Chapter 3405: Miaode's Visit

Two thousand years had passed.

Xuanling Continent, Qinglian Island,

Meeting Hall.

Wang Qingcheng sat in the main seat, a wide smile on his face. Hundreds of clan elders sat on either side, their faces beaming with joy.

"Family Head, our clan currently controls over 35,000 islands, including seven medium-sized Level Seven ore veins. Three are in the sea, and four are inland."

Since news spread that Wang Changsheng had severely injured Yan Zheng, the Silver Shark Clan had become much more subdued, focusing entirely on defense. The Golden Scale Clan had also remained very low-key, allowing the Wang family to safely develop barren islands.

Zhenhai Palace had moved its main headquarters to the Yuxi Mountain Range inland, with Misty Cloud Island serving as a branch. This arrangement meant that if a strong enemy were to attack again, Chen Yueying could unleash her full power. After all, Misty Cloud Island's spiritual vein was only Level Seven, and the Yuxi Mountain Range also had a Level Seven spiritual vein.

Zhenhai Palace focused its primary efforts inland, dealing with the Essence Fire Clan and the Yaksha Clan, while the Wang family was responsible for sea defense. This clear division of responsibilities led to greater efficiency.

"The entire clan now boasts over 400,000 cultivators, including one Mahayana cultivator, twenty-nine Integration cultivators, 425 Void Refinement cultivators, and 11,235 Spirit Transformation cultivators."

The Wang family had seized vast territories and cultivation resources from the Silver Shark Clan, including dozens of ore veins and two secret realms. The number of high-level cultivators within the clan was steadily increasing, and the family was thriving.

"Our entire clan currently operates seven large market cities, with Tianqin Market City generating the highest income."

"Currently, the clan has two Level Seven Formation Masters, six Level Seven Artifact Forgers, four Level Seven Talisman Masters, and three Level Seven Alchemists."

Formation Masters and Alchemists had always been the Wang family's weak points. The family had invested considerable resources, but the results were limited. It wasn't simply a matter of effort yielding rewards, nor did pouring vast resources guarantee the cultivation of Level Seven Formation Masters or Alchemists. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be so few Level Seven Formation Masters.

Primarily, the Wang family had fewer Integration cultivators, but skill-based talents constituted the majority of them. This ratio was already quite good; in most factions, skilled individuals only accounted for a quarter to a third of their total Integration cultivators.

Murong Yushuang had already advanced to the Integration Stage. As a lightning cultivator, her strength was considerable. Both clan members who ascended from the lower realms and those from the Spirit Realm had attempted to reach the Integration Stage, with some succeeding and some failing.

"Our clan now possesses six Level Six Flood Dragons and as many as thirty-seven Level Six Spirit Apes."

Wang Changsheng had captured some Snow Apes from the Tianlan Realm and brought them back to the Dongli Realm for cultivation. Once they reached Level Five, they would ascend to the Xuanyang Realm with the Wang family disciples.

The Wang family had formed an Ape Guard led by Wang Yuan. The number of Seven-colored Larks was not large, and there was only one Nine-colored Insect.

Wang Qingfeng and others had found a Golden Crow Wood tree, over 100,000 years old, in the Myriad Spirit Ruins. They had brought it back to the clan and transplanted it on Kaiyang Island, using it as the core of the Golden Flame Burning Heaven Grand Formation.

Yaoguang Island used the Heavenly Illusory Divine Stone as the core to set up the Heavenly Illusory Grand Formation. Yaoguang Island also used the over 200,000-year-old Profound Nether Ghost Wood as the core to set up the Profound Yin Grand Formation.

All seven sub-islands had powerful formations, especially those based on the Golden Crow Wood and Profound Nether Ghost Wood. As time passed, their age increased, and should the Wang family produce an Level Eight Formation Master, these materials could be used to establish Level Eight formations.

After listening to the clan members' reports, Wang Qingcheng nodded. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Yihong sent him a private message: "Ancestor Qingcheng, Master Miaode has arrived. He has already advanced to the Mahayana Stage and wishes to visit the Old Ancestor."

