Chapter 137: Plans

More than a month later, a crow puppet and a cyan flying shuttle appeared in the sky above Qinglian Mountain, carrying Wang Changsheng and his group.

After leaving the Ghost Abyss, Wang Ruyan proactively suggested traveling with Wang Changsheng. As the Wang family was only a small clan, possessing a large number of Yin Pearls and Spirit Bones would inevitably draw envy. Wang Ruyan's suggestion to travel with Wang Changsheng was partly to assist him, and partly out of concern that others might target her.

Wang Changsheng readily agreed. To be honest, with the Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession, he felt somewhat uneasy. He was wary not only of other cultivators but also of Wang Ruyan, who, in turn, was wary of him. They remained wary of each other, yet also depended on one another. To Wang Changsheng's great relief, the journey was uneventful.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Wang Ruyan said, "we must part ways now that we've traveled so far together. If you have time, you are always welcome to visit our Wang family." After speaking, Wang Ruyan prepared to depart.

"Wait, Immortal Fairy Wang," Wang Changsheng said, "these two second-tier puppet beasts are somewhat damaged but can still be controlled. Please take them for now; you can return them to me when we meet again." Wang Changsheng tossed two cracked spherical beads to Wang Ruyan, speaking with a smile. He had returned home safely and could refine new second-tier puppet beasts. Keeping these two would simply mean leaving them in his storage pouch, so it was better to lend them to Wang Ruyan as a goodwill gesture.

"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Wang," Wang Ruyan replied, "farewell." After expressing her thanks, the cyan flying shuttle beneath Wang Ruyan's feet suddenly shone brightly and quickly vanished into the horizon.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingzhan went to the study to brief Wang Mingyuan on their journey to the Ghost Abyss. Wang Mingyuan was greatly saddened to learn that Wang Changge and four others had died there.

Wang Mingzhan sighed, "Third Brother, the situation was extremely dangerous then; we couldn't bring back Minghao's and their bodies."

"I don't blame you," Wang Mingyuan replied. "Your survival and return are a blessing amidst misfortune. Before you returned, Second Uncle and I were worried sick every day, fearing you wouldn't make it back. Now that you're back, we can finally sleep soundly." He then asked, "Oh, by the way, Changsheng, what do you plan to do with that Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Wang Changsheng had already considered this. The clan currently had three Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, the Lin family had already targeted the Wang family. They could have one more Foundation Establishment cultivator, but this person would need to remain hidden as a secret asset to prevent the Lin family from wiping out the entire Wang clan.

"Father," Wang Changsheng asked, "who among the clan members is currently most likely to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Seventh Brother and Twenty-First Brother," Wang Mingyuan replied. "Seventh Brother has already cultivated to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, while Twenty-First Brother is at the eighth. If we're talking about a hidden asset, Twenty-First Brother would be better. He hasn't appeared in public for several years, so even if he reaches Foundation Establishment, others won't know. Seventh Brother, on the other hand, has been traveling outside for years, and many people know of his existence. If he suddenly disappeared, even if we claimed he was secretly harmed, others might not believe it. The Lin family isn't foolish enough to believe he was killed right after you acquired the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"That's true," Wang Changsheng conceded. "In that case, this Foundation Establishment Pill will be placed in the clan's treasury for now. Once Twenty-First Uncle reaches the ninth level of Qi Refinement, we'll find a suitable opportunity to give him the Foundation Establishment Pill. However, by doing this, I feel somewhat sorry for Seventh Uncle. He has been working hard for the clan outside and has already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement. It truly seems unfair not to give him the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Wang Mingzhan sighed and said, "You can't be blamed for this. After all, new Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot reveal themselves publicly. Our family has risen too quickly in recent years. It's fortunate that the news of Changfeng's Foundation Establishment hasn't spread. Otherwise, for this trip to the Ghost Abyss, our Wang family would likely have had to send two Foundation Establishment cultivators, whereas the Wang family sent three. The stronger the cultivation family, the greater their contribution."

"Yes, Father," Wang Changsheng agreed. "The Lin family plotted against us during this Ghost Abyss trip. We might avoid it once, but not a second or third time. I suggest we allocate some personnel and funds to establish a foothold in Wei State. If the Lin family completely turns against us, we won't be entirely wiped out."

Wang Mingyuan nodded. "Second Uncle and I have discussed this. Even before you returned, we sent some people to Wei State, a total of twenty, including Changyu and Changping. Alas, if only we could establish a connection with a Core Formation cultivator."

Wang Mingzhan's eyes darted, and he smiled, saying, "Third Brother, we have a chance to establish a connection with a Core Formation cultivator; it just depends on whether Changsheng is willing."

His words struck Wang Mingyuan like a revelation. His eyes lit up as he asked, "Are you suggesting a marriage alliance with the Wang family? If we can marry into their family, we can not only resolve our current predicament but also leverage their power to develop our own influence." As he spoke, he looked at Wang Changsheng.

