Chapter 3069: Family talents continue to emerge

Tianyin Market City is one of the five major market cities controlled by the Wang family.

The streets were bustling with people and traffic, exceptionally lively.

“I heard that the Wang family is offering a Heavenly Lightning Spirit Transformation Talisman at this auction. I wonder who will be able to acquire it.”

“It’s also said there’s a set of puppet beasts, each with the power of a Spirit Transformation cultivator. However, controlling the full set requires an exceptionally powerful divine sense; ordinary cultivators can't manage it.”

“If you can’t control them, no matter how powerful they are, they’re useless. You might as well just bid on a single fifth-tier puppet beast to use.”

Cultivators on the street were abuzz with discussions about the upcoming auction hosted by the Wang family.

In a short while, the Wang family’s auction would officially commence, drawing many cultivators to Tianyin Market City.

The Wang family held auctions periodically: firstly, to sell goods; secondly, to seize the opportunity to collect cultivation resources; and thirdly, to expand their influence.

The five major market cities each held regular auctions, though at different times and featuring different goods.

In a secluded manor, a small bridge spanned a flowing stream, surrounded by peculiar rocks and strange formations.

Wang Moxin sat on a green stone stool, holding a green jade box. Inside the box was a blood-colored crystal. A shrewd-looking young man in a golden robe was reporting to him.

“A core left by a sixth-tier superior Bloodthirsty Flower, Daoqian, you’ve done very well.”

Wang Moxin praised him.

The Wang family had been collecting cores from high-tier wood demons, especially those skilled in blood-path divine abilities. However, such cores were rare; even when found, they were mostly third or fourth-tier, with sixth-tier ones rarely appearing.

Obtaining a core from a sixth-tier superior Bloodthirsty Flower this time was indeed an unexpected delight.

Wang Daoqian was the deputy head of the Trade and Commerce Hall, a cultivator in the early Void Refinement stage.

Three generations of his ancestors had lived frugally, accumulating a large amount of merit points, all of which were converted into cultivation resources and invested in Wang Daoqian, allowing him to successfully advance to the Void Refinement stage.

It was difficult to stand out among over a hundred thousand clan members. Most clan members relied on ancestral wealth and merit points to smooth their cultivation path. Only a small fraction of clan members advanced to the Void Refinement stage solely through their own efforts, which was quite rare.

“This is all thanks to Elder Moxin’s leadership. If you hadn’t suggested holding the auction, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to collect a Bloodthirsty Flower core.”

Wang Daoqian replied modestly.

“Where did you acquire it from? How many spirit stones did it cost? Remember to write it down and register it.”

Wang Moxin said gravely.

When the Trade and Commerce Hall acquired or sold items, the person handling the transaction had to record the specific details for easy auditing, or chaos would ensue.

“I exchanged it with Superior Red Sun for a sixth-tier medicinal pill. He has cooperated with me many times; whenever he obtains something good, he brings it to me for exchange.”

Wang Daoqian explained.

This was also one of the Wang family’s methods for collecting materials: the Wang family cultivated good relationships with high-tier rogue cultivators, who would then exchange valuable items they acquired with the Wang family.

“Superior Red Sun? I heard he obtained the legacy of True Monarch Nine Swords. Is there any truth to that?”

Wang Moxin asked, puzzled.

True Monarch Nine Swords was an Integration-stage cultivator. Sword Venerable Tianhe was once defeated by True Monarch Nine Swords. However, True Monarch Nine Swords had not appeared for many years. Rumors claimed he died at the hands of Sword Venerable Tianhe, while other reports suggested he was killed by foreign races. Even more, some said he failed to break through to the Grand Ascension stage and perished. Opinions varied widely.

One thing was certain: True Monarch Nine Swords was very powerful, hailed as the foremost cultivator below the Grand Ascension stage.

“It’s just a rumor; he has denied it many times. If he truly obtained True Monarch Nine Swords’ legacy, why would he widely publicize it? Even if the news leaked, he wouldn’t still be appearing everywhere. He merely acquired a flying sword once used by True Monarch Nine Swords. With ‘three men make a tiger,’ the rumor eventually evolved into him having received the full legacy.”

