Chapter 209: Visiting in Person

Just as Li Zhiyuan was about to report on the Poison Gu Sect, Wang Changsheng and his group arrived at Hundred Spirit Gate.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang stayed in the Welcome Pavilion, guarding two Qi Refining cultivators and more than a dozen mortals.

In less than an hour, a golden light appeared on the horizon, drawing closer until it landed in front of Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang.

As the golden light dispersed, it revealed a portly man with a greasy sheen on his face. Layers of fat rolled over his waist, and his eyes were squeezed into narrow slits by the flesh around them.

Sensing the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from the stout man, Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang did not dare to be negligent. They quickly bowed and saluted, "Junior Wang Mingjiang (Wang Changsheng) greets Senior Guang."

Hundred Spirit Gate had only one Core Formation cultivator, Guang Dongren. Wang Changxue had fortunately met Guang Dongren and described his appearance to Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang.

"Greetings, Ancestor Guang." The Qi Refining cultivators in the Welcome Pavilion, upon seeing Guang Dongren, bowed in unison and spoke simultaneously.

Guang Dongren waved his hand, his authoritative gaze quickly sweeping over Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang. He instructed, "You two, come in with me, and bring those two Qi Refining cultivators in."

With that, he strode into the Welcome Pavilion.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang did not dare to delay, and escorted the two Qi Refining cultivators from the Li family inside.

"Who are you? Where are you from? Confess honestly, and I might spare your lives," Guang Dongren said coldly, his icy gaze sweeping over the two Li family Qi Refining cultivators.

They lacked the resolve to die, otherwise they wouldn't have truthfully revealed their origins.

Even immortal cultivation families had cowards.

They dared not conceal anything and truthfully told Guang Dongren their origins. However, they did not know the reserves of the spirit stone mine; they were only responsible for extracting raw spirit ore.

After questioning them, Guang Dongren turned his gaze to Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang and said amiably, "You've done well. When this spirit stone mine is secured, you will certainly be rewarded. You may return now. Remember, this matter must not be spread outside, understand?"

"Yes, junior understands," Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang replied in unison, then turned and left.

At that moment, a red-robed youth walked in.

"Zifeng, go back to the sect and dispatch twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators. Tell them to come to the Welcome Pavilion; I have important instructions for them," Guang Dongren ordered the red-robed youth.

After leaving the Welcome Pavilion, Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang saw Wang Changxue.

They exchanged a few pleasantries, then bid farewell.

After leaving the Hundred Spirit Mountain Range, Wang Mingjiang frowned and said, "We've performed such a great service, yet we're dismissed with just a few words. If I had known this, we might as well have stayed to mine the ore!"

"Hundred Spirit Gate hasn't secured that spirit stone mine yet, so it's not surprising they haven't given us any rewards. Once they take it, there should be rewards. If merits aren't rewarded, who would work for Hundred Spirit Gate in the future? Uncle Twenty-One, how about we visit the Wang family together?"

Since they were already out, Wang Changsheng decided to visit the Wang family.

Wang Mingjiang did not object and agreed.

Inside the Welcome Pavilion, Guang Dongren was giving instructions to his disciples.

"You are to depart immediately. Take my communication jade slip and invite Daoist Li and his group to our sect to discuss important matters. In this grand play, our Hundred Spirit Gate will be the main actors."

"Yes, disciples obey," the twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators replied in unison. After leaving the Welcome Pavilion, they either released spirit birds or conjured magic artifacts, and then departed from the Hundred Spirit Mountain Range.

"Master, Junior Sister Wang discovered the spirit mine. Logically, this spirit stone mine should belong to our Hundred Spirit Gate. Why do you want to share a portion with Senior Li and his group?" Guang Dongren's disciple, Wu Zifeng, voiced his doubt.

"Monopolizing everything might make you fat and prosperous, but it could also burst your stomach. Our Hundred Spirit Gate cannot fully absorb a medium-sized spirit stone mine. After all, our sect only has one Core Formation cultivator. Even if I could handle the Three Sects of Shu Kingdom, the Four Factions of Yellow Saint Palace would not stand by and watch us monopolize a medium-sized spirit stone mine. This spirit stone mine is a hot potato; anyone who dares to swallow it alone is courting death."

Wu Zifeng suddenly understood, then asked, "Master, how do you know it's a medium-sized spirit stone mine? What if it's a small or even a tiny one? Why don't you go and inspect it firsthand?"