During this trip to the Ghost Abyss, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan collaborated, and then returned to Qinglian Mountain together. To be honest, Wang Changsheng had a good impression of Wang Ruyan. Although she had been wary of him during their journey, this was normal, as they were not family, and her caution was entirely understandable. Although his time interacting with Wang Ruyan was brief, she was cautious, prudent, and understood the bigger picture, indicating she would make a capable assistant.

Wang Changsheng hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Wang family is a large cultivation clan; they might not look favorably upon our small Wang family!" Given Wang Ruyan's beauty and status, Wang Changsheng believed many would vie to marry her. Furthermore, cultivation families prioritized benefits above all else. A marriage alliance between their two Wang families would offer many advantages to his clan, but what benefits would Wang Ruyan's clan gain? "Puppet arts? That might not be enough. Perhaps including the second-tier spiritual vein of Baiyun Ridge would be substantial enough. However, if that were the case, our Wang family would be giving up too much. If we didn't receive enough in return, it would be a huge loss."

"What are you talking about?" Wang Yaozong asked as he walked in.

Wang Mingyuan recounted everything in detail. Wang Yaozong listened, laughed heartily, looked at Wang Changsheng, and asked earnestly, "Changsheng, your Second Grand-Uncle asks you: if you were to marry Wang Ruyan, would you be willing? Think carefully before answering. You are already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and your marriage is your own decision."

Wang Changsheng pondered carefully and nodded seriously. "Although my time interacting with Immortal Fairy Wang has not been long, her devotion to the Dao is firm, she handles matters appropriately, and most importantly, when she used the Talisman Treasure to eliminate the Yin Ghost Silkworm, had she decided to harm me, I would have been completely defenseless. Furthermore, she used the Talisman Treasure to eliminate many ghosts and bone corpses and was willing to equally share the Yin Pearls and Spirit Bones obtained, instead of being petty about it. This demonstrates her magnanimity, and she would indeed make a capable wife. I just don't know her feelings towards your grandson."

Wang Yaozong stroked his beard lightly and said with a smile, "That's good then. With the puppet arts, the second-tier spiritual vein, and the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Wang family should be satisfied. Let's strike while the iron is hot. Your Second Grand-Uncle will take you to the Wang family to propose now. Let's get this matter settled quickly. This way, even if the Lin family tries to cause trouble again, they will have to be wary."

Wang Mingyuan frowned and said, "Second Uncle, isn't this betrothal gift a bit too extravagant? Puppet arts, a second-tier spiritual vein, and a Foundation Establishment Pill—each of these three items is extremely precious. Using them as a betrothal gift seems overly extravagant!"

"Yes, Second Uncle," Wang Mingzhan added, "the Foundation Establishment Pill was bought with the lives of Minghao and the others." Wang Mingzhan nodded in agreement.

"You all are so short-sighted!" Wang Yaozong retorted. "As far as I know, Wang Huashan, the Core Formation cultivator of the Wang family, advanced to Core Formation less than a century ago. The Wang family's generational names are ordered as Hua, Tian, Shu, Ru, Qi, Xiao. Wang Ruyan is of the fourth generation and is already a Foundation Establishment cultivator at a young age, so she must be a core member of their clan. The Wang family is a large cultivation clan in Song State. With such an in-law looking out for us, as long as Wang Huashan is alive, he can ensure the safety of our Wang family for several centuries. If the betrothal gift is too light, not only will the Wang family look down on it, they might even be enraged. Don't forget, Wang Ruyan is already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and taking a Foundation Establishment Pill doesn't guarantee Foundation Establishment. If Changsheng marries Wang Ruyan, we will gain an additional Foundation Establishment cultivator. If you calculate it this way, we would only be giving up the puppet arts and the second-tier spiritual vein. While a second-tier spiritual vein is precious, it's far less important than the safety of the clan. Besides, if the four major sects issue another conscription, and someone from Zixiao Sect orders this old man and Changsheng to go, do we dare refuse? Changsheng, what do you say?"

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "Your grandson agrees with Second Grand-Uncle's view. The Wang family is a large clan. Although the items we offer are valuable, they might not even consider them enough. If the betrothal gift is too light, the Wang family will certainly be displeased. As Second Grand-Uncle said, if there's another conscription and Zixiao Sect orders me and Second Grand-Uncle to go, we wouldn't dare defy them. The current problem is, will Wang Huashan agree to this marriage?" He felt uncertain about this matter.

"If Wang Huashan doesn't agree to this, another person would also work," Wang Yaozong continued. "Changge is dead. Changyi is his younger brother; Changyi could marry a female Qi Refinement cultivator from the Wang family, and they might agree. Or we could marry Changyu to a Wang family cultivator. Regardless, this marriage alliance must be established. Otherwise, the next conscription might be when Changsheng and I lose our lives."

Wang Changsheng strongly agreed with this. Since both Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozong, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, agreed to this matter, Wang Mingyuan and Wang Mingzhan naturally wouldn't object.

After chatting for a while, Wang Changsheng left the study to visit Liu Qing'er and Wang Changyue. Liu Qing'er, upon learning that Wang Changsheng was going to the Wang family to propose marriage, smiled broadly. "Son," she asked, "what kind of person is this Miss Wang? Tell your mother how you met?"