Chapter 3971: Test

A thousand years had passed, with seasons turning.

On Nine Immortals Island, a fragrant manor filled with birdsong, Jiang Tianfeng sat in a blue stone pavilion. Meng Yushan stood before him, his expression respectful. Jiang Tianfeng taking Meng Yushan as a disciple was also a form of protection. Most of the Meng family's elite had been killed or injured. Although many clan members remained, the Meng family existed in name only. With Meng Yushan becoming Jiang Tianfeng's disciple, the Meng family barely managed to cling to existence; otherwise, it would have been absorbed by other forces long ago.

"Cultivation is fundamental," Jiang Tianfeng instructed. "Only if you advance to the Golden Immortal stage will you have the power to seek revenge. The Wang family is not worth worrying about; ultimately, they only have True Immortal cultivators."

"Yes, Master," Meng Yushan replied.

Jiang Tianfeng took out a green, shimmering immortal transmission mirror. He cast a spell into it, and Jiang Yiyun's face appeared on its surface.

"Ancestor Tianfeng, we just received news that the Green Lotus Immortal Couple has advanced to the Golden Immortal stage," Jiang Yiyun said. "The Wang family sent someone to request pills, claiming the couple was injured during their breakthrough."

"What? They've advanced to the Golden Immortal stage?" Jiang Tianfeng exclaimed in surprise.

Meng Yushan's brow furrowed tightly; his greatest fear had come true.

"That's right. Fellow Daoist Wang Qingfeng came, wanting to exchange chaotic beast cores for second-tier healing immortal pills," Jiang Yiyun continued. "Senior Brother Gao wanted to give them, but we naturally refused." The Deputy Head of the Deacon Hall was a member of the Jiang family. If it hadn't involved second-tier immortal pills, Gao Yunhai would have been able to make the decision on his own.

Jiang Tianfeng's brow furrowed. Refusing to trade with the Wang family would make the Nine Immortals Sect appear petty and could foster resentment in the Wang family. However, if they did trade, the Green Lotus Immortal Couple would recover faster, which would impact the Jiang family's interests.

"I understand," Jiang Tianfeng said. "I'll contact Senior Brother Du to inquire." Jiang Tianfeng then contacted Du Tianhe. Soon, Du Tianhe's face appeared on the mirror of the immortal transmission device.

He briefly explained the situation. Du Tianhe pondered for a moment before saying, "Give them a bottle of healing elixirs. Regardless, they've already reached the Golden Immortal stage; times have changed."

"Senior Brother Du," Jiang Tianfeng countered, "the Wang family is very close to the Qi family. If we simply give them a bottle of healing elixirs, it's uncertain they'll be grateful. Since they came to exchange, offering them two pills should suffice." The Qi family was already powerful; if they allied with the Wang family, their combined strength would be even greater. The Wang family was different from the Meng family. The Meng family's ancestors originated from the Nine Immortals Sect, and many Meng disciples had studied there. The Green Lotus Immortal Couple, however, ascended from a lower realm and used their contributions to acquire territory and establish their family. The Nine Immortals Sect had provided little assistance to the Wang family in achieving its current standing. In terms of allegiance to the Nine Immortals Sect, the Meng family undoubtedly had a stronger sense of belonging. The Wang family felt little such connection and, moreover, was closely aligned with the Qi family.

Du Tianhe looked troubled. Giving the Wang family the elixirs was difficult, but refusing was equally problematic.

"Alright," Du Tianhe deliberated for a moment, "since they came to exchange, we will trade two healing elixirs with them."

"Very well," Jiang Tianfeng replied. "I will personally see to this matter." Jiang Tianfeng agreed, then put away the immortal transmission mirror.

"Master," Meng Yushan speculated, "if the Green Lotus Immortal Couple had already reached the Golden Immortal stage, could it be that they were the ones who killed Cui Ming? Is that what enraged True Monarch Tianchen?" They had already confirmed that Cui Ming, a descendant of True Monarch Tianchen, had been killed, which was why True Monarch Tianchen attacked Xuanhuo Island. Bai Tianxue's existence was a core secret of the Tianchen Sect; the outside world believed True Monarch Tianchen was seeking revenge for Cui Ming.

