Chapter 114: Message

After about an hour, Wang Changsheng returned to his residence, his storage pouch now containing a bottle of Elixir of Vein Nourishment.

He had considered asking Zhao Ningxiang for help, but during a dinner gathering a few days prior, Zhao Ningxiang revealed that Nangong Chen came from a distinguished family background. This made Wang Changsheng want to ask Nangong Chen for help, hoping to form a connection with him. He just never expected Nangong Chen to rip him off.

Initially, he had intended to ask Liu Yuerong for assistance, but Nangong Chen and the others at the dinner mentioned that it was difficult to meet Liu Yuerong. If Wang Changsheng traveled all the way to Medicine King Valley only to fail to meet her, it would be a wasted trip.

Before attending the auction, he had visited several elixir shops, but the Elixir of Vein Nourishment had already sold out everywhere.

To reduce the risk of Wang Changfeng's Foundation Establishment process, spending a bit more spirit stones was insignificant.

As per their agreement, after Wang Changsheng successfully bid on the Foundation Establishment spiritual items, Wang Mingzhong and Wang Mingdong immediately returned to Qinglian Mountain to report to Wang Yaozong.

"Changsheng, why did you take so long to return? Nothing went wrong, did it?" Wang Yaozu asked with concern, seeing Wang Changsheng.

"No, nothing. I bought a bottle of Elixir of Vein Nourishment from someone in Medicine King Valley. Grandpa, have Seventh Uncle and the others left yet?"

Wang Yaozu nodded and said, "Yes, they've set off. When Changge and the others returned, I sent them a signal. They've already departed. Mingzhong is carrying a second-tier low-grade talismanic soldier, so they should be able to return to Qinglian Mountain very quickly."

Given the previous incident, the Wang family dared not be careless this time.

Before Wang Changsheng attended the auction, Wang Mingzhong and Wang Mingdong had already changed their clothes and were waiting near the residence. Once Wang Changge and the other two returned to the residence, Wang Yaozu sent a signal to Wang Mingzhong and his companion, whereupon Wang Mingzhong immediately set off for Qinglian Mountain.

Unless the evildoers possessed foresight, knowing that Wang Changsheng would successfully bid on the Foundation Establishment spiritual items and sent people to monitor Wang Changsheng's group in advance, Wang Mingzhong and his companion could safely return to Qinglian Mountain.

"That's good. There were too many people bidding for Foundation Establishment Pills. I bid on other Foundation Establishment spiritual items. I wonder if Big Brother will successfully achieve Foundation Establishment."

"I heard from Changge and the others that the competition for Foundation Establishment Pills was extremely fierce. The forty thousand spirit stones you brought wouldn't have been enough at all. Let's not talk about that anymore. It will take a few months for Second Granduncle to arrive at Yutian Mountain. You should cultivate first! If your strength is sufficient, we can return directly to Qinglian Mountain. There's no need to keep staying here; the rent is too expensive. It could buy Changyue a lot of spiritual honey."

Wang Yaozu complained. He was old and couldn't earn many spirit stones. He became increasingly frugal, only wishing for his children and grandchildren to live well and cause them less trouble.

"What needs to be spent, still needs to be spent, Grandpa. You should rest well. I'm going back to my room to cultivate. Don't call me for dinner."

Back in his room, Wang Changsheng took out a blue gourd and cast a spell on it.

The gourd's lid flew open, and a stream of icy blue liquid emerged from within.

As Wang Changsheng changed his spell, a blue spiritual glow illuminated his body.

The blue liquid seemed to be guided by something, flowing towards Wang Changsheng's mouth and nose.

Although he had cultivated with Profound Yin Spiritual Water before, the moment it entered his body, the accompanying chill still made Wang Changsheng shiver.

More than three months passed quickly.

Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, his eyes slightly closed, his body enveloped in a dazzling blue light.

After a while, the blue light around him dissipated, and he opened his eyes, a glimmer of light flashing within them.

"There's a bit less Profound Yin Spiritual Water than I hoped. If I had another fifty catties of it, I could reach the second layer of Foundation Establishment in less than a year."

Wang Changsheng lightly exhaled a breath of turbid air, muttering to himself.

"Counting the time, Second Granduncle should have arrived by now!"

Wang Changsheng stood up and walked out. Just as he stepped out of his room, he heard Wang Yaozu's voice.

Upon entering the main hall, Wang Changsheng saw Wang Yaozu speaking with Wang Yaozong.

"Second Granduncle, you're finally here."

Wang Yaozu smiled and said, "Your Second Granduncle arrived three days ago, but he said not to disturb your cultivation. Changfeng is here too; he's cultivating in his room."

"Second Granduncle, considering the fierce competition for Foundation Establishment Pills, I took the liberty of bidding on True Fiend Qi and Purple Jade Spiritual Water. I also spent three thousand spirit stones to buy a bottle of Elixir of Vein Nourishment."

As Wang Changsheng spoke, he took out these three items.

Wang Yaozong showed a look of approval and said, "You did very well. Fourth Uncle has already told me. With two bottles of True Fiend Qi and one bottle of Purple Jade Spiritual Water, plus the Elixir of Vein Nourishment, Changfeng's chances of achieving Foundation Establishment are still very high. It's a good thing you made a decisive decision not to bid on the Foundation Establishment Pills. You know Chen Changsheng, right? On his way back to Qinglian Mountain, Mingzhong saw Chen Changsheng's group encounter an attack."

"What? Chen Changsheng was attacked? What about Seventh Uncle and Tenth Uncle?"