Wang Daoqian explained.

The Wang family’s rapid rise was attributed by some to strong support from Zhenhai Palace, by others to the Wang family acquiring a secret treasure from the Xu Tian clan, and still others claimed that the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple had entered the True Venerable Xuanling’s cultivation ground and obtained vast amounts of cultivation resources, thus leading to their rise. Opinions varied widely, but the Wang family never paid attention to these rumors, some of which were even spread by their own Rites and Propaganda Hall.

Rumors are such that they exist if you believe them and don't if you don't. There's even a rumor that Chen Yueying obtained an immortal realm cultivation technique!

Any cultivator with a bit of renown was subject to various rumors.

Wang Moxin nodded and instructed, “Regardless, befriend this person; they might be a great help in the future. I'm entrusting you with full responsibility for the auction. I need to escort a batch of goods back to Azure Lotus Island.”

“Yes, Elder Moxin.”

Wang Daoqian assented.

Wang Moxin gave a few more instructions, then rose and left.

On Azure Lotus Island, as the morning sun rose, golden light bathed the island.

In a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, a waterfall cascaded down a rock face.

Within the valley stood a manor with green bricks and glazed tiles, and a green stone pavilion.

Wang Lihe sat on a stone stool, with Wang Guangming, Wang Xiuling, and Wang Xiulong standing respectfully before him.

Wang Guangming and the other two had successively advanced to the early Void Refinement stage.

“Now that you’ve entered the Void Refinement stage, it’s time for you to be dispatched to work outside, overseeing important strongholds of the family. You must not slack off in your cultivation.”

Wang Lihe said gravely.

Wang Lihe was genuinely pleased to see the family’s younger generation grow, especially Wang Xiuling and Wang Xiulong, who were descendants of Wang Lihe.

Recalling earlier times, Wang Lihe, Wang Lihe, and Wang Lijiao had all followed Wang Qingshan to cultivate the sword dao. Wang Lijiao had not managed to enter the Void Refinement stage, and Wang Lihe had died on the front lines. The number of Void Refinement stage sword cultivators in the clan was not large.

After more than a thousand years of recuperation, the Wang family now had four more Void Refinement stage sword cultivators. Speaking of potential, Wang Ruyi had the greatest; she had learned sword manipulation from Wang Qingshan and artifact refining from Wang Changsheng. However, Wang Lihe admired Wang Guangming more.

Wang Ruyi possessed good aptitude and talent in the sword dao, so her excellence was normal. But Wang Guangming was different; he had a four-spirit root, and his parents' cultivation levels were not high, making his journey to this point quite difficult.

“Yes, Elder Lihe.”

Wang Guangming and the other two assented, their expressions solemn.

“By the way, keep an eye out for these materials. Elder Qingshan asked me to collect them before he entered seclusion.”

Wang Lihe took out three jade slips of different colors and handed them to Wang Guangming and the other two.

“Sixth-tier spiritual fire, Azure Adamantite Jade, Silver Adamantite Crystal…”

Wang Guangming took the storage ring, swept it with his divine sense, and frowned slightly. None of these were ordinary materials, especially the sixth-tier spiritual fire, which could only be obtained by slaying a Void Refinement stage Fire Spirit Tribe member or by searching in dangerous forbidden lands.

“I’m not asking you to search for them deliberately. After you assume your posts, just have your subordinates keep an eye out for any news. Your own cultivation is most important; don’t overexert yourselves.”

Wang Lihe explained.

“Yes, Elder Lihe.”

Wang Guangming and the other two readily agreed.

After giving a few more instructions, Wang Lihe let them leave.

Wang Lihe walked into a secret chamber. Inside, there was only a blue meditation cushion, nothing else.

He sat cross-legged on the cushion and began to cultivate.

The void vibrated and distorted, producing a large amount of blue water vapor. After a blur, it transformed into numerous blue flying swords, revolving around him with continuous sword hums.