Chapter 3712: The Cao Family's Persuasion

Wang Changsheng possesses the Black Jade Shield and the Thunder Apricot Jade Immortal Fruit, so surviving the ninety-nine lightning tribulations will not be an issue.

Before ascending to the Immortal Realm, he needs to establish a sufficiently strong foundation to deter minor adversaries. Ideally, he should gather the materials to open the third aperture, leaving behind a Mahayana cultivator who has achieved this to safeguard the family.

He had inquired with Nangong Yulong and learned that cultivators from the lower realms need to consume Soul Cleansing Pills to shed their lower realm aura before ascending to the Immortal Realm. These Soul Cleansing Pills are immortal elixirs and quite valuable.

Aside from the cultivation resources from the Immortal Realm fragments, the existence of Soul Cleansing Pills means Wang Changsheng cannot bring too many family members to the Immortal Realm; otherwise, he would have to expend a great deal of energy and time acquiring these pills.

In addition to family members, spirit beasts also require Soul Cleansing Pills to remove their lower realm aura; otherwise, they would face a minor heavenly tribulation every millennium, the power of which should not be underestimated.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "We should be able to collect the materials for opening the third aperture. By then, we'll leave behind a group of Mahayana cultivators, along with dozens of Profound Heaven Treasures, True Spirit Puppets, True Spirit Formations, and Mahayana-level bean soldiers. Even if a major disaster occurs, they should be able to handle it."

The foundation they had accumulated for the family was very substantial; even if a late-Mahayana cultivator were to attack, they would be able to cope.

The two gourds on the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine matured, yielding two Profound Heaven artifacts.

Wang Changsheng refined these two Profound Heaven artifacts into the Profound Heaven Treasure Yin-Yang Sword Gourd. The Yin-Yang Sword Gourd is a set of Profound Heaven Treasures. Flying swords cultivated within it can have their power enhanced and can also unleash other powerful divine abilities, depending on the flying sword's grade and cultivation time.

Wang Changsheng had seized dozens of Profound Heaven Treasures, but none were part of a complete set. Throughout the Eastern Profound Continent Cluster, complete sets of Profound Heaven Treasures are rare, typically only possessed by super-clans.

"Ancestor," he said. Taking out a shimmering blue communication disc, he infused it with a spell. Wang Yongqian's voice then resounded: "Fellow Daoist Cao has arrived."

"Invite her in quickly!" Wang Changsheng instructed.

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yongqian replied.

Soon after, Cao Yuzhen entered, accompanied by Wang Yongqian.

"Madam Cao, you've advanced to the late Mahayana stage! Congratulations!" Wang Changsheng congratulated, sensing the powerful aura emanating from Cao Yuzhen. As the Cao family was a super-clan with deep foundations, it was not surprising for Cao Yuzhen to reach the late Mahayana stage. "Fellow Daoist Wang, you've also advanced to the late Mahayana stage. Congratulations to both of us!" Cao Yuzhen said with a smile.

With the Cao family's resources, passing the ninety-nine lightning tribulations would not be an issue for her. Before ascending to the Immortal Realm, she had heard that the Wang family was hosting a grand cultivation gathering, and specifically came to attend, also to catch up with Wang Changsheng.

"I heard Fellow Daoist Wang plans to hold a wedding for your son. Why didn't you mention it sooner? Our Cao family also has many excellent female clansmen." Cao Yuzhen brought up Wang Qingbai.

Wang Qingbai had already advanced to the Integration stage, and Xiahou Yao had also reached the Integration stage. Wang Changsheng intended to hold a wedding for them, officially introducing them to other forces and paving the way for their future.

"Qingbai and little friend Xiahou settled their lifelong commitment long ago. They are both dedicated to the Dao, so I haven't widely publicized it," Wang Changsheng explained. While there were many benefits to an alliance with the Cao family through marriage, he did not want Wang Qingbai to marry a female cultivator from the Cao family. The Cao family's power was too great, and if their descendants' aptitudes were too exceptional, it would be difficult to guarantee that the Cao family wouldn't harbor other intentions. Furthermore, the Wang family possessed many secrets, including the Grand Void God Forging Art and the Profound Infant Aperture Opening Great Law.

