Chapter 116: Long Wind Foundation Building

Wang Mingcai, Wang Changsheng's second uncle, was the shopkeeper of Spirit Puppet Pavilion. That night, Wang Changsheng briefed Wang Mingcai on the cooperation with the Wang family.

"Second Uncle, my second sister is missing. I need to go to Wei State to investigate. I’ve already spoken with Wang Ruyan; if she sends someone with materials, please inspect and accept them on my behalf. Here is the list."

Wang Changsheng took out a piece of notepaper and handed it to Wang Mingcai.

Wang Mingcai frowned in surprise. "Missing? Wasn't Changxue doing well at Hundred Spirits Tower? How could she suddenly disappear?"

"I don't know either. I'll only find out the truth after investigating. I hope Second Sister is alright!"

"I'll keep an eye on Spirit Puppet Pavilion. If Wang Ruyan sends materials, I know what to do, so don't worry and go. Investigate thoroughly; I hope Changxue is safe."

The next morning, Wang Changsheng left Baiyun Valley and rushed directly to Bailong Valley in Wei State.

More than two months later, Wang Changsheng appeared on the streets of Bailong Valley.

As soon as he arrived at Hundred Spirits Tower, he saw Wang Mingzhi and Wang Mingzhan walking out.

Wang Mingzhi looked utterly dejected, his expression somewhat dazed, while Wang Mingzhan wore a face full of sorrow.

Wang Changsheng's heart tightened. He asked, "First Uncle, Sixth Uncle, how are things? Is there any news about Second Sister?"

Wang Mingzhan shook his head. "No. Changsheng, why are you here?"

"My father told me Second Sister was missing, so I came to check. Does no one know Changxue's whereabouts?"

"No, we've asked everyone, from the pastry apprentices to the shopkeepers, and none of them know Changxue's whereabouts," Wang Mingzhan sighed. He glanced at the dazed Wang Mingzhi and offered comfort, "Changxue is a resourceful girl; she must have gone out for something important. She'll be fine."

"Oh, never mind. Let's go back to the inn and talk. I won't go back until I find Changxue."

Wang Mingzhi clenched his fists and said, his eyes red.

Back at their lodging, Wang Mingzhan briefly recounted the events to Wang Changsheng.

They had searched all the inns and restaurants in Bailong Valley. Many people had heard of Wang Changxue, but according to their recollections, she hadn't been seen for several months.

Wang Changxue had few friends in Bailong Valley. She had achieved the position of Spirit Chef at Hundred Spirits Tower, with excellent treatment, so there was no reason for her to leave Bailong Valley without cause.

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then calmly analyzed, "Second Sister always finishes what she starts. Even if she had an urgent reason to leave Bailong Valley, she should know we would come looking for her. It's impossible for her to just leave like that. If I were her, I would leave a letter explaining my whereabouts."

"I know Changxue's residence, but the innkeeper said she checked out on her own, and her room has already been occupied by someone else," Wang Mingzhi sighed, his face filled with worry.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A series of urgent knocks sounded at the door.

Wang Changsheng opened the door and saw a waiter standing outside with a letter in his hand.

"Esteemed senior, another senior asked me to deliver this letter to you."

The waiter handed the letter to Wang Changsheng, who quickly tore open the envelope. His gaze swept over the contents, and his face darkened. He asked in a deep voice, "Where is the person who sent this? Male or female? What did they look like?"

"A man, quite tall. He found me yesterday and asked me to deliver this letter to you, senior."

Wang Changsheng raised an eyebrow. "Yesterday? Why are you only delivering the letter today?"

"That senior instructed me to deliver it today. I wouldn't dare disobey!"

Wang Mingzhan took the letter, his eyes quickly scanning it, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

"Changsheng, forget it. The sender clearly doesn't want to reveal their identity. Let him go," Wang Mingzhan said, shaking his head.

Wang Changsheng closed the door and looked at Wang Mingzhi.

Wang Mingzhi held the letter, his brow furrowed in concentration.

