Chapter 3603: Eight Hundred Years

Eight hundred years had passed.

At the Ye family residence on the Northern Frigid Ice Plain.

In a secret chamber, Ye Xuanji sat cross-legged on a golden meditation mat, her expression solemn as she gazed at the golden artifact-refining furnace nearby.

A golden flame engulfed more than half of the golden furnace, its temperature incredibly high.

After a moment, Ye Xuanji changed her magic incantation, the furnace lid flew open, and a dazzling blue light surged out. A shimmering blue shield flew forth, floating in mid-air. The blue shield had a floral pattern on its surface, exuding astonishing spiritual energy.

This was the Profound Spirit Shield, a defensive Profound Sky Treasure, and the first Profound Sky Treasure Ye Xuanji had ever refined. It was crafted primarily from the Profound Sky artifact Wang Changsheng had obtained years ago.

With this treasure, coupled with the Golden Flood Dragon Wheel and several damaged Profound Sky Treasures, Ye Xuanji's strength had significantly increased.

She was well aware that now that she had refined a Profound Sky Treasure, the treasures of the three major clans in the Profound Sun Realm would be able to sense it. However, the Stone Cocoon Clan had fought alongside the Ye family, and the Heavenly Moon Clan had no mortal enmity with them. The problematic one was the Shadow Fiend Clan.

Ye Xuanji took out a golden, shimmering communication disk, injected a magic incantation into it, and asked, "Yunshuo, how many Mahayana cultivators has our clan gained in these years?"

"Yifeng and Yihai succeeded; however, two others failed and perished," Ye Yunshuo reported honestly.

Over fifteen hundred years had passed since Tong Shan's attack. The Ye family had gained two new Mahayana cultivators. While their strength certainly lagged behind veteran Mahayana cultivators, they were Mahayana cultivators nonetheless, capable of defending the family or running errands.

"What is the current situation with the Tang Clan?" Ye Xuanji asked.

"The Tang Clan publicly claimed that the Myriad Sound Sect stole the Qiankun Bottle, while the Myriad Sound Sect accused the Tang Clan of crying 'thief' to divert attention. The outside world is now divided into three factions: one believes the Tang Clan obtained the Qiankun Bottle and is eyeing them covetously; another believes the Myriad Sound Sect has it; and the third watches from the sidelines, waiting for both sides to exhaust themselves. Battles have erupted across more than a dozen realms. We've heard that the Tang Clan invited the Obscure Clan, the Jinx Clan, the Medicine Clan, the Crimson Melt Clan, and the Ancient Li Clan to fight against several major powers led by the Myriad Sound Sect. Both sides have suffered casualties, and a late-Mahayana cultivator has also fallen," Ye Yunshuo reported.

"Such a huge commotion? It's understandable that the Tang Clan values the Qiankun Bottle, but what reward did they offer to get the Crimson Melt Clan and the Ancient Li Clan to side with them? Could it be temporary assistance from their patrons in the Immortal Realm?" Ye Xuanji wondered aloud.

"That's unclear. Oh, right, Ancestor Xuanji, the Immortal Sensing Stone detected just now that there was within the clan..."

Before Ye Yunshuo could finish, Ye Xuanji interrupted him: "I've refined a Profound Sky Treasure. What's the situation with the Stone Cocoon Clan, the Shadow Fiend Clan, and the Heavenly Moon Clan?"

"The Stone Cocoon Clan abandoned the Stone Cocoon Mountain Range and established the Heavenly Cocoon Mountain Range as their new ancestral land. They also have several Mahayana cultivators and the Profound Sky Treasure, the Heavenly Cocoon Cauldron. The Shadow Fiend Clan shows no abnormalities. The Heavenly Moon Clan has allied with the Mingdi Clan, a major clan from the Ancient Yin Realm, to attack the Tang Clan," Ye Yunshuo reported.

Major powers across multiple realms are currently searching for the Qiankun Bottle, but no one truly knows who possesses it. Some say the Tang Clan has it, others the Myriad Sound Sect, and some even the Ye family. Any force with even a bit of strength is rumored to have obtained the Qiankun Bottle.

"Contact the Wang family and the Stone Cocoon Clan. Tell them I'm inviting them to deal with the Shadow Fiend Clan," Ye Xuanji instructed. This was the best time to deal with the Shadow Fiend Clan; such an opportunity must not be missed.

