Chapter 3819: Cloud Whirlpool Cave Opens

"I am Lin Ping'an from Qingzhi Island," said the young man in green, identifying himself. "I ask for your consideration on behalf of my Lin family."

"I don't care what island you're from," the old man in green robes said grumpily, rolling his eyes. "This is Chaos Continent, not your immortal realm. Without a True Immortal-stage five-color chaos beast's crystal core, don't even think about trading for the Nine-Spirit Immortal Fruit."

Lin Ping'an frowned deeply. Lu Yao then spoke, "It's just a five-color chaos beast's crystal core. I have one, so this Nine-Spirit Immortal Fruit is mine."

Lu Yao took out a five-color crystal core and handed it to the old man in green robes. He then produced a small, green-glowing mirror, into which he cast a spell. The green mirror emitted a stream of green light that enveloped the five-color crystal core, followed by a piercing shriek. The mirror's surface flickered incessantly with spiritual energy.

The old man in green robes handed the Nine-Spirit Immortal Fruit to Lu Yao, who then put it away.

Lin Ping'an said nothing and quickly left.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan browsed the square, found nothing of interest, and then left the bluestone plaza. As they passed a teahouse, Wang Changsheng heard a somewhat familiar male voice in his ear: "Fellow Daoist Wang, you're here too. I'm upstairs."

Wang Changsheng looked up and saw Xun Long.

"Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Xun," Wang Changsheng transmitted.

Xun Long was also here, suggesting he might be planning to enter the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven to seek treasures. Perhaps they could cooperate.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, let's communicate via the Immortal Transmission Mirror," Xun Long transmitted. "It's inconvenient to speak openly here."

Wang Changsheng nodded and left with Wang Ruyan.

Upon returning to their residence, Wang Changsheng entered a two-story azure pavilion. He activated the protective restrictions, then took out a blue-glowing Immortal Transmission Mirror and cast a spell into it. Not long after, the mirror surface lit up with a dazzling blue light, revealing Xun Long's face.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Xun Long began, "are you planning to enter the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven to seek treasures? Our Sky Moon Clan has five allocated spots, and I am one of them."

"We also intend to enter the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven to seek treasures," Wang Changsheng replied. "Our family only has two spots."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Luo wishes to speak with you," Xun Long said. "He is the leader of our Sky Moon Clan's expedition."

Wang Changsheng nodded. As Xun Long was merely a mid-stage True Immortal, it was indeed unlikely he would be the leader. The mirror flashed, and a handsome young man in a silver robe appeared within it.

"I am Luo Jun," the silver-robed youth stated. "It's good to meet you, Fellow Daoist Wang. Since we are all entering to seek treasures, we can cooperate if the opportunity arises."

"Naturally," Wang Changsheng agreed. The Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven was vast, so they might not even encounter each other.

"Then it's a deal," Luo Jun said. "Regarding our agreement, please do not disclose it, Fellow Daoist Wang; it will benefit us both." With that, the mirror dimmed.

"I thought he might want to exchange information with us," Wang Ruyan remarked. "But this is fine too. We aren't well-acquainted, so it's unlikely he would share information immediately."

It's always wise to be cautious. Xun Long is Xun Long, and Luo Jun is Luo Jun.

"This is our first time cooperating," Wang Changsheng said. "If it goes well, we can continue to work together in the future."

Seven days passed quickly.

Lu Chuan gathered Wang Changsheng and the others in an azure stone pavilion to exchange information.

"These are the elite disciples from major powers like the Radiant Moon Alliance and the Beast Spirit Sect," Gao Bin said, taking out several crystal balls of various colors and handing them to Wang Changsheng and the others. "Familiarize yourselves with them. If you encounter them, it's best not to engage them alone. Contact other cultivators and work together to deal with them."

They hadn't been idle during this time, contacting friends and acquaintances to gather intelligence on the True Immortal cultivators sent by other forces into the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven. As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." The crystal balls contained information about other treasure seekers, including their appearances, divine abilities, treasures, and spirit beasts. Of course, this information was not entirely accurate, as the true trump cards of other True Immortal cultivators could not be fully known to outsiders.

