Chapter 878: The Seventh Nascent Soul Cultivator

The Azure Hawk Mountain Range is located in the eastern part of the Great Yan Dynasty. It consists of thousands of mountains of varying sizes, with lush vegetation but sparse spiritual energy. Giant azure hawks live here; they are ordinary raptors, not demonic birds, so few cultivators ever come to this place.

A streak of white light flew from a distance and stopped above the Azure Hawk Mountain Range. The light faded, revealing a young man dressed as a scholar: Wang Tianwen.

"Could it be here?" Wang Tianwen murmured to himself, gazing at the mountains below.

He had consulted numerous texts about painters and discovered the Painting Saint Lu Xi. Lu Xi was indeed a cultivator, but he had no desire for officialdom. Lu Xi's whereabouts had always been a mystery, with various theories: some said he left the Great Yan Dynasty, others that he died in the Immortal Descent Cave, and some believed he perished at the hands of evil cultivators.

Over the years, Wang Tianwen had bought many imitation paintings by Lu Xi. By analyzing the content of these paintings, he deduced Lu Xi's character. He concluded that Lu Xi had not left the Great Yan Dynasty and was a devoted person. Through extensive inquiries, he learned that Lu Xi had fallen in love with a royal descendant. The royal family used this woman as leverage, demanding Lu Xi serve them. Lu Xi refused, believing it would tarnish their relationship, and he disappeared shortly after.

Wang Tianwen surmised that Lu Xi's meditation cave dwelling must be in a place he had frequented. He purchased a large number of Lu Xi's imitation works to analyze where Lu Xi might have traveled. The Azure Hawk Mountain Range was the ninth location he was investigating. He hoped to find Lu Xi's meditation cave dwelling, which would undoubtedly yield astonishing treasures from a Nascent Soul cultivator. Beyond that, Wang Tianwen deeply admired Lu Xi's integrity, as he had refused to serve the royal family to preserve the purity of his love.

Wang Tianwen slowly descended, then walked towards the mountains, disappearing into their depths.

***

In the Golden Toad Sea Domain, on Zhoushan Island.

Wang Youyu was instructing a middle-aged man in his early thirties about clan affairs. Wang Youyu had cultivated to the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage. Recently, witnessing numerous geniuses challenging the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda had given her many insights. She was preparing to enter seclusion to attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage. Wang Qiuhong had already sent her two sets of Core Formation spiritual items. The Wang family now possessed twenty sets of Core Formation spiritual items, making them incredibly wealthy.

In addition to the Core Formation spiritual items, Ye Haitang had personally set up two sets of third-tier defensive formations, giving Wang Youyu a relatively high chance of advancing to the Core Formation stage.

"Rongguang, I'm entrusting the clan's affairs to you. I need to focus on my seclusion and attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage."

"Great-aunt, please go into seclusion with peace of mind! I will take good care of the clan." Wang Rongguang nodded, agreeing.

Wang Youyu gave a few more instructions, then entered her secluded chamber to cultivate. Not long after, a layer of azure glow appeared around her, and specks of azure light materialized within the chamber.

***

In the Red Moon Sea Domain, on Silver Serpent Island.

On the training ground, the Illusionary Demon Pagoda stood in the center. The first eight levels were all lit up, indicating someone was challenging the trials.

On the eighth level, Wang Mengbin's expression was cold and indifferent. His entire body was enveloped in silver electric arcs, making him resemble a thunder god. His opponents were three peak second-tier demonic beasts: a red python over ten zhang long, an azure giant hawk about a zhang in size, and a pure white giant crab. The three demonic beasts were dispirited and covered in bloodstains, clearly heavily injured. A massive dark cloud floated above their heads.

"I'm done playing with you, let's end this!" Wang Mengbin made a hand seal, and a loud thunderous roar erupted. The massive dark cloud violently churned, and hundreds of thick silver lightning bolts shot out, aggressively striking the three peak second-tier demonic beasts.

Boom!

A vast expanse of dazzling silver lightning enveloped the three demonic beasts, with surging air currents. Shortly after, the silver lightning dispersed, and the three demonic beasts were gone.

