Chapter 3604: Change of Affiliation by Ci Lei

Bai Yuqi has advanced to the Integration Stage. The Wang family currently boasts fifteen Integration Stage cultivators, a formidable force that Wang Changsheng cannot entirely commit to confronting the Yinmei Tribe.

He plans to go with Wang Ruyan, Wang Yidao, Wang Qingfeng, and Dong Xueli, while Wang Qingshan and ten other Integration Stage cultivators will remain on Xuanyou Continent.

The Wang family is undoubtedly the paramount power on Xuanyou Continent. However, the cultivation resources available there are inferior to those on Qianling Continent. If they could eliminate the Yinmei Tribe and secure territory on Qianling Continent, it would significantly benefit the family's future development.

Upon returning to Azure Lotus Peak, Wang Changsheng recounted the events to Wang Ruyan and Wang Qingfeng.

"Excellent! It's time for us to contribute to the family as well." Wang Qingfeng was overjoyed, as Wang Qingshan, Wang Mengbin, and Wang Qingcheng had all previously participated in battles.

"Let's call on Yingjie! This is an excellent opportunity for training. He has been cultivating in seclusion in the Canghai Sea for thousands of years; it's time for him to exert some effort." Wang Ruyan suggested this, acknowledging that while the Yinmei Tribe was indeed a major clan, if the Wang, Ye, and Stone Cocoon families united, eliminating them should not be difficult.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "At that time, we'll send Yuejiao and Qingcheng to guard the Canghai Sea. Qingshan and the others will remain on Xuanyou Continent. To be cautious, Wang Naluo and Wang Xiuluo will also stay on Xuanyou Continent."

"Speaking of which, where exactly did Xuanqingzi go? There's been no news at all," Wang Ruyan wondered. Wang Qingshan had returned years ago, but Xuanqingzi remained missing with no word to this day.

"I don't know! Yongqian contacted the Xuanqing Sect, and even Immortal Yu Fu doesn't know Xuanqingzi's whereabouts." Wang Changsheng wasn't concerned about Xuanqingzi's whereabouts; the safety of the Xuanqing Sect had nothing to do with him.

Wang Yongqian entered and reported, "Ancestor, Senior Cilei of the Spirit Race is visiting."

"Cilei? I seem to recall the name. Has he advanced to the Integration Stage?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled. The Spirit Race had aligned with the Xuanqing Sect. After all, Xuanqingzi was an established Integration Stage cultivator, so the Spirit Race's choice was understandable.

"Please invite him to Azure Lotus Peak to speak," Wang Changsheng instructed. Wang Yongqian acknowledged and departed.

A short while later, Wang Yongqian brought Cilei to Azure Lotus Peak.

"This humble one, Cilei, greets Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang," Cilei said courteously.

According to the Spirit Race's original plan, they were to gradually develop and grow stronger. However, after the Blazing Flame Tribe and the Yaksha Tribe were successively annihilated, the Human Race became the strongest on Xuanyou Continent. After much deliberation, the Spirit Race's high-ranking members decided to align with the Xuanqing Sect, the most powerful faction.

When Huoyunzi and nine other Integration Stage cultivators attacked, they were all killed. Xuanqingzi had not returned for a long time, and Wang Changsheng had eliminated Yin Qing, completely resolving the hidden dangers from the sea and expanding their influence. All these events made Cilei consider switching his allegiance. As an Integration Stage cultivator, Cilei didn't even possess a high-grade spirit treasure, putting him at a severe disadvantage in life-and-death battles. Furthermore, he lacked artifacts for transcending tribulations. After much thought, he decided to align with the Wang family and serve them.

"Fellow Daoist Ci, may I ask the purpose of your visit?" Wang Changsheng inquired, as they had no deep connection with the Spirit Race.

"I dare not offer advice. I have long heard of the renowned Azure Lotus Immortal Couple, and I came today to express our sincerity: our Spirit Race is willing to serve the Wang family, and my primordial magnetic divine light is still somewhat useful," Cilei said sincerely.

