Chapter 803: Wang Mengbin

"Fellow Daoist Ye has excellent judgment; you've taken on a fine disciple," Du Yunlong said with a hint of envy.

The young woman in the green dress smiled sweetly and modestly replied, "Fellow Daoist Du's disciple Li Rui is also remarkable. To comprehend the 'Sword Heart' at the Core Formation stage suggests boundless future achievements."

Du Yunlong nodded with a smile, saying nothing further.

Seven days passed quickly. The Sword Dueling Assembly concluded with Li Rui taking first place, Han Tianlei sixth, Dugu Huaide eighth, while Zhou Chengguang and Zhou Chengying did not make it into the top ten.

The Core Formation cultivators who had participated in the assembly did not leave Red Snail Island but instead observed from the peaks surrounding Sword Dueling Peak.

Early that morning, as the sun began to rise, a terrifying sword intent suddenly erupted from Sword Dueling Peak. A cyan sword aura, over a hundred zhang long, shot forth, piercing straight into the sky.

Wang Qingshan opened his eyes. The Azure Glaze Sword floated before him, emitting a dazzling cyan light. He could clearly perceive the sword's thoughts.

The Azure Glaze Sword spun erratically around Wang Qingshan before finally settling into his hand.

Wang Qingshan's aura and the Azure Glaze Sword merged, becoming one. His cultivation had also advanced from the third to the fourth level of Core Formation, deepening his understanding of the Sword Dao.

A streak of cyan light landed before him, revealing the young woman in the green dress. She said with a pleasant demeanor, "Nephew Wang, your performance was outstanding. I will reward you handsomely. Come with me to the Taiyi Immortal Sect's main headquarters! Senior Brother Ye wishes to meet you."

Even if Wang Qingshan chose not to formally join the Taiyi Immortal Sect, he would still be inextricably linked to them, compelled to contribute to their objectives.

"Master wants to see me?" Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback; he hadn't known about this. However, since the beautiful woman in green had invoked the name of the Carefree Sword Venerable, Wang Qingshan found it hard to refuse.

"Your disciple obeys, but my family only has one Core Formation cultivator guarding it, and that..." Wang Qingshan looked troubled.

Wang Qingjing was only at the first level of Core Formation; if conflict broke out in the Coral Sea Region, she might not be able to handle it.

"Don't worry! I will send someone to look after your family. You can return to the Taiyi Immortal Sect's main headquarters with me with peace of mind. For you, this is an opportunity, not a misfortune," the young woman in the green dress said meaningfully. A tree that stands out in the forest is bound to be buffeted by the wind. Wang Qingshan's performance had been too conspicuous, so she intended to personally escort him back to the Eastern Barren Lands to prevent any foul play.

Since the young woman in the green dress had put it that way, Wang Qingshan naturally found it difficult to refuse and agreed.

Du Yunlong flew over and handed Wang Qingshan a cyan wooden box, saying with a smile, "Talented individuals emerge in every era, young friend Wang. You are truly exceptional. This is your reward."

Wang Qingshan had not advanced further in the competition, finishing seventh, and was awarded a magic treasure.

Wang Qingshan expressed his gratitude and accepted it.

"Fellow Daoist Du, I shall take my leave first. I will visit you another day," the young woman in the green dress said. She then departed Red Snail Island with Wang Qingshan and a group of disciples.

A month later, the results of the Sword Dueling Assembly spread widely throughout the South Sea, and Wang Qingshan's name became renowned in the South Sea cultivation world. To comprehend the 'Sword Heart' at the Core Formation stage signified exceptionally high talent in the Sword Dao, promising boundless prospects.

Red Moon Sea Region, Silver Serpent Island. In a certain courtyard, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Thick silver lightning bolts descended from the dark clouds high above into the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, a tall young man in a silver robe sat cross-legged beneath a Thunder Apricot Spirit Fruit tree. He was Wang Mengbin.

Wang Mengbin's eyes were slightly closed, and countless silver electric arcs pulsed across his body. From a distance, he appeared like a god of thunder.