Wang Mengbin successfully cleared the eighth level. The ninth level contained third-tier demonic beasts, which Wang Mengbin was not a match for, so he did not continue and teleported out.

"Mengbin, well done." Wang Qiuhong walked over and praised him. Wang Qiuxin had already cultivated to the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage and was in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Core Formation stage.

"The family gives too much praise," Wang Mengbin humbly replied, his fighting spirit soaring. "Next time, your grandson will face five peak second-tier demonic beasts."

Wang Qiuhong nodded and smiled, "Excellent, you..." Before he could finish speaking, a sudden loud roar came from high in the sky, accompanied by lightning flashes, thunder, and strong winds.

"Core Formation lightning tribulation!" Wang Qiuhong quickly reacted. Currently, three people were attempting to break through to the Core Formation stage: Ye Haitang, Wang Qiuxin, and Wang Qiuyan. Among them, Ye Haitang had been in seclusion the longest, nearly five years, while Wang Qiuxin and Wang Qiuyan had been in seclusion for less than a year. The Core Formation lightning tribulation was most likely initiated by Ye Haitang. Wang Qiuhong gave a few instructions, then soared towards the sky.

As Wang Qiuhong expected, a massive dark cloud hung above Ye Haitang's residence. A large expanse of yellow mist enveloped Ye Haitang's dwelling, making it impossible to see inside.

Boom!

A tremendous thunderous roar resounded, and a thick silver lightning bolt flew out from the dark cloud, instantly vanishing into the yellow mist. Wang Qiuhong was somewhat nervous, a hint of envy in his eyes. One after another, thick silver lightning bolts continuously shot out from the dark cloud. Within the yellow mist, much of it was dispersed, and air currents surged.

After less than half an incense stick's time, the dark cloud had shrunk to only a few zhang in size, and the yellow mist had vanished, replaced by an azure light barrier. The dark cloud churned and surged, transforming into a silver lightning bolt about a zhang in diameter, striking the azure light barrier.

Boom!

The azure light barrier shattered, and a vast expanse of silver lightning engulfed Ye Haitang's residence. After three breaths, the silver lightning dissipated. Ye Haitang sat amidst a pile of rubble, her clothes somewhat tattered, emitting a powerful spiritual pressure. She had successfully advanced to the Core Formation stage. Ye Haitang's expression was very excited; she had finally entered the Core Formation stage.

A streak of white light flew from a distance, revealing a gigantic white flood dragon—the Ice Wind Flood Dragon. Wang Qingling was riding on the Ice Wind Flood Dragon.

Wang Qingling smiled slightly and congratulated, "Cousin Haitang, congratulations! Our clan now has another Core Formation cultivator."

"Cousin Qingling, your spirit beast has advanced to the third-tier? Few Core Formation cultivators have a third-tier flood dragon as a spirit beast." Ye Haitang's tone held a hint of envy. Her father was a peak third-tier formation master, and her grandfather was a Nascent Soul cultivator, which gave her high standards; she generally disdained common spirit beasts and spirit insects. The Wang family's clan-protecting spiritual bird, the Thunder Phoenix, was certainly impressive to her, but it was for the entire clan, not for personal use.

Wang Qingling gave a sweet smile, stroked the Ice Wind Flood Dragon's head, and laughed, "If Ninth Uncle hadn't given me a bottle of Dragon Transformation Pills, Little White might not have evolved into a flood dragon!"

Wang Qiuhong flew over from a distance and landed before Ye Haitang, his face filled with joy. "Nephew congratulates Aunt on entering the Core Formation stage."

Ye Haitang smiled slightly and said, "While I was in seclusion, there were no issues with the clan, right?"

Wang Qiuhong shook his head and replied, "No, the clan has developed very smoothly in recent years; there have been no problems."

"Alright, Cousin Haitang, your dwelling was destroyed by the lightning tribulation. Come stay with me for a while. Qiuhong, send people to repair the residence."

"Yes, Tenth Aunt." Wang Qingling led Ye Haitang and flew towards her own residence.