"Master Miaode! Mahayana Stage! I will personally greet him. That will be all for today; you may all return to your duties!"

Wang Qingcheng instructed, then left the meeting hall.

He went to Qinglian Peak, sent a sound transmission talisman to Wang Changsheng, and then flew out of the island.

In a secret chamber, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes slightly closed, his hands forming seals. Specks of blue light surged into his nose and mouth, then vanished.

A sound transmission talisman flew in. Wang Changsheng sensed it, the blue light on his body dissipated, and he opened his eyes, letting out a long, turbid breath.

After forging several high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures, he had entered seclusion for cultivation.

Wang Changsheng opened his mouth and spat out a blue light, striking the talisman. The talisman spontaneously ignited, and Wang Qingcheng's voice emerged: "Father, Master Miaode is here. He has already advanced to the Mahayana Stage. I've invited him to the reception hall."

"Miaode has reached the Mahayana Stage!"

Wang Changsheng's face lit up with joy. He and Master Miaode were old acquaintances, and Master Miaode's advancement to the Mahayana Stage was also good news for him.

Wang Changsheng stood up and walked out. Just as he exited his secret chamber, Wang Ruyan emerged from another, her aura significantly stronger than before, having clearly reached the Great Perfection of the Integration Stage.

"My dear, Master Miaode has advanced to the Mahayana Stage and has come to visit. We're all old acquaintances, so why don't you come with me!" Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

"That's wonderful! I can ask him about the method for forging formation talismans."

Wang Ruyan was overjoyed and agreed.

They arrived at the reception hall, and soon after, Master Miaode, Monk Yuanxiao, and Wang Qingcheng entered.

Master Miaode's face was serene, and he pressed his palms together in a respectful gesture: "Amitabha, Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see."

"Congratulations, Master Miaode!"

Wang Changsheng congratulated him with a smile. The Heavenly Sun Sand Sea was too far from the Xuanling Continent, making travel inconvenient. Otherwise, he would have sent someone to invite Master Miaode to a Mahayana celebration.

"After so many years, I should be addressing you as senior now," Wang Ruyan said with a gentle smile.

"Madam Wang, you are too kind. This humble monk has come this time to ask for a favor," Master Miaode said sincerely.

He had traveled to the Thousand Spirit Continent, resolved his bottleneck, and obtained a Seven-Flame Golden Peach. He then returned to the Heavenly Sun Sand Sea and entered seclusion to break through to the Mahayana Stage.

Over a thousand years ago, he successfully advanced to the Mahayana Stage. Buddhist divine abilities proved quite effective against Outer Realm Demonic Fiends.

"Master Miaode, please don't be so polite. We are old acquaintances; just speak your mind. If I can help, I will certainly not refuse." Wang Changsheng said with a slight smile. If he wasn't mistaken, Master Miaode was likely asking for his help with artifact forging.

It was well-known outside that Wang Changsheng was an artifact forger, so it was entirely normal for Master Miaode to ask him for help.

"This humble monk knows that Fellow Daoist Wang is an artifact forger and would like to ask for your help in forging a high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. As for remuneration, Fellow Daoist Wang will not suffer any loss." Master Miaode said earnestly.

Ye Xuanhuang had converted to Buddhism and was part of the Heavenly Buddha Sect, where Master Miaode resided. She died during the Sixth Great Heavenly Tribulation. The Heavenly Buddha Sect now had only one Level Seven artifact forger, making it difficult to forge a high-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, so they had to seek external help.

News of Wang Changsheng's advancement to the Mahayana Stage reached the Heavenly Sun Sand Sea. Upon learning this, Master Miaode crossed the sea to ask Wang Changsheng for help with artifact forging.

Wang Changsheng nodded: "Master Miaode, you are too kind. It's merely a small favor. My wife has some questions regarding talismans and would like to seek your guidance."

It was a rare occasion for Master Miaode to visit, and it was a perfect opportunity for Wang Ruyan to consult him on the art of talismans.

"I wouldn't dare claim to be a teacher; let's simply exchange insights," Master Miaode agreed.

After chatting for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Qingcheng led Master Miaode and Monk Yuanxiao away to arrange their accommodations.