After a while, Wang Mengbin opened his eyes, a hint of joy in them.

He was a key talent being cultivated by the family, with dedicated individuals overseeing his training. He didn't need to worry about cultivation resources, as the family had long prepared them for him. With ample resources supporting him, Wang Mengbin's cultivation speed was rapid; he had already reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment.

A sharp screeching sound echoed. He took out a communication plate from his pocket, infused it with a magic art, and soon, a man's voice suddenly rang out: "Mengbin, come to the training grounds."

"Alright, I'll be right there," Wang Mengbin replied, putting away the communication plate.

Not long after, Wang Mengbin arrived at the training grounds, where Wang Qiuhong and Wang Qiuxin were conversing.

"Grandson greets the Family Head and Uncle-Grandpa Qiuxin," Wang Mengbin quickly bowed with a respectful expression.

Wang Qiuhong scrutinized Wang Mengbin from head to toe, nodded with satisfaction, and said with a smile, "Excellent, Mengbin, you've already cultivated to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment."

"This is all due to the family's nurturing, Family Head. You called me here because..." Typically, Wang Qiuhong would not disturb Wang Mengbin's cultivation.

"Qiuxin caught a mid-grade second-tier Sea-Swallowing Crab; it's for you to hone your skills." Flowers in a greenhouse don't grow large. Wang Mengbin wasn't someone who only knew how to cultivate; every so often, Wang Qiuxin would capture a demonic beast for Wang Mengbin to practice against.

Wang Mengbin was a lightning spiritual root cultivator, practicing an Earth-grade cultivation method. Before he reached the Core Formation stage, the family would not easily allow him to leave Silver Serpent Island. He was destined to become a high-level combat force for the family in the future. To temper him, Wang Mengbin would engage in combat with a demonic beast of the same rank every so often.

Wang Mengbin possessed body-protecting magic tools, wore high-grade magic robes, and had multiple defensive magic tools, essentially making him invincible. Wang Qiuxin and Wang Qiuhong observed from the side, ensuring no accidents occurred. Before this, Wang Qiuxin had already fought the demonic beast himself, and only after confirming there was no significant danger did he allow Wang Mengbin to slay it.

On another note, some magic treasures can conjure illusory demonic beasts to attack enemies, useful for training disciples. Wang Changsheng also had the crafting diagrams for such magic treasures, but the required refining materials were difficult to find, so he had been unable to forge one.

Wang Mengbin nodded and leaped onto a combat stage.

Wang Qiuxin summoned a spirit beast pearl, infused it with a magic art, and a large expanse of blue light flew out. As the light dispersed, it revealed a blue crab two zhang in size. Its body had some black spots, its two pincers were enormous, and its eyes were jade green.

The moment it emerged from the spirit beast pearl, it immediately brandished its massive pincers and lunged towards Wang Mengbin.

Before it even got close, it opened its mouth and spat out dozens of foot-long blue water arrows, striking at Wang Mengbin.

This was not Wang Mengbin's first time battling a demonic beast, and he showed no fear.

He first summoned a dragon's eye-sized silver orb, which emitted a silver light curtain to shield himself. He rubbed his hands together, producing a loud crackle of thunder, then clapped his hands towards the Sea-Swallowing Crab in the air. Two silver lightning bolts, as thick as an adult's arm, shot out, striking the Sea-Swallowing Crab.

The blue water arrows struck the silver light curtain, but the light curtain remained motionless.

The two silver lightning bolts hit the Sea-Swallowing Crab, causing it to emit a painful screech.

Wang Mengbin's body glowed intensely with silver light, and countless silver electric arcs surged forth. He clapped his hands towards the sky, and a silver light shot out, transforming into a dark cloud over a hundred zhang wide, hovering high above.

"Thunderbolt Art!" Following Wang Mengbin's loud shout, a silver lightning bolt, as thick as an adult's arm, flew out from the dark cloud and struck the Sea-Swallowing Crab.