Chapter 3261: Wang Spider

Wang Changsheng's right fist glowed with a dazzling blue light as he unleashed a punch.

A piercing whooshing sound echoed from the void as countless blue seawater surged forth, transforming into a gigantic, sky-filling blue fist that dove down from high altitude, heading straight for the peak.

The towering giant fist left a white streak in the void, which tore open as if unable to withstand the immense force. From the ground, it resembled a massive blue meteor streaking across the sky and hurtling towards the earth.

Before the giant fist even landed, the ground ripped open, rocks and soil exploded, and vegetation turned to dust. With a thunderous roar, the peak shook violently, and dust filled the sky.

Wang Changsheng's divine sense detected the presence of dozens of cultivators, including two Integration-stage cultivators. He let out a loud roar, and his voice echoed for ten thousand miles, instantly obliterating numerous cultivators.

A streak of yellow light shot out, revealing a short, stout old man in blood-red robes. He had a round face, small, blood-red eyes, and wore a silver-glowing jade lock on his chest. He was clearly an early Integration-stage cultivator.

This person possessed a treasure capable of countering divine sense attacks, which allowed him to survive.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please spare my life! I'm willing to surrender and serve you as a slave. Just spare me!"

The blood-robed old man pleaded desperately as several miniature lizards flew out from the smoke and dust.

Wang Changsheng gently flicked his wrist, and Wang Chan flew out from the spirit beast bracelet, spewing countless thin golden rays that struck the miniature lizards, allowing for soul-searching.

"They don't know Yi Xin's whereabouts."

Wang Chan spoke, explaining that by devouring the enemies' souls, he could ascertain the information they held.

"I can lead Fellow Daoist Wang to Yi Xin! Fellow Daoist Wang, please don't kill me. Spare my life! I've struggled so hard to reach this point; I don't want to die." The blood-robed old man pleaded desperately.

Wang Changsheng was slightly surprised. He had thought the Lizard Race were all unyielding and resolute, but he didn't expect to find such a soft-boned one. "You'll lead me to Yi Xin? Why should I trust you? Even if I soul-searched you, I might not find him," Wang Changsheng sneered.

"He is very cautious. He always has messengers contact him through large communication arrays. I am one of those messengers. I don't know his exact location, but I have a way to lead Fellow Daoist Wang to him," the blood-robed old man explained.

"Large communication arrays!"

Wang Changsheng suddenly realized. Using large communication arrays for contact was indeed safe. No wonder Yi Xin couldn't be found; he didn't directly interact with other Lizard Race cultivators, making him very difficult to contact.

"You can contact Yi Xin? You're a Lizard Race member, yet you're betraying them?" Wang Changsheng said with a faint smile.

"I can contact him, but I don't know if the other end of the communication array leads directly to his physical location; it must be one of his trusted confidants. He's completely useless, relying on his status as Young Clan Master to monopolize all the best resources. We only receive a meager amount, especially when it comes to tribulation-transcending treasures; even if we apply, he doesn't necessarily approve their use. My Dao companion was injured by an alien race, and the Fourth Grand Heavenly Tribulation was approaching. By the time the approval came down from above, my Dao companion had already perished under the Grand Heavenly Tribulation."

The blood-robed old man's face was filled with rage as he finished speaking.

"The paltry sums he gave us, a few messages I transmitted for him, that was already more than enough! This time, he even planted Xiao Hei at my stronghold. Didn't they consider that Fellow Daoist Wang might come knocking?"

"No, they did consider it. At worst, they'd abandon us to preserve their main forces. Their grand rhetoric rings hollow. I'm not a fool. Why should I fight to the death for them?"

"It's fine for them to sacrifice themselves, but they need to be given enough benefits! They want us to fight to the death for the Lizard Race, yet they are unwilling to provide more resources, especially high-grade tribulation-transcending treasures, which are all in Yi Xin's hands."

"Cooperate honestly with me and let me soul-search you. If you prove useful, I might spare your life."

As Wang Changsheng spoke, he opened his mouth and spat out a blue light, which transformed into a ten-foot-tall blue fire phoenix—it was the Glazed Ice Flame. The moment the blue fire phoenix appeared, the temperature within several miles plummeted, and the ground began to freeze.

"Seventh-tier Ice Flame!"

A look of astonishment flashed in the blood-robed old man's eyes, replaced by reverence. He was no match for Wang Changsheng at all; if he truly fought to the death, he would certainly lose his life. The blue fire phoenix flew towards the blood-robed old man and collided with him. His body rapidly froze at a visible rate, but his head remained unfrozen. Wang Changsheng flew over, pressing his right hand towards the blood-robed old man's head, performing soul-searching.

