Chapter 1246: Enthusiastic Guangdong Benevolence

In the Five-Dragon Sea, on Golden Lotus Island.

In a secret room, Guangdong Ren lay on the ground, on his back, eyes slightly closed, snoring.

As he breathed in and out, his fair belly continuously shrank and then expanded, looking somewhat comical.

Not far away stood a red cauldron about ten feet tall. The cauldron was empty.

Dozens of sound transmission talismans floated motionless in mid-air.

After a while, Guangdong Ren opened his eyes. He yawned, stood up, and stretched.

“That was comfortable,” he muttered to himself. “I wonder how long I’ve slept.” His cultivation method was quite unique; he mostly ate and slept.

With a single hand, he beckoned towards the talismans. All of them flew towards him one after another. He checked the contents of each one. Most were from Wang Qingqing, informing him that Nascent Soul cultivators had come to visit.

He took out a communication plate, activated it with a spell, and asked, “Qingqing, were there any issues in the market during my cultivation?”

“No, Grandmaster,” Wang Qingqing replied, “just a few seniors wanted to visit you. But you didn’t respond, so your disciple didn’t disturb you. Oh, Father, why are you here?”

Hearing this, Guangdong Ren twisted his neck and chuckled, “Your father's here? I'll come find you both!”

Wang Changsheng's voice suddenly rang out, “No need, Master, I'll come to you! It wouldn't be right for you to come to us.”

“Alright,” Guangdong Ren said, “I'll wait for you at my residence.”

Guangdong Ren didn't refuse. Putting away the communication plate, he muttered to himself, “It seems this kid wants me to do something again, otherwise he wouldn't call me 'Master'.”

Not long after, Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingqing appeared before Guangdong Ren.

Wang Changsheng and Fairy Ziyue had spent some time in the Myriad Flames Sea Domain, but unable to find Goldfire Crystals and Blazing Astral Stones, they had returned.

“Master, your disciple managed to obtain some beast meat from a fourth-tier rhino demon for you to consume.”

Wang Changsheng took out a large piece of beast meat with its hide still attached. Guangdong Ren loved good food, and meat from a fourth-tier demon beast was a great tonic for him.

“Fourth-tier rhino demon meat? Such a large piece? You didn't happen to kill a fourth-tier rhino demon, did you?!” Guangdong Ren said, somewhat surprised. He wasn't speaking idly; the Azure Lotus Immortals were skilled in combined attack techniques. He wouldn't be surprised if they had teamed up to slay a fourth-tier rhino demon.

“Nothing truly escapes your notice,” Wang Changsheng replied. “We encountered a fourth-tier rhino demon and simply dispatched it.” His tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

“Grandmaster, your disciple found a jar of fine wine,” Wang Qingqing added. “With both wine and meat, you're sure to enjoy it.”

Wang Qingqing took out an exquisite wine jar, unsealed it, and a rich, unique fragrance wafted out.

Guangdong Ren took a few light sniffs, a look of intoxication on his face. He then carefully sized up Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingqing, and asked, “You two, father and daughter, one offering meat, the other wine... just tell me directly what you want me to do. That way, I can enjoy my meal without worry.”

“Master, you're overthinking it,” Wang Changsheng said. “It's only right for a disciple to show filial respect to their master.”

Wang Changsheng was planning a trip to the Northern Territory Immortal Cultivation World with Wang Ruyan. Fairy Ziyue would oversee Azure Lotus Island, and Guangdong Ren would oversee Golden Lotus Island.

Fairy Ziyue and Wang Changsheng had a common goal, so she didn't object to overseeing Azure Lotus Island. It was all the same to her where she went. Guangdong Ren was different. Though nominally Wang Changsheng's master, Wang Changsheng couldn't force him to stay on Golden Lotus Island indefinitely. Cultivators would go out on adventures and couldn't always be in seclusion, diligently cultivating.

