Chapter 3193: Undercurrent

Peak of the Green Lotus

Not long after, Wang Chuanming appeared before Wang Ruyan.

"Chuanming, are you aware of our dispute with the Cold Flame Sect over the legacy of True Monarch Nine Swords?" Wang Ruyan asked in a deep voice."Your grandson just heard the report from my subordinates; I don't know much about it." Wang Chuanming answered truthfully.

"You have several of our people placed within the Cold Flame Sect; I hope they can play a significant role. Additionally, the Mengshan contact is now your responsibility. Yangsheng and Yushuang will be assigned to the Dark Hall, under your direct management. According to our family records, they are deceased, and fewer than five people know they are alive. Make sure to arrange everything properly." Wang Ruyan instructed.

Wang Yangsheng and Liu Yushuang can no longer appear in public. If they do, they must be disguised, otherwise Wang Mengshan would be exposed.

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Chuanming readily agreed.

"By the way, what have you been busy with lately? I looked for you last time, but you weren't on Green Lotus Island," Wang Ruyan asked casually. Given Wang Chuanming's position, he only needed to issue orders; there was no need for him to personally handle every matter.

"I went to contact several of our hidden agents placed among the foreign tribes to see if they had obtained any valuable information. Currently, there haven't been any major discoveries. Information needs to be verified; it's not enough to rely on just a single source, to avoid repeating the mistake of the Fire Hog Clan." Wang Chuanming explained that the Fire Hog Clan had made a major blunder, believing there were Qiankun Fruits in a secret realm, otherwise they wouldn't have caused trouble.

Such matters are inherently difficult to ascertain. It's hard for cultivators to verify the authenticity of information left by their predecessors. Taking the current conflict between the Wang family and the Cold Flame Sect as an example, the records of both parties differ.

In the Wang family's archives, the Cold Flame Sect was aggressive and initiated the attack, forcing the Wang family cultivators to retaliate. However, in the Cold Flame Sect's archives, they discovered True Monarch Nine Swords' meditation cave first, and the Wang family cultivators arrived later. To seize the legacy, the Wang family cultivators attacked the Cold Flame Sect cultivators.

Naturally, the Wang family cultivators believed their family's records, and the Cold Flame Sect disciples believed the Cold Flame Sect's records. As time passed, verification became even more difficult.

Wang Ruyan suddenly understood and instructed, "So that's how it is. Go and contact them, but be very careful."

"Thank you for your concern, Ancestor. Your grandson will be careful," Wang Chuanming replied. Wang Ruyan gave a few more instructions before dismissing him.

...

In the Ice Flame Mountain Range, at the Ice Flame Palace. Li Qingyue sat on the main seat, her expression cold.

Qian Xin, Liu Yao, and Wang Mengshan stood to the side, their expressions solemn.

"This time, we owe much to Fellow Daoist Wang; otherwise, the culprit would have escaped," Liu Yao said gratefully.

"You are too kind, Madam Liu. This is what I should do. I was attacked as soon as I returned to Guangyuan Sect's territory. Please keep this confidential, Madam Liu. If the Wang family cultivators learn about this, I will be in deep trouble," Wang Mengshan said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Hmph, the Wang family doesn't control the Profound Spirit Continent; don't worry too much," Li Qingyue scoffed, comforting him.

The Cold Flame Sect suffered significant losses this time. Grand Auntian Xue's physical body was destroyed, and Yang Hao, a key cultivation talent, is unaccounted for; it's likely his body was destroyed and his Nascent Soul captured by the Wang family cultivators.

Wang Mengshan performed admirably this time, assisting Liu Yao in eliminating two core disciples of the Wang family.

"To be cautious, it's best not to spread this news! Otherwise, the Wang family definitely won't let you off the hook." Li Qingyue instructed. Wang Mengshan breathed a sigh of relief and agreed.

"Alright, you may withdraw!" Li Qingyue waved her hand, dismissing Wang Mengshan.

