Chapter 1127: Wang Changjie

The Treasure Hunting Assembly concluded, with many Foundation Establishment cultivators gaining significant fame through it. Ouyang Yuerong's reputation was the most prominent, while Zhang Hongwu remained the most mysterious. Some said she possessed a Spirit Eye Physique, others a Nightmare Physique; opinions varied widely, and the Zhang family neither confirmed nor denied these claims.

Following this event, news that complete sets of puppet beasts could be pre-ordered at Golden Lotus City spread rapidly, leading many forces to contact the Wang family disciples.

After the Treasure Hunting Assembly, Wang Changsheng returned to his residence with his clan members.

Wang Huaxing, Wang Jiyun, Wang Youwei, and Wang Xianfen stood respectfully before Wang Changsheng.

"You all performed well at this Treasure Hunting Assembly, especially Huaxing, who placed third, greatly enhancing our Wang family's prestige," Wang Changsheng praised them, his eyes filled with joy.

"Ancestor, you flatter me," Wang Huaxing said modestly. "If not for the complete set of puppet beasts you provided, this junior might not have been able to defeat Ouyang Yushuang." He was self-aware; Wang Qingshan, who mastered the minor divine ability 'One Hundred Swords Return to One', was almost invincible among cultivators of the same rank. Without the complete set of puppet beasts, the outcome would have been truly uncertain.

"I am very pleased you think that way. Youwei, do you know why I gave the complete set of puppet beasts to Huaxing and not to you?" Wang Changsheng looked at the three, Wang Youwei included, and asked gravely. They were all key cultivation targets for the Wang family, but he had only given the puppet beast set to Wang Huaxing, not to the other three. It was inevitable they might overthink it.

"Ancestor must have a reason for doing so. This junior did not think otherwise," Wang Jiyun replied truthfully. There was no absolute fairness in the world; Wang Qingshan would guide her cultivation, and few clan members had that privilege.

"Perhaps there aren't many complete sets of puppet beasts, and their crafting difficulty is high! They might not be able to mass-produce them yet," Wang Xianfen pondered for a moment and guessed.

"Controlling seven second-tier puppet beasts simultaneously is quite strenuous. If given to us to control, it would be a burden. Huaxing is agile and has quick reflexes, allowing him to maximize the power of the complete puppet beast set. Furthermore, Ancestor wants to convey to other forces that complete sets of puppet beasts are difficult to craft, and their rarity makes them valuable. If all of us possessed complete sets, they would lose their preciousness," Wang Youwei analyzed logically. As Wang Changsheng's descendant, he naturally believed Wang Changsheng would not treat him unfairly.

"Youwei and Xianfen are right. Complete sets of puppet beasts are indeed difficult to craft, and controlling seven second-tier puppet beasts simultaneously is quite strenuous. Huaxing's agility makes him the better user. Our family cannot yet mass-produce and sell complete sets of puppet beasts; the primary reason for giving it to Huaxing was to open up sales channels, and he did not disappoint my expectations." From their three answers, Wang Changsheng could discern that Wang Youwei was thoughtful and meticulous, while Wang Jiyun had a simpler mindset, similar to Wang Qingshan, devoted entirely to cultivation.

"Many geniuses emerged at the Treasure Hunting Assembly, and you've witnessed their prowess. Remember, there's always someone better; do not become arrogant. You must cultivate even harder. The cultivation world is not just the South Sea; there are many young talents in the Central Plains, Eastern Wilderness, and Northern Frontier, too. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ancestor, this junior will bear it in mind." Wang Youwei and the other three responded in unison. This Treasure Hunting Assembly had indeed broadened their horizons and ignited their fighting spirit. They realized there was always more to learn and better cultivators to face, compelling them to cultivate even harder.

