Chapter 652: Wang Mingren's Transformation

Eastern Wasteland, Taiyi Immortal Sect.

In a secluded courtyard, Wang Mingren stood before Xu Zihua with a respectful expression.

"You are still too young! There are many ways for you to reach the Core Formation stage, so why did you take on the task of the Book of Life and Death? It's a good thing you killed several Foundation Establishment evil cultivators, otherwise, you would have become a laughingstock! If those evil cultivators were so easy to catch, our sect would have apprehended them long ago." Xu Zihua took a sip of fragrant tea and said earnestly.

"Master is right," Wang Mingren said, somewhat regretting, "If I had known this, I would have stayed in the Northern Frontier for a while longer; perhaps I would have reached the Core Formation stage by now." His main goal was to accumulate a large number of contribution points to exchange for Core Formation spiritual items, and to lay a solid foundation for his future candidacy as one of the Taiyi Five Prodigies.

However, he overestimated himself and his family's support for him. He believed his family should invest significant manpower to help him apprehend the evil cultivators, and that if he became one of the Taiyi Five Prodigies, the family would also gain many benefits. But apparently, the family either didn't realize this or didn't quite acknowledge Wang Mingren as one of their own.

Thinking of this, Wang Mingren felt a pang of sadness.

People are selfish. From his own perspective, Wang Mingren thought he was not wrong. He knew he had delayed the cultivation of Wang Qingling and others, but once he reached the Core Formation stage, he could help Wang Qingling and the others improve their cultivation!

The Taiyi Immortal Sect is one of the seven great immortal sects in the Eastern Wasteland; its overall strength ranks among the top three. If he were to become one of the Taiyi Five Prodigies, his family would undoubtedly gain significant benefits. Unfortunately, Wang Changsheng was short-sighted and failed to see this.

"It's alright to make mistakes; what matters is correcting them," Xu Zihua said. "You know Chen Xiang'er, the great-granddaughter of your Martial Uncle Chen Haibin, don't you? What do you think of her as your dual cultivation partner?" Wang Mingren frowned and said, "Master, I already have someone I like in the Northern Frontier. Wouldn't this be inappropriate?"

Xu Zihua glared at him and scolded him without ceremony: "Someone you 'like' is not necessarily a dual cultivation partner; this has no impact. Your Martial Uncle Chen is the Deputy Peak Master of the Thousand Swords lineage. Becoming his grandson-in-law will greatly benefit your future. As for the Northern Frontier, just find an opportunity to make it clear to her."

"This..." Wang Mingren was somewhat swayed.

"Go back and think about it carefully!" Xu Zihua continued. "This marriage will do you no harm; I wouldn't hurt you. If you're unwilling, don't say later that I didn't guide you. Opportunities like this don't come around often. There are many disciples who want to become dual cultivation partners with Martial Niece Chen. If it weren't for my good relationship with Martial Brother Chen, I wouldn't even have the chance to arrange this match for you. I have taken in several disciples, but you are the one I am most pleased with. If it were your senior brothers or sisters, I wouldn't bother telling them so much."

Xu Zihua managed the Deacon Hall. He was a pragmatic person, swayed only by tangible benefits, not an idealist.

This marriage was beneficial for Wang Mingren and also for Xu Zihua; it was a win-win situation.

"Alright! Please allow me to consider it overnight. I will give you my answer tomorrow, Master, alright?" Wang Mingren asked, somewhat nervously.

Xu Zihua nodded and said, "No problem. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer. Remember, not just anyone can become Martial Niece Chen's dual cultivation partner."

"I understand, Disciple bids farewell." Wang Mingren agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

Back at his dwelling, Wang Mingren lay on his bed, lost in deep thought.

On one side was Ximen Feng; on the other, his own cultivation path.

The Thousand Swords lineage is the strongest lineage in the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Its Deputy Peak Master possesses at least the strength of a seventh or eighth-layer Core Formation cultivator, with a high probability of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.

If he became Chen Haibin's grandson-in-law, his future would be limitless. However, Chen Xiang'er's reputation was not very good.

Chen Haibin originated from the mortal world and, by chance, entered the cultivation world, joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Later, he was incredibly fortunate to advance to the Core Formation stage, and by virtue of his strength, he secured the position of Deputy Peak Master of the Thousand Swords lineage. Chen Xiang'er was his only descendant in the mortal world with spiritual roots, and she was greatly doted upon by him.

Chen Xiang'er was narrow-minded and somewhat sharp-tongued and harsh. Disciples who offended her or married her would likely face difficult times ahead. However, their future prospects would certainly be excellent.

He recalled his own life. His father, Wang Yaolong, had five spiritual roots, making even Foundation Establishment impossible. He had many wives and concubines, simply hoping to produce a descendant with good aptitude.

Under Wang Yaolong's fervent hopes, Wang Mingren came into this world.

If he had been a three-spirit root cultivator, he would at most reach the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime, and reaching Core Formation would be extremely difficult. But he was not a three-spirit root, but a dual-spirit root, and thus joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

He did not want to be like Wang Yaolong. He wanted to go further on the immortal path. With Chen Haibin's help and his dual-spirit root aptitude, reaching Core Formation would not be a problem for him; he might even have the chance to contend for a spot among the Taiyi Five Prodigies.

If he could be selected as one of the Taiyi Five Prodigies, he would have a very high chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.

Wang Mingren came from a small family. His ability to reach his current stage was mostly due to his aptitude and his master. The help his family could provide was too little; this recent apprehension of evil cultivators was a prime example.

After an entire night of deep contemplation, Wang Mingren made a decision.

For the sake of his own cultivation path, he decided to marry Chen Xiang'er. Since he couldn't rely on his family, he had to rely on himself, using marriage as a bond to help him go further.

As for Ximen Feng, he could only offer his apologies.

Self-preservation is paramount. If he had the chance, he would compensate Ximen Feng.

Early the next morning, Wang Mingren went to Xu Zihua's dwelling and accepted Xu Zihua's suggestion.

"Haha! I knew you were the most sensible one," Xu Zihua said, stroking his beard with a smile. "Martial Niece Chen's temper isn't the best, but after marriage, she will definitely change."

"Everything is in your hands, Master," Wang Mingren said respectfully, bowing to Xu Zihua, a hint of determination in his eyes.

Myriad Demon Sea, a nameless desolate island.

By the seashore, a silver shark over thirty zhang in size was trapped within a massive blue light barrier. The silver shark was a third-tier mid-grade demonic beast. It continuously unleashed thick bolts of silver lightning, causing the blue light barrier to flicker erratically and appear on the verge of collapsing.

Fairy Ziyue held a hexagonal blue formation plate in her hand. Vast magical power continuously poured into the plate, sustaining the blue light barrier.

Wang Changsheng and Tian Jiong manipulated their magic treasures and spells, attacking the silver shark.

Wang Changsheng wielded a white long spear, conjuring multiple spear shadows. Before the spear shadows even landed, a large wave of biting cold air swept out, sending shivers down one's spine.

Tian Jiong wielded the red banner in his hand. He released giant fireballs, each the size of a house, which slammed into the silver shark, erupting in a tremendous roar. When the giant fireballs hit the seawater, they unleashed a vast cloud of mist.

Under their frantic assault, the silver shark's body was covered in wounds. It let out cries of pain, stirring pity in those who heard them.