Once the Nine Nether Sect was identified as the culprit, the Wang family could begin making secret preparations for their revenge.
Naturally, the Wang family was still quite weak and could not afford to provoke either the Sun and Moon Palace or the Nine Nether Sect. Fortunately, identifying the true culprit would alleviate some internal obstacles for Ye Haitang and the others should they attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Ye Haitang, Wang Qingjing, Wang Qingling, Wang Qingjun, Wang Mengbin, Wang Huaxing, and Wang Qiuming were all nearing the ninth level of Core Formation. Their current need was for spiritual items necessary for Nascent Soul formation. The Wang family possessed few such items; even providing a full set for each person would be a struggle. It would depend on who could reach the ninth level of Core Formation first.
Wang Ruyan sighed in relief, saying, "Haitang, Qingling, Qiuming, you've worked so hard. After more than two hundred years, we've finally found the true culprit." When she formed her Nascent Soul, Wang Qingzhi had been one of her inner demons. Even after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, she would occasionally recall Wang Qingzhi's tragic death. Her own son had been murdered, and she couldn't even find the killer, which was incredibly frustrating.
"Indeed! It's been over two hundred years. Haitang, don't be impulsive," Wang Changsheng cautioned, his gaze dark. "This matter requires a slow and deliberate approach. Remember, as long as we endure, there will always be a chance for revenge. Our strength is no match for the Nine Nether Sect, so we must be patient. If the opportunity arises in the future, we will avenge Qingzhi and the others." He wondered if he and Wang Ruyan, even if they reached the late Nascent Soul stage, could defeat Shangguan Wei. Did the Nine Nether Sect even have Soul Transformation cultivators? All of this was unknown, but he firmly believed that one day, he would avenge his son's death.
Ye Haitang nodded earnestly. "Uncle, rest assured. We've endured for so many years; a little more time won't matter," she said. "By the way, Uncle, I heard from cousin Qingling that something happened in the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea. What exactly was it? Could you tell me in detail?"
Wang Changsheng recounted the entire incident in detail. Thanks to Zhou Sihong, who had diverted the attention of the South Sea cultivators, the ruins had become a thing of the past, and no cultivators spoke of them anymore. "Haitang, the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea is still too dangerous," Wang Changsheng cautioned. "For now, please stay and cultivate on Green Lotus Island. It won't be too late to go to the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea once you've reached the Nascent Soul stage." Ever since the incident in the Ten Thousand Ghost Sea, Wang Changsheng had systematically withdrawn the clan members stationed there and transferred all those with knowledge of the event to the Eastern Wilderness. This measure isolated the Zhenhai Sect ruins from the outside world, allowing Wang Changsheng to transport supplies only once every decade or so.
"Understood, Uncle," Ye Haitang replied.
After chatting for a while, Ye Haitang and the other two took their leave and returned to their residences to rest.
"If only Qingzhi were still alive," Wang Ruyan sighed, watching the three depart with a wistful expression.
Wang Changsheng gently patted Wang Ruyan's shoulder, comforting her. "The dead cannot be brought back to life," he said. "He died in the East Net World, but perhaps he came to life in another world. The theory of reincarnation might be true." He had read ancient texts about reincarnation, compiled personally by a Zhenhai Sect elder who was deeply interested in the theory. According to these texts, a cultivator might exist in multiple realms, perhaps with the same name, the same appearance, or entirely different, though none would know the identities of their other selves. This theory could not be verified, and Wang Changsheng merely used it to comfort himself, not truly believing it.
Wang Ruyan smiled, nodded, and said softly, "Husband, I plan to enter seclusion for a period of cultivation. I'm leaving the clan matters to you." The current situation in the South Sea was uncertain, and no one knew what tomorrow would bring. Wang Ruyan intended to enter seclusion for cultivation, while Wang Changsheng needed to monitor the evolving situation in the South Sea and research puppet techniques, so he would not enter seclusion for the time being.
Wang Changsheng nodded. "You can enter seclusion without worry! Once we've cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage, we'll go to the Northern Frontier to settle matters with the Nine Nether Sect."
Returning to the artifact refining room, Wang Changsheng continued to refine third-tier puppet beasts.
A month later, a sound transmission talisman flew into the artifact refining room. Wang Changsheng crushed it, and Wang Mengfen's voice immediately sounded: "Ancestor, Senior Dai from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect has arrived. He says he has important matters to discuss with you."
"Dai Ren! Why is he here?" Wang Changsheng wondered. "Could it be about the ruins?" Wang Changsheng was startled. After a brief thought, he personally went out to greet him.
A quarter of an hour later, Wang Changsheng and Dai Ren appeared in the meeting hall.
"Fellow Daoist Dai, do you have any news about Zhou Sihong?" Wang Changsheng subtly steered the conversation towards Zhou Sihong. His expression remained calm, but his mind raced, formulating countermeasures.
"No," Dai Ren replied, "Zhou Sihong must have used some unknown secret technique; his whereabouts cannot be found. Fellow Daoist Wang, I am here on the orders of my Sect Master brother to present your Wang family with a great opportunity."
Wang Changsheng was slightly startled. "A great opportunity?" he thought to himself. "Is the Ten Thousand Swords Sect so benevolent?"
"What kind of opportunity is this? Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist Dai," Wang Changsheng prompted.
Dai Ren wasted no words, quickly explaining the entire matter. One hundred thousand years ago, a mysterious minor realm suddenly appeared in the East Net World. It contained numerous natural treasures and spiritual resources, and its spiritual energy far surpassed that of the East Net World. There were also many rare spiritual herbs and items long extinct in the human realm. Legend had it that cultivators from the Spirit Realm, in a great battle, had used their divine abilities to obliterate a void, transforming it into this minor realm.
This minor realm was situated between the East Net World and the Spirit Realm, and it was rumored that treasures from the Spirit Realm had fallen into it, hence its name, the Immortal Relics. However, the realm's protective power was immense, only weakening slightly every thousand years or so. Initially, a few major sects attempted to monopolize the Immortal Relics, but they soon realized that a single sect's power was insufficient to enter and search for treasures. Out of helplessness, the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea jointly dispatched cultivators into the Immortal Relics, and their affiliated forces were also permitted to send people to seek treasures. Rumors claimed that the Immortal Relics contained natural treasures that could aid in breaking through to the Soul Transformation stage, as well as spiritual pills and divine weapons from the Spirit Realm. However, the realm's protective power was so immense that the higher one's cultivation, the stronger the repulsive force. Therefore, only Core Formation cultivators could enter to seek treasures, and due to the realm's unique power, secret techniques like possession were rendered ineffective.
Simply put, the Immortal Relics were akin to a secret realm accessible only to Core Formation cultivators. This realm held numerous treasures, some even originating from the Spirit Realm. As one of the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had many slots for entry. They intended to grant the Wang family five slots, allowing them to send people into the Immortal Relics to seek treasures. Of course, this wasn't a free offer from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. In return, Wang family cultivators were required to surrender one-fifth of the treasures they obtained from the Immortal Relics to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, especially high-grade rare spiritual herbs.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, not everyone gets five slots," Dai Ren said sincerely. "My Sect Master brother thinks highly of your Wang family, which is why he granted you five slots."
[9 minutes ago] Chapter 1063: Unbroken Past Thirty-Two
[21 minutes ago] Chapter 1062: Unbroken Past Thirty-One
[30 minutes ago] Chapter 2693: The Most Beautiful Woman in All Worlds
[34 minutes ago] Chapter 1061: Unbroken Past Thirty
[48 minutes ago] Chapter 1060: Unbroken Past Twenty-Nine
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