Chapter 1310: Rectifying the Family

Green Lotus Island, Five-Dragon Sea.

Inside Green Lotus Pavilion, Wang Qingshan, Wang Qingqi, Wang Qingjing, Ye Haitang, Wang Tianmi, Wang Mengfen, Wang Huaxiao, Wang Youwei, Ouyang Mingyue, and Wang Jijun stood before the ancestral spirit tablets. Hundreds of new tablets had been added, with those of Wang Xiansheng and Wang Xianfen being particularly prominent. Wang Qingshan led the family in offering incense to mourn the fallen clansmen.

During this attack, the Wang family suffered a total of 535 casualties, including two perished Core Formation cultivators and over forty Foundation Establishment cultivators. The financial losses exceeded ten million.

Wang Jiyu's carelessness nearly brought ruin upon the family. Had other clansmen not pleaded tirelessly, Wang Qingqi would have crippled him. Though spared death, he couldn't escape severe punishment; Wang Jiyu was confined for fifty years and received three hundred lashes with a python whip. The confinement area was rich in spiritual energy, ensuring his cultivation wouldn't be hindered. However, he was stripped of his 'Eighteen Heroes' status, meaning he would now have to rely solely on Wang Qingqi to acquire Core Formation spiritual items.

Wang Jiyu's two concubines, along with other cultivators from the Fang family, were all apprehended. Additionally, the Wang family uncovered many spies who had been cultivated by other factions. These spies did not know who the mastermind was; they had simply been acting on orders.

After mourning the fallen clansmen, Wang Qingshan and the others exited the Green Lotus Pavilion. Outside, dozens of shackled cultivators knelt on the ground. All of them had directly or indirectly betrayed the Wang family's interests.

Their reasons for betraying the Wang family varied greatly; some were coerced, others lured by beauty. They wept bitterly, their faces etched with fear, and a few cultivators were so terrified they soiled themselves.

Over a thousand cultivators watched, including Wang family members and numerous representatives from the Wang family's vassal forces. When True Monarch Huanglong had suddenly launched an assault, the enemies had already been eliminated by the time the vassal forces arrived.

"Senior Wang, please spare my life! I was forced; I'll never dare again!" cried one. "Spare me! I'll never dare again!" another pleaded. "Ancestor, please don't kill me! Your grandchild was temporarily blinded by folly; I didn't know they were spies!" The kneeling cultivators pleaded for mercy one after another. Most were outsiders, though a few were Wang family members.

"As you should already know," Wang Mengfen stated coldly, his gaze sweeping over the vassal forces, "several days ago, powerful enemies attacked and killed many of our Wang family members. Two of my promising descendants also perished. It was because of these traitors within our ranks that the family suffered such a great catastrophe. According to family rules, traitors shall be executed without mercy. I hope none of you follow their example; those who betray our Wang family will not come to a good end."

"Fellow Daoist Wang is right, these people deserve to die," Xue Qingzhong suggested, his face full of fawning flattery. "However, simply killing them is letting them off too lightly. Their souls should be extracted and refined, to be tormented day and night."

Five Nascent Soul cultivators had attacked, and three of them perished on the spot. This happened even without the Green Lotus Immortals present, making it clear how wise his choice had been back then. He had hitched his wagon to a powerful patron; as long as the Wang family prospered in the Five-Dragon Sea, the Xue family would enjoy good days.

"Exactly, extract their souls and refine them, torment them day and night!" shouted one. "I say chop them up and feed them to spirit beasts! Such traitors deserve to die!" another exclaimed. "Right, they shouldn't be allowed an easy death. They must be tortured thoroughly. If it weren't for them, my grandfather and cousin wouldn't have died!" The watching Wang family cultivators voiced their opinions, and if Wang Mengfen had given the order, they would have rushed forward to tear these traitors to shreds.

Hearing "soul extraction and refinement" and "feeding to spirit beasts," several traitors were so terrified they soiled themselves.

"As for soul extraction and refinement, forget it. That is not our way," Wang Mengfen declared. "Execute them!" At his command, a team of Wang family cultivators drew their green longswords and swung them towards the heads of the traitors. Dozens of heads rolled to the ground, blood staining the earth crimson.

