Chapter 3242: Blood Shadow Clan Attacks (None Today)

Golden Maple Islands, Purple Maple Market.

The streets were bustling with crowds, and the noisy carriages and horses created a lively atmosphere.

In a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan sat smiling in a blue stone pavilion.

They had struck it rich after dismantling the Eye Demon Tribe's stronghold.

Besides the Qiankun Glazed Stone, their haul included over 20,000 top-grade spirit stones, two 50,000-year-old spirit herbs, more than forty 30,000-year-old spirit herbs, and an even greater quantity of 10,000-year-old spirit herbs. They also acquired numerous seventh-tier artifact refining materials, over 700 sets of Dharma Idol materials, and five pieces of Golden Adamantite Crystal.

They also found three sixth-tier Lightning Absorption Beads—one mid-grade and two low-grade—and four sets of seventh-tier formations, with the most valuable being the Thousand Thunder Demon Extermination Formation.

Among the more than twenty mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures, one stood out: the Profound Moon Essence-Transforming Pearl. This artifact could conceal one's cultivation, making it extremely difficult for even cultivators of the same rank to detect.

Though generally considered a niche item, this treasure, acquired from the Seven-Star Saber Saint's hidden vault, was perfectly suited for Wang Changsheng's needs.

To Wang Changsheng's surprise, the Eye Demon Tribe's treasury contained a Heaven Soul Divine Crystal. This, combined with the one he acquired from the Profound Green Sect, meant he now possessed two Heaven Soul Divine Crystals, enough to consider refining a seventh-tier puppet beast.

By soul-searching Bian Su's Nascent Soul, they uncovered the full sequence of events.

An ordinary Xu family discovered the hidden vault left by the Seven-Star Saber Emperor. When they attempted to break its seals, they failed. However, the Eye Demon Tribe, having bribed some human cultivators, noticed the Xu family's unusual activity. Mistakenly believing the Xu family had obtained the Heavenly Void Jade Book, they reported it to their superiors. In response, a combined force from the Eye Demon Tribe invaded the Xu family's stronghold, though a few Xu family members who were away managed to escape.

Soul-searching the surviving Xu family members, they learned of the Seven-Star Saber Emperor's hidden vault. They immediately set out to break the seals, but arrived too late; Fairy Ice Xi had already claimed its contents.

They discovered that Fairy Ice Xi was on the Golden Maple Islands. Bian Hong, along with four other Integration stage cultivators, personally laid an ambush to eliminate Fairy Ice Xi and her companions. Coincidentally, Wang Yiwen and other Wang family disciples were passing through the same area and were also silenced to prevent leaks.

Wang Yiwen's lightning-attribute treasures were quite powerful; Bian Hong had gifted them to Bian Lei. A spy from the Rainbow Clan within the Eye Demon Tribe learned of Bian Lei's new acquisition and reported it.

The Rainbow Clan's patriarch then informed Cui Yao, who was representing the Witch Clan in collecting cultivation resources. Cui Yao, in turn, notified Wang Chuanming, thus setting off the chain of subsequent events.

The only drawback was that the Eye Demon Tribe did not possess the Heavenly Void Jade Book. This was hardly surprising, as they had failed to acquire it even after annihilating several minor clans, such as the Golden Roc Clan and the Snow Clam Clan.

Given their supernatural abilities, traversing the ocean would pose no issue, provided they avoided encountering eighth-tier demonic beasts.

However, returning to the Xuanling Continent via a spirit treasure ship carried a risk. There was a chance that True Monarch Wan Hai or other Integration stage cultivators with special eye techniques might be on board and recognize them. Though the probability was very low, they were unwilling to take such a risk.

"Since we've obtained the Qiankun Glazed Stone, let's return to the Xuanling Continent," Wang Changsheng said gravely. "It doesn't matter if it takes a bit more time; returning sooner will bring us peace of mind."

The Han family's spirit treasure ship wouldn't depart for another thousand years. Five Integration stage cultivators of the Eye Demon Tribe knew about the Qiankun Glazed Stone, but only four had been eliminated. They had rushed to the island where the fifth survivor was stationed, only to find the island deserted. Soul-searching other Eye Demon Tribe cultivators revealed that this individual had gone to a market established by the Blood Whale Clan to purchase cultivation resources.

This meant the Blood Whale Clan would undoubtedly become aware of the Qiankun Glazed Stone's existence, potentially sparking a racial war. Remaining in the Azure Glazed Sea Region was far too risky; an early departure was imperative.

