Chapter 3272: True Dragon Essence

Qinglian Island was home to a manor filled with rare flowers and exotic plants.

Wang Chuanming, his expression solemn, was reporting to Wang Moshan. Having advanced to the late Void Refinement stage, Wang Chuanming's significant contributions meant he could utilize the Heavenly Thunder Transmutation Array or a seventh-tier formation when attempting to reach the Integration stage. The family's growing resources made it considerably easier for younger generations to break through major cultivation stages compared to their predecessors.

"The foreign race is sending people to the mainland? Do you know their target or destination? How many are there, exactly?" Wang Moshan asked with a frown.

"I'm not clear on the specifics," Wang Chuanming replied, "but the information from Wang Xiao should be accurate. What's strange is that the Golden Dove Clan sent several revered cultivators, along with a few Integration-stage cultivators, to the mainland for this mission. I'm unsure if this is a deliberate arrangement or for some other reason." Wang Chuanming reported truthfully. Since returning from the Azure Glazed Sea, his primary responsibility was managing the intelligence network related to Wang Xiao, which didn't require daily oversight, allowing him to spend most of his time cultivating.

The secret agents used specialized, multi-layered encrypted communication methods, ensuring that even if their intelligence fell into external hands, its contents would remain unknown. Not long ago, Wang Xiao had used a special communication method to contact Wang Chuanming, informing him that the Golden Dove Clan planned to send personnel, accompanied by several Integration-stage cultivators, to the mainland for an unknown purpose. Logically, if the Golden Dove Clan truly intended to undertake a significant operation on the mainland, they would typically dispatch their own trusted members and certainly wouldn't inform Wang Xiao. However, the fact that they sent several revered cultivators who had joined their clan was highly unusual.

"They're sending revered cultivators with Integration-stage cultivators to the mainland?" Wang Moshan questioned, finding it exceedingly strange.

He retrieved a golden communication disk, and as he channeled a spell into it, a respectful male voice resonated: "Patriarch, Ancestor Qingxiao sent me to report that the Nine Dragons Palace might have dispatched personnel. The Dark Hall should be vigilant." Wang Moshan's expression darkened. "The Nine Dragons Palace? Is that Ancestor Qingxiao's exact message? Nothing more?" he asked.

"That's his exact message. Nothing more."

"Understood."

Putting away the communication disk, Wang Moshan fell into contemplation.

"Could these two incidents be connected?" Wang Chuanming speculated.

"It's highly possible. Here's what we'll do: you'll take a group of clansmen to the mainland and inform Ancestor Qingxiao of this development. I'll dispatch personnel to heighten our defenses. If anyone from the Nine Dragons Palace is discovered, eliminate them entirely, ensuring no information leaks." Wang Moshan instructed, fully aware of Long Qingfeng's true identity and the gravity of the situation. He knew the Nine Dragons Palace was relentlessly pursuing Long Qingfeng, though he wasn't certain what Long Qingfeng had done or what valuable treasure he possessed.

"Understood, Patriarch." Wang Chuanming acknowledged the order and departed.

Wang Moshan then went to Bai Yuqi's residence and briefed her on the situation. Bai Yuqi nodded. "I'll make the trip to the mainland myself," she said. "We must strengthen the defenses of the five markets." The five markets, including Tianyin Market, were crucial income sources for the Wang family and could not afford to be compromised. Bai Yuqi departed Qinglian Island with dozens of clansmen, heading for the mainland. Wang Moshan also issued orders for all family strongholds to increase their vigilance, maintaining a relaxed internal atmosphere while tightening external security.

In the Azure Glazed Sea, on Heavenly Dragon Island, a magnificent palace stood, its plaque bearing the three silver characters: "Nine Dragons Hall." Long Xiao sat on the main seat, his gaze somber. He exuded an aura as vast as the ocean, having clearly advanced to the Integration stage. Mu Yuqing sat beside him, while a slender woman in a purple dress reported to them.

"The Qinglian Wang family? Is this accurate?" Long Xiao asked, frowning.

"Fellow Daoist Wu directed demonic beasts to attack the Wang family's territory," the woman in purple replied with some uncertainty, "so Long Qingfeng should be with the Wang family, right?"

The Wang family was no ordinary force, making it difficult for them to be controlled. After several internal conflicts, the Nine Dragons Palace was greatly weakened. Some Integration-stage elders had left on travels, distancing themselves from the center of disputes, while others had simply disappeared, leaving the palace a shadow of its former self. Long Xiao's ascension to Palace Master was largely due to Long Tianyu, but many of the Nine Dragons Palace elders disapproved of him, and he had very few capable individuals loyal to him.

