Chapter 596: Zhenhai Sect

Wang Changsheng had been hunting demonic beasts for many years, but this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

Generally, a demonic beast would only attack someone who angered it, and once it selected a target, it would rarely change. The Infant Cry Beast had first attacked Wang Changsheng, then shifted to attack Wang Huashan, and later changed again to attack Wang Ruyan. This behavior was truly rare.

Fairy Ziyue gave a wry smile and explained, "Fellow Daoist Wang, you've misunderstood. It's a common understanding in the cultivation world that Infant Cry Beasts are already quite intelligent and extremely difficult to kill. As for why it attacked your wife, I don't understand either."

"Now that the Infant Cry Beast has escaped, it will likely be very difficult to lure it out again."

Wang Huashan said with a grim expression. He didn't overthink it; while a demonic beast changing targets was rare, it wasn't unheard of.

Third-tier demonic beasts already possessed intelligence, albeit not very high. It wasn't strange for a third-tier demonic beast to choose cultivators with lower cultivation levels as targets.

He had originally hoped to kill two Infant Cry Beasts to acquire wealth and purchase magical treasures.

Wang Ruyan's beautiful eyes flickered; she vaguely suspected something.

Wang Changsheng had not kept the secret of the *True Scripture of Kui Water* from Wang Ruyan; she even knew about the existence of the Glazed Tidal Moonstone.

The previous two times in the South Sea, Wang Changsheng had lacked suitable magical treasures, which was why he resorted to using spiritual arts.

This time in the South Sea, unless absolutely necessary, Wang Changsheng did not want to use the spiritual art 'Spirit Slayer Palm'. He would not have used it if Wang Ruyan had not been in danger.

If it weren't for the cultivation technique, Wang Changsheng wouldn't have thought so much. Connecting it with Fairy Ziyue's previous unusual behavior, he had a bold hypothesis.

Could Fairy Ziyue's cultivation technique be the *True Scripture of Kui Water*? Was she doing all of this to test whether he also cultivated the *True Scripture of Kui Water*?

He thought carefully and dismissed this speculation.

Female cultivators generally didn't practice body-refining techniques. Even if Fairy Ziyue was unusual and cultivated the *True Scripture of Kui Water*, why would she test Wang Changsheng? Logically, the third-tier Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water wouldn't even be enough for her own use, so why would she give it to Wang Changsheng?

Regardless, Wang Changsheng was utterly disgusted that Fairy Ziyue used Wang Ruyan to test him.

Wang Changsheng's achievements to date were inseparable from his virtuous wife, Wang Ruyan. He would not allow anyone to harm her.

"What about the formation then? A low-grade third-tier formation actually couldn't trap two third-tier demonic beasts? You said the main formation flag was repaired, but you're a third-tier artifact refiner; couldn't you properly repair the main formation flag? If you couldn't fix it, why would you bring it to hunt demonic beasts? Fairy Ziyue, do you think I'm a fool? If you don't explain this clearly, you won't leave so easily."

Wang Changsheng sneered and spoke impolitely, a murderous glint in his eyes.

If he hadn't timely used a spiritual art to injure the Infant Cry Beast, Wang Ruyan might have perished by its jaws. She hadn't mastered spiritual arts and only had a first-level Core Formation cultivation.

Wang Changsheng unleashed his divine sense, quickly sweeping the nearby sea.

If his guess was correct, a high-level cultivator was hiding somewhere, secretly controlling the two Infant Cry Beasts to attack them.

Upon hearing this, Wang Huashan suddenly realized something, his face drastically changed, and he fully unleashed his divine sense.

Killing people for their treasures was not uncommon in the South Sea. Wang Huashan thought Fairy Ziyue had colluded with others to harm the three of them.

He didn't detect the aura of any other cultivators and let out a sigh of relief.

"Exactly, Fairy Ziyue, you should give us a reasonable explanation for this!"

Wang Ruyan said with a cold expression. The Infant Cry Beast had furiously attacked her, but after Wang Changsheng used a spiritual art to injure it, it immediately retreated. Clearly, Fairy Ziyue had colluded with other Core Formation cultivators to intentionally test Wang Changsheng.

"I have nothing to explain. I already said it was a misunderstanding. If Fellow Daoist Wang doesn't believe me, then so be it. Don't think that just because there are more of you, I'm afraid. If we truly fight, it's unclear who would win!"

Fairy Ziyue scoffed, flicked her sleeve, and two silver orbs the size of watermelons flew out. They transformed into a giant silver tiger with wings on its back and a silver flood dragon over ten zhang long. Both were mid-grade third-tier puppet beasts.

Wang Changsheng frowned, a hint of apprehension appearing in his eyes.

Wang Huashan only had one magical treasure, and Wang Ruyan had only recently advanced to the Core Formation stage. If a fight truly broke out, Wang Changsheng might not be in danger, but the same couldn't be said for Wang Ruyan and Wang Huashan.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, it truly was a coincidence. This is my first time meeting you all, so why would I harm you? How about this! To show my apology, I'll give you two hundred catties of diluted Profound Moon Dark Water. It's better to resolve enmity than to foster it."

Fairy Ziyue raised her jade hand, and a palm-sized blue gourd flew out towards Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng's divine sense quickly scanned the blue gourd. After confirming there were no issues, he caught it.

He cast a protective barrier on himself before pulling out the stopper. A bone-chilling cold immediately surged out.

His expression softened, and he put away the blue gourd.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I truly harbored no ill intentions; this was all a misunderstanding. If you don't mind, let's return to Violet Bamboo Island, enjoy some tea, chat, and continue discussing artifact refining. If we discover any more third-tier demonic beasts, I will definitely invite you to hunt them together."

Fairy Ziyue smiled charmingly and spoke sincerely.

"Husband, be careful; she might be tricking us. Let's not go to Violet Bamboo Island. It seems she's figured out your cultivation technique. Perhaps she also cultivates the *True Scripture of Kui Water*, or she might be a descendant of a major sect, or she has other motives. We're new to the South Sea; we can't afford to offend these local powers. Let's minimize our interactions with them!"

Wang Ruyan transmitted her voice to Wang Changsheng, warning him.

Wang Changsheng shared the same sentiment. He shook his head and said with an indifferent expression, "I appreciate Fairy Ziyue's kindness. If I have time another day, I will certainly visit. Farewell."

Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Huashan flew back the way they came, disappearing into the horizon shortly after.

"Found another one!"

Fairy Ziyue muttered to herself, a hint of excitement in her expression.

After a while, her expression returned to normal. She put away her puppet beasts, formation flags, and formation plate, transforming into a purple streak of light and quickly flying back the way she came.

Two days later, she returned to Violet Bamboo Island and quickly entered a purple pavilion.

As soon as she entered the pavilion, she saw a kindly-faced elderly man in blue robes. Judging by his aura, he was clearly an eighth-level Core Formation cultivator.

"Great-Uncle Zeng, is the Infant Cry Beast alright?"

The blue-robed elder shook his head and said, "The *True Scripture of Kui Water* truly lives up to its reputation as one of Zhenhai Sect's three foundational cultivation techniques. A single 'Spirit Slayer Palm' strike injured a mid-grade third-tier Infant Cry Beast. Fortunately, the Infant Cry Beast has thick skin and flesh, so it will recover after some rest. If it had taken a few more hits, its life would have been in danger. So, that young man wasn't willing to come back with you?"