"The captured Li family members revealed the size of the mine. They've dug more than a dozen mining tunnels, and hundreds of people have been mining simultaneously for over half a year. It's definitely not a tiny spirit stone mine. Even if it's a small one, that's fine; it's a matter of attitude. Only those with sufficient strength can monopolize; those without will only court disaster. You are already at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, so stop running around. Just cultivate within the sect! Another day, I will slaughter a third-order demonic beast and make a spirit meal to nourish you. We cultivate the same cultivation method, but you are too thin; you must not have eaten enough good things."

Wu Zifeng was deeply moved by these words and agreed repeatedly.

Blue Moon Lake, Wang Family Fort.

A blue light flew from the distant horizon, drawing closer until it stopped above Wang Family Fort.

"Is this Wang Family Fort?" Wang Changsheng murmured to himself, gazing at the area below, which was shrouded in a vast expanse of white mist.

The Wang family now controlled four second-tier spirit veins, three of which were not far apart. Unfortunately, the Wang family did not have any Core Formation cultivators. It was said that Core Formation cultivators could use third-tier formations to move spirit veins.

Not long after, two streaks of spiritual light flew out from Wang Family Fort; they were just two Qi Refining cultivators.

"This is Wang Family Fort. May I ask what instructions the two seniors have?" the older middle-aged man said politely, his face full of vigilance.

"I am Wang Changsheng, and this is my clan uncle, Wang Mingjiang. We have come to visit Fairy Wang Ruyan."

"So it's Senior Wang. Please wait a moment, Senior Wang, I will inform them immediately." The middle-aged man took out a white jade plate, its surface covered with spirit patterns. He cast a spell upon it, and with a hum, the jade plate glowed brightly.

"Fourth Uncle Grandmaster, two Senior Wangs have come to visit. One of them, who introduced himself as Wang Changsheng, said he is here to visit Ninth Aunt."

Soon after, a man's voice sounded, "Daoist Wang is a partner of our Wang family; do not neglect them. Please invite them in quickly."

"Yes, Fourth Uncle Grandmaster."

Wang Changsheng secretly marveled. As expected of an immortal cultivation family with a Core Formation cultivator overseeing it, even their welcoming disciples had communication spiritual artifacts.

The middle-aged man put away the white jade plate, gestured for Wang Changsheng and the other to follow, and respectfully said, "Two seniors, please follow me."

He took out a square blue token and gently waved it towards the white mist below. A blue light flew out from it, instantly disappearing into the mist.

Not long after, the white mist quickly dissipated, revealing a massive fortress within Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang's sight.

Wang Changsheng steered the Blue Lotus Boat, slowly landing outside the fortress, then followed the middle-aged man inside.

After a while, they arrived at a spacious and brightly lit hall. A dignified, scholarly-looking middle-aged man had been waiting for some time. Seeing Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang, he quickly approached them and said with a smile, "I am Wang Shuyuan. Welcome, fellow Daoists."

"Daoist Wang, you are too kind. We have cooperated for many years and have long wanted to visit, but unfortunately, we were tied up with various matters and couldn't make it."

Wang Changsheng knew that Wang Shuyuan was Wang Ruyan's father, so his tone was quite polite.

"Our two families are now partners. If you hadn't come, Daoist Wang, I would have paid you a visit myself soon."

Wang Shuyuan said politely. He then suddenly remembered something and added apologetically, "Daoist Wang, you're here to see Ruyan, aren't you? It's really unfortunate; she went out a few days ago to handle some miscellaneous affairs and won't be back for a while."

"She's out?" Wang Changsheng frowned slightly. His luck was truly poor. Wang Shuyuan surely wouldn't need to fob him off, would he?

Wang Mingjiang smiled faintly and said, "That is indeed unfortunate. It's perfectly fine if your esteemed daughter is not present. Our two families have cooperated many times; we should have increased our interactions long ago, Daoist Wang, don't you agree?"

"Indeed, that is true. Since you two Daoists have come to our Wang Family Fort, please stay for a couple more days so I can properly fulfill my duties as a host."

"Then we shall impose on you, Daoist Wang."

That evening, Wang Shuyuan and Wang Shuming hosted a banquet for Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang. The four chatted cheerfully, their conversation flowing very harmoniously.

Wang Mingjiang repeatedly steered the conversation towards Wang Ruyan's marital status, subtly inquiring whether she had a marriage agreement.

To Wang Changsheng's delight, Wang Ruyan did not have a marriage agreement. Wang Shuyuan, however, seemed disinclined to elaborate on the subject and quickly changed the topic.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang stayed at Wang Family Fort for two days, during which Wang Shuyuan extended warm hospitality.

"Daoist Wang, we still have matters to attend to, so we will take our leave now. We will visit again another day, and you are welcome to be our guest at Green Lotus Mountain."

"Certainly, certainly," Wang Shuyuan agreed repeatedly, personally seeing Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang off.