Chapter 3640: Tianshan Zhenjun

"It's not as if more people can kill a True Spirit," Ye Xuanji dismissed the idea. "They simply overestimate themselves. True Spirits can withstand Xuan-Heaven Treasures; ordinary Xuan-Heaven Treasures cannot harm them at all. If True Spirits could be killed so easily, they wouldn't be considered anything special."

Qin Hao nodded and said, "That's true. I heard that seven-headed owl had opened an aperture. It seems they were unlucky to encounter an awakened True Spirit."

"By the way, Madam Cao," Ni Tianlong asked curiously, "I heard you also invited Venerable Mystic Turtle? I heard he had opened an aperture?"

"We did invite Venerable Mystic Turtle. As for whether he has opened an aperture, I'm not sure," Cao Yuzhen explained. "However, transformed demonic beasts can also open apertures; it's just that due to limitations in materials and awakening secret arts, awakened transformed demonic beasts are relatively rare." Venerable Mystic Turtle's true form was an eighth-rank Blackwater Turtle. He had taken human form and possessed considerable divine abilities, also receiving an invitation from the Cao family.

Turtle demonic beasts had always been targets for cultivators, especially high-rank ones. Their shells, when refined into defensive treasures, offered excellent protection. Whenever a high-rank turtle demonic beast was discovered by cultivators, it would be besieged. For Venerable Mystic Turtle to cultivate to the Mahayana stage was already extremely difficult, and to also receive an invitation from the Cao family clearly indicated his formidable divine abilities.

"Transformed demonic beasts can also open apertures?" Gongsun Yang asked, somewhat curious. This implied that even the Cao family's transformed spirit beasts could open apertures.

Cao Yuzhen nodded and said, "Of course they can. However, the materials for opening an aperture are quite precious, so few people use them for spirit beasts. Moreover, the focus for spirit beasts is the purity of their bloodline. If they are fortunate enough to cultivate into a True Spirit, their power would be no weaker than a Mahayana cultivator who has opened one aperture. Cultivation resources in the Immortal Realm are abundant, so it's not uncommon for transformed demonic beasts to open apertures there."

After chatting for most of the day, dusk fell, and Wang Changsheng and the others returned to their respective residences.

"Grandmaster Taihao has actually cultivated his spiritual domain to Grand Completion. Either he possesses a myriad-spirit Dao fruit, or he has a treasure for enlightenment," Cao Yufeng said, her face full of curiosity.

"It's most likely the myriad-spirit Dao fruit!" Cao Yuzhen analyzed. "They assisted Fairy Jinpa in eliminating Tong Shan and several other Mahayana cultivators, so they should have obtained Creation Dew. However, he likely has other trump cards; what he displayed was only a portion of his divine abilities. Fairy Tianqin must have also cultivated her spiritual domain to a very high level."

"Their opportunities are not small. I heard they were not well-known before advancing to the Mahayana stage, but their strength greatly increased after entering and searching for treasures in the Daoist site of Heavenly Venerable Xuanling. It seems they obtained many good things there, possibly even materials for refining immortal artifacts. Rumor has it that the Daoist site is actually a fragment of the Immortal Realm," Cao Tianhu finished, his face full of curiosity.

"I've divined for Fellow Daoist Xu, and he has a great opportunity in the Xuanyang Realm, perhaps related to entering the Daoist site for treasures. When the time comes, we can go to the Xuanyang Realm with him," Cao Yufeng suggested. The "Fellow Daoist Xu" she referred to was a guest elder of the Cao family, a Mahayana stage cultivator.

The Cao family possessed profound heritage, having recruited several Mahayana stage guest elders. This alone made them superior to other True Spirit families. Cao Yufeng could not divine for close relatives, but she could for guest elders or subordinates.

"After the Dao Discussion Assembly concludes, let's make a trip to the Xuanyang Realm! Yufeng, you don't need to go," Cao Yuzhen said.

Cao Yufeng nodded and agreed.

A month passed quickly.

