Chapter 378: Family Head and Mother-in-Law Pass Away

The day after Wang Mingyuan and his wife passed away, Wang Changsheng's second uncle, Wang Mingcai, also died. On the day of Wang Mingcai's death, Wang Changtai arrived at Wang Changsheng's residence and said with a mournful expression, "Ninth Brother, Grandfather is failing. Please come over."

Wang Changsheng sighed deeply and then followed Wang Changtai to Wang Yaolong's residence.

Wang Yaolong lay on the bed, covered by a silk quilt.

He had sent everyone else away, leaving only Wang Changsheng.

"Changsheng, life and death are destined. Your father and I have long been prepared for this day. Don't be too sad. I am also fading fast. Before I die, there are some things I want to tell you," Wang Yaolong spoke slowly, his voice weak.

"Twenty-fifth Uncle, please speak. Your grandson is listening."

"I hope you can support Qingkai as family head. Qingkai was raised and taught by me personally. He handles matters appropriately and knows how to make choices and compromises. The Ming generation is aging; only Mingjiang and Mingren are relatively capable. Among the Chang generation, only a few of you are outstanding, but none of you have the experience or inclination to manage the family. Among the Qing generation, Qingyuan is mature and steady. If he were to be family head, he'd be good at preserving but lack in pioneering; he is best suited for managing finances. I admit I have a personal preference, but Qingkai as family head would benefit the entire family. Changtai is single-minded and has good execution ability, but he is not suitable to be family head."

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "These past few years, I have also been observing Qingkai. This child does handle matters appropriately. I support him as family head. However, he is too young. Let him serve as acting family head first. After serving as acting family head for some time, if there are no issues, then he can be officially appointed as family head."

"That would be best. The family's development has been increasingly good over the years, but there are also a few drawbacks I will tell you about now. Firstly, the matter concerning the Qin family, once it comes to light, will be a huge problem. Whether it's Senior Guang or Senior Wang, they are outsiders; they may not be reliable at critical moments. We still have to rely on ourselves. You are the most cultivated clan member within our family. Only if you can form a Golden Core will you be able to solve this problem. Secondly, the number of clan members is increasing. The family's annual profit is only a few thousand spirit stones. The five major sects will not stand by and watch us expand our territory. My suggestion is to organize merchant caravans to conduct business in other countries, either buying low and selling high, or purchasing local specialties, or selling our family's specialties. Of course, if we can secure a large piece of territory, that would be even better. Wei Country only has so many spirit veins. The Five Sects of Wei Country will not stand by and watch us annex the territories of other families. Expanding territory is relatively difficult. There's a saying I want you to remember: externally, harmony brings wealth; internally, family unity brings prosperity. Of course, when it's time to fight, you must fight. However, either don't do it, or if you do it, do it thoroughly and cleanly. Frankly, the Qin family matter was not handled well. Not eliminating all of the Qin family members always left a hidden danger. In the future, it's best to do less of such things." Wang Yaolong spoke slowly, his voice growing fainter.

"If one day you form a Golden Core, remember to tell me at my grave. Our Wang family has been established for several hundred years, yet we have never produced a Golden Core cultivator!"

Wang Changsheng held Wang Yaolong's hand and solemnly promised, "Twenty-fifth Uncle, please rest assured. Ruoyan and I will work hard to develop the family. One day, our Azure Lotus Wang family will be renowned throughout the land."

"That would be excellent, truly excellent." Wang Yaolong smiled contentedly, then slowly closed his eyes.

Wang Changsheng sighed deeply, feeling profoundly saddened. In less than two days, four relatives had passed away one after another. The Great Dao is merciless; such things are bound to happen again in the future. All he could do was care for the families of his departed relatives. At the same time, this also served as a warning to him: he must strive to go further on the path of cultivation.

Three days later, the Wang family held a grand funeral, giving Wang Yaolong and the other three a dignified burial.

After the four relatives were laid to rest, Wang Changsheng stepped forward and appointed Wang Qingkai as acting family head, responsible for handling family affairs.

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to enter seclusion for cultivation, Wang Shuming sent someone with a message: Wang Ruyan's mother, Yang Yueqin, had passed away.

Wang Changsheng immediately took his family and rushed to Wang Family Fort to pay respects.

When they arrived at the Wang family residence, the entire Wang family was in mourning attire.

"Mother! Your unfilial daughter, your daughter came back too late!" Wang Ruyan collapsed beside Yang Yueqin's coffin, crying uncontrollably.

Wang Changsheng felt a pang of emotion. Every time a relative passed away, their family had to endure sorrow. No wonder there was a saying in the cultivation world that "the Great Dao is merciless."

After paying respects to his mother-in-law, Wang Shuming and Wang Changsheng, father-in-law and son-in-law, went to a side courtyard.

After a few casual remarks, Wang Changsheng's tone changed, and he solemnly asked, "Father-in-law, if I may be so bold as to ask, how did Third Uncle form his Golden Core?"

Wang Changsheng had also asked Wang Ruyan this question, but Wang Ruyan hadn't been born when Wang Huashan formed his Golden Core, so she didn't know about it.

This kind of matter could be significant or insignificant, depending on how one views it.

Wang Shuming pondered for a moment and said, "I can tell you about this. Third Uncle took a third-tier pill, the Dust-Settling Pill. This one third-tier pill cost our Wang family a century's worth of savings and resulted in casualties among some clan members. Fortunately, Third Uncle successfully formed his Golden Core, otherwise, it would have been a total loss. To obtain third-tier pills, you can only find them at the auctions held in the large marketplaces established by the Seven Great Immortal Sects. Large-scale auctions held in countries like Wei, Chu, and Han might have third-tier pills for auction, but these are usually pills that enhance magic power or detoxify. To obtain pills that assist in Golden Core formation, you still have to go to the large marketplaces established by the Seven Great Immortal Sects."

Wang Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. This answer was similar to what he had surmised.

"Father-in-law, do you know or have you heard of anyone using Heavenly Fiend Qi to attempt Golden Core formation? Your humble son-in-law used True Fiend Qi to build his foundation," Wang Changsheng asked sincerely.

The Wang family's (Wang Shuming's family) inherited history is longer than the Wang family's (Wang Changsheng's family), so they might have heard of others forming Golden Cores using Heavenly Fiend Qi. Wang Shuming shook his head and said, "I don't know. I've read in ancient texts that ancient cultivators used Heavenly Fiend Qi to form Golden Cores. Such instances should exist, but they are rare. Even if someone forms a Golden Core using Heavenly Fiend Qi, they wouldn't publicize it widely to avoid being discovered by enemies. As far as I know, forming a Golden Core with Heavenly Fiend Qi carries a certain risk. Compared to that, using pills is safer. Even if you can't form a Golden Core, there's no life-threatening danger. For caution's sake, you should still use pills to attempt Golden Core formation! If you lack spirit stones, I can still provide twenty to thirty thousand spirit stones. However, you'd have to use a second-tier puppet beast as collateral."

Wang Changsheng smiled, nodded, and said gratefully, "Thank you for your kindness, Father-in-law. I will consider it further."

Since it concerned his future path of cultivation, he dared not be careless. If given the chance, he would ask Wang Mingren directly for advice. Wang Mingren could help him check the ancient texts in the Scripture Repository. Perhaps there would be a better way to attempt Golden Core formation.

A few days later, Wang Changsheng's family left Wang Family Fort. Wang Qingjing rushed to Azure Moon Market to replace Wang Changhuan.

Upon returning to Wang Family Fort, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan both entered seclusion for cultivation.