"Return and prepare yourselves," Lu Chuan instructed. "You will be entering the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven tomorrow."

Qi Hongfeng and the others stood up sequentially, preparing to depart.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, please stay," Lu Chuan called out to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. "There's something I wish to discuss with you."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan nodded and stayed.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, once you enter the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven, please meet up with me as soon as possible," Lu Chuan said, taking out a silver-glowing talisman and handing it to Wang Changsheng. "This is a child talisman of the Seven-Star Mother-Child Sensing Talisman. Take it; within a certain range, cultivators holding either a child talisman or the mother talisman can sense each other's presence. Besides you, the other five child talismans are with the elite disciples of our Nine Immortals Sect."

The silver talisman was about a foot long and an inch wide, covered with tadpole-sized runes that twisted and writhed as if alive.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Shen Qing added, "when you sense the location of the others, immediately converge with them and work together to find immortal cultivation resources. This is Uncle Master Du's command. Of course, should we find valuable items, we will ensure you are fairly compensated."

"Why not involve Fellow Daoist Qi and the others?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled. "Their strength is not weak."

"You are a True Spirit," Lu Chuan explained. "No matter how strong they are, they cannot withstand low-grade immortal artifacts or directly confront a True Immortal-stage four-color chaos beast in physical combat."

In his eyes, Wang Changsheng's strength far surpassed that of Qi Hongfeng and the others.

"We understand what to do," Wang Changsheng affirmed.

After a few further instructions, Lu Chuan dismissed Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

"With ten Immortal Armored Soldiers, plus Senior Brother Lu and Senior Sister Shen, we shouldn't need their help, should we?" Fang Xiao questioned.

"It's merely a precaution," Lu Chuan explained. "Forces like the Beast Spirit Sect will also send Immortal Armored Soldiers inside, especially the Murong family. They have the most allocated spots and are the most formidable opponents. The last time the Cloud Vortex Grotto-Heaven opened, the Murong family sent thirty Immortal Armored Soldiers to seek treasures, and Senior Sister Liu and her group were no match for them."

"This time, if we can just acquire those few items, it will be a major accomplishment," Shen Qing said, a look of longing on her face.

Fang Xiao nodded, saying nothing more.

A day passed quickly.

Early the next morning, Wang Changsheng and the others rose early and made their way to a vast bluestone plaza. Hundreds of True Immortal cultivators had already gathered there, grouped by their respective affiliations. The Murong family had the largest contingent, numbering seventy. Cangyun Palace had thirty-five, the Beast Spirit Sect forty-five, the Radiant Moon Alliance fifty-five, the Snow Crystal Clan forty, Hundred Refinements Island forty, and the Lin family forty.

Soon after, a loud bell chimed, and the cultivators ceased their conversations, lining up in neat rows. A deafening dragon roar echoed as a colossal red flood dragon flew in from the distance, landing on the bluestone plaza. The red flood dragon possessed three enormous heads. A refined-looking scholar in white robes stood on its central head, accompanied by Du Tianhe and over a dozen other Golden Immortal cultivators. The white-robed scholar was Murong Zhengxian, a mid-stage Golden Immortal.

"Greetings, Senior," Wang Changsheng and the others said in unison, bowing respectfully. Their voices resonated throughout Crimson Swallow City.

"Fellow Daoist Du, Madam Lin," Murong Zhengxian said, taking out a square golden token, "let's open the entrance and allow the juniors to enter for treasure hunting." Du Tianhe and seven other Golden Immortal cultivators similarly produced their own square golden tokens.

They infused immortal power into their golden tokens. From each token, a golden light shot forth, striking a point in the void. The void rippled, and a shimmering, pale golden gate of light materialized.

"Enter in batches, twenty people per team," Murong Zhengxian announced in a deep voice.

Wang Changsheng and the others began to move towards the gate.