……

After some time.

At the Changning Garrison, Xinping Town [International Airport], a severely damaged Yun Yao flying boat wobbled as it landed.

The airport staff noticed something was wrong and rushed forward to assist.

Wang Ningxi, who had come to meet the flight, was also nervous and hurriedly stepped forward to inquire about the situation.

"Ningxi!"

Seeing him, Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King both breathed a sigh of relief.

The energy surge from the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss this time was much more severe than the last. Despite their quick response, the flying boat was still severely damaged by the energy storm due to its proximity to the explosion point. Along the way, Hundred Refinements True Monarch had to make several temporary repairs.

It was truly not easy for the Yun Yao flying boat to land safely.

In response to Wang Ningxi's inquiry, the couple, still clinging to each other, wore extremely grave expressions: "Something big has happened. We encountered an air disaster near the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss, and King of the South, Yuntai An, was swept into a spatial vortex."

"King of the South?" Wang Ningxi was taken aback.

He didn't have much interaction with King of the South but knew that he was quite friendly towards the Wang's Clan. More importantly, the incident happened while he was on his way to the Wang's Clan.

The lineage of the King of the South in the Immortal Dynasty is a hereditary title with considerable power. If they were to blame the Wang's Clan, it would be a big problem.

"However, luck was on our side," Hundred Refinements True Monarch continued, "Although I couldn't pull him out of the spatial vortex, I could roughly deduce the direction of its movement and several possible landing points based on my understanding of spatial arts. One of the landing points is near Eastern Qian, though the margin of error could be over a thousand miles."

Even among Void Realm experts, there are varying levels of proficiency in spatial arts, and Hundred Refinements True Monarch is considered quite adept.

However, these spatial vortices are not like fixed spatial teleportation channels; they are easily influenced by various factors and carry great uncertainty. He could only make a rough estimate.

There are five possible landing points in total, two near the Immortal Dynasty, one near Eastern Qian, and the other two within the territory of the Demon Dynasty.

He had already sent all the locations back to the Immortal Dynasty. The two possible landing points near the Immortal Dynasty would naturally be searched by them, while the one near Eastern Qian would require the Wang's Clan's assistance.

As for the two landing points within the Demon Dynasty's sea territory... to be honest, the Immortal Dynasty couldn't openly conduct a large-scale search there for the time being, and they could only hope that King of the South wouldn't be so unlucky.

"There's no time to lose," Wang Ningxi immediately responded, "I'll take you to see my Ancestor Grandfather right away and let him decide."

In no time.

Wang Ningxi brought Hundred Refinements True Monarch and others to Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.

Since both parties had long been acquainted in spirit and understood each other well, and given the urgency of the situation, there was no need for excessive pleasantries. After a brief introduction, Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King got straight to the point and explained the situation.

Wang Shouzhe immediately took out a map and marked the general area based on the possible landing points deduced by Hundred Refinements True Monarch.

It happened to be the Qingluo Sea area north of Longzuo Commandery and south of Longyuan Commandery.

"Senior Hundred Refinements, Senior Lanxin, please wait a moment."

Wang Shouzhe quickly wrote an order and sent someone to deliver it.

After doing this, he said, "The search order has been sent out. As long as the range deduced by Senior is roughly correct, it won't be long before we receive news. Whether King of the South has landed in Qingluo Sea will be known then."

For the moment, Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King felt slightly relieved.

Lanxin King even raised her hand and solemnly thanked him: "This matter is in your hands, Master Wang Shouzhe."

This is the advantage of having local influence.

That sea area is nominally Eastern Qian's territory, but everyone knows that the Wang's Clan is the actual authority there. With one order, countless ships can be mobilized for a large-scale sea search. It's much faster than searching on their own.

With the order given, all that was left was to wait.

Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King had no interest in touring the Wang's Clan for the time being, so they temporarily stayed at the Stay Immortal Residence under Wang Ningxi's hospitality.

The room they stayed in was the same small residence that Emperor Longchang had previously occupied. After all, the Emperor had been "sent" to the outer region battlefield to continue contributing, and who knows when he would return. Leaving it vacant would be a waste.

Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King quickly adapted to life at the Stay Immortal Residence and successfully integrated into the small group.

As it turns out, the charm of "mahjong" is indeed powerful.

The two big shots were so engrossed in playing that they almost forgot about the poor King of the South.

In a flash, seven or eight days passed.

On this day.

Wang Shouzhe received news and went to the Stay Immortal Residence to inform them, only to be speechless at the scene in the courtyard.

Under Liu Ruolan's arrangement, the original mahjong table in the courtyard had turned into two tables.

Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King were dominating their respective tables.

