Chapter 285: Wang Huashan Visits

Sun Siwen was not from the same clan or family. Wang Qingshan was grateful to Sun Siwen, but also wary of him. He wouldn't assume that just because Sun Siwen was Wang Changping's disciple, they were close, inseparable brothers-in-arms.

"You're welcome. Assisting Fellow Daoist Wang is my master's command; it's what I should do."

Wang Qingshan nodded. He took out a long saber, cut off the black toad's hide, and handed it to Sun Siwen, keeping the other materials for himself.

Wang Qingshan successively conjured two gourd spirit artifacts, used them to collect the pond water, then dug up two black jade lotuses and put them into his storage bag.

Sun Siwen witnessed the entire process and felt a little puzzled. Spirit artifacts designed to hold liquids were generally not very useful, and few people bought them. Yet Wang Qingshan carried two, as if specifically for collecting this black pond water.

Although curious, he was perceptive enough not to ask further questions, adhering to the principle of not meddling in others' affairs.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, let's cooperate! This way, we can find more spiritual treasures."

Sun Siwen squeezed a smile onto his face and suggested.

Wang Qingshan shook his head, politely declining: "No, I have other tasks. I apologize, but let's part ways here. After we leave the secret realm, I will certainly repay you handsomely."

Sun Siwen was somewhat disappointed but couldn't force Wang Qingshan.

Leaving the cave, the two went their separate ways, heading in different directions.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Qingshan returned to the cave and sat down cross-legged inside.

He had completed his mission; all he had to do now was wait for the secret realm to close and for him to be teleported away.

His gains from this trip to the secret realm were significant: in addition to Azure Cloud Ganoderma and Purple Gold Bamboo, he also acquired the corpse of a second-tier demonic beast and two 400-year-old black jade lotuses.

The secret realm was truly too dangerous. He had already encountered two second-tier demonic beasts, and his talismans were almost depleted. If he encountered another second-tier demonic beast, it would be difficult for him to survive.

Opportunities and risks coexisted. He was very satisfied with his current gains and did not plan to continue risking his life. In any case, Ninth Uncle had said that as long as he returned to the clan with the spiritual water, he would be given a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Wang Family Fort, reception hall.

Wang Huashan sat in the main seat, while Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and other Foundation Establishment cultivators sat below.

After the great battle, relations between the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley and the Five Sects of Wei State had eased. With the threat of demonic cultivators, they would not fight among themselves. The Three Sects of Medicine King Valley and the Five Sects of Wei State jointly opened the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm. To further improve relations, Chen Hongtian and others relaxed restrictions, allowing Wang Huashan to travel freely between Wei State and Chu State.

Wang Huashan's first stop was Wang Family Fort.

The Wang family had risen rapidly in recent years, and Wang Huashan had long heard of it.

Wang Huashan was unable to attend Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's wedding celebrations, nor had he sent a congratulatory gift, which was unreasonable. So, upon returning to Wei State this time, he first came to Wang Family Fort, accompanied by several other Wang family disciples.

"Third Granduncle, please have some tea."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan each respectfully offered Wang Huashan a cup of hot tea.

Wang Huashan accepted the tea cups without ceremony and took a sip from each.

He looked at the Wang family's Foundation Establishment cultivators present, his eyes filled with admiration.

There were six Foundation Establishment cultivators within Wang Family Fort, and two more Foundation Establishment clan members were at Hundred Spirits Sect. Wang Changxue's husband was a direct disciple of Guang Dongren, and Wang Changsheng was an unofficial disciple of Guang Dongren.

Simply based on this, the Wang family was the strongest cultivation family in Wei State.

"Ruyan, Changsheng, for your wedding, due to some special reasons, I was unable to attend the celebrations or send a gift. You don't hold it against this old man, do you?"

"Third Granduncle, you jest. If it weren't for you, how could Changsheng have married such a virtuous wife as Ruyan? Changsheng is eternally grateful to you; how could he possibly blame you?" Wang Changsheng said earnestly.

Wang Huashan was very satisfied with Wang Changsheng's attitude. He took out a two-foot-long piece of purple spiritual wood and a cyan wooden box.

"This piece of Purple Zinc Wood is over 500 years old; it's absolutely perfect for refining a natal magic artifact. And here's a Foundation Establishment Pill. These are my wedding gifts to you. The two of you must work together wholeheartedly to develop the family well. A couple united in heart can cut through metal."

