Chapter 924: Shen Feiyan's Request

The Jinyan Sect was the largest sect in Qing Kingdom. Revered Jinyan, the Grand Elder of the Jinyan Sect, possessed an eighth-layer Core Formation cultivation.

Jinyan Peak, one of the forbidden areas of the Jinyan Sect, also served as Revered Jinyan’s residence.

Revered Jinyan’s real name was Shen Feiyan. The title "Revered Jinyan" was bestowed upon every Grand Elder of the Jinyan Sect.

In a secluded courtyard, Shen Feiyan was leisurely sipping tea and conversing with a middle-aged man in his early forties. Shen Feiyan’s face was somewhat pale, and her expression appeared weary, as if she had sustained injuries.

“Senior Sister Shen, let me fight in this sparring match!” the middle-aged man said earnestly. “Your injuries haven't fully healed, so you might not be a match for Rogue Cultivator Chihuo. He is an old monster who has been famous for many years, and he also possesses a formidable third-tier Crimson Fire Eagle, so he should not be underestimated. I cultivate earth-attribute techniques, which grant me strong defenses. Even if I can't defeat him, I can still retreat safely.”

Shen Feiyan shook her head. “No, your cultivation is too low,” she said. “You’re only at the fifth-layer Core Formation, while Rogue Cultivator Chihuo is at the ninth-layer. As a rogue cultivator with no ties, he will show absolutely no mercy if he gets the chance; swords have no eyes. I should still be the one to go. Even if I lose, my life won't be in danger. At most, we’ll simply concede that purple-gold earth mine to the Houtu Sect.”

Just as the middle-aged man was about to speak, a sound transmission talisman flew into the courtyard. Shen Feiyan crushed the talisman. A respectful male voice immediately spoke from it: “Senior Aunt Shen, three Core Formation cultivators claiming to be from the Wang family of Black Hawk Mountain Range have come to visit. One of them is Wang Qingjun, and the other two possess auras even stronger than yours. Shall we allow them to enter?”

“The Wang family from Black Hawk Mountain Range? When did the Wang family get three Core Formation cultivators? Could this be a trap?” The middle-aged man frowned, a hint of worry in his eyes.

“We will adapt to whatever comes our way,” Shen Feiyan replied. “Come, let's go out and see. I hope it’s not an enemy invasion.”

Outside the Jinyan Sect’s mountain gate, a bluish flying boat hovered high in the sky. Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Qingjun stood inside.

When Wang Qingjun had formed his core, Core Formation cultivators from the Tang family had stormed the Wang family compound. It was only thanks to the timely assistance of the Jinyan Sect’s Core Formation cultivators that the Tang family’s forces had retreated. Over the years, the Jinyan Sect had shown great care for the Wang family. Both out of gratitude and propriety, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan felt it was imperative to pay them a visit.

Not long after, a crisp bird call echoed, and two golden lights soared out from the Jinyan Sect’s mountain gate. They were, in fact, two massive golden geese. A young woman in a golden dress with delicate features and a middle-aged man were each seated upon one of the geese.

Shen Feiyan, sensing the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, showed a hint of surprise. She politely inquired, “This humble one is Shen Feiyan. May I ask what guidance the three fellow Daoists have for this visit?”

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, cupped his fists, and said, “I am Wang Changsheng. This is my humble wife, and Qingjun is my nephew. The Wang family of Black Hawk Mountain Range is our clan. For many years, we have been traveling afar. Thanks to your esteemed sect’s care, our Wang family has flourished during this time. Today, we have specifically come to pay our respects.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Feiyan and the middle-aged man were utterly stunned. They had merely followed the orders of the Taiyi Immortal Sect to assign the Black Hawk Mountain Range to the Wang family for their clansmen to settle. They had never imagined that the Wang family possessed two ninth-layer Core Formation ancestors.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind,” Shen Feiyan said, her gaze shifting as she smiled. “This was simply our duty. Our Jinyan Sect disciples did not recognize you, and if there was any neglect, we humbly ask for your understanding, fellow Daoists. Please, come inside.” Shen Feiyan then invited Wang Changsheng and his companions into the Jinyan Sect.

Half an hour later, the five of them were seated in a stone pavilion atop Jinyan Peak.

“I had no idea the Wang family belonged to the two of you, fellow Daoists,” Shen Feiyan began. “Where have you been traveling? I have visited many countries and have heard of most powerful Daoists, yet I have never heard of the two of you.” Shen Feiyan was clearly probing into the origins of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. It was only natural for her to inquire about the sudden appearance of two ninth-layer Core Formation cultivators from a subordinate family of the Jinyan Sect.