Mahayana cultivators arrived at the Cao family residence one after another. Cao Yuzhen hosted several gatherings where the cultivators exchanged insights on cultivation methods and traded cultivation resources. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan also met many Mahayana cultivators and managed to trade for two materials needed to open the third aperture.

In a secluded manor, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Yulan, and others were sitting in a green stone pavilion, conversing.

"The Cao family has such immense influence! Nearly a hundred Mahayana cultivators have arrived, far surpassing the influence of the Ye or Luo families," Wang Yulan exclaimed, her face full of envy. If the Wang family had such great influence, they wouldn't have to travel so far to attend the Dao Discussion Assembly; they could simply wait for other Mahayana cultivators to come to them in the Xuanyang Realm.

A sound transmission talisman flew in, landing before them.

Wang Yulan grabbed the talisman with her right hand. As her fingers closed around it, the talisman ignited, and a resonant male voice emerged: "Fellow Daoist Wang, this old man is Du Feng. I heard that you are also attending the Dao Discussion Assembly, so I specifically came to pay my respects."

"True Monarch Heavenly Cicada! He must also be here for the Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit, right?" Wang Ruyan guessed. They had interacted with many Mahayana cultivators recently, and all of them had inquired about the Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit.

Wang Changsheng openly admitted it, as it couldn't be hidden anyway. Several Mahayana cultivators had wanted to spar with him to test his strength. Wang Changsheng did not engage; Wang Ruyan personally took action, winning most of her bouts. These Mahayana cultivators possessed considerable divine abilities, and many of them had opened one aperture.

"Since he's here, we might as well meet him," Wang Changsheng said nonchalantly. According to their intelligence, True Monarch Heavenly Cicada raised an eighth-rank Six-Winged Golden Cicada, which had killed Mahayana cultivators and gained a fearsome reputation.

Wang Mengli, Wang Lin, Wang Tun Tain, Wang Xiao, Wang Chan, and Wang Shen were all Mahayana stage cultivators, so they had no fear of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada.

Wang Yulan acknowledged this, stood up, and walked towards the courtyard gate. She opened the gate and invited in a short, stout old man in a golden robe.

The old man in the golden robe had a round face, small eyes, and a fair, clean complexion. His kindly demeanor gave off an approachable impression. His aura was slightly stronger than Wang Changsheng's, indicating he was also a mid-Mahayana stage cultivator.

"This old man greets Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang," the golden-robed old man said politely, with a smile. He already knew the news of Wang Changsheng defeating True Monarch Heavenly Fiend and did not dare to underestimate him.

"I've long heard of Fellow Daoist Du's esteemed name. Today, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you. Please, Fellow Daoist Du, have a seat," Wang Changsheng said courteously, gesturing for True Monarch Heavenly Cicada to sit.

After a cup of tea, True Monarch Heavenly Cicada immediately stated his purpose: "I heard Fellow Daoist Wang killed Tong Shan. I presume the Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit tree is now in your possession?"

"That's correct, but it will still take over a hundred thousand years for it to mature. If Fellow Daoist Du has Creation Dew, I am willing to purchase it from you at a high price," Wang Changsheng openly admitted. He had met many Mahayana cultivators, but none had presented Creation Dew. This wasn't necessarily because they didn't possess it; perhaps they had it but chose not to offer it for exchange.

"If I give Fellow Daoist Wang a bottle of Creation Dew, can Fellow Daoist Wang give me a Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit?" True Monarch Heavenly Cicada asked, taking out a golden jade bottle and handing it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng was a bit surprised. He took the golden jade bottle, pulled out the stopper, and an intensely pure spiritual energy surged out. Inside were some light-green liquids. This was indeed Creation Dew, but several bottles would be far from enough to ripen the Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit.

"One bottle of Creation Dew isn't enough to ripen the Thunder Apricot Immortal Fruit. It might take eight or ten bottles," Wang Changsheng said, looking troubled, as he returned the jade bottle to True Monarch Heavenly Cicada.