Chapter 2396: Tribe Members Each Perform Their Duties

Qinglian Palace was the largest auction house in Qinglian Valley.

As the Qinglian Dharma Assembly approached, a large number of high-ranking cultivators flocked into Qinglian Valley. Various factions were once again holding multiple auctions to sell their goods.

Inside Qinglian Palace was a spacious and brightly lit main hall. At its center stood a hundred-zhang-wide azure lotus platform. On the lotus platform was an azure jade table, behind which stood a corpulent middle-aged man. On the jade table lay a gleaming red flying sword, exuding astonishing spiritual energy.

The middle-aged man had a round face, small eyes, fair skin, and a shrewd expression.

Wang Moxin, a Core Formation cultivator, was a descendant of Wang Qingcheng and was responsible for auctioning the items.

Around the azure lotus platform were tens of thousands of seats, with thousands of cultivators currently attending the auction.

Any faction wishing to host an auction at Qinglian Palace had to have a Wang family cultivator as the host. If rare items appeared, the Wang family would arrange for someone to bid on them. If there were no rare items, the Wang family could still collect a commission.

The commissions alone brought a substantial profit to the Wang family, demonstrating the benefit of establishing their own market. Of course, there were also some underground auctions within the market; the Wang family did not interfere, turning a blind eye, and sometimes even sent people to participate.

The younger generation of the Wang family had grown up, with Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators serving in various roles, contributing to the family. It was their presence that allowed the family to function normally.

"Four million spirit stones! Are there any higher bids? Four million, once! Four million, twice! Four million, third and final call! Sold! This spiritual treasure, the Crimson Spark Sword, goes to Senior Lin!"

Wang Moxin announced loudly, a hint of joy in his eyes. Each time an item was sold, he could extract a certain amount of spirit stones as commission; the higher the transaction value, the higher his cut.

After the flying sword was sold, the auction concluded, and the cultivators began to depart.

"Moxin, you've done very well!"

A clear, bell-like female voice suddenly rang out, and a tall young woman in a golden dress flew down in front of Wang Moxin.

The young woman's dress bore a lotus pattern with golden petals, the insignia of an enforcement disciple.

"Twelfth Aunt, w-why are you here? I haven't done anything wrong recently."

Wang Moxin looked nervous upon seeing the young woman in the golden dress. The family had developed rapidly and expanded quickly over the years, with the number of clansmen growing exponentially. As the saying goes, a big forest attracts all kinds of birds. The family had a dedicated Enforcement Hall to investigate and discipline clansmen who violated family rules.

An enforcement disciple showing up was never a good sign.

"I didn't say you did anything wrong, why are you so nervous? Modang harmed two Core Formation cultivators to obtain Nascent Soul spiritual items. Are you aware of this matter?"

The young woman in the golden dress spoke with a heavy tone. As the family grew more powerful, some clansmen engaged in illicit activities, such as murder and robbery, vying for female cultivators' affections, or coercive buying and selling—all actions that tarnished the family's reputation. Once discovered, such transgressions were severely punished without leniency.

"I-I didn't know! I've been in Qinglian Valley this whole time. I haven't contacted him in a long time. Is it true?" Wang Moxin asked cautiously.

"There is both human testimony and material evidence. He can't deny it. He has been apprehended and brought back to the family, imprisoned in Tianfeng Valley, and subjected to the Wind Torment until his death. He will never have a chance to come out," the young woman in the golden dress said coldly.

Wang Moxin shivered, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"In that case, your involvement in this matter was a false accusation. Go about your business! Don't do anything that violates family rules."

After saying this, the young woman in the golden dress left the auction house.

A hundred-acre estate featured pavilions, towers, garden corridors, and strange rock formations.

Inside a large azure stone pavilion, more than fifty Nascent Soul cultivators were enjoying tea and chatting. Wang Huashuo was among them.

Wang Huashuo, a descendant of Wang Yingjie, was currently a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He had studied alchemy under Liu Hongxue and was currently a fourth-tier alchemist.

