Chapter 132: Zhang Yi Returns (Second Update After Going Premium)

"How do you figure that?" Wang Changsheng asked. "If the Cloud Palace Peak treats us as cannon fodder, we simply won't participate. It won't make the slightest difference to the Corpse Refining Sect, anyway!"

"That's where you're wrong!" Li Fusheng immediately said with a laugh. "You had better participate!"

"The Corpse Refining Sect has re-emerged, and it needs a resounding start to let the world know that the sect is back!" Li Fusheng continued with a smile. "Most of the sects in the Shentian Realm have risen within the last millennium. Many of them haven't even heard the name of your Corpse Refining Sect!"

Wang Changsheng looked thoughtful.

One of the tasks Elder Yun had entrusted to him was to make a name for the Corpse Refining Sect. The opening of the War God's Tomb was the perfect opportunity—a chance to demonstrate the sect's immense power to the entire Shentian Realm.

"It seems that it is indeed necessary to participate," Wang Changsheng said in a deep voice.

"Then you had better prepare yourself. It would be best to bring more people. With the strength of the group you have now..." Li Fusheng said bluntly, "I’m afraid you won't survive a single day inside the War God's Tomb!"

"Is the competition that intense?" Wang Changsheng immediately asked.

"It's not just intense; it's brutal," Li Fusheng replied.

Wang Changsheng’s expression turned grave. The opening of the War God's Tomb was fast approaching, and there was no time to return to the Corpse Refining Sect to call for reinforcements.

Wang Changsheng looked at Li Fusheng and said, "Why don't we join forces?"

It was too late to call for others, but here was someone right in front of him!

Wang Changsheng had seen Li Fusheng’s strength firsthand; he had even held his own against the Saintess of the Cloud Palace Peak. Li Fusheng’s power was surely fearsome to an unreasonable degree. Furthermore, since there was a possibility of an alliance between the Corpse Refining Sect and the Shangyang Li Clan, joining forces with Li Fusheng would be ideal.

"No," Li Fusheng said immediately. "I have no interest in things like the War God's Tomb."

As he spoke, Li Fusheng stood up and walked toward the room, his voice drifting back: "Wang Changsheng, for the sake of our years of acquaintance, I advise you to think this through carefully. Otherwise, you might not be the only one who dies."

Wang Changsheng did not speak. He remained seated, a heavy expression on his face.

To participate? Or not?

This was a question Wang Changsheng had to consider.

"Forget it, better not get involved."

After pondering for a long time, Wang Changsheng finally decided not to involve himself in the matter. The temptation of the War God's Tomb was too small for the disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect; spiritual herbs and medicines were of little use. As for spiritual veins and legacies, Wang Changsheng didn't think his luck was that good! Moreover, the people he had brought with him were simply not strong enough to get involved in such a fray.

Wang Changsheng had another task: to go to the Barbarian God Temple. Although he didn't want to go there so soon, he could at least make some preparations in advance.

Over the next few days, Wang Changsheng stayed at the Cloud Palace Peak, continuously cultivating with mid-grade spirit stones. The true essence within his body grew, now occupying about ten percent of his capacity. This meant he was at the peak of the first level of the Huayuan Realm; he only needed a little more accumulation before he could consider a breakthrough.

"If it weren't for Li Ziqi, I would likely be further along than this," Wang Changsheng thought to himself.

When he had been cultivating at the Fire Phoenix Pool, the spiritual energy there was incredibly dense. Coupled with the blood of the Fire Phoenix, if he had been able to continue his cultivation there, his breakthrough would have been rapid. Furthermore, Wang Changsheng’s foundation had long surpassed his current level, making his path to breakthrough much easier than that of other cultivators.

Thus, the injuries inflicted by Li Ziqi had not only caused him great harm but had also hindered his cultivation progress.

"When the opportunity arises, I will definitely repay this debt!" Wang Changsheng vowed silently.

*Whoosh!*

Just as Wang Changsheng was immersed in his cultivation, a jade slip flew directly toward him.

"A communication slip?"

Wang Changsheng stopped his cultivation and caught the slip. The information within instantly entered his mind.

"Steward Wang, this is Zhang Yi. I have returned. I am a hundred miles outside the Cloud Palace Peak. Please come out to meet me, Steward Wang."

Zhang Yi's voice echoed in Wang Changsheng's mind.

"Zhang Yi is back?" A look of surprise and delight appeared on Wang Changsheng's face.

Back when they were in the outer court, Zhang Yi and Li Song had taken Chen Shangyi back to the Corpse Refining Sect to heal. Wang Changsheng hadn't expected Zhang Yi to return so soon.

Wang Changsheng immediately headed outside the Cloud Palace Peak.

A distance of a hundred miles took less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn at his current flight speed. Following the direction Zhang Yi had indicated, Wang Changsheng spotted him.