Cao Yuzhen's face showed a look of sudden realization, then she grew serious and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wang, where do you plan to ascend from? The Eastern Profound Continent Cluster is vast, and ascending from different realms leads to different landing points. You might end up in the Northern Sea Immortal Domain, or perhaps another immortal domain."

"I plan to ascend from Xuanling Continent. Do you have any good suggestions, Madam Cao?" Wang Changsheng inquired.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, are you interested in joining our Cao family and ascending to our territory? Our Cao family has a Grand Unity Golden Immortal overseeing it, and our strength is formidable," Cao Yuzhen asked.

She had contacted the clan elders in the Immortal Realm, who instructed her to recruit Wang Changsheng and have him work for the Cao family.

Wang Changsheng was somewhat tempted. He then thought of something and said with a troubled expression, "To be frank, Madam Cao, we intend to ascend from the location where Xuanling Celestial Venerable ascended. If it weren't for Xuanling Celestial Venerable, we wouldn't have reached where we are today."

"Xuanling Celestial Venerable? What is your connection to Xuanling Celestial Venerable?" Cao Yuzhen asked, puzzled.

"Years ago, we obtained some cultivation resources and cultivation techniques from Xuanling Celestial Venerable's secluded abode, which greatly advanced our cultivation. In a way, we are half-disciples of Xuanling Celestial Venerable, and we plan to ascend to the place where Xuanling Celestial Venerable settled." Wang Changsheng explained, though this was, of course, a fabrication.

The Profound Infant Aperture Opening Great Law was too important, as was the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron. If he were to truly ascend into the Cao family's territory, Wang Changsheng would be restless day and night. If the Cao family discovered the existence of these two items, the Wang family would be in trouble.

Cao Yuzhen showed some disappointment and said, "Very well! I won't force you then. If you change your mind, you can always come to our Cao family. We can arrange a very safe location for you, allowing you to land on our Cao family's Ascension Platform."

True Spirits with three open apertures are rare in the lower realms, but not so in the Immortal Realm. The Cao family valued talent, but it wasn't absolutely necessary for them to take in Wang Changsheng. After all, even if Wang Changsheng ascended to the Immortal Realm, he would merely be a True Immortal with three open apertures. The Cao family even had True Immortal clansmen with five open apertures, so they didn't particularly covet Wang Changsheng.

"Alright!" Wang Changsheng agreed.

After half an hour of casual conversation, Cao Yuzhen retired to rest.

Over two months later, the Grand Cultivation Gathering officially commenced.

At dawn, a bluestone plaza spanning ten thousand acres was filled with tens of thousands of cultivators. Among them, over a hundred were Mahayana cultivators, hailing from dozens of different realms.

Lan Fukong, Ye Xuanji, Master Miaode, Gongsun Yang, Chen Yueying, Ni Tianlong, Li Qinghuan, and others were seated in the front rows, engaging in casual conversation.

"I hear today is also Fellow Daoist Wang's son's auspicious wedding day. Truly a double blessing," Lan Fukong said with a flattering expression.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, what gift have you prepared?" Gongsun Yang teased.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Gongsun will find out then," Lan Fukong chuckled, keeping them in suspense.

"The hour has come! We invite the Ancestor!" A loud male voice resounded, reaching the ears of the cultivators present.

No sooner had the voice faded than a sky-piercing bird cry came from high above. A golden light appeared on the distant horizon, swiftly flying towards their location.

With a flash, the golden light materialized above the bluestone plaza, revealing a beast carriage shimmering with an ethereal blue light, pulled by an enormous three-legged Golden Crow.

"A three-legged Golden Crow pulling a carriage!" Most cultivators gasped, their faces filled with shock. Even True Spirit Three-legged Golden Crows only pulled carriages for True Master Taihao.

Wang Changsheng, clad in a blue robe, had a calm expression. Wang Ruyan stood beside him, her long hair fluttering.

The cultivators all stood up, saying, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang (Senior Wang)."

Wang Changsheng performed a hand seal, and the three-legged Golden Crow descended, pulling the Spirit-Crossing Flying Carriage towards the main platform. In fact, the Spirit-Crossing Flying Carriage didn't require the three-legged Golden Crow to pull it; Wang Changsheng simply did it to display his power.