Chapter 115: Successful Negotiation

The Golden-Beaked Eagle circled Qinglian Mountain once before descending and landing at its foot.

Wang Changsheng and six others disembarked from the Golden-Beaked Eagle's back, one by one. Wang Yaozong then retrieved the spiritual beast into his spirit beast pouch.

They hadn't walked far when Wang Changyue came running down the mountain, her face flushed. Wang Minglong and Wang Mingfeng followed close behind her.

"Brother, you're finally back!" Wang Changyue threw herself into Wang Changsheng's arms, her small face alight with joy.

Wang Changsheng pinched Wang Changyue's chubby cheeks and frowned. "Classes at the lecture hall haven't ended yet, have they? Did you skip class?"

"I didn't skip class! Mother and the others are working so hard picking spirit mulberry leaves. Eighth Granduncle told us to bring sour plum soup to Mother."

"Changyue, come here to Grandpa. Grandpa bought you spiritual honey and mung bean cakes—all your favorite sweets," Wang Yaozu said, his face breaking into a kind smile as he produced an oiled paper package.

"Spiritual honey? Mung bean cakes?" Wang Changyue's eyes lit up. She quickly ran to Wang Yaozu and took the package.

She unwrapped the package, revealing several green pastries. She turned around and offered the pastries to Wang Minglong and Wang Mingfeng. "Thirty-fifth Uncle, Thirty-sixth Aunt, here. Grandpa bought these mung bean cakes for me."

Wang Minglong and Wang Mingfeng didn't stand on ceremony; each took a mung bean cake and began to eat.

"Alright, now go back to the lecture hall and pay attention! Focus during class, don't just think about food," Wang Yaozong instructed, waving his hand.

"Yes, Second Granduncle (Second Uncle)," Wang Changyue and the two others replied.

The three children walked back up the mountain, munching on their mung bean cakes.

That evening, Wang Mingyuan's family of four gathered for dinner. Wang Changsheng briefly recounted his experiences from the past period.

Wang Mingyuan showed an approving expression, smiling as he said, "Sheng'er, you've done well. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Chen Changming hasn't appeared for at least five years; something must have happened to him. This matter isn't urgent, as the Chen family's substantial legacy won't disappear. I'll send people to keep an eye on them. The current priority is Changfeng's Foundation Establishment. Besides that, our cooperation with the Wang family is also very important. You should set off as early as possible to avoid being late and leaving a bad impression on them."

"Understood, Father. I'll depart tomorrow. Oh, Mother, are you managing alright? Are there enough spirit mulberry leaves for the golden silkworms?"

"Yes, there's enough. It would be great if Changxue were here. That girl is exceptionally capable. I wonder how she's doing in Wei Kingdom."

"Indeed! Father, how is Second Sister doing in Wei Kingdom? How is she now?"

Wang Mingyuan hesitated slightly, then sighed. "Changxue is missing. Your Eldest Uncle has personally gone to Wei Kingdom to investigate. I hope Changxue is safe and sound."

Wang Changsheng's brow furrowed in surprise. "What? Second Sister is missing? When did this happen?"

"A year ago, your Sixth Uncle went to Bailong Valley in Wei Kingdom to visit Changxue. Unexpectedly, he couldn't find her at Bailing Tower. According to other chefs at Bailing Tower, Changxue hadn't been there for several months. They assumed she had left Bailong Valley. Your Eldest Uncle has already taken people to investigate. I hope Changxue is alright." Wang Mingyuan said this, but deep down, he didn't hold much hope. Wang Changxue had been doing well at Bailing Tower; her sudden disappearance most likely meant something unexpected had occurred.

Wang Changsheng frowned deeply. If Wang Changfeng successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, he had planned to bring Wang Changxue back. But now, she was missing precisely at this time.

"Changxue is a blessed person; heaven will protect her. She'll be fine," Liu Qing'er reassured him.

Wang Changyue blinked, asking curiously, "Father, Elder Brother, why haven't I met Second Sister?"

"Second Sister temporarily left Qinglian Mountain for something. You weren't born yet back then!"

Wang Changsheng pondered for a while, then spoke. "Father, after we reach an agreement with the Wang family, I'll personally go to Bailong Valley. Second Sister disappeared without a trace, and I won't feel at ease if I don't investigate."

Wang Changsheng held deep respect for his cousin, Wang Changxue, and truly didn't want anything to happen to her.

"Hmm, it's good for you to go and see, but investigate carefully. If you find anything, don't make it public," Wang Mingyuan solemnly instructed.

"Don't worry, Father, I know what to do."