It wasn't just Zhang Yi; Wang Changsheng saw three other figures standing behind him. Their presence was completely restrained, and Wang Changsheng could not sense their cultivation levels at all. Of course, given the cultivation of Corpse Refining Sect disciples, even if they hadn't restrained their aura, Wang Changsheng likely wouldn't have been able to tell their level anyway.

"Steward Wang!"

Upon seeing Wang Changsheng, Zhang Yi looked delighted and cupped his hands in a salute.

Wang Changsheng returned the salute and immediately asked, "Who are these three?"

Seeing Wang Changsheng’s inquiry, Zhang Yi looked excited. "Steward Wang, these three are senior brothers from the Corpse Refining Sect. They were all sent by Elder Yun to assist you!"

"To assist me?" Wang Changsheng looked puzzled.

According to Elder Yun’s assigned tasks, two of them were already mostly completed. The final task was to enter the Barbarian God Temple—a mission not suitable for ordinary Corpse Refining Sect disciples. According to the Elder, only Wang Changsheng could go, taking the avatar of the Venerable Weiming to cause trouble.

Why send three more people now?

"Greetings, Steward Wang!"
"Greetings, Steward Wang!"
"Steward Wang, I have heard much about you!"

The three men cupped their hands in salute.

"Greetings to you all," Wang Changsheng replied.

"Steward Wang, this is the First Senior Brother of the Corpse Refining Sect!" Zhang Yi said, pointing to one of the cultivators. "All the ordinary disciples of the sect are under his command!"

Wang Changsheng was shocked.

He had expected ordinary disciples, but not the First Senior Brother. He had heard of this man while at the sect, but the First Senior Brother had always been in seclusion; Wang Changsheng had heard the name but never seen the person. The authority to command all ordinary disciples was something no one in the sect, other than the Elders, possessed.

"Steward Wang, let me tell you, the First Senior Brother's cultivation surpasses that of most of the sect's Elders!" Zhang Yi whispered mysteriously. "He is already a true cultivator of the Golden Core Dao!"

"Golden Core?!"

Wang Changsheng was stunned!

"I am Wuli, greetings, Steward Wang," the First Senior Brother said, cupping his hands.

Despite being a master of the Golden Core Dao, Wuli showed no arrogance toward Wang Changsheng; in fact, he was respectful and extremely courteous. A master of the Golden Core Dao was a top-tier existence in the Shentian Realm. Wang Changsheng truly hadn't expected the First Senior Brother to be a Golden Core master.

Before Wang Changsheng could recover from his shock, he heard Zhang Yi’s voice again.

"This is Chen Yuan, a ninth-level expert of the Core Formation Realm!" Zhang Yi added.

"What?"

Wang Changsheng cried out in surprise.

He hadn't even processed the First Senior Brother being a Golden Core master, and now another ninth-level Core Formation expert? What on earth was the Corpse Refining Sect trying to do?

"Greetings, Steward Wang, I am Chen Yuan," Chen Yuan said with a bow. "Thank you for the help you gave Shangyi."

"Hm?" Wang Changsheng looked puzzled.

Seeing the confusion, Chen Yuan immediately explained, "Shangyi is my cousin. We are from the same clan. When our Chen clan was destroyed, only Shangyi and I were rescued and brought back to the Corpse Refining Sect."

"Cousin?" Wang Changsheng was even more confused.

He had never expected them to be of the same clan, let alone that Chen Shangyi was Chen Yuan's cousin. Since even Chen Yuan was at the ninth level of the Core Formation Realm, while Chen Shangyi was only at the third, it seemed Chen Yuan's talent was far more terrifying than his cousin's.

"Yes, Shangyi is indeed my cousin," Chen Yuan said in a deep voice. "His cultivation and talent are actually higher than mine, but due to certain special reasons, his cultivation has encountered some problems."

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood. Indeed, given Chen Shangyi's intellect and strength, his cultivation should have been far beyond the third level of the Core Formation Realm. It seemed Chen Shangyi had run into some trouble during his cultivation.

"Steward Wang, this is Senior Brother Jingang," Zhang Yi continued the introductions.

"Greetings, Steward Wang!"

Jingang’s voice was resonant. He stood at least two or three heads taller than Wang Changsheng and was incredibly muscular—quite different from any other disciple Wang Changsheng had met. Jingang didn't look like a disciple of the Corpse Refining Sect at all, but rather a powerful physical cultivator. Even without revealing his cultivation, his mere presence was imposing.

The three men’s attitude toward Wang Changsheng was quite good; they showed no disdain. In fact, for reasons unknown, they seemed somewhat respectful toward him. One had to know that a single finger from any of these three would be enough to crush Wang Changsheng.

"So... what is the purpose of your coming here?" Wang Changsheng finally couldn't help but ask.

This was his biggest doubt. Their strength was so great that it was frightening; the three of them alone could sweep through many sects. Wang Changsheng could not fathom the purpose behind the sect sending them.

In a short time, he thought of many possibilities, but he dismissed them all himself.