Chapter 3255: Return (No More Today)

Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Xuanyang Realm, Xuanling Continent.

Azure Lotus Island, Azure Lotus Peak.

The door to a secret chamber opened, and Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan emerged, looking somewhat fatigued. It had taken them over five hundred years to return from the Azure Glaze Sea, during which they encountered numerous seventh-tier demon beasts and natural disasters. Fortunately, their formidable strength ensured they faced dangers without suffering harm.

Despite eliminating three lightning-attribute seventh-tier demon beasts, they regrettably failed to obtain a single Lightning Absorption Pearl.

Upon returning to the Xuanling Continent, they entered Jade Balance Island and teleported back from there, a pre-arranged measure to keep their departure unnoticed by most.

Wang Changsheng released Wang Lin and his companions, allowing them to move about freely.

Wang Ruyan took out her communication disk and contacted Wang Moshan, asking him to come to Azure Lotus Peak.

Soon after, Wang Moshan appeared before Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. He provided a detailed report on the Profound Sky Bloodvine. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were astonished to learn that their clansmen had managed to seize a Profound Sky Bloodvine from the lower realm. They had already done well to acquire a Qiankun Glazed Stone from the Skyeye Clan, but for their clansmen in the lower realm to seize a Profound Sky Bloodvine was an even greater achievement.

"If it weren't for Ancestor Begonia, we wouldn't have been able to acquire the Profound Sky Bloodvine," Wang Moshan sighed.

Wang Changsheng nodded and instructed, "Send word that I will be hosting a grand birthday celebration in twenty years. Invite many guests. Azure Lotus Valley will also hold a large auction, where we will offer sixth-tier puppet beasts, Heavenly Thunder Spirit Talismans, Dharma Idol materials, and mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures for exchange, hoping to acquire Kan Yuan Jade."

The Wang family's high-ranking members had never hosted such a grand birthday celebration before. This event would serve as a pretext for Wang Changsheng to appear publicly, proving he was not in the Azure Glaze Sea. It was also an opportunity to gather cultivation resources, specifically hoping to find Kan Yuan Jade. Kan Yuan Jade was the only remaining material needed to craft the Boundary-Breaking Disk. With this disk, they could dispatch individuals to the lower realms and safely bring the Profound Sky Bloodvine and Profound Sky Immortal Vine to the Xuanyang Realm.

"Yes, Old Ancestor," Wang Moshan replied. Then, remembering something, he added, "Oh, by the way, Ancestor Azure City and the others went to the Barren Lands to search for Soul Devouring Beasts. While they didn't find any, they did discover a seventh-tier Three-Eyed Thunder Leopard..."

He briefly recounted Wang Qingcheng's trio's journey through the Barren Lands. Upon learning that Duan Tongtian had acquired the essence blood of an Integration-stage Lizardian, Wang Changsheng nodded and asked, "Where is the essence blood?"

Wang Moshan produced a green porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

"You may go and attend to your duties now. First, spread the news about my upcoming birthday celebration." Wang Changsheng waved his hand, dismissing Wang Moshan.

"I recall that the Myriad Spirit Sect possesses the Myriad Demon Mirror, a sect-guarding treasure," Wang Ruyan mused. "With this essence blood, we might be able to locate that individual."

Wang Changsheng nodded. "It won't be easy to borrow the Myriad Demon Mirror," he said. "Fellow Daoist Gongsun may not have the authority to grant such a request. I should go to the Myriad Spirit Sect myself." Putting himself in their shoes, he understood. If an Integration-stage cultivator wanted to borrow the Wang family's clan-guarding treasure, they wouldn't readily agree either.

He entered a secret chamber. The Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron hovered above a formation. He cast a spell, and the formation ceased its operation, causing the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron to slowly descend. Wang Changsheng stepped forward and opened the cauldron lid. A completely golden crystal stone came into view, its surface adorned with natural fish-scale-like patterns. Upon closer inspection, tiny pores were visible on its golden surface.

He picked up the golden crystal stone; it felt surprisingly light, as if he were holding a thin sheet of paper. Wang Mengbin had stormed the Heavenly Roar Clan's stronghold and discovered a peculiar ore in their treasury. It was rumored that the Xu family had brought it from the Qianyuan Grotto-Heaven. Neither the Xu family cultivators nor the Heavenly Roar Clan cultivators recognized the material, so it had been stored in the treasury. After returning to the Xuanling Continent, Wang Mengbin had given the ore to Wang Ruyan, asking her to pass it on to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng also couldn't identify it, so he placed it in the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron for purification, which yielded this golden crystal stone. He examined it closely, his brows furrowed in concentration. He still couldn't identify the material. Given the vastness and richness of the Xuanyang Realm, it was normal for him to encounter unfamiliar materials. It might be unique to the Qianyuan Continent or a particularly rare substance.

Wang Changsheng put away the golden crystal stone and took out a shimmering green spherical bead. The bead, adorned with a crescent-shaped pattern, exuded an astonishing spiritual aura. This was the Profound Moon Transmogrifying Pearl, a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure capable of concealing one's cultivation level. With this treasure, it would be difficult for other Integration-stage cultivators to discern Wang Changsheng's true cultivation level. However, for Mahayana cultivators, it was hard to say.

Wang Changsheng channeled his magical power into the Profound Moon Transmogrifying Pearl. The pearl emitted a dazzling green light that enveloped his entire body. His aura gradually diminished, making him appear to be only at the mid-Integration stage. He nodded with satisfaction and left Azure Lotus Island.

---

Offshore, in a certain azure sea region.

A streak of red light swiftly darted across the sky at an astonishing speed. The void rippled, and a massive bird claw materialized from thin air, descending to strike. A piercing shriek followed as the red light plummeted from the sky, landing on a deserted island roughly a hundred miles in circumference. It revealed a plump young woman in a red dress, her left arm missing and her eyes wide with terror. With long ears and a prominent nose, she was clearly a demon.

A gust of violent wind swept through, revealing a massive two-headed owl. Its scythe-like talons struck like lightning toward the young woman in the red dress. The young woman in red unleashed a burst of crimson flames to meet the attack. The two-headed owl flapped its wings violently, unleashing a hazy green light that swept forth. The crimson flames dissipated entirely, as if encountering their natural nemesis. With another scream, the young woman in the red dress had her head pierced by the owl's talons.

A flash of green light, and the two-headed owl transformed into Wang Xiao. A potent aura of malice emanated from him. After leaving Azure Lotus Island, he had made a living overseas as a rogue cultivator. He had frequently fought with other Void Refinement cultivators for cultivation resources, often winning, though he would flee if outmatched.

A miniature bird flew out from the deceased's body. Wang Xiao produced a green porcelain bottle and collected the miniature bird. He then took the young woman's belongings and stored her corpse. A moment later, a golden light appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly approaching their location.

Soon, the golden light halted, revealing a graceful young woman in a golden dress. She had a pair of large golden feathered wings on her back, and her aura was slightly weaker than Wang Xiao's.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, is it handled?" the golden-dressed young woman asked.

"Yes, it's handled," Wang Xiao replied, his face filled with murderous intent. "Anyone who dares to oppose us is asking for death." He was currently integrated into the Golden Dove Clan, an affiliated race of the Thunder Crane Clan. While he couldn't access core secrets, his powerful abilities had earned him quite a reputation.

"That's good. Thanks to Fellow Daoist Xiao, otherwise she might have escaped," the golden-dressed young woman complimented.

"It was nothing. Let's head back," Wang Xiao said nonchalantly. He then departed the area with the golden-dressed young woman.