Chapter 357: Lingchan Mountain

He had the self-awareness to know his spiritual path wouldn't take him far. He placed his hopes on his children achieving success, but his wife, to his disappointment, failed to bear him a child with spiritual roots. Because of this, every time he returned home and saw other children from the clan beginning their cultivation journey, he felt a deep sense of unease. Last year, during a visit to Wangjiabao, a clan member joked while they were drinking: "No matter how successful your business, if you don't have any children, will you take all your wealth with you to the grave when you die?"

That night, Wang Qingze spent it wide awake.

As the eldest son, Wang Qingze felt he must have children with spiritual roots to be able to hold his head high among his clan.

This was not only his expectation but also Wang Changxing's.

Wang Qingqi excelled at alchemy, Wang Qingshan at combat, and Wang Qingyuan was steady and managed the family's finances. In recent years, Wang Qingjun and Wang Qingkai had also risen to prominence. Among the 'Qing' generation, Wang Qingze wasn't the most outstanding, yet he had married relatively early. The fact that he still hadn't produced children with spiritual roots remained a constant thorn in his side.

After a night of deep contemplation, Wang Qingze decided to emulate Wang Yaolong by taking multiple concubines.

Though the clan didn't explicitly state it, everyone understood that Wang Yaolong's ascension to family head was partly due to his connection with Wang Mingren.

If I cannot surpass you, then I will raise children to do so.

This was Wang Qingze's unspoken resolve. Since his wife had been unable to bear children with spiritual roots, she was powerless to object to her husband taking concubines and thus had no choice but to agree.

Wang Qingze currently had one wife and one concubine, but he considered this insufficient.

The young woman in the green dress, Song Yue, was a frequent patron of the Four Seas Restaurant and had a wide network of acquaintances. Wang Qingze asked Song Yue to introduce him to a rogue cultivator from a respectable background.

They had arranged to meet today, but Wang Qingze intentionally arrived a little late. Given Wang Changxing's status as a family elder, Wang Qingze considered it a great fortune for any rogue cultivator to marry into his lineage.

Song Yue had already briefed Wang Qingze on the individual's background: Lin Sisi, nineteen years old, at the second level of Qi Condensation. Both her parents were rogue cultivators who worked in the market, ensuring her family had an untainted reputation.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, no matter how busy you are, you shouldn't be late today! While it's true that Miss Lin is a rogue cultivator, she also has her own responsibilities. She put aside her work to meet you, and yet you're still late—isn't that being a bit too overbearing? She hasn't even entered your family yet! If you treat Miss Lin like this now, what will it be like once she's married into your family?" Song Yue stated bluntly, feigning concern for Lin Sisi.

"Madam Song, it's entirely my fault. Immortal Lin, please forgive me; I promise it won't happen again." Wang Qingze said sincerely.

One played the good cop, the other the bad cop. Lin Sisi, being young, was unaware of their tactic and found it difficult to hold a grudge, so she readily forgave Wang Qingze.

Her family of four lived a frugal life. The Wang family was formidable, and even had kin within the Hundred Spirits Sect. Marrying into the Wang family would undoubtedly benefit her entire family.

During this meeting, Wang Qingze made a very good impression on Lin Sisi. Her favorable opinion of him significantly increased, especially after she learned that his father managed all of the Wang family's shops.

More than half an hour later, the meal concluded, and Wang Qingze personally saw Song Yue and Lin Sisi off.

"Immortal Lin, please do visit more often when you have the time."

"Certainly, Fellow Daoist Wang. I'll take my leave now."

Watching Lin Sisi's retreating figure, Wang Qingze's lips curved slightly. This marriage alliance was sure to succeed.

Lin Sisi was young and beautiful, and more importantly, her aptitude was quite good—she possessed three spiritual roots. This meant that any children she bore would have a relatively high chance of having spiritual roots.

Beiyang County was predominantly mountainous and hilly, with a sparse population.

Spirit Toad Mountain, one of the three major spiritual mountains in Beiyang County, spanned over a hundred li.

It was here that the Chen family's clan residence was located.

A dozen streaks of spiritual light flew in from the distance, landing shortly after at the foot of Spirit Toad Mountain. It was Wang Qingshan and his entourage.

The area above the mid-mountain was obscured by a vast expanse of thick white fog.