Many factions sent representatives to the Qinglian Dharma Assembly hosted by the family, hoping to acquire fifth-tier puppet beasts and Heaven-connecting Spirit Treasures.

Wang Huashuo took this opportunity to host a gathering, meet fourth-tier alchemists from other factions, exchange knowledge on alchemy, and make some friends.

As the family developed and grew stronger, the Wang family's influence and appeal increased significantly. For a fourth-tier alchemist from a smaller faction, it would not be easy to gather so many fourth-tier alchemists to discuss alchemy.

Wang Huashuo's parents were both Soul Transformation cultivators, and his mother was a fifth-tier alchemist, so Wang Huashuo's appeal was indeed very strong.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, at such a young age, you possess such profound insights into the Dao of Alchemy. This old man is truly impressed."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, the next time we meet, I'm afraid we'll have to address you as Senior Wang."

"If you ask me, your esteemed father will soon advance to the Void Refinement stage. When that happens, I, Liu, will certainly come to your door for a cup of wine."

The cultivators eagerly flattered Wang Huashuo. They knew his parents were Soul Transformation cultivators and that Liu Hongxue was a fifth-tier alchemist. Wang Huashuo himself carried fifth-tier elixirs, occasionally exchanging them with others.

"Fellow Daoists, you flatter me. Advancing to Void Refinement is not that easy," Wang Huashuo said modestly, though a hint of joy appeared on his face. He also hoped his parents would both advance to the Void Refinement stage.

"It's still early; let's exchange treasures! We can trade what we have for what we lack."

Wang Huashuo suggested this, thinking that these Nascent Soul cultivators, coming from all corners of the land, might have some valuable items to trade.

The other Nascent Soul cultivators did not refuse and readily agreed.

Wang Huashuo took out dozens of items, including fourth-tier puppet beasts, spirit treasures, fifth-tier elixirs, and fifth-tier demon cores.

Envy appeared on the faces of all the cultivators simultaneously. While they could afford individual items, they couldn't possibly acquire all of them together.

As expected of a descendant of a Soul Transformation cultivator, his wealth was immense.

"I wish to trade for ancient pill recipes or items of equivalent value," Wang Huashuo declared proudly, his gaze sweeping over the cultivators present.

He had presented many valuable items, and the cultivators, one after another, sent mental messages to Wang Huashuo, taking out treasures for him to inspect.

On the ninth floor of a nine-story azure pagoda, Wang Jiye and over twenty other Soul Transformation cultivators were enjoying tea and chatting. These Soul Transformation cultivators came from all corners of the land, including immortal cultivation sects, immortal cultivation families, and even rogue cultivators.

The Wang family's Qinglian Dharma Assembly was not merely for selling goods, but rather to expand their influence. By featuring fifth-tier puppet beasts and Heaven-connecting Spirit Treasures, they aimed to attract Soul Transformation cultivators from other factions, forge friendships, broaden their social network, and form marriage alliances or actual alliances whenever possible.

"Fellow Daoists, you have traveled countless miles to reach Qinglian Valley. I toast to all of you."

Wang Jiye raised his teacup, offering a toast. The cultivators dared not be disrespectful and raised their teacups in return.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too modest. I heard there will be fifth-tier puppet beasts at this auction. How many will be for sale? Our clan leader gave me a strict order to definitely acquire one."

"Indeed! I also received orders from my Sect Master; I must acquire a fifth-tier puppet beast."

"Hehe, this old man desires a Heaven-connecting Spirit Treasure even more."

Wang Jiye smiled slightly and explained, "We have put up seven fifth-tier puppet beasts and five Heaven-connecting Spirit Treasures for auction, most of which were crafted by my own hand. Fellow Daoists should prepare more spirit stones. If your spirit stones are insufficient, you may use treasures as collateral."

The cultivators readily agreed, their faces beaming with smiles.

Almost simultaneously, the high-ranking cultivators of the Wang family held various gatherings to make friends and expand their social circles.