Chapter 709: The Zhang Family's Spy

In a secret chamber on Red Lotus Island, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, an empty jade box placed before him.

His eyes were slightly closed, his muscles bulged, and his face was somewhat distorted. A series of muffled crackling sounds emanated from within his body.

A moment later, Wang Changsheng opened his eyes, a deep sense of joy appearing within them.

The Thunder Apricot Fruit had a body-tempering effect. Having consumed one, he felt his strength had increased significantly, his entire body brimming with power.

He had obtained a total of three Thunder Apricot Fruits and had already consumed one.

The fruit's efficacy had exceeded his expectations. Unfortunately, the quantity was a bit small; only two remained.

A rapid, high-pitched sound rang out, making Wang Changsheng frown. He took out a communication plate and cast a spell into it. Soon, Wang Ruyan's anxious voice sounded: "Husband, we have trouble. Qingshan is back, and he's brought two Core Formation cultivators from the Zhang family. He says they're under orders from the Zhang family to destroy the Purple Cloud Pavilion."

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed, and he walked out.

Not long after, Wang Changsheng met Wang Qingshan in the assembly hall. Accompanying Wang Qingshan to the island was Zhang Zhiqin, an old acquaintance of Wang Changsheng.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see."

When Zhang Zhiqin saw Wang Changsheng, a flicker of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes, and she greeted him with a smile.

Wang Changsheng had not disguised himself. He wished to establish himself in the Red Moon Sea and knew he needed to maintain good relations with the Zhang family. He and Zhang Zhiqin had met several times, and he had even once helped her apprehend an evil cultivator.

"Immortal Zhang, long time no see."

Wang Changsheng greeted her with a smile.

When Zhang Zhiqin saw Wang Changsheng, she immediately understood everything. The "friend" Wang Qingshan spoke of was actually a family member. She had guessed the relationship between Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingshan, but since Wang Changsheng had deliberately concealed it, she did not expose him, feigning ignorance despite knowing the truth.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Zhang Zhiqin said, "let's cut to the chase. Accompany us to Purple Cloud Island to destroy the Purple Cloud Pavilion. If this is accomplished, our Zhang family will give you an island with a third-tier spirit vein, and your Wang family will become our Zhang family's vassals from now on."

Zhang Zhiqin said in a deep voice, her expression solemn.

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then nodded and agreed. He then recounted the Purple Cloud Pavilion's attack and handed over the bodies of Song Fei and the other individual.

The Zhang family intended to destroy the Purple Cloud Pavilion, and Wang Changsheng's killing of two Core Formation cultivators from the Purple Cloud Pavilion was considered a great achievement.

The Zhang family also had its own intelligence network. For this mission to destroy the Purple Cloud Pavilion, Zhang Zhiqin had brought portraits of the Purple Cloud Pavilion's three Core Formation cultivators for easy identification.

"Song Fei is a Core Formation cultivator of the Purple Cloud Pavilion," Zhang Zhiqin said, examining the bodies. "However, this other person has not been seen before. They are most likely a hidden Core Formation cultivator of the Purple Cloud Pavilion. Very good, Fellow Daoist Wang, we'll record this as your first merit for now. After we destroy the Purple Cloud Pavilion, we will reward merits accordingly."

"Alright, let's set off then!"

Wang Changsheng agreed and brought along Wang Qingjun and thirty other clan members.

After leaving Red Lotus Island, they flew towards Purple Cloud Island at an extremely fast pace.

The group consisted of Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingshan, Zhang Zhiyang, Zhang Zhiqin, and Lu Qin — five Core Formation cultivators — along with over two hundred low-level cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, do you have a way to break the Purple Cloud Pavilion's protective grand formation?"

Wang Changsheng asked with a frown. His greatest concern was that the Core Formation cultivators of the Purple Cloud Pavilion might escape, leading to endless future troubles.

"Don't worry! You'll know when the time comes."

Zhang Zhiyang said somewhat mysteriously, full of confidence.

Several days later, they appeared on a desolate island. Hundreds of low-level cultivators had already fanned out, sealing off an area of three thousand li in circumference around Purple Cloud Island, weaving a vast net of death to kill as many cultivators from the Purple Cloud Pavilion as possible.

