Chapter 3645: Dark Current

Xuanyang Realm, Xuanling Continent.

On Amethyst Island, Wang Yongqian stood atop a high peak, gazing at a swirling mass of five-colored thunderclouds high in the sky.

Wang Yier was undergoing his tribulation to advance to the Mahayana stage, having already overcome the inner demon trial.

Wang Jiye, Wang Huayue, Wang Rumeng, Wang Ruyi, and Long Qingfeng had successively entered the Mahayana stage. However, Murong Yushuang and Wang Zongque failed to overcome their inner demon trials and perished.

Even with the Qiankun Demon-Suppressing Talisman, some clan members still failed in their attempt to reach the Mahayana stage. This was unavoidable; even powerful clans could not guarantee that all their members would successfully advance to the Mahayana stage.

A rumbling sound of thunder echoed from above as massive five-colored lightning bolts struck down one after another, heading directly towards a steep peak.

Wang Yier stood at the summit, enveloped by a massive silver light barrier. The barrier's surface bore a lightning pattern.

He had already overcome the most difficult inner demon trial, and with the formations provided by his clan, passing the Eighty-Nine Thunder Tribulation would not be a major issue.

The five-colored lightning bolts successively struck the silver light barrier, causing ripples to spread across its surface. The five-colored lightning enveloped Wang Yier's figure.

After a moment, the five-colored thunderclouds churned violently, and a massive five-colored lightning python, as thick as a human's waist, emerged. The lightning python then plunged down from the sky.

As the five-colored lightning python approached within a hundred feet of the peak, a resounding laugh echoed across the heavens and earth. A pale golden sound wave swept forth and collided with the lightning python.

With a deafening roar, the five-colored lightning python's body exploded. A dazzling burst of five-colored lightning shot skyward, and the ground trembled slightly.

Shortly after, a streak of light emerged from the lightning, landing before Wang Yongqian. It was Wang Yier.

Wang Yier had successfully advanced to the Mahayana stage, though his magical power was somewhat depleted.

"Excellent! Our clan has gained another Mahayana cultivator," Wang Yongqian exclaimed excitedly.

She took out a pale golden Dharma plate, chanted an incantation, and said, "The Patriarch is looking for me; I must go and attend to it."

After speaking, Wang Yongqian left Amethyst Island, teleporting back to Qinglian Island.

At Qinglian Peak, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were seated in a green stone pavilion, conversing.

After leaving the Cao Family, they had not encountered any attacks. Perhaps others were wary of Wang Changsheng's strength, as he and Wang Ruyan had jointly slain Tong Shan, and he possessed the Soul-Exterminating Disk, a formidable treasure. Other Mahayana cultivators would have to carefully consider their chances before confronting him.

Wang Changsheng was about to undergo his second Great Heavenly Tribulation. Wang Yidao, Bai Yuqi, and Liu Hongxue were preparing to open their apertures.

After a moment, Wang Changsheng looked outside and said, "Come in and speak, Yongqian."

Wang Yongqian descended from the sky, landing before Wang Changsheng.

"Is there still no news of Chuanming?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Wang Chuanming, Wang Zongyun, Lan Fukong, and Wang Mengshan had disappeared without a trace, and there was no news of them to this day.

"Not yet. The Xuanyang Realm is separated from the Sky Dome Realm by multiple planes, making message transmission inconvenient. However, Ancestor Yier has advanced to the Mahayana stage," Wang Yongqian reported truthfully.

The Wang Family was already a major clan, but they had no powerful allies in other realms, making message transmission difficult.

"Send people to pay attention to the movements of Mahayana cultivators from other realms, especially those arriving in the Xuanyang Realm. There might be some who are planning something against our Wang Family," Wang Changsheng instructed. If Wang Chuanming were present, things would be much easier.

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yongqian agreed.

Wang Changsheng gave her a few instructions and then dismissed her.

"Husband, you can safely undergo your Great Heavenly Tribulation! Once I open my second aperture, and with Qing Shan and the others, even if a Mahayana cultivator with three apertures opened comes for us, we can still put up a fight," Wang Ruyan suggested this, noting that even Mahayana cultivators with two apertures opened were rare, let alone three. She was merely considering the worst-case scenario.

