Chapter 4504: Twenty Thousand Years

Two hundred thousand years passed swiftly, like a white steed galloping by.

In the Azure Moon Sea Region, at the Azure Moon Market.

Inside a secluded manor, Wang Chuanming, Fairy Qingmei, and a burly, golden-robed man sat in a green stone pavilion, deep in conversation.

"A traitor? Why did he suddenly betray us?" Wang Chuanming asked, puzzled.

A Grand Unity Golden Immortal from Yama Palace had turned traitor. The betrayal was discovered by Yama Palace's high command, which promptly issued a kill order.

"It wasn't sudden," the golden-robed man replied. "He had contact with a False Immortal previously. At the time, he didn't know the False Immortal's true identity and helped them with various tasks, even using his position to provide intelligence. After numerous transactions, he found himself unable to extricate himself. Had Fairy Xu not uncovered his activities, we would have been implicated and suffered severe consequences."

This golden-robed man was Shen Shan, a late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal who had resided in the Barren Immortal Realm for millions of years and served as the head of Yama Palace's branch there.

The Chaos Beasts employed highly cunning methods to instigate rebellion among immortals. They typically used False Immortals to approach cultivators, asking them to perform minor tasks in exchange for payment. After several such transactions, the False Immortal would reveal their true identity. By then, it would be impossible for the targeted immortal to retreat, as they would have already provided significant assistance to the False Immortal. If mere ignorance could absolve someone of guilt, it would lead to a proliferation of such "unwitting" individuals.

If a clan leader or sect head were to defect to the Chaos Beasts, their entire clan or sect would almost certainly face ruin. However, if it was merely a junior acting as an unwitting accomplice, and the traitor was dealt with swiftly, other factions would not typically hold it against them.

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Fairy Tianchen, the Palace Master of Yama Palace, personally slayed a nine-colored Chaos Beast in the Grand Luo Golden Immortal stage, significantly enhancing her reputation. Thus, if a subordinate betrayed them, swiftly addressing the matter internally would prevent other forces from scrutinizing the incident further.

"Do you think he might have fled to the Chaos Beast territory?" Fairy Qingmei mused.

"Fairy Xu has already severely wounded him," Shen Shan explained. "Furthermore, we've deployed a large force to search the borders, making his escape to the Chaos Beast territory highly unlikely. Senior Li has issued a strict order: he must be found at all costs and executed without mercy. Whoever brings back his head will be handsomely rewarded."

As this incident had occurred under his watch, Shen Shan was also held accountable. Locating and eliminating the traitor would minimize the negative repercussions. Should the individual officially defect to the Chaos Beasts, it would severely tarnish Yama Palace's reputation.

"Here are details about his natal immortal artifact, divine abilities, the aliases he used, and information regarding his spirit beast." Shen Shan said, producing two golden jade slips and handing them to Wang Chuanming and Fairy Qingmei.

"Oh, and by the way, the Myriad Gourd Alliance is hosting a major auction," Wang Chuanming suggested. "Given his injuries, he might attend. We could station people at the venue; we might just find him there."

The Myriad Gourd Alliance's major auction typically drew many Grand Unity Golden Immortals. Since the traitor was severely wounded, it was plausible he would seek out such an event.

"I'll handle the auction surveillance," Shen Shan stated. "You two should proceed to other sea regions to gather intelligence; hopefully, you'll uncover his whereabouts there."

"Could we perhaps enlist the aid of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal diviner to deduce his whereabouts?" Fairy Qingmei inquired.

Shen Shan sighed. "He somehow acquired a high-grade immortal artifact that can block divination. We've already consulted Grand Unity Golden Immortal diviners, but they couldn't deduce anything. He hasn't even mastered the Law of Destiny, making any attempt at divination utterly futile."

He had contacted a Grand Unity Golden Immortal diviner immediately, but to no avail.

"Shield against a diviner's deduction? Such a treasure exists!" Wang Chuanming exclaimed, surprised.

"It's not that surprising," Shen Shan said. "The Barren Immortal Realm is vast and rich in resources, with countless treasures. Now, you two should depart without delay!"

