Chapter 638: Magic Treasure Black Flood Dragon Flag

The South China Sea, Coral Sea region.

On Sea Cucumber Island, inside a secret chamber.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his face quite pale. A shimmering black flag floated in the air before him, emitting astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations. Around him, a large pile of artifact-refining materials was scattered.

"Finally, I've refined a magic treasure!" Wang Changsheng let out a light breath, his face filled with deep joy. After a hundred years in the Core Formation stage, he first began refining his destined artifact, then a prototype magic treasure, and finally, a magic treasure. This was only possible because he had acquired many third-tier artifact-refining materials and practiced extensively. It was evident how difficult it was for a cultivator without a master's guidance to become a third-tier artifact refiner. In fact, if not for Fairy Ziyue's guidance, which helped him avoid many detours, he wouldn't have refined this magic treasure so quickly. This magic treasure, the Black Flood Dragon Banner, was a first-tier low-grade magic treasure. Given Wang Changsheng's artifact-refining skill, it was impossible for him to suddenly refine a higher-tier magic treasure. Come to think of it, even after a hundred years in the Core Formation stage, Wang Changsheng still hadn't acquired his own destined magic treasure.

Before reaching the Core Formation stage, his destined artifact was the Ice Flood Dragon Banner. At that time, he was relatively poor and had few choices. During their trip to the Golden Sun Sect ruins, Wang Qingshan and others brought back three sets of magic treasure materials. Among them were the Mountain Sea Pearls, a heavy set of magic treasures. In another thirty years, Wang Changsheng would explore the Zhenhai Sect ruins with Fairy Ziyue. Before then, he absolutely had to refine the Mountain Sea Pearls. With a destined magic treasure in hand, Wang Changsheng's strength would significantly increase.

Wang Changsheng put away the Black Flood Dragon Banner and the artifact-refining materials on the ground, then walked out of the secret chamber. Before refining the treasure, he had settled Ye Lin in his residence. However, Ye Lin was now gone, apparently having woken up. Arriving at the valley where Wang Changyue resided, Wang Changsheng tossed in a sound transmission talisman. Soon after, the thick white mist enveloping the valley churned, and Ye Haitang ran out, excitedly saying: "Uncle, you're finally here! Mommy gave birth to a little brother; he's so tiny!"

Wang Changsheng's face lit up with joy. He picked up Ye Haitang and chuckled, "That's wonderful news! Where's your father?" "Daddy has been with Mommy the whole time. Um, Daddy has a lot more white hair now, and Mommy is really worried about him. But Daddy says he's fine. Uncle, is Daddy really okay? How did he get so much white hair in just a few months?" Ye Haitang blinked, asking curiously. "Your father isn't feeling well, but Uncle will find someone to heal him, Haitang. Don't worry, trust Uncle." Wang Changsheng smiled faintly and said earnestly. Ye Lin truly regarded himself as a member of the Wang family, not hesitating to sacrifice his vital essence to help Wang Changsheng eliminate the evil cultivator. Wang Changsheng walked inside, carrying Ye Haitang, and the white mist quickly closed behind them.

Wang Changyue and Ye Lin were seated in a stone pavilion. Ye Lin held a baby boy in his arms; most of his hair had turned white, making him look much older. Wang Changyue's face held a deep smile, but her beautiful eyes were filled with worry. "Brother, you're here." Wang Changsheng nodded, put down Ye Haitang, and said with a smile, "Changyue, how's your recovery going? Your sister-in-law needed quite some time to recuperate after giving birth to Qingyang."

"Yes! My dear, you should go back inside and rest. Haitang, go inside with your mother, take good care of her, and call me if anything happens." Ye Lin said to Ye Haitang. He had something to discuss with Wang Changsheng, and it was not appropriate for Ye Haitang to be present. Wang Changyue understood and left with Ye Haitang.

"Brother-in-law, are you alright? How much lifespan did you lose by using that secret technique? Can you recover it?" Wang Changsheng asked with concern, his voice low. "About ten-odd years! It's impossible to recover all of it. Taking a lot of vital essence replenishing pills should help recover some of my lifespan, though!" Wang Changsheng's face turned grim. Although he had mentally prepared himself, he was still greatly shocked upon learning the truth. He had never imagined that Ye Lin would lose over ten years of his lifespan; the loss was immense.

Thinking back, he had originally intended to invite Fairy Ziyue to join forces and eliminate the evil cultivator. However, when he learned that there was only one evil cultivator and their cultivation was lower than his, he felt confident he could eliminate them himself. Over the years, he had killed quite a few Core Formation cultivators, which filled Wang Changsheng with self-confidence. Besides, Fairy Ziyue might not have helped; after all, she didn't know the number or cultivation level of the evil cultivators, so she wouldn't simply believe whatever Wang Changsheng said. Putting himself in her shoes, if Fairy Ziyue had asked him to eliminate an evil cultivator, he wouldn't have easily believed her words. Monsters were a different matter. He had never imagined that the evil cultivator actually cultivated an Earth-grade cultivation method and mastered a spirit art. If not for Ye Lin's help, Wang Changsheng might have been in mortal danger. This was his first time engaging with a Core Formation cultivator who practiced an Earth-grade cultivation method; previously, all the Core Formation cultivators he had slain had practiced Profound-grade cultivation methods.

Among Core Formation cultivators, if the difference in cultivation stages wasn't significant, the one with a higher-grade cultivation method had a greater chance of victory. "I will find a third-tier alchemist as soon as possible to heal your injuries. We'll recover as much lifespan as possible." Ye Lin nodded. He then remembered something and asked, "Do you have any factions you want to deal with? Or enemies?"

Wang Changsheng paused slightly, then asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that? I won't let you intervene again." "As long as I live, people from the Nine Nether Sect might come looking for me. This hidden danger must be eliminated. If it weren't for Shangguan Wei, I wouldn't be in this situation today. We could set up an ancient cultivator's cave, place some treasures there, and then put the *Nine Nether Heavenly Illusions Scripture* inside. The cultivation resources required to reach the Core Formation stage are quite unique, making it easy for the Nine Nether Sect to detect. When that happens, the Nine Nether Sect will definitely wipe out that faction. Of course, unless it's a behemoth like the Taiyi Immortal Gate, the Nine Nether Sect won't hesitate to target smaller sects."

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng was somewhat tempted, but he had no enemies. It would be a waste to simply find a random faction to take the blame. "Actually, I initially planned to target the Hundred Beasts Sect or the Spirit Controlling Gate. However, they are too close to your Wang family, which might not dispel the Nine Nether Sect's suspicions. The South China Sea is different. It's understandable that I, being discovered by the Nine Nether Sect in the Eastern Barrens, would flee to the South China Sea. We could use the Nine Nether Sect's power to eliminate a major enemy. The only issue is that it would take a long time, possibly over a hundred years. First and second-tier illusion materials are relatively easy to find, but third-tier and above are difficult, which would make it easy for the Nine Nether Sect to discover."

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then said, "This matter isn't urgent. The most important thing right now is to heal your injuries. Can your cultivation really not be restored?" If Ye Lin could recover his cultivation, the Wang family's development would be even better. Ye Lin gave a bitter smile and said, "If you could invite a Soul Transformation cultivator or Shangguan Wei, perhaps my cultivation could be restored. But just having that thought is enough. I really like my current life, watching Haitang grow up day by day. It would be even better if I could see her get married."