Chapter 1534: Family Recent Situation

The young woman in a green dress hesitated slightly. "You are merely Junior Martial Brother Ye's registered disciple," she said. "Due to the sect's rules and regulations, I cannot teach you too much. These are some insights I have gained regarding sword formations. How much you comprehend depends entirely on you."

She flicked her sleeve, and a light blue jade slip flew out, stopping in front of Wang Qingshan.

"This disciple thanks Martial Aunt Song for her guidance. Though I am a registered disciple, if the sect ever needs my help, I will never refuse."

Wang Qingshan said with a serious expression. The better the Taiyi Immortal Sect treated him, the deeper his bond with them became, and a bond implied responsibility.

In Wang Qingshan's heart, his family always came first; the Taiyi Immortal Sect was secondary. He never forgot those who helped him; Wang Qingshan had not forgotten that the Taiyi Immortal Sect had greatly assisted him in reaching his current position.

The young woman in the green dress's expression hardened. She spoke in a stern tone, "Nephew Wang, you have already witnessed the profound mysteries of the Taiyi Sword Wall. I hope you do not disappoint Martial Uncle Liu's expectations."

"Martial Aunt Song, please be assured, this disciple understands," Wang Qingshan said earnestly. Although he was nominally a registered disciple, his treatment was almost on par with that of a true disciple.

Every Nascent Soul cultivator in the Taiyi Immortal Sect would take one or two true disciples to inherit their legacy. Liu Ye guided Wang Qingshan's cultivation and even allowed him to study the Taiyi Sword Wall, which was not the kind of treatment a registered disciple would normally receive. There were no free lunches, and if pies did fall, they wouldn't just happen to land on Wang Qingshan.

The stone wall lit up with a dazzling spiritual light, and Han Tianxuan flew out from within the wall. His body was covered in wounds, blood flowed ceaselessly, he was covered in dust, and he looked somewhat disheveled.

"Tianxuan, are you alright?" Sword Venerable Xiaoyao swiftly stepped in front of Han Tianxuan, his face filled with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Master, this disciple is fine," Han Tianxuan said, shaking his head, his expression excited. He had gained a deeper understanding of the "Four Seasons Sword Art" and believed that if he set up a sword formation again, its power would be even greater.

The "Four Seasons Sword Art" came with several powerful sword formations. The deeper one's understanding of the "Four Seasons Sword Art," the greater the power of the sword formations created.

"Junior Brother Qingshan, what did you comprehend?" Han Tianxuan looked at Wang Qingshan and asked curiously.

"I comprehended a sword formation, but it's not yet perfect and requires more time to refine. How about you, Senior Brother Han?" Wang Qingshan replied truthfully.

"I didn't comprehend a sword formation," Han Tianxuan said excitedly, "but I understand what 'Four Seasons' truly means now." The "Four Seasons Sword Art," as one of the Taiyi Immortal Sect's foundational cultivation methods, was extremely difficult to master. Sword Venerable Xiaoyao also cultivated the "Four Seasons Sword Art"; however, Sword Venerable Xiaoyao and Han Tianxuan had different understandings of it. What one comprehended oneself was one's own Dao; the Dao taught by a master remained the master's Dao.

Sword Venerable Xiaoyao nodded with satisfaction. Both disciples had gained something from studying the Taiyi Sword Wall; this was what made him happiest.

"The time limit is up; you may leave Sword Valley now!" The young woman in the green dress flicked her sleeve, closed her eyes, and began to meditate and regulate her breath.

Sword Venerable Xiaoyao nodded and led Wang Qingshan and Han Tianxuan out of Sword Valley.

A short while later, Wang Qingshan appeared in a secluded small courtyard with green tiles. Inside the courtyard was a three-story azure pavilion. In the bottom left corner was a flowerbed, planted with various rare flowers and exotic plants.

Wang Qingshan entered the azure pavilion, took out the blue jade slip, pressed it to his brow, and began to comprehend its contents. Once he had completely mastered this set of sword formations, he would return to Qinglian Island.

***

South Sea, Qinglian Island.

