Chapter 3498: Summer Hero

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan stood up, walked out, and opened the courtyard gate, where Gao Shuyao and a short, stout old man in a blue robe were standing.

The blue-robed old man had a round face, small eyes, and a fair complexion, smiling in an approachable manner.

"I am Gao Yunhai; it's a pleasure to meet Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang," said the blue-robed old man, bowing with cupped fists and a gentle tone.

"Fellow Daoist Gao, your reputation precedes you. Please come in," Wang Changsheng said, inviting Gao Yunhai and Gao Shuyao inside. The four then sat down in the stone pavilion.

Wang Ruyan brewed a pot of hot tea and poured a cup for each of them.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Gao Yunhai began, "Shuyao has informed me that our Nine Immortal Sect can grant you a territory to establish your family. Here are several well-situated territories; please choose one."

Gao Yunhai flicked his sleeve, and a blue light shot out, revealing a glowing blue scroll that unfurled in mid-air.

It was a sea chart displaying numerous islands, most of which were marked with text.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Gao Shuyao said with a smile, "the islands marked in white are currently unoccupied; you may choose any of them."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan studied the map for a while, their brows furrowed.

"I presume Fellow Daoist Gao is aware of our situation," Wang Changsheng said. "We ascended from the lower realm and are unfamiliar with the Heavenly Morning Sea. We would be immensely grateful if you could guide us."

Wang Changsheng then took out an exquisite blue jade box and handed it to Gao Yunhai.

"This is a small token of our appreciation; please don't disdain it," Wang Ruyan said politely. "We anticipate needing your assistance in many matters in the future."

Gao Yunhai opened the lid of the box, revealing a black and white fruit.

"A Taiji Immortal Fruit!" Gao Yunhai exclaimed, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. As the head of the Nine Immortal Sect's Deacon Hall, he was incredibly knowledgeable and had seen countless treasures, yet the Taiji Immortal Fruit was particularly precious due to its extremely long growth cycle.

"To the southwest are the White Deer Islands, where our Nine Immortal Sect holds a large territory," Gao Yunhai explained. "It borders the Hao Yue Alliance's territory and is adjacent to the Chang Yuan Clan and the Heavenly Beast Sect, both of which are subordinate to the Hao Yue Alliance. The White Deer Islands themselves contain three factions—the Bai family, the Water Charm Clan, and the Xia family—all of which are subordinate to our Nine Immortal Sect."

Wang Changsheng looked along the blue scroll and saw a cluster of islands in the southwest, where he could discern markings for the "Bai family," "Water Charm Clan," and "Xia family."

"The White Deer Islands are located at the border of our Nine Immortal Sect's jurisdiction, making them relatively remote," Gao Shuyao explained slowly. "A female cultivator from the Xia family is a dual cultivation partner with my nephew, and the Bai family is related by marriage to the Meng family. The Xia family is the strongest force in that region, and they all have their own subordinate forces. Any better locations are either the primary activity range of the Meng family or areas where the Jiang family exerts significant influence. The White Deer Islands, however, are comparatively more suitable for you to establish your family."

The Wang family was too weak; if they established themselves near the Meng family or in island clusters with significant Jiang family influence, they would struggle to develop.

Over millions of years, many factions that received the Nine Immortal Sect's protection to establish sects or families have vanished into the river of history. Beyond strength, numerous external factors played a role.

Some True Immortal cultivators established forces on islands rich in cultivation resources, only to be ostracized and suppressed by other powers. Without True Immortals, they were quickly annexed.

The Nine Immortal Sect's subordinate forces were not entirely harmonious; competition also existed among them.

The Gao family hoped the Wang family would grow and prosper, thereby increasing the Gao family's influence, with the Wang family serving as their representatives of interest in other island clusters.

"Alright, we will establish our family on the White Deer Islands," Wang Changsheng asked politely. "How many islands will be granted to us?"