The letter contained only one sentence: "Second Great Uncle, Ninth Brother, Father, First Brother, I am in a very safe place now, and I am doing well. You don't need to worry, and you don't need to look for me anymore. Please return to Song State. —Changxue."

Wang Mingzhi put down the letter, puzzled. "This is Changxue's handwriting. She knows we're looking for her, and she can send us a letter, so why can't she see us?"

"Second Sister might have an unspoken difficulty, or she might be coerced. I lean more towards the latter; she's likely being held captive. It's unclear which force is behind it, but they clearly don't want us to investigate further or remain in Wei State." Wang Changsheng tapped on the table, analyzing calmly.

"Held captive? Why would they hold Changxue captive? If they wanted something, they should have contacted us. By having Changxue write this letter, do they not want us to stay in Wei State, or are they afraid of us staying in Wei State?" Wang Mingzhi asked, confused.

Wang Mingzhan shook his head, objectively analyzing, "It's probably not fear. We're outsiders, and they're a local power. For Changxue to disappear so silently, they must be a formidable force, not just any ordinary group. I think we should leave Wei State. If we continue to stay, we might provoke them, and Changxue could be in danger."

Hearing this, Wang Mingzhi hesitated.

"Yes, First Uncle. You've been investigating here for so long, and many people know we're looking for Second Sister. If we continue to stay here, Second Sister might be in danger. Let's return to Qinglian Mountain first, then send capable individuals here to discreetly inquire about Second Sister's whereabouts. That would be a safer approach." Wang Changsheng proposed a more cautious approach.

Wang Mingzhi hesitated for a long while before nodding in agreement.

Wang Mingzhan and Wang Changsheng made a valid point. The other party was operating in the shadows while they were exposed. If they remained in Wei State and provoked the other side, Wang Changxue might be in danger. It was better to leave Wei State first and then send capable personnel to discreetly inquire about Wang Changxue's whereabouts.

Having made their decision, Wang Mingzhi and the others left Bailong Valley.

More than two months later, Wang Changsheng and the others returned to Qinglian Mountain.

As soon as they arrived at Qinglian Mountain, they heard good news: Wang Changfeng had successfully established his foundation.

By this time, Wang Changfeng had been back in Qinglian Mountain for over half a year. With the aid of two bottles of Blazing Inferno True Qi, one bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water, and a Vein-Nourishing Pill, his successful foundation establishment was to be expected.

This good news somewhat alleviated the sorrow on Wang Mingzhi's face. He immediately rushed to Wang Changfeng's residence, with Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingzhan close behind.

Seeing the three of them, Wang Changfeng grinned and said, "Father, Sixth Uncle, Ninth Brother, I've successfully established my foundation. Now I can go bring Second Sister back."

To avoid affecting Wang Changfeng's foundation establishment, he had not been informed about Wang Changxue's disappearance.

Wang Mingzhi forced a smile and said, "No hurry. We just visited Changxue in Bailong Valley, and she's doing very well. Changfeng, tonight, let's have a good drink, just the two of us."

"That's right, Changfeng. With your successful foundation establishment, our Wang family now has three Foundation Establishment cultivators. We should celebrate properly."

"Indeed, First Brother. We should celebrate properly."

Smiles bloomed on Wang Mingzhan and Wang Changsheng's faces.

Hearing this, Wang Changfeng looked puzzled. "It's not strange for Father and Sixth Uncle to visit Second Sister, but why did you go too, Ninth Brother? There are so many family matters to handle. After your foundation establishment, you didn't go into secluded cultivation or refine puppet beasts; instead, you traveled all the way to Wei State to visit Second Sister? Did something happen to Second Sister? Don't lie to me!"

Wang Mingzhan and Wang Changsheng exchanged glances, unsure how to explain.

Wang Mingzhi sighed deeply, rubbed his eyes, and slowly said, "Never mind. We can't hide this for long. You've already established your foundation, so there's no need to keep it from you. Changxue is missing."