In the council hall, Wang Mengfen sat in the main seat, his expression solemn.

Over twenty elders sat on either side. Their expressions were solemn. The family's influence was growing steadily, its trade caravans were spending more time away, and data collection was taking longer.

"Patriarch, our family currently has five Nascent Soul cultivators, thirty-five Core Formation cultivators, one thousand four hundred and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, eighteen thousand six hundred and seventy-five Qi Refinement cultivators, and seven million eight hundred and fifty thousand mortals."

This data represented the total number of family members across various locations. A portion of the family members were hidden, and Ye Haitang was among those hidden members. The family members in Cloudsea Sect and Zhoushan Island were also part of the hidden strength, and only a small number of high-ranking Wang family members were aware of this.

Relying on the abundant monster beast resources of the South Sea, the Wang family was able to support nearly twenty thousand cultivators. Their influence extended across the East Barren, South Sea, Central Plains, and Northern Frontier. The South Sea was the Wang family's center, the East Barren was their nominal ancestral land, and the Northern Frontier and Central Plains served as strongholds.

Having developed to this point, the Wang family could be said to have hit a ceiling. The growth in the number of cultivators had slowed, the family's structure was becoming increasingly stable, its income was rising, the number of people in their trade caravans was increasing, and the family's influence was expanding significantly. The Wang family had participated in the demon extermination in the South Sea and the insect eradication in the Northern Frontier, and their influence had expanded accordingly.

"Patriarch, we currently have six trade caravans. Each caravan is led by three Core Formation cultivators. Three caravans are in the South Sea, one in the Central Plains, one in the Northern Frontier, and one in the East Barren."

The Wang family dispatched three Core Formation cultivators to lead the teams. They carried third-tier puppet beasts to guard the goods, and as such, no one dared to covet the Wang family's assets. The Wang family's reputation was currently soaring; any force foolish enough to openly oppose the Wang family would be committing a grave mistake.

Merchant alliances were more powerful than individual trade caravans. However, merchant alliances typically deployed Nascent Soul cultivators to escort goods, transporting tens of millions of spirit stones' worth of goods at a time. A single escort trip could take over a decade, covering almost the entire Dongli Realm. Only major powers could manage this, and the Wang family did not yet possess the resources for such an endeavor.

The South Sea was rich in monster beast resources, with different sea regions yielding different natural products. The Wang family specifically organized three trade caravans to travel to different sea regions to procure cultivation resources and transport them to the Central Plains for sale.

"Patriarch, our income over the past five years was seventeen million six hundred and fifty-seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-two spirit stones. Our expenditures were nine million three hundred and twenty-four thousand eight hundred and forty-five spirit stones. Regarding expenditures, materials for crafting puppet beasts accounted for fifty percent, and family members' stipends accounted for thirty percent."

As the Wang family's influence grew, their income naturally increased, but so did their expenses. Upon True Monarch Tianyue's warning, Wang Changsheng ordered an intensified effort in crafting puppet beasts. The family treasury was now filled with various puppet beasts and other strategic materials. Simultaneously, training and battle formations were rigorously practiced, with Wang Youwei in charge.

"Patriarch, Martial Uncle Qiuming has advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. One of the 'Two Heroes' positions is now vacant. Whom do you suggest we choose?" Wang Youwei asked in a deep voice, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Hearing this, the other elders all looked towards Wang Mengfen.

As the Wang family expanded, the emergence of multiple interest groups within the clan was inevitable. Who wouldn't want their own branch's descendants to achieve success? Once successful, they could look after their own branch. Even major immortal cultivation sects had multiple interest groups. If managed well, these groups could actually benefit a force. However, if not coordinated properly and if these groups spiraled out of control, it would lead to trouble.

Wang Mengfen frowned and said, "I will consult with the Old Ancestor. Whether one is selected will still depend on their contributions to the family. All of you must perform your duties diligently and never be complacent."

"Yes, Patriarch," Wang Youwei and the others responded in unison.

"That will be all for today! You may return to your duties." Wang Mengfen stood up and left, and Wang Youwei and the others returned to their respective residences.