"Newcomers always have good luck; they can win even with random plays." Chaoyang King sighed as he paid the chips for losing, reminiscing, "When I first started playing, I had good luck for a while too."

"Thank you, Ancestor Chaoyang, for going easy on me." Lanxin King, with a radiant face, collected the chips, her actions already quite skilled.

"Ahem!"

Wang Shouzhe cleared his throat, interrupting the gambling session of the big shots: "Seniors, King of the South has been found. When he fell into the water, he was spotted by a ship led by our Luomiao and was rescued. After receiving the message from the spirit bird, Luomiao immediately used the ship's flying carriage to bring him back. Based on the time calculation, he should arrive in less than half a day."

"Brought back?" Chaoyang King frowned slightly, "Yuntai An is a Void Realm expert. With this distance, can't he fly back himself?"

"Your Highness may not be aware," Wang Shouzhe said with a somewhat grave expression, "Luomiao's message arrived first, stating that King of the South's condition is not good. He has been in a semi-conscious state, occasionally muttering incomprehensible words. Moreover, demonic traits have begun to appear on his body surface!"

What?

Everyone present was shocked.

The mahjong tile in Chaoyang King's hand shattered with a "crack," and her eyes suddenly turned sharp: "It's a demonic soul invasion."

With that, she casually tore open a spatial rift and disappeared into it.

The others in the courtyard lost interest in continuing the mahjong game and simply waited in the courtyard.

Wang Shouzhe also had someone prepare Stay Immortal Residence No. 5 for King of the South to stay in later.

As the number of Void Realm experts residing with the Wang's Clan increased, the five small residences at Stay Immortal Residence were almost not enough to go around.

More than half an hour later.

In the courtyard of Stay Immortal Valley, spatial ripples appeared once again.

Then, Chaoyang King stepped out of the spatial ripples, holding a delicate young girl in one hand and an unconscious man in the other.

Needless to say, the unconscious man was naturally King of the South, Yuntai An, and the young girl was naturally Wang Luomiao.

Chaoyang King, worthy of being a late Void Realm expert, had unfathomable strength. This round trip would have taken a Void Realm beginner at least half a day to complete.

However, constantly tearing through space in such a short time had left even her face a bit pale.

Wang Luomiao was in even worse shape.

With her cultivation only at the Purple Mansion Realm, her physique was far less robust than that of a Void Realm expert. The spatial travel had left her dizzy, and she almost couldn't stand when Chaoyang King set her down, only managing to stay upright with Chaoyang King's support.

But she didn't have time to worry about herself. As soon as she regained her composure, she looked at Wang Shouzhe: "Brother, this uncle, no, King of the South seems to be getting worse. Please save him."

"Don't worry, let me take a look first."

Wang Shouzhe had Chaoyang King place King of the South in the prepared room, then stepped forward to check his condition.

Yuntai An's neck was already covered with dense demonic scales, his fingers had become thicker, and claws were beginning to form.

As Wang Shouzhe circulated his profound energy, life essence energy tentatively probed into his body.

This probing immediately caused King of the South to tremble violently. A dark, smoky demonic shadow appeared, roaring madly as if warning Wang Shouzhe not to interfere.

Even though it was just a residual shadow, it still exerted a strong sense of oppression on everyone present.

"It's a remnant soul of a demon god." Chaoyang King's eyes were filled with anger, her tone heavy with an indescribable gravity, "It must have escaped from the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss and attached itself to Yuntai An's soul, intending to transform his body into that of an outer region demon."

"Your Highness, I've heard of soul possession, but how can it transform the body? Are outer region demons really that terrifying?" Wang Shouzhe's face was solemn, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"Ordinary outer region demons can't do it," Chaoyang King said angrily, "but at the level of a demon god, their true spirit undergoes a transformation, storing complete bloodline information. Once a human is possessed by a demon god's true spirit, their body will gradually transform into that of an outer region demon under the influence of the demon soul's true spirit."

Wang Shouzhe's life essence energy was highly effective for detoxification and healing, but when it came to soul possession and even bloodline transformation, it was powerless.

There was no choice; it was beyond his expertise.

"The only option now is to consult the Ancestor," Chaoyang King reluctantly prepared to use an Immortal Emperor Order, "It will cost the Ancestor a lot of immortal essence."

In matters involving the soul, only the Immortal Emperor might have a solution.

"Wait."

At this moment, Liu Ruolan stepped forward to stop Chaoyang King.

Her sharp gaze fell on the incomplete demon god shadow, her clear eyes gradually turning cold: "Let me try first. Husband, continue the treatment and force it out."