In the following days, Nascent Soul cultivators frequently came to visit. With the help of the complete puppet beast sets, Wang Changsheng opened up trade routes across four sea regions, and Zhang Wuchen opened one. A trade route from the Five Dragons Sea Region to the Red Moon Sea Region was officially established. Multiple forces began cooperating with the Wang family, with both sides setting up bases in each other's markets.

Besides business cooperation, Wang Changsheng also proposed marriage for Wang Youwei to Ouyang Mingyue, and Ouyang Hongsheng did not refuse, agreeing to the union.

Of course, Wang Changsheng also married off several female clan members to Ouyang family disciples; the alliance involved more than just one marriage.

Seven days later, Wang Changsheng left the Ouyang family with his clan members. Zhang Wuchen and He Bin also departed with their respective clan members.

***

Fire Kirin Peak, a secluded courtyard.

Inside a green stone pavilion, Ouyang Hongsheng was playing chess with Huangfu Rui.

"Fellow Daoist Ouyang, your Ouyang family actually formed a marriage alliance with the Wang family. Could it be that you're interested in the Wang family's complete sets of puppet beasts?" Huangfu Rui teased.

Ouyang Hongsheng smiled calmly and replied, "Fellow Daoist Huangfu, you jest. The Wang family's influence is considerable. As far as we know, Fellow Daoist Wang's paternal uncle is a disciple of the Grand Unity Immortal Sect and has already cultivated to the eighth layer of Core Formation. If he reaches Nascent Soul, the Wang family's development will be even better. Backed by both the Myriad Sword Sect and the Grand Unity Immortal Sect, it would be difficult for the Wang family *not* to prosper."

"That's hard to say. The people of the Grand Unity Immortal Sect and Myriad Sword Sect aren't fools. If the Wang family tries to curry favor with two major forces, one misstep could land them in big trouble," Huangfu Rui scoffed, dismissively. Taking sides is crucial. The Myriad Sword Sect currently has no major conflict with the Grand Unity Immortal Sect, but if a major conflict were to arise, the Wang family's position would become awkward.

Such incidents are not uncommon in the cultivation world.

"I don't think so. If Fellow Daoist Wang's paternal uncle reaches Nascent Soul, the situation will certainly be different," Ouyang Hongsheng remained unconcerned.

Huangfu Rui shook his head and sighed, "Reaching Nascent Soul isn't that easy. It's not as if possessing spiritual artifacts for Nascent Soul formation can just churn out Nascent Soul cultivators. Otherwise, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators in both our families would at least double. Some Core Formation cultivators only break through to the Nascent Soul stage after several failures. It's said that the Five Spirits Cultivator failed three times before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, nearly perishing in the process."

Ouyang Hongsheng smiled without speaking, offering no rebuttal.

***

Northern Frontier, Fire Crow Market City.

In a charming small courtyard, Ximen Feng lay in bed, her face pale. Wang Mingren sat by the bed, holding a baby boy in his arms, his expression full of excitement.

He and Chen Xiang'er had been married for many years, but she had not borne him any children. Ximen Feng, on the other hand, had given birth to a son for him in less than ten years of marriage.

"Feng'er, you've suffered much. I'm a father now, and you're a mother. Our child is truly beautiful. Let's name him Wang Changjie, hoping he will become an outstanding talent in the family in the future," Wang Mingren said with a smile, his gaze upon his son filled with doting affection.

After the incident of being passed over, he was now wholeheartedly devoted to the family.

"We can't test his spiritual root yet, but I hope he has one! More than anything, I just wish for him to grow up safely," Ximen Feng said weakly. Only when one becomes a parent does one truly understand the kindness of parents.

"Our son definitely has a spiritual root. Regardless of whether he does or not, when he's a bit older, we'll send him back to the family for cultivation. Then we can focus on our own cultivation, striving for the Nascent Soul stage. Once we reach Nascent Soul, we won't have to fear Senior Uncle Chen anymore," Wang Mingren held Ximen Feng's hand, his gaze resolute.

Ximen Feng nodded, her face radiating a happy smile.