"Yes, Third Granduncle, your grandchildren have noted it."

Wang Ruyan and Wang Changsheng repeatedly agreed, accepting the spiritual wood and the Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Alright, it's getting late, this old man must depart. I'll visit you again when I have time. If you encounter any troubles you can't resolve, you can come find me in Chu State. It's no problem for this old man to protect his grandniece and grandnephew-in-law."

Wang Huashan stood up to leave, and Wang Changsheng and the others rose to see him off.

After seeing off Wang Huashan and his entourage, Wang Changsheng and the others returned to the reception hall.

Wang Huashan's visit this time reassured Wang Changsheng and the others. With Wang Huashan and Guang Dongren's backing, the Wang family's future development would be much smoother.

"Changsheng, I heard from Qingze that the Four Sects of Chu State and the Three Sects of Medicine King Valley are jointly holding a large auction. They say there are many good items. Do you want to attend?"

Wang Changsheng shook his head and said, "No, I've attended auctions many times already, so I won't go. I'll wait for Qingshan to return within the clan. Twenty-first Uncle, you can go."

"Twenty-first Uncle, I want to go too! I've never attended a large auction before. I want to broaden my horizons."

Wang Changyue said excitedly, her small face flushed.

"Twenty-first Uncle, I also want to see what's available."

Wang Changhao seemed eager.

"I need some fire-attribute spiritual medicines, so I'll go too. Ninth Brother, Sister-in-law, you two stay at Wang Family Fort and guard the home! The family can't be left unattended."

Wang Changfeng also wanted to attend the auction. Seeing the widening gap between Wang Changsheng and himself, he was unwilling to fall behind.

"Alright, it's safer if the four of you travel together. By the way, the clan now has two Foundation Establishment Pills. I've already arranged with Qingshan that as long as he brings back the Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Water, we'll help him establish his foundation, so he'll get one pill. For the other Foundation Establishment Pill, I plan to give it to Qingqi. What do you all think?"

Among the Wang family's Foundation Establishment cultivators, only Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Changfeng could currently support themselves. Wang Mingjiang, Wang Changhao, and Wang Changyue were heavily reliant on the family.

Wang Qingqi specialized in alchemy. If he established his foundation and became a second-tier alchemist, he could be of great assistance to the family.

"Qingqi is good at alchemy. I agree to give him the Foundation Establishment Pill. After Qingqi establishes his foundation, he might become a second-tier alchemist. In the future, we can have Qingqi refine the pills we take, which would also give us more peace of mind when consuming them."

Wang Changfeng expressed his agreement.

Wang Changhao frowned and said, "Qingqi only helped the clan train two first-tier alchemists; that's not a major contribution. If we just give him a Foundation Establishment Pill, won't other clan members be discontent?"

Neither he nor Wang Changyue had made significant contributions. They only received Foundation Establishment Pills because of the war between righteous and demonic cultivators, when the clan's strength was insufficient.

Especially for Wang Changhao: Wang Changyue was a formation master, so her receiving a Foundation Establishment Pill was somewhat justifiable. As for Wang Changhao, it was purely good luck. Wang Changhuan had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining a few months later than him but couldn't get a Foundation Establishment Pill. Because of this, many clan members gossiped privately.

Wang Qingqi hadn't made a major contribution, nor was there a war. Giving him a Foundation Establishment Pill just like that would not be conducive to family management.

"I think the rules need to be changed. Clan members with special skills, such as those talented in talisman crafting, artifact refining, alchemy, and formations, after reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining, can apply to the clan for a Foundation Establishment Pill. After discussion among the clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators, if the majority agree, the pill can be issued; otherwise, it won't be given. For a family to grow strong, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators is a measure of its strength. But where would so many major contributions come from? Take Qingyun and Qingqi as examples: they specialize in talisman crafting and alchemy, respectively. They've worked for the family for decades, creating tens of thousands of spirit stones in wealth. If they aren't given Foundation Establishment Pills, wouldn't that discourage them? Who would then wholeheartedly work for the family in the future?"

She and Wang Changsheng had discussed this issue. They felt that the family's requirements for issuing Foundation Establishment Pills needed to be changed. On one hand, the current rules were indeed detrimental to the family's development. On the other hand, it was also to pave the way for their children. They had contributed so much to the family; it would be inexcusable if their children couldn't obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.

Without wars, it was difficult to make major contributions.