Chapter 319: Spirit Valley Matures

From Wang Mingren's words, several pieces of information could be gathered. First, Wang Mingren was doing quite well at Taiyi Immortal Sect. Second, Zhao Wuji and Xiao Tianzheng had visited Wang Mingren several times. Third, they had looked after Wang Mingren.

Wang Mingren didn't explicitly tell Wang Changsheng and his two companions to trust Zhao Wuji and Xiao Tianzheng, but he also didn't speak ill of them.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, why don't you find more sect members? Taiyi Immortal Sect is so large, finding a few sect members shouldn't be a problem! Why did you approach us? Our strength is not very great." Wang Changsheng voiced his doubts.

Zhao Wuji knew that if he didn't explain the reasons clearly, Wang Changsheng and Wang Changfeng would not dare to agree rashly.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, to be honest, finding a few sect members to help is absolutely no problem. We're not interested in those who are too weak, and those who are stronger have too many demands. We invited you, Fellow Daoist Wang, first, out of consideration for Junior Brother Wang. Second, both of you are second-rank artifact refiners, especially Fellow Daoist Wang Changsheng, who is a top-grade second-rank artifact refiner. This is very important. When we hunt demonic beasts, our magic tools often get damaged. Having a top-grade second-rank artifact refiner with us can save us repair costs and also allow us to refine some demonic beast materials into magic tools. Of course, the most crucial point is that Fellow Daoist Wang's character reassures us. Your last rescue of Junior Brother Xiao is the best proof. If we had encountered ill-intentioned people, it's highly possible they would have conspired to kill Junior Brother Xiao. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Wang?"

"This matter is very important, Fellow Daoist Zhao. Please allow us some time to consider. I need to refine some magic tools, so I can't give you a reply in a short time." Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment before speaking.

Zhao Wuji was not surprised and readily agreed.

The meal lasted for over half an hour. When they parted ways, Wang Changsheng took out a sound transmission talisman, whispered a few words, and asked Zhao Wuji to pass it to Wang Mingren. Zhao Wuji agreed without hesitation.

After leaving Ruyi Tower, Wang Changsheng went to a large shop and purchased a batch of materials to prepare for refining his second top-grade second-rank puppet beast.

Although Wang Changfeng really wanted to hunt demonic beasts, Wang Mingjiang might come out of seclusion at any time, so there was no immediate rush.

Back at his residence, Wang Changsheng immediately began refining the puppet beast. He took out a massive piece of golden spirit wood and began carving it meticulously.

***

At Wang Family Fort, in a secret chamber.

Wang Qingshan sat cross-legged on a green meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed, a layer of green light shimmering around his body. Several green flying swords were stuck in the ground around him.

Not long after, he suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance quickly passing through them.

The several green flying swords stuck in the ground around him began to shake rapidly, emitting crisp sword hums.

Wang Qingshan made a hand seal, and the green flying swords automatically lifted off, rotating rapidly around him.

"Collect."

With a low shout from Wang Qingshan, the green flying swords transformed into several streaks of green light and disappeared into his sleeve.

After a year of secluded cultivation, he was still at the first level of Foundation Establishment. Sword cultivators' advancement was inherently difficult, so he didn't mind.

He was currently responsible for overseeing the spiritual vein at Red Leaf Ridge and guarding fifty mu of spiritual fields. This was an easy assignment, allowing him to cultivate in peace. However, he always felt that life was a bit dull and planned to travel. He simply couldn't sit still; he preferred to travel around, hunt demonic beasts, and live a more carefree and enjoyable life.

The Wang family, in alliance with the Ye family and the Chen family, established the Green Lotus Market. Relying on puppet beasts and talismans, business was quite good. Several cultivation families from neighboring prefectures sent people to Green Lotus Market to purchase puppet beasts and talismans, making the Green Lotus Market's business increasingly prosperous.

The Wang family was currently the most powerful cultivation family in Ningzhou. No one dared to scheme against the Wang family.

Wang Qingshan walked out of his residence, just as Wang Changguang approached him.

"Qingshan, you've come out of seclusion? This is the spirit grain just harvested this year, totaling 14,625 catties, all low-grade first-rank spirit grain."

As Wang Changguang spoke, he took out three green storage bags and handed them to Wang Qingshan.

Low-grade first-rank spirit grain matures once a year and is suitable for cultivators below the third level of Qi Refining. The price is relatively cheap; the current market price is one spirit stone for five catties. Converted to spirit stones, that's 2,925 spirit stones. While it seems like a lot, the profit is actually not much.

Besides Wang Qingshan, Red Leaf Ridge also had twenty-five Qi Refining cultivators. Their monthly stipends and living expenses alone amounted to over 150 spirit stones. Over a year, this totaled nearly 2,000 spirit stones, leaving a profit of only over 900 spirit stones.

Of course, the twenty-five Qi Refining cultivators couldn't all be growing spirit grain. Some brewed spirit wine, some tended to spirit fruit trees, and others were responsible for patrols and vigilance. Don't forget, this spiritual vein was rented by the Wang family from the Huang family, and the annual rent alone was 500 spirit stones. This meant the annual profit was only a little over 400 spirit stones.

This was unavoidable; there were only so many spiritual fields. To open new spiritual fields, one either had to establish them directly on a spiritual vein or regularly irrigate the land with spirit-infused spring or well water. Only after prolonged nourishment, when the soil became imbued with spiritual energy, could spirit grain and spirit herbs be cultivated. If spiritual fields could be opened anywhere freely, the lives of cultivation families wouldn't be so difficult.

Red Leaf Ridge had two low-grade first-rank spirit wells, barely sufficient to irrigate fifty mu of spirit grain. As for the second-rank spirit wells, their water had long been drained by the Lin and Huang families and was currently recovering.

Wang Qingshan took the storage bags and re-weighed them in front of Wang Changguang. After confirming the weight, he took out an account book and recorded the spirit grain yield. Both Wang Qingshan and Wang Changguang signed it.

"Fifteenth Uncle, I'll transport this batch of spirit grain back to the clan. Please strengthen your defenses while I'm away."

Wang Changguang frowned slightly and hesitated, asking, "Qingshan, according to custom, the clan usually sends someone to collect the spirit grain, and they should be arriving soon. You don't need to make the trip yourself."

"I know, but I have something to attend to back at the clan, so I'll transport the spirit grain there on the way."

Wang Changguang suddenly understood, and cautiously advised, "All right! Be careful on your journey."

Wang Qingshan agreed and left Red Leaf Ridge, heading straight for Wang Family Fort.

***

At Wang Family Fort, by a large lake, members of the Wang family were casting nets to fish. Inside the nets were purple-gold carp, each plump, robust, and full of life.

Wang Qingzhi stood by, looking at the spiritual fish in the nets, his face beaming with delight.

After several years of rearing, the spiritual fish had finally grown large enough to be sold.

Qi Shanshan stood beside Wang Qingzhi, her face also full of joy.

"Fairy Qi, thanks to your meticulous care, these spiritual fish have grown so plump, they'll surely fetch a good price." Wang Qingzhi said excitedly, his words filled with considerable praise for Qi Shanshan.

"The fact that these spiritual fish grew so plump isn't solely my achievement. It's thanks to Fellow Daoist Wang and the other fellow Daoists. I didn't contribute much effort. Especially Fellow Daoist Wang; if you hadn't planted a large amount of Water Moon Algae, the purple-scaled crucian carp wouldn't have grown so fat." Qi Shanshan said modestly, taking the opportunity to praise Wang Qingzhi.