"I share that suspicion," Jiang Tianfeng said. "It's too much of a coincidence that they just happened to advance to the Golden Immortal stage a thousand years after Xuanhuo Island was breached. Hmph, I'll make a trip to Green Lotus Island. I can tell whether they're truly injured." He contacted Jiang Yiyun, asking her to bring Wang Qingfeng.

Soon after, Wang Qingfeng and Jiang Yiyun arrived.

"This junior, Wang Qingfeng, greets Senior Jiang," Wang Qingfeng said, bowing.

"I heard your esteemed father has advanced to the Golden Immortal stage; Senior Brother Du and I are both delighted," Jiang Tianfeng said. "Perhaps your parents lack experience and don't know which immortal elixirs they need for healing. I'll personally make a trip to Green Lotus Island to check on your father. Young Friend Wang, please lead the way!" Jiang Tianfeng instructed. With a flick of his sleeve, a green light flew out, transforming into a massive blue peacock. He stepped onto its back.

Wang Qingfeng was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered, agreeing repeatedly as he stepped onto the blue peacock's back. A clear cry rang out as the blue peacock gently flapped its wings, soaring into the sky and leaving Nine Immortals Island behind.

***

Green Lotus Island, Green Lotus Peak.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were seated in a blue stone pavilion, deep in conversation. Wang Changsheng had already refined the Legacy Tablet and also two mid-grade Immortal-Slaying Cannons, bringing the Wang family's total to four such cannons. To prevent Meng Yudie from creating difficulties for Wang Qingshan and others, the news of their Golden Immortal breakthrough was deliberately spread. Invitations were sent far and wide for a centennial celebration, and simultaneously, Wang Qingfeng was dispatched to Nine Immortals Island to request elixirs, creating the impression that they had suffered severe injuries during their advancement to the Golden Immortal stage.

"By my reckoning," Wang Ruyan said, "Qingfeng should be back soon!"

Wang Changsheng nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he took out a green, shimmering communication disk. He cast a spell, and Wang Yongqian's voice emerged: "Ancestors, Senior Jiang from the Nine Immortals Sect has arrived. Ancestor Qingfeng is with him. Senior Jiang said he wishes to visit you, likely suspecting your injuries are feigned."

"Understood," Wang Changsheng instructed. "Please escort him to the reception hall. We will be there shortly." They had long anticipated this scenario. He put away the communication disk, looked at Wang Ruyan, and said, "Madam, the immortal talismans you refined can now be put to good use."

Wang Ruyan smiled and nodded, taking out two yellow, shimmering talismans, which emanated an astonishing immortal aura. These were second-tier Void Yuan Talismans, auxiliary immortal talismans that, when applied, allowed immortals to feign severe injuries. Having cultivated the sixth level of the *Heavenly Soul Tome*, Wang Ruyan could refine Void Yuan Talismans capable of deceiving even Golden Immortal cultivators. They pressed the Void Yuan Talismans onto themselves, and a yellow glow immediately enveloped their bodies. Instantly, they appeared much older, their complexions pale and their expressions listless.

"Let's go," Wang Changsheng said, his voice weak, as if greatly depleted.

They arrived at the reception hall and waited quietly. Before long, Jiang Tianfeng, Wang Qingfeng, and a graceful young woman in a green dress entered. The young woman in the green dress was a transformation of Jiang Tianfeng's spirit beast, a True Immortal, who stayed closely behind him.

"Father, Mother, Senior Jiang learned of your injuries and specifically came to visit you," Wang Qingfeng explained.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, that's very thoughtful of you," Wang Changsheng said weakly. "We should have paid our respects, but it hasn't been long since our breakthrough to the Golden Immortal stage, and we haven't fully recovered."

Jiang Tianfeng scrutinized Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, but could discern nothing unusual. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang!"