Chapter 1094: Wang Mingren Gives Back to the Family

After exchanging a few polite words, Guang Dongren got straight to the point: "Chang Sheng, you have two islands with fourth-tier spirit veins. I heard you're using one to establish a large market, and I'd like to join. I don't need much; five shops will suffice."

"Master, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you intend to upgrade Baibingmen's spirit vein to the fourth tier and cultivate there, or develop in the South Sea?"

Guang Dongren pondered for a moment and said, "I do wish to upgrade Baibingmen's spirit vein to the fourth tier. However, Baibingmen is too weak to achieve that. If you don't mind, I can oversee the market and participate in its construction."

Upgrading a third-tier spirit vein to fourth-tier requires a large amount of materials to even have a chance of success.

It was already quite an achievement for Guang Dongren to form a Nascent Soul. In a short time, he couldn't gather the necessary materials. Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to hire a fourth-tier formation master for assistance. Furthermore, upgrading a third-tier spirit vein to a fourth-tier is a probabilistic event; if it fails, he would have to find the materials all over again.

Baibingmen's territory was not large; it was already remarkable for them to produce a Nascent Soul cultivator. To form his Nascent Soul, Guang Dongren traveled across the Eastern Barrens, South Sea, Northern Reaches, and Central Plains. He ventured into many dangerous places and nearly died several times. After forming his Nascent Soul, Baibingmen's current territory could not support him.

The Wang family had acquired 550 islands, promising good development prospects. For the sake of his cultivation path, Guang Dongren hoped to cooperate with the Wang family. Of course, Baibingmen was relatively weak and destined not to expand significantly. The Wang family was now extremely wealthy; not to mention anything else, Guang Dongren was particularly envious of their two islands with fourth-tier spirit veins.

Li Haifeng, along with two other Nascent Soul cultivators, formed the Three Immortals Alliance. They still resided in a large market and did not possess their own fourth-tier spirit veins. Yet, the Wang family suddenly acquired two islands with fourth-tier spirit veins.

During the great war, the Coral Sea region was in the rear, and cultivators from there were not mobilized. Li Haifeng and others naturally wouldn't volunteer for the front lines. Without participating in the war, they had no opportunity to earn merits, let alone acquire islands with fourth-tier spirit veins.

"Of course, we are willing. But Master, aren't you with the Three Immortals Alliance?"

"The Three Immortals Alliance is just a loose organization. Initially, they were quite united, but over the years, internal strife has plagued the Alliance. The three powers — Yellow Dragon Island, Cold Flame Sect, and Sky Sea Pavilion — have been trying to win them over and sow discord. Now, the Three Immortals Alliance is no longer what it once was, and they will eventually become cannon fodder."

Guang Dongren's tone was full of helplessness. In Wei State, sects like Baibingmen controlled ninety percent of the cultivation resources; cultivation families could only rely on the favor of sects like Baibingmen. Outside Wei State, the six major immortal sects controlled ninety percent of the cultivation resources, and few powers could truly rise.

After Li Haifeng advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, lacking a fourth-tier spirit vein and sufficient cultivation resources, he had to go to the South Sea cultivation world to develop. In the South Sea, Li Haifeng had to act at the behest of other powers and didn't even have his own territory.

Guang Dongren also faced such a predicament. Most of the cultivation resources in the Eastern Barrens were in the hands of the six major immortal sects. Guang Dongren was able to form a Nascent Soul, firstly, because his cultivation method was quite unique, primarily requiring sustenance and rest. Secondly, he traveled extensively, gaining vast knowledge and encountering good fortune. However, after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, his sect could not support him, so he had to find another way.

To be honest, if Wang Changsheng hadn't acquired two islands with fourth-tier spirit veins, Guang Dongren would likely have joined a major power, just like Li Haifeng, knowing one must submit to those in power.

"Master, we wholeheartedly welcome your willingness to join. To be frank, we are collaborating with multiple factions to establish a trade route covering nine sea regions. The future development prospects are immeasurable."

Wang Changsheng said with some excitement. He was hinting to Guang Dongren that the Wang family was no longer what it used to be. At the same time, he was telling Guang Dongren that if he worked well with them, the future prospects would be excellent, which was to discourage Guang Dongren from having any other intentions.