The blood-robed old man's true form was a Hundred-Eyed Bloodflame Spider, native to the savage lands. By a stroke of luck, he consumed the natural treasure Jade Child Golden Ganoderma, transforming into human form. He was fortuitously discovered by a Void Refinement stage cultivator named Yi Yao, who brought him back to the Lizard Race. From then on, he worked for the Lizard Race, adopting the name Yi Zhu. Over time, he and Yi Yao developed feelings for each other and became dual cultivation partners. The higher-ups of the Lizard Race assigned them dangerous missions, and they never complained, dedicating much effort. Before the Lizard Race was annihilated, they were ordered to establish strongholds outside their territory.

At first, things were fine, but over time, conflicts grew.

To prevent being discovered by alien races, they lived reclusively, unable to purchase or exchange cultivation resources at markets run by other races. They could only receive cultivation resources allocated from above. Other items were fine, but tribulation-transcending treasures required prior application.

Yi Yao's cultivation reached a bottleneck, so they ventured out to seek opportunities. Unfortunately, they were discovered by an alien Integration-stage cultivator. They jointly defeated the strong enemy, but Yi Yao was also severely injured. Meanwhile, a mid-Integration stage cultivator named Bu Feng was placed in this secret realm. Yi Zhu learned that Bu Feng came from a troubled area. Fearing pursuit by human Integration-stage cultivators, Yi Xin deliberately placed Bu Feng at Yi Zhu's stronghold. Yi Xin chose to place Bu Feng at his stronghold of all places, which only strengthened Yi Zhu's resolve to betray the Lizard Race. After Yi Yao's death, he took on the role of messenger, responsible for contacting the higher-ups.

The treasure he wore on his chest was the Sky Splendor Lock, capable of weakening divine sense attacks, a relic from Yi Yao.

The moment Wang Changsheng charged in, he surrendered without hesitation. His cultivation wasn't high, and he wouldn't have been able to escape even if he fought to the death.

"I can take you in, but aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word and kill you later?" Wang Changsheng said with a faint smile.

He had hurriedly applied to the higher-ups for tribulation-transcending treasures, but by the time the approval came down, Yi Yao had already died under the Grand Heavenly Tribulation. From then on, he harbored thoughts of betraying the Lizard Race. "How could an old slave like me be qualified to negotiate conditions? Master possesses vast divine abilities; in your presence, this old slave is merely a slightly stronger ant. Betraying my master means death." Yi Zhu knew his place very well.

Thousands of years ago, even mid-Integration stage cultivators couldn't stop the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple. With his early Integration stage cultivation, if Wang Changsheng truly wanted to kill him, he wouldn't be able to escape. What right did a weakling have to negotiate terms? One must understand their place. If he dared to force Wang Changsheng to swear an oath or sign a pledge, he might be instantly annihilated. He dared not gamble on Wang Changsheng not killing him; he couldn't afford to lose.

"From now on, you shall be called Wang Zhu! Yi Zhu is too unpleasant a name. Lead me to Yi Xin, assist me in eliminating him, and I will provide you with treasures to transcend your third Grand Heavenly Tribulation." Wang Changsheng promised, simultaneously implanting multiple restrictions.

He was very satisfied with Yi Zhu's attitude. Besides that, he indeed needed Yi Zhu's help. Yi Zhu was a poison cultivator, skilled in poison arts, and could be useful in certain situations.

"Yes, this old slave obeys."

Wang Zhu honestly agreed. He took out a green square token and respectfully offered it to Wang Changsheng, saying, "Master, this is the key to entering and exiting the secret realm. There are many high-grade spirit herbs here, and without the key, it's difficult to enter." Wang Changsheng took the token, released Wang Tun Tian and the others, instructing them to confiscate the belongings of the deceased cultivators and harvest the high-grade spirit herbs. After that, they left the secret realm. Outside the secret realm, Wang Ruyan stood on the back of the whale puppet.

The void vibrated and distorted, and a ten-foot-wide gap appeared out of thin air. Wang Changsheng and Wang Zhu flew out, and the gap quickly healed.

"Husband, who is he?" Wang Ruyan was slightly taken aback.

"This old slave, Wang Zhu, is a new subordinate of Master's. Greetings, Mistress." Wang Zhu bowed respectfully.

"Let's go! Lead us to them."

Wang Changsheng and his party flew through the gap into the whale puppet's interior. The blue whale then dove into the seabed and disappeared.