Chapter 790: Closed-Door Cultivation

Wang Changsheng was somewhat moved. If Fairy Ziyue were to marry him, both he and his family would benefit greatly. He also harbored a slight fondness for Fairy Ziyue, but her cultivation was higher than his, so this matter couldn't be forced.

"Let's discuss this later! First, we should practice the secret technique. Once we master it, our strength will increase significantly."

As the saying goes, "one must be strong to strike iron." Wang Changsheng currently wanted to improve his strength as quickly as possible. Nangong Miao had given them some pills to enhance their magic power, and after taking them, they believed their cultivation speed would greatly accelerate.

They arrived at a secret chamber where a magical formation, over thirty zhang in size, occupied the center. The formation was intricately carved with dense patterns.

Wang Changsheng took out the Glazed Tidal Moonstone and placed it near the formation. Soon, a large number of blue light spots appeared in the stone chamber, and the humidity inside intensified.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan stepped onto the formation and sat down cross-legged. Wang Changsheng cast an incantation onto the formation, and the couple placed their palms together.

Countless mysterious runes lit up on the formation, enveloping Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. A bright blue light emanated from their bodies, and a large expanse of blue mist appeared out of thin air, covering them.

Countless mysterious runes flew up from the formation, surging towards their bodies. Soon, a large area of mysterious runes appeared on Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's bodies. As they inhaled and exhaled, the runes on their bodies glowed brighter.

A two-foot-long red insect phantom appeared above their heads. The insect had a pair of thin red wings on its back, a pair of snail-like antennae on its head, two tails, and a row of small stubby legs on its abdomen. It was precisely the Concordant Worm.

After the Concordant Worm phantom appeared, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's auras seemed to merge, becoming identical.

***

Northern Borders, Huoya City.

In a certain secret chamber, Wang Mingren was talking to Chen Xiang'er.

"You're being transferred? Aren't you an elder of the Enforcement Hall? Can't you stay in Huoya City?" Wang Mingren frowned, as he and Chen Xiang'er had gotten along quite well in recent years.

"The Nine Nether Sect has been clashing frequently with us recently, and we're short-staffed. Senior Uncle Liu transferred me to provide support and to investigate several cases. Husband, please take good care of yourself. Once this busy period is over, I'll apply to be transferred back." Chen Xiang'er sighed, stating that if it weren't for the order from a Nascent Soul cultivator, she wouldn't want to be separated from Wang Mingren.

"The Nine Nether Sect is clashing with us? Is the conflict significant? Do you need my help?" Wang Mingren voluntarily offered his services, believing that if the conflict was substantial, there would be many opportunities to gain merit.

"It's not a major conflict. The Nine Nether Sect is a local force in the Northern Borders. After we established ourselves here, we allied with multiple factions, posing a threat to the Nine Nether Sect. They've been frequently directing their subordinate forces to harass us, and we're mainly going there to handle these matters. The Nine Nether Sect wouldn't dare to openly confront us; it wouldn't be good for anyone."

Wang Mingren's expression shifted, and he pressed on: "I heard my master say that our sect originated from the Northern Borders, and back then, because of the Northern Borders, our sect was ostracized and forced to develop in the Eastern Barrens. Madam, do you think our sect will resort to drastic measures against the Nine Nether Sect?" Wang Mingren was eager for the Nine Nether Sect to go to war with the Taiyi Immortal Sect, as that would present opportunities for significant achievements.

"No, it's impossible, at least not in the short term. Our sect's development focus is on the Eastern Barrens and the South Sea. The Northern Borders branch's strength isn't particularly strong. Currently, we're mainly cooperating with the Nine Nether Sect's rivals, establishing markets, transporting supplies, and so on. If there truly is an opportunity for significant merit, I'll send someone to notify you immediately. While I'm away, please take care of yourself."

Wang Mingren felt a little disappointed upon hearing this, but nodded in agreement. One cannot have both fish and bear's paw. The environment in the Northern Borders was suitable for his cultivation, but with numerous sects, it remained in a relatively stable state. Without interference from powerful external factors, the Northern Borders would not fall into chaos, and even if it did, any unrest would quickly be suppressed. The Nine Nether Sect experienced internal strife, and other forces rose to attack it, but the Nine Nether Sect quickly suppressed the rebellion.

The next day, Chen Xiang'er departed Huoya City with a group of disciples, and Wang Mingren saw her off.

***

Central Plains, Great Yan Dynasty.

The Cloud Ridge Mountain Range is located in the northwest of the Great Yan Dynasty. Its spiritual energy is thin, but its vegetation is lush, harboring numerous venomous insects and fierce beasts. Most people dare not enter, though hunters and woodcutters frequent the area. Situated at the border of Luzhou and Dingzhou, the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range sees many passing merchants and travelers.

Deep within the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range lay a hidden valley, enveloped by a thick white mist. Outside the valley was a vast, dense green bamboo forest. Beneath a particular green bamboo, the ground became uneven, and seven cultivators emerged from underground. There were five men and two women. The highest cultivated among them was a red-robed old man in his early fifties, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. Wang Tianwen was also among them. He currently served in the Myriad Immortals Bureau, responsible for slaying demons and eradicating evil.

Everything has an opposite. Although the Great Yan Dynasty was dominated by Confucianism, evil cultivators still caused trouble. Evil cultivators enjoyed using the vital essence of mortals for their cultivation, as this could accelerate their training speed.

The Cloud Ridge Mountain Range, located at the border of Luzhou and Dingzhou, was frequented by many merchants and travelers. However, starting six months ago, travelers began to mysteriously disappear. A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Myriad Immortals Bureau accidentally discovered that a group of evil cultivators had established themselves in the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range, ambushing passing caravans.

Unlike the Eastern Barrens, the Central Plains cultivation world had a large number of cultivators. The Great Yan Dynasty had a strict system, with Qi Refining cultivators stationed in towns and villages. Thus, if a large number of common people disappeared, the imperial court would quickly become aware. Therefore, evil cultivators typically ambushed passing caravans. Caravans consisted of many people, and due to the long distances, some only returned home once every few years. Therefore, even if all members of a caravan died, the imperial court wouldn't discover it immediately. Evil cultivators exploited this method, striking in one place and moving to another, leaving the imperial court constantly scrambling and forcing them to increase their patrol efforts.

"According to intelligence, the evil cultivators' lair is in the valley ahead. To avoid alerting them, their exact numbers are unknown. Everyone, please be extra careful. Let's practice by killing the Foundation Establishment evil cultivators first, and then deal with the others." The red-robed old man said solemnly that previously, evil cultivators had controlled the cultivators of the local Myriad Immortals Bureau, leading to the tragic deaths of the Myriad Immortals Bureau cultivators who attempted to encircle them. To avoid repeating that mistake, the personnel for this operation were all transferred from other areas, and the local government was unaware.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fairy Zhao, and Fellow Daoist Han, come with me to charge in. Fellow Daoist Wang, Fairy Xu, and Fellow Daoist Sun, stay outside to provide support. If we encounter trouble, we'll send you a signal."

After speaking, the red-robed old man led two men and one woman, charging towards the valley at high speed. As soon as they rushed into the valley, the white mist inside churned violently, a chilling wind blew, and the sounds of ghosts wailing and wolves howling intensified.

RUMBLE!

A tremendous roar erupted, and the ground at the valley's entrance cracked open. More than a dozen armored zombies crawled out from beneath the earth.