Chapter 548: Arriving at the Frontline

He could sense three powerful auras following close behind him. A fierce glint flashed in the demi-human's eyes as he quickened his pace.

A short while later, he stopped and released a massive yellow tiger. The yellow tiger was covered in scars, its aura weak, and its tail had been severed. It was a genuine third-tier mid-grade demon tiger.

"Go! Lure them away."

Shrouded in a yellow light barrier, the yellow tiger quickly advanced.

A dark light emanated from the demi-human's body, and a thick black substance appeared on his skin, completely enveloping him. This was a secret technique of the Black Tiger clan, capable of completely concealing one's aura. Even Nascent Soul cultivators using their divine sense would detect nothing unusual.

The demi-human transformed into a black boulder and remained motionless.

Not long after, the middle-aged man and Huang Fugui caught up. Realizing the demi-human had accelerated, they hastily sped up to pursue.

A short while later, Wang Changsheng stopped. His divine sense could detect Huang Fugui and the other person ahead, but the Dual-Pupil Rat refused to proceed. The Dual-Pupil Rat could not speak, but it conveyed to Wang Changsheng in a unique way that the demi-human was directly in front of them.

Wang Changsheng narrowed his eyes, feigning ignorance, and advanced slowly. As he passed the black boulder, the Ruyi Profound Jade Staff suddenly glowed brightly, striking the black boulder with lightning speed.

"Boom!"

With a thunderous crash, the black boulder shattered, revealing the demi-human's true form. His body was deeply embedded in the earth. It never occurred to the demi-human that Wang Changsheng could have discovered his presence.

A golden rope flew forth, swiftly binding the demi-human's limbs. The demi-human's body swelled considerably, veins bulging, and a layer of black flames appeared on his skin. The Ruyi Profound Jade Staff in Wang Changsheng's hand rapidly expanded a hundredfold, then smashed down towards the demi-human's head.

Alarmed, the demi-human opened his mouth and unleashed an invisible sound wave. The Dual-Pupil Rat also emitted an invisible sound wave. The two sound waves collided, creating a massive blast of air before vanishing. A blue staff, as thick as a water vat, struck down, smashing the demi-human's head to pieces. Red and white fluids splattered across the ground.

Wang Changsheng let out a long sigh of relief, grabbed the demi-human's corpse, and pulled it into the yellow light barrier. The Dual-Pupil Rat let out a growl and swiftly burrowed into the ground, moving with extreme speed.

A short while later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan appeared in a hidden mountain cave. The Dual-Pupil Rat lay nearby, voraciously gnawing on a white spirit bamboo shoot.

Wang Changsheng held two storage bags, and a pile of items lay scattered on the ground. Most were not valuable, but what truly caught the attention of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan was a small silver tree. This small tree was inside a storage bag of considerable size; other than the tree itself, the bag was empty.

The silver tree was over three zhang tall, its trunk adorned with silver spirit patterns. Its leaves were rhomboid and gleaming silver, and its roots were perfectly intact. Wang Changsheng could recognize most artifact refining materials, but this spirit tree was unfamiliar to him. The fact that the demi-human had specifically carried a large storage bag for this single tree suggested it was certainly no ordinary fruit tree.

"Husband, this appears to be a Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree," Wang Ruyan said, pondering for a moment. "The jade slips we brought back from Master Ming Shui's cave contained similar records." She had personally examined those jade slips and categorized them for the Scripture Repository.

"A Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree? What are Phoenix Cry Fruits used for?"

"They're said to aid in forming a Nascent Soul, but it takes over a thousand years for the tree to bear fruit. There should have been fruits on it, but they were harvested. We don't know if the demi-human consumed them."

Wang Changsheng looked thoughtful. If it truly was a Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree, then everything made sense. No wonder the Myriad Flowers Palace had offered a bounty of a million spirit stones for the capture of two Core Formation stage demi-humans. Handing over the demi-human's corpse would net them five hundred thousand spirit stones, but the Myriad Flowers Palace would undoubtedly investigate the whereabouts of the Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree. Claiming ignorance of its location would only work if the Myriad Flowers Palace disciples were fools.

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then collected the scattered items, unleashed his Dan Fire, and incinerated the demi-human's corpse.

"Husband, are you planning to transplant this fruit tree to the clan?"

Wang Changsheng shook his head. "The Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree takes over a thousand years to bear fruit; I can't afford to wait that long. I intend to hand this fruit tree over to the Grand Unity Immortal Sect in exchange for Core Formation spiritual items to help you, my dear, form your core. If you succeed in forming your core, our clan can develop more smoothly. Furthermore, if the Nine Underworld Sect ever comes looking for trouble, we'll have a reason to seek assistance from the Grand Unity Immortal Sect."

Wang Ruyan nodded and smiled. "Let's quickly rejoin Fellow Daoist Huang and the others! We should head to the front line as soon as possible. I wonder how Qingqing and the others are doing."

Wang Changsheng retrieved the Dual-Pupil Rat and the items from the ground, then left the cave with Wang Ruyan.

Half an hour later, Wang Changsheng and his wife encountered Huang Fugui. Huang Fugui wore a somber expression, seemingly regretting that he hadn't caught the demi-human.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, did you manage to catch the demi-human?" Wang Changsheng asked, feigning concern.

"No, we were deceived by him," Huang Fugui replied. "That was a third-tier mid-grade demon tiger. Fellow Daoist Chu and I killed it, but he can't travel with us anymore. He has to go apprehend the demi-human. After all, Zheng Country is an affiliated territory of the Myriad Flowers Palace, and since the demi-human appeared here, they are obligated to capture it."

"Why don't we stay and lend a hand?" Wang Changsheng suggested, his eyes glinting with a hint of avarice. "That's five hundred thousand spirit stones."

"Indeed! Senior Huang, that demi-human couldn't have gone far. Let's stay and help!" Wang Ruyan chimed in.

"No, the front lines are strained," Huang Fugui insisted. "We must deliver these supplies as quickly as possible. Besides, Zheng Country has many Core Formation cultivators. Even if we helped, we wouldn't gain many spirit stones; we might just waste our time for nothing. It's best to escort the supplies to the front line without delay. If the supplies are lost, both you and I will be punished."

"That's true," Wang Changsheng conceded. "You're the mobilization envoy, so we'll follow your lead."

Wang Changsheng formed a hand seal, and the blue flying boat glowed brightly, carrying them high into the sky.

Over three months later, Wang Changsheng and the other two arrived at the Cloud Goose Grassland in Wu Country. After Wang Changsheng and Huang Fugui reported their mission at the Deacon Hall, they each received a sum of merit points. These points could be exchanged for various cultivation resources, and it was rumored that with enough merit, one could even acquire a Nascent Soul Condensing Pill.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, your clansmen are staying at the Azure Cloud Pavilion. I've ensured they get proper rest and haven't engaged in recent battles. I'll send someone to escort you there!" Chen Xuan said enthusiastically.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen."

Wang Changsheng expressed his thanks. They then followed a Foundation Establishment cultivator to the residence where Wang Qingshan and his six companions were staying.

"Ninth Uncle, Ninth Aunt, you've finally arrived!" Wang Qingshan exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy upon seeing Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. "Is everything well back in the clan?"