The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Changsheng mounted his Green-Scaled Horse and departed Qinglian Mountain, heading towards Yunzhou.

***

Over a month later, Wang Changsheng arrived at Baiyun Ridge.

His arrival at Baiyun Ridge coincided with the scheduled day to meet and negotiate with the Wang family. He didn't rest, heading straight to Baiyun Tower.

Baiyun Tower was the largest teahouse in Baiyun Valley, a favored spot for cultivators who enjoyed tea and conversation.

Upon reaching Baiyun Tower, Wang Changsheng inquired with the waiter. The waiter led him to a private room on the third floor, gently knocked on the door, and respectfully announced, "Senior Wang, your friend has arrived."

"Understood, you may leave. Fellow Daoist Wang, please come in!" Wang Ruyan's voice came from inside the room.

Wang Changsheng pushed open the door, entered, and closed it behind him.

The room was elegantly furnished. Wang Ruyan sat by a tea table, on which sat a pot of spiritual tea and two plates of pastries. Wang Ruyan wore a long green dress without any moon patterns, seemingly wishing to conceal her identity.

In the corner was a soundproofing array. Wang Ruyan cast a spell onto the array. A white light flashed, and a layer of white light shield appeared on the wall, instantly silencing the outside noise.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we agreed to meet here at *wushi sanke* (12:45 PM), but it's already *youshi* (5-7 PM). You should give me an explanation!" Wang Ruyan said with a frown. Her tone indicated considerable displeasure at Wang Changsheng's lateness.

Wang Changsheng clasped his fists at Wang Ruyan and apologized, "My apologies, Immortaless Wang. I was delayed on the way. How about I penalize myself with three cups?"

Wang Ruyan waved her hand. "No need, Fellow Daoist Wang. Please sit down. Let's discuss business. Does your Wang family wish to cooperate with ours?"

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng showed a troubled expression. "Immortaless Wang, four sets of materials are simply not enough to craft a low-grade second-tier puppet beast. A low-grade second-tier puppet beast takes at least half a year to refine. Earning only 200 spirit stones in half a year, this business isn't viable!"

Wang Changsheng naturally wouldn't tell Wang Ruyan the truth. He wanted to secure as much benefit as possible for his Wang family.

Wang Ruyan had done her homework before coming. Although she didn't fully understand the difficulty of crafting second-tier puppet beasts, she wouldn't believe Wang Changsheng's one-sided story. She pondered for a moment, then said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I consulted a second-tier puppet master, and he stated that one second-tier puppet beast can be refined from three sets of materials. By giving you four sets, our Wang family has already made the biggest concession. And 200 spirit stones is not a small amount. You should know that an ordinary rogue cultivator, working as a helper, hardly earns a hundred spirit stones in a year."

Neither of them was willing to yield, both aiming to secure more benefits for their respective families. They talked for over three hours, and the tea was refilled twice before they finally reached an agreement.

The Wang family (Ruyan's) would provide materials to the Wang family (Changsheng's). For every five sets of materials, Wang Changsheng's family would craft one low-grade second-tier puppet beast. Wang Ruyan's family would pay 250 spirit stones for each such puppet beast. Wang Changsheng's family would deliver three or more low-grade second-tier puppet beasts annually. In return, Wang Ruyan's family would provide Wang Changsheng's family with ten catties of diluted Profound Yin Spirit Water each year.

Although some potential profit was lost, gaining ten catties of diluted Profound Yin Spirit Water annually was not a loss. Even though it was diluted Profound Yin Spirit Water, ten catties per year would amount to 200 catties in twenty years. Where would the Wang family acquire such a large quantity? Judging by Wang Ruyan's tone, it seemed their family possessed a substantial amount of diluted Profound Yin Spirit Water. Wang Changsheng posed a tentative question, but Wang Ruyan merely smiled without answering.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, what materials are needed to refine a second-tier puppet beast? I'll send people to prepare them. Let me be clear, our Wang family also knows second-tier puppet masters, so don't make excessive demands for extra refining materials," Wang Ruyan stated.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Immortaless Wang, I value honesty. Once the materials are gathered, please send them to the Spirit Puppet Pavilion in Baiyun Valley!" He took out a sheet of paper and handed it to Wang Ruyan.

Wang Ruyan's gaze swept over it, a hint of satisfaction appearing in her beautiful eyes. She raised her teacup and said with a beaming smile, "Fellow Daoist Wang, let's toast to a pleasant cooperation."

Wang Changsheng raised his teacup, clinking it against hers, and smiled, "To a pleasant cooperation."