Chapter 2706: Safety Layman Wang Yong'an

Putting himself in their shoes, Wang Mengbin wouldn't have said much to an unfamiliar Void Refinement cultivator who came calling; he might even have been wary of them. With an intermediary's introduction and their status as members of the Wang family from Qinglian Island, it was much easier for them to befriend other Void Refinement cultivators.

Wang Shaobin responded, then took out a communication plate, channeled a spell into it, and politely asked, "Fellow Daoist Sun, is Senior Chen available now? Our family's Old Ancestor Mengbin has long admired Senior Chen and wishes to pay a visit."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please wait a moment while I ask my master," a robust male voice replied through the communication plate.

The communication plate in Wang Shaobin's hand dimmed, then glowed brightly a moment later. The man's voice sounded again: "Fellow Daoist Wang, my master is awaiting Senior Wang's arrival at his residence. You may come over."

"Very well, it's settled. We'll be right over," Wang Shaobin agreed, putting away the communication plate. He then led the way for Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived on a quiet street with few pedestrians. They came to the entrance of a vast estate. The gate was open, and a fair-skinned young man in a golden robe stood there.

Upon seeing Wang Mengbin and the others, the young man in the golden robe quickly approached and respectfully said, "Junior Sun Liang greets both seniors. My master has been waiting for a long time. Seniors, please follow me."

Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi followed Sun Liang into the estate, with Wang Shaobin close behind. After passing through a long corridor and several courtyards, they arrived at a secluded small courtyard. Inside, a hexagonal azure stone pavilion housed a robust old man in a white robe.

The white-robed old man had a square face, large eyes, and a goatee. This was True Monarch Qianyuan, whose aura was even stronger than Wang Mengbin's.

"I am Wang Mengbin, and this is my wife, Bai Yuqi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Chen," Wang Mengbin said, introducing himself politely.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind. Fellow Daoist Wang, Lady Wang, please be seated," True Monarch Qianyuan said, inviting Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi to sit down. Wang Shaobin and Sun Liang then withdrew.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, is Senior Wang also in Seven Star Valley?" True Monarch Qianyuan casually asked.

"No," Wang Mengbin replied, puzzled. "Do you know our Old Ancestor, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

"No, I've simply heard of Senior Wang's great name and have long admired him," True Monarch Qianyuan explained. During the war of the races, Wang Changsheng had gained some renown by slaying several Void Refinement stage foreign cultivators.

Wang Mengbin nodded and began to chat idly with True Monarch Qianyuan.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, I've heard you are skilled in array formations," Bai Yuqi politely said. "You must know many array masters. Would you be able to introduce us to some?"

"There will be a gathering in a month where several sixth-tier array masters will be present," True Monarch Qianyuan said enthusiastically. "If Fellow Daoist Wang and Lady Wang have no other plans, you are welcome to come and exchange insights." He was happy to befriend Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi, not only because True Immortal Taihao had advanced to the Integration stage, but also due to the reputation of Zhenhai Palace.

"Excellent, we will certainly attend," Bai Yuqi agreed, a joyful expression on her face.

After chatting for over two hours, Wang Mengbin and Bai Yuqi stood up to leave. They would be staying in Seven Star Valley for a while, so there was no need to rush.

***

Crimson Cloud Market, in a secluded small courtyard with green tiles.

Wang Yong'an and Wang Yongqian were sitting in a stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting. Wang Yongqian held a thick ledger in her hand.

"Brother Yong'an, I've calculated it three times," Wang Yongqian said, handing the ledger to Wang Yong'an. "This is your share, a total of 257,632 spirit stones. Here's the ledger; please check it."

They had been in the Crimson Cloud Mountains for several years. Wang Yongqian was mainly responsible for patrols, which was relatively leisurely work. She had opened a shop primarily for acquiring materials, bringing in Wang Yong'an and several other clan members as partners. The business was quite good.

Wang Yong'an chuckled softly and said, "No need. We've known each other since childhood; I trust you."

Wang Yongqian was a bit of a money-grubber, completely obsessed with wealth.

"No way, business is business. You should still check it!" Wang Yongqian said earnestly.

Wang Yong'an couldn't refuse her. He casually flipped through a few pages and nodded, "No problem, this amount is fine!"

