Chapter 774: Leaving

"A treasure art?" Wang Changsheng's eyes briefly showed surprise. Above spirit arts were treasure arts, and it was said that a single strike from a treasure art could rival the full power of a Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure.

Nangong Miao nodded, a look of remembrance on his face. He continued, "Immortal Lord Ice Moon was a renowned mighty cultivator from ten thousand years ago. To obtain even a part of his legacy was quite remarkable, but the cost was immense. We lost more than half our personnel, and our sixth grand elder cultivated to the Deity Transformation stage because of it, becoming a formidable power that protected our Zhenhai Sect for over two thousand years. Regrettably, from the sixth generation onwards, our Zhenhai Sect experienced a lack of talent, leading to a break in our lineage and a significant drop in strength. We were subsequently pushed out of the ranks of the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea by other forces. Even so, it was still very difficult for other sects to destroy our Zhenhai Sect."

"As the saying goes, 'When the house faces continuous rain, it leaks even more.' By the time it reached my generation, two Nascent Soul elders of our sect coveted the sect master position, sparking internal strife. With other forces fanning the flames, our sect suffered heavy losses. The Sun Moon Palace seized the opportunity to attack our Zhenhai Sect. Fortunately, I returned in time and used a secret art to kill the invaders, though I was also severely injured. At that time, all Nascent Soul cultivators in our sect had perished. If I were to die, the entire sect would fall apart. With nothing left to lose, I disbanded the disciples and sank our main headquarters, hoping they might open the restrictions in the future. By the way, how did you find this place?"

Wang Changsheng quickly explained, "To avoid conflict, my ancestor went to the Eastern Barren Lands and established a family. After I cultivated to the Core Formation stage, I came to the South Sea to search for the latter half of our cultivation technique. Coincidentally, I met Senior Brother Tian and Senior Sister Tian; their ancestor was a transmission elder of the Zhenhai Sect."

Nangong Miao suddenly understood, nodding as he said, "Heaven has not abandoned our Zhenhai Sect! If you ever have the chance in the future, you must rebuild the Zhenhai Sect. Otherwise, I will be unable to face our ancestors."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged glances, then knelt down toward Nangong Miao and said in unison, "If we have the opportunity in the future, we will rebuild the Zhenhai Sect."

Nangong Miao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Tell me about your family's situation."

Wang Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then briefly explained the Wang family's situation. He specifically emphasized that the Wang family lacked sufficient foundation to cultivate more Core Formation cultivators.

Nangong Miao, being a soul body and a grand elder of the Zhenhai Sect, should not harm him.

"Your family is too weak; you cannot manage without Nascent Soul cultivators."

After saying this, Nangong Miao merged into the stone wall. Not long after, he re-emerged from the wall, holding a blue bracelet. Judging by the astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations it emitted, it was clearly a magic treasure.

"Inside this storage bracelet are a batch of valuables, including two spirit items for forming a Nascent Soul, ten spirit items for forming a core, the latter half of the cultivation technique, multiple spirit arts, and a secret realm. These items will be beneficial for your family's development. These are only a portion of the Zhenhai Sect's treasures, but you must swear an internal demon's oath that if you have the opportunity, you will certainly rebuild the Zhenhai Sect."

Wang Changsheng felt no resistance to the idea of rebuilding the Zhenhai Sect if the opportunity arose. He and Wang Ruyan immediately swore an internal demon's oath that if they ever had the chance in the future, they would certainly rebuild the Zhenhai Sect.

Nangong Miao flicked his wrist, and the storage bracelet flew into Wang Changsheng's hand.

A tremendous roar suddenly came from outside.

Wang Changsheng's heart jolted. He quickly said, "Senior Nangong, there's a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Sun Moon Palace outside. If she breaks in, is there anywhere for us to hide? We are no match for her."

"Sun Moon Palace? Hmph, don't worry, she won't be able to break in anytime soon. There's a teleportation array here that can transport you out. Before that, I'll give you two more things that will be beneficial for your family's development."

Nangong Miao reached towards the stone wall on the right, and two beams of blue light flew out from it: a blue ape about ten feet tall, and a black giant egg the size of a watermelon.

The blue ape was a top-grade third-tier spirit beast. It obediently knelt on the ground, appearing submissive.

