Chapter 2679: Supporting Qianyuan Sect

Many guests visited this time. Most had received invitations, but some factions arrived uninvited, hoping to forge connections with the Wang family. Wang Ruyan needed to manage these relationships carefully: arranging alliances where suitable, forming partnerships, and declining proposals when necessary.

All these guests presented numerous congratulatory gifts. The more valuable the gifts, the clearer it was that they sought something in return; otherwise, they wouldn't have offered such lavish presents.

Some factions sought marriage alliances, while others desired specific treasures, such as defensive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures, Sky Thunder Spirit Transformation Talismans, or Level 6 puppet beasts. Still others wished for assistance in resolving conflicts, perhaps involving direct confrontations with other Void Refinement realm forces, hoping the Wang family would intervene. These congratulatory gifts were merely an entry point; the more valuable the offering, the more favorably the Wang family would regard the giver. For instance, after Qianyuan Sect presented Cold Gold Divine Sand, Wang Changsheng invited Lin Tianfeng to remain as a guest.

Had it not been for these expectations, these factions would not have presented such lavish gifts. If it were so simple to acquire large quantities of ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs and crafting materials, Integration Stage cultivators would constantly invent excuses to hold celebrations and amass immense wealth—a birthday this year, a descendant's wedding next year, a newly refined treasure the year after.

If a request could be granted, Wang Ruyan would not offer a return gift; instead, she would ask for additional benefits. If a request could not be granted, she would present a return gift, indicating a refusal.

When True Lord Taiyang held his Integration Stage ceremony, the congratulatory gifts he received were not as valuable as those given to Wang Changsheng. This was due to two main reasons: firstly, the Wang family had the backing of Zhenhai Palace; and secondly, they possessed Level 6 puppet beasts and Sky Thunder Spirit Transformation Talismans. These factions were primarily drawn by Zhenhai Palace, the powerful puppet beasts, and the talismans, rather than Wang Changsheng's personal fame, especially since he had only recently advanced to the Integration Stage and had not yet performed any world-shaking feats.

Both Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were keenly aware of this fact.

People came and went, all driven by self-interest.

Wang Ruyan's personal reception of the guests showed them immense respect.

"Junior Brother Wang, your reputation precedes you! So many guests have come to offer their congratulations, and they've presented such a wealth of gifts. This indeed amounts to a significant debt of favors!" Zhao Yunxiao remarked meaningfully that the Wang family had received no fewer than two hundred ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs alone. While these common spiritual herbs might not be extraordinary for Integration Stage cultivators, they represented a substantial amount of cultivation resources for ordinary factions.

Factions like the Ning and Lan families were capable of providing ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs; while it wouldn't completely deplete their resources, it was certainly a considerable expenditure. His words served as a reminder to Wang Changsheng not to hastily grant requests, nor to invite trouble for himself over trivial gains, as it wouldn't be worthwhile.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you jest," Wang Changsheng replied modestly. "They are all showing deference to Zhenhai Palace, which is why they presented such a quantity of gifts. Without Zhenhai Palace, I wouldn't be where I am today. Our Wang family's rise began relatively late, and our strength is still modest, so we would appreciate your continued guidance, Senior Brother Zhao."

Hearing this, Zhao Yunxiao nodded and said, "Very well, we have other matters to attend to, so we won't prolong our stay. You haven't been in the Integration Stage for long, so it would be best not to travel extensively. Focus on cultivating in peace." With those words, Zhao Yunxiao and Song Yuchan departed.

Gongsun Yang conversed leisurely with Wang Changsheng for more than half an hour before also bidding farewell.

A short while later, Wang Ruyan returned to Green Lotus Peak.

Wang Changsheng picked up the teapot, poured Wang Ruyan a cup of spirit tea, and asked with a smile, "How did the discussions fare?"

"These individuals are clearly hoping to gain a lot for little," Wang Ruyan explained. "They offered a few dozen ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs and some Level 6 crafting materials, expecting us to help them eliminate several Void Refinement cultivators. They must think we are easily swayed. Fellow Daoist Lan's request, however, was simple to accommodate; he wishes for a marriage alliance with our family. Lin Tianfeng, on the other hand, made no demands." Wang Ruyan candidly described the situation: these factions were clearly calculating, offering meager benefits in exchange for the Wang family to resolve significant problems for them. Some sought Level 6 puppet beasts, offering ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs and Level 6 crafting materials in return. Others desired Sky Thunder Spirit Transformation Talismans and were willing to trade Dharma Idol materials for them.