"That's good," Wang Yongqian said, her face full of expectation. "Oh, by the way, Fellow Daoist Li asked you to help set up an array for their family. Their family is quite far from Crimson Cloud Market, but the compensation is very generous. Are you interested in taking the job?" Her business had been able to thrive largely due to Wang Yong'an. As Wang Yong'an was a fourth-tier array master, those who bought goods at her shop had a chance to ask him to help set up arrays.

"The Li family?" Wang Yong'an warned her. "If I recall correctly, they've been in frequent conflict with the Zhao family recently. What good would it do for them to invite me to set up an array? They'd need a fifth-tier array master for that. They're trying to use our Wang family's name; don't fall for it." Both the Zhao and Li families had Soul Transformation cultivators guarding them and were at odds. The Zhao family was related by marriage to the Feng family, which was an affiliated cultivation family of the Nine Flames Sect. If a Wang family array master were to help the Li family set up an array, those unaware might think the Li family was cooperating with the Wang family. Whether or not to cooperate with the Li family was a matter for the higher echelons of the family to consider, and Wang Yong'an naturally had no interest in getting involved.

"No way! We're just setting up an array; we're not saying we represent the Wang family," Wang Yongqian said, hesitating. "If the Li family dares to spread rumors, can't we just clarify?" She was reluctant to give up this business opportunity.

"It's better to avoid trouble. Let's just drop it," Wang Yong'an said, still unmoved. "Safety first. What if it disrupts the family's plans? That would be bad."

Seeing this, Wang Yongqian said nothing more.

She took out a pale gold disc from her robes, made a few gestures, and a joyful expression appeared on her face as she walked towards the courtyard gate. She opened the courtyard gate and invited Wang Yongyue inside.

Wang Yongyue was currently at the late Nascent Soul stage and had extensive combat experience.

"Yong'an, Yongqian, we're planning to hunt demonic beasts deep in the Crimson Cloud Mountains. Do you want to come along?" Wang Yongyue asked, getting straight to the point. She wanted to advance to the Soul Transformation stage and needed to diligently earn good deeds. Hunting demonic beasts was one of the fastest ways to earn good deeds. Since she wasn't skilled in alchemy, array formations, talisman crafting, or artifact refining, she usually patrolled, and in her leisure time, she hunted demonic beasts with several clan members. After several years, she had gained some renown in Crimson Cloud Market. The Wang family was a vast and powerful clan, with over one hundred thousand cultivators. To advance to the Soul Transformation stage, she had to accumulate more good deeds.

"No, Sister Yongyue, it's too dangerous. Safety first," Wang Yong'an directly refused.

Wang Yongyue chuckled softly; she had heard the phrase "safety first" so many times it felt like her ears were calloused.

"I'm not good at combat, so I won't join in," Wang Yongqian refused, knowing her own limitations.

"Alright then!" Wang Yongyue said, her face full of expectation. "Yong'an, could you lend me a set of fourth-tier array formations? My Five Elements Array hasn't been repaired yet." She had primarily come to borrow an array, as the one she usually used had not yet been repaired.

"These are fourth-tier array formations I've improved: one for defense, one for trapping enemies, and one for offense. I'll lend them all to you," Wang Yong'an said, taking out a green storage ring and handing it to Wang Yongyue. "Be careful, and remember, safety first."

"Thank you, Yong'an," Wang Yongyue said, her face lighting up with joy, and she thanked him repeatedly.

"Sister Yongyue, fourth-tier array formations alone aren't enough," Wang Yong'an exhorted. "It'll be troublesome if you encounter a fifth-tier demonic beast. Be extra careful, and it's best to prepare a few fifth-tier escape talismans. Safety first."

"I know, I know," Wang Yongyue agreed, putting away the array flags and plates and walking out. "It's not my first time hunting demonic beasts in the Crimson Cloud Mountains. There won't be any danger; the fifth-tier demonic beasts have all been dealt with by the clan elders. Just wait for my good news."

"Be careful, Sister Yongyue," Wang Yong'an called out loudly.

Wang Yongyue turned around and said with a smile, "I know, safety first, right! Wait for me to come back." With that, she turned and left.