Chapter 155: Canglan City

Currently, the clan has 162 cultivators. Seventeen clan members are under fifteen years old, and forty-three are over sixty. There are eight clan members at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, three of whom are under sixty. Ninety-seven clan members are between fifteen and sixty years old and are at the fourth level of Qi Refinement or above. The clan possesses seven second-tier spirit talismans, one set of second-tier array talismans, and five second-tier puppet beasts. The clan's spirit stone reserves are not extensive, with just over 76,000.

In recent years, the Wang family has fared considerably better. However, with numerous clan members, the monthly stipends constitute a significant sum, not to mention social obligations and expenditures. The just over 76,000 spirit stones represent the Wang family's entire savings.

"I suggest we close the shop in Ziyue Market to save on expenses," Wang Changsheng proposed. "We should transfer fifteen clan members to Chu State to rent a shop in a large market there. Furthermore, we need to reduce the sale of puppet beasts and begin stockpiling various resources, especially talismans and puppet beasts. However, this must be done discreetly, without attracting attention, especially from the Four Great Sects of Great Song. If they inquire, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Everyone discussed for over three hours and made several decisions.

Wang Mingzhong and Wang Mingjiang have both cultivated to the ninth level of Qi Refinement. The Earth Fiend True Qi was given to Wang Mingzhong, and the Foundation Establishment Elixir was given to Wang Mingjiang, with the aim of cultivating two more Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After many years of breeding, the Wang family now possesses eight Azure-Scaled Horses and five Fire-Feathered Eagles, excluding Wang Changsheng's own.

Despite the Wang family's extensive efforts, the Golden-Beaked Eagles simply could not mate with the Fire-Feathered Eagles.

To feed the Azure-Scaled Horses, the Wang family dedicated five mu of spirit land to cultivating Azureflower Grass. Even so, the Azureflower Grass was still insufficient to feed the Azure-Scaled Horses. The next morning, Wang Changsheng, accompanied by five clan members, each riding an Azure-Scaled Horse, departed Qinglian Mountain and headed directly for Chu State.

Lanzhou is one of Chu State's twelve prefectures. Its territory is mostly plains with abundant farmland. The Jinsha River, Chu State's largest river, flows through Lanzhou, providing convenient irrigation. Lanzhou has long been known as a 'land of fish and rice.' With convenient transportation and beautiful scenery, large numbers of merchants and tourists visit Lanzhou annually, either for business or leisure.

The Canglan Mountain Range is located in the northwest of Lanzhou, stretching for thousands of miles. It boasts dense vegetation and rich demonic beast resources. Canglan City, one of the Four Great Markets of Chu State, is situated deep within the Canglan Mountain Range, attracting large numbers of cultivators daily.

Early that morning, just as dawn broke, six large, azure steeds appeared on the vast plain, galloping rapidly towards the Canglan Mountain Range.

The azure steeds were incredibly fast, with fist-sized azure scales on their heads, clearly indicating they were no ordinary horses. The leading azure steed was over a zhang tall, ridden by a handsome young man in a blue robe, who was none other than Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng's current trip to Canglan City had two purposes: to rent a shop and help the clan members establish themselves, and to avoid potential trouble. This decision was made based on the advice of Wang Yaozong and several other clan elders. If Wei and Song were to go to war and Song State issued a conscription order, Wang Yaozong could lead the clan members. With Wang Changsheng temporarily residing in Chu State, even if something happened to the Wang family, as long as Wang Changsheng and Wang Changfeng were alive, the Wang family would not fall.

To avoid attracting unwanted attention, the number of people on this trip was small. More clan members would gradually be sent to Canglan City later.

Besides Wang Changsheng, the group included Wang Mingzhan, Wang Mingxiao, Wang Changhui, Wang Changren, and Wang Qingze. These six Wang clan members, representing three generations, constituted the backbone of the Wang family. Wang Qingze was nearly eighteen, so this trip was considered an early start to his responsibilities.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they appeared outside a peach blossom forest. The forest spanned several mu, and the air was filled with a rich floral fragrance.

"'Dismount!'" Wang Changsheng dismounted and put his Azure-Scaled Horse back into his spirit beast bag. Wang Mingzhan and the other five followed suit. After a flash of spiritual light enveloped them, the six strode towards the peach blossom forest.

As they reached a certain spot, ripples spread through the void, and the six vanished into it. Wang Changsheng felt a blur before his eyes and suddenly found himself on a vast plain. About a hundred zhang ahead, a tall city, over ten zhang high, stood erect. Above its several-zhang-tall city gate, the three golden characters 'Canglan City' were carved.

There was no one on the city walls, and the city gate was wide open. Many cultivators could be seen, and several walked ahead of Wang Changsheng and his group, strolling leisurely into Canglan City.

Canglan City was not much smaller than White Dragon Valley in scale. Its streets were wide and clean, lined with shops, and bustling with people. Wang Changsheng and his group were visiting Canglan City for the first time and were unfamiliar with its layout. Wang Qingze curiously observed the pedestrians on the street.

"'Senior, do you need a guide?'" A young woman in a green skirt with a delicate face approached and asked Wang Changsheng. Her expression was calm, indicating this was clearly not her first time offering such a service.

"'Are you a local? Are you familiar with Canglan City?'" Wang Changsheng scrutinized the young woman in the green skirt and asked in a deep voice.

The young woman in the green skirt smiled faintly and said, "My name is Sun Qian. I grew up in Canglan City, so I'm quite familiar with it. With me as your guide, Senior, you can save a lot of time. It's one spirit stone per day."

Wang Changsheng nodded. Wang Qingze, who was beside him, took out a spirit stone and handed it to Sun Qian. "Lead the way! First, tell us about Canglan City, and then take us to get something to eat, just something to fill our stomachs."

Sun Qian accepted the spirit stone with a joyful smile. "Yes, Senior, please follow me. Canglan City is divided into four districts. The East District mainly consists of rice shops, restaurants, and clothing stores. The South District's shops deal with the sale and acquisition of raw materials, such as spiritual fruits, spiritual herbs, refining materials, talisman-making materials, and demonic beast meat. The West District is primarily residential. Finally, the North District has a very wide range of businesses, including spiritual pills, spiritual and magical artifacts, talismans, and array flags. Every ten years, Canglan City hosts an auction. An auction was just held a month ago, and three Foundation Establishment Elixirs even appeared there."

As she finished speaking, an envious expression appeared on her face.

"'If we want to start a business, where should we rent a shop?'" "The West District. The management office is located there. Any issues regarding shop rentals or business disputes are handled at the management office."

Sun Qian continued to introduce Canglan City to Wang Changsheng and his group while leading them. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they appeared outside a noodle shop.

"This Liu's Noodle Shop is where I've eaten since I was little. It's good quality and affordable. If you don't like noodles, the buns at Chen's Steamed Bun Shop next door are also good, and the Ye's Baked Cake Shop across the street tastes great too. Qingyu Xuan also has excellent pastries and desserts." As Sun Qian described them, she couldn't help but swallow.

"'Let's eat at the noodle shop then! What kind of business is most profitable? Tell us about the shops with the best business.'" Wang Changsheng entered the noodle shop and ordered seven bowls of fish-flavored shredded pork noodles, one for Sun Qian as well.

Sun Qian thanked him. While waiting for the noodles to arrive, she meticulously introduced the five most prosperous shops to Wang Changsheng.