Chapter 576: Fiercely Beating the Bamboo Pole Sun Junyan

Su Bingbing is a disciple of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and Su Cheng is a disciple of Guang Dongren, so Li Ruyue would not dare mistreat him.

“Ninth Brother, you’ve arrived. Your brother-in-law and I were just talking about you!” Wang Changxue said with a smile, her face beaming with happiness.

Previously, Su Cheng, as the sect master of the Hundred Spirits Gate, rarely came home. Fortunately, Su Bingbing used to keep her company. However, after Su Bingbing joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Wang Changxue often stayed alone in her room because Su Cheng had to go into seclusion to cultivate and attempt to reach the Core Formation stage.

To be honest, Wang Changxue was not particularly keen on cultivation. For her, being with her family was more precious than anything. She missed her childhood, when she used to farm and make pastries with her aunts and uncles. A simple, peaceful life was what she truly valued; she disliked fighting and killing.

“Yes! Bingbing came back a month ago. She said you sent her a lot of spirit stones. Ninth Brother, thank you very much.” Su Cheng said with a sincere smile.

Wang Changsheng felt that Su Cheng had changed a lot, transforming from a spirited sect master into a good husband.

Su Cheng and his wife invited Wang Changsheng into the courtyard. Wang Changxue wanted to get some spirit pastries, but Su Cheng stopped her.

“You are pregnant; just sit here. I’ll go get it. This is the spirit tea Bing’er brought back. Brew a pot for Ninth Brother.”

Wang Changxue smiled and agreed, taking out a jar of tea leaves and handing it to Su Cheng.

Watching Su Cheng’s receding figure, Wang Changxue’s face was full of smiles. With such a husband, what more could she ask for?

“Sister, were you driven here? Even if brother-in-law failed to reach Core Formation, Daoist Guang shouldn’t treat you like this, right?” Wang Changsheng’s expression was grim as he transmitted his voice.

Wang Changxue shook her head and smiled. “It has nothing to do with Senior Uncle Guang. Your brother-in-law requested it himself. He said he didn’t want to manage affairs, wanted to stay away from the hustle and bustle, and learn to make spirit pastries with me. Now his cooking skills are even better than mine. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with a simple life. Among all cultivators, how many can truly reach the very end?”

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng sighed softly. Su Cheng’s failure to reach Core Formation might not be a bad thing for Wang Changxue. He hadn’t seen Wang Changxue smile so happily in a long time.

Not long after, Su Cheng came out with pastries and tea.

The three of them chatted while drinking tea.

Su Bingbing had already cultivated to the seventh level of the Foundation Establishment stage and had gone to the South Sea for training with her senior sect members.

Wang Changsheng suddenly thought of something. He glanced at Su Cheng, hesitating to speak.

“Ninth Brother, there are no outsiders here. Just say whatever you want.”

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, “Brother-in-law, could you tell me about your attempt to reach the Core Formation stage? Ru Yan is preparing to attempt Core Formation, and perhaps she can learn from your experience.”

Wang Changsheng had used Heavenly Gang Qi to attempt Core Formation, which was a relatively ancient method. Wang Ruyan, however, would use Core Formation spiritual items. Therefore, Su Cheng’s experience attempting Core Formation should be helpful to Wang Ruyan.

Su Cheng smiled and took a blue jade slip from his robe. He handed it to Wang Changsheng and said, “This details my process of attempting the Core Formation stage. I originally intended to leave it for your nephew, but if you want it, take it and read it! I’ll just make another copy for him.”

Wang Changsheng thanked him and accepted the jade slip.

Less than half an hour later, Su Cheng and Wang Changxue, holding hands, personally saw Wang Changsheng off.

“Brother-in-law, Second Sister, you don’t need to see me out. I’ll come visit you again when I have time.” After saying this, Wang Changsheng transformed into a blue streak of light and departed.

The next day, Ye Tong and Wang Changsheng, along with their disciples, hurried to the Spirit Control Sect.

Zhu Yunzhen, two hundred and fifty years old and at the third level of the Core Formation stage, was the Spirit Control Sect’s only remaining Core Formation cultivator. Since Tong Tianqi’s death, the Spirit Control Sect had been struggling. There was constant friction between the Heavenly Star Sect, the Heavenly Soldiers Sect, and the Spirit Control Sect. Recently, disciples from the Heavenly Soldiers Sect and the Spirit Control Sect had a major brawl in the wilderness, resulting in casualties on both sides.

