Chapter 2683: Wang Chuanfeng (No More Today)

"No, that's too dangerous. I'd rather find safer missions. Safety first."

Wang Yongan subtly declined. His mother only had one son, and she wouldn't let him undertake even slightly dangerous tasks, let alone hunt demonic beasts.

"Safety first again. No wonder you earned the nickname 'Hermit of Safety'," Wang Yongyue teased with a smile. She remembered something, looked at Wang Yongqian, and asked, "Last time Yongsheng hosted a gathering and invited you, why didn't you go?"

"I had some insights during my cultivation, so I didn't go," Wang Yongqian explained.

"Treating someone to a meal doesn't cost many spirit stones. You shouldn't be so frugal. Wouldn't it be good to get to know more clan members?" Wang Yongyue advised, knowing that Wang Yongqian didn't want to reciprocate an invitation, which was why she didn't attend.

Wang Yongqian rarely attended or hosted gatherings; she was so frugal she'd want to split a single spirit stone in half to spend it.

"Spirit stones are saved. If you save a hundred a day, that's over thirty thousand a year, and life is long! Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Integration stages all require spirit stones. The higher your cultivation, the more resources you need," Wang Yongqian said seriously. She had no interest in gatherings focused on eating and drinking, to avoid having to host in return.

Wang Yongyue was a little exasperated and didn't try to persuade her further. Everyone had their own way of living, and she couldn't control it.

"Ancestor Fanghua is here!" someone shouted. The clan members stopped talking, and Wang Yongan and the other two looked up at the sky.

A long green rainbow flew from the distant horizon, landing on the circular high platform in the center of the square in a flash. The light dissipated, revealing a square-faced, large-eyed old man in a green robe: Wang Fanghua, a formation master.

"Greetings, Ancestor Fanghua (Uncle-Ancestor Fanghua)." Wang Yongan and the other juniors bowed respectfully.

Wang Fanghua nodded, sat cross-legged on a green futon, and said, "Today I am responsible for delivering a lecture. Before I begin, I want to ask you a question: As a formation master, what is most important?"

As soon as he spoke, hundreds of clan members raised their hands. These lectures were a family benefit and a way to select talent. If someone had unique insights or talent in a particular skill, they would be valued by the clan elders, and their treatment could be improved.

Wang Fanghua selected dozens of clan members and asked them to answer. Some said talent was most important, others said careful instruction from elders was most important, and some said inheritance was more important; their opinions varied.

Wang Fanghua's gaze fell on Wang Yongqian, and he asked with a smile, "Yongqian, what's your opinion?"

"Your grandson believes spirit stones are most important. For a formation to unleash its maximum power, it depends not only on the formation master's cultivation but also on the spirit stones used to activate it. If gathering spirit stones or top-grade spirit stones power the formation, its might significantly increases, and the formation master can also save some magic power," Wang Yongqian stated her view.

Wang Fanghua nodded, and just as he was about to shift his gaze, Wang Yongqian continued, "Brother Yongan, what's your opinion?"

Among the thousand or so clan members, everyone wanted to speak, but not everyone had the chance.

Wang Yongan looked grateful, eagerly watching Wang Fanghua. Without permission from a clan elder, no one was allowed to speak; otherwise, it would have quickly devolved into chaos with everyone talking at once.

"Tell us your opinion!" Wang Fanghua asked.

Wang Yongan stood up and said, "To Uncle-Ancestor, your grandson believes a formation master's safety is paramount. If one cannot even protect oneself, how can one set up formations? As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

Clan members familiar with Wang Yongan burst into laughter. He truly lived up to his nickname, 'Hermit of Safety.'

"Silence! Silence!" Wang Fanghua's face darkened, and only then did the clan members quiet down.

"If you were sent to a newly developed territory of the clan, what kind of formation would you set up? Offensive? Enemy-trapping? Illusionary? Or defensive?" Wang Fanghua continued to ask.

"I would first set up a teleportation formation. If we encounter a powerful enemy, it would facilitate family support and escape. Safety first," Wang Yongan said seriously.

Wang Fanghua nodded, told him to sit down, and continued his lecture.

"Now, let's discuss setting up formations. Formations can be set up using raw materials or using formation flags and disks. The former allows for leveraging various terrains, which is quite convenient..."

Jintang Valley was jointly established by several Integration-stage families, primarily for selling metal ores. Cultivators above the Void Refinement stage rarely appeared there. The streets were bustling with crowds and constant shouts.

In a quiet small courtyard with red tiles, there was a two-story red pavilion. A short, stout old man in a golden robe was reporting to Wang Chuanfeng.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, there's an underground auction tomorrow evening at You Shi (5-7 PM). I hear there are many good items. Would you like to attend?" the old man in the golden robe asked courteously.

After Wang Changsheng advanced to the Fusion stage, a large number of Wang clan disciples traveled to major market cities inland, widely participating in various gatherings and auctions to collect cultivation resources, especially cultivation techniques.

Wang Chuanfeng was one of them. He was currently at the mid-Integration stage and had previously served within the clan. This time, it was a rare opportunity for him to be assigned outside, and he was eager to achieve something.

There were two clan elders at the Integration stage above Wang Chuanfeng. He was responsible for gathering information and collecting cultivation resources.

The old man in the golden robe was Master Jinyue, a guest elder of the Wang family. He had joined the Wang family less than five hundred years ago and was currently at the late Integration stage.

The Wang family had recruited many guest elders to bring in fresh blood. After Wang Changsheng advanced to the Fusion stage, a large number of Integration-stage cultivators sought to join the Wang family. However, only those who passed a strict vetting process were allowed in, adhering to the principle of "better lacking than indiscriminate."

"An underground auction! I understand. I hope some good items appear this time! You can come with me!" Wang Chuanfeng instructed. Years ago, Master Jinyue was gravely wounded while being pursued by powerful enemies. If not for the assistance of the Wang family cultivators, Master Jinyue would have long lost his life.

After joining the Wang family, Master Jinyue had been diligent and serious in his duties. After Wang Changsheng advanced to the Fusion stage, Master Jinyue became even more industrious.

"By the way, I haven't seen your cousin for a while. How has he been recently?" Master Jinyue asked curiously. There were various types of guest elders; some were dispatched to work outside, while others were permanently stationed on Green Lotus Island, depending on their cultivation and contributions.

He had always worked externally and was not aware of Wang Chuanming's situation.

"Brother Chuanming made a minor mistake and was confined for five hundred years. He won't be leaving Green Lotus Island anytime soon," Wang Chuanfeng explained.

"Confined for five hundred years for a minor mistake?" Master Jinyue was somewhat surprised. The Wang family's rules were indeed strict, but there were significantly fewer dissolute youths compared to other families.

"Yes, but he also performed a meritorious service, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, it's only a matter of time before he advances to the Void Refinement stage," Wang Chuanfeng said, an expression of envy on his face by the end.

In a private chat with Wang Chuanyun, he learned that Wang Chuanming had eliminated an Integration-stage evil cultivator and obtained a very valuable material, but he had also made a mistake. He was reprimanded by the family head and confined for five hundred years. If his merits hadn't been so great, he would have been sent to the Law Enforcement Hall.