Chapter 297: Hunting the Monster Beast

Over a month later, Wang Changfeng and others returned to Wang Family Fortress and recounted what had happened."Excellent, Big Brother," someone said. "The clan is in dire need of talents in this area. However, to be cautious, we should separate the grandfather and granddaughter and assign people to guard them closely to prevent their escape."

The Wang family had dug several lakes to raise spirit fish and spirit frogs, but with little success. Most of the younglings they introduced died, and the few that grew didn't have much meat, making them unsuitable for feeding spirit birds. Fortunately, the clan didn't have many spirit birds, so there was no urgent shortage of spirit fish or spirit frogs for the time being.

Qi Yunmin and Qi Shanshan, being skilled in taming spirit beasts and spirit fish, could perfectly assist the Wang family in raising spirit fish and spirit beasts.

"Didn't he say he has a second-order spirit clam? Let him come in; we want to see that second-order spirit clam."

Soon after, Qi Yunmin and Qi Shanshan appeared before Wang Changsheng and the others.

Upon seeing Wang Changsheng and the rest, Qi Yunmin was startled. This Wang family actually had so many Foundation Establishment cultivators."This old man, Qi Yunmin (and Qi Shanshan), greets all seniors," they bowed.

Wang Changsheng's gaze swiftly swept over the grandfather and granddaughter. He then instructed, "Don't you have a second-order spirit clam? Bring it out for us to see."

Qi Yunmin looked at Wang Changfeng, who tossed him a spirit beast bag.Qi Yunmin patted the spirit beast bag, and a blue light flew out, revealing a massive blue clam, about a zhang (roughly 3.3 meters) in size and crescent-shaped.

"This second-order Crescent Clam is a spirit clam our Qi family has nurtured for many years. It survived the locust plague. Only my granddaughter and I know how to cultivate it properly. If anyone else tried, even if it didn't die, it would be almost impossible for it to produce high-quality clam pearls." Qi Yunmin clearly understood that their lives depended on their ability to tame spirit beasts and spirit fish. If they lost their value, there would be no reason for them to exist.

"How long does it take for this second-order spirit clam to produce a clam pearl? Does the spirit clam have any special environmental requirements?"

Qi Yunmin pondered for a moment before replying earnestly, "That's hard to say. It depends on what the cultivator feeds the spirit clam and in what quantity. Theoretically, if it's fed a large amount of blood food, it could produce a second-order clam pearl in three to four months, but the quality wouldn't be good. The quality of the clam pearl depends on the quality and quantity of the feed, and it's also closely related to time. It's much like artifact refining or pill concocting: slow work yields fine products."

"From now on, you will help us cultivate spirit clams, spirit fish, and spirit beasts. Do a good job, and we won't mistreat you. Don't even think about escaping; if you're caught, your fate will be grim."

Qi Shanshan hesitated briefly, a resolute look flashing in her clear eyes. She stepped forward and said gravely, "We are willing to help, but you must help our Qi family avenge the destruction of our clan."

"Bargaining with us? What right do you have?" Wang Changfeng's eyes turned cold, filled with a chilling aura.

"Our Qi family has sold spirit fish and spirit clams for generations. If we help you seniors cultivate spirit fish and spirit clams, we can generate a lot of profit. I know that my grandfather and I will likely never leave this place in our lifetimes. I only wish to avenge our deceased Qi family members, of course, only if circumstances permit. This request isn't too much, is it?" Qi Shanshan said, bracing herself. She knew she had no bargaining chips but still wanted to try.

"First, prove your worth by doing a good job and showing us your sincerity. Then we will consider this matter."Qi Shanshan wanted to say more, but Qi Yunmin covered her mouth.

Qi Yunmin said with a fawning smile, "Yes, yes, yes, we will certainly do a good job and not fail to live up to your trust, seniors."

"That's for the best. Qingze, take them to rest. Keep them separate and under guard. Wherever they go, they must be watched. They must not be allowed to escape.""Understood, Twenty-first Granduncle."Wang Qingze acknowledged and led the grandfather and granddaughter away.

"Aside from this matter, we cannot go to Chu State for now. The Li family might be apprehending the culprits. Changfeng, you should stay in the clan and focus on your cultivation. Changhao, you will go to Red Leaf Ridge and be responsible for overseeing the spirit fields there," Wang Mingjiang said slowly.

Wang Changfeng mused for a moment, then said, "Twenty-first Uncle, I won't be going to Chu State for now, but I've been stuck at the third level of Foundation Establishment for many years. I want to hunt demonic beasts, partly to earn some spirit stones, and partly to see if I can break through this bottleneck. I've read in the clan's ancient texts that life-and-death struggles can help with breakthroughs."

"I want to go too," Wang Changyue said, a hint of eagerness in her voice. "Staying at home all day is too boring. I can try to set up second-order formations. Without actual combat, this is the only way I can practice."

"I want to go too, First Uncle, please take me along!" Wang Qingshan chimed in.

Wang Changsheng smiled and said, "Big Brother is already at the third level of Foundation Establishment, but Wang Qingshan is only at the first level; his strength is too weak. How about this: I'll go with you all. Eighteenth Brother will guard Red Leaf Ridge, Ruyan will look after the household, and Twenty-first Uncle, you've worked hard for so long, it's time for you to enter secluded cultivation. We'll leave the family affairs to Ruyan and Qingqi." Wang Changyue was a formation master and only knew how to set up formations, having very little combat experience. Wang Qingshan had rich combat experience, but he was only at the first level of Foundation Establishment. If Wang Changfeng took them, it would be like bringing along two burdens. Wang Changsheng accompanying them would make it safer. He also needed to find high-grade second-order demonic beast essence to refine high-grade second-order puppet beasts.

"Indeed! Twenty-first Uncle, you've toiled for the family for so long. Please cultivate with peace of mind! Qingqi and I will manage the household."Wang Mingjiang thought for a moment and agreed.

The others had no objections.

After delegating their tasks, Wang Changsheng, Wang Changfeng, Wang Changyue, and Wang Qingshan departed Wang Family Fortress, heading directly for White Dragon Valley. White Dragon Valley was now one of the two major market towns in Wei State, the other being Azure Moon Market.

After advancing to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, Wang Changsheng's magical power grew even deeper, significantly speeding up his travel when controlling flying artifacts.

Over half a month later, they arrived at White Dragon Valley. White Dragon Valley remained exceptionally prosperous, with bustling crowds on its streets. The Wang family had opened a restaurant in White Dragon Valley, currently managed by Wang Changhui. Wang Changhui was mainly in charge of the restaurant and was not familiar with the habits of demonic beasts. Wang Changyue visited several large shops and purchased a batch of formation-setting materials.

The four of them rested at the restaurant for a night. Early the next morning, they left White Dragon Valley and headed deep into the mountains.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Changsheng and the other three appeared in an open area. The Two-Eyed Rat was perched on Wang Changsheng's shoulder. Over the years, Wang Changsheng had fed the Two-Eyed Rat many spiritual items. After consuming a large quantity of these items, the Two-Eyed Rat was now a mid-grade second-order beast, having grown noticeably plumper and round.

Wang Changsheng took out a light green fruit and fed it to the Two-Eyed Rat. The Two-Eyed Rat swiftly devoured the green fruit, then jumped down from Wang Changsheng's shoulder, sniffed around a few times, and dashed off into the distance at an incredible speed.

"Let's go, follow it. The Two-Eyed Rat will surely find spiritual herbs, and hopefully, we can also find some second-order spirit beasts."The four of them hurried to follow, and soon, they disappeared into the vast mountains.