Wang Changsheng nodded. Ye Xuanji had told him that she could give him two bottles of Creation Jade Dew to help ripen the Lightning Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit.

Wang Changsheng estimated that at least nine bottles of Creation Jade Dew would be needed. Even counting the Creation Jade Dew in True Monarch Tian Chan's possession, it would only ripen the fruit for about 40,000 years. For Mahayana cultivators, who face a Great Heavenly Tribulation every 10,000 years, he couldn't wait tens of thousands of years.

Ye Xuanji possessed a defensive Xuantian Treasure, so she should have no problem passing the Ninety-Nine Thunder Tribulation. Wang Changsheng could also refine treasures to assist in tribulation passage, but he was unsure if the Green Lotus Creation Cauldron could be used for the Ninety-Nine Thunder Tribulation and still needed to make other plans.

After a brief chat, Wang Changsheng left Qinglian Peak and went to Amethyst Island, preparing to undergo his second Great Heavenly Tribulation.

He entered a secret chamber, sat cross-legged, and began to meditate and regulate his breathing.

Glazed Realm, Tianta Continent.

In a secluded manor, Teng Lei, Yin Yuan, and a medium-built elder in a green robe sat in a green stone pavilion, discussing something.

"True Monarch Taihao defeated Demonic Monarch Tiansha? He has cultivated his Spirit Domain to Great Perfection?" Teng Lei exclaimed in surprise.

"Absolutely true. Fellow Daoist Sun informed me of this through a cross-realm communication array. There's no mistake. True Monarch Taihao must have other trump cards." The green-robed elder's expression was solemn.

Gu Sen, mid-Mahayana stage, with two apertures opened.

"The Soul-Exterminating Disk is in his hands, so it won't be easy to deal with True Monarch Taihao. We'll need to prepare items that can counter soul attacks," Teng Lei said with a frown.

"We don't actually have a deep-seated enmity with True Monarch Taihao, Fellow Daoist Gu. Could we try to negotiate with him? Perhaps we could exchange items with him?" Yin Yuan suggested.

"It's true we don't have deep enmity with True Monarch Taihao, but the Tang Clan from the Immortal Realm has allied with our Teng Clan. Our Patriarch has instructed us to help the Tang Clan seek revenge, reclaim the Soul-Exterminating Disk and the Lightning Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit, and ideally, acquire the Creation Jade Dew," Gu Sen said solemnly. Honestly, he didn't want to target the Wang Family, as the Green Lotus Immortal Couple's strength was considerable. However, with their Patriarch from the Immortal Realm issuing the command, he had no choice but to obey.

"Since the Patriarch has given the order, we will deal with the Wang Family. However, to be cautious, we should invite a few more powerful fellow Daoists. We could contact Demonic Monarch Tiansha; we share a common goal," Teng Lei suggested.

Gu Sen nodded and instructed, "First, let's attend the Grand Assembly of a Hundred Clans hosted by the Tianming Clan. Hopefully, we can exchange for aperture-opening materials and tribulation-passing materials to enhance our strength before moving against the Wang Family."

The Tianming Clan was a super-clan, a sworn enemy of the Cao Family, with significant influence in the Immortal Realm and among other races.

The Tianming Clan held the Grand Assembly of a Hundred Clans, inviting various races to participate. Its purpose was similar to the Cao Family's Dao Discussion Assembly: to exchange cultivation resources and expand their own influence.

"The Grand Assembly of a Hundred Clans is still more than a thousand years away. We can contact more factions. Ye Xuanji possesses a defensive Xuantian Treasure. If we acquire that treasure, it would certainly be excellent for passing the Ninety-Nine Thunder Tribulation," Teng Lei suggested.

The Wang Family had the Lightning Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit, and the Ye Family had a defensive Xuantian Treasure. These were all items coveted by other Mahayana cultivators and also potential sources of disaster.

Gu Sen nodded and said, "Let's do that."

Having concluded their discussion, they went their separate ways.