"Align with our Wang family? Your Spirit Race is an affiliated race of the Xuanqing Sect. Now you wish to align with us? Does that mean you can switch allegiances at any time? If a more powerful force than our Wang family emerges in the future, will you switch allegiances again?" Wang Ruyan's expression showed displeasure. If Cilei had aligned with them from the start, it would have been acceptable, but now, who knew if they would switch to another force someday?

"Madam Wang jests," Cilei replied with a conciliatory smile. "My previous alignment with the Xuanqing Sect was a misjudgment of the situation. I can assure you that from now on, I will only be loyal to your Wang family."

"If you wish for me to accept you, you must show me your strength. I do not accept mediocre individuals. Come with me for a spar." Wang Changsheng led Cilei away from Azure Lotus Island to a vast expanse of azure sea.

Without further ado, Wang Changsheng gently clapped his right hand towards the void. A sound of crashing waves erupted, the sea churned violently, and a blue water mountain fifty thousand zhang tall appeared on the surface, casting a vast shadow. Cilei was dumbfounded. He knew Wang Changsheng was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this powerful. Before the blue water mountain even descended, the void tore open, revealing numerous cracks. Cilei formed a hand seal, and a gray humanoid phantom appeared above his head. The phantom drew a large circle in the void with its hands, and a gray halo emerged, blocking in front of him.

The blue water mountain collided with the gray halo. The gray halo flickered incessantly, then instantly disintegrated as if made of paper. Cilei merged with his Dharma Idol, and a brilliant gray light erupted from his hands as he met the attack. A deafening roar ensued! The gray light clashed with the blue water mountain, flickering continuously. After a moment, the blue water mountain disintegrated, turning into vast waves that scattered into the sea.

Cilei let out a long breath, panting, his face pale.

"Can you withstand a second strike?" Wang Changsheng asked, clapping his right hand towards the void again. This time, a colossal wave, one hundred thousand zhang tall, appeared on the sea surface, blotting out the sky and sun, and twice as powerful as the previous one. Cilei was startled. He hadn't expected Wang Changsheng to hold back his strength. How could a cultivator in the mid-Integration Stage possess such abundant magical power?

"Fellow Daoist Wang, stop! I cannot withstand this move," Cilei honestly stated. While Primordial Magnetic Divine Light could counter Five-Element Daoist attacks, this was only effective when the power disparity between the combatants wasn't too significant. It was impossible for even a Body Fusion Stage cultivator to withstand an Integration Stage cultivator's attack using Primordial Magnetic Divine Light if the gap was too vast. The same applies to any divine ability: its counter-effect is only valid when the difference between opponents is not significant. If the disparity is too great, there's no counter.

"Considering your sincerity, I will accept you. We are about to go confront an enemy; you can accompany us. As for the Spirit Race, I will arrange for someone to look after them for you. What do you think?" Wang Changsheng said slowly.

"No problem, I'll follow your lead," Cilei agreed. Since he intended to align with the Wang family, he naturally couldn't refuse Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng nodded in satisfaction and returned to Azure Lotus Island with Cilei.

The next morning, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingfeng, Wang Yidao, Wang Qingcheng, Sun Yuejiao, Cilei, and Dong Xueli—seven individuals in total—departed from Azure Lotus Island. Wang Changsheng personally piloted the Azure Lotus, heading towards the Canghai Sea. Of course, when passing by the Heavenly Sun Sand Sea, Wang Changsheng would arrange for Cilei to stay on Manatee Island and have someone watch over him; it was impossible to bring Cilei all the way to the Canghai Sea.

On Xuanguang Continent, within Xuanguang Valley, in a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, Chu Feng and True Monarch Bloodblade sat in a green stone pavilion, conversing. True Monarch Bloodblade had already advanced to the Integration Stage. They had jointly attacked the strongholds of several races and acquired numerous cultivation resources, including a realm-breaking artifact.

"With the Realm-Breaker Ruler, we can now travel to other realms. There's no need to stay here indefinitely, lest we encounter Wang family cultivators," Chu Feng said with a smile.

"Before we leave, let's first eliminate those slightly stronger races. I need to practice my cultivation," True Monarch Bloodblade suggested, his face filled with killing intent. He cultivated the Dao through slaughter.

"No problem, let's depart now." Chu Feng agreed, and the two left Xuanguang Valley.