" 'Should'? Hmph, you can't even handle a simple task." Long Xiao's face registered displeasure. "You may leave now. There's nothing more for you here." Mu Yuqing waved her hand, dismissing the woman in purple.

Mu Yuqing's delicate brows furrowed. "Husband," she began, "what valuable treasure does Long Qingfeng possess? You've now reached the Integration stage; surely you can tell me?"

"True Dragon Essence Blood," Long Xiao said in a deep voice.

"What? True Dragon Essence Blood?" Mu Yuqing's voice trembled slightly, and her breathing grew heavy.

"It's diluted True Dragon Essence Blood," Long Xiao explained. "The previous Grand Elder acquired a few drops of True Dragon Essence Blood from the Celestial Demon Realm. He then diluted one drop into dozens, allowing the Palace Master to obtain a single dose to strengthen their bloodline. Only Integration-stage flood dragons can possibly refine it; anyone below that stage would surely explode." Even diluted True Dragon Essence Blood was incredibly valuable to Integration-stage cultivators. This was precisely why he intended to retrieve it; Long Qingfeng, not yet having reached the Integration stage, certainly couldn't refine it. Long Tianyu had given one drop each to Long Xiao and Long Qingfeng, depleting their entire stock.

"Diluted True Dragon Essence Blood? Dozens of drops?" Mu Yuqing felt a tinge of disappointment. The essence blood of true dragons and celestial phoenixes was exceptionally rare; even a drop or two was considered precious. Diluting it for younger generations would allow more descendants to benefit. When True Dragon Essence Blood was diluted into dozens of drops, a single drop would be useless for a Mahayana cultivator, but perfectly suited for an Integration-stage cultivator.

"The Wang family cultivates many flood dragons," Mu Yuqing mused curiously. "Could Long Qingfeng have been killed by them, and the diluted True Dragon Essence Blood seized and further diluted to cultivate more flood dragons?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out," Long Xiao conceded. "Didn't you send people to the Xuanling Continent to search for Long Qingfeng? I hope they find him. My dear, you should also enter secluded cultivation." Mu Yuqing nodded, then rose and departed.

At Feilong Market, a manor. Wang Qingxiao, Wang Yidao, Wang Qingcheng, and Duan Tongtian sat in a green stone pavilion, deep in conversation.

"The enemy is likely within the market. If a conflict erupts here, it would undoubtedly harm innocents and disrupt business at Feilong Market," Wang Qingcheng suggested. "I propose we lure them out."

"That's a good plan," Wang Qingxiao conceded. "However, if he suddenly leaves the market without a clear reason, the enemy might grow suspicious. What if they don't fall for the bait?"

"Fellow Daoist Lan is hosting an Integration Ceremony and has extended an invitation to us," Wang Qingcheng offered. "We can send them to attend. If the enemy doesn't take the bait, then so be it; we'll simply send him back to Qinglian Island. Since the Nine Dragons Palace might try again, there's no need for him to be roaming around." Lan Fukong, having recently advanced to the Integration stage, was hosting a grand Integration Ceremony, with guests widely invited.

"This is a good method," Duan Tongtian acknowledged, "but we'll need to send escorts along the way. If we, as Integration-stage cultivators, accompany him, the enemy would easily detect us."

"It would be stranger if no Integration-stage cultivator accompanied him," Wang Qingxiao countered, unconcerned. "Otherwise, why would Long Qingfeng leave the market precisely when the enemy is about to make their move, rather than earlier or later? That would raise more suspicion."

"I'll lead the team personally," Wang Qingcheng volunteered. "I've rarely taken action over the years, so the enemy's guard against me won't be as strong. If Qingxiao or Yidao were to accompany him, the enemy might hesitate to make a move." Wang Qingcheng and Sun Yuejiao frequently represented the Wang family at celebrations and grand ceremonies, rarely demonstrating their full power. Consequently, the outside world knew little about their divine abilities or treasures. Thus, it was entirely legitimate for Wang Qingcheng to lead a delegation to Lan Fukong's Integration Ceremony.

Wang Yidao remained silent, a habit Wang Qingcheng and the others were accustomed to. Such was Wang Yidao's nature: he rarely offered opinions, preferring to quietly cultivate or carry out tasks. Both Wang Qingxiao and Duan Tongtian expressed their agreement, and the plan was finalized.