Chapter 439: Wang Qingqing's Concerns

In the Taiyi Mountain Range, on a vast grassland, five men and two women stood in a circle. A large blue bowl hovered above their heads, enveloping them in a wide expanse of blue light. Wang Mingren and Su Bingbing were among them. Surrounding them were over three hundred red demonic wolves, led by a second-tier high-grade demonic beast, the Wolf King. Most were first-tier demonic wolves, with fewer than thirty second-tier ones.

Led by the Wolf King, the red demonic wolves continuously spat out fiery red projectiles, striking the blue glow.

Wang Mingren formed a hand seal, and red spiritual runes appeared on his face. In the space above the blue giant bowl, a large amount of red mist suddenly materialized, emitting intense heat.

The red mist grew denser, and in less than three breaths, it condensed into a thirty-foot-wide fiery cloud, emanating a terrifying warmth.

With a rumbling sound, the massive fiery cloud churned and transformed into a colossal crimson fire dragon, over thirty feet long. It had a pair of crystalline dragon horns, its body was enveloped in a layer of crimson flames, and its eyes seemed to burn with two clusters of crimson fire.

"Roar!" the crimson fire dragon roared, then lunged at the red demonic wolves with bared fangs and brandished claws.

Meanwhile, Su Bingbing summoned a blue jade ruler. With a gentle flick, countless white cold auras appeared from thin air, forming a huge white lotus that emitted bone-chilling cold.

One after another, white lotuses emerged, charging towards the surrounding red demonic wolves.

The other five, including Zhao Wuji, were not idle either, casting spells to attack the red demonic wolves around them.

For a time, the air was filled with continuous roars, interweaving spiritual lights of various colors, surging airwaves, and a terrifying momentum.

Under the powerful assault, the red demonic wolves suffered heavy casualties. Most of the first-tier wolves fell in pools of blood, and the second-tier wolves were also badly injured and covered in wounds. The crimson fire dragon rampaged through the pack, incinerating first-tier wolves into ashes.

"Howl!"

Realizing that Wang Mingren's group was formidable, the Wolf King turned and fled, with the other demonic wolves scrambling to follow.

Before they could get far, the sky suddenly darkened as a hundreds-of-feet-wide crimson fiery cloud appeared high above.

After churning for a moment, the crimson fiery cloud released numerous watermelon-sized crimson fireballs, which rained down on the wolves below.

Booming sounds resonated continuously, and flames rolled, leaving numerous large craters in the ground, from which hot steam rose.

Seizing this opportunity, Zhao Wuji and the five others intensified their attacks, slaying multiple second-tier demonic wolves.

Seeing the grim situation, the Wolf King sped up.

Piercing whooshing sounds filled the air as dense golden needles struck its body. The Wolf King bled profusely and slowed down.

A harsh tearing sound ripped through the air as a thirty-foot-long red giant blade descended from the sky, slicing the Wolf King in half. Its soul could not escape.

The red giant blade struck the ground, leaving a long furrow.

Only a few demonic wolves escaped; the majority perished on the spot.

"Senior Brother Zhao's blade technique is exquisite; I am truly impressed," Wang Mingren praised.

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, saying, "Junior Brother Wang is too humble. Compared to you, I'm far behind."

Wang Mingren was at the fifth tier of Foundation Establishment, skilled in both gold and fire elemental spells, and very powerful. He was a great help in every demonic beast hunt. Su Bingbing, at the third tier of Foundation Establishment, couldn't contribute much, playing a minor role. However, her master was a Core Formation cultivator, so Zhao Wuji was willing to keep her around to build good relations.

"Senior Brother Zhao, Junior Sister Su and I plan to return to the sect for cultivation. We won't be able to hunt demonic beasts with you for some time," Wang Mingren announced. He had been hunting with Zhao Wuji for four years, accumulating rich combat experience. With ten years remaining until the Taiyi Secret Realm opened, he intended to go into seclusion to break through to the sixth tier of Foundation Establishment.

Zhao Wuji had long known Wang Mingren would eventually leave, but when the day came, he felt a pang of reluctance. He said, "Junior Brother Wang, why don't you stay with us a bit longer?"

Chen Yuhan and the others also tried to persuade him, but Wang Mingren was unmoved, shaking his head. "I apologize, Senior Brother Zhao, but I cannot disobey my master's orders. If any of you ever need my help in the future, I will certainly not hesitate."

"That's right, Senior Brother Zhao," Su Bingbing chimed in with a sweet smile. "We've been out for so long; we also need to return to the sect for cultivation. If you're free in the future, you're welcome to visit my residence for tea and conversation anytime." Her cultivation was too low to enter the Taiyi Secret Realm; she had only joined the hunts to gain some combat experience.

"Since Junior Brother Wang and Junior Sister Su have made up your minds, I won't force you," Zhao Wuji sighed, agreeing. "If we have time, we'll come visit you for tea and conversation."

After they dealt with the corpses of the red demonic wolves, Su Bingbing raised her hand. A palm-sized white lotus artifact flew out, expanding dozens of times before stopping in front of them.

Zhao Wuji and the others successively flew onto the lotus artifact. Su Bingbing formed a hand seal, and the lotus artifact emitted dazzling white light, transforming into a white streak that soared towards the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

***

In Wei State, at Qingyue Market.

In a spacious hall, Wang Qingqing sat at the head seat, holding a seven-foot-long, two-foot-wide golden spiritual wood. Her beautiful eyes were filled with joy.

Zhao Zheng sat on a nearby chair, holding a teacup, a faint smile on his face.

"Golden Pear Spiritual Wood. This kind of spiritual wood is rare, and it's over four hundred years old. Excellent, Fellow Daoist Zhao, please name your price!"

Zhao Zheng gave a simple smile and replied, "Fairy Wang, just give me what you think is fair. I trust you won't let me suffer a loss."

Wang Qingqing's eyebrows furrowed slightly at his words, and she sighed inwardly.

She had many suitors, but others tried to please her by leveraging their elders' or family's power, offering her what amounted to trivialities for them. Zhao Zheng, though a first-tier rogue cultivator, was utterly obedient to her. Since Wang Qingqing liked spiritual wood, he would venture deep into the mountains to find older ones. Wang Qingqing was quite conflicted; honestly, Zhao Zheng wasn't her ideal choice for a cultivation partner, but she had a good impression of him because he was so devoted. She was inexperienced in matters of the heart and had wanted to ask her mother, Wang Ruyan, for advice, but Wang Ruyan and Wang Changsheng had left Qinglian Mountain Villa and had not yet returned.

"Fifteen hundred spirit stones, Fellow Daoist Zhao, what do you think?"

Zhao Zheng smiled simply and nodded in agreement.

"Fairy Wang, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to a simple meal. You've treated me so many times; it's my turn to return the favor." Zhao Zheng was a bit nervous, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Wang Qingqing smiled charmingly and nodded in agreement.

Hearing Wang Qingqing's reply, Zhao Zheng was instantly delighted, feeling sweet inside.

"Great, then it's settled. Tonight at You-shi, let's meet at Sihai Restaurant."

After chatting for a while, Zhao Zheng bid farewell and left.

Wang Qingqing watched Zhao Zheng's departing back and sighed softly. Choosing a cultivation partner was truly not an easy task.