possessing vast divine abilities. If it truly is his secluded cave dwelling, I wonder who had such immense power to defeat the Nine Swords True Monarch," Wang Zongyun said, his face full of curiosity. "There are always greater mountains beyond mountains, and more capable people beyond people. It's quite normal," Liu Hongxue said dismissively. After a brief chat, Liu Hongxue returned to her secret chamber to refine pills.