Chapter 275: Seeking Marriage

Wang Qingyuan was not mistaken; the couple had indeed killed someone for their treasures. The victim was to blame, a lone cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining who, despite using a complete set of spirit artifacts, lacked sufficient magic power. Driven by greed, they killed the lone cultivator. Unexpectedly, before dying, the victim unleashed a special talisman. His wife took the blow for him and fell unconscious.

He and his wife had been married for many years without a single quarrel. If his beloved wife had not blocked the opponent's sneak attack for him, he would be the one lying in bed now.

Lin Xiao was determined to save his wife, even if it meant losing everything he had.

"I'll buy this jade slip. I'll give you sixteen hundred spirit stones; the extra hundred is a bonus for you. Next time you acquire something valuable, please consider our Wang family first. As long as the item is genuine, our prices will never disappoint you."

Wang Changsheng took out sixteen hundred spirit stones and paid Lin Xiao.

To be honest, this jade slip had no restrictions set on it, so he could have chosen not to make the deal at all, as he had already memorized its contents.

Without trustworthiness, one cannot stand firm, and business particularly emphasizes integrity. Wang Changsheng was not short on these thousand-plus spirit stones. The fact that Lin Xiao considered Wang's General Store first showed his trust in it, and after this transaction, his trust would only deepen.

Lin Xiao had initially thought Wang Changsheng would not be willing to pay a high price, especially since they had already taken turns reviewing and presumably memorizing the jade slip's contents.

He had never imagined that Wang Changsheng would be willing to make the deal, let alone pay an extra hundred spirit stones.

He thanked them, put away the spirit stones, and hastily departed.

"Qingyuan, you've done a great service this time. You did well. If you hadn't given him those extra spirit stones normally, he might have sold this jade slip to someone else," Wang Changsheng praised.

"This is what your nephew should do. Uncle Nine, you flatter me," Wang Qingyuan humbly replied.

"Merits are merits, and faults are faults. I've noted this. The clan will credit you for this. If such a situation arises again in the future, notify the clan immediately using a sound transmission talisman."

"Yes, Uncle Nine, your nephew understands."

Wang Changsheng offered a few words of encouragement, then left with Wang Changqi and Wang Changzhi.

Upon returning to their residence, Wang Changfeng and Wang Changhao were exceptionally excited to learn about the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe. They asked Wang Changsheng to retrieve the jade slip so they could examine its contents.

"It will take some time, but we can find the more than ten kinds of auxiliary herbs. However, where are we going to get a third-tier demon core?" Wang Changfeng frowned, a look of disappointment on his face.

According to the recipe, the Foundation Establishment Pill required a third-tier demon core as the main ingredient, with more than ten kinds of three-hundred-year-old spiritual herbs as auxiliary ingredients.

A third-tier demon core is only found within a third-tier demonic beast, and they are rarely seen even at large-scale auctions.

"Regardless, it's at least a second-tier pill recipe. Let's first send people to collect these auxiliary herbs. As for the third-tier demon core, it's best if we can get one, but if not, so be it."

"True. Oh, and by the way, Ninth Brother, good news! The war has ended. The Hundred Spirits Sect sent word that we can return to Wang Family Fort. When do you think we should head back?"

Wang Changsheng was not surprised. After several years of conflict, the Seven Great Immortal Sects could not possibly allow the cultivation world to remain in such disarray.

"How about this, Eldest Brother? You, Eighteenth Brother, and Changyue take a group of young cultivators back first. Ruoyan and I will return a bit later."

The entire Wang family comprised over four hundred cultivators; it was impossible for everyone to return all at once.

"You and I are on the same page. I'll take a group of young cultivators back first. Four months later, you can escort Uncle Forty-two and the others back."

Two days later, the five major sects of Wei State sent out notices, announcing the end of the war and instructing all cultivating families to return to their family residences and resume production.

Wang Changfeng, Wang Changhao, and Wang Changyue, leading dozens of young cultivators, were the first to hasten back to Wang Family Fort.

Shortly after they departed, a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Chen Hu arrived for a visit.

Wang Changsheng had heard of Chen Hu. He was originally a rogue cultivator who, by some stroke of luck, successfully established his foundation at the advanced age of over fifty. He later sought refuge with the Spirit Control Sect. Chen Hu was mainly famous for his numerous wives, concubines, and many children.

The fact that he, as a rogue cultivator, founded a family that survived multiple periods of turmoil demonstrated his remarkable strength.

Soon, Wang Changsheng met Chen Hu in the reception hall. Accompanying Chen Hu was a young man in his twenties, dressed in a green robe, at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"I've long heard of Fellow Daoist Wang's renown. This old man has wished to meet you for a long time but never had the chance. Today, my wish is finally granted," Chen Hu said with a strained smile, offering polite pleasantries.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you are too kind. May I ask what brings you to visit?"

Chen Hu sighed and pointed to the young man in green, introducing him: "This is my nineteenth son, Chen Yunshan. Yunshan, quickly greet Senior Wang."

"This junior, Chen Yunshan, greets Senior Wang," Chen Yunshan stepped forward and bowed to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng nodded, completely bewildered. The Wang family had no ties with the Chen family, and he could not fathom the purpose of Chen Hu's visit.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, it's like this: my humble son greatly admires your niece, Li Yuehua. This old man has come today to propose a marriage on his behalf. I hope Fellow Daoist Wang will grant us this favor." Chen Hu narrowed his eyes, smiling as he spoke.

The Wang family's strength ranked among the top five cultivating families in Wei State. Wang Changsheng was a registered disciple of Guang Dongren and also Wang Huashan's grandson-in-law. If the Chen family could form a marital alliance with the Wang family, their future development would also be smoother.

"A marriage proposal?" Wang Changsheng's expression was somewhat strange. Li Yuehua was the eldest daughter of Wang Changyu and Li Qiwen, possessing a four-spirit root aptitude.

Her aptitude was not good, but she was very beautiful.

Giving birth to a cultivator was already difficult, and raising one required significant cultivation resources. Without tangible benefits, Wang Changsheng would not agree to this marriage.

The Chen family's strength was not considerable, and forming a marriage alliance with them would not bring many benefits to the Wang family.

"Senior Wang, Sister Hua and I genuinely love each other. Please grant us your blessing."

Wang Changsheng frowned slightly, about to decline, but Chen Hu spoke first: "Fellow Daoist Wang, this is the betrothal gift list. This old man is very sincere about forming a marital alliance with you. Please consider it carefully."

He raised a hand, and a blue jade slip flew out from his sleeve, landing steadily in Wang Changsheng's palm.

Wang Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then immersed his divine sense into the jade slip. A flicker of surprise passed through the depths of his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, my sister is very fond of this daughter. I need to discuss this matter with her. How about I give you a reply in a few days?"

While Wang Changsheng could make decisions regarding the marriages of juniors, this was merely a pretense.

The betrothal gifts Chen Hu offered were quite valuable. Wang Changsheng wanted to discuss it with Wang Ruyan and also inquire about Chen Yunshan's character.

"Of course, of course. It's not too late for Fellow Daoist Wang to give this old man a reply after discussing it with your sister. This old man is currently staying at Cloud Inn." Chen Hu agreed.

"Very well, then it's settled."