Chapter 24: Returning to Lotus Island

After Wang Changxing was found to possess a five-element spiritual root, he refused to accept his fate and trained incredibly hard, but with minimal results.

While his peers, aided by spiritual resources, could reach the second level of Qi Refining by age ten, Wang Changxing remained stuck at the first level.

By age fifteen, most of his age-group had reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, but Wang Changxing had only just managed to reach the second.

At this point, Wang Changxing became more philosophical, his focus on cultivation waned, and he turned his attention to food and drink instead.

Since the family was struggling financially and his aptitude was so poor, they naturally wouldn't provide him with a large supply of spiritual items. He thus shifted his focus to the delicacies of the mortal world.

Using his status as a cultivator, Wang Changxing selected ten skilled chefs from the mortal members of the clan to cook exclusively for him. In less than a year, Wang Changxing's weight more than doubled.

Although Wang Changxing was very overweight, it didn't hinder his work.

He worked as a shop assistant at the Spiritual Grain Hall, run by the Wang family, where he was responsible for selling spiritual grains.

Male clan members with poor aptitude, like Wang Changxing, typically performed low-level work. Upon reaching a certain age, they would marry and have children under the family's arrangement, adding new blood to the clan.

Wang Changxing didn't resist this pre-arranged destiny; in fact, he quite enjoyed it. Given his aptitude, no matter how hard he cultivated, he would at most reach the sixth or seventh level of Qi Refining in this lifetime. Since Foundation Establishment was out of reach, he might as well live a carefree life. He reported to the Spiritual Grain Hall regularly, returned to Green Lotus Mountain on schedule, ate when he wanted, and slept when he wanted. As long as he didn't violate clan rules, the elders wouldn't bother him.

When Wang Changsheng was young, he often played with Wang Changxing, and they had a good relationship.

"I'm on leave today and can stay on Green Lotus Mountain for a month. If you're not in a hurry, how about coming over for a couple of drinks?" Wang Changxing cordially invited.

"Maybe next time! I still need to rush back to Ping'an County!" Wang Changsheng politely declined.

Wang Changxing didn't take it to heart, as he was merely being polite. After a brief chat, he parted ways with Wang Changsheng and headed up the mountain.

By the time Wang Changsheng returned to Ping'an County, it was already past noon.

He didn't immediately return to Lotus Island but instead went to the quarry in Greenstone Town.

The quarry was covered by a large expanse of thick white fog, making it impossible to see what was inside.

As soon as Wang Changsheng approached the quarry, a figure rushed out from the white fog; it was Wang Changge.

"Ninth Brother, didn't you go back to Green Lotus Mountain? Why are you back so soon? Did Third Uncle have any instructions?" Wang Changge asked, surprised to see Wang Changsheng.

"No, I'm the Heavenly Master of Ping'an County, and I've returned to guard it. Fourth Brother, won't setting up a formation here attract more attention?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously, pointing at the white fog.

Wang Changge smiled faintly and explained, "This was Fifth Uncle-Grandfather's idea. We'll be staying here for a few years, and rather than secretly mining, it's better to openly set up a formation for excavation. Without any evidence, who would come looking for trouble with us? Furthermore, a defensive formation has also been established here. Unless a Foundation Establishment cultivator attacks, Qi Refining cultivators cannot breach this place."

Wang Changge was full of confidence. Besides a top-grade Tier 1 formation and a mid-grade Tier 1 formation, over forty Qi Refining cultivators were stationed there. There were three clan elders alone who were at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Qi Refining cultivators would definitely not be able to break through. This place could be described as an impregnable fortress. Even if it were attacked by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they could use a low-grade Tier 2 hundred-mile sound transmission talisman to call for assistance. At the speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, help would arrive in less than an hour.

"That's good then. Is there anything you need my help with? If not, I'll head back to Lotus Island."

"I'll take you to see Fifth Uncle-Grandfather. Let's see how he arranges things."

Wang Changge took out a square token and gently waved it towards the white fog behind him. A white light shot out from the token, vanishing instantly into the thick mist.

The white fog churned and swirled, revealing a passage.

Wang Changsheng followed Wang Changge inside. Over a dozen clan members were gathered near the location of the Dark Gold vein, each holding a pickaxe. They raised their pickaxes high and struck them hard against the golden-glowing rock face, creating a clang of metal on stone.

One golden-glowing ore after another was extracted and placed into storage bags.

Not far away, a tea table and an armchair were set up. Wang Yaojing sat in the armchair, holding a book and reading with great interest.

"Fifth Uncle-Grandfather, Ninth Brother is back."

Wang Yaojing put down his book and asked, puzzled, "Changsheng, why are you back so soon? Did Mingyuan send you with a message for me?"

Wang Changsheng shook his head. "No, Father told me to come back. I've already reported the situation to him, and he instructed me to return to Ping'an County to guard it. Does Fifth Uncle-Grandfather have any instructions for me? If not, I'll return to Lotus Island."

"That young Mingyuan, sending you back so quickly," Wang Yaojing frowned.

He had thought Wang Mingyuan would let Wang Changsheng stay on Green Lotus Mountain for a few days, but he hadn't expected Wang Mingyuan to send him back so soon.

From a personal standpoint, he felt Wang Mingyuan was a bit unkind, but from a broader perspective, Wang Mingyuan acted fairly. He didn't keep Wang Changsheng for extra days and sent him back to Ping'an County overnight.

Wang Yaojing pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, since Mingyuan wants you back in Ping'an County, then go back to Lotus Island. I haven't sent anyone to Lotus Island yet. If you encounter anything you can't resolve, come find me here, or you can send a message to the clan via a flying pigeon."

"Your grandson obeys. Your grandson takes his leave," Wang Changsheng readily agreed, bowed to Wang Yaojing, and turned to depart.

Wang Changsheng returned to Greenstone Town, picked up Wang Qiusheng, and headed back to Lotus Island.

Life returned to its usual routine. During the day, he practiced spells, and at night, he cultivated. In addition, he thoroughly memorized the contents of the 'Outline of Artifact Forging'.

This was not only his mother's instruction but also his future.

With a Dark Gold vein that could be mined for three to four years, the Wang family would certainly overcome their current difficulties.

The Wang family ancestor, Wang Yuangang, was a mid-grade Tier 2 artifact forger. After Wang Yuangang, several top-grade Tier 1 artifact forgers also appeared. However, as the family's situation grew increasingly difficult, they were no longer able to cultivate new artifact forgers.

It was foreseeable that once the Wang family overcame their current struggles, and with sufficient financial resources, they would undoubtedly cultivate their own artifact forgers to restore their ancestral glory. At that time, it would be Wang Changsheng's opportunity.

If the Wang family were to cultivate artifact forgers, he had a high probability of becoming one of their chosen candidates. After all, Liu Qing'er had instilled knowledge of artifact forging in Wang Changsheng from a young age. At the time, Wang Changsheng hadn't understood, feeling his mother's efforts were unnecessary and that learning artifact forging was a waste of time when even daily cultivation was a struggle. Now, however, Wang Changsheng couldn't help but admire his mother's foresight.

When learning cultivation knowledge, the clan elders only briefly introduced the basic principles of artifact forging, focusing more on teaching planting techniques, as this was the family's primary source of income.

Frankly speaking, among the 'Chang' generation of the Wang family, Wang Changsheng possessed the most solid knowledge of artifact forging.

Seven days passed quickly.