Chen Hu took out a sound-transmitting talisman, whispered a few words into it, and then tossed it into the thick white fog.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, where are the other two families located?" Wang Qingshan casually glanced around as he asked.

"Fellow Daoist Huang and his group are quite a distance from Spirit Toad Mountain. I will send someone to invite them shortly, and they should arrive by tomorrow."

The Chen family currently had three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Aside from Chen Hu, who was at the second level of Foundation Establishment, the other two were only at the first level, indicating their relatively low strength.

"Just tell them to proceed directly to the demon tiger's lair. We'll rest here for the night and depart tomorrow. The sooner we resolve this matter, the sooner we can return."

Wang Qingshan's tone was flat, conveying an undeniable authority.

Chen Hu naturally dared not refuse and immediately agreed.

Just then, the thick white fog on the mountain began to dissipate, and several Chen clan members quickly descended.

Chen Hu gestured for them to enter. Wang Changyue led the way, with Wang Qingshan following closely behind.

That evening, Chen Hu hosted a banquet to entertain Wang Changyue and her companions.

The dishes were predominantly prepared using spiritual toads, including stir-fried spiritual toad, steamed spiritual toad, braised spiritual toad, and more.

After three rounds of wine, Wang Changyue inquired about the proposed location for establishing the market. Chen Hu produced a map and, pointing to it, began to explain the details to Wang Changyue.

"This location is suitable for deploying an earth-attribute array, but it's close to a swamp, and the soil is quite corrosive. Over time, it could damage the array flags. I recommend building the market in the demon tiger's lair instead; it's a valley that is easy to defend and difficult to assault, though it is a bit small."

In the cultivation world, there are two common methods for setting up arrays for market towns. The first involves burying raw materials at specific corresponding locations; this is cheaper but less stable. The second uses array flags, which are more stable but also more expensive.

Wang Changyue had brought two sets of second-tier defensive array flags this time: the Earth Transformation into Adamant Array and the Raging Sand Array. The Earth Transformation into Adamant Array had a market price of approximately ten thousand spirit stones, while the Raging Sand Array, which possessed an offensive capability, was more expensive, retailing for fifteen thousand spirit stones.

The valley was perfectly suited for deploying the Raging Sand Array, while the swamp was better for the Earth Transformation into Adamant Array. Naturally, Wang Changyue hoped Chen Hu would choose to purchase the Raging Sand Array, allowing the Wang family to earn a higher profit.

Chen Hu looked troubled and, after a moment of hesitation, said, "The valley is quite small. If we were to build a market there, I fear it wouldn't be able to accommodate many shops."

"You could excavate the mountain and carve out stone to build some shops on the mountainside. The final decision rests with you. The swamp is suitable for deploying the Earth Transformation into Adamant Array, a purely defensive formation, priced at nine thousand five hundred spirit stones. The valley, however, is better for the Raging Sand Array, which includes an offensive capability and costs fourteen thousand five hundred spirit stones. Considering my relationship with Yuehua, I've already given you a substantial discount. The price would be much higher if you were to purchase these at a larger market."

Chen Hu hesitated for a long moment before replying, "This market is being built jointly by our three families, so I cannot make the decision alone. How about this: after we deal with the demon beast tomorrow, I will discuss it thoroughly with Fellow Daoist Huang and the others. As for the price, Immortal Wang, please do not reveal the exact figure to them. If they inquire, you may quote a higher amount."

Wang Changyue and Wang Qingshan exchanged glances and shared a knowing smile. Clearly, Chen Hu intended to profit from his two partners.

Chen Hu had already spent hundreds of spirit stones on gifts just to secure the Wang family's assistance. He was undoubtedly looking for a way to recoup this expense.

A newly established market typically wouldn't generate much business or income initially. Since the Chen family currently only had three Foundation Establishment cultivators, every bit of savings would be crucial.

Wang Changyue, unconcerned with Chen Hu's petty calculations, simply smiled and agreed.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, I hope you can persuade them to choose the valley for building the market. The valley's smaller area means operating the array won't consume many spirit stones, and the Raging Sand Array also comes with an offensive capability, making it far superior to the Earth Transformation into Adamant Array."

"Very well. I will certainly discuss it thoroughly with them tomorrow." Chen Hu smiled in agreement.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Chen Hu had someone escort Wang Changyue and Wang Qingshan to their quarters to rest.