Chapter 886: Black Flame Palace

"Sect Master, the Taiyi Immortal Sect's compensation is indeed generous. However, if we proceed with this, the other nine sects won't just let it go. They won't allow us to cause trouble in the Coral Sea; this could trigger a chain reaction. Sect Master, please reconsider."

The South Sea comprises dozens of sea regions, and the Ten Major Sects dominate it. Most regions are intertwined, with sects coexisting, balancing, and competing with each other. The Ten Major Sects have an unwritten rule: external forces are not permitted to expand their territory in the South Sea. While they can establish branches for business, territorial expansion is strictly forbidden. Any violators will face attacks from other forces.

The South Sea is rich in cultivation resources, and the Ten Major Sects naturally do not wish for outsiders to seize what rightfully belongs to them. Furthermore, if external forces were to expand their territory in the South Sea, it could easily ignite a major war among the Ten Major Sects. As each sect has numerous vassals, they would not stand idly by. A conflict among the Ten Major Sects would, in turn, provide an opportunity for the demon race.

Thousands of years ago, widespread chaos in the South Sea's cultivation world, with various forces attacking each other, led to a massive invasion by the demon race. Humanity paid a heavy price to repel the demonic offensive.

This serves as a cautionary tale, and future generations must learn from it.

"This is Senior Master Dongfang's command. I don't know the exact reasons, but we are simply to follow orders. However, I can tell you that this operation involves not only our Four Seas Gate and the Taiyi Immortal Sect, but it seems the Myriad Sword Sect will also be involved. True Lord Fu Jiao of Myriad Beast Island has passed the thirty-sixth level of the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda. Once he achieves the Nascent Soul stage, the South Sea will no longer be peaceful," Lu Bin said meaningfully, his tone severe.

Upon hearing the name "Senior Master Dongfang," the Nascent Soul cultivators present adopted a deeply respectful expression. They exchanged glances and spoke in unison, "We will obey Senior Master Dongfang's command."

At the same time, major sects like the Sun Moon Palace were also making their own plans. Large numbers of cultivators were frequently mobilized, and some astute cultivators sensed the impending conflict, either seeking refuge in safe places, leaving the South Sea, or intensifying their vigilance.

Red Moon Sea Region, Silver Serpent Island.

In the council hall, Wang Qiuhong was speaking with Wang Rongmiao.

After leaving Xuanwater Palace, Wang Rongmiao contacted his clan and, accompanied by clansmen from the Intelligence Hall, arrived in the Red Moon Sea Region.

He had never imagined that his clan possessed such a large territory and so many members in the South Sea; it greatly exceeded his expectations.

"Rongmiao, settle down on the island. I'll ask Aunt to set up a third-tier defensive formation for you. With a third-tier defensive formation, your chances of advancing to the Core Formation stage will be much higher. Otherwise, relying solely on a few defensive artifacts won't be enough to withstand the thunder tribulation," Wang Qiuhong said earnestly, her gaze filled with admiration for Wang Rongmiao.

If Wang Rongmiao reached the Core Formation stage, the clan's strength would increase significantly.

"Yes, Family Head," Wang Rongmiao replied without hesitation, feeling a sense of relief. It felt good to be back with the clan.

Cloud Sea Sect, a secret chamber.

Wang Qingjing sat cross-legged on a futon. In front of her was a massive puppet beast, and around her lay scattered a large quantity of refining materials.

"It's finally successfully refined," Wang Qingjing said to herself, a joyful expression on her face.

She was currently at the third level of Core Formation. Over the years, she had been learning to refine third-tier puppet beasts from Immortal Zi Yue. Immortal Zi Yue had taught her diligently, and Wang Qingjing had made rapid progress; she could now independently refine third-tier puppet beasts.

Furthermore, her artifact refining skills had also improved.

While artifact refining was time-consuming, mastering such a skill made the path of cultivation smoother.

Wang Qingjing formed a hand seal, and a series of mechanical sounds echoed. The massive puppet beast transformed into a gleaming golden metallic sphere, its surface covered with profound runes, and then flew into her sleeve, disappearing from view.

