Chapter 3376: Unexpected Visitor

Representatives from various factions presented congratulatory gifts. The Ye family’s gift was the most valuable, clearly demonstrating the strength of the True Spirit Family, as they presented a high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure.

Zhenhai Palace, a close ally of the Wang family, was not wealthy enough to offer a high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure as a gift; Chen Yueying herself possessed only a few of them.

True Monarch Wanhai was merely going through the motions, showing only a token presence. He had no real connection with Wang Changsheng and would not have been interested in attending had a Mahayana cultivator from the Ye family not also been present.

Most factions, such as the Nine Flames Sect, Myriad Spirit Sect, Li family, and Han family, primarily presented refining materials. The gifts from the Myriad Spirit Sect, Li family, Han family, Long family, and Ximen family were more substantial; being close to the Wang family, they each offered several spiritual herbs aged thirty thousand years.

The Lan family’s gift was also significant, consisting of a drop of Profound Nether Heavy Water and a thirty-thousand-year-old Snow Moon Lotus.

The Cold Flame Sect presented five spiritual herbs aged thirty thousand years, along with some spirit wood over one hundred thousand years old—items they would not typically sell externally.

The Cold Flame Sect presented such a valuable gift to improve their relationship with the Wang family. They did not seek high regard, but merely wished for the Wang family not to be overly hostile towards them.

Wang Qingcheng received each gift with a broad smile.

Wang Changsheng raised his wine cup and said with a smile, “Thank you all for coming to my Mahayana celebration. I’d like to propose a toast to everyone.”

He drained his cup, turning it upside down to show it was empty.

“To Fellow Daoist Wang (Senior Wang),”

Ye Yuhan and the others reciprocated the toast.

Wang Changsheng put down his cup and chatted casually with Chen Yueying and the other two. Wang family cultivators also engaged in lively conversations with the guests, clinking cups and exchanging pleasantries.

Wang Chuanming had already advanced to the Integration Stage, and his seat was positioned closer to the front.

Wang Chuanming looked at Lan Fukong and said enthusiastically, “Fellow Daoist Lan, today is Ancestor Wang’s Mahayana celebration. Please drink a few more cups.”

Lan Fukong enjoyed flattering others and was skilled at enlivening the atmosphere at celebrations or birthdays.

“I said it already when I attended Senior Wang’s Integration Stage ceremony: Senior Wang would definitely advance to the Mahayana Stage, and I was right, wasn’t I? Heh heh, the next Mahayana cultivator in the Wang family will definitely be Senior Wang’s cultivation partner, Fairy Tianqin.”

Lan Fukong’s face was beaming with pride.

He had never imagined that his casual flattery of Wang Changsheng would actually come true. He had complimented many cultivators, claiming they had the potential to reach the Mahayana Stage, but only Wang Changsheng had successfully advanced; most of the others had perished.

This time, no one refuted Lan Fukong’s words.

While there were over a hundred Integration Stage cultivators among the human race on Xuanyuan Continent, Mahayana cultivators remained in the single digits. It was truly difficult to advance to the Mahayana Stage, especially considering Wang Changsheng had also severely wounded Yan Zheng.

Ximen Lang quipped, “Fellow Daoist Lan, you remind me of the great divine ability, ‘Words Become Law’.”

“Words Become Law? I don’t have that ability. Only immortals possess such power, right?” Lan Fukong gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Gongsun Yang said with a playful smile, “Heh heh, who knows! Perhaps you really can ascend to the Immortal Realm and master this great divine ability!”

Lan Fukong was prone to boasting, but he knew when to back down. Many cultivators had mocked him as a coward, yet most of those cultivators had since perished.

Only those who could laugh last were the true winners.

Given Lan Fukong’s current cultivation and status, no one would dare call him “True Monarch Great Coward” or “True Monarch Grand Boaster” to his face. Who would still spread tales of his past timid actions? Instead, people would only remember that Lan Fukong was a relative by marriage to the Wang family, and might even praise him for his discerning eye, given Wang Changsheng’s advancement to the Mahayana Stage.

People are judged by their company; if Lan Fukong were not a relative by marriage to the Wang family or not so close to them, perhaps some would still make fun of him, but now, no one would joke at his expense.