“That's right! Grandmaster has worked tirelessly and contributed greatly,” Wang Qingqing chimed in. “It's only proper for us to show respect. You're too modest, Grandmaster.”

Guangdong Ren's expression turned serious. He said, “If you don't tell me, I won't be able to eat.”

Wang Changsheng gave a wry smile and explained, “It's nothing major. We just hope Master can pay more attention to the defense of Golden Lotus Island. The market's income is growing, and more and more merchants are settling here.”

Due to its advantageous geographical location and the favorable policies introduced by the Wang family, Golden Lotus Island was growing increasingly prosperous. Business was improving day by day, leading to ever-increasing profits.

“Is that all?” Guangdong Ren was still a little unconvinced. Fourth-tier demon beasts weren't common goods like cabbages, and Wang Changsheng was giving it to him so readily. He couldn't quite eat it without worry.

“What else could it be? Could I force Master to do something else?”

Guangdong Ren's expression softened. He said with a smile, “Then let's have a good few drinks. Speaking of which, we haven't seen each other for many years.” He took out a gleaming red cleaver, cut off the hide, cleaned the meat, and tossed it into the red cauldron.

Before long, a rich aroma of cooked meat wafted out.

Wang Changsheng, Guangdong Ren, and Wang Qingqing drank and chatted, getting along very well.

“Changsheng, I plan to visit the Central Plains Immortal Cultivation World,” Guangdong Ren said, draining the spirit wine in his cup. “I won't be able to help you watch over Golden Lotus Island for now.”

Wang Changsheng frowned. He said, “You're going to the Central Plains Immortal Cultivation World? The situation there isn't very good right now. Perhaps you should go a bit later.” A great demon had appeared in the Central Plains Immortal Cultivation World, reportedly a sealed member of the imperial family, causing great chaos in the Great Yan Dynasty.

“What? Are you going out too?” Guangdong Ren asked, puzzled. If Wang Changsheng weren't planning to go out, he wouldn't say such a thing.

Wang Changsheng nodded, poured wine for Guangdong Ren, and said, “Years ago, three of our family's strongholds were attacked. We've gathered some clues, and I plan to track down the true culprits.”

“Would you like me to accompany you?” Guangdong Ren volunteered. “I've been everywhere, I might be able to help you somewhat.” If it were him, he'd also want to pursue the true culprits.

“Thank you for your kindness, Master,” Wang Changsheng said politely, “I can handle it. But I'm worried about Azure Lotus Island and Golden Lotus Island.” Wang Changsheng politely declined. Since it involved the Nine Nether Sect, the fewer people who knew, the better.

“Alright then, go ahead with peace of mind!” Guangdong Ren said in a deep voice. “I will help you look after Golden Lotus Island and Azure Lotus Island. Be careful, and if you need my help, just say so; don't be shy with me.” Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan hadn't returned to Azure Lotus Manor for many years, so their enemies must be quite powerful.

“Yes, I will,” Wang Changsheng agreed, and poured wine for Guangdong Ren.

An hour later, after they had eaten and drunk their fill, Guangdong Ren needed to circulate his energy to refine the vast vital energy contained in the beast meat. Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingqing departed.

Soon after, they appeared in a quiet courtyard, where a fair-faced young man in a blue shirt had been waiting for a long time.

“Oh, Yuren, you've advanced to the Core Formation stage.” Wang Changsheng gave a slight exclamation upon seeing the young man in blue. The young man was none other than Su Yuren, Su Bingbing's younger brother and Wang Changsheng's nephew.

“Thanks to Master's guidance,” Su Yuren said gratefully, “and the help of my aunt, Qingqing, and the others, I might not have been able to advance to the Core Formation stage.” He had failed his first attempt to reach the Core Formation stage, but Guangdong Ren had helped him acquire a Core Formation spiritual item, allowing him to attempt it a second time. Other disciples of the Hundred Spirits Sect didn't receive such treatment.