Guang Dongren's roots were in Baibingmen, and his deep affection for his sect was his weakness. It was precisely for this reason that Wang Changsheng dared to let him oversee the market.

The South Sea cultivation world was a complex and unpredictable place. The Wang family did not trust other Nascent Soul cultivators. Guang Dongren and Wang Changsheng had a good relationship, both as master and friend, so Wang Changsheng still trusted Guang Dongren.

Hearing this, Guang Dongren's face showed an expression of shock. He hadn't expected the Wang family to open up such opportunities so quickly. He thought carefully for a moment and immediately understood: the Wang family had gained the powerful backing of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and it was likely the Ten Thousand Swords Sect that helped them forge connections.

"Excellent, you can rest assured. As long as I oversee the market, I guarantee there will be no problems."

Guang Dongren patted his chest and agreed. He naturally understood Wang Changsheng's underlying meaning, but he had no other intentions to begin with.

Overseeing the market would not only sustain his own cultivation but also increase his sect's income.

After a short chat, Guang Dongren went to rest. Wang Mengfen arranged his accommodation.

"Ninth Uncle, Ninth Aunt, our family acquired a lot of territory this time. It's a pity I wasn't in the South Sea to contribute to the family's achievements." Wang Qingshan said with some guilt. In this war, Wang Qingling, Wang Mengbin, and Wang Qiuming had all contributed to the family, with Wang Qingling earning considerable merit.

"It's not your fault, Qingshan," Wang Changsheng said to comfort him. "You were in the Eastern Barrens to repay your contribution points. If it weren't for you, the family members left behind in the Eastern Barrens wouldn't have a place to settle. You've done well enough." Wang Qingshan had pleaded with the Carefree Sword Venerable to advance him contribution points, which he used to exchange for the Nascent Soul spirit item, Three-Yuan Soul Stabilizing Incense, for Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, helping them form their Nascent Souls. Wang Qingshan primarily remained in the Eastern Barrens to participate in the war to repay these contribution points.

"Indeed, Qingshan! We've already prepared the Nascent Soul spirit items," Wang Ruyan chimed in with a smile. "We're just waiting for you to advance to the ninth layer of Core Formation. Our family's territory is too vast, and we lack high-tier cultivators." If Wang Qingshan formed a Nascent Soul, the family's strength would increase even further.

Wang Qingshan nodded. "This time, upon returning to the South Sea, I plan to enter secluded cultivation, hoping to advance to the ninth layer of Core Formation."

"Oh, by the way, this time when I returned, Uncle Mingren asked me to bring back a batch of items. He said he's willing to fully assist the family's development in the Northern Reaches. Besides the Northern Reaches, he can also help in the South Sea and Central Plains cultivation worlds. Wherever there's a branch of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, he knows someone who can help."

As Wang Qingshan spoke, he took out a string of storage beads and handed them to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng's divine sense swept over the contents of the storage beads. He asked with some excitement, "Qingshan, has Uncle Mingren been selected as one of the Five Prodigies of Taiyi?"

"No, our relationship with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is too close, and the Taiyi Immortal Sect is quite wary. Uncle Mingren said that even if he can't be selected as one of the Five Prodigies of Taiyi, he still has a high chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. He solemnly promised to do everything in his power to help the family develop. If the family lacks alchemists or formation masters, he can arrange for people to help train them. He doesn't have much of anything else, but he has the most friends. He acquired three Divine Ability Fruits and a Fuxin Fruit tree, which is already bearing fruit. The fruits will mature in less than a century, but there are only five of them."

"What? A Fuxin Fruit tree?"

Wang Changsheng's expression subtly changed as he exclaimed in surprise.

The Fuxin Fruit tree ripens once every six hundred years and can increase the chance of Core Formation by ten percent. When Wang Changsheng first formed his core, Guang Dongren invited him to the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm to pick Fuxin Fruits. It's astonishing that Wang Mingren managed to acquire a Fuxin Fruit tree that is already bearing fruit.

In his early years, Wang Qingshan entered the ruins of the Golden Sun Sect and was fortunate enough to obtain a Divine Ability Fruit. He mastered a minor divine ability, "Hundred Swords Return to One," and his strength greatly increased thereafter. Coupled with his sword intent, few cultivators of the same rank could contend with him. This shows just how precious the Divine Ability Fruit is.