Wang Ruyan agreed to some of the guests' reasonable requests but declined the majority of them, sending a return gift in those cases.

Some factions, already on good terms with the Wang family, saw the emergence of an Integration Stage cultivator as an opportunity to severely cripple or eliminate rival forces, thereby expanding their own influence. While this ambition was understandable, the issue lay in their inability to offer significant enough compensation. Even when some factions could present more substantial benefits, Wang Ruyan still did not agree.

The Wang family's foundation was shallow and still required development; their current priority was stability. Furthermore, these factions generally possessed nothing truly extraordinary. However, if there were treasures like Level 7 mineral veins, large spirit stone mines, undiscovered secret realms, Heavenly Void Jade Books, or spatial artifacts, the Wang family would undoubtedly move to acquire them.

"Lan Fukong certainly knows how to conduct himself; he's much more astute than other Void Refinement cultivators," Wang Changsheng said with a smile, recalling that Lan Fukong had discovered some Styx Water in the Myriad Spirits Abyss, sketched it on animal hide, and presented it to Wang Qingshan.

Wang Ruyan nodded, commenting, "Lin Tianfeng is remarkably composed; he didn't make any requests, merely engaging in casual conversation."

"If he lacked even that much composure, Qianyuan Sect would have been annihilated by other forces long ago. Have him come over to Green Lotus Peak! I'm genuinely surprised he managed to acquire Cold Gold Divine Sand." Wang Changsheng had initially intended to find a casual pretext to draw closer to Qianyuan Sect, but to his surprise, Lin Tianfeng arrived with half a box of Cold Gold Divine Sand.

Wang Ruyan retrieved a green communication disk, cast a spell, and instructed, "Moshan, please invite Fellow Daoist Lin from Qianyuan Sect to Green Lotus Peak. We have something to discuss with him."

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Moshan affirmed.

A short while later, Wang Moshan escorted Lin Tianfeng to them.

"Junior Lin Tianfeng respectfully greets Senior Wang." Lin Tianfeng promptly offered a junior's salute, his expression one of profound respect.

"Where did you acquire this Cold Gold Divine Sand?" Wang Changsheng inquired casually. "Is it only half a box? Do you have any more? I can trade other items for it."

"No, that's all there was—just this half box," Lin Tianfeng replied. "I obtained it from an ancient cultivator's dwelling and nearly perished due to its restrictive formations." As Lin Tianfeng recounted this, a flicker of fear crossed his face.

"I've heard that the An family, Heavenly Tiger Sect, and Guangyuan Sect do not have good relations with your Qianyuan Sect," Wang Changsheng said with a smile. "Would you be interested in serving our Wang family?"

"Thank you for not disdaining this junior, Senior Wang," Lin Tianfeng said, immediately kneeling. "I will dedicate my utmost effort, without hesitation."

"Since you will be serving our Wang family, we will not treat you unfairly," Wang Changsheng stated. "This Qian Guang Orb is a defensive treasure; I grant it to you. I will also send people to establish a business in the market run by your Qianyuan Sect to support you. However, unless absolutely necessary, avoid direct conflict with the An family. Furthermore, here is a Biyue Yusan Pill (Green Moon Jade Ginseng Pill); I hope it helps your Qianyuan Sect produce another Void Refinement cultivator." With a flick of Wang Changsheng's sleeve, a green jade box and a green porcelain bottle flew out, settling before Lin Tianfeng.

"Many thanks for the treasures, Senior Wang," Lin Tianfeng expressed gratefully, kowtowing.

With this, Qianyuan Sect formally became an affiliated force of the Wang family.

"In the future, if you acquire any rare materials, you may exchange them with us; we will certainly not treat you unfairly," Wang Ruyan instructed. "Please rise now! There's no need to be so formal amongst our own."

Lin Tianfeng acknowledged her words and stood up.

After a brief casual conversation, Wang Changsheng dismissed Lin Tianfeng.