Wang Chuanming and Fairy Qingmei assented, then rose and departed.

Upon returning to his residence, Wang Chuanming hurried into a secret chamber, its stone walls covered in arcane runes. He retrieved a shimmering golden immortal transmission mirror and cast a spell into it.

Moments later, Wang Mengli's face appeared on the mirror's surface.

"Yama Palace has a traitor," Wang Chuanming said slowly. "He's a Grand Unity Golden Immortal named Chen Liang, and he's rumored to possess a treasure that can shield against a diviner's deductions."

"Chen Liang! A Grand Unity Golden Immortal?" Wang Mengli questioned. "Do you have any more information about him?"

Wang Chuanming truthfully relayed details about Chen Liang's natal immortal artifact and divine abilities.

"Understood," Wang Mengli replied. "I'll have Qiulin perform a divination immediately. You should proceed with your search for this individual, and I'll notify you as soon as I have any news."

"Also," Wang Chuanming added, recalling something, "the Myriad Gourd Alliance is hosting a major auction. It's rumored to feature immortal elixirs capable of helping cultivators break through to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal stage, which has drawn many Grand Unity Golden Immortals. The auction is taking place at the Myriad Gourd Market in the Myriad Gourd Sea Region."

"The Myriad Gourd Alliance! A major auction!" Wang Mengli acknowledged. "I understand. I will report this to the Master truthfully." Wang Mengli assented, then severed the connection.

Wang Chuanming then produced a shimmering golden magic disk, cast a spell into it, and instructed, "Lin Xin, gather our personnel. Find out who has associated with Chen Liang and which sea regions he has visited."

"Understood, Senior Song," Lin Xin replied.

On a desolate island in the Vermillion Bird Sea Region.

Within a hidden underground cavern, Wang Tunian sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes slightly closed, with the Four Seasons Scroll hanging on the wall.

Wang Mengli entered and said, "Boss, Chuanming sent a message. The Myriad Gourd Alliance is holding a major auction, and I hear there are immortal elixirs that can help one break through to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal stage."

Wang Tunian opened his eyes, let out a yawn, and instructed, "Enter the Four Seasons Scroll yourself and report directly to the Master."

Wang Mengli nodded, then flew into the Four Seasons Scroll. She arrived at the entrance of a secret chamber in the Azure Lotus Palace and sent a sound transmission talisman.

Soon after, the secret chamber door opened, and Wang Changsheng's voice resonated: "Come in."

Wang Mengli stepped inside, finding Wang Changsheng seated cross-legged on a green stone bed.

After she briefly recounted the events, an intrigued expression appeared on Wang Changsheng's face. "A treasure that shields against divination! This individual must have quite a fortuitous encounter. Have Qiulin divine his whereabouts; let's see if we can locate him."

Given that Chen Liang had defected to the Chaos Beasts, Wang Changsheng would naturally show no mercy if he were found.

"I've already notified Qiulin; he's begun the divination," Wang Mengli confirmed. "Haitang has also returned, and she has successfully mastered the Dao Art."

"Where did she acquire the Origin Item?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.

He had previously dispatched Wang Qiulin and Ye Haitang to the Chaos Continent to seek out Granny Celestial Witch. Their mission was to use her mastery of the Law of Curses to curse and slay the Eight Trigrams Immortal Venerable. After the mission was complete, Ye Haitang proceeded to Azure Lotus City, while Wang Qiulin returned to the Barren Immortal Realm. Wang Changsheng had been in secluded cultivation since then and was unaware of how Ye Haitang had obtained the Origin Item.

Wang Mengli truthfully recounted the events. Wang Changsheng expressed a hint of surprise: "They consecutively sold two Origin Items to us? This person truly has extraordinary luck!"

"Should we have Chuanming use Yama Palace's resources to investigate this individual's background?" Wang Mengli suggested.

"No need," Wang Changsheng replied. "If he dared to trade with us, he undoubtedly had contingency plans. Our cooperation was pleasant, and we bear no ill will towards him. Let him be."

(End of Chapter)