Chapter 3254: Potential Trouble

Dongli Realm, Qinglian Island.

Within an expansive estate, Wang Mengbin, Wang Qingxiao, Wang Zongque, and Wang Pinfeng sat in a blue stone pavilion, conversing. The Zhenhai Palace and the Wang family had joined forces and successfully captured twenty-three realms controlled by the Blood Shadow Race. The other seven realms were occupied by the Demon Race.

The Demon Race seemed to have little interest in the lower realms, only controlling the seven realms rich in bloodline materials, likely not having given up their search for the Maha Bloodstone. Strangely, the Blood Shadow Race from the Xuanyang Realm had not sent anyone to the lower realms, seemingly abandoning their kin there. Otherwise, the human race would not have been able to capture the Blood Shadow-controlled realms so easily.

After this battle, the Wang family suffered considerable losses, but a group of clansmen distinguished themselves. The Zhenhai Palace entrusted six realms to the Wang family's management, bringing the Wang family's total control to twelve realms. Currently, large numbers of clansmen are being relocated to these other realms. Traveling between realms remained quite dangerous; two teams of cultivators encountered realm storms while traversing, leading directly to their demise.

"We plan to return to the upper realms now. This place is in your hands; take good care of the Seven-Gourd Vine," Wang Mengbin instructed.

The Profound Sky Bloodvine had also been transplanted to Qinglian Island. With the Creation Divine Water, its growth had returned to normal. However, this meant the Creation Divine Water would soon be insufficient. The Wang family needed to transport both the Profound Sky Bloodvine and the Seven-Gourd Vine to the upper realms as soon as possible. Otherwise, if the Creation Divine Water ran out and their growth faltered, the clansmen in the lower realms would be unable to resolve the issue. The Blood Shadow Race had invaded multiple realms, yet only two possessed Creation Divine Water, highlighting its immense value.

"Yes, Ancestor Mengbin."

Wang Pinfeng assented. Wang Mengbin and the other two exchanged glances, nodded, and then departed from Qinglian Island.

Xuanyang Realm, Qinglian Island.

An expansive estate.

Wang Qingcheng, Wang Qingshan, and Wang Mofei were chatting in a stone pavilion. As soon as he returned to Qinglian Island, Wang Qingcheng found Wang Moshan and Wang Qingshan and recounted his experiences in the Barren Lands.

"Spare his life for now. We'll discuss it after Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt return!" Wang Qingshan suggested.

Given the Wang family's relationship with the Myriad Spirit Sect, borrowing the Myriad Demon Mirror wouldn't be difficult. However, finding the escaped Lizard Race would be challenging. After all, the Barren Lands were vast, and even with the Myriad Demon Mirror, locating the Lizard Race would be hard, and they might even encounter ancient giants.

Wang Moshan nodded, saying, "First, let's spread the word that many Lizard Race remnants are hiding in the Barren Lands and possess seventh-tier Lightning-Absorbing Orbs. When Lizard Race cultivators hear this, they should no longer stay in the Barren Lands. If we can force them overseas, that would be excellent." Based on the intelligence they had gathered, most Lizard Race remnants were overseas. The Barren Lands were relatively dangerous, living among beasts, and collecting cultivation resources was inconvenient. Overseas, there were numerous islands and many races, so it would be no problem for the Lizard Race to control a few smaller clans for hiding.

"Don't we have some informants overseas? Have them pay attention to any news about the Lizard Race. Once Father and Mother return, we can then borrow the Myriad Demon Mirror from the Myriad Spirit Sect to search for the Lizard Race remnants," Wang Qingcheng said gravely.

"Oh, and Moshan, send someone to look into the Spirit-Sealing Sky-Lock Talisman. The Seven-Star Alliance might have a way. If we find an important stronghold of the Lizard Race, it should be useful," Wang Qingshan added.

"A cunning rabbit has three burrows. The Lizard Race certainly has more than one hiding place. If we have the Spirit-Sealing Sky-Lock Talisman, combined with the Spirit-Breaking Shuttle, the Lizard Race remnants won't be able to escape even if they try." Wang Moshan agreed and departed to carry out the order.

