Chapter 351: Second Level Mid-Grade Gold-Swallowing Ant Queen

The Wang family consumes a large amount of crafting materials every month, all of which are eaten by the Gold-Swallowing Ants. Having consumed a large amount of crafting materials, the Gold-Swallowing Ant Queen has already reached Tier 2 Mid-Grade. Furthermore, ten worker ants have advanced to Tier 2.

Gold-Swallowing Ants above Tier 2 are impervious to ordinary low-grade magic tools. However, since the number of Tier 2 Gold-Swallowing Ants is too small, Wang Changsheng has never used them in combat. Wang Changsheng took out a damaged wooden puppet. The Gold-Swallowing Ant Queen, with its incredibly sharp teeth, quickly devoured the puppet. Spreading its wings, it contentedly flew back to its corner.

The corner was piled high with damaged wooden puppets and some metal ores. Numerous Gold-Swallowing Ants crawled over the puppets and metal ores, avidly gnawing on the spiritual wood and metal ores.

Wang Changsheng emerged from his secluded cultivation chamber and entered the courtyard, where Wang Mingyuan, Liu Qing'er, and Wang Ruyan were chatting. Wang Ruyan was visibly pregnant, her belly protruding. Liu Qing'er held an infant in her arms, her face filled with motherly affection. Thanks to Wang Changsheng's efforts, Wang Ruyan had given birth to a son a year ago, who was still too young to determine if he possessed spiritual roots. Now, Wang Ruyan was pregnant again, already nine months along.

Due to her pregnancy, Wang Ruyan could not enter secluded cultivation. Instead, she often spent time talking with Wang Mingyuan and Liu Qing'er, while also supervising Wang Qingzhi's cultivation. Wang Qingzhi's aptitude was not particularly outstanding. However, to marry Qi Shanshan sooner, he cultivated diligently. After two years of arduous training, supplemented by elixirs, he had reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Upon learning that Wang Changsheng had agreed to Wang Qingzhi's marriage proposal, Qi Shanshan became even more dedicated to raising spiritual fish and clams. Wang Qingjing's success rate in crafting Tier 1 High-Grade puppet beasts was steadily increasing. She didn't need Wang Ruyan's supervision; aside from crafting puppet beasts, she dedicated all her remaining time to cultivation. She had also now cultivated to the seventh level of Qi Refinement.

"Father, Mother, what are you talking about?" Wang Changsheng walked over, asking casually.

"Your father and I were guessing whether Ruyan's baby is a boy or a girl," Liu Qing'er said. "Changsheng, as the father, have you thought of a name yet?"

Wang Changsheng smiled and said, "If it's a boy, we'll name him Qingyang; if it's a girl, Qinglian."

As they were chatting, a young man in his twenties, dressed in a blue shirt, walked in. The blue-shirted youth had slightly dark skin and a somewhat guileless expression. His name was Wang Qingkai, Wang Yaolong's great-grandson, and he was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Uncle, you are all here!" he greeted. "Here are the discarded crafting materials." Wang Qingkai walked into the stone pavilion, took out a green storage bag, and presented it to Wang Changsheng with both hands. Wang Changsheng swept his spiritual consciousness over it and nodded with satisfaction.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Uncle, this is a century-old Profound Jade Flower," Wang Qingkai said. "I heard it's beneficial for pregnant women." He took out a green wooden box, about a foot long, and presented it to Wang Changsheng with both hands. Wang Changsheng opened it and saw a small white flower, about two fingers long, emitting a delicate fragrance.

"Qingkai, that's very thoughtful of you," Wang Changsheng said with a smile. "Take this bottle of Qi Nourishing Pills. They will be beneficial for your cultivation." He took out a green porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Qingkai. Wang Qingkai thanked him and accepted the green porcelain bottle.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Uncle, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Wang Qingkai said.

Wang Changsheng nodded, allowing Wang Qingkai to depart. Every time Wang Qingkai came to deliver discarded crafting materials to Wang Changsheng, he would bring something along, perhaps a few delicious spiritual cakes, a piece of spiritual wood, or a book on cultivation insights. The items weren't particularly valuable, but they were all useful to Wang Mingyuan's family.

"Qingkai is a thoughtful child and quite diligent in his cultivation," Wang Ruyan said, watching Wang Qingkai's receding back. "He's a promising talent."

