Chapter 26: Selected

An elderly man in a blue robe, well past seventy, walked in. His complexion was ruddy, and his hair and beard were completely white. His tiger-like eyes commanded respect without needing to glare; one could tell at a glance he was not someone to be trifled with.

Upon closer inspection, one could notice a certain resemblance between the old man's facial features and Wang Mingyuan's.

This blue-robed elder was none other than Wang Mingyuan's father, Wang Yaozu, and Wang Changsheng's grandfather.

Wang Yaozu, seventy-five years old, possessed a three-element spiritual root and was at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He was responsible for liaison with other powers. For example, if the head of a family allied by marriage to the Wang family celebrated a major birthday, Wang Yaozu would take people to offer congratulations upon receiving an invitation.

"Father, why are you back so soon? Weren't you going out to visit a friend?" Wang Mingyuan asked, a hint of surprise and confusion in his eyes.

Wang Yaozu glared, his beard bristling, and grumbled, "If your wife hadn't informed me, you would have truly tricked me into visiting friends! You even brought out your second uncle and convened such a large meeting. You deliberately sent me away, didn't you? If I hadn't come back, I'm afraid Changsheng wouldn't have been selected!"

"Look at you," Wang Mingyuan said, feeling a little guilty. "The candidates are recommended by the uncles, not decided by me."

Wang Yaozu shot Wang Mingyuan a look. "I'm your father, and also an elder of the Wang family. Don't I have a say?"

"Of course you do, but the final decision rests with the uncles."

"I knew you'd say that," Wang Yaozu said slowly. "Second Brother, Sixth Brother, Eighth Brother, as the saying goes, 'recommend the worthy regardless of kinship.' It's true that Changsheng is my grandson, but Qing'er was an artifact refining apprentice at the Divine Weapon Pavilion in Ziyue Market for ten years. From a young age, she instilled a wealth of artifact refining knowledge in Changsheng. If we only consider theoretical knowledge, I believe no one his age knows more than him, don't you all agree? Furthermore, Changsheng was stationed in Ping'an County for three years and, by chance, discovered a Profound Gold ore vein. Isn't it fair to give him a chance? If he performs poorly in the assessment, then naturally, there's no need to train him as an artifact refiner. But if he excels, then he should be given priority training. What do you say?"

"Father," Wang Mingyuan said, looking troubled, "Changsheng made a great contribution by discovering the Profound Gold ore vein, and the clan will certainly reward him generously. There's no need to give him a spot for that, is there? That would be hard to justify to others."

"While it's right to recommend the worthy regardless of kinship and for you to act fairly, you must also be impartial," Wang Yaozu retorted. "If Changsheng weren't your son, would he be ineligible? What's more, your wife worked as an artifact refining apprentice at the Divine Weapon Pavilion for ten years; she must have made some connections. If Changsheng becomes an artifact refiner, when we purchase refining materials from the Divine Weapon Pavilion in the future, Qing'er's connections could help us get some discounts. Changsheng's knowledge of artifact refining is solid. If he can't be selected, why should others be? Give me a reasonable explanation."

"Well..." Wang Mingyuan was speechless and looked towards Wang Yaozong.

Wang Yaozong thought for a moment and said, "Since there are five spots anyway, and a second round of assessment, let's include Changsheng. That leaves four spots. To add to that, the recommended candidates must possess a three-element spiritual root. Those with pseudo-spiritual roots have difficulty cultivating; even if trained as first-tier artifact refiners, their cultivation won't keep up, and their refining skills won't improve much. Furthermore, clan members who are already proficient in other crafts cannot be selected. The age should be between eighteen and fifty. First, select ten clan members who meet these criteria, and then choose the four most outstanding individuals from them. Oh, and immediately recall Changsheng and send someone to take his place."

"Yes, Second Uncle, I'll send a message to Changsheng shortly, asking him to return as soon as possible. Let's first select ten clan members."

After nearly half an hour of discussion, ten clan members were finally selected.

After the meeting adjourned, Wang Mingyuan and Wang Yaozu went to the study, where Liu Qing'er had already prepared refreshments and tea, waiting for a long time.

