Chapter 3788: Encountering Ye Xuanji

"Fellow Daoist Yang, from which realm did you ascend? What skills do you possess? I need to register you." Wang Huayue said courteously, acknowledging that cultivators capable of ascending to the Immortal Realm from a lower realm were certainly not ordinary individuals.

"I ascended from the Cloud Marsh Realm," Yang Chunqiu said. "I am proficient in poison arts, but I do not understand artifact refinement, alchemy, talismans, formation arrays, or wine brewing."

"A poison cultivator!" Wang Huayue was somewhat surprised; there weren't many high-level poison cultivators in the Wang family. It was not surprising that she had never heard of the Cloud Marsh Realm, as the East Profound Continent Cluster contained tens of thousands of realms, and Wang Huayue could not possibly know all of them.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, this is our Wang family's territory. Our family has a legacy of over forty thousand years, though we currently have no Golden Immortal cultivators. Do you choose to join our Wang family or remain a free individual? If you choose to join us, we can provide immortal cultivation techniques, low-grade immortal artifacts, and even secret enlightenment methods," Wang Huayue said slowly. The Wang family had no guest elders to date. While the family's power allowed them to recruit some True Immortal cultivators, they were generally wary of True Immortals whose origins were unclear. Yang Chunqiu, having ascended from a lower realm, possessed considerable potential, and the likelihood of him being a spy was very low.

"Low-grade immortal artifacts! Secret enlightenment methods!" Yang Chunqiu was somewhat moved. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I am willing to join your Wang family. What would be required of me?"

"Fellow Daoist Yang has just ascended, and your magic power has not yet transformed into immortal essence. We will not require anything of you for now. We will provide cultivation techniques, low-grade immortal artifacts, and secret enlightenment methods, but you must swear an oath upon the Green Lotus, pledging never to betray our Wang family throughout your life. The Green Lotus is a low-grade immortal artifact, and violating the oath will result in severe repercussions." The Green Lotus was a low-grade immortal artifact refined by Wang Changsheng, specifically used for forming contracts with guest elders. It was impossible for the Wang family to offer cultivation techniques, immortal artifacts, and secret enlightenment methods without any restrictions. Other forces operated similarly: joining was easy, but leaving was difficult.

Yang Chunqiu pondered for a moment, then said, "No problem, I am willing to join your Wang family."

"Fellow Daoist Yang, there are many powerful forces in the Sky Morning Sea Region. Have you considered any of them?" Wang Huayue asked, puzzled. Yang Chunqiu's readiness surprised her, making her wonder if he had caused trouble elsewhere.

"No need. Since I landed on your family's Ascension Platform, I shall serve your family! The benefits you offer are also generous. I was a rogue cultivator in the lower realm, and I fought tooth and nail, shedding blood, to contend for a single Profound Heaven Treasure. I no longer wish for such struggles," Yang Chunqiu explained. Everyone understood the wisdom of finding shade under a big tree, but not everyone was fortunate enough to do so.

"Alright, follow me! I'll take you to meet our Old Ancestor." Wang Huayue led Yang Chunqiu away from Xuanyang Island, teleporting to Green Lotus Island.

In a giant valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, a green sapling about a foot tall stood, enveloped by a light green barrier. Wang Changsheng and Wang Shen stood nearby. Wang Shen, currently a True Immortal at the early stage, was responsible for tending to the rare spiritual plants within the family. Wang Changsheng had acquired a spiritual bean at an auction. Instead of using it to refine bean soldiers, he had planted it to cultivate a Dao Soldier Tree. This Dao Soldier Tree was only about ten thousand years old; it would require millions more years of growth before it could bear beans. If they possessed a time-based immortal artifact similar to the Qiankun Bottle, the Dao Soldier Tree's growth rate could be significantly accelerated. There were many types of time-based immortal artifacts, and the Qiankun Bottle was quite unique, otherwise the Myriad Treasures Sect would not have expended such great effort to retrieve it.

