Chapter 4696: 摇光仙子

"With the Ten Directions Immortal Armor Talisman, the Dao Enlightenment Pill, and the Two-Form Thunder Transformation Orb, my husband can consider attempting to become a Dao Ancestor once he reaches the peak of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm," said Wang Ruyan.

After defeating the Celestial Dragon Immortal Lord, she was allowed to choose one item. She selected a mutated Primordial Spirit Treasure, the Two-Form Thunder Transformation Orb, which has the ability to weaken the power of lightning spells.

They had long planned to first help Wang Changsheng achieve the Dao Ancestor realm, and then he would assist Wang Ruyan in her own attempt.

Wang Qingling was the first to undertake the challenge. Wang Que, Wang Meng, and Wang Xing had already advanced to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm. Together with Wang Qingxiao, the five combined their strengths to defeat the third-place challenger. Unfortunately, there were no defensive mutated Primordial Spirit Treasures available for her to choose from; the most valuable item was an offensive one.

Wang Qingling ultimately chose the offensive mutated Primordial Spirit Treasure. She offered it to Wang Changsheng to use, but he declined, insisting she keep it for herself.

Only those who defeated one of the top three Grand Luo Golden Immortal supremes were eligible to choose a mutated Primordial Spirit Treasure. They had, of course, consulted the spirit of the Qiankun Pagoda, which revealed that all rewards were accumulated from three Dao artifacts. This implied that once the most desirable items were claimed, there might not be identical ones remaining.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "It would be ideal if the next three Dao artifacts appeared within our sphere of influence."

Indeed, as he stated, all valuable items collected by the Qiankun Pagoda eventually found their way into the Wang family's possession.

Apart from challenging the Qiankun Pagoda, they also visited the One-Word Palace to acquire a substantial amount of immortal cultivation resources. Wang Qingbai was responsible for this task. As soon as the challenge concluded, he went to the One-Word Palace to procure these resources, focusing particularly on materials for refining top-grade immortal artifacts.

The refining materials he purchased were sufficient to craft dozens of sets of top-grade immortal artifacts, alleviating any concerns the Wang family members might have had about acquiring them.

Fifth-tier immortal materials can be used to refine Dao artifacts, specifically acquired Dao artifacts. Even the Dao Ancestor Slayer's Dao field possessed only twenty-five such items, and the amount of materials purchased would not be enough to refine an acquired Dao artifact.

Wang Qingbai had inquired with Yan Yinuo, learning that the One-Word Palace did sell fifth-tier immortal materials, but they could only be purchased with the crystal cores of Dao Ancestor-level Chaos Beasts.

To Wang Changsheng's knowledge, most Dao artifacts known to immortals were acquired ones, while innate Dao artifacts were considerably rare.

There are many varieties of fifth-tier immortal materials. Immortal wood, while relatively common, requires a minimum age of five hundred million years to be suitable for refining Dao artifacts. Furthermore, not all immortal wood can be used; only a select few types are appropriate for this purpose.

In addition to immortal wood, there are also various rare metals and exotic stones, which are exceptionally difficult to obtain; even acquiring a single piece is a significant challenge.

Wang Yixin entered, her expression solemn. "Old Ancestor," she announced, "a new Dao Ancestor has emerged within our human race."

"Who is it? And where are they?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"It's Star Lord! He is an established Grand Luo Golden Immortal, having reached the late stage of that realm over a hundred million years ago. There's been no news of him for many years, so it's quite unexpected that he has reappeared, having now ascended to the Dao Ancestor realm. He is currently in Kunlun Immortal City," Wang Yixin replied.

"How do you know this? Did one of our clan members witness it?" Wang Ruyan asked, puzzled.

"No, it's news released by Dao Ancestor Kunlun, so it should be authentic. As for which law he used to achieve the Dao, that remains unknown," Wang Yixin explained.

Both Dao Ancestor Kunlun and Dao Ancestor Joy achieved the Dao through ordinary laws, so it is unclear which law Star Lord utilized.

"It's been tens of millions of years since the last Immortal-Chaos War," Wang Changsheng observed. "Given that our human race has a new Dao Ancestor, I expect the four great demon races have also seen new Dao Ancestors emerge, though they're keeping it quiet. I assume the same is true for the twelve great Chaos Beast tribes."