"Father, how did it go? Was Changsheng selected?" Liu Qing'er asked eagerly, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

"Of course, when I step in, it's always a success," Wang Yaozu said, his face stern. "Speaking of which, if you hadn't informed me, I would have been completely in the dark! Mingyuan, shouldn't you give your father an explanation? I am, after all, an elder of the Wang family. Why did you transfer me away when you convened the clan meeting?"

Wang Mingyuan smiled wryly and explained, "Father, I was just afraid you would recommend Changsheng, which is why I transferred you. I didn't want people to gossip."

Wang Yaozu rolled his eyes and chastised him unceremoniously, "Gossip? What's there to talk about? There are five spots, and Changsheng only took one. He discovered the Profound Gold ore vein; is it excessive for him to occupy one spot? Is it taken for granted that others should be selected? Recommend the worthy regardless of kinship. When you sent Changsheng to Ping'an County to serve as the Heavenly Master, did I ever say you did wrong? Setting aside the fact that Changsheng is your son, if the clan were selecting members to train as artifact refiners, Changsheng would certainly be chosen."

Liu Qing'er nodded and said, "Exactly! From the time Changsheng could remember, I instilled artifact refining knowledge in him every day. Wasn't it all for this day? But can the clan really train five artifact refiners simultaneously? The cost of training one artifact refiner is no small sum, let alone five at once."

"Of course, it's impossible to train five artifact refiners simultaneously," Wang Mingyuan explained. "First, ten clan members will be selected, five of whom will be trained for a period, and then assessed. The two most outstanding will be given priority training."

Liu Qing'er's face immediately lit up, and she urged, "Since Changsheng has been selected, bring him back quickly!"

"Second Uncle has already given the order. This should please you."

"What are you talking about? This is a clan decision," Wang Yaozu admonished meaningfully. "I need to go out. I must remind you, it's fine to be strict with Changsheng, but you must be fair and treat everyone equally. You are too concerned about what others might gossip about. Rumors die with the wise. When you were elected patriarch, your Sixth Brother and others still complained privately! But because you acted fairly, they were convinced. It will be the same with Changsheng; if he passes the assessment and can be trained as an artifact refiner, others won't say anything bad."

"Father is right," Liu Qing'er said, feeling eager. "As long as Changsheng can become an artifact refiner, others won't gossip! You should bring Changsheng back quickly. I want to teach him what I learned at the Divine Weapon Pavilion. I hope he can become an artifact refiner."

Wang Mingyuan gave a wry smile and readily agreed.

"I'll write a letter immediately, telling Changsheng to return at once."

He breathed a long sigh of relief. In truth, if he had truly wanted to keep the information hidden, Liu Qing'er wouldn't have known Wang Yaozu was going on a trip. However, he always presented himself as fair and found it difficult to openly recommend his own son, so he had orchestrated this whole scenario himself.

******

Ping'an County, Lotus Island.

The sun was setting, and the evening glow draped Lotus Island in a golden cloak.

Wang Changsheng sat in a stone pavilion, holding a manual on artifact refining, engrossed in reading.

He had now memorized the basic knowledge of artifact refining and the characteristics of hundreds of first-tier refining materials. As long as he had a refining furnace, materials, and a spirit artifact blueprint, he could try his hand at refining.

"Ninth Uncle, a message from the clan," Wang Qiusheng said, walking quickly towards him with a letter in hand.

The letter contained only one line: "Return to Qinglian Mountain at once. From your father, Wang Mingyuan."

"Return to Qinglian Mountain at once? What happened in the clan? Why the rush?"

Wang Changsheng frowned, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes.

He had been back on Lotus Island for less than half a month. Recalling him so soon wasn't like his father.

"Qiusheng, are you sure this is a message from the clan?" Wang Changsheng asked solemnly.

"Yes, the carrier pigeons used by the clan are different from ordinary ones. It's definitely a clan message."

Upon receiving Wang Qiusheng's affirmative reply, Wang Changsheng felt a surge of joy.

"Take good care of Lotus Island. I need to go back to Qinglian Mountain," Wang Changsheng instructed. "If there's anything important you can't resolve, send a message to the clan." He put away his artifact refining manual, moved his lips slightly, and a white cloud suddenly appeared, lifting him into the air and soaring towards the sky.