Chapter 3275: Enemy Traces Appear

Green Lotus Island. On a vast bluestone plaza, at its center stood a bluestone lotus platform over a hundred zhang in size. Wang Qingshan sat atop the platform, while thousands of Wang family disciples sat cross-legged around it, listening to him preach.

Besides cultivating, Wang Qingshan also made time to preach to the younger generation, guiding them in their practice.

Wang Qingshan had cultivated for over five thousand years and had already passed his first grand heavenly tribulation.

If he were to travel to the Thousand Spirit Continent, he didn't know when he would be able to return; plans were subject to change. Therefore, before leaving the Profound Spirit Continent, he intended to cultivate as many exceptionally skilled sword cultivators as possible.

"If you have any questions, raise your hand and speak."

Wang Qingshan spoke, his voice not loud, but it carried throughout the entire bluestone plaza.

Many clansmen raised their right hands, their faces filled with anticipation.

Wang Qingshan's gaze swept across the crowd, landing on Wang Guangming, and he said, "Guangming, please ask your question!"

"Thank you, Ancestor Qingshan."

Wang Guangming expressed his gratitude and stood up.

"Ancestor Qingshan," Wang Guangming asked earnestly, "your grandson wishes to know: which is more important, innate talent or fortuitous encounters?"

"Both are important," Wang Qingshan replied, "but the most crucial is a heart devoted to the Dao. Your current conditions are much better than those of families in the lower realms, yet some of you indulge in wine and women or neglect your cultivation. Even with the same Five-Spirit Root aptitude, some clansmen have taken dozens of wives and concubines, while others are wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao."

A thoughtful expression appeared on Wang Guangming's face; he nodded and sat down.

Wang Qingshan allowed over a hundred clansmen to ask questions, answering each one.

More than an hour later, as dusk slowly fell, Wang Qingshan said, "Alright, today's preaching ends here. You may go about your business now!"

"Yes, Ancestor Qingshan," the clansmen replied in unison.

Wang Qingshan transformed into a long green rainbow and departed. The clansmen left one after another, returning to their respective residences.

At the Lan family, a vast bluestone plaza.

Lan Fukong sat in the main seat, his face beaming, as tens of thousands of cultivators gathered on the bluestone plaza.

"The Wang family congratulates Senior Lan on reaching the Integration Stage," Wang Guanglin announced, "and presents twenty ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs, one bottle of seventh-tier medicinal pills, and one medium-grade sky-reaching spiritual treasure."

Wang Guanglin stood up, took out a green storage ring, and handed it to Lan Haisheng.

As Lan Fukong had advanced to the Integration Stage, the head of the Lan family naturally had to be assumed by a Void Refinement cultivator.

All the guests looked on with envy. The Wang family's congratulatory gift was exceedingly valuable. While twenty ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs were significant, the seventh-tier medicinal pills and medium-grade sky-reaching spiritual treasure were especially precious for a cultivator who had just advanced to the Integration Stage.

From this, one could also infer the close relationship between the Wang and Lan families. Lan Fukong had provided information to the Wang family many times, maintained a very close relationship with them, and had even fought alongside several Wang family members, including Wang Qingshan and Wang Chuanming. Naturally, the Wang family held Lan Fukong in high regard.

The Wang family intended to use the Lan family as an example to show other affiliated forces that as long as they served the Wang family well, the Wang family would never treat them unfairly.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind; thank you very much," Lan Fukong said, overjoyed.

Representatives from other guests presented their congratulatory gifts one after another, but they were far inferior to those of the Wang family.

Wang Ruyi and Long Qingfeng sat behind a green jade table, drinking and chatting with Lan family disciples, getting along very well.

"Fairy Wang," a white-robed youth with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes asked, "this fellow Daoist seems unfamiliar. Who is he?"

"Fellow Daoist Long is an honored guest of our Wang family," Wang Ruyi replied. "It's quite normal for Fellow Daoist Xu not to have met him before."

Wang Ruyi's tone was calm.

