Chapter 3175: Green Hills Return Home

The Azure Glaze Sea Region, Heavenly Star Archipelago.

At Seven Star Island, a massive treasure ship was docked near the island. A gourd pattern could be seen on its sails; this was the Han family's Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship.

After years of maintenance, the Han family’s Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship set sail once again.

Attentive cultivators noticed that many disciples from the Seven Sword Palace were now aboard the Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship.

Several Soul-Formation cultivators from the Han family had perished, leaving the family severely weakened and unable to recover its strength in the short term. They had no choice but to seek assistance from the Seven Sword Palace; otherwise, the Han family’s Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship would be unable to traverse the sea region. After all, the Han family needed Soul-Formation cultivators to guard their home base, and some had gone on travels and not yet returned, resulting in a severe shortage of personnel.

A large number of cultivators queued up, purchasing tickets to board the ship.

A long crimson streak appeared in the distant sky, rapidly approaching their location.

Soon after, the crimson light stopped, revealing a shimmering red flying boat. Wang Qingshan and others stood on the flying boat, their faces beaming with joy.

“We can finally go home,” Wang Tunian said with a smile.

Wang Qingfeng nodded with a slight smile. He performed a hand seal, and the red flying boat flew towards the Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship, landing near it.

Xu Xin was also on the deck. She recognized Wang Qingshan and the others at a glance and instructed disciples to arrange suitable cabins for them.

Half a day later, as the sun set, the lingering glow of the evening clouds spilled over the sea, painting the water golden. “Set sail!”

With a loud male voice echoing, the Spirit-Traversing Treasure Ship set off. Not long after, it disappeared from view on the horizon.

******

Green Lotus Island, Green Lotus Peak.

Wang Ruyan sat in a stone pavilion, while Wang Mengli, Wang Zhongchen, and Wang Moshan stood by, their expressions solemn.

“Mengli, you and Zhongchen go on a trip. Help Mengshan put on a good act to deceive those Void Refinement cultivators.”

Wang Ruyan instructed.

Wang Mengshan had sought help from the family. Ostensibly, the Wang family instructed their subordinate forces to deal with Wang Mengshan, playing the act fully. So, the subordinate forces would definitely confront Wang Mengshan.

Therefore, Wang Mengshan had to be attacked by other Void Refinement cultivators, and it had to happen in front of Cold Flame Sect disciples. Furthermore, the subordinate forces needed to believe they had severely wounded Wang Mengshan.

If it were a real confrontation, Wang Mengshan would be in dire straits; if they couldn’t control their strength, he might perish. However, merely acting might not be enough to deceive them. With Wang Mengli using illusions, it would be much easier.

“Yes, Ancestor (Master),” Wang Zhongchen and Wang Mengli readily agreed. “By the way, where did Chuanming go? Didn't he tell you?”

Wang Ruyan pressed for an answer. Wang Mengshan’s existence was a crucial family secret, and ideally, the fewer people who knew, the better. But with Wang Chuanming absent, Wang Ruyan had no choice but to have Wang Zhongchen handle the matter.

“I don’t know,” Wang Zhongchen shook his head. He truly was unaware. “Alright then! You may go about your tasks,” Wang Ruyan waved her hand, dismissing Wang Mengli and Wang Zhongchen.

“By the way, Moshan,” Wang Ruyan looked at Wang Moshan and asked curiously, “You mentioned earlier that a clan member obtained a special token, like a keepsake. Could it be related to the Nine Sword True Monarch that Mengshan mentioned?”

Wang Mengshan had mentioned that the Cold Flame Sect was searching for the Nine Sword True Monarch’s immortal cave, and years ago, the Wang family had acquired a token with nine small sword patterns on it.

After extensive investigation by clan members from the Treasure Hunting Hall, it was found that the Nine Sword True Monarch had issued similar tokens, making it highly probable that this token was related to him. Wang Yier had taken people to search for clues, but so far, there were none.

Green Lotus Peak

Wang Moshan reported truthfully.

Truth be told, no one could be 100% sure that a single token was related to the Nine Sword True Monarch. Even if it truly was, it wouldn't be possible to locate his immortal cave with just one token.

Wang Yier had drawn personnel from several halls to search for clues, but nothing had been found yet. Wang Ruyan nodded and said, “If there’s any news, immediately…”

Before she could finish, a sharp whistling sound emanated from Wang Moshan’s person. He took out a light-blue magic plate from his robe, struck it with a magic seal, and with a hint of surprise in his eyes, said, “Ancestor, Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator is visiting. He has already advanced to the Soul-Formation stage!”

“Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator? I thought he had died!”

Wang Ruyan was somewhat surprised. Wang Changsheng had once helped the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator refine a defensive-type mid-grade Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure. At that time, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator was only at the Void Refinement stage. She hadn’t expected him to have advanced to the Soul-Formation stage after so many years.

“Please invite him to the reception hall! I’ll be right there,” Wang Ruyan instructed.

Wang Moshan acknowledged, then left Green Lotus Peak to welcome the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator.

Wang Ruyan arrived at the reception hall. Soon after, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator strode in, his face beaming with smiles. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, congratulations!” Wang Ruyan said with a smile.

The Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator’s expression sobered. He cupped his hands and bowed to Wang Ruyan, saying solemnly, “If not for Fellow Daoist Wang’s assistance, I, Jiang, would have long perished under the Great Heavenly Tribulation.”

It was already difficult for a rogue cultivator at the Void Refinement stage to obtain a mid-grade Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure, but acquiring a defensive-type mid-grade Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure was even harder.

At the time, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator had simply tried his luck, not expecting to actually obtain a defensive-type mid-grade Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure: the Golden Scale Armor.

With the Golden Scale Armor, he was able to survive his fourth Great Heavenly Tribulation. Later, a racial war broke out, and the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator participated to acquire cultivation resources, gaining a significant amount. A thousand years after the war ended, he entered secluded cultivation to break through to the Soul-Formation stage, successfully doing so.

Had it not been for the Golden Scale Armor, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator would likely have perished during his fourth Great Heavenly Tribulation. Even if he hadn’t died, he would have been severely injured, unable to participate in the racial war, and certainly unable to advance to the Soul-Formation stage.

“You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Jiang. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” Wang Ruyan asked, inquiring about the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator’s reason for coming.

“I came specifically to thank Fellow Daoist Wang. I promised him I would do one thing for him, even if it involved killing someone and seizing their treasures. I, Jiang, always keep my word.”

“My husband is in secluded cultivation and it’s not convenient for him to see you right now. How about this: if he comes out of seclusion, I’ll pass on your message.”

Wang Ruyan said with a gentle smile.

The Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator nodded, took out a foot-long piece of blue wood, and handed it to Wang Ruyan, saying, “This is a piece of thirty-thousand-year-old Sky Crystal Wood. I, Jiang, have cultivated for many years and don’t understand grand philosophies, but I do understand that a small kindness should be repaid with a great favor. This is a small token of my appreciation for Fellow Daoist Wang’s help in refining that artifact for me back then.”

He had taken a great risk back then, and wouldn't have done so unless absolutely necessary. Wang Changsheng had not killed him or seized his treasure, which earned Wang Changsheng the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator’s deep respect.

“Sky Crystal Wood!”

Wang Ruyan was somewhat surprised. This was one of the Ten Divine Woods, incredibly heavy. A single piece of Sky Crystal Wood could only be used for artifact refinement.

Green Lotus Peak

“Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist Jiang.” Wang Ruyan did not decline and accepted the Sky Crystal Wood. After chatting for a while, the Seven Gourd Rogue Cultivator took his leave.