Chapter 404: Falling Sky Pie?

Inside the jade box was a gleaming golden bracelet. Its surface was adorned with intricate patterns, and it emitted a terrifying spiritual energy fluctuation. Upon closer inspection, the small characters "Vajra Bangle" could be seen.

Wang Changsheng had attended several major auctions and had seen nascent magic treasures. The spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from this Vajra Bangle were even stronger than those of a nascent magic treasure, confirming it was a true magic treasure.

To Wang Changsheng's knowledge, a magic treasure was worth more than 500,000 spirit stones.

Would Guang Dongren be so generous as to give him a magic treasure?

Guang Dongren addressed him as Fellow Daoist Wang, clearly treating him as an equal cultivation-wise. This implied it wasn't simply a gift.

Wang Changsheng suppressed his excitement and calmly asked, "Fellow Daoist Guang, what is the meaning of this?"

A smile appeared on Guang Dongren's round face. He said, "This mid-grade, first-tier magic treasure, the Vajra Bangle—if you like it, it's yours."

"I cannot accept a reward without merit," Wang Changsheng replied. "Fellow Daoist Guang, please tell me what you need!"

Wang Changsheng naturally didn't believe in something for nothing. He had spent little time with Guang Dongren, and their encounters were few and far between. Would Guang Dongren truly give a mid-grade, first-tier magic treasure to someone who was merely his nominal disciple?

To Wang Changsheng's knowledge, magic treasures were ranked from lowest to highest as: Magic Treasures, Spirit Treasures, and Heavenly Spirit Treasures. Nascent magic treasures could advance to true Magic Treasures if spiritual materials were incorporated during their refinement. Generally, Core Formation cultivators mostly used Magic Treasures, while Nascent Soul cultivators used Spirit Treasures. Although a few Core Formation cultivators possessed Spirit Treasures, these items consumed more spiritual power and were more difficult to refine. Thus, they were usually only owned by Nascent Soul cultivators, as Core Formation cultivators could not wield Spirit Treasures for extended periods.

Guang Dongren's expression hardened, and he said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Wang, have you heard of the Sky Demon Valley?"

Wang Changsheng nodded and replied, "I have. It seems to be a demonic beast faction in the Eastern Wilderness. It is precisely because of this faction's resistance that our human race has been unable to fully occupy the Eastern Wilderness."

"Then have you heard of True Monarch Heavenly Wolf?"

Wang Changsheng thought carefully for a moment, then shook his head.

The human race had been developing the Eastern Wilderness for several millennia. As the Wang family had moved from the South Sea to the Eastern Wilderness less than a millennium ago, Wang Changsheng did not know much about the high-level cultivators of the Eastern Wilderness.

"True Monarch Heavenly Wolf was of the demonic beast race and was a Soul Transformation cultivator. Thousands of years ago, True Monarch Heavenly Wolf unified the Eastern Wilderness, established the Myriad Demon Valley, and commanded all the demonic beasts in the region. However, True Monarch Heavenly Wolf inexplicably disappeared later on. The upper echelons of the Myriad Demon Valley fell into infighting, and some demonic beast factions established their own strongholds, naming themselves the Sky Demon Valley. Our human race seized the opportunity to invade the Eastern Wilderness, occupying a large area. Immortal cultivation sects and families migrated to develop the Eastern Wilderness. As time passed, seven major sects emerged, which are now the Seven Great Immortal Sects.

Before his disappearance, True Monarch Heavenly Wolf sealed off an area with great divine power, naming it the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm. It was used to temper the younger generation of demonic beasts. Every three hundred years, the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm opens, and cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage can enter with a key. In another thirty years, the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm will open again. I would like to invite you to join me to collect the Poria Gold Fruit. The Poria Gold Fruit tree matures every six hundred years and can increase the chance of Core Formation by ten percent. It is guarded by a third-tier demonic beast, which, after so many years, may have advanced to the late third tier."

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed slightly. It was his first time hearing about the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm, and he had never heard of the Poria Gold Fruit.