"The Dao Soldier Tree is currently growing well, but its growth cycle is too long. Here is the record of its growth changes." Wang Shen took out a green crystal ball and handed it to Wang Changsheng. This was a Replay Crystal, which recorded the Dao Soldier Tree's growth changes, allowing Wang Shen to have ample time for cultivation without needing to constantly monitor it.

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to examine it, a green paper crane, flickering with runes, flew in and circled around him. A message crane! Wang Changsheng cast a spell, and the green paper crane spoke in human language: "Husband, a cultivator from the lower realm named Yang Chunqiu ascended onto our family's Ascension Platform. Huayue has brought him over. Would you like to meet him?"

"Yang Chunqiu, a cultivator from the lower realm!" Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised. "I'll leave this to you. Take good care of the Dao Soldier Tree." Wang Changsheng instructed, then left the valley and returned to Green Lotus Peak.

Wang Ruyan was seated in a green stone pavilion, with Wang Huayue, Yang Chunqiu, and Wang Qingcheng standing nearby. Yang Chunqiu had already sworn his oath upon the Green Lotus. Wang Ruyan inquired about the Cloud Marsh Realm, and Yang Chunqiu answered truthfully.

"Greetings, Old Ancestor!" Upon seeing Wang Changsheng, Wang Huayue bowed respectfully. Yang Chunqiu was about to bow when Wang Changsheng stopped him. "Fellow Daoist Yang, there's no need for formalities. Having joined our Wang family, you are now one of us. Qingcheng, please take Fellow Daoist Yang to rest! Arrange a comfortable cave dwelling for him." Wang Qingcheng assented and led Yang Chunqiu away, while Wang Huayue also departed.

"By my reckoning, Qingshan should be nearing the Chaos Continent by now!" Wang Changsheng remarked. Wang Ruyan nodded, saying, "About that. I hope everything goes smoothly for them." After a brief chat, Wang Changsheng entered a secret chamber, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating his techniques. With Wang Qingshan leading the expedition, Wang Changsheng could cultivate in peace.

The Nine Stars Market was one of the largest markets in the North Sea Immortal Realm, controlled by the Nangong Immortal Clan. It was strategically located adjacent to an entrance to the Chaos Continent, boasting abundant cultivation resources. The streets were bustling with crowds of people and the clamor of carriages, creating a lively atmosphere.

Wang Qingshan and Wang Yingjie strolled through the streets, observing their surroundings. They had used a large teleportation array to reach a certain great sea region, then traveled for some time before finally arriving at the Nine Stars Market. According to Du Tianhe's arrangements, they would rest for two days before entering the Chaos Continent. They were currently acquiring cultivation resources and gathering intelligence on Chaos Beasts and the Chaos Continent to improve their chances of survival.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see. Are True Monarch Taihao and Immortal Tianqin also in the market?" A familiar female voice echoed in Wang Qingshan's ear. Wang Qingshan paused slightly, then looked towards the source of the voice and saw Ye Xuanji. Ye Xuanji had already advanced to the middle stage of True Immortal. The Ye family's strength far surpassed that of the Wang family, so her advancement to the True Immortal middle stage was not surprising.

"Immortal Ye, long time no see. My ninth uncle and ninth aunt are not in the market," Wang Qingshan explained.

"Are you heading to the Chaos Continent?" Ye Xuanji asked. Nine out of ten True Immortal cultivators who came here were headed for the Chaos Continent.

Wang Qingshan nodded and said, "This isn't the best place to talk. Shall we find somewhere to have a proper conversation?" The Ye family's strength was considerable, and they undoubtedly possessed more knowledge about the Chaos Continent. They could provide some crucial intelligence.

"My residence isn't far from here. Follow me!" Ye Xuanji walked ahead, and Wang Qingshan and Wang Yingjie quickly followed.

After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a sparsely populated street and followed Ye Xuanji into a small courtyard with green tiles. Inside the courtyard were a green pavilion and a green stone pavilion, where Shangguan Tianhong was seated. Shangguan Tianhong, currently at the early True Immortal stage, was somewhat surprised to see both Wang Qingshan and Wang Yingjie.

"Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Shangguan," Wang Qingshan greeted him with a smile.