“My husband and I were previously traveling in the Coral Sea Region of the South Sea,” Wang Ruyan explained with a charming smile. “It’s quite normal that Fellow Daoist Shen hasn’t heard of us.”

“The Coral Sea Region?” the middle-aged man asked casually. “Do you know about the Coldflame Sect and the Wooden Dragon Pavilion? Those two are major sects in that region.”

Wang Changsheng smiled. “Fellow Daoist must be referring to the Coldflame Gate, right?” he said. “I haven’t heard of a ‘Coldflame Sect.’ The Coldflame Gate is one of the top sects in the Coral Sea Region. As for the Wooden Dragon Pavilion, it’s an affiliated force of the Coldflame Gate, hardly a major sect. However, Chen Yilong, the master of the Wooden Dragon Pavilion, is an acquaintance of mine, and his wife Sun Hongyu is a very kind person.”

“That’s right!” Wang Ruyan added with a smile. “Their daughter Chen Yue has also formed her core. The Wooden Dragon Pavilion, while called a sect, truly operates more like a family.”

The middle-aged man chuckled awkwardly. “My apologies, I must have misremembered,” he said. “So the two of you have been traveling in the South Sea all this time. No wonder we didn’t recognize each other.”

After chatting for a while, Shen Feiyan invited Wang Changsheng and his companions to stay at the Jinyan Sect for several days. Wang Changsheng readily accepted the invitation. Shen Feiyan inquired about matters in the South Sea, including the customs and local conditions of various sea regions, and Wang Changsheng was able to answer most of her questions. Upon learning that Wang Changsheng had repeatedly slain third-tier demonic beasts, Shen Feiyan’s tone became significantly more cordial, and her smile deepened.

“Fellow Daoist Shen, after disturbing you for several days, it’s time for us to take our leave,” Wang Changsheng said. “We will visit again when we have the chance.” Wang Changsheng bid farewell to Shen Feiyan, planning to return to Wei Kingdom to pay respects to his fallen clansmen.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, this humble one has an impolite request,” Shen Feiyan said, her expression troubled but her tone sincere.

“Madam Shen, please speak directly,” Wang Changsheng replied. “If it is within our capabilities, we would be glad to help.”

“It’s like this,” Shen Feiyan explained. “A small purple-gold earth mine was discovered at the border between our Jinyan Sect and the Houtu Sect’s territories. We agreed to settle the ownership through a sparring match. However, the Houtu Sect has invited Rogue Cultivator Chihuo, who possesses a ninth-layer Core Formation cultivation. I would like to ask for your assistance. If we can secure that purple-gold earth mine, our Jinyan Sect is willing to jointly mine it with your Wang family, with a seventy-thirty split in our favor.”

Purple-gold earth was a third-tier artifact refining material, capable of being used to forge magic treasures. Even a small purple-gold earth mine was worth over a million spirit stones. Had the Wang family not revealed two ninth-layer Core Formation cultivators, and given the Jinyan Sect's precarious situation, Shen Feiyan would not have sought Wang Changsheng’s assistance. Shen Feiyan explained sincerely that while the Jinyan Sect was the largest sect in Qing Kingdom, boasting five Core Formation cultivators, the life soul lamps of two of their Core Formation cultivators had extinguished several years prior. With her own injuries, Shen Feiyan was not confident of victory. Wang Changsheng, who had been traveling in the South Sea, possessed a ninth-layer Core Formation cultivation, making him the ideal candidate for assistance. If Wang Changsheng were to die at the hands of Rogue Cultivator Chihuo, the Jinyan Sect would suffer no loss; in fact, they might even weaken the Wang family’s power. If Wang Changsheng were to win, the Jinyan Sect would gain a powerful ally. Regardless of the outcome, the Jinyan Sect stood to benefit.

“Sparring? Not a death match?” Wang Changsheng asked, looking doubtful. To be honest, he would consider agreeing if it was truly just a sparring match, but such things were unpredictable, as swords had no eyes.

Shen Feiyan shook her head. “Of course, it’s not a death match,” she replied. “However, swords have no eyes, and there’s always a risk of fatality if a mistake is made. How about this: if you win, we’ll split the proceeds sixty-forty, with our Jinyan Sect taking six parts and your Wang family taking four.”

Wang Changsheng considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. If the opponent was merely a ninth-layer Core Formation cultivator, he was confident of victory.