Wang Shouzhe understood and immediately increased the transmission of life essence energy.

This action thoroughly enraged the remnant soul of the outer region demon god, its shadow expanding once more, lunging at Wang Shouzhe with claws bared.

"Get out!"

Liu Ruolan's eyes narrowed, and she unhesitatingly slashed out with her sword.

"Swish~"

A streak of sword light swept past.

The sword light wasn't particularly dazzling or sharp, more like a gentle breeze or a ripple on still water, faint and ethereal, without any apparent threat.

However, when the sword light brushed past the demon god's remnant soul shadow, it melted away like winter snow under the blazing sun, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The piercing scream sent a chill down everyone's spine, and they all looked on in disbelief.

Involving a demon god's remnant soul, a situation that even Void Realm experts were helpless against, Liu Ruolan resolved with a single sword strike?!

What level of sword intent was this... no, it must have touched upon the true essence of swordsmanship, right?

Hundred Refinements True Monarch and Lanxin King felt dizzy, a sense of shattered worldview overwhelming them.

Even the big shots like Chaoyang King, who often played mahjong with Liu Ruolan, were taken aback.

They knew Liu Ruolan was formidable, but wasn't she always playing mahjong with them? When did she cultivate her sword intent to such a level?

Or could it be that playing mahjong actually honed sword intent?

Among everyone, only Wang Shouzhe and Wang Luomiao remained calm.

Wang Shouzhe had witnessed Liu Ruolan sever the remnant soul of Magicauldron Venerable with a single strike, while Wang Luomiao was simply accustomed to her sister-in-law's occasional extraordinary feats.

After all, when your worldview shatters enough times, you get used to it~

Seeing Liu Ruolan's face turn pale after the sword strike, Wang Shouzhe quickly supported her, continuously channeling life essence energy into her.

At this moment, King of the South gradually regained consciousness.

Seeing the circle of big shots around his bed, his face was filled with confusion and bewilderment: "I... where am I?"

Hearing him speak, everyone snapped back to reality.

"Yuntai An, you really are lucky~" Hundred Refinements True Monarch breathed a sigh of relief, patting his shoulder in amazement, "We were all caught in the energy surge of the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss while on the Yun Yao flying boat, but how come others found a half-step immortal sword, while you got possessed by a demon god's remnant soul?"

As he spoke, King of the South's memories gradually returned, and his eyes cleared from confusion.

He sighed with lingering fear: "It's not a matter of luck. Our Yuntai An lineage of the King of the South cultivates the metal-type battle body technique [Golden Dragon Codex], with latent ancient dragon blood gradually awakening as cultivation progresses. At its peak, it transforms into a powerful Golden Dragon Battle Body."

"And that demon god's remnant soul, known as the 'Dragon Blood Demon God,' found my bloodline battle body most compatible among the Void Realm experts present. If it had been a Red Prison fire-type demon god, it might have targeted you instead."

Hundred Refinements True Monarch was startled: "That would have been terrible. If I were possessed by a demon god's remnant soul, growing scales and claws, I'd surely be despised by Xiner."

"Don't worry, Brother Lian." Lanxin King sweetly reassured him, "No matter what happens, you'll always be my Brother Lian."

"Xiner, you're so good." Hundred Refinements True Monarch was deeply moved.

"Brother Lian, you're the best."

King of the South felt a chill run down his spine, unable to suppress a shiver.

He deeply regretted deciding to travel to Eastern Qian Kingdom on the same flying carriage with them.

All along the way, he had been forced to watch this couple flaunt their affection, even while being invaded by a demon god's remnant soul.

But he dared not speak up. Lanxin King was his elder in the Yuntai An lineage, and Hundred Refinements True Monarch was a rare master of refining, neither of whom he could afford to offend.

He quickly shifted his attention, rising to bow to Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan: "You must be the famous Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe and Lady Ruolan of the Wang's Clan. Yuntai An thanks you both for saving my life."

Though he appeared unconscious earlier, he hadn't completely lost awareness. His soul had retreated to his spiritual platform, striving to maintain clarity of mind, constantly resisting the demon god's remnant soul's invasion. He was aware of everything happening around him and remembered it.

"Your Highness is too kind." Wang Shouzhe gracefully returned the bow, "My wife and I merely lent a helping hand. But Your Highness's steadfast will, persisting under the demon god's remnant soul's invasion, is truly admirable."

"Shouzhe, please check Yuntai An's condition once more." Chaoyang King, still concerned for her clan's junior, requested Wang Shouzhe.

"Your Highness, please."

Wang Shouzhe nodded, and with King of the South's permission, he took his wrist and sent a thread of life essence profound energy into his body.

