Chapter 699: Yaoyun’s Caretaker

Under the wormhole to the Realm of Exiled Immortals, more than a dozen Daoists sat in a circle.

"They sent someone to see me before the Fengli Sect left?"

Only Linyuan had come to the statue. Lishang and Yao Xingzi were leading a large group of sect members and disciples hiding elsewhere.

Lishang had guaranteed that Linyuan could be trusted. Hence, after discussing it, Fei Lianzi and the others took in the master-disciple pair and allowed him to come.

They saw it as a long-term investment. By binding the Xinghai Sect firmly to the rising vessel of Earth's cultivators, the sect could serve as a "public banner" in the future or, more bluntly, a front.

Among those present were Hu Chang and Huai Jing, who had returned a few days earlier and caused chaos on Tianfeng. Qinglin, Long Liekong the dragon fiend, and Linyuan were also with them, adding to their combat strength.

Long Liekong's disciple Binglu, Zhang Zikuang, Fan Tuantuan, Fei Lianzi, Gao Shixing, and the unfortunate duo Liu Yunzhi and Shi Qianzhang.

All eyes were now on Wang Sheng. He had clearly become the central pillar here.

His return alone had lifted the mood. Even Linyuan, who had been deeply worried, now felt a surge of confidence.

They recounted the earlier events. This version contained far more detail than what Wang Sheng had heard from the True Immortal he had captured earlier.

"Yes, they did." Linyuan sighed. "The messenger was a female immortal in armor. Though she had a high cultivation realm, she was very polite. She only said that she wished to meet you and discuss future matters. When we told her you were not around, she looked disappointed, told us to prepare ourselves, and left immediately. Even our defensive array could not stop her."

Wang Sheng thoughtfully replied, "She was likely a powerful subordinate of the expert behind the Fengli Sect. Did they really leave just like that?"

"Yes. They even brought their qi stars with them. Our internal teleportation arrays collapsed as well," Linyuan replied. "However, the elders and protectors we had stationed at their gate, along with many soldiers, were only knocked unconscious and later found themselves back in the ancient battlefield. They were clearly spared on purpose."

"Fortunately, you were not at the Xinghai Sect at the time," Fei Lianzi said. "Otherwise, you might have been taken as well."

Yaoyun added, "Their actions lack even basic righteousness."

"We should keep our distance from whatever force stands behind the Fengli Sect," Huai Jing said.

Stroking his chin, Wang Sheng murmured, "We were never on the same path anyway. Buddhist Master, Hu Chang, when you visited the Celestial Wind Sect, did you encounter any powerful figures?"

"We found two who were close to reaching the Golden Immortal Realm," Hu Chang replied. "When we arrived and saw your home destroyed, I was furious. I dragged the Buddhist master along and attacked them at once."

Huai Jing smirked. "You were shouting that wiping out Celestial Wind early would count as a great achievement."

Hu Chang laughed shamelessly, completely unfazed despite being exposed. Soft laughter spread around the circle.

"Elaborate," Wang Sheng instructed.

In a serious tone, Huai Jing revealed, "They had two peak Heavenly Immortals—a man and a woman—who couldn't ascend to the Golden Immortal Realm. They're likely a married couple. I heard them call the young master of the Celestial Wind Sect their grandson-in-law.

"Based on what we've observed, their sect master has probably stepped down. Over ten Heavenly Immortals have since appeared out of nowhere and taken control of the entire sect. They surrounded us when we attacked. Fortunately, Hu Chang is so hard to kill that we managed to force our way out."

"That was before!" Hu Chang slapped his thigh. "Now, you and Ling Sheng are back, Big Brother. If she joins the fight, she could wipe out their entire planet in half an hour!"

Ling Sheng nodded gently at Wang Sheng.

"I'd rather not deploy you unless absolutely necessary," Wang Sheng said.

With slight disappointment, she replied, "

Oh.

"

"You are my final trump card. Revealing you too early would not be ideal."

Her faint smile returned. She sat beside him, quiet and obedient.

"Brother Sheng," Shi Qianzhang said with exaggerated winks, "who is she? You should introduce us to her."

Wang Sheng smiled. "She is Ling Sheng, my subordinate. She has slain around sixty to seventy Golden Immortals and nearly a thousand Heavenly Immortals."

Everyone gasped in shock. Ling Sheng lowered her gaze in silence.

"Enough about that. Let's discuss how to destroy the Celestial Wind Sect." Wang Sheng clapped his hands twice to draw their attention. "Regardless of whichever force stands behind them, or whether they are merely puppets, we cannot avoid confronting them.

"This is not just to end my or the Xinghai Sect's feud with them. It is also a necessary step for Earth's cultivation world to expand outward. The thirteen qi planets—no, there's just eleven now. From now on, only our two closely united forces will be allowed to exist.

"The Xinghai Sect will stand in the open, while Earth's cultivators will remain in the shadows. The ancient battlefield will be our true base, and the eleven planets will become our development outposts. Their resources alone should be enough to sustain us for a very long time."