"During this enemy invasion, a group of clansmen performed admirably," Wang Mengfen said gravely, his expression solemn. "At the critical moment, they bravely stepped forward to fight to the death against the enemy. For those who died in battle, the family will raise their descendants to adulthood and provide an annual pension. Those who distinguished themselves will be heavily rewarded. Everyone should learn from them and remember the phrase: 'I dedicate my blood to the family.'"

Rewards for merit and punishment for fault are essential to stabilize the hearts of the people.

"Yes, family head!" the many Wang family cultivators said in unison, their voices echoing across a good portion of Green Lotus Island.

"Alright, you are dismissed!" Wang Mengfen announced. "By the way, in five years, our Wang family will hold a Nascent Soul Grand Ceremony for the fourth patriarch. We welcome all fellow Daoists to attend then." Wang Qingshan had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, so naturally, a grand ceremony was necessary to publicly declare the Wang family's strength.

The journey from the Eastern Barrens to the Southern Sea was long, but five years would be enough time for the Grand Unity Immortal Sect to react. Besides cultivators from the Eastern Barrens, there were also forces from the Central Plains cultivation world. The Wang family intended to hold a grand event to clearly demonstrate its strength to all various forces.

Zhang Wuchen had encountered similar trouble back then. To that end, Zhang Wuchen had set a trap within a trap, severely wounding the enemies and achieving over a hundred years of peace.

"Our Xue family will definitely be the first to arrive! How could our Xue family miss such a Nascent Soul Grand Ceremony!" Xue Qingzhong was the first to express his stance, understanding that the higher the Wang family's status, the greater the benefits for the Xue family. Representatives from other vassal forces also expressed their commitment to send delegates.

"Family head, I leave things here to you," Wang Qingshan instructed. He transformed into a streak of green light and soared away. Soon after, he appeared in the council hall, where Zhang Wuchen and Lin Yuzong had already been waiting for a long time.

Zhang Wuchen had caught up to and killed Madam Golden Butterfly. Unfortunately, Lin Yuzong had allowed Liu Haodong to escape. Of course, Liu Haodong wasn't using his true appearance, so Lin Yuzong hadn't recognized him.

Guangdong Ren had returned to Golden Lotus Market. He did not know that True Monarch Yanshui had been holding him back.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had not returned. Wang Qingshan temporarily decided not to pursue the matter, believing it wouldn't be too late to settle accounts with the villains in a few years, after he had consolidated his cultivation. Not one of them would escape.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, Fellow Daoist Zhang, thank you for your help this time," Wang Qingshan said courteously. "If you hadn't arrived in time, our Wang family would have been in serious trouble." He knew perfectly well that there was no such thing as a coincidence; he merely chose not to reveal his insight.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind," Zhang Wuchen said with a sweet smile. "Our two families are connected by marriage; this is what we should do. Have the Green Lotus Immortals not returned yet?" With such a major upheaval in the Wang family, the Green Lotus Immortals not appearing clearly indicated they were not on Green Lotus Island.

"Not yet. Why? Is Fellow Daoist Zhang looking for my Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt?" Wang Qingshan asked without changing his expression. He knew Zhang Wuchen had some ulterior motive; otherwise, why would she have intervened precisely at the most critical moment?

"It's a private matter, which I can only discuss with Fellow Daoist Wang," Zhang Wuchen replied.

"No problem. Both Fellow Daoists can stay on Green Lotus Island for now," Wang Qingshan replied. "Once my Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt return, I will immediately inform both of you." Wang Qingshan enthusiastically invited them to stay. The Zhang and Wang families were connected by marriage, and Zhang Wuchen and Lin Yuzong had just rendered great assistance to the Wang family, so it was not unreasonable to ask them to stay for a while.

"Then we shall impose," Zhang Wuchen said, agreeing.

After a few pleasantries, Wang Qingshan had someone arrange accommodations for them and escorted them to rest.

Leaving the council hall, Wang Qingshan went to Ye Haitang's residence.

This time, they were able to repel the enemy due to the concerted efforts of the Wang family members and the crucial role played by the ghost creature released by Ye Haitang.

After the destruction of the Myriad Ghosts Sect, Nascent Soul stage ghost cultivators in the Southern Sea cultivation world could be counted on one hand. Ye Haitang possessing a Nascent Soul stage ghost creature could be seen as both a blessing and a potential hidden danger.