Chapter 233: Mother's Expectations

Wang Changfeng suddenly remembered something and smiled. "Ninth brother, during this invasion by Chu, most of the immortal cultivation families in Ningzhou were wiped out. As far as I know, fewer than five families survived. Besides our Wang family, there are the Huang, Zhao, and Zhang families. Fellow Daoist Huang single-handedly led the Huang family disciples to eliminate the invading Lin family. The Lin family suffered severe losses this time."

Red Leaf Ridge was originally the Lin family's ancestral home. Given that the four sects of Chu, allied with the three sects of Yaowang Valley, had invaded, it wasn't surprising that the Lin family wanted to reclaim their ancestral home. Huang Deqi was at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment. For the Lin family to still dare to target the Huang family, it could only be described as courting death.

After the Zhao family pledged allegiance to Huangsheng Palace, their clan gained two more Foundation Establishment cultivators, bringing their total to three, including Zhao Ningxiang.

"First Brother, it's not surprising that the Huang family could break through the siege. But where did the Zhao family get the strength to do so?" Wang Changsheng was full of doubts.

"I only heard about it, so I don't know how accurate it is. But as early as the beginning of the Wei-Shu war, the Zhao family had already broken up into small groups and dispersed into the mortal world, leaving only a few people to guard the Zhao family on the surface."

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood. This wasn't surprising. With the Wei-Shu war, he himself was worried that Chu would ally with the three sects of Yaowang Valley to attack. Zhao Ningxiang had betrayed Yaowang Valley before, so it was impossible for her not to take precautions.

"Changsheng, during this major war, many immortal cultivation families were destroyed, and some family cultivators were completely reduced to rogue cultivators. Changfeng and I have discussed taking this opportunity to recruit some of these family cultivators to make up for our losses. What do you think?"

Wang Changsheng nodded in agreement. "I have no objections, but we must thoroughly investigate their backgrounds and not allow them access to the family's core secrets. By the way, Twenty-first Uncle, First Brother, during this war, the Hundred Spirits Sect rewarded us with two Foundation Establishment Pills. How do you think we should handle these two pills?"

"The Grand Void Immortal Sect has spoken, and there won't be another war among the six nations in the short term. I suggest keeping them in the family treasury for future needs. The family is already struggling to support five Foundation Establishment cultivators; adding two more would be a severe burden."

"I agree with Twenty-first Uncle's opinion. We have too little territory. Our main income now comes from puppet beasts. Most of our spirit fields are planted with spirit grains, which yield quickly but not much profit. Spirit herbs have a long growth cycle and slow returns; if there's a war, we'd lose a fortune. The family is already struggling to support five Foundation Establishment cultivators. As long as you and Second Sister are here, the Wang family won't fall."

In recent decades, wars have been too frequent. Most spirit fields were planted with first-tier spirit grains, which have a relatively short growth cycle, quick returns, and are easy to transport. Spirit herbs were different; they required careful handling when harvested, as replanting was often difficult, and their returns were slow.

"This time, I brought back over two hundred thousand units of Golden Adamantite ore. This batch of ore is worth more than fifty thousand spirit stones. However, to avoid trouble, I won't sell these externally; we'll keep them for artifact refining! In addition, I also obtained over a dozen magical artifacts. A few of them are suitable for your use; you can keep them, but don't easily show them to others. As for the other artifacts, if we don't need them, sell them on the black market and make sure it's done discreetly."

Wang Changsheng took out a green storage bag and handed it to Wang Mingjiang.

Wang Mingjiang and Wang Changfeng immediately agreed upon hearing this. They admired Wang Changsheng from the bottom of their hearts. Wang Changsheng's single outing not only yielded two Foundation Establishment Pills but also a large sum of wealth. In contrast, they had gained very little.

"Changsheng, I really don't know what to say. I stayed on the front lines for so long, yet I didn't even kill a single enemy or bring back any wealth." Wang Mingjiang said with a bitter smile.