He paused for a moment to look at his people.

"Does anyone object?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Qinglin said gently from the side, "You've changed quite a bit since you embarked on your journey, Fei Yu. You have a far stronger presence now."

"That serves no real purpose, though." Wang Sheng sighed. "Besides, I made a promise to my senior sister. Once I have taken care of things here and I am no longer needed, I will reunite with her."

Fan Tuantuan asked softly, "Daoist Master Fei Yu, has Fairy Bu Yu truly gone to cultivate with her master from a previous life?"

Wang Sheng smiled and nodded. "

Mm.

In a few tens of thousands of years, my senior sister will master a complete Great Dao and become a true master of divine abilities. By then, I will probably be trailing behind her.

"Oh, we are also married. Since Emperor Qinghua did not give us much time, we had to hold a simple ceremony and write all your names on paper as witnesses. When we get an opportunity, we will have a proper wedding. You are all invited."

The people before him smiled warmly, though several with lower cultivation could not hide their wistfulness.

"Tens of thousands of years is way too long."

Wang Sheng replied seriously, "It might not take that long. If Emperor Qinghua can stabilize their situation, my senior sister may be able to return for visits. My master has to be informed as soon as possible, though. I will write a letter later. Instructor Zhang, please transmit it back home using the equipment. "

Zhang Zikuang grinned. "Got it!"

Wang Sheng then shifted the discussion to launching a full-scale war against the Celestial Wind Sect.

"We might not have enough powerful combatants," Linyuan said.

Hu Chang snorted. "Big Brother and I will handle that old couple. The rest should be easy."

"We shouldn't underestimate them," Wang Sheng said.

He tapped lightly in the air, drawing a line, and then fell into thought. The others quieted and waited. Soon, he took out a jade disk, examined the list of names within, and handed it to Yaoyun.

"I want you and Buddhist Master Huai Jing to choose a senior who can assist us secretly. They don't need to have an extremely high cultivation realm. It's fine if they're only at the Golden Immortal Realm for as long as they are undoubtedly reliable."

"Understood." Yaoyun signaled to Huai Jing, and the two stepped aside to confer.

Zhang Zikuang frowned. "If we bring in someone stronger than us, won't they overshadow our leadership?"

"They won't. Since most surviving immortals of the Heavenly Court remain deeply loyal, we only have to be careful who we choose. It's also time to change our approach. We will still preserve Earth's independence, but from now on, we will also borrow the Heavenly Court's remaining strength.

"Emperor Qinghua and my forefather officially support me. I believe they will stand on our side and view Earth's cultivation world in a good light. Of course, we are nowhere near their level. We will require time to catch up."

At that moment, Yaoyun and Huai Jing returned with a candidate: Lin Yu, a female immortal who once served the Queen Mother of the West at the Jade Pool. She had followed Ziwei in the counterattack against the Immortal Saint Realm. After his defeat, she went into seclusion somewhere in the Eastern Sky Region.

Her character, strength, and proximity made her their best option. Most importantly, she helped raise Yaoyun and was almost like her foster mother. Their bond was deep.

Entrusting the task of recruiting Lin Yu to Yaoyun and Huai Jing, Wang Sheng asked them to depart at once.

He also warned, "The fall of the Heavenly Court changed many people. Even though you trusted her before, observe and evaluate her in secret."

Smiling, Yaoyun nodded. "Do not worry. After what happened with Divine Guardian Wang, I have learned a great deal."

Concerned, Huai Jing asked, "Is one Golden Immortal really enough?"

"Yes," Wang Sheng answered. "We have to bide our time. Once Earth has its own Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals, we can consider secretly gathering the former forces of the Heavenly Court."

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"

Amitabha.

Understood."

"When will you return?" Wang Sheng asked.

Yaoyun replied softly, "Around two and a half to three years at most. If we succeed in bringing her back, the return trip should be faster."

"

Mm.

" Wang Sheng decided to choose the safest course of action. "I will wait for your return before making any moves against the Celestial Wind Sect."

He then summoned the Spirit Stabilizing Tea Tree.

"Daoist Master Qinglin, during this period, Ling Sheng and this elder will assist you in guarding the gate. Hu Chang and I will go find and regroup with the rest of the Xinghai Sect. That way, if the Celestial Wind Sect discovers and launches a major attack on their location, we will be able to hold them off."

Qinglin nodded slowly. "I can guard this place. Let the young lady accompany you."

"It's fine." Wang Sheng looked at Ling Sheng. "With her here, I won't have anything to worry about."

Long Liekong hurried forward. "Master, please allow me to accompany you and serve at your side!"

Wang Sheng smiled. "Very well. I haven't seen you in a while. You look much more spirited than before."

Long Liekong smiled back. He appeared thinner now, but the light had returned to his eyes. His cultivation was somewhat weaker, but his overall vitality had improved.

"Does anyone else have matters to discuss?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Good." Wang Sheng snapped his fingers. "Move out."