Lan Fukong knew Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan even before the Wang family established itself in the Xuanyang Realm. He had gone with Wang Qingshan to eradicate demonic entities, and later, when the racial war erupted, Lan Fukong fought side-by-side with Wang Qingshan.

During the war against the Lizard race, Lan Fukong fought alongside Wang Chuanming and other Wang family juniors. Against the Silver Shark race, he fought alongside Wang Yingjie and others. Nearly half of the Wang family’s high-ranking members had fought alongside Lan Fukong, making his camaraderie unique among the Wang family’s many relatives by marriage.

“I am merely at the Integration Stage, and even reaching the Mahayana Stage is difficult, let alone ascending to the Immortal Realm. Fellow Daoist Gongsun, you flatter me. With your aptitude, I fear I’ll have to address you as ‘senior’ the next time we meet.” Lan Fukong flattered him, then shifted his gaze to Wang Yidao, saying with a smile, “During this recent conflict against the Silver Shark race, Fellow Daoist Wang displayed unmatched bravery. Only late-Integration Stage cultivators could withstand you. Truly worthy of the title, True Monarch Hegemonic Blade!”

Ordinary mid-Integration Stage cultivators were no match for Wang Yidao; the Silver Shark race had to deploy late-Integration Stage cultivators just to stop him.

Wang Yidao and Du Xueyao were seated at the same table. Upon hearing Lan Fukong’s words, Wang Yidao simply responded with an “Oh,” which the cultivators were accustomed to and showed no surprise.

Du Xueyao smoothed things over, raised her wine cup, and drained it, saying, “Senior Lan’s divine abilities are also formidable. You eliminated an early-Integration Stage cultivator, and my husband greatly admires you. I’d like to propose a toast to Fellow Daoist Lan.”

Wang Yidao was solitary by nature and powerful, while Du Xueyao was lively and cheerful, though not as strong; their personalities complemented each other.

Whenever Du Xueyao was with Wang Yidao, she would make every effort to help him maintain relationships.

“Madam Wang, you are too kind.” Lan Fukong quickly reciprocated.

Wang Yulan and others greeted Li Yaoyao, Cheng Zhenyu, Zheng Nan, Zhao Yunxiao, and the rest. Since Wang Changsheng and Chen Yueying had joined forces against Luo Xiao and Yan Zheng, the Wang family juniors were also very close to the Zhenhai Palace disciples.

Wang Chuanming’s gaze fell on Li Zonghai, and he said with a chuckle, “Fellow Daoist Li, I hear your divine abilities are considerable. In several racial wars, you eliminated multiple foreign experts.”

Early on, Wang Changsheng had asked him to keep an eye on Li Zonghai’s situation. After Li Zonghai advanced to the Integration Stage, he participated in several battles against foreign races, performing well each time.

The Dark Hall had specifically created a separate file for Li Zonghai, collecting all kinds of intelligence about him, but found no anomalies.

Li Zonghai said humbly, “Fellow Daoist Wang, you flatter me. This was not my accomplishment alone; other fellow daoists also contributed significantly.”

He felt very flustered. As a spy from the Fiery Essence Race embedded within the human race, he was worried about his true nature being discovered, especially with the large number of powerful cultivators gathered at the Mahayana celebration.

Wang Qingcheng took out a yellow-glowing communication disc, cast a spell into it, and with a surprised expression, transmitted a message to Wang Changsheng: “Father, Divine Monarch Xuanji and the Ni family have arrived. They say they are here to attend your Mahayana celebration.”

Wang Changsheng was slightly startled. The distance from Xuanyuan Continent to Xuanguang Continent was quite far, and news of his advancement to the Mahayana Stage had only spread for a little over a thousand years. How did Divine Monarch Xuanji know he was holding a Mahayana celebration? Did he deduce it, or was it a coincidence?

He didn’t have a deep connection with the Ni family; the last time, if Ni Wuting hadn’t intervened, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would have perished.

“Go personally and invite them in,” Wang Changsheng instructed.

Wang Qingcheng acknowledged, quickly stood up, and left the venue. This action drew the attention of many cultivators.