Chapter 690: Message about the Thunder Apricot Fruit Tree

Wang Qiuhong worried this was a trap. He suspected Cheng Zhenyu was conspiring with outsiders to lure and kill cultivators from the Wang family, and it was always wise to be cautious.

"You can send people to search; this is the topographical map. I'll wait for your return on Red Lotus Island, or I can guide you myself. You must act quickly, as I can't guarantee that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire won't be discovered by others. After all, my wife and I aren't the only ones operating in the Myriad Ghost Sea."

"If the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire truly exists, we will certainly offer you a substantial reward."

Cheng Zhenyu shook his head and said seriously, "As I mentioned, I want a Core-forming spiritual item. The Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire takes a thousand years to form, so that particular one must be at least a millennium old. Of course, exchanging a piece of information for a Core-forming spiritual item is indeed too much. But what if we include a thousand-year-old Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree? It has already borne fruit, with five Thunder Apricots. The Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree blooms every three hundred years, bears fruit three hundred years later, and its fruit only ripens after another three hundred years. Thunder Apricots can strengthen a cultivator's physical body, and the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree itself is a lightning-attributed material for artifact refinement. Its value, I presume, needs no further explanation."

The Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree ranks seventy-fifth on the List of Heaven and Earth's Rare Woods. It grows by absorbing the lightning from the heavens and earth. Its fruits can temper and strengthen a cultivator's physical body, while its trunk can be used for artifact refinement. If crafted into a lightning-attributed magic treasure, it can even assist cultivators in overcoming their tribulations.

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng's gaze became fervent. He transmitted a message to Wang Qiuhong, saying, "Agree to his terms. If we manage to obtain the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire and the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree, we can give him a Core-forming spiritual item. Tell him to just provide the topographical map; he doesn't need to lead us."

The Sun and Moon Palace cultivators had offered a five-million spirit stone reward for Huang Fugui, indicating that the Sun and Moon Palace cultivator Wang Changsheng had eliminated was of no small status. Bringing Cheng Zhenyu along would present many inconveniences.

If Wang Changsheng could secure the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire and the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree, providing Cheng Zhenyu with a Core-forming spiritual item would be a minor concession.

"Provide us with the topographical map. If we successfully obtain the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire and the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree, we will give you a Core-forming spiritual item. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Cheng, our Wang family always keeps its promises."

Cheng Zhenyu hesitated briefly, then took out two shells and handed them to Wang Qiuhong. "These indicate the locations of the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire," he said. "The only complication is that the island where the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree is situated has powerful restrictions, so you'll need to be extremely careful."

"Excellent. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Cheng. Please go back and rest well. Don't worry, our Wang family will never treat our friends unfairly."

Cheng Zhenyu nodded in assent, then turned and departed.

"Grandfather, this is what Fellow Daoist Cheng gave me."

Wang Qiuhong handed the two shells to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng swept them with his spiritual sense, a thoughtful expression on his face.

A long, azure rainbow flew in, descending before them; it was Wang Qingshan.

"Qingshan, how did it go? What mission did the Zhang family assign you?"

Wang Changsheng asked, a smile on his face and concern in his tone.

"The Zhang family wants me to join them in eliminating a group of 'evil cultivators.' These so-called evil cultivators are most likely their adversaries. If I refuse, we'll be forced to leave Red Lotus Island and find another place to settle. I haven't agreed immediately."

Wang Qingshan said, frowning, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness.

The Zhang family conveniently called them "evil cultivators," but he was well aware that the Zhang family simply intended to kill these individuals.

"Are these evil cultivators powerful? How many of them are there?"

Wang Qingshan nodded. "They didn't specify how many there are," he said. "The Zhang family will also send supervisors to the battle. If I fail to kill a Core-forming cultivator, our Wang family must leave the territory controlled by the Zhang family. However, if I succeed in killing one, the Zhang family will grant us an island with a third-tier spiritual vein as our residence, though we'll be subject to their directives in the future."

"Are there no other missions besides this one?"

Wang Changsheng said, frowning. The Zhang family was essentially putting the Wang family in an impossible situation. Who could guarantee that a smaller sect wouldn't have other Core-forming cultivators? If one were to escape, the future repercussions would be endless.

"There are two other missions. One is to apprehend the rogue cultivator Huang Fugui, and the second is to acquire a top-tier third-grade fire-attributed demonic core. Compared to the previous option, the first mission is relatively easier to complete. Considering my cultivation level, they didn't require me to depart immediately. I negotiated, and they stated that I must complete one of these tasks within ten years; failure to do so by the deadline will be considered a failure."

Wang Changsheng frowned. "Ten years?" he said. "Your strength is too weak. Focus on cultivation first!"

He hadn't anticipated that the Zhang family would also be assisting the Sun and Moon Palace in apprehending Huang Fugui. It seemed the Sun and Moon Palace's influence was far greater than he had imagined. Wang Qingshan was only at the first layer of Core Formation; sending him into a life-and-death struggle against other Core-forming cultivators was too dangerous. It might be better if he waited until he reached the second layer of Core Formation.

He then recounted everything about Cheng Zhenyu, holding nothing back.

"Ninth Uncle, let me accompany you! I've already formed my core; I can be of assistance."

Wang Qingshan volunteered, having already cultivated spirit arts and become much stronger than before.

"No, you don't need to. Red Lotus Island cannot be left unguarded. Just focus on your cultivation."

After the attack on Sea Cucumber Island, the Wang family suffered heavy losses. Such an incident must not happen again; there must be Core-forming cultivators guarding the family home.

"Alright then. Be careful. I'll have someone keep a close watch on Cheng Zhenyu. If anything happens to you, I assure you, I will not let him go unpunished."

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Just focus on your cultivation," he said. "Qiuhong will keep a close watch on Cheng Zhenyu."

Upon arriving at Ye Lin's residence, Wang Changsheng thoroughly explained the situation to him.

"The Myriad Ghost Sea? That's one of the seven most dangerous places in the South Sea Cultivation World. Are you truly planning to go there?"

Ye Lin said, frowning. It wasn't that he was afraid, but the Myriad Ghost Sea had a notorious reputation. Over the years, countless Core-forming cultivators had ventured there and never returned.

Wang Changsheng nodded solemnly. "I must go," he stated. "If I can acquire the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, my artifact refining will become considerably easier. And there's also the Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit Tree. The tricky part is that the island where it's located has powerful restrictions. I'd like to bring you along. What are your thoughts?"

"No problem at all. I'm skilled at breaking formations. However, we should prepare several more third-tier defensive talismans. The Myriad Ghost Sea is, after all, one of the seven most dangerous places in the South Sea, so we cannot afford to be careless."

Besides breaking formations, Ye Lin currently possessed only Foundation Establishment cultivation. For his own safety, it was essential to prepare several third-tier defensive talismans.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, then produced four shimmering talismans and handed them to Ye Lin.

Most items from the Sun and Moon Palace cultivators were unusable, but the talismans were perfectly fine. The Myriad Bones Twin Fiends had also carried a considerable amount of wealth.

"With these four third-tier defensive talismans, and I'll also provide you with a rudimentary defensive magic treasure, there should be no problem as long as we proceed carefully."

Ye Lin nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's head to the Myriad Ghost Sea together!" he said. "Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've deciphered a formation."

By the end of his statement, his expression showed a hint of excitement, as his greatest passion was deciphering formations laid by others.