"This is a descendant of the Zhenhai Ape, our Zhenhai Sect's guardian spirit beast. The Zhenhai Ape possesses the bloodline of the Mountain Giant Ape, with limitless potential. To make it obey, you must use a specialized Spirit Control Ring. You'd best not command this spirit beast in front of others; if a Sun Moon Palace cultivator recognizes it, you'll be in trouble. As for this spirit beast egg, I obtained it from an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling. I spent hundreds of years trying to hatch it, but to no avail. This spirit beast egg is definitely not simple; if you get the chance, try to hatch it. The Zhenhai Ape is the Zhenhai Sect's guardian spirit beast, and it will be useful for rebuilding the sect. You can safely cultivate those spirit arts; they are not exclusive secret arts of our Zhenhai Sect. This relic will sink again and be transported to another location. As for its exact whereabouts, you will be able to sense its approximate location once you advance to the Nascent Soul stage and perform a secret art..."

"Hmph, I'm afraid they won't get that chance."

A cold female voice suddenly rang out. A large gap appeared in the blue light screen, and a beam of blue light flew out.

A young woman in a blue dress rode a blue exotic beast. This beast resembled a Qilin, but it had a single blue horn on its head and golden eyes.

"A Golden-Eyed Horned Qilin? Isn't that the Sun Moon Palace's guardian spirit beast? No, it's only a top-grade third-tier, so it must be its descendant."

"Even if it's only top-grade third-tier, breaking through ancient restrictions that have existed for many years is no problem." The young woman in the blue dress said coldly, her gaze falling upon Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

She clapped her hands in the air towards Wang Changsheng. With a flash of white light, a giant white palm over ten feet wide suddenly appeared before Wang Changsheng. The white palm exuded an astonishing chill.

"Husband, be careful!"

Wang Ruyan's beautiful face changed drastically. Her figure flickered, and she blocked in front of Wang Changsheng.

A golden light enveloped her body; it was precisely the defensive spirit art, Glazed Golden Body.

Wang Ruyan's body was sent flying backward, crashing into Wang Changsheng. She spat out a large mouthful of blood, and the surface of her body rapidly froze, turning her into an ice sculpture.

"How dare you! Harming my junior is seeking death!"

Nangong Miao was enraged. He chanted a spell, and a black flame suddenly emerged from his body, surging towards the young woman in the blue dress.

"Boy, hurry and leave! Remember to rebuild the Zhenhai Sect!" Nangong Miao shouted loudly, a look of grim determination on his face as he lunged at the young woman in the blue dress.

At the same time, a stone door suddenly appeared in the stone wall next to Wang Changsheng.

The young woman in the blue dress was about to dodge, but countless black runes emerged from beneath her feet, quickly entangling her body and rendering her unable to move.

A large expanse of white radiance appeared on the young woman's body. She then conjured a white lotus lamp, releasing a large swath of white flames that enveloped her.

Boom!

Nangong Miao's body exploded, transforming into a vast expanse of blue light that enveloped the young woman in the blue dress.

Wang Changsheng's heart grew heavy. He put away the Zhenhai Ape and the spirit beast egg, then, holding Wang Ruyan, who had turned into an ice sculpture, he rushed through the stone door. The stone door quickly closed behind him.

Not long after, the blue light dissipated, revealing the young woman in the blue dress with a distorted face, her face covered in dense black runes. It was the spirit art, Soul Annihilation Divine Light, which annihilated the enemy's soul at the cost of burning one's own soul. Unfortunately, Nangong Miao was only a remnant soul, unable to unleash the full power of the spirit art. He only severely injured the young woman's soul. The young woman's cultivation level did not drop, but her soul was severely damaged, making further advancement almost impossible.

Dense black runes appeared on the stone slabs of the ground, and a large swath of black lightning flew from the floor, striking the young woman in the blue dress. The young woman quickly cast spells to resist, and for a time, booming sounds echoed continuously.

A large expanse of black flames, the Profound Nether Black Lotus Flame, emerged from Wang Changsheng's body. Soon, the ice covering Wang Ruyan's body rapidly melted. Wang Ruyan's face was pale, and her aura was weak. She was not dead, but she had been severely injured.

"Wife, are you alright?" Wang Changsheng asked with concern. If Wang Ruyan hadn't blocked that strike for him, he would have been in terrible trouble.

"I'm fine, husband. Let's leave quickly. It will be troublesome if she catches up."

Wang Changsheng nodded, holding Wang Ruyan, and quickened his pace.

Not long after, a teleportation array over ten feet wide appeared before him. Spirit stones were placed in its grooves, allowing for immediate teleportation.

Wang Changsheng stepped onto the teleportation array and cast a spell. A large swath of silver light illuminated, engulfing Wang Changsheng's figure.

Not long after, the silver light dissipated, and Wang Changsheng was gone.