The white-robed youth came from a medium-sized sect, possessed dual Water and Wood spirit roots, and was one of Wang Ruyi's suitors.

As Wang Ruyi and Long Qingfeng had become dual cultivation partners, she maintained a certain distance from her former suitors.

"Fellow Daoist Long! An honored guest, I presume. May I ask which sect or faction you hail from?" the white-robed youth inquired.

"I belong to no sect or faction; I am merely a rogue cultivator," Long Qingfeng said with a smile. He was already used to this; whenever he and Wang Ruyi attended celebrations or gatherings, they would often encounter Wang Ruyi's suitors, and someone would inevitably inquire about his background.

"A rogue cultivator? Fellow Daoist Long, you are indeed fortunate," the white-robed youth said with a half-smile, not pressing the matter further.

More than two hours later, the banquet concluded. Most guests departed one after another, while a small portion, including the Wang family, temporarily stayed at the Lan family's residence.

In a secluded manor, Wang Qingcheng, Long Qingfeng, and Wang Ruyi were discussing something.

"When the time comes, you two should flee separately," Wang Qingcheng instructed. "I will hold off the enemies. Don't worry, Qingxiao, Yidao, and Uncle Yin have already set up an ambush along the way. If any Integration Stage cultivators attack you, activate your seventh-tier talismans."

Wang Tunian, Wang Lin, Wang Qingxiao, Wang Yidao, Duan Tongtian, and Wang Xiangrong had been secretly following them, just waiting for the enemies to appear.

If they were indeed from the Nine Dragon Palace, they would certainly be skilled in water escape techniques. Wang Lin was proficient in water escape, so he only needed to tie up the enemies for a while.

Wang Tunian had a keen sense of smell, so if the enemies escaped, he could still track them by scent.

They had brought the Illusory Moon Treasure Mirror and a seventh-tier puppet beast, demonstrating the importance they placed on these enemies. They intended to annihilate all invaders. This matter could not be revealed to Chen Yueying, otherwise, her inquiries would expose Long Qingfeng's existence.

"How about we act separately?" Long Qingfeng suggested. "I'll leave with some clansmen, and Ruyi can be in the second batch."

"No need," Wang Qingcheng replied. "That would only arouse their suspicion. Rest assured, we have made thorough arrangements; protecting you will not be an issue."

Wang Qingcheng said confidently.

Wang Ruyi possessed a Dao-protecting spirit talisman, so even if an Integration Stage cultivator attacked, they wouldn't be able to kill her quickly.

"The enemies' target isn't me, but you," Wang Ruyi reminded him. "Be careful; I hope this is just our misconception."

"I will," Long Qingfeng said solemnly. "If a powerful enemy appears, don't stay too close to me. Only if you are safe can I flee with peace of mind."

Before, he had no ties or worries, but now Wang Ruyi was his sole concern.

Less than half a month later, Wang Qingcheng bid farewell to Lan Fukong and departed with dozens of clansmen. The other clansmen temporarily remained at the Lan family's residence.

After leaving the Yunhang Mountain Range, Wang Ruyi released a crimson flood dragon. Wang Qingcheng and the others stepped onto it, and the crimson flood dragon let out a loud roar, soaring towards the sky.

Not long after, the crimson flood dragon disappeared into the horizon.

The Golden Goose Mountain Range stretched for ten million miles. In a secluded underground cave.

Mu Hai and over a dozen cultivators gathered together. A short, stout old man in a green robe held a flickering green orb in his hand, his expression solemn.

"Xu Sen, how is it?" Mu Hai asked, frowning. "Have they arrived?"

This place was not far from the Yunhang Mountain Range. Wang Qingcheng and his group had passed through here and should be returning this way. If not, they would have to intercept them elsewhere.

"They're here, prepare to act," Xu Sen said, his face hardening.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators' expressions turned solemn as they prepared to make their move.

Just then, the cave shook violently, and thick, long cracks appeared on the ground.

"Oh no, we've been discovered," Mu Hai exclaimed. He was startled at first, then quickly reacted, his face changing drastically.