Wang Chuanming, too, could no longer remain in the Azure Glazed Sea Region, as any mishap during a mission, such as being killed or captured, would risk exposing their activities.

Traversing the vast ocean with Wang Chuanming would be inconvenient. Therefore, Wang Changsheng instructed him to remain on Seven Star Island and await the Han family's next spirit treasure ship departure before returning to the Xuanling Continent. Wang Ruyan nodded in agreement, stating, "It's better to return sooner; it will also help clear us of any suspicion."

They altered their appearances and boarded the Han family's spirit treasure ship. Within their clan, only Wang Moshan and Wang Chuanming were aware of their true movements, let alone outsiders. To the world at large, the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple were still believed to be on the Xuanling Continent.

—Should they return to the Xuanling Continent and make a public appearance within the next millennium, they would effectively establish an alibi.

Wang Changsheng had long intended to traverse the ocean back to the Xuanling Continent. On their journey here, he had meticulously recorded the spirit treasure ship's route. By simply retracing that path, their return to the Xuanling Continent would be a mere matter of time.

They departed the Purple Maple Market and hastened towards the Heavenly Star Islands.

East Hedge Realm, Azure Lotus Island.

In a secluded manor, Wang Mengbin and Wang Zongque sat in a blue stone pavilion, listening to Wang Pinfeng's report.

The Blood Shadow Clan's actual strength.

The Blood Shadow Clan launched an attack.

Their strength was overwhelming; the clansmen in the Jade Chen Realm were utterly unable to resist and urgently requested reinforcements.

Currently, the Wang family had lost five Soul Transformation cultivators and hundreds of Nascent Soul cultivators. They had no choice but to appeal to the main family for aid. Wang Qingjing had already led a team to provide support.

Wang Mengbin frowned. According to their intelligence, the Blood Shadow Clan controlled twenty-seven lower realms, boasting over a hundred Soul Transformation cultivators. Yet, only a dozen or so Blood Shadow Clan Soul Transformation cultivators were present in the Jade Chen Realm, which seemed illogical.

After such prolonged combat, the Blood Shadow Clan must have captured Wang family cultivators and therefore couldn't be unaware that the Wang family controlled six realms with dozens of Soul Transformation cultivators. The fact that the Blood Shadow Clan only sent a dozen or so Soul Transformation cultivators to attack the Jade Chen Realm suggested two possibilities: either they were simultaneously invading multiple realms and their forces were spread thin, or they harbored a hidden agenda.

"Ancestor Mengbin, the front lines are heavily pressed. Shouldn't we dispatch a few more Soul Transformation cultivators as reinforcements?" Wang Pinfeng suggested.

"No need. Qingpin can handle it," Wang Mengbin stated gravely. "Our mission is to defend Azure Lotus Island. You haven't leaked the news of our arrival in the lower realms, have you?"

"No, all who are privy to this information are on Azure Lotus Island, and their lips are sealed," Wang Pinfeng affirmed.

Wang Mengbin nodded. "That's good then. With Qingjing personally intervening, those Soul Transformation cultivators won't be able to stop her—unless, of course, the Blood Shadow Clan experts from the Profound Sun Realm also send their split souls down to this realm."

Just then, loud alarm bells rang out, echoing across the entire Azure Lotus Island. "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Wang Zongque's expression turned cold. "It seems the Blood Shadow Clan's true aim isn't the Jade Chen Realm," he stated. "Their forces there were merely a diversion to draw our attention. They intend to obliterate our main stronghold!"

Fewer than fifteen Soul Transformation cultivators remained on Azure Lotus Island to defend it; the majority were stationed in the Jade Chen Realm.

"Hmph, if they're courting death, then we'll send them on their way," Wang Mengbin sneered, his face contorted with murderous intent.

"Zongque, you are to guard Thousand Spirit Valley and protect the Seven Gourd Vine. Pinfeng, you will accompany me to confront the enemy. We must utterly annihilate all invading forces." Wang Mengbin instructed.

"Understood, Ancestor Mengbin."

Wang Pinfeng and Wang Zongque assented.

Outside Azure Lotus Island, a colossal blood-red cloud hovered high in the sky. Standing atop it were thirty Soul Transformation cultivators, led by a tall, blood-robed youth. His face and arms bore intricate, natural blood-red markings.

Xue Hong, a mid-Soul Transformation stage cultivator, had learned that the Wang family had seized the Blood Shadow Clan's Divine Creation Water. He now led a contingent of Soul Transformation cultivators in an assault on Azure Lotus Island.