Chapter 191: Swallowing the Huang and Chen Families

Zhao Ningxiang could no longer stay in Medicine King Valley. She had killed Nangong Chen and his wife, and Zhao Yuhui was dead. The Zhao family was on the verge of collapse at any moment. She now clearly understood the true nature of immortal cultivation sects. Her sole desire was to properly manage and care for the Zhao family, as this was Zhao Yuhui's dying wish and would be Zhao Ningxiang's guiding principle from now on.

The Zhao family was now her entire world.

The Wang family ostensibly had two Foundation Establishment cultivators. With their help, the Zhao family’s affairs would be much more convenient.

What Zhao Ningxiang hadn't expected was that the Wang family had already allied with the Hundred Spirit Sect long ago.

If she had known that the Wei and Song nations would go to war, she wouldn't have joined Medicine King Valley.

At this moment, only Wang Changsheng, Wang Mingjiang, Zhao Ningxiang, and Wang Changxue were in the room.

"Since the Song nation has been defeated, we can act without restraint. Cousin Ningxiang, how did you know that only Nascent Soul cultivators understand soul-searching techniques? What if a Core Formation cultivator from Huang Sheng Palace has a special treasure? Wouldn't you still have to confess truthfully?" Wang Changsheng asked, voicing his doubt.

"What's the big deal? It was a gamble. If Grandmother were still alive, I would never gamble, but Grandmother is gone. If we can't secure the support of the Five Sects of Wei, our Zhao family won't be far from ruin. Flee? Where can we flee to? I can't look after hundreds of people by myself. If I lose the gamble, it's just my life. If I win, our Zhao family can have a bright future." Zhao Ningxiang's beautiful eyes showed a resolute expression, her tone somewhat heavy.

"New emperors bring new officials; this is our Wang family's opportunity. Changsheng, we must foster a good relationship with Fellow Daoist Su. From now on, we will rely entirely on the Hundred Spirit Sect's patronage. Changxue, when you return to the sect, bring a sum of spirit stones and try your best to befriend influential figures in the Hundred Spirit Sect," Wang Mingjiang earnestly instructed, and Wang Changxue readily agreed.

"Cousin Ningxiang, then it's settled. We'll act separately to help the Hundred Spirit Sect disciples persuade other immortal cultivation families to stay. But as for the Lin family…"

"Cousin Changsheng, don't worry. The Lin family is too close to the Purple霄 Sect. I've already pledged allegiance to Huang Sheng Palace and won't try to curry favor with the Purple霄 Sect anymore. Cousin Yuxin has a high chance of advancing to the Core Formation stage. Now that Wei is powerful and has taken over Song, who knows when the Three Sects might fight back. Let the Lin family leave! After all, they can't take the spiritual脉 with them."

The two parties conversed for over an hour before dispersing.

After seeing Zhao Ningxiang off, Wang Changsheng convened a meeting of the clan elders, assigning tasks to each one.

Wang Changsheng arranged a banquet with fine wine and delicious food to entertain Su Cheng and the other five Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Su, from now on, we'll be sharing the same pot. This is a small token of our appreciation; please don't take offense, Fellow Daoists," Wang Mingjiang toasted Su Cheng and produced five storage bags, distributing them among the five, with each receiving a thousand spirit stones.

Upon receiving the spirit stones, the smiles on their faces deepened. Su Cheng laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind. Su thanks you."

"Fellow Daoist Su, the news of Song's defeat hasn't spread throughout the entire Song nation yet. We have some private matters to attend to. Could we possibly defer the task of consolidating the other immortal cultivation families until tomorrow?" Wang Changsheng asked politely. A day's time would allow the Wang family to accomplish many things.

In this great battle, the Chen and Huang families were also conscripted. When Wang Changsheng went to guard the spirit stone mine, Huang Haiming and Chen Xianren had already died in battle. This was a golden opportunity for the Wang family. By annexing the Chen and Huang families, they could not only compensate for their losses but also increase their strength. Most importantly, this expansion was supported by the Hundred Spirit Sect, giving the Wang family considerable confidence.