The main objective of this battle was to eliminate the Core Formation cultivators, preventing their escape, as failure to do so would lead to endless future troubles.

Zhang Zhiyang took out a communication plate and made a series of gestures.

After about fifteen minutes, several streaks of blue light appeared on the horizon, swiftly flying towards them.

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed slightly. With his powerful divine sense, he could sense several Foundation Establishment cultivators flying towards them.

Not long after, three men and one woman landed on the island. Judging by their attire, they were clearly disciples of the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

Leading them was a man in green robes, in his thirties, at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment.

The man in green robes bowed to Zhang Zhiyang and the others, respectfully saying, "This junior, Zhao Yang, greets all seniors."

"Lead the way! Work for us, and your future will be secure."

"Yes, seniors. Please change into Purple Cloud Pavilion attire so I can lead you in."

Zhao Yang took out five sets of purple clothes and respectfully handed them to the five individuals, including Zhang Zhiyang.

When Wang Changsheng saw Zhao Yang, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

As far as he knew, Zhao Yang was Song Fei's disciple. How could such a person betray the Purple Cloud Pavilion? What benefits had the Zhang family offered? Core Formation spirit items? Did the Zhang family truly have such audacity?

"Is your master Song Fei? What task are you currently responsible for?"

Wang Changsheng looked at Zhao Yang and asked with some doubt.

"Precisely," Zhao Yang replied, "only a wise man knows when to submit to circumstances. This junior is willing to abandon the darkness for the light. I am responsible for patrolling the mountain gate, and Junior Sister Su and the others are also willing to pledge allegiance to Senior Zhang."

Zhao Yang said respectfully, his tone carrying a hint of flattery.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Wang, quickly change into your clothes!" Zhang Zhiyang urged. "The main business is important. If we delay too long, Ye Yunhai might discover something amiss."

Zhang Zhiyang urged, appearing as if he didn't want Wang Changsheng to ask further questions.

Wang Changsheng nodded and did not continue to ask, finding a place to change into the Purple Cloud Pavilion attire.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Yang led Wang Changsheng and the others towards Purple Cloud Island.

On Purple Cloud Island, inside the Purple Cloud Hall, Ye Yunhai was speaking with Sun Lei.

After Ye Yunhai fled back to Purple Cloud Island, he activated some of the restrictions of the island's protective grand formation.

If he hadn't possessed a third-tier escape talisman, he likely wouldn't have made it back.

After Ye Yunhai fled back to Purple Cloud Island, he had constantly worried that Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would attack.

If they fled, where would they go? The Purple Cloud Pavilion had over a thousand cultivators in total, and fleeing with so many was impractical. If they fled, the territories controlled by the Purple Cloud Pavilion would be swallowed by other forces, forcing them into a nomadic life. If they didn't flee, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan might attack any day.

Ye Yunhai and Sun Lei discussed the matter repeatedly and ultimately decided to stay. If Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan attacked, they could use the teleportation arrays to escape.

As a cunning rabbit has three burrows, the Purple Cloud Pavilion had made many enemies over the years and naturally had its precautions. The founding patriarch of the Purple Cloud Pavilion had spent heavily to hire a third-tier formation master from the Whale Gate to help set up a medium-sized teleportation array, with a transmission distance of over a hundred thousand li, along with ten small teleportation arrays.

"Senior Brother Ye," Sun Lei said, "I have already increased the number of patrols. If any intruders attack, Junior Nephew Zhao will certainly give a warning."

Song Fei was Sun Lei's cultivation partner, and Zhao Yang was Song Fei's disciple, so Sun Lei still trusted Zhao Yang.

A male voice came from outside: "Uncle-Master Ye, Uncle-Master Sun, this disciple, Zhao Yang, has an important matter to report."

"Come in!"

Zhao Yang strode in, and behind him were Wang Changsheng and the four others.

With Zhao Yang leading the way, no one questioned them. They swaggered into the Purple Cloud Pavilion, appearing before Ye Yunhai and Sun Lei.