"One thousand islands, including three with first-rank immortal veins and thirty-six with eighth-rank spirit veins," Gao Yunhai said slowly. "You will also receive some spirit herb seeds, fruit pits, fish eggs, and spirit beast eggs." He added that this generous offer was due to Wang Changsheng's ascension from the lower realm and untarnished background; other True Immortal cultivators offering even a mid-grade immortal artifact would not receive so many islands.

"Fellow Daoist Gao, what about secret realms and spirit ore veins?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"You'll have to find or create secret realms yourselves," Gao Yunhai explained. "As for spirit ore veins, you'll have to compete for them; we won't interfere. Island disputes are also allowed. Internal conflicts are acceptable, but they must not escalate into a life-or-death struggle. What we seek is stability, as the Hao Yue Alliance is our Nine Immortal Sect's greatest enemy."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, this jade slip contains important notes for establishing a family; it should be helpful to you," Gao Shuyao said, taking out a blue jade slip and handing it to Wang Changsheng. "If you're interested in this area, I can introduce you to cultivators from the Xia family. You can also take in smaller factions as your vassals. The Nine Immortal Sect will only oversee your Wang family, not your subordinate forces."

"Thank you, Immortaless Gao," Wang Changsheng said politely. "Please trouble yourself to make the introduction so we can meet the Xia family cultivators."

Gao Shuyao nodded, then took out a glowing magical disk, into which she cast a spell and made a series of gestures.

Gao Yunhai took out a shimmering golden jade plate and a silver jade brush. "Fellow Daoist Wang, which island will you choose as your main island?" he asked. "You may name the island whatever you wish; it's for registration purposes."

"Green Lotus Island!" Wang Changsheng declared.

"The Wang Family of Green Lotus Island," Gao Yunhai said slowly, his silver jade brush moving across the golden jade plate. "Tomorrow, I will send someone to bring you your identity plaques. From now on, your Wang family will be a subordinate force of our Nine Immortal Sect. Generally, tributes are offered once every thirty thousand years. Considering your family has just been established, you will offer spirit herbs, spirit fruits, and spirit beasts, the quantity of which will depend on the situation. When you receive a summons from our Nine Immortal Sect, you must obey; you cannot defy orders."

Wang Changsheng readily agreed, relieved that they had finally acquired a territory.

After offering a few more instructions, Gao Yunhai took out two blue jade bottles and handed them to Wang Changsheng. "These are two Jade Pills; they have the effect of enhancing magic power," he said. "This is an extra reward from me. In the future, if you acquire good things, our Gao family will not treat you unfairly."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Gao," Wang Changsheng replied, accepting the pills.

"Alright, you two can chat," Gao Yunhai said. "I'll go back and handle the follow-up procedures." With that, he left Taihao Garden.

No sooner had Gao Yunhai departed than a red-robed old man with a square face and large eyes arrived.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, let me introduce you," Gao Shuyao said. "This is Fellow Daoist Xia."

"I am Xia Tianxiong; it's a pleasure to meet Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang," the red-robed old man said, bowing with cupped fists, his voice rough.

"I am Wang Changsheng, and this is my wife, Wang Ruyan," Wang Changsheng introduced. "It's a pleasure to meet Fellow Daoist Xia."

"Fellow Daoist Xia, Fellow Daoist Wang intends to establish a family on the White Deer Islands," Gao Shuyao said. "I hope your Xia family will provide more assistance. Fellow Daoist Wang is an ascended cultivator."

"An ascended cultivator? My deepest respects!" Xia Tianxiong's tone immediately became much more polite.

Ascending from the lower realms was quite difficult, and ascended cultivators were highly regarded in the Immortal Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, you are too kind," Wang Changsheng said with a sincere tone. "From now on, we will be neighbors, and we still have much to learn, so please offer us your guidance."

After chatting for the duration of a cup of tea, Xia Tianxiong and Gao Shuyao took their leave.