Chapter 388: Wang Changfeng and Wang Mingjiang's News

Wangjiabao, Wei Kingdom.

In a quiet courtyard, Wang Qingjing and Wang Changyue were having tea and chatting. On the table were two plates of snacks and a pot of spirit tea.

Wang Changhuan was in seclusion cultivating and had not yet emerged.

"The Heavenly Soldier Convention! That's good news. Have you told the acting family head?"

Wang Qingjing nodded. "Yes, I have. The acting family head will send people to collect a batch of materials and transport them to Bailong Valley for sale. Aunt, are you going to attend this Heavenly Soldier Convention?"

Wang Changyue was somewhat tempted. Large auctions were sure to feature many valuable items, and there would undoubtedly be many cultivators attending. Perhaps she could even meet formation masters there.

"I don't have anything particular to do anyway, so I'll go with you! Qingzhi can temporarily oversee the market."

Wang Qingqi was also in seclusion, but fortunately, Wang Qingzhi was available to manage the household.

Just then, a sound transmission talisman flew in and landed in front of Wang Changyue.

Wang Changyue crushed the talisman, and Wang Qingkai's voice suddenly rang out: "Aunt, Uncle Mingren is back. If you have time, please come to the council hall."

"Uncle Mingren is back? Let's go, Qingjing, to the council hall."

Soon after, Wang Changyue and Wang Qingjing arrived at the council hall, where Wang Qingkai was talking with Wang Mingren.

Wang Mingren had returned to the sect with his master's elders and stopped by Wei Kingdom to visit, handing over a batch of ancient texts to Wang Qingkai.

Wang Changyue and Wang Qingjing were astonished to learn that Wang Mingren had brought back such a large collection of ancient texts.

"Changyue, there are several texts on formation arrangement here that you should find useful. There are also many cultivation techniques, as well as texts on artifact refining and talisman crafting."

Wang Changyue was overjoyed. "Uncle Mingren, these ancient texts you've brought back are simply priceless treasures!"

"Besides the texts, Uncle Mingren also brought back a batch of specialties from the South Sea, worth tens of thousands of spirit stones. We can definitely sell them for a high price during the Heavenly Soldier Convention," Wang Qingkai said excitedly. He then remembered something and continued, "I've done a preliminary calculation. According to clan regulations, the family will reward Uncle Mingren with fifty-three thousand spirit stones. Aunt, what do you think...?"

Most of this reward was for the ancient texts, and a smaller portion was for the goods Wang Mingren brought back, which included demon beast materials and spiritual artifacts.

As the acting family head, Wang Qingkai had to consult Wang Changyue because the amount involved was substantial.

The Wang family only earned a few thousand spirit stones annually. Fifty thousand spirit stones was equivalent to over a decade's income for the family, so it was by no means a small sum.

Wang Changyue smiled sweetly. "Let's round it up to sixty thousand spirit stones. The goods Uncle Mingren brought back are rare items and will definitely fetch a large sum of spirit stones. Just have Qingyuan record it in detail."

Wang Qingyuan managed the family's finances. Every expenditure had to be registered and recorded by him, then submitted to the family head for review.

It was not unreasonable to give Wang Mingren a bit more spirit stones, considering he had specially brought back so many valuable items for the family.

For the family to grow and prosper, a fair system of rewards and punishments was essential; expecting selfless dedication from all clan members was simply unrealistic.

"Uncle Mingren, since you've finally returned, why don't you stay a few more days?"

Wang Mingren shook his head. "I need to hurry back to the sect to report, so I can't stay long. I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Wang Qingjing smiled sweetly and asked, "Great-Uncle Mingren, are you a second-rank artifact refiner now?"

When Wang Mingren was young, he studied artifact refining with Wang Changsheng. After so many years, he might have become a second-rank artifact refiner.

"I am now a second-rank mid-grade artifact refiner, capable of crafting mid-grade spiritual artifacts."

Wang Mingren did not hide the truth, stating it plainly. If he hadn't focused on artifact refining, he might have already advanced to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

"That's wonderful, Great-Uncle Mingren! The Heavenly Soldier Sect is hosting the Heavenly Soldier Convention in a few months, and there will be an artifact refining competition. I plan to participate, