Chapter 3279: Green Hills, Clear Skies Outing

Two hundred years passed.

In Tianhai Market City, the streets bustled with dense crowds and heavy traffic.

At Tianlian Pavilion, the Wang family’s market, Wang Shenfeng was speaking with a polite-looking young man in a golden robe on the ninth floor.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, please rest assured. Once the goods arrive, I’ll immediately send someone to deliver them to you," Wang Shenfeng said with a smile. She was primarily responsible for the family's overseas business.

"Very well, I’ll take my leave now. Manager Wang, please stay." The young man in the golden robe stood up and departed from Tianlian Pavilion.

Wang Shenfeng took out a green communication disk. As she formed a hand seal, a respectful male voice sounded: "Ancestor Shenfeng, the Ice Lion has arrived and is about to dock at Tianhai Market City."

"Return to the clan immediately and inform the Patriarch," Wang Shenfeng instructed.

"Understood, Ancestor Shenfeng."

Putting away the communication disk, Wang Shenfeng murmured to herself, "The Ice Lion has finally arrived."

On Kaiyang Island, within a massive, easily accessible valley, Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingfeng, Wang Zongque, and Wang Jiye stood on an open patch of ground. Not far away, a colossal yellow giant stood with a wooden expression.

As Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal, the yellow giant took a step forward, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"It’s finally been refined!" Wang Qingfeng's face lit up with joy.

Unlike demonic beasts, ancient giants' corpses were not easily refined into puppet beasts. Fortunately, the page from the Heavenly Void Jade Book they had brought back from the Azure Glaze Sea Region contained various methods for refining puppet beasts, which provided them with significant inspiration.

"Heh heh, this is far more formidable than an ordinary seventh-rank puppet beast," Wang Jiye said excitedly. "The only drawback is that controlling it consumes a vast amount of divine sense. In a land battle, even a mid-stage Integration cultivator might not be its match."

Ancient giants possessed powerful physiques, and when refined into puppet beasts, they became even more resilient. Their immense physical strength translated into astonishing destructive power.

Wang Changsheng nodded. Since their clan members in the Azure Glaze Sea Region and Xuanling Continent hadn't found the Water of the Underworld, he planned to try his luck in the Xuanguang Continent. Having this puppet beast would make the task easier.

Wang Changsheng didn't intend to use this puppet beast in the Xuanling Continent. There were many ancient giants in the Qianyuan Continent, and if they learned that Wang Changsheng had refined one into a puppet, it could cause trouble for the Wang family.

However, he didn't plan to head to the Xuanguang Continent immediately. He would wait until they had refined one or two more seventh-rank puppets to further strengthen the family's foundation.

Wang Changsheng formed another hand seal. Countless mysterious spirit runes lit up on the ancient giant's body, and its colossal form visibly shrank, transforming into a yellow light that vanished into Wang Changsheng's storage bracelet.

"You all have worked hard," Wang Changsheng said. "Get some good rest. After a while, we'll refine more seventh-rank puppet beasts together."

After speaking, Wang Changsheng left Kaiyang Island and returned to Qinglian Island.

As soon as he arrived back at Qinglian Peak, Wang Qingshan, Wang Qingxiao, and Wang Moshan came to see him.

"Ninth Uncle, the Ice Lion has arrived," Wang Qingshan said gravely. "We are ready to depart for the Qianling Continent."

"Moshan, did you bring the Southern Brilliance Severing Fire Sword?" Wang Changsheng asked, looking at Wang Moshan.

Wang Moshan nodded and produced the Southern Brilliance Severing Fire Sword.

"Qingshan, you're heading to the Qianling Continent this time, and we don't know what dangers you might face. Take this Southern Brilliance Severing Fire Sword with you. I hope you won't need to use it."

