Chapter 1135: Year-End Statistics

This year, we earned 757,645 spirit stones in profit. Fifty percent of our income came from market rent, thirty percent from automaton beasts, and twenty percent was profit from other businesses. Our expenses totaled 454,830 spirit stones, with fifty percent allocated to clan members' salaries, thirty percent to raw material costs, and twenty percent spent on social obligations.

This profit figure does not include earnings from the trading guild. When the guild escorts goods to the Central Plains Immortal Cultivation Realm, a round trip takes at least five to six years. It's common for such journeys to exceed ten years if delays occur.

The Wang family collects hundreds of thousands of spirit stones annually from rent alone. Besides rent, automaton beasts are their second largest source of income. After their complete sets of automaton beasts were introduced, they became highly popular. The Wang family continues to expand its workforce, primarily because their territory is vast, with strongholds in the Eastern Wasteland, Central Plains, and Northern Frontier. The current number of clan members is insufficient to manage such a large area. Additionally, the ruins of the Zhenhai Sect also require personnel.

In the short term, the Wang family's direct clan population will not significantly increase. They can only strengthen themselves by recruiting rogue cultivators and cultivators from smaller families.

Wang Mengbin and Wang Qiuming are stationed on Silver Serpent Island in the Red Moon Sea. Wang Qiuxin is based at Yunhai Sect. Wang Youyu and Wang Rongmiao are stationed on Zhoushan Island in the Golden Toad Sea. Wang Qingqi and Wang Tianqi oversee the market. Wang Qingjing, Wang Qingling, Wang Mengfen, Wang Qingjun, Wang Tianwen, and Ye Haitang are stationed on Green Lotus Island. Among them, Wang Qingjun and Wang Tianwen have lower cultivation levels and will eventually be dispatched elsewhere. Wang Qingshan is currently in secluded cultivation.

It's important to note that besides Green Lotus Island, the Wang family possesses many other islands with third-tier spiritual veins. Even if each island were overseen by a Core Formation cultivator, there wouldn't be enough of them. Without conflict, this isn't an issue, but it remains a potential vulnerability. Wang Mengfen plans to cultivate more Core Formation cultivators.

This year, we sold 1,500 automaton beasts, including three third-tier, 500 second-tier, and the rest first-tier. Pearl output has been increasing annually; this year, we produced 1,350 pearls. Though not aged, they are suitable for cooking in restaurants or for artifact refining.

We have seventeen second-tier talismansmiths. Chen Xudong's talismanship is the highest among all second-tier talismansmiths. The family has too few talismansmiths and should cultivate more second-tier ones, increasing investment in the Talisman Academy.

"Alright, let's move past these points," Wang Mengfen said. "Next year, we must work even harder. There's no need to continue recruiting external cultivators; our clan members are too few, and having too many cultivators from other surnames isn't beneficial."

After a brief address, Wang Mengfen adjourned the meeting. Clan members gradually departed, but two men and one woman remained.

"Yinglin, Yinghua, Yingyu," Wang Mengfen instructed, "I will now enter secluded cultivation. The family affairs are temporarily entrusted to you. If any matters arise that you cannot handle, remember to inform me."

Besides the family head, the Wang family also has three deputy family heads. Wang Mengfen is responsible for strategizing, while the three deputies execute specific tasks. They oversee different affairs, acting as checks and balances for each other. If they encounter problems they cannot resolve, they consult Wang Mengfen. With their assistance in managing clan affairs, Wang Mengfen has ample time for cultivation.

"Yes, Fifth Ancestor," they replied in unison.

Wang Mengfen gave a few more instructions before dismissing them.

At the Hall of General Affairs, Wang Yingjie was reporting to an elder about how he obtained the inheritance orb. Upon returning to Green Lotus Island, he visited the Sutra Repository. After searching through all its texts and failing to find any ancient cultivator named 'Master Qingsang,' he was disappointed. He then went directly to the Hall of Stewards to report to an elder.

"Yingjie, you've done well," the elder praised. "I will report this matter. Simply locating this island will take considerable time. If it truly is an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, I will reward you handsomely according to clan rules. Sign here; today is Ancestor Qingling's sermon, so don't miss it."

The elder produced a silver dharma plate and asked Wang Yingjie to sign it. After signing his name, Wang Yingjie left in a hurry.

About an hour later, Wang Yingjie appeared in a bluestone plaza spanning over a hundred *mu*. In the center of the plaza was a square platform, and numerous green prayer mats were arranged around its perimeter. Most of the mats were already occupied by cultivators. Wang Yingjie found a spot near the front and sat down.

The Wang family has designated individuals who give sermons on various topics. Core Formation cultivators occasionally deliver these sermons, which is one reason why rogue cultivators join the Wang family. Guidance from high-ranking cultivators is far better than solitary, arduous cultivation. Cultivators continued to arrive, found their seats, and waited quietly.

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, a dragon's roar echoed from the distant sky. A massive white flood dragon flew in from afar and landed on the platform. Wang Qingling dismounted from its back and looked down at the assembled cultivators. Wang Yingjie and the others dared not be slow; they all stood up and said in unison, "Greetings, Ancestor Qingling!"

"Today, I will lecture on the cultivation of spirit beasts and spirit insects," Wang Qingling announced. "Listen carefully, and you may ask questions if anything is unclear." She instructed Wang Yingjie and the others to be seated, then began sharing her insights on cultivating spirit beasts and spirit birds. She explained in great detail, covering everything from the hatching of spirit beasts and the feeding of young ones to their advancement.

Two hours later, Wang Qingling changed her tone and said, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Please stand up to ask." No sooner had she spoken than dozens of cultivators stood up, including Wang Yingjie. Wang Qingling answered their questions one by one, and soon it was Wang Yingjie's turn.

Wang Yingjie bowed respectfully to Wang Qingling and asked, "Ninth Ancestor, your grandson Wang Yingjie asks: can a Qi Condensation cultivator control a second-tier spirit beast? Is it highly prone to backlash?"

"If one uses a beast-taming ring, a Qi Condensation cultivator can indeed control a second-tier spirit beast. However, this carries significant risks and is highly prone to backlash," Wang Qingling said slowly. "One must be down-to-earth and not overly eager for quick gains. Every advantage has a disadvantage, and cultivation is no different. Be grounded and avoid resorting to unorthodox methods. Pills can aid cultivation, but one cannot solely rely on them." She had also considered controlling higher-tier spirit beasts in the past but found it utterly unfeasible, as such methods were highly susceptible to backlash.

"Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor. Your grandson has noted it," Wang Yingjie said. He returned to his seat, looking respectful. He was already pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with Wang Qingling.

About an hour later, Wang Qingling leaped onto the back of the Ice-Wind Flood Dragon and said gravely, "This sermon concludes here. You may all attend to your duties now." With that, the Ice-Wind Flood Dragon carried Wang Qingling high into the sky, quickly vanishing into the horizon.

Wang Yingjie gazed at Wang Qingling's disappearing figure with an envious expression. He wished he could own a third-tier flood dragon for transportation. He shook his head and gave a self-deprecating smile, as if ridiculing his own daydreaming.

Wang Yingjie made a trip to the Hall of General Affairs, exchanged for some cultivation resources, and then departed from Green Lotus Island.