This time, the examination went smoothly, without any interference from the demon god's shadow.

While probing, Wang Shouzhe asked several questions, which King of the South answered truthfully.

Soon, he withdrew the profound energy and said, "Your Highness's body is no longer in danger."

"No longer in danger?"

King of the South looked at the demonic dragon scales on his arms and the claws forming on his hands, utterly baffled.

Is this what you call no longer in danger?

His brow furrowed deeply: "What about my body? How do I retract these claws and scales?"

But as soon as he spoke, the demonic dragon scales began to recede and disappear, and the half-transformed claws reverted to human hands in an instant.

King of the South was stunned, then overjoyed: "Good, good! I understand now, it's that simple."

With a thought, new scales grew on his arms, his hands transformed into dragon claws, and even his face began to elongate, gradually taking on a demonic dragon form.

Then, with another thought, he quickly reverted back.

"Your Highness, what is this?" Wang Shouzhe was bewildered, "Could it be that your true spirit was invaded by the demon god's remnant soul?"

"Not at all. Just now, Lady Ruolan's sword completely dispersed the Dragon Blood Demon God's true spirit." King of the South's expression was slightly complex, "However, part of the Dragon Blood Demon God's memory, cultivation technique, and its bloodline imprint have all merged into my soul. This technique just now is called [Demonic Body Rebirth Technique], which can transform a human or outer region demon's body into a Dragon Blood Demon God's demonic body based on one's bloodline imprint."

"But I'm also a Void Realm cultivator, and my own bloodline imprint is complete and clear, allowing me to use the Demonic Body Rebirth Technique to transform back."

"This..." Chaoyang King's eyes were filled with complex emotions, "What the Red Lotus Demon Sovereign couldn't achieve during the Shenwu period, you've managed to accomplish."

"Red Lotus Demon Sovereign? Isn't that the ancestor of the Shentu Clan in the Demon Dynasty?" King of the South was puzzled, "Was he also possessed by a demon god's remnant soul?"

"Not exactly. You were forcibly possessed, while he attempted to actively draw a demon god's remnant soul into his Purple Mansion spiritual platform for fusion." Chaoyang King's face showed a hint of dread, "It's well known that the Demon Dynasty's [Red Lotus True Demon Codex] is fundamentally derived from the Red Prison fire-type outer region demon lineage. To create the technique, the Red Lotus Demon Sovereign conducted many heinous experiments, resulting in extremely adverse consequences, leading to his being wanted by the Holy Emperor."

"Later, it's recorded that the Red Lotus Demon Sovereign, along with other demon sovereigns, killed a Red Prison fire-type demon god, captured its soul, and attempted to draw the demon soul into his body for fusion, aiming to achieve a state of having both a human true spirit and a Red Prison demon god's body. Why he didn't succeed is unknown, as there are no detailed records."

Chaoyang King, having lived long enough and frequently battled in the outer regions, had access to royal archives and knew many secrets.

"Ancestor Fengwei, will there be any aftereffects for me?" King of the South's face turned pale.

"It's hard to say now." Chaoyang King frowned, "For now, stay with the Wang's Clan, don't wander around, and let Shouzhe keep an eye on you."

"Yes, Ancestor Fengwei."

King of the South naturally agreed.

He looked around and his gaze fell on Wang Luomiao, immediately stepping forward to bow: "Yuntai An thanks Miss Luomiao for saving my life."

Wang Luomiao returned the bow: "We in the shipping business always rescue those in distress. Your Highness needn't take it to heart."

"Actually, I was conscious the whole time." King of the South's expression was somewhat complex.

He still remembered Wang Luomiao's look of disdain when she saw him.

"..." Wang Luomiao's expression was slightly awkward, "I hope Your Highness doesn't take my words to heart."

"On the contrary, I think Miss Luomiao is a genuine girl." King of the South smiled, "And during my 'unconsciousness,' Miss Luomiao did her best to save me, even personally escorting me back to the Wang's Clan. This kindness and virtue, Yuntai An will remember."

"..." Wang Luomiao was speechless.

Could she say that her urgency to bring him back was entirely due to his status as a titled king of the Immortal Dynasty, fearing that something happening to him on the Wang's Clan's territory would cause a lot of trouble?

"Master Wang Shouzhe, is your sister married?" King of the South suddenly glanced at Wang Shouzhe, asking nonchalantly.

"Not yet..." Wang Shouzhe's brow twitched.

Upon hearing this, King of the South's eyes lit up, and he became spirited.