He had reviewed past Immortal-Chaos Wars and noted that the time between two such conflicts was typically within ten million years. According to Long Xiang, immortals have more external aids for transcending tribulations, whereas Chaos Beasts rely solely on their own strength. Therefore, the longer the period of recuperation, the greater the number of Dao Ancestors among immortals.

The Chaos Beasts are aware of their weaknesses, which is why the interval between their past Immortal-Chaos Wars was consistently under ten million years. Yet, this time, over twenty million years have passed in recuperation, and the Immortal-Chaos War has still not erupted.

Either the Chaos Beasts are accumulating strength, or the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda has not yet fully recovered. Wang Changsheng leaned towards the latter, reasoning that the longer the delay, the weaker the Chaos Beasts' overall strength would become, giving them no reason to prolong the wait.

If he wasn't mistaken, the Ten Directions Mother-Child Pagoda's prolonged recuperation was a result of Qing Xuan's previous sneak attack, which had inflicted considerable damage upon it.

Both immortals and Chaos Beasts were accumulating strength, and no one knew when the Immortal-Chaos War would finally erupt.

"Does Dao Ancestor Kunlun know Star Lord? Why would he proactively release this news? Is it to deter malicious individuals, or for some other reason?" Wang Ruyan wondered.

"I don't know," Wang Changsheng replied. "Yixin, pay close attention to any news regarding this newly ascended Dao Ancestor."

Wang Yixin nodded. She then took out a shimmering golden magic disk, cast an incantation into it, and reported, "Old Ancestor, Star Lord's disciple, Fairy Yaoguang, has arrived and specifically requested to see you."

"Please invite her in!" Wang Changsheng instructed.

As a disciple of a newly ascended Dao Ancestor was visiting, he felt it would be improper to refuse an audience. A new power often establishes its authority with decisive actions, and he had no desire to leave a negative impression on the new Dao Ancestor.

"I'll discreetly step away for a moment and observe her true purpose," Wang Ruyan said, walking towards the Azure Lotus Pavilion.

Wang Changsheng tapped a green jade pendant on his chest with his right hand. The pendant immediately glowed with a green light, enveloping his entire body. His aura diminished, dropping from the late stage of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm to the middle stage.

He then took out a shimmering green pill and swallowed it, causing his vital energy to significantly weaken. Should anyone use a secret technique to probe his physical body, they would simply assume he had cultivated an immortal body.

Shortly after, Wang Yixin returned, accompanied by a slender woman dressed in a golden gown.

"This humble one is Shen Wei. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang," the woman in the golden gown said with a graceful bow and a smile.

"I have long heard of your esteemed name. I hear your master has ascended to the Dao Ancestor realm; congratulations, Madam Shen," Wang Changsheng offered.

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Wang," Shen Wei replied, her expression serious. "To be frank, I am here today on my master's orders."

Wang Changsheng's expression grew serious. "So, Fairy Shen, you are acting on Senior Qin's orders. Please, speak freely."

"My master heard from Senior Zhang that your artifact-refining skills are exceptional," Shen Wei began. "He would like to request your assistance in refining a set of top-grade immortal artifacts, which must incorporate a Primordial Spirit Treasure, specifically flying daggers. These are the materials." She then produced a silver storage bracelet and handed it to Wang Changsheng. "Do you have the confidence to undertake this?"

Wang Changsheng swept his divine sense across the bracelet, his brows furrowing in thought.

"Is something wrong, Fellow Daoist Wang? Are the materials insufficient?" Shen Wei asked.

"Quite a bit is missing. As you know, the refining process involves material loss, especially for a set of artifacts. However, our family possesses some materials that we can provide for Senior Qin's use," Wang Changsheng replied.

In truth, the provided materials were entirely sufficient. His statement about refining losses was accurate; while other fourth-tier immortal artifact refiners would certainly find the amount insufficient, Wang Changsheng himself had enough. His reason for speaking this way was simply to leave a favorable impression.

"How much more is needed? Please list the required items, and I will report back to my master," Shen Wei said.