The Heavenly Soldiers Sect now had three Core Formation cultivators and were in-laws with the Chuanyu Tang family, meaning the Spirit Control Sect truly couldn’t afford to provoke them. The Yellow Sage Palace now had four Core Formation cultivators. Although the Heavenly Star Sect only had two Core Formation cultivators, they had been at the Core Formation stage for many years. To contend with the Heavenly Soldiers Sect, the Hundred Spirits Gate and the Wang family were relatively good partners.

The Hundred Spirits Gate had two Core Formation cultivators, though Ye Tong had only recently achieved Core Formation. The Wang family had only one Core Formation cultivator, but their individual strength was considerable, having once killed a Core Formation half-demon. With the support of the Wang family and the Hundred Spirits Gate, the Spirit Control Sect’s situation would be much better.

Zhu Yunzhen sent people to convene a Spirit Control Assembly, inviting many forces to participate, including the Wang family and the Hundred Spirits Gate.

Liu Yang, the sect master of the Spirit Control Sect, walked in quickly, his face solemn, and said, “Senior Uncle Zhu, Senior Sun and Senior Zhao from the Heavenly Soldiers Sect are here, right outside the mountain gate.”

Zhu Yunzhen’s expression turned serious upon hearing this. Not long ago, disciples from the Heavenly Soldiers Sect had clashed with those from the Spirit Control Sect. What were the Heavenly Soldiers Sect’s Core Formation cultivators doing visiting at this time?

The Spirit Control Sect only had one Core Formation cultivator. If anything were to happen to Zhu Yunzhen, the Spirit Control Sect would certainly be swallowed by other sects.

With two Core Formation cultivators visiting, pretending not to be present would only cause greater trouble. The Heavenly Soldiers Sect disciples’ actions would become even more egregious in the future.

Zhu Yunzhen hesitated for a moment, then ordered, “Whether it’s fortune or misfortune, we can’t escape it. Go and invite them to the Spirit Control Palace.”

The Spirit Control Sect had two sect-protecting spirit beasts, both cultivated to the third tier. The Spirit Control Palace was heavily fortified with restrictions. If Sun Junyan dared to act recklessly, Zhu Yunzhen was not afraid; at worst, it would be a fight to the death.

Less than half an hour later, Zhu Yunzhen met the two Core Formation cultivators from the Heavenly Soldiers Sect.

They were Sun Junyan and Zhao Kun. Zhao Kun was a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator.

“Daoist Sun, Daoist Zhao, what brings you two Daoists to our Spirit Control Sect?”

Sun Junyan’s face hardened as he said, “Daoist Zhu, your disciples killed Daoist Zhao’s kin. Shouldn’t you give us an explanation?”

This statement, of course, was fabricated. The Heavenly Soldiers Sect now had three Core Formation cultivators, and supporting three was quite demanding. Since the Spirit Control Sect only had one Core Formation cultivator, the Heavenly Soldiers Sect naturally set its sights on them. Even if they couldn’t swallow the entire Spirit Control Sect, tearing off a few chunks of its territory would still be beneficial.

Zhu Yunzhen frowned tightly, thinking to himself, “As expected, those who come uninvited mean no good.”

Sun Junyan was arbitrarily slandering the Spirit Control Sect, which Zhu Yunzhen naturally couldn’t accept.

“Daoist Sun, you mustn’t speak carelessly. Our Spirit Control Sect disciples have always been law-abiding. How could they possibly kill Daoist Zhao’s kin?”

“Not long ago, your disciples, in a fit of madness, tried to harm our Heavenly Soldiers Sect disciples, and Daoist Zhao’s kin unfortunately died. Daoist Zhu, you must give us an explanation for this. Our Heavenly Soldiers Sect is not to be trifled with.” Sun Junyan said coldly. They wouldn’t leave this time without gaining some advantage.

“Exactly. That was one of my few descendants, a key cultivation target for our Heavenly Soldiers Sect. I will absolutely not let him die in vain.”

Zhu Yunzhen suppressed the anger in his heart and asked, “Let’s be direct. What do you want?”

“A life for a life, debt for debt. All Spirit Control Sect disciples involved in harming my descendant must have their cultivation crippled and be publicly beheaded. Additionally, you must cede four states to us to settle the kin of the deceased disciple.”

Zhu Yunzhen was furious. This was blatant extortion by the Heavenly Soldiers Sect, demanding four states right from the start. This was far too ruthless.

“Of course, if Daoist Zhu does not agree, there is another option: spar with me. We’ll see who is truly skilled. If Daoist Zhu wins, this matter will be dropped. If Daoist Zhu loses, you must cede two states.”