Chapter 704: Wind and Rain Swaying

Purple Cloud Island is the headquarters of Purple Cloud Pavilion. Ye Yunhai is their most highly cultivated member, at the sixth layer of Core Formation. While Purple Cloud Pavilion publicly claims to have three Core Formation cultivators, they actually possess four, always keeping a hidden card.

Inside the Purple Cloud Hall, Ye Yunhai and three Core Formation cultivators were holding a meeting.

"Zhang Wuchen is celebrating his birthday," Ye Yunhai began in a deep voice. "Zhang family's affiliated forces will surely go to offer congratulations, and the Wang family from Red Lotus Island will also attend. Perhaps Wang Fengnian won't be on the island. What do you think about taking this opportunity to destroy Red Lotus Island?" He added, emphasizing the proverb, "How can one tolerate another snoring beside their bed?" Red Lotus Island's location was sensitive. Ever since the Wang family produced a Core Formation cultivator, the cultivation families near Red Lotus Island had been uneasy, especially Purple Cloud Pavilion's affiliated families. After all, the Wang family had previously destroyed three cultivation families; who knew if they would target others?

With Zhang Wuchen's birthday celebration, the Wang family would certainly send representatives to offer congratulations, which would undoubtedly weaken their defenses. This presented an ideal opportunity for Purple Cloud Pavilion to eliminate them. Last time, Song Fei and Sun Lei had intended to destroy the Wang family, but the Zhang family intervened, making it difficult for them to act immediately.

Purple Cloud Pavilion would not stand by and watch the Wang family rise. The Wang family leased islands from the Thousand Puppet Sect and maintained a good relationship with them. If the Wang family were to ally with the Thousand Puppet Sect, it would pose a serious threat to Purple Cloud Pavilion; such dangers must be eliminated in their infancy. Zhang Wuchen's birthday celebration was therefore the best opportunity to destroy the Wang family.

"I agree with this plan," said Sun Lei, volunteering. "However, Wang Fengnian's strength is not to be underestimated. Let's send three of us." He was still resentful from his previous defeat by Wang Qingshan.

"Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit," Ye Yunhai stated. "We publicly claim to have three Core Formation cultivators, but we actually have four. Who knows if the Wang family might also have other Core Formation cultivators? I will go personally; Junior Brother Sun, you will stay behind. The three of us can take a group of disciples with us. Junior Brother Sun, you must be careful. With Zhang Wuchen's birthday celebration and the large-scale mobilization of affiliated forces, the Zhang family might have other intentions. Whale Gate has sent a message, warning us to be wary of the Zhang family taking the opportunity to launch a sneak attack. With our sect-guarding spirit beast and third-tier puppet beasts, we can hold out for a while. If there's an emergency, notify us using a long-distance communication talisman."

Purple Cloud Pavilion was not skilled in crafting puppet beasts, but they had purchased two third-tier puppet beasts for backup.

"Understood, Senior Brother Ye," Sun Lei replied. "You can go without worry! I will look after the sect."

A short while later, a purple giant python, over thirty zhang long, carrying more than a hundred cultivators, flew out of Purple Cloud Island.

***

Red Lotus Island, a certain secret chamber.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a futon, a black flame floating before him.

Around him lay a large pile of crafting materials, looking somewhat disordered.

After a while, Wang Changsheng performed a hand seal, and the black flame flew towards him, revealing a crystalline blue orb.

This was not yet the Mountain Sea Pearl; it had only preliminarily condensed into an orb shape. It would still take more than half a year for Wang Changsheng to fully refine the Mountain Sea Pearl.

A sharp whistling sound rang out. Wang Changsheng frowned slightly, took out a communication disc, and activated a magic seal. Wang Ruyan's voice suddenly chimed: "Husband, I've finished my seclusion and I'm at the entrance to your residence right now."

Wang Ruyan learned from Wang Tianqi that Wang Changsheng was on Red Lotus Island and immediately rushed there.

The couple had not seen each other for over thirty years and missed each other dearly.