"Qingkai grew up under the care of Twenty-fifth Uncle-Grandfather," Wang Changsheng commented. "Among the Qing generation, his ability to read people's expressions is unparalleled; if he claims second place, no one dares claim first. From Twenty-fifth Uncle-Grandfather's intentions, it seems he wants Qingkai to inherit the family head position, especially since Twenty-fifth Uncle-Grandfather is getting on in years." Wang Qingkai had frequently visited Wang Changsheng's residence over the past two years; Wang Changsheng wouldn't believe it if someone said there wasn't Wang Yaolong's instruction behind it.

"Twenty-fifth Uncle-Grandfather is also preparing for the future," Wang Mingyuan chimed in. "As long as Qingkai has the capability, there's no harm in letting him serve as the next family head." Only Wang Yaolong remained from the 'Yao' generation of the Wang family, and most of the 'Ming' generation had grown old. Currently, the 'Chang' generation was bearing the main burden, but the family's future still depended on the 'Qing' generation, as the 'Qiu' generation members were still young.

Wang Changsheng suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, have Qing Shan and the others not returned yet?"

Wang Qingshan simply couldn't sit still. He had formed a demon-hunting team and was leading a group of clansmen to hunt demonic beasts outside. Meanwhile, Wang Changhao was stationed at Red Leaf Ridge, Wang Changyue at Green Lotus Market, and Wang Qingqi remained in Wang Family Fort to refine pills. Wang Changhuan was at Green Moon Market, overseeing the Wang family's rented shops and spiritual fields. He could craft a few Tier 2 puppet beasts each year. Wang Changhuan was self-sufficient, had a good supply of spirit stones, and his cultivation speed was relatively faster. He had already reached the second layer of Foundation Establishment.

"It's been two years; they should be back soon, right?" Liu Qing'er replied. "They have multiple Tier 2 Mid-Grade puppet beasts and escape talismans, so even if they encounter danger, Qing Shan should be able to retreat safely."

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, "I hope so."

"Daddy, you've finally emerged from seclusion!" Wang Qingjing's voice suddenly rang out. "Quickly teach me how to craft Tier 2 puppet beasts!" She was descending from the sky, controlling a flying eagle puppet, her face full of smiles.

"You girl, all you know is asking your father about crafting puppet beasts," Wang Mingyuan chuckled. "You're only at the Qi Refinement stage; crafting Tier 1 High-Grade puppet beasts is already quite good."

"Learning is like sailing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall back," Wang Qingjing retorted. "Although I'm at the Qi Refinement stage, it doesn't mean I can't craft Tier 2 puppet beasts. Such examples exist. Father, quickly teach me!" Wang Qingjing pulled on Wang Changsheng's right arm, pleading.

Given Wang Qingjing's studious nature, Wang Changsheng naturally wouldn't refuse. His son wasn't interested in the art of puppetry, and it was rare for his daughter to enjoy it, so he naturally taught her wholeheartedly.

"Alright! Let's go inside," Wang Changsheng said. "I'll first explain the differences between Tier 2 and Tier 1 puppet beasts." Wang Changsheng walked into the house with Wang Qingjing, explaining the crafting techniques for Tier 2 puppet beasts as they went.

Deep within the White Dragon Mountain Range, in a hidden underground cave. Wang Qingshan and ten of his clansmen were controlling puppet beasts to attack two giant apes, entirely red in color. The giant apes were about ten feet tall. Their fur was red, but their eyes were golden. These were Golden-Eyed Fire Apes, skilled in fire-element magic.

Ten Tier 2 puppet beasts surrounded the two Golden-Eyed Fire Apes, unleashing spells to attack them. For a moment, explosions continuously erupted, and various spiritual lights flashed. The two Golden-Eyed Fire Apes shrieked repeatedly, their bodies covered in wounds.

"Great Sword Art, strike!" Wang Qingshan roared, performing a hand seal. Five green flying swords rapidly coalesced into a ten-foot-long azure greatsword, carrying astonishing momentum as it slashed towards the two Golden-Eyed Fire Apes. The Golden-Eyed Fire Apes dared not meet the attack head-on and tried to dodge. However, three spider puppet beasts each spewed out silk, entangling their legs.