Chapter 288: Third-level Silkworm Thread

"You should be brave after acknowledging your shortcomings. Do you know why you can't grow anything?" Wang Changsheng asked sternly.

Wang Qingzhi thought seriously for a moment and replied, "I don't have much cultivation experience. I can recite cultivation manuals backward and forward, but when it comes to actual practice, I don't know where to start."

"It's good that you know the problem. Becoming an experienced spirit planter isn't just about reading a few manuals. You don't need to worry about this matter anymore. I'll give you half a mu of spirit land to try growing spirit grains, starting with the simplest ones. It was difficult for you to try growing spirit herbs right away. Your willingness to try cultivating Water Moon Algae, your courage in setting aside your pride, and your willingness to ask for guidance from clan members are commendable. Keep up the good work in the future. You may leave now."

"Yes, I will remember Father's teachings. I respectfully take my leave."

Wang Qingzhi acknowledged and then withdrew.

Wang Qingze quickly walked in, exclaiming excitedly, "Ninth Uncle, Fourteenth Uncle, and Seventh Brother are back!"

Just as he finished speaking, Wang Changping and Wang Qingshan entered.

"Fourteenth Brother, Qingshan, you're back! Qingshan, did you get the item?" Wang Changsheng stood up, asking eagerly, his heart filled with excitement.

"Thanks to Fourteenth Uncle's disciple who helped me, and of course, the Tier-2 talismans Ninth Aunt gave me, I managed to get it." Wang Qingshan said with a smile, taking out a cyan storage bag and handing it to Wang Changsheng with both hands.

Wang Changsheng accepted the storage bag without even looking at it, praising, "Good, good, good, Qingshan, you did well. You must be tired, go rest first! I have something to discuss with your Fourteenth Uncle."

Wang Qingshan acknowledged and left with Wang Qingze.

"Ninth Brother, why are you alone? Where did Twenty-first Uncle and the others go? And where's Sister-in-law?"

"Twenty-first Uncle and the others went to Chu State to attend an auction. Your sister-in-law is in seclusion for cultivation. Fourteenth Brother, it's thanks to your help this time; otherwise, Qingshan might not have succeeded alone."

Wang Changping chuckled, saying indifferently, "Ninth Brother, why are you being so polite with me? We're family; this is what I should do."

Wang Changsheng took out a blue storage bag, threw it to Wang Changping, and said with a smile, "Ninth Brother, this is your annual stipend."

Wang Changping swept his divine sense over it and exclaimed in surprise, "Ninth Brother, why is there so much? There wasn't this much in previous years. The great war just ended, and the clan needs money. I don't need all of it; half would be enough. You can take the other half back."

"Just take it. These spirit stones aren't given for free. The Hundred Spirits Sect has many disciples and excellent intelligence networks. Help me inquire about the whereabouts of a high-grade Tier-2 demonic beast. They are quite rare. Put in some effort and see if you can find one." Wang Changsheng wanted to refine a high-grade Tier-2 puppet beast, but without the spirit of a high-grade Tier-2 demonic beast, he couldn't create it. It's like a clever cook who can't prepare a meal without rice. A high-grade Tier-2 spirit beast is only one step away from becoming a Tier-3 demonic beast, making them uncommon. Most cultivators who encounter a high-grade Tier-2 demonic beast find it difficult to survive.

"Alright, you can leave this matter to me. If I get any news, I'll inform you immediately."

The two brothers chatted for a while, then Wang Changping bid farewell and departed, returning to the Hundred Spirits Sect.

After seeing off Wang Changping, Wang Changsheng took out the storage bag given by Wang Qingshan. From it, he retrieved two gourd spirit artifacts, uncorked them, and a bone-chilling coldness surged out.

Wang Changsheng poured some spirit water into his palm. The spirit water was black, and as soon as it touched his skin, a piercing coldness emanated from his palm, and his hand quickly froze. He flicked his wrist, and the ice layer shattered.

"Excellent, it's even better than profound chilling water," Wang Changsheng muttered to himself, a broad smile on his face.

The two gourd spirit artifacts contained over three hundred jin of undiluted Heaven and Earth Spirit Water. At a one-to-three dilution ratio, it could yield over a thousand jin of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water. Even half of that, five hundred jin, would be enough for his cultivation for more than ten years.

