Chapter 385: Wang Mingren Returns to the Sect

In the Wú Nation, on Tianquan Mountain, within a secluded courtyard, a guest room.

Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his eyes slightly closed. In front of him, hundreds of azure flying swords hovered. Upon closer inspection, one could see that these flying swords were not physical.

A moment later, Wang Qingshan opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. The hundreds of azure flying swords hovering in front of him scattered into specks of azure light and vanished.

“Finally, I’ve reached the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment.” Wang Qingshan let out a long sigh of relief, his eyes filled with delight.

They had been away from their clan for ten years, during which many clan members were injured or died. Only ten of them, including Wang Qingshan and Wang Changhao, remained alive, as twelve clan members had perished at the hands of demonic beasts. Tianquan Mountain was rich in cultivation resources. Although hunting demonic beasts was quite dangerous, the rewards were considerable. He purchased cultivation resources and successfully advanced to the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment. While advancing one layer in ten years was not a fast cultivation speed, Wang Qingshan was already quite satisfied.

He pushed open the door and walked out. Wang Changhao and Wang Qingjun were chatting in the stone pavilion. Wang Changhao had also advanced to the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment, and Wang Qingjun had cultivated to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

“Qingshan, you’ve emerged from seclusion. Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment, congratulations!” Seeing Wang Qingshan, Wang Changhao instinctively scanned him with his divine sense, a joyful expression on his face as he congratulated him.

“Congratulations, Seventh Brother, on reaching the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment.” Wang Qingjun gave a simple, honest smile and offered his congratulations.

Wang Qingshan smiled faintly and said, “What are you two chatting about? I thought I heard you mention an auction just now.”

“Qingshan, you’ve been in seclusion for two years, so it’s normal you wouldn’t know. Tianquan Mountain is preparing to host a large-scale auction. It’s said there will be magic treasures for auction, and I plan to attend. If I could successfully bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill, that would be even better.” If they successfully bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill, they would receive rewards upon returning to the clan, and the clan would also reimburse them for its cost. This was to encourage them to bid on Foundation Establishment Pills.

“That sounds great! But do we have enough spirit stones?” Wang Qingshan was a little worried. Large market cities were rich in cultivation resources, and there were many wealthy cultivators. At a large-scale auction, it was unknown how many powers would send representatives, and one needed sufficient spirit stones to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

“All the spirit stones we have combined are less than thirty thousand. I’ve thought about it: the auction won’t be held for another half a year. If we continue to hunt demonic beasts, we should be able to accumulate enough spirit stones to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill. If that’s not enough, we can sell a set of second-tier formation arrays.”

Wang Qingshan nodded and said, “That’s a good suggestion, I agree, let’s do it! However, we’ve been out for quite a while; after the auction, we should return. We need to bring back the ashes of the other clan members.”

“Of course.”

***

At the Wang Clan General Store, in the backyard.

Inside the room, Wang Lin sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed, his body enveloped in a layer of dark light. He was bare-chested; on his chest was a hideous, blood-red specter pattern. The blood-red specter seemed alive, its eyes continuously darting around.

A wailing ghostly roar sounded, and the blood-red specter seemed to come alive, its limbs flailing restlessly, as if it was about to fly out of his body. The specter’s head emerged from his body, looking exceptionally hideous. The blood-red specter turned its head, opened its wide, blood-red mouth, revealing a row of sharp teeth, and attempted to devour Wang Lin.

Wang Lin suddenly opened his eyes, his face contorted, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. His face flushed crimson; he opened his mouth and spat out a large mouthful of vital blood, which went directly into the blood-red specter’s mouth. The blood-red specter swallowed the vital blood Wang Lin spat out, licked its lips, but was not satisfied.

Wang Lin rapidly formed hand seals with his fingers, and mysterious black spirit runes appeared on his body. The blood-red specter showed a pained expression. Black spirit runes emerged on his body one by one, vaguely forming a formation. The blood-red specter let out a shriek, returned to his body, and was sealed in his chest.

Wang Lin was drenched in sweat, his face pale. He quickly took out two blood-red pills, swallowed them, and only then did his complexion improve slightly.

“I need to find a way to deal with the Blood Fiend Ghost sealed inside me,” he muttered, his eyes filled with fear. “Its appetite is growing, and it’s becoming more and more irritable. If this continues, it will devour me sooner or later, and I’ll become a dried corpse.”

***

In the South Sea, on Spirit Turtle Island.

At Taiyi Palace, in a secret chamber, Wang Mingren sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his body enveloped in a large expanse of golden-red spiritual light. Not long after, the spiritual light dispersed, and Wang Mingren opened his eyes, a hint of delight visible within them.

“The Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment.” Wang Mingren muttered to himself, his face full of joy.

He had been in the South Sea for ten years. When he first arrived, he was at the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment; now he was at the Fourth Layer. This cultivation speed was already very fast. The ten-year period had expired, and he could now return to the sect. He opened the door to the secret chamber and walked out.

As soon as he walked out of Taiyi Palace, Chen Yang approached him.

“Senior Martial Brother Chen, long time no see.” Wang Mingren saw Chen Yang and greeted him with a smile.

“Junior Martial Brother Wang, long time no see! You’ve already advanced to the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment. Your cultivation speed truly shames this elder brother. I heard you’re leaving, so Junior Martial Brother Chen and I are hosting a farewell tonight at Lingyun Tower. You must come.” Chen Yang said enthusiastically.

Wang Mingren smiled and agreed, “Then I won’t be polite. I’ll definitely be there on time.”

That evening, Chen Yang and several other disciples hosted a banquet at Lingyun Tower to see Wang Mingren off.

“I have been on Spirit Turtle Island for many years, and I thank all Senior Martial Brothers and Sisters for your care,” Wang Mingren said. “I toast this cup to all of you.” Wang Mingren raised his cup to everyone, his expression sincere.

Chen Yang gave a hearty laugh and said, “Junior Martial Brother Wang, you’re too polite. We are fellow disciples; it’s only right to look out for each other. If we need your help in the future, please don’t decline.”

“Absolutely, absolutely. As long as it’s within my abilities, I will never decline.”

Everyone clinked glasses, chatting and laughing.

Three days later, Wang Mingren and over fifty other disciples gathered on the fourth floor. Leng Rumei, the middle-aged scholar, and Mo Yishan sat before them.

“Your rotation period has ended,” Mo Yishan slowly said. “According to our sect’s regulations, you may now return to the sect. After returning, you must diligently cultivate and unite with your fellow disciples. We welcome you to return next time. Today, this old man will use tea instead of wine to bid you farewell, wishing you a safe journey.” Mo Yishan slowly said, picked up his tea cup, and drained it in one gulp.

“Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle Mo.”

“It’s getting late, Senior Martial Brother Mo,” said the middle-aged scholar. “Junior Martial Sister Leng and I are setting off. Farewell.” The middle-aged scholar and Leng Rumei walked downstairs, and Wang Mingren and the others quickly followed.

After leaving Taiyi Palace, they headed straight for the Teleportation Hall. Upon reaching the Teleportation Hall, they teleported away in batches. Wang Mingren was in the last batch, standing with Leng Rumei.

Not long after, only Wang Mingren and a few others remained. Wang Mingren turned his head to look at the place where he had lived for ten years, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. He let out a light breath and stepped onto the teleportation array.

A dazzling white light flared beneath their feet, engulfing their figures. After the white light dispersed, they had all vanished.