Chapter 1090: Wang Mingren's Change

Wang Mingren frowned. "That's looking too far into the future; you're speaking too definitively! Our Wang family shows no signs of that."

Xu Zihua shot Wang Mingren a glance. "Indeed! Your Wang family might not necessarily split from the main sect, but don't forget the Myriad Swords Sect. What if the Myriad Swords Sect incites or orders your Wang family to annex or divide the main sect? Without the instigation of the main sect and the Shangqing Temple, the Myriad Flowers Palace might not have split."

Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng's failure to be selected was largely due to the Wang family's close ties with the Myriad Swords Sect. Even without the Taiyi Immortal Sect's assistance, the Wang family, as an independent entity, would face no issues. However, the Taiyi Immortal Sect's affiliated cultivation families would be severely impacted without the sect's help. The most crucial point was that the Taiyi Immortal Sect's wariness wasn't directed at the Wang family itself, but rather at the Myriad Swords Sect, given the Wang family's connection to it.

Wang Mingren immediately understood. As the saying goes, old ginger is spicier; Xu Zihua had a longer vision. If the Taiyi Immortal Sect were to suffer a heavy blow and lack Soul Transformation cultivators, and the Myriad Swords Sect instructed the Wang family to annex or divide the Taiyi Immortal Sect, would the Wang family dare to refuse? Would they even refuse?

The Taiyi Immortal Sect was the foremost sect in the Eastern Desolate. If presented with an opportunity to annex it, the Myriad Swords Sect would certainly not let it go.

The Myriad Swords Sect's power surpassed that of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, so how could the Taiyi Immortal Sect dare to allow Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng to be selected among the Taiyi Five Prodigies?

"Don't be too disheartened," Xu Zihua continued. "Your contributions are substantial. Our Martial Uncle, the Sect Master, has already announced that you will be rewarded with two Spirit Items for Nascent Soul formation. You can exchange them using contribution points at any time. Additionally, you can choose a place for your assignment: the South Sea, Northern Frontier, Central Plains, or Eastern Desolate, whichever suits you."

Wang Mingren remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Master, where do you think I should go? What should I do in the future? Please enlighten me."

Wang Mingren trusted Xu Zihua to give him sound advice, recognizing his master's wisdom.

"The environment in the Northern Frontier is suitable for your cultivation; go there! You can also help your family establish outposts. If you advance to the Nascent Soul stage, taking charge of a market city or a branch office would also be good. Your Martial Uncle Liu is stationed in the South Sea, overseeing all affairs of the South Sea branch, and he wields considerable power. Not being selected is no big deal; it's not like your path has been cut off. As long as you cultivate diligently, who knows what the future holds! Man's determination can conquer nature."

Xu Zihua spoke slowly, then drained the tea from his cup.

Wang Mingren nodded and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. Your disciple will remember it. Oh, by the way, Master, when you vouched for Changsheng earlier, you mentioned a request. What was that request?"

"I haven't thought it through yet. I'll tell you once I have."

After a brief chat, Xu Zihua took his leave.

No sooner had Xu Zihua departed than Wang Qingshan arrived.

"Grand-uncle Mingren," Wang Qingshan said, "Ninth Uncle sent someone to deliver something to you. It should help with your selection for the Taiyi Five Prodigies."

Wang Qingshan spoke with some excitement, taking out a green jade slip and handing it to Wang Mingren.

Upon hearing this, Wang Mingren felt a mix of emotions. He had a strong sense of belonging to the sect due to its abundant cultivation resources and formidable strength, but what did that matter? When it came to the sect's succession, he had still been cast aside. Though he had previously distanced himself from his family, they still treated him as a relative, and Wang Changsheng had found ways to credit him with achievements. In comparison, his family had been much kinder to him.

He looked at Wang Qingshan with an envious expression, shaking his head as he said, "No need, Qingshan. I understand now why you were unwilling to join the sect. No matter how many resources the sect has, I have to exchange them for merit, and some things simply cannot be acquired with any amount of merit. Take this back and tell Changsheng for me: Feng'er and I will be transferred to the Northern Frontier, and we will fully assist the family's development there. Our contribution points can be exchanged for two Spirit Items for Nascent Soul formation. If the family needs one, I can exchange one and send it back to the family."

After this incident, Wang Mingren fully realized that no matter how flawed his family might seem, they would never mistreat him, whereas no matter how good the sect was, it might not always favor him.

His inability to enter the sect's core wouldn't hinder his Nascent Soul formation. As long as his family grew strong enough, he would wield greater influence within the sect and acquire more cultivation resources.

Wang Mingren decided to dedicate himself to helping his family develop, also considering his own future.

For the same contributions, he could obtain more cultivation resources from his family.

To mend his relationship with the family, Wang Mingren was even willing to exchange contribution points for a Spirit Item for Nascent Soul formation to send back. This was his way of expressing to Wang Changsheng that he was prepared to wholeheartedly assist the family.

Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback; this was not the Wang Mingren he knew.

"Grand-uncle Mingren, were you selected for the Taiyi Five Prodigies?" Wang Qingshan carefully asked.

"I wasn't selected," Wang Mingren replied. "Our family has grown too close to the Myriad Swords Sect, making the sect wary. Don't worry, even though I won't be among the Taiyi Five Prodigies, the sect won't cut off my path. If I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I can take charge of a region. Send over more young talents for artifact refining, and I can train several third-tier artifact refiners for the family. While I can't impart cultivation techniques, teaching artifact refining is no problem. Feng'er's family also has considerable influence in the Northern Frontier and can assist. While I can't promise anything else, acquiring a few Core Formation Spirit Items and opening more than a dozen shops should be feasible."

Ximen Feng walked over, smiling as she said, "I can't guarantee anything else, but if managed properly, tripling profits won't be an issue."

She didn't hold much optimism for the sect, favoring the family instead. Power struggles were common in sects, while families possessed stronger cohesion. Previously, Wang Mingren had been single-mindedly focused on being selected for the Taiyi Five Prodigies, so Ximen Feng had simply indulged him. Now that Wang Mingren had finally come to his senses, Ximen Feng naturally offered her help. The Wang family, with over 550 islands at its disposal, could collect cultivation resources from the South Sea and transport them to the Northern Frontier, undoubtedly selling them for a high price.

"That's wonderful, Grand-uncle Mingren!" Wang Qingshan exclaimed excitedly. "When I return to the South Sea, I'll definitely relay this to Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt." He was overjoyed that Wang Mingren had finally come to his senses and was willing to work for the family.

"Qingshan," Wang Mingren said, "don't return to the South Sea just yet. We'll gather a batch of items for you to take back. What the family lacks right now is foundational strength, and the sect has plenty of such resources."

"Alright, thank you very much, Grand-uncle Mingren."

Wang Mingren waved his hand and said, "My surname is Wang. From now on, if the family ever needs my help, just say the word. If I can help, I will. If I can't, I'll find a way. I won't boast about other things, but when it comes to connections within this sect, if I claim to be second, no one would dare claim to be first."

Wang Mingren had extensive connections, with friends in various halls of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Most of these connections had been accumulated by Xu Zihua. Connections were an invisible asset. Apart from Chen Xiang'er, Wang Mingren rarely had conflicts with other fellow disciples. He was always eager to help, earning him an excellent reputation.

He planned to help the family acquire some items to bolster its foundation. The Wang family had risen too quickly and lacked sufficient foundational strength.

Wang Qingshan's face lit up, and he eagerly agreed repeatedly.