He straightened his appearance and said earnestly: "Master Wang Shouzhe, don't be fooled by my beard; it's to show the dignity of my high position. In reality, I'm only two thousand and ninety-eight years old, about the same age as True Lord Yuling. My wife passed away over two hundred years ago. I have no way to repay your sister's life-saving grace, except..."

Before he could finish, Wang Shouzhe's face had already darkened.

He grabbed King of the South's arm, interrupting: "Your Highness, when I checked your pulse earlier, I found some residual demonic energy."

"Master Wang Shouzhe, save me..." King of the South became nervous.

"Unfortunately, my profound energy is weak; I'll need Lixian's help to treat you. Come with me." Wang Shouzhe said, dragging him to the celestial plant Wang Lixian's main tree trunk.

With a casual palm strike, he dug a pit in the ground, then tossed Yuntai An into it, covering him with soil, leaving only his head exposed.

"Is this also a treatment?" King of the South was puzzled, "I've never heard of such a treatment method."

"Does Your Highness not trust me?" Wang Shouzhe's face darkened.

"No, no, I trust you. Master Wang Shouzhe, please proceed." King of the South nodded repeatedly, then asked, "By the way, Master Wang Shouzhe, how do you think my character is..."

Before he could finish, Wang Shouzhe buried his head in the soil.

"Your Highness, don't speak. The residual demonic energy in you is extremely stubborn and must be extracted using this method for seven days to eradicate it." Wang Shouzhe said sternly, tamping the soil firmly before turning to the big shots who had followed.

"Seniors, it's all settled now. You can continue playing, continue enjoying yourselves. Luomiao, come with me; I have some questions for you."

With that, he took Wang Luomiao away.

The big shots were left speechless by Wang Shouzhe's actions, then cast sympathetic glances at the mound of earth.

Well~ it was clear to everyone that Wang Shouzhe was annoyed and taking the opportunity to mess with him.

But he deserved it for coveting someone's sister, especially with an age gap of nearly two thousand years. How shameless.

If it were them, they probably wouldn't let this kid off either.

Besides, staying near Lixian's main body only had benefits and no drawbacks. With his Void Realm physique, he could be buried for eternity without any issues.

The big shots exchanged glances, then tacitly left King of the South and returned to the small courtyard to resume their card game.

Chaoyang King even took the time to send a message to the Immortal Emperor, informing them that there was no need to search anymore. As for the Immortal Dynasty's reaction upon receiving the news, she couldn't care less.

"Ruolan, that sword strike just now..." Hundred Refinements True Monarch asked, somewhat nervously, while playing cards, "What was that?"

"Just a casual strike, nine bamboos." Liu Ruolan played a card with ease.

"Nine bamboos, pong!" Jiang Zhencang casually took the card, seemingly reminding, "Hundred Refinements, why so much chatter? Focus on the game, seven bamboos."

"Seven bamboos, chow."

Hundred Refinements True Monarch dared not ask further, continuing to play while pondering.

No wonder these big shots were so polite to Liu Ruolan, even Chaoyang King didn't put on airs. The Wang's Clan truly hid dragons and crouching tigers.

He had thought Princess Huari, Wang Ningxi, and others were already eccentric enough, but compared to Liu Ruolan, they seemed to fall short.

Well~ back to the game~

While the big shots each harbored their thoughts, on the other side, Wang Shouzhe had already brought Wang Luomiao to the small courtyard.

After expressing concern for her and asking about her impression of King of the South, there was nothing more.

After some casual conversation, Wang Shouzhe let her go, advising her to rest at home for a while.

Seven days later.

The "residual demonic energy" in King of the South was completely extracted, and after Wang Shouzhe nodded, he was finally dug out of the soil.

Afterward, he began fervently pursuing Wang Luomiao under the pretense of "repaying a life-saving debt with marriage."

This pursuit lasted for half a month in the blink of an eye.

Wang Luomiao was driven to the point of having no escape, utterly frustrated, and finally sought help from her elder brother, Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe naturally agreed without hesitation.

After sending Wang Luomiao away, he politely invited King of the South to the small courtyard, offering good tea and fruit.

"Shouzhe, there's no need for such formality between us." King of the South acted as if he and Wang Shouzhe were already family, almost calling him "brother."

Wang Shouzhe's temple throbbed, but he remained composed, politely taking out a thick stack of plans and sliding it across the table to him.

"Your Highness, please review this plan."

"What plan? Is it about the next refining collaboration? Don't worry, we're family..." King of the South said as he picked up the plan, but upon seeing the cover, his face froze, and the words stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

On the cover of the plan, it boldly read [The Feasibility and Related Plan for King of the South's Transformation into a Demon God Body and Undercover Mission in the Outer Region Battlefield].

……