"Junior Niece Qian, send people to spread the word that True Monarch Taihao is not on Green Lotus Island. If you can get in touch with the Nine Dragon Palace, tell them that Long Qingfeng is on Green Lotus Island—whether they believe it or not is up to them. Also, secretly pass on the news that the Wang family possesses high-grade Tribulation Crossing treasures to True Monarch Heavenly Corpse. Do it discreetly, so it can't be traced back to our Cold Flame Sect," Li Qingyue ordered.

Yang Hao was a Body Integration seed, killed by Wang family cultivators, and Grand Auntian Xue's physical body was destroyed. This debt must be settled with the Wang family.

Previously, the Cold Flame Sect and the Wang family only had minor conflicts, mainly due to Zhenhai Palace being a rival of the Cold Flame Sect. Now, it's different; the conflict between the Wang family and the Cold Flame Sect has been brought into the open.

Qian Xin acknowledged and suggested, "Sect Master, didn't the Wang family obtain True Monarch Nine Swords' legacy? Perhaps they have the Heavenly Void Jade Book, a seventh-tier Lightning Absorption Pearl, or a high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure."

Whether the Wang family actually possesses these items is irrelevant; it only matters if the outside world believes they do. In short, it's about slandering the Wang family.

Putting herself in their shoes, Qian Xin believed the Wang family would also slander the Cold Flame Sect. Whether the outside world believed it or not was irrelevant to the Cold Flame Sect; as long as someone believed it and sought trouble with the Wang family, Qian Xin's objective would be achieved. If the outside world didn't believe it, the Cold Flame Sect would suffer no loss.

"Go and handle it! Do it elegantly," Li Qingyue waved her hand, dismissing Qian Xin.

"Junior Niece Liu, you've remained in the late Void Refinement stage for quite some time. It's time for you to enter secluded cultivation and strive for the Body Integration stage. To avenge your husband, you'll need at least Body Integration cultivation. You've witnessed how powerful Immortal Tianqin is." Li Qingyue advised.

The Wang family's power is formidable; Wang Yidao and Wang Qingcheng have both advanced to the Body Integration stage. To contend with the Wang family, the Cold Flame Sect needs more Body Integration cultivators. Liu Yao, with her lightning spiritual root, is a very promising candidate.

"Yes, disciple understands," Liu Yao agreed. Li Qingyue gave a few more instructions before dismissing Liu Yao.

...

In a boundless expanse of azure sea, a colossal treasure ship, shimmering with green light, swiftly swept across the sky and landed on a desolate island.

Xu Xin, Han Xueyao, and several other cultivators stood on the deck, their expressions filled with terror, as if they had encountered something terrifying.

A team of Han family cultivators disembarked to inspect the Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship. Upon closer inspection, the ship's left deck was noticeably dented.

Not long ago, they were attacked by a powerful seventh-tier superior demonic beast. The Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship sustained some damage, but fortunately, the Han family cultivators fully exerted themselves to pilot the ship, shaking off the beast.

Less than an hour later, the Han family cultivators returned and sent a message to Han Xueyao: "The Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship isn't severely damaged, but it will take some time to repair."

The Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship was fully equipped with talents in various skills to prevent such situations. Refining a Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship is extremely difficult, and once damaged, repairing it is not easy, requiring the combined efforts of formation masters, artifact refiners, and other skilled individuals.

"How long will it take approximately?" Han Xueyao asked, frowning."At the fastest, it will take sixty years; at the slowest, over a hundred years," a clansman reported.

Currently, there is one seventh-tier artifact refiner on the Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship. Previously, when the Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship sailed, the Han family would dispatch a seventh-tier artifact refiner to oversee it, but that person has already perished.

The Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship was prone to attacks during voyages, which is why it was equipped with various skilled professionals.

"Sixty years? Repair it as quickly as possible!" Han Xueyao commanded.

"Yes, Ancestor Xueyao," the Han family cultivators agreed, gathering personnel to repair the damaged section.

Xu Xin's brows furrowed. This was the first time cultivators from the Seven Swords Palace had participated in a Spirit-Crossing Treasure Ship voyage, and something like this had happened. Was it accidental, or was it man-made?

Xu Xin dispatched a team of disciples to set up a formation on the island, strengthening their defenses.