Chapter 3624: Return to Xuanyang Realm (No More Today)

In a certain area of the Black Sea Realm, the waters were dark, and the sea breeze blew in strong gusts. An island shrouded in thick black fog was swept by chilling winds.

A disheveled figure flew out from the island. It was none other than Xuanqingzi. Earlier, he had separated from his main group. Several Grand Ascension cultivators from the Oblong Clan pursued him, and Xuanqingzi used a Boundary-Breaking Disk to breach the realm and escape. However, he inadvertently entered a perilous zone, where all his accompanying cultivators were killed, and his ship, the Xuanqing, was destroyed. Xuanqingzi used the Boundary-Breaking Disk to get away. After several difficult transfers, he appeared in a perilous area of the Black Sea Realm, from which he barely managed to escape.

"I've finally escaped," Xuanqingzi cursed. "What rotten luck!" He cursed, acknowledging the risk of randomly breaching realms to escape. If not for the two incomplete Xuan-tier treasures he possessed, he might not have survived. This time, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. He discovered the former cultivation cave of a Grand Ascension cultivator and acquired a secret technique for opening apertures, the "Profound Aperture Art." Being able to open even one aperture was a significant achievement. His immediate task was to find the necessary materials to open an aperture. Once he succeeded, his strength would see a qualitative improvement. Xuanqingzi transformed into a streak of green light and soared away, vanishing into the horizon shortly thereafter.

***

Evergreen Realm, Evergreen Continent.

The Eight Directions Mountain Range, spanning hundreds of millions of miles, is located in the southeastern part of the Evergreen Continent and serves as the headquarters of the Eight Directions Commerce Alliance. Within a secluded manor, a dignified young man in silver robes and Lin Qingqing sat conversing in a green stone pavilion.

"The Green Lotus Immortal Couple has each opened an aperture. Their fortune seems significant, and it's likely the Wang family will become a new major clan," the silver-robed youth said with a smile. This was Xie Feng, the leader of the Eight Directions Commerce Alliance, a Grand Ascension cultivator at the mid-stage.

"That's nothing new," Lin Qingqing replied. "In the myriad realms of the Eastern Xuan Continent Cluster, established powers will decline while new ones emerge. No force remains prosperous forever. Compared to the Wang family, the Mi Clan rose even faster. Their Grand Elder actually cultivated into a True Spirit, enduring a Xuan-tier treasure directly, fighting one against three, and annihilating all enemies, including a late-stage Grand Ascension cultivator." As Lin Qingqing finished speaking, her face was filled with envy.

"The rise of new powers often unfolds this way," Xie Feng slowly stated. "Only a few leading figures are needed to establish a clan or a True Spirit family's status. The Wang family and the Mi Clan are merely following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Compared to the Myriad Sound Sect, their minor fortunes are insignificant." In terms of fortune, who could compare to the Myriad Sound Sect, which had acquired a time-based immortal artifact?

Xie Feng took out a light green Dharma plate, infused it with a spell, and instructed, "Please invite Fellow Daoist Xu to my residence; I will receive him personally."

"Yes, Alliance Leader," a respectful female voice responded from the green Dharma plate.

"Fellow Daoist Xu? Could it be Old Devil Xu?" Lin Qingqing asked curiously.

Xie Feng put away the Dharma plate and nodded. "Who else could it be but him? Compared to the Wang family and the Mi Clan, Old Devil Xu is far more legendary. He ascended to the Grand Ascension stage as a rogue cultivator, cultivated Grand Ascension-level specters, opened an aperture, and even possesses a Xuan-tier treasure. With so many years passed, he might well have opened two apertures by now."

"Opening two apertures isn't that easy, is it?" Lin Qingqing asked, surprised.

"It's difficult for others, but for him, it's hard to say," Xie Feng mused. "He's mastered numerous powerful secret techniques. While he claims they originate from the Heavenly Void Jade Book, I don't believe it; that text mostly contains auxiliary content with few secret arts. Given the many potent secret techniques he commands, rumors suggest he received a True Immortal inheritance." Xie Feng's expression grew serious.

