Chapter 727: Retreat

The Mountain and Sea Pearl spun nimbly, emitting a blue light that transformed into multiple layers of water curtains, blocking the crimson lightning fire. The countless crimson lightning bolts struck the layered water curtains, shattering them into a vast expanse of clear water. With a swift spin, the Mountain and Sea Pearl quickly shrank and flew back into Wang Changsheng's hand.

At that moment, Wang Changsheng had already appeared before the old man in green robes. The silver blazing sun vanished, revealing the figure of the old man in green robes. Seeing Wang Changsheng, the old man in green robes frowned deeply. A pale green light barrier suddenly materialized around him, and simultaneously, he opened his mouth, unleashing three emerald green flying daggers. As soon as the emerald green daggers shot out, the golden great wheel's light intensified, and the three daggers appeared to be frozen in place, unable to move.

Wang Changsheng, with the Mountain and Sea Pearl clutched in his right fist, struck towards the old man's head. A miserable shriek erupted as Wang Changsheng's blow shattered the old man's head, turning into a bloody spray, and his headless corpse toppled to the ground.

Overwhelmed with grief, Li Hongxiu realized that Wang Changsheng and Zhang Guangyang were formidable opponents. Adopting the principle of "where there's life, there's hope," she put away her magic artifacts and transformed into a streak of red light, fleeing into the distance.

A loud whoosh tore through the air as a thick golden beam of light shot directly towards Li Hongxiu, with a golden saber swiftly following. From the crimson small mirror in Li Hongxiu's hand, countless crimson lightning bolts erupted. The golden beam and golden saber shattered the crimson lightning fire, allowing Li Hongxiu to seize the opportunity and dodge.

A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Guangyang's eyes. He raised a hand, and a small golden pagoda shot out, vanishing in a blur. The next moment, the small golden pagoda materialized above Li Hongxiu's head, rapidly expanding in size, and a vast expanse of golden light enveloped her. The crimson small pot in Li Hongxiu's hand glowed intensely, spewing countless crimson flames that shattered the golden light.

With a loud whoosh, a golden flying trident, over thirty zhang long, shot forth, instantly appearing before Li Hongxiu. A red light flashed, and countless crimson flames surged from the crimson small pot, forming a wall of fire that shielded Li Hongxiu. The golden flying trident, as if unhindered, swiftly plunged into the crimson wall of fire. A muffled thud sounded, indicating the golden flying trident had been blocked by something.

The small golden pagoda unleashed a thick golden lightning bolt that struck the crimson sea of fire, followed by a miserable female shriek. A colossal blue pearl, the size of a small mountain, shot forth, shattering the crimson sea of fire.

A thunderous crash!

Li Hongxiu was sent flying backward, spitting blood profusely, her face turning deathly pale. With sharp whistling sounds, hundreds of golden spears shot forth. The light barrier from the crimson small pot in Li Hongxiu's hand surged, releasing countless crimson flames that formed a crimson wall of fire several zhang high, blocking her front.

A thunderous crash!

Hundreds of golden spears pierced through the crimson wall of fire, and Li Hongxiu vanished.

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed tightly. He couldn't sense Li Hongxiu's presence, indicating she had clearly escaped using some advanced evasion technique. Wang Changsheng gathered the magic artifacts scattered on the ground, especially the Talisman Soldier, which could be given to Wang Ruyan. With her wood spiritual root, she should be able to control it. Since the old man in green robes had been slain by him, his wealth naturally belonged to Wang Changsheng.

"Boom!"

With a massive crash, the Cuiyun Sect's protective formation shattered, and the Core Formation cultivator controlling it teleported away.

"Surrender or die!"

Wang Changsheng shouted loudly. Two Core Formation cultivators from Cuiyun Sect had escaped. If they annihilated all the low-level cultivators of Cuiyun Sect, those two Core Formation cultivators might retaliate against the low-level cultivators of the Wang family, and Wang Changsheng wouldn't be able to protect them all, as low-level cultivators couldn't possibly stay confined forever! Keeping the Cuiyun Sect disciples alive was a way to make the escaped Core Formation cultivators wary.

"Surrender or die! Lay down your weapons!"

Zhang Guangyang also realized this and shouted loudly. After slaying over a dozen fleeing Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Cuiyun Sect disciples surrendered. Regrettably, Chen Feng died in the aftermath of the Core Formation cultivators' battle.

About fifteen minutes later, Wang Changsheng and his four companions appeared inside an empty treasure vault. Clearly, Li Hongxiu had prepared for various contingencies; if she was defeated, she wouldn't leave her wealth for the enemy. Zhang Guangyang's face turned grim. His life-bound magic artifact had been taken by Li Hongxiu, and the Cuiyun Sect's treasure vault had been emptied by her. He was furious, but thankfully, the spiritual herb garden contained many spiritual herbs, including seventy to eighty 500-year-old ones, which partially offset their losses.

"Daoist Friend Zhang, what's our next move?" asked Fairy Ziyue, frowning. "We've suffered significant casualties. If we keep fighting and run into a formidable opponent, that would be disastrous." Knowing when to quit while ahead was Fairy Ziyue's guiding principle.

"I agree with Fairy Ziyue's assessment," Wang Changsheng echoed. "The cultivation world is vast, and there are surely many powerful experts. I think we should stop here." Wang Changsheng also didn't want to continue fighting; running into a formidable opponent would indeed be disastrous. With his life-bound magic artifact confiscated and his strength significantly reduced, Zhang Guangyang could only agree.

"Alright, then let's head back," Zhang Guangyang said. "Tie up the Cuiyun Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators and bring them to Qingli Island. We'll tell Li Hongxiu to redeem them with my life-bound magic artifact."

Zhang Guangyang ordered the Cuiyun Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators to be tied up and then led the cultivators away from Cuiyun Sect.

Over a month later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan returned to Honglian Island with their clansmen. In this battle, the Wang family sustained fifteen casualties but acquired cultivation resources worth several million spirit stones. The most valuable acquisition was five 500-year-old Jade Void Bamboos, which Wang Changsheng could use to refine a set of flying swords for Wang Qingshan. Sword cultivators wielding a complete set of flying swords possess strength far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators, with Zhou Tianmu being a prime example.

"Qingshan," Wang Changsheng said, "we've obtained five 500-year-old Jade Void Bamboos. I can refine a set of flying swords for you. However, I need you to first go to the Coral Sea Region and guard Sea Cucumber Island. I'm always uneasy without a Core Formation cultivator stationed there. Once the flying swords are ready, I will send them to you."

"Understood, Ninth Uncle. I'll depart immediately." Wang Qingshan's face lit up with joy, and he agreed.

Wang Changsheng gave Wang Qingshan a substantial amount of cultivation resources, asking him to look after Wang Qingqing, provide her with resources, and ideally, help her advance to the Core Formation stage. Everyone harbors a degree of self-interest, and Wang Changsheng hoped Wang Qingqing could advance to the Core Formation stage. Their recent plunder had yielded enough wealth to purchase ten sets of Core Formation spiritual items, and the family already possessed three. This ample supply would be sufficient for Wang Qingqing to attempt Core Formation; her success, however, would depend entirely on her own abilities.

"No rush," Wang Changsheng added. "Wait until the conflict ends. It's chaotic outside right now, so you should stay on Honglian Island for the time being. There might be more battles."

"Understood, Ninth Uncle. I'll follow your instructions." Wang Qingshan nodded and dutifully agreed.

Back at his residence, Wang Changsheng took out a string of storage beads and emptied their contents. After a shimmering sweep of light, a large pile of items appeared on the ground.