With a flick of her wrist, hundreds of Golden-Spotted Fireworms flew out, eagerly gnawing on the leftover refining scraps.

Influenced by Wang Qingling, Wang Qingjing also raised many Golden-Spotted Fireworms. These creatures enjoyed consuming metal ores and refining scraps. Whenever Wang Qingjing had leftover scraps or discarded materials from her refining sessions, she would feed them to the Golden-Spotted Fireworms, making good use of waste.

A low horn blast suddenly echoed. Wang Qingjing took out a palm-sized blue conch shell, infused it with a spiritual art, and soon, a man's voice abruptly came through: "Senior Uncle Zhao, esteemed guests from Blackflame Palace are visiting. Would you like to let them in?"

With Ye Bin's cooperation, Wang family cultivators gained control over most key departments of the Cloud Sea Sect. The year before last, Ye Bin orchestrated an operation targeting the Wang family, which resulted in heavy casualties for Cloud Sea Sect disciples. He was subsequently removed from his position as Sect Master, and Zhao Tianyun took over.

Zhao Tianyun, whose true name is Wang Tianyun, is a descendant of Wang Changyang and is at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment.

During numerous conflicts between the Cloud Sea Sect and the Wang family, Wang Tianyun repeatedly distinguished himself. His sincere and approachable demeanor earned him the recognition of most Cloud Sea Sect disciples. After Ye Bin was deposed, Immortal Zi Yue stepped forward and appointed Wang Tianyun as the new Sect Master.

Ye Bin was quite sensible. To ensure his resignation as Sect Master was legitimate, in recent years he indulged in taking many concubines, showed greed for wealth and lust, and practiced nepotism, incurring the displeasure of most Cloud Sea Sect disciples. The operation he orchestrated was also orchestrated by Immortal Zi Yue, designed to eliminate a group of disobedient disciples and, incidentally, remove Ye Bin from his position as Sect Master, allowing Wang Tianyun to take over.

Ostensibly, the Cloud Sea Sect had two Core Formation cultivators: Immortal Zi Yue and Wang Qingjing. They claimed the surname Zhao, and only a very small number of people knew their true identities.

"Blackflame Palace?" Wang Qingjing paused slightly in surprise. To solidify her assumed identity, she had, in recent years, represented the Cloud Sea Sect by leading delegations to celebratory events of allied forces, thereby establishing her credibility.

Both Blackflame Palace and Cloud Sea Sect were subordinate forces of Crocodile Island, but they were quite far apart and had little to no interaction.

"How many Core Formation cultivators do they have? And how many disciples did they bring?"

Wang Qingjing had also sent people to gather information about Blackflame Palace.

Blackflame Palace was a powerful force with seven Core Formation cultivators, over ten thousand disciples, and control over seventy-eight islands.

"Three Core Formation cultivators and more than twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Wang Qingjing thought for a moment, then instructed, "Take them to the council hall on Cloud Sea Peak. Settle the Blackflame Palace's Foundation Establishment cultivators and increase our vigilance."

"Understood, Senior Uncle Zhao."

Half an hour later, Wang Qingjing met the three Core Formation cultivators from Blackflame Palace in the council hall.

There were two men and one woman. The leader was a gaunt, red-robed elder with exceptionally thin cheeks, at the sixth level of Core Formation. The other two were both at the fourth level of Core Formation.

"This humble one, Zhao Zheng, greets the three fellow Daoists. May I ask what brings you to our Cloud Sea Sect?" Wang Qingjing asked courteously. Zhao Zheng was her assumed name, adopted in memory of her deceased husband, Zhao Zheng.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, where is Fellow Daoist Liu of your sect? Is she unavailable?" a young woman in a green skirt asked with some curiosity.

Wang Qingjing's brow furrowed slightly, and she said in a calm tone, "Senior Sister Liu is in seclusion for cultivation. If you have any matters, you may simply speak with me."