"I don't know what happened to Chen Changsheng. Mingzhong saw them and immediately took a detour. They're not named Wang; their lives and deaths have nothing to do with us. Mingzhong and Mingdong are both fine. Speaking of which, it's truly strange that Chen Changming didn't come with Chen Changsheng, and that Chen Changsheng, after bidding on the Foundation Establishment Pill, was in such a hurry to return to Changping County."

Wang Changsheng's expression shifted, and he said, "Second Granduncle, do you mean Chen Changming met with an accident?"

"It's very possible. That old fox Chen Changming is cunning. If he were alive, there'd be no reason for him not to come with Chen Changsheng. Furthermore, even if Chen Changming couldn't come, Chen Changsheng wouldn't need to rush back. At worst, he could have his clansmen attempt Foundation Establishment here in Yutian Mountain, unless..."

Wang Changsheng's eyes lit up, and he said, "Unless Chen Changming met with an accident, leaving Chen Changsheng as the Chen family's only Foundation Establishment cultivator, who couldn't be away for too long for fear of something happening to the family. Second Granduncle, this is a great opportunity for us. The Chen family has a considerable population and many properties."

"Fourth Uncle and I were just discussing this matter. There's no rush. Let's first return to Qinglian Mountain. Changfeng's Foundation Establishment is the most important thing. Oh right, Changsheng, Fourth Uncle told me about the Wang family's situation. I agree to cooperate with the Wang family. The tallest tree catches the most wind. In the short term, we might be at a disadvantage, but it can significantly reduce many risks. Your grandfather and I have discussed it. If we only sell first-tier puppet beasts, there won't be any issues. However, if we sell second-tier puppet beasts in large quantities, it will likely attract envy. I'll leave this matter to you. I'm old now. You should gain more experience and strive to secure more benefits for our clan."

"Yes, Second Granduncle, I know what to do. Let's return to Qinglian Mountain! It's safer for Big Brother to attempt Foundation Establishment in Qinglian Mountain."

After paying the rent, Wang Changsheng and the other six walked down the mountain together.

At the foot of the mountain, Wang Yaozong released the Golden Beaked Eagle, which carried Wang Changsheng and the other six high into the sky, disappearing into the horizon shortly after.

***

Qinglian Mountain, Spirit Mulberry Garden.

Three acres of spiritual land were planted with three hundred spiritual mulberry trees. In the mulberry garden, there was a first-tier low-grade spiritual well, whose water was used to irrigate the spiritual mulberry trees.

The three acres of spiritual mulberry trees were originally looked after by Wang Changxue. However, after Wang Changxue left Qinglian Mountain, this important task fell to Liu Qing'er and Zhang Yue'e.

It was again the season for harvesting spiritual mulberry leaves. Liu Qing'er organized the Wang family's female relatives to pick the leaves.

The spiritual mulberry leaves at this time were quite tender, making them most suitable for feeding the Golden Silk Silkworms. If they waited a few days longer, the leaves would become old, and the Golden Silk Silkworms wouldn't eat them.

The Wang family raised five pairs of Golden Silk Silkworms. Two of these silkworms had already grown to first-tier high-grade, and were not far from reaching the second tier.

Golden Silk Silkworms were voracious eaters and quite picky. They only ate tender spiritual mulberry leaves and would not touch older ones.

Liu Qing'er and over forty other female relatives toiled under the scorching sun, picking spiritual mulberry leaves in the spiritual field, their faces drenched in sweat.

The baskets on their backs were filled with spiritual mulberry leaves, and their faces were full of joy.

"Alright, everyone, take a break first. Have a bowl of tea and rest."

Liu Qing'er wiped the sweat from her face and hurried to the makeshift tea stall. She wanted a bowl of tea to quench her thirst, but to her surprise, the pot was empty.

"The tea ran out just now, and I forgot to brew more." Zhang Yue'e patted her forehead, speaking with a hint of apology.

"It's fine, Second Sister-in-law. Just brew another pot."

"Mom, Thirty-Five and I brought you sour plum juice!" A somewhat childish voice rang out.

Hearing this, Liu Qing'er turned towards the source of the voice. She saw Wang Changyue, Wang Minglong, and Wang Mingfeng appear at the entrance of the Spirit Mulberry Garden. A giant tortoise puppet about a *zhang* in size crawled in front, with Wang Yaoheng following behind them.

On the back of the giant tortoise puppet was a large iron pot, from which cool air was rising.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, Qing'er, I know you've been working hard picking spiritual mulberry leaves, so I brought Minglong and the others to deliver sour plum juice to you. It's iced, so you can drink it to refresh yourselves." Wang Yaoheng stroked his beard lightly and said with a smile.

"Eighth Uncle, you went to too much trouble. Come, everyone, have some sour plum juice."

Liu Qing'er picked up a long ladle and served sour plum juice to Zhang Yue'e and the others.

"Mom, isn't Big Brother coming back yet?" Wang Changyue tugged at Liu Qing'er's sleeve, asking with a face full of anticipation.

Liu Qing'er affectionately stroked Wang Changyue's head and said, "Big Brother is busy with something, he..."

"It's the Golden Beaked Eagle! Changsheng and the others are back!" Zhang Yue'e shouted, pointing at the sky.

Wang Changyue looked up and saw a giant eagle descending from high above. Her eyes lit up, and with a beaming smile, she ran towards where the Golden Beaked Eagle was landing, shouting, "Big Brother is back! Big Brother is back!"

"Changsheng is back! Come on, little sister, let's go see him."

Wang Minglong took Wang Mingfeng and quickly followed.