"Fellow Daoist Guang, why have you chosen me?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled. "You have been at the Core Formation stage for many years; don't you have close friends or fellow cultivators you know? Wouldn't it be safer to ask for their help?"

Wang Changsheng was greatly perplexed and voiced his doubts.

"I do know a few fellow cultivators," Guang Dongren explained, "but due to other reasons, only one has agreed to accompany me. However, he and I are going to collect a different kind of spiritual fruit. I am asking for your help to collect the Poria Gold Fruit. I will distract the third-tier demonic beast, and you will collect the Poria Gold Fruit. After that, we will reunite with him to collect the other spiritual fruit. If we succeed, I can give you one Poria Gold Fruit. The Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm opens only once every three hundred years, so if you miss this opportunity, you'll have to wait another three centuries. Of course, entering the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm carries certain dangers, so please consider carefully before you reply. I am currently residing on Mount Qinglian."

Wang Changsheng agreed and had someone arrange accommodation for Guang Dongren.

He then found Wang Ruyan and recounted Guang Dongren's request.

"The Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm? Poria Gold Fruit?" Wang Ruyan's brows furrowed slightly in concern. "In thirty years, husband, you will at best reach the second layer of Core Formation. It's too risky to go to the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm with Senior Guang. I suggest we don't go!"

Wang Changsheng shook his head and said, "The family's annual profit is only three to four thousand spirit stones, perhaps a bit more when spiritual herbs mature. But to purchase a magic treasure, it would take over a hundred years of savings. Without a magic treasure, even with divine abilities, my chances of winning against fellow cultivators would be very small. For the family to grow stronger, conflicts with other factions are inevitable. Without a magic treasure, I truly won't be able to contend with others."

"The Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm is so vast, and it opens only once every three hundred years," Wang Ruyan said, her willow-like brows furrowed with worry. "We don't know how many dangers it holds. What if something happens to you? What would we do then?"

"Wife, I understand your concern," Wang Changsheng said. "If our family had a stronger foundation, I would also want to develop slowly. But our family's foundation is too shallow. Our spiritual veins need upgrading, we need to buy magic treasures, and we need to repay debts. We must take a risk. Qing Mingzi entered the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm back then, and I have his route map, which will greatly reduce the risk. Only with a magic treasure can I truly be considered a Core Formation cultivator."

Wang Changsheng dared to enter the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm for two reasons: firstly, he was in urgent need of spirit stones; secondly, Qing Mingzi had entered the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm before, and the inheritance jade slip detailed his experiences there. This meant Wang Changsheng effectively had a map, significantly reducing the risk.

Taking a risk to obtain a first-tier magic treasure was equivalent to a century of the family's income. Cultivating immortality was inherently defying the heavens. With a map, a magic treasure, and divine abilities, he naturally dared to take the plunge.

"Since you're determined to go, then go!" Wang Ruyan conceded. "In the meantime, focus on your cultivation. I will send people to help you search for Heavenly Earth Spiritual Water."

After making his decision, Wang Changsheng sought out Guang Dongren.

"Fellow Daoist Guang, I am willing to go," Wang Changsheng stated. "As you said, the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm opens only once every three hundred years. Presumably, many Core Formation cultivators will enter, and the dangers will be considerable. I have only recently advanced to the Core Formation stage with great difficulty. To risk my life just for one magic treasure seems somewhat unworthy. Adding two Foundation Establishment Pills would make it more worthwhile."

Wang Changsheng agreed to go to the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm, but he wanted to secure more benefits. The Hundred Spirits Sect had been established for many years, so they must have a considerable stock of Foundation Establishment Pills; giving up two would likely be negligible.

"No problem, but I will give them to you after we succeed," Guang Dongren replied, his face lighting up with joy. "Of course, if you happen to fall, I will take care of your kin. I, Guang Dongren, always keep my word. For now, take this Vajra Bangle and refine it as soon as possible."

He took out the Vajra Bangle and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng thanked him and accepted the Vajra Bangle.

After exchanging a few more words, Guang Dongren took his leave, returning to his quarters to rest.