Chapter 118: Finally Gone

“Stop chasing!”

As Li Fusheng and Wang Changsheng had already guided the Cloud Vessel beyond the Li family’s miniature world, Li Yunqing’s figure slowly emerged.

“Finally gone, the little ancestor is finally gone!”

“Thank goodness, thank you so much, Wang Changsheng! If it weren’t for you, who knows how long the little ancestor would have caused chaos at home!”

“Luckily, I hid the fine wine; otherwise, the little ancestor would have surely snatched it!”

“Thank heavens, and we must thank Wang Changsheng, truly our great benefactor, rescuing us from disaster...”

...

The cultivators of the Li family, upon seeing the Cloud Vessel completely leave the Fiery Phoenix Pool, all showed expressions of excitement.

As for the recent pursuit, it was merely an attempt to reclaim the Cloud Vessel. After all, a vessel of such magnitude was a vital war asset! Yet, the Li family cultivators considered it extremely fortunate to have been able to trade for Li Fusheng’s departure.

Once the Cloud Vessel had exited the Fiery Phoenix Pool, Wang Changsheng looked at the excited Li Fusheng and said with some disbelief, “Li Fusheng, you didn’t steal the Cloud Vessel, did you?”

“What do you mean steal? Taking our own property isn’t stealing!” Li Fusheng immediately jumped up and loudly declared, “This is a loan, a loan! Once I’m done, I’ll return it. Borrowing and returning is no trouble!”

He then shouted to the Li family cultivators controlling the Cloud Vessel, “Change course! Head to Yun Palace Peak!”

“Wait!” Wang Changsheng quickly interjected, “Don’t go to Yun Palace Peak just yet. Let’s head to the Outer Courtyard first.”

“What’s the point of going to the Outer Courtyard? Just head straight to Yun Palace Peak!” Li Fusheng replied immediately.

Li Fusheng was already impatient. The real reason he wanted to go to Yun Palace Peak was not due to Li Yunqing’s orders, but because Wang Changsheng’s plan had thoroughly tempted him.

This perfectly matched Li Fusheng’s fearless and bold nature.

Whether Li Fusheng had other ulterior motives remained known only to himself.

“The disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect are still in the Outer Courtyard!” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “When we first entered the Fiery Phoenix Pool, Li Ziqi forbade the Corpse Refining Sect disciples from entering, so they were left in the Outer Courtyard. We need to go there first to pick them up!”

“To the Outer Courtyard!” Li Fusheng commanded at once.

Wang Changsheng then saw the Cloud Vessel change direction.

Meanwhile, Li Fusheng began muttering curses, “Ziqi, that young girl, what’s going on? She’s usually so sensible. Is she trying to cause trouble for this great benefactor?”

Li Fusheng’s dissatisfaction with Li Ziqi’s decision to leave the Corpse Refining Sect disciples in the Outer Courtyard was simple: it delayed his journey to Yun Palace Peak.

Wang Changsheng didn’t bother to explain.

The Cloud Vessel moved swiftly, and before long, Wang Changsheng saw the Outer Courtyard.

This time, the Cloud Vessel was larger than the one Li Ziqi had used previously. It hovered directly above the Outer Courtyard, enveloping the entire area.

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen such a huge Cloud Vessel...”

“Such a massive vessel, bigger than the whole Outer Courtyard! Where did it come from?”

“If only I had such a Cloud Vessel, how wonderful that would be!”

...

Many cultivators in the Outer Courtyard gazed at the Cloud Vessel with envy.

The Li family disciples hidden there looked on with suspicion. Of course, they recognized this Cloud Vessel and wondered why it had appeared here.

This was the Li family’s only heavyweight boundary-breaking Cloud Vessel, one that would never be lightly sent beyond the Li family’s domain.

“Could it be that some great figure is about to break through the boundary to ascend to the Celestial Realm?”

The hidden Li family disciples were deeply puzzled.

But when they saw the figure on the edge of the Cloud Vessel, they immediately understood.

“The little ancestor?”

Upon seeing Li Fusheng’s silhouette, the Li family disciples quickly hid, fearing being discovered by him.

Wang Changsheng, following his memory, arrived at the small courtyard where the Corpse Refining Sect disciples were hidden. As he entered, he saw the disciples standing inside, all staring in shock at the hovering Cloud Vessel.

“Steward Wang?”

“Steward Wang, you’re back?”

“Steward Wang, you finally returned! Steward Wang, how have you changed?”

...

The Corpse Refining Sect disciples showed excitement upon seeing Wang Changsheng.

The bald Wang Changsheng’s appearance amused them, especially since he no longer had eyebrows, which made them laugh uncontrollably.

“Steward Wang, how did you become like this? You look much younger!” Zhang Cunzhong was the first to ask.

Wang Changsheng gave no answer, instead looking at Zhang Cunzhong and asking, “When did you wake up?”

At the same time, he also fixed his gaze on Li Song, who had likewise awakened.

According to Zhang Yi’s estimates, Zhang Cunzhong and Li Song’s conditions were somewhat better than Chen Shangyi’s. It was expected they would take three to five years to regain consciousness. Now, after nearly three years, they had unexpectedly awakened.

