Chapter 3237: Double Advancement (None Today)

On Xuanguang Continent, the Blood Shadow Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of millions of miles, brimming with spiritual energy and countless perilous peaks and extraordinary rock formations.

Within this range stood a magnificent blood-red palace. On its plaque, three large golden characters spelled "Blood Cloud Hall."

The palace gates were wide open, revealing a hundred-zhang-wide magic formation inside. Runes flickered across its surface, which was adorned with numerous uniformly sized indentations. A Golden Orb Divine Crystal occupied the central indentation, while the others held high-grade spirit stones.

A thin elder in a blood-red robe stood beside the formation, while the ethereal figure of a graceful young woman in a red dress floated above it.

"What? The Water of Creation was stolen? Who did this?" the blood-robed elder asked, his brows furrowed.

"I'm not sure," the illusionary young woman reported. "Despite extensive investigation, we haven't found the culprits. Daoist Lou and his companions were not weak; five of them traveled together, possessing secret techniques and treasures. Even if they couldn't win, they should have been able to escape. It's truly unbelievable that none of them managed to get away."

"Continue searching for the Water of Creation. Feel free to invade a few more realms. The growth of the Bloodvine must not be hindered. If anything happens to the Bloodvine, none of you need to show your faces here again," the blood-robed elder said with a cold expression. The 'Bloodvine' he referred to was the Profound Sky Bloodvine, which had not yet matured.

The Blood Shadow Race currently lacked treasures like realm-breaking discs. They once possessed such an item, but it fell into enemy hands when a Blood Shadow Race Grand Ascension cultivator was slain by a powerful foe while traversing other realms.

"Yes, Elder Hao," the young woman agreed. Her illusory figure then dissipated.

"Just who dares to cross our Blood Shadow Race? Who would dare to steal our belongings? Could it be the Xuanqing Sect?" the blood-robed elder mused to himself.

Years ago, Blood Shadow clansmen from the lower realms invaded the Skysea Realm in pursuit of the Water of Creation. However, that realm was controlled by the Xuanqing Sect of Profound Spirit Continent, whose experts swiftly descended to reinforce it, annihilating the invading Blood Shadow clansmen. Could it be the Xuanqing Sect again this time? It was highly probable.

They needed to bring up the Profound Sky Immortal Vine as soon as possible. Over the past ten thousand years, five Blood Shadow clansmen had perished in realm storms while ascending to the Profound Sun Realm. A more secure method would be to craft a realm-breaking disc and send a batch of treasures down, making the escort of the Profound Sky Bloodvine to the Profound Sun Realm much safer.

He took out a shimmering golden disc, cast a spell into it, and commanded, "Send more people. Find the Kan Origin Jade at all costs." The Blood Shadow Race had already acquired a Qiankun Glazed Stone and now only needed the Kan Origin Jade.

"Yes, Elder Hao," a respectful female voice responded from the disc.

***

In the Azure Glaze Sea, a massive, shimmering blue ship swiftly sailed across the water. Inside one of its cabins, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan gazed out through an open window toward the distant horizon.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had consumed the Ephemeral Origin Fruit and successfully advanced to the late-stage Integration realm. Without the Ephemeral Origin Fruit, it was unlikely they would have reached the late-stage Integration realm even in another ten thousand years. Many Integration cultivators remained stuck in the mid-stage for tens of thousands of years, eventually perishing under the Great Heavenly Tribulation.

They had concealed their aura, making it impossible for cultivators with lower cultivation levels to discern their true strength. Just as a tree standing out in a forest invites the wind, if other forces on Profound Spirit Continent learned of their advancement to the late-stage Integration realm, it would bring trouble to the Wang family.

Advancing to the mid-stage Integration realm within a few thousand years was reasonable and achievable for many Integration cultivators. However, progressing from the early-stage to the late-stage in less than ten thousand years strongly suggested the consumption of rare spiritual treasures. It implied the Wang family might possess many such valuable resources. Such spiritual treasures, capable of significantly enhancing an Integration cultivator's cultivation, would drive many to madness. If this information leaked, numerous forces would undoubtedly target the Wang family. Therefore, in the future, they would need to alter their appearances and conceal their auras when traveling to avoid being recognized and attracting unnecessary trouble.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they spotted an island. The Transcendent Spirit Treasure Ship slowly docked at the island's pier.

"We've arrived at Seven Star Island. Prepare to disembark!" a Han family cultivator shouted loudly.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged glances and nodded to each other. Simultaneously, a dazzling spiritual light emanated from their chests. As the light faded, their appearances had changed. This way, only cultivators possessing special eye techniques would be able to see their true faces.

They walked out to find Wang Chuanming already waiting on the deck. Naturally, Wang Chuanming didn't notice the change in Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's cultivation levels and obediently followed them off the ship.

They did not linger on Seven Star Island but instead used a teleportation array to leave, heading towards the territory of the Heavenly Eye Race. The fewer people who knew, the less likely the secret would be exposed.

***

Profound Spirit Continent, Green Lotus Island.

In a secret chamber, Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on a blue futon, his eyes tightly closed. Nine shimmering blue flying swords continuously circled around him. A moment later, a voice transmission talisman flew in.

Sensing it, Wang Qingshan quickly ceased his cultivation, snatched the talisman, and crushed it. Wang Moshan's frantic voice emerged: "This is bad, Ancestor Qingshan! The Blood Shadow Race has invaded Jade Dawn Realm. We've suffered heavy casualties, and though we've dispatched many experts for support, the Blood Shadow Race has also sent numerous masters, resulting in mutual losses. Our clansmen in the lower realm used a formation to inform me."

"The Blood Shadow Race invaded Jade Dawn Realm!" Wang Qingshan exclaimed, his brows furrowed. Jade Dawn Realm was a lower realm controlled by the Wang family. Why would the Blood Shadow Race attack it without provocation? "Do you know the Blood Shadow Race's purpose in attacking Jade Dawn Realm?" Wang Qingshan asked.

"I'm not sure! It was very sudden. Oh, right, previously Pinbai and his group went to the Bloodlight Realm and stole the Blood Shadow Race's Water of Creation. I wonder if it's related to this?" Wang Moshan reported, recalling something.

"Moshan, what's your opinion?" Wang Qingshan couldn't immediately think of a good strategy. If they sent clansmen with split souls to the lower realm, the Blood Shadow Race could do the same, and in the end, the Wang family might not gain any advantage.

"Please ask Ancestor Haitang to intervene. Perhaps she has a solution," Wang Moshan suggested.

"Haitang? How can she help?" Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback. He was unaware of Ye Haitang's ascension to the Demon Realm, only knowing that she was still alive. Wang Moshan did not hide anything and told him the truth. With Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan absent, they had to obey Wang Qingshan's orders.

"Go to the family treasury and retrieve a Realm-Breaking Stone. I will send a split soul to the lower realm and contact Haitang at the same time to see if she has any ideas," Wang Qingshan instructed. The Blood Shadow Race's invasion of Jade Dawn Realm meant that East Woven Realm might also suffer. He had to make a trip to the lower realm and contact Ye Haitang. The fewer people who knew about the formation used to contact Ye Haitang, the better. Other clansmen didn't know Ye Haitang personally, so she might not trust them. Wang Qingshan knew Ye Haitang, so she would be more likely to trust him if he appeared in person.

"Yes, Ancestor Qingshan," Wang Moshan agreed.

A short while later, Wang Moshan arrived at Wang Qingshan's residence and handed him a Realm-Breaking Stone. Wang Qingshan entered a secret room and prepared to send a split soul to the lower realm using a secret technique with the Realm-Breaking Stone.