If the Shadow Fiend Clan isn't eliminated, they will surely join the Tang Clan if they attack again. Furthermore, as a long-standing clan, the Shadow Fiend Clan controls a considerable amount of cultivation resources and territory. What was most coveted was their possession of a minor world.

The minor world might contain Rank 2 materials for opening apertures. If she could open a second aperture, Ye Xuanji's strength would significantly increase. Even if there were no aperture-opening materials, rare artifact-refining materials would also be valuable.

"Yes, Ancestor Xuanji."

Ye Xuanji put away the communication disk, stood up, and walked out.

Shangguan Tianhong stood in a blue stone pavilion. He had accompanied Ye Xuanji to the Underworld, where he was severely wounded by enemies. He had now fully recovered. Currently, he was at the Integration stage (Grand Completion), constantly refining his magic power.

"Greetings, Miss!" Shangguan Tianhong bowed respectfully.

"Take this to attempt to break through to the Mahayana stage. I hope you can advance to the Mahayana stage; I have many tasks for you." Ye Xuanji took out a white storage bracelet and tossed it to Shangguan Tianhong.

Shangguan Tianhong's expression grew excited, and he received the white storage bracelet with both hands.

Profound Spirit Continent, Green Lotus Island.

On Green Lotus Peak, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Qingfeng sat in a blue stone pavilion, conversing.

Wang Ruyan had successfully opened her aperture, significantly increasing her magic power.

Wang Qingfeng took out a red communication disk, injected a magic incantation, and Wang Yongqian's voice echoed: "Ancestor Qingfeng, the Ye family has contacted us. Ye Xuanji is inviting our Wang family to deal with the Shadow Fiend Clan, and the Stone Cocoon Clan will also participate."

"Deal with the Shadow Fiend Clan!"

Wang Changsheng felt a stirring of interest. He had now opened one aperture, and his strength had greatly increased, but this was not enough. He hoped to open two apertures.

The treasuries of major clans would contain many good things, possibly even aperture-opening materials. "Can I speak directly with Ye Xuanji? I'd like to discuss it with her personally," Wang Changsheng asked.

"Please wait, Ancestor. I'll ask Fellow Daoist Ye." Wang Yongqian cut off the communication.

After a moment, the communication disk in Wang Qingfeng's hand lit up brightly. He injected a magic incantation, and Wang Yongqian's voice rang out: "Ancestor, please come over! Senior Ye has agreed to speak with you."

Wang Changsheng acknowledged, left Green Lotus Island, and arrived at a spacious and bright hall where Wang Yongqian stood beside a large teleportation array.

"Fellow Immortal Ye, why the sudden decision to target the Shadow Fiend Clan?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"Major powers across multiple realms are currently searching for the Qiankun Bottle, so this is the best time to eliminate the Shadow Fiend Clan. If we don't eliminate them now, they will surely intervene again when the Tang Clan attacks next time. Your clansmen captured many enemy Nascent Souls, so they should know that the Tang Clan gave the Shadow Fiend Clan a secret method for opening apertures. After we succeed, that secret method will be yours, and other gains will be distributed according to contribution. How does that sound?" Ye Xuanji said.

Wang Changsheng was somewhat tempted. He wasn't enticed by the aperture-opening secret method itself, but rather by the Shadow Fiend Clan's treasures.

The Shadow Fiend Clan was a well-established major clan in the Profound Sun Realm, with allies, making them difficult to deal with. Now was indeed the best time.

The Shadow Fiend Clan's treasury might contain aperture-opening materials or materials for refining Profound Sky Treasures. Wang Changsheng had already gathered some materials for refining Profound Sky Treasures, but the quantity was insufficient to craft a Profound Sky Treasure.

"Fellow Immortal Ye, how many Mahayana cultivators should our Wang family send?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"Distribution will be based on contribution, not on the number of participants. Remember to bring that formation-breaking treasure," Ye Xuanji instructed.

"Alright, when do we act?" Wang Changsheng continued to ask.

"Come when you've made your arrangements. It's best to be quick and not delay too long, lest we miss the opportunity," Ye Xuanji urged.

Wang Changsheng agreed, chatted for a while, and then ended the communication.