Wang Changsheng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly opened the secret chamber door. Wang Ruyan stood at the doorway, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Wang Changsheng stepped forward, embraced Wang Ruyan's slender waist, and said tenderly, "Wife, you've finally come out of seclusion. I was originally going to meet you on Sea Cucumber Island, but Zhang Wuchen is celebrating his birthday, and Qingshan went to offer congratulations, so I had to stay on Red Lotus Island. By the way, why did you come here? Won't Sea Cucumber Island be left unguarded?"

"Bingbing has advanced to the Core Formation stage," she replied, "so I brought her a congratulatory gift and spread the news. If anyone wants to make a move on our Sea Cucumber Island, they will be somewhat deterred. The Three Immortal Alliance has just been established, and anyone who acts against it now will easily be killed by the Alliance to establish its authority."

Wang Changsheng nodded. He recounted his experiences over the years to Wang Ruyan, without the slightest concealment, even including the Azure Lotus Cauldron. He fully trusted his wife.

Learning of the wondrous uses of the Azure Lotus Cauldron, Wang Ruyan was very pleased.

"Husband, I've been in seclusion for so many years, and the family has relied solely on you. You've worked so hard," she said. "I haven't been able to help you with anything during all these years of seclusion."

"We are husband and wife; why say such things?" Wang Changsheng replied. "When husband and wife are of one mind, their combined strength can cut through metal. As long as we work together, our future will surely be better."

Wang Ruyan nodded and said, "Our family has too few Core Formation cultivators. The most urgent task is to cultivate another Core Formation cultivator. Qingqi is an alchemist; if he can advance to the Core Formation stage, it will benefit the entire family's development."

"Qingqi has already resolved his bottleneck and is currently striving to reach the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment," Wang Changsheng explained. "His lifespan is not long; he only has one chance to attempt Core Formation. I hope he can advance to the Core Formation stage! Oh, and there's another important matter we need to attend to."

"What matter?" Wang Ruyan asked.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, bent down, and picked up Wang Ruyan. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she embraced his neck.

Before long, alluring moans emanated from the secret chamber.

A short separation is better than a new marriage, and the couple, having not seen each other for thirty years, missed each other dearly.

The next day, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan appeared in a quiet courtyard, accompanied by Wang Changyue and Ye Lin.

Ye Haitang could already handle things on her own and could independently set up second-tier formations.

Ye Lin and Wang Changyue did not have much lifespan left, less than thirty years.

Over the years, Wang Changyue had focused on her family, raising children and assisting her husband. In her free time, she and Ye Lin devoted themselves to studying formations, but she hadn't put much effort into cultivation.

She cultivated a Profound-grade cultivation technique and had encountered a bottleneck, remaining stuck at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment.

She had once planned to join a demon hunting team to hunt demon beasts. However, Ye Lin was worried and wanted to accompany her, so he could look after her in case they encountered a formidable enemy.

Ye Lin would lose some lifespan whenever he used his pupil techniques with the Golden Moon Spirit Eyes. Wang Changyue did not want Ye Lin's lifespan to be diminished, so she abandoned the idea.

Her cultivation level was primarily accumulated through elixirs. She was well aware that even if she cultivated to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, her chances of successfully forming a Core were slim. Ye Lin's lifespan was similar to hers, and she never brought up resolving her bottleneck again.

She planned to grow old with Ye Lin and live out their lives together. With a loving husband and healthy children, she felt she had everything she could ask for in life.

"Brother-in-law, please try to persuade Changyue!" Ye Lin said with a wry smile. "She's stuck at a bottleneck and unwilling to resolve it. I have no way to deal with her."

Ye Lin said with a wry smile. He had tried to persuade Wang Changyue, but she wouldn't listen, and he had no other recourse but to place his hopes on Wang Changsheng, his brother-in-law.

Wang Changsheng sighed softly. He knew what Wang Changyue was thinking; her personality was stubborn, and what she set her mind to, no one could change.

He actually wanted to help Ye Lin recover his cultivation. However, Ye Lin had said that either Shangguan Wei had to act, or a Spirit Transformation cultivator had to act; there was no third way.

The Nine Nether Blood Ghost Restriction was the supreme secret art of the Nine Nether Sect. If it were so easy to resolve, it wouldn't be called a supreme secret art.

Before she could finish speaking, a sharp, urgent whistling sound came from Ye Lin.