"A True Immortal inheritance? Didn't they say True Immortals cannot descend to the lower realms? How could he have obtained such an inheritance?" Lin Qingqing asked, astonished.

"True Immortals cannot descend," Xie Feng explained, "but treasures like inheritance beads might find their way from the Immortal Realm to the lower realms. The Qiankun Bottle is the best example of this."

A moment later, he looked outside and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, we are all old acquaintances. Please come in!" As soon as he spoke, a gaunt, black-robed old man descended from the sky, landing before them. The old man's cheeks were hollow, and a surge of chilling Yin energy emanated from him. This was Xu Long, a Grand Ascension cultivator at the mid-stage.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, long time no see," Xie Feng greeted him with a smile.

"Spare me the pleasantries," Xu Long said, getting straight to the point. "Where are the items I requested?"

Xie Feng took out a black storage bracelet and handed it to Xu Long. Xu Long's divine sense swept over it, and he nodded in satisfaction. He then retrieved a green storage ring, tossed it to Xie Feng, and asked, "I hear a time-based immortal artifact, the Qiankun Bottle, has descended to the lower realms and is now in the Myriad Sound Sect's possession?"

"That's what I've heard," Xie Feng replied. "The Tang Clan and several other major clans tried to confront the Myriad Sound Sect, but they were all annihilated. Fellow Daoist Xu, you're not contemplating targeting the Qiankun Bottle, are you? Immortal Jinpa is not someone to be trifled with," Xie Feng kindly reminded him.

"Heh heh, thanks for the warning. Farewell." With those words, a burst of black light erupted from Xu Long's body, transforming him into a cloud of black mist that vanished instantly.

Xie Feng and Lin Qingqing exchanged incredulous glances. "It seems I was right," Xie Feng mused. "He dares to target Immortal Jinpa, so his strength must have significantly improved. I wonder who will ultimately claim the Qiankun Bottle."

"Should we organize people to intercept it?" Lin Qingqing suggested.

"No, we cannot," Xie Feng declined Lin Qingqing's suggestion. "We are a commercial organization. Once we start contending for treasures, our business will suffer. There are always stronger individuals out there; Old Devil Xu is formidable, and the Myriad Sound Sect is not easily provoked. Let them handle it." After hearing this, Lin Qingqing said nothing more.

***

Heavenly Dome Realm, Wanlong Continent.

In a serene manor within the Tianlong Mountain Range on the Wanlong Continent, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan sat in a green stone pavilion while Wang Yingjie and others reported on their progress. They had entered the small world controlled by the Oblong Clan, plundered numerous cultivation resources, and discovered two types of materials needed to open the second aperture. Wang Yidao and his companions had transplanted four eighth-grade mineral veins, storing them within the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. In addition, they had posted notices and located many clan members, including Murong Yushuang and others. However, there was still no news of Wang Chuanming.

"Never mind," Wang Changsheng sighed. "Since we haven't found Chuanming after all this time, perhaps he's cultivating in seclusion elsewhere. We've been away for quite a while; it's time to return." They needed to return to the Profound Sun Realm. This way, Wang Qingshan, Wang Mengbin, and Wang Qingfeng could open their apertures, and Wang Changsheng could safely proceed with opening his second aperture, thereby enhancing his strength. This expedition to another realm had yielded immense rewards. They had acquired twelve eighth-grade mineral veins alone, and the Tang Clan, Medicine Clan, Scarlet Melting Clan, and Heavenly Yan Clan had all been thoroughly plundered. The Wang family required time to assimilate these resources. If they didn't return soon, they risked giving their enemies an opportunity for a sneak attack.

"Ancestor," Wang Yingjie requested, "Should I remain here to continue searching for them?"

"No need," Wang Changsheng declined Wang Yingjie's suggestion. "It's not very useful for you to stay here alone. After this battle, the foreign races know our strength. We'll notify the various races on Wanlong Continent to properly settle Wang Chuanming and the others if found; they wouldn't dare lay a hand on them." He contacted Ye Xuanji to inform her of his intentions, and Ye Xuanji also planned to return to the Profound Sun Realm.

An hour later, they gathered at the manor. Wang Changsheng summoned the Green Lotus, which carried them away from the location and back towards the Profound Sun Realm.