“Not long ago, about two months or so,” Zhang Cunzhong answered immediately.

“And Shangyi?” Wang Changsheng asked at once. “Has he awakened?”

“No!” Zhang Cunzhong replied. “Brother Chen’s condition isn’t good. Although his injuries are slowly healing, at this rate, we don’t know when he’ll wake up.”

“What should we do then?” Wang Changsheng’s expression turned grave.

Chen Shangyi’s situation was indeed severe. Wang Changsheng had nearly thought him dead, never expecting his willpower to be so strong as to survive.

“I suggest sending Brother Chen back to the Corpse Refining Sect, to the Corpse Cave for healing. Perhaps his condition will improve greatly!” Zhang Cunzhong said solemnly.

Wang Changsheng pondered quietly.

“Very well, then we’ll send Shangyi back first,” Wang Changsheng said gravely. “But we still have a mission, and next we must go to Yun Palace Peak. So only one person can escort Shangyi back.”

This was Wang Changsheng’s compromise.

“Who’s willing to escort Brother Shangyi back to the Corpse Refining Sect?” Wang Changsheng asked sternly.

Everyone pondered. The truth was, no one wanted to return to the Sect. After going out and accomplishing nothing, returning now would only invite ridicule.

“I’ll escort Brother Shangyi back!” Zhang Yi said solemnly. “We are still in the Southern Domain; the journey back is dangerous. Since I have the highest cultivation, I can escort him most safely.”

“Good!” Wang Changsheng nodded. “Zhang Yi, be cautious and keep your movements concealed.”

“Understood!” Zhang Yi said gravely. “Once I return Brother Shangyi to the Corpse Refining Sect, I’ll come back to find you.”

“I’ll go with Brother Zhang Yi,” Li Song said solemnly. “It’s better to have company on the way.”

“Li Song, what’s wrong with you?” Zhang Cunzhong’s expression darkened when he saw Li Song also intending to return. “Are you afraid of death?”

“Are you trying to desert now?”

The other Corpse Refining Sect disciples looked at Li Song with displeasure, clearly surprised at his choice to return at this time.

Zhang Yi’s decision to escort Chen Shangyi back was a last resort. If possible, he would have preferred to die in battle rather than return to the Sect.

“That’s impossible!” Li Song said gravely. “I am no coward who clings to life!”

“Then why do you want to go back?” Zhang Cunzhong immediately asked.

Li Song was silent for a moment before saying solemnly, “My cultivation has dropped to the Huayuan Realm. Staying here would only be a burden. If a crisis like last time happens, it would endanger everyone!”

“Cunzhong, although your cultivation has also declined, you at least still have the first layer of the Golden Core Realm. What about me?”

Li Song’s face showed helplessness.

After he spoke, all the Corpse Refining Sect disciples fell silent.

The last crisis was overcome thanks to the secret techniques of Chen Shangyi, Zhang Cunzhong, and Li Song. Li Song was clearly not cowardly to risk using secret techniques. Now, with his cultivation fallen, staying behind would only drag everyone down.

Li Song understood this, and so did the others. That was why he brought it up himself.

“All right, no need to argue!” Wang Changsheng looked at Li Song and asked, “Have you made up your mind?”

Li Song nodded.

“Very well. Zhang Yi and Li Song will escort Shangyi back to the Corpse Refining Sect. The rest will follow me to Yun Palace Peak!” Wang Changsheng said solemnly.

No one objected; all nodded in agreement.

“Steward Wang... there’s something I need to tell you...” Zhang Yi said awkwardly.

“What is it?” Wang Changsheng asked immediately.

“The little fox is missing...” Zhang Yi said.

“The little fox is missing?” Wang Changsheng was stunned.

“Yes,” Zhang Yi said. “Shortly after you left, the little fox disappeared on its own.”

“Was it captured by someone else?” Wang Changsheng asked at once.

“Probably not,” Zhang Yi said gravely. “The little fox must have left on its own. We didn’t sense anyone else entering the small courtyard.”

Wang Changsheng pondered deeply.

“Fine, if it’s missing, it’s missing. Maybe it’s for the best!” Wang Changsheng said solemnly.

By his estimate, since the little fox could attract the pursuit of Golden Core Realm cultivators, it must be no ordinary creature. The fact that it left on its own, Wang Changsheng thought, might actually be fortunate.

“All right. I’ll go see Shangyi one last time. You all should set off and hurry back to the Corpse Refining Sect!” Wang Changsheng said solemnly.

Entering the small courtyard’s room, Wang Changsheng immediately saw Chen Shangyi’s coffin.

Feeling the faint breath within, his expression became grave.

“Shangyi, this trip to the Shangyang Li family was quite fruitful. The Shangyang Li family has even agreed to an alliance with the Corpse Refining Sect,” Wang Changsheng said with a sigh. “You’ve completed part of the mission. When you return to the Sect, rest well. Once you’ve recovered, we’ll explore the cultivation world together.”

After these words, Wang Changsheng and the Corpse Refining Sect disciples saw Zhang Yi and Li Song off as they left.

“Let’s go too!” Wang Changsheng said to the remaining disciples. “Set off for Yun Palace Peak!”

---

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