Wang Qingshan returned to his residence to cultivate, while Wang Qingcheng headed to the Cangyuan Mountain Range. He cultivated earth-attribute techniques and was primarily responsible for overseeing the family's inland territories. Wang Qingfeng, Wang Mengbin, and Wang Qingshan were stationed at Qinglian Island, while Wang Qingcheng and Duan Tongtian oversaw the Cangyuan Mountain Range, each fulfilling their respective duties.

Demon Realm, Demonic Flame Continent.

In the Demon Python Mountain Range, within a secret chamber over a hundred zhang wide, Gu Lin sat cross-legged on a black meditation cushion, holding a black, flickering magic mirror. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "She ascended from the Heilo Realm?" Gu Lin asked, frowning.

"Yes, but my subordinates have investigated. Fairy Jiuyou was not well-known in the Heilo Realm. She and Fellow Daoist Fang seemed to appear suddenly, with unknown origins. No one had ever heard of their existence, which is very strange." A respectful female voice emerged from the black magic mirror.

"Send more personnel. Investigate their origins in the lower realms we control. Inform me immediately if you find anything," Gu Lin commanded.

Ye Qinglian only brought nine Nascent Soul cultivators to attack the Blood Shadow Race's lair – this was one point of suspicion. Someone infiltrated the Blood Cloud Mountain Range right under their noses and stealthily stole the Profound Sky Bloodvine – this was a second point of suspicion. The enemy also had companions to support them and had set up formations, clearly arriving prepared. How did they know when Ye Qinglian would attack the Blood Shadow Race's lair? Was it a coincidence?

Of course, these were merely Gu Lin's suspicions. Ye Haitang could explain it away: the Demon Race cultivators were all late-stage Nascent Soul, and with sixth-tier talismans, ten individuals attacking the Blood Shadow Race's lair wouldn't be a problem. The leaders of multiple Demon Race factions in the lower realms all knew about the search for the Maha Bloodstone, so it was possible the information leaked. Perhaps some Demon Race members were plotting to obtain the Maha Bloodstone and infiltrated the Blood Shadow Race's lair during Ye Qinglian's attack, accidentally discovering the Profound Sky Bloodvine.

Gu Lin didn't suspect Ye Haitang of being from the Wang family; he suspected her of embezzlement or colluding with other forces to steal the Profound Sky Bloodvine. Colluding with other forces wasn't very convincing either. If Ye Haitang truly colluded with other forces, there would have been no need to report it; her backing faction could simply have sent people to the lower realms. It was more likely a case of embezzlement. Gu Lin had no evidence and thus couldn't do anything to Ye Haitang.

The Heavenly Demon Palace was divided into multiple factions. Ye Haitang and Gu Lin belonged to different factions, and both disliked the other, wishing for the other to make a mistake so their own faction could gain greater benefits. No matter how strong a force was or how abundant its cultivation resources, there would never be enough to satisfy everyone. People were never content; everyone wanted more, which naturally led to the formation of factions. Gu Lin decided to investigate Ye Haitang's and Fang Mu's backgrounds, hoping for an unexpected discovery.

"Yes, Lord Gu." A respectful female voice emerged from the black magic mirror.

Putting away the black magic mirror, Gu Lin muttered to himself, "Don't let me catch you by the tail, hmph. If you cross me, you're looking for death."

In an expansive black estate, Fang Mu was speaking with Ye Haitang.

"Gu Lin is investigating us?" Ye Haitang's eyes narrowed, her face filled with murderous intent.

"Yes, the news came from two of Gu Lin's subordinates; it's certainly not wrong." Fang Mu said with a frown. They had coerced and enticed two of Gu Lin's subordinates into submission.

He didn't know about the Profound Sky Bloodvine; this matter was a secret within the Heavenly Demon Palace. Without obtaining the Profound Sky Bloodvine, if the news leaked, other forces wouldn't believe it. All those with knowledge were put under a gag order to avoid unnecessary trouble. Gu Lin sending people to investigate them was not a good sign.

"He can't deal with me directly, so he might come after you. Be very careful. Cultivate peacefully in the Demon Python Mountain Range. Once you reach the Fusion Stage, you'll be fine. As for Gu Lin, I will find a way to deal with him," Ye Haitang suggested.

Fang Mu nodded in agreement.