That evening, Wang Changsheng gathered the clan members. In front of them, he briefly spoke of the significant contributions made by Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingqi, awarding each of them a Foundation Establishment Pill to help them achieve Foundation Establishment. Wang Qingshan had gathered rare spirit herbs for the clan, and Wang Qingqi had nurtured two Tier-1 alchemists for the clan.

The other clan members were full of envy, while Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingqi were visibly excited, pledging to make even greater contributions to the clan. Wang Changsheng encouraged them, urging other clan members to follow their example and strive to do their respective jobs well.

Under Wang Changsheng's arrangement, Wang Qingqi and Wang Qingshan moved into Qinglian Courtyard, the most spiritually abundant place in the Wang family, reserved specifically for Qi Refinement cultivators to attempt Foundation Establishment.

A few days later, Wang Mingsen returned. Being proficient in cultivation techniques, he quickly succeeded in growing Water Moon Algae, with Wang Qingzhi observing the entire process. After the Water Moon Algae was successfully cultivated, the Wang family released fish fry into the lake. Cod frogs were raised in another lake, and four Mountain-Pushing Beasts were also being bred.

Over a month later, Wang Mingjiang and the three others returned, broad smiles on everyone's faces.

"Changyue, what delicious things did you buy this time? You look so delighted." Wang Changsheng teased.

"Brother, I bought a bottle of Spirit Nurturing Pills. My Fire Cloud Queen Bee is already high-grade Tier-1, and with this bottle of pills, it has a high chance of advancing to Tier-2," Wang Changyue said triumphantly. She loved sweets, especially spirit honey, and for that reason, she had raised hundreds of Fire Cloud Bees specifically to collect pollen and brew spirit honey.

"Changsheng, three-tier silkworm silk appeared at the auction. Changyue said Ruyan could use it, so I bid for it. It cost thirty thousand spirit stones." Wang Mingjiang took out a bundle of white silkworm silk and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

"Ninth Uncle, you didn't bring much spirit stone either. By bidding on this item, won't you return empty-handed?" They hadn't brought many spirit stones for this trip, and bidding for the Tier-3 silkworm silk would likely leave them with few remaining for other desired items.

"We certainly didn't return empty-handed. I bid for two bottles of cultivation-enhancing pills, Eighteenth Brother secured a Tier-2 formation talisman, and Twenty-first Uncle acquired several Tier-2 spirit herbs, along with two bottles of True Fire Essence. If the other Tier-3 spirit items hadn't been incompatible with our attributes, we wouldn't have bid for this one. Ninth Brother, just accept it without worry!" Wang Changfeng said with a smile.

Wang Changyue smiled sweetly and said, "That's right! Brother, Senior Wang gifted Sister-in-law a piece of Tier-3 spirit wood. With this bundle of Tier-3 silkworm silk, you can now forge a Natal Artifact for her." Wang Changyue and Wang Changhao were both at Foundation Establishment Layer 1, and having low-grade magic artifacts was sufficient for them. Wang Mingjiang and Wang Changfeng, both at Foundation Establishment Layer 3, did wish to cultivate their own Natal Artifacts but lacked the financial means. Wang Mingjiang bidding for the Tier-3 silkworm silk was merely a small favor. Wang Ruyan was already at Foundation Establishment Layer 4 and was also Wang Huashan's grandniece. If Wang Ruyan cultivated a Natal Artifact, it would indirectly enhance the Wang family's strength.

"Regardless, I thank you all. Oh, by the way, Twenty-first Uncle, Qingshan returned and brought back Heaven and Earth Spirit Water. I've given two Foundation Establishment Pills to Qingqi and Qingshan, hoping they can successfully enter the Foundation Establishment stage."

The five chatted for a while, then Wang Changfeng and the other two departed together, leaving Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang.

Wang Changsheng took out the two gourd spirit artifacts and handed them to Wang Mingjiang. Wang Changsheng's original intention was to divide it equally, but Wang Mingjiang refused, insisting on only taking thirty percent. Given that Wang Changsheng was three layers higher in cultivation, he should rightfully receive a larger share to help him advance to higher realms. Wang Mingjiang's attitude was resolute, and Wang Changsheng found it difficult to refuse further, so he kept seventy percent of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Water.

Because this spirit water was used to cultivate Black Jade Lotuses, Wang Changsheng named it Black Jade Chilling Water.