Wang Qingshan had not yet consumed the Blooming Yuan Fruit. If he were to, he would directly advance to the late Integration stage, making it much easier to wield the Southern Brilliance Severing Fire Sword. Wang Qingxiao was only in the early Integration stage, and a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure was sufficient for him. Even a high-grade one wouldn't allow him to exert much more power. Furthermore, Wang Qingxiao didn't rely heavily on treasures in combat, preferring to use his innate divine abilities and physical strength.

"Thank you, Ninth Uncle," Wang Qingshan replied, accepting the Southern Brilliance Severing Fire Sword.

"Since you're going to the Qianling Continent this time, and we don't know when you'll return, bring plenty of supreme-grade spirit stones," Wang Changsheng advised. "If you come across any rare materials, acquire them. A trip to the Qianling Continent isn't easy."

Wang Qingshan agreed; he would have done so even without Wang Changsheng's reminder. After a few more words of advice, Wang Changsheng sent them off to prepare.

In a quiet courtyard, Wang Ruyi and Wang Rumeng were deep in conversation.

"Sister, are you truly going with him to the Qianling Continent?" Wang Rumeng asked. "I've heard that great wars frequently break out between the various clans there, and killing for treasures is rampant. Why don't you stay in the Xuanling Continent instead? It wouldn't be too late to join him after you reach the Integration stage."

"My mind is made up; please don't try to persuade me further," Wang Ruyi said gravely. "Rumeng, while I'm away from the family, you'll have to bear more responsibilities."

Wang Rumeng hesitated slightly before asking, "Sister, is he truly worth this much to you? Aren't you afraid of losing this gamble?"

In her view, Wang Ruyi marrying Long Qingfeng had already been a huge gamble, and now following him to the Qianling Continent meant she was giving too much for him. Given her status and position, there was no need for her to do any of this.

Wang Ruyi smiled faintly. "In one's lifetime, who can guarantee they will never lose?" she said.

"But what if you do lose?" Wang Rumeng asked with a frown.

"If I lose, I lose. I can accept that. But I believe he won't let me lose." Wang Ruyi's expression became resolute, filled with confidence.

Wang Rumeng took out a green storage ring and handed it to Wang Ruyi. "Sister, these are some valuables I've saved up. Please don't think it's too little; take it. The Qianling Continent isn't like the Xuanling Continent; you'll need spirit stones often there."

"Alright, thank you." Wang Ruyi didn't refuse and accepted it.

She took out a red communication disk and cast an incantation into it. Long Qingfeng's voice immediately sounded: "Ruyi, Ancestor Qingshan and the others are ready to depart."

"Understood. I'll be right back." Wang Ruyi put away the communication disk, stood up, and walked out.

On a vast bluestone square, over ten Wang family cultivators stood in neat formation. All were Void Refinement cultivators, and Wang Xiukun was among them. When Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingxiao arrived at the unfamiliar Qianling Continent, they naturally needed to bring some clan members to assist with minor tasks and make things easier.

Wang Ruyi arrived and stood by Long Qingfeng's side.

A short while later, Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingxiao arrived.

"Let's depart!" Without wasting words, Wang Qingshan waved his hand and led the dozen or so clan members away from Qinglian Island.

Upon reaching Tianhai Market City, they saw the Ice Lion. Ye Tongtian was also aboard the ship.

A line of cultivators queued to board the ship. After boarding, Wang Qingshan greeted Ye Tongtian: "Fellow Daoist Ye, long time no see."

"Long time no see indeed," Ye Tongtian replied courteously. "Fellow Daoist Wang, your cultivation has advanced significantly. Congratulations!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Qingshan returned to his cabin to rest.

Wang Ruyi stood by the open wooden window, gazing towards Qinglian Island. It was her first long journey away from home, and she felt a pang of reluctance. She didn't know when she would return after this departure.

Long Qingfeng walked over and gently put his arm around Wang Ruyi's shoulder.

"One day, we will return in glory. I promise."

"I believe you," Wang Ruyi nodded.

After most of a day, the Ice Lion set sail, disappearing over the horizon.