"Twenty-first Uncle, what are you saying? We are one; there's no 'you' or 'me.' Your safe return is the greatest contribution to the family. Only with you and First Brother handling clan affairs can I cultivate with peace of mind. Besides, the divine abilities of the first six levels of the 'True Scripture of Kui Water' are indeed somewhat limited, only strengthening the physical body. If my spiritual sense weren't powerful enough to control so many puppet beasts, I wouldn't have returned safely either. The family cannot rely on me alone; it needs everyone's collective effort."

Wang Changsheng spoke from the heart. The 'True Scripture of Kui Water' was a foundational cultivation technique of a major sect. The divine abilities of its first six levels were indeed somewhat underwhelming, but upon reaching the seventh level, one could learn spiritual techniques and gain several practical divine abilities. Even just one spiritual technique made it impossible for Wang Changsheng to refuse.

Above magical techniques were spiritual techniques. Each spiritual technique was unique. There was a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Technique Ranking in the cultivation world, and it was said that the top-ranked spiritual techniques could kill Core Formation cultivators with a single strike, let alone cleave mountains or fill seas.

"That's right! Twenty-first Uncle, Ninth Brother is right. The family needs all of us to work together."

Wang Changsheng talked with them for over half an hour, discussing the family's reconstruction. After the discussion concluded, Wang Changsheng went to visit his mother.

Wang Changyue was drinking tea and chatting with Liu Qing'er. Upon seeing Wang Changsheng, Liu Qing'er was very happy.

She was already over seventy years old. Barring any accidents, Qi Condensation cultivators could live over a hundred years, so seventy was indeed an advanced age.

Wang Changsheng noticed with concern that his mother had aged, her hair had turned white, and wrinkles had appeared on her face.

Wang Changsheng briefly explained his recent whereabouts, focusing on the good news and glossing over the bad, only mentioning his battles with enemies in a few words to avoid worrying Liu Qing'er.

Learning that Wang Changsheng had confessed his feelings to Wang Ruyan, Liu Qing'er was overjoyed.

"It should have been this way a long time ago. If she's willing to marry into the Wang family, we won't treat her badly. But if she's not, don't get fixated on one person. Your grandfather always talked about holding his great-grandson, but sadly, he didn't live to see that day. I'm worried I won't live to see you get married either." Liu Qing'er sighed, her face full of worry.

"No, Mother, don't talk nonsense! Of course you'll wait! Your son still wants you to help take care of your grandchildren!" Wang Changsheng quickly tried to comfort her.

"That's right, Mother, don't say such things. When older brother gets married, let sister-in-law give you ten or eight grandchildren; you'll be busy enough. You need to take care of your health so you can take care of your grandchildren in the future." Wang Changyue echoed.

"Life is unpredictable. The last time the family was attacked is the best example." Liu Qing'er sighed, holding Wang Changsheng's and Wang Changyue's hands.

"Changsheng, don't say your mother is selfish. I don't care about others, but if you get any more Foundation Establishment Pills, you must save one for your sister. Changyue must reach Foundation Establishment. Your father and I have toiled for the family for most of our lives, and you've made so many contributions. Giving Changyue a Foundation Establishment Pill isn't too much to ask. You are the highest cultivated in the clan and a second-tier artifact refiner. I'm only worried about your marriage. As for your sister, her aptitude is ordinary. Although she has some talent in array formations, if you don't help her, it will be very difficult for her to reach Foundation Establishment. Changyue grew up on Qinglian Mountain, had little contact with the outside world, and is quite timid. Besides setting up arrays, all she knows is eating. If you, as her older brother, don't help her, then no one else will."

Liu Qing'er spoke slowly, in a tone as if giving her final instructions.

"Mother, please don't worry! I will definitely help Younger Sister reach Foundation Establishment. Please take care of your health so you can help your son raise his grandchildren in the future." Wang Changsheng repeatedly promised.

Receiving Wang Changsheng's reply, Liu Qing'er nodded with relief.

"Alright, I'm fine now. You can go attend to your matters! I'll call you when it's time for dinner tonight."

Wang Changsheng acknowledged, then returned to his room to cultivate.