Chapter 702: Qingli Island

The concept of the puppet array originated from the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, one of the Seven Immortal Sects of the Eastern Desolation. The Wang family used this concept to independently develop their own puppet array. Naturally, the Wang family's puppet array couldn't compare to the Thousand Mechanisms Sect's version, but it possessed its own unique characteristics.

The cultivation world was advancing. Previously, cultivators mostly used storage bags. However, with the emergence of storage beads, which were convenient to carry, could store many items, and had an exquisite appearance, storage beads quickly replaced storage bags. Now, very few cultivators still use storage bags.

The Ten Great Sects of the South Sea also dispatched people to specialize in researching storage beads. The Divine Weapon Palace had already developed a refining method for storage beads, and the Sun Moon Palace and the Nine Yang Sect jointly developed their own. Some even researched storage shells, but their appearance was not as aesthetically pleasing as storage beads, so they were not widely promoted.

"Yes! If we encounter evil cultivators or demon birds again, we won't have to suffer so many casualties among our clansmen."

Wang Changqing said with a smile. He had participated in the research of the puppet array, and seeing its immense power made him very happy.

Strictly speaking, a puppet array isn't a formation in itself. It merely uses the spatial arrangement of a formation to position puppet beasts for convenient support, allowing for breaking the enemy into smaller groups, concentrating firepower for annihilation, and thus improving efficiency.

"It's still early. Quickly clear the battlefield, scatter bait, light the demon-luring incense, and continue hunting demon beasts."

The Wang family members quickly cleared the battlefield, set traps, and lured demon beasts to their deaths.

On an unnamed island, inside a hidden mountain cave, Huang Fugui was speaking with a medium-built man in a yellow shirt.

The yellow-shirted man had a sharp expression, and his eyes, as they moved, were full of intelligence. It was clear at a glance that he was not easily fooled.

Huang Youxin, Huang Fugui's grand-nephew, was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. He was an attendant disciple, responsible for assigning tasks to disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Grandfather, what have you done? The Sun Moon Palace is offering a five-million spirit stone reward for your capture? By the ancestors' grace, you are safe and sound. These past few years, your grandson has been frantic."

Huang Youxin's tone was sincere, but his words were seventy percent true and thirty percent false.

While he genuinely worried about Huang Fugui's safety, he was even more concerned about his relationship with Huang Fugui being exposed, which could bring unnecessary trouble.

The overall strength of the Grand Unity Immortal Sect was no weaker than that of the Sun Moon Palace. If not for the obstruction of the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea, the Grand Unity Immortal Sect would have already seized a sea territory. Therefore, the Grand Unity Immortal Sect's relationship with the Sun Moon Palace was not good. Naturally, the Grand Unity Immortal Sect would not hand over Huang Youxin, but the same could not be said for others.

Five million spirit stones might be insignificant to the Grand Unity Immortal Sect, but for an individual or a small sect, it was definitely an enormous sum.

"I've been wronged. How could I dare to provoke the Sun Moon Palace? The people from the Grand Unity Immortal Sect know about my relationship with you; they haven't made things difficult for you, have they?"

Huang Fugui asked nervously. He could no longer stay in the South Sea, and if the Seven Immortal Sects of the Eastern Desolation also sent people to hunt him down, his situation would become even more difficult.

"No, Ancestor Liu did say that you can return to the Eastern Desolation with peace of mind. You provided great help in the war between humans and demons. Regardless of what you did to the Sun Moon Palace, you are an Eastern Desolation cultivator, and no matter how far the Sun Moon Palace's influence reaches, the Eastern Desolation is not under its jurisdiction."

Hearing this, Huang Fugui breathed a sigh of relief.

He took out two storage beads and handed them to Huang Youxin, saying, "Here are some valuable items that will help your cultivation. I hope you can advance to the Core Formation stage. If you do, don't forget your grandfather."

Huang Fugui helped Huang Youxin hoping that Huang Youxin would serve as a bridge to communicate with the Grand Unity Immortal Sect.

"Grandfather, there's too much; I can't take it. You should keep it! You have many uses for spirit stones, and I'm an attendant disciple now, so I often benefit from my position."

"If this old man gives it to you, just accept it and say nothing more. I must go now. I hope the next time I see you, you will have already formed your core."

Huang Fugui planned to go to the Northern Frontier to hide. The Eastern Desolation was too close to the South Sea and wasn't safe.

Having said this, Huang Fugui transformed into a streak of yellow light and vanished into the sky.

Huang Youxin gazed at the storage beads in his hand and sighed softly.

In the Crimson Moon Sea, a long azure rainbow streaked across the sky. Wang Qingshan sat at the very front, with ten Wang family disciples behind him, their faces filled with excitement.

The Azure Carp Zhang family was a legend in the cultivation world of the South Sea. In just three hundred years, the Zhang family had transformed from a small family into a major clan with a Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing it. The Zhang family was a model for all cultivation families. Since Zhang Wuchen was holding his first birthday celebration, its scale would certainly be significant.

However, the Zhang family rarely held large celebrations. For centuries, apart from Nascent Soul formation ceremonies, the Zhang family had not hosted any other major celebrations. Even when the Zhang family head took a wife, there was no grand ceremony. Moreover, newly advanced Core Formation cultivators did not hold Core Formation celebrations, which was quite rare.

It was said to be Zhang Wuchen's idea that since the Zhang family had shallow foundations, spirit stones should be spent on essential matters rather than on frivolous displays.

Zhang family disciples were low-key, but the Zhang family's actions were high-profile. This was the external impression of the Zhang family and its disciples.

Therefore, Zhang Wuchen's birthday celebration this time attracted considerable attention.

Not long after, two streaks of light appeared ahead, flying rapidly towards their location.

Wang Qingshan made a hand seal, and the azure light sword beneath him came to a halt.

Soon after, the two streaks of light appeared before them. They were two enormous azure carp, with two Core Formation cultivators sitting atop them.

One of them was Zhang Zhiyang, whose aura was significantly stronger than before.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, long time no see."

Wang Qingshan displayed a sincere smile and spoke with a chuckle.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see. Recently, there have been many guests arriving to offer birthday felicitations. Please present your invitation."

Zhang Zhiyang cupped his hand towards Wang Qingshan and spoke politely.

Wang Qingshan flipped his hand, and a golden ray shot out, landing steadily in front of Zhang Zhiyang. It was a dazzling golden invitation card.

Zhang Zhiyang inspected it carefully. After confirming its authenticity, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, thank you for traveling thousands of miles to offer birthday wishes to our Ancestor. I'll lead you to Azure Carp Island. Without a member of our Zhang family to guide you, you wouldn't be able to reach our Azure Carp Island."

Zhang Zhiyang's words carried a hint of pride.

Wang Qingshan nodded and agreed.

They all flew onto the backs of the azure carp. Zhang Zhiyang patted the azure carp beneath him, and it flicked its tail, flying away at an extremely fast speed.

The azure carp constantly changed direction, and with each change, Wang Qingshan's divine sense could detect a wave of restrictions.

Half a day later, the azure carp stopped. There was nothing in front of them.

Zhang Zhiyang took out a blue shell, waved it towards the void, and a blue light shot out, striking a certain spot in the void in a flash.

The void rippled, and a massive island appeared before them.

The island was lush and green, long in shape, with a wide eastern part and a narrow western part.

From a distance, the entire island resembled a gigantic azure carp.