"Tomorrow? This is a task assigned by Martial Uncle Guang. We dare not be negligent. If we delay Martial Uncle Guang's important matter, we cannot afford the consequences." Su Cheng appeared to be in a difficult position.

Wang Changsheng forced a sincere smile and said, "How about this? Fellow Daoist Su, three hours. Give us three hours. After the matter is settled, we will offer a substantial reward."

"Three hours? Alright! Fellow Daoist Wang, please proceed without worry. With us here, no ruffians will dare to cause trouble for the Wang family." Su Cheng hesitated briefly before agreeing.

After eating and drinking their fill, Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang each led twenty clan members to the Huang family and Chen family, respectively.

It was noon at this time.

The Huang family patriarch was Huang Shengwen, a fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivator.

Huang Shengwen was still unsure about the news of Song's collapse. Wang Changsheng's visit with over twenty clan members made him somewhat nervous.

He dared not open the formation, fearing Wang Changsheng would use the opportunity to attack the Huang family.

"Fellow Daoist Huang has already died on the front lines. The three sects of Song have withdrawn from Song. Fellow Daoist Huang, our Wang family is here to help you. If you're sensible, open the formation." As Wang Changsheng spoke, he conjured five second-tier puppet beasts, which hovered over the Huang family's compound.

Huang Shengwen was inwardly distraught and hesitated.

"I'll give you ten breaths. If you're wise, open the formation, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite. Fellow Daoist Huang is dead, and I will take good care of your Huang family on his behalf." Wang Changsheng said coldly, forming a hand seal.

The five flying puppets unleashed crimson fire blades and azure light swords respectively, striking the formation, causing a series of loud explosions.

"Senior Wang, please stop! I'll open the formation now!" Huang Shengwen shouted, then withdrew the formation.

Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee it, no matter how strong the formation, there would come a day when it was breached. At that point, the Huang family would likely be massacred.

Wang Mingzhan descended with a few clan members, confiscated the formation plate from Huang Shengwen, and gathered the Huang family elders in a courtyard. Only then did Wang Changsheng descend.

"Senior Wang, is my father really gone?" Huang Shengwen stepped forward, asking anxiously.

"Yes, Fellow Daoist Huang has passed away. Our two families are connected by marriage; I will take good care of the Huang family on his behalf. With your eleventh sister-in-law's connection, as long as you are honest, I will not make things difficult for you." Huang Shengwen's face showed a pained expression, and he sighed deeply, taking out a green jade slip and handing it to Wang Changsheng: "Senior Wang, this contains all of our Huang family's properties and clan members. Please review it."

Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised: "You knew I was coming?"

"Before my father left, he had already arranged his affairs. If he didn't return, the Huang family was willing to follow the Wang family's lead and pay tribute annually," Huang Shengwen said sincerely.

"Pay tribute? At this point, do you think I'm here for favors? To be frank with you! Our Wang family has already pledged allegiance to the Hundred Spirit Sect. All of your Huang family's assets will be taken over by us. As for your Huang family members, those who wish to leave may leave, and those who wish to stay may stay. We will make proper arrangements. One thing I must make clear to you: if you choose to stay, do not play any tricks, otherwise do not blame me for being ruthless."

Initially, the Huang family members would certainly be unwilling, but with the passage of time, they would slowly forget their Huang surname and fully integrate into the Wang family.

"Senior Wang, rest assured, father has already given instructions. We know what to do. To be honest, everything I know is in the jade slip; I truly don't know anything else."

Huang Haiming had long prepared contingencies. The attack on the three families' members back then was his doing, aimed at fishing in troubled waters. Huang Haiming's grandson and several talented clan members had already found a safe place to hide and cultivate. Once they successfully reached Foundation Establishment, they would return to Changping County, rally their kin, and the Huang family could continue to thrive.

In fact, cultivating within the Huang family was the safest, but with the impending turmoil in Song, once Huang Haiming was conscripted, the clan would not be safe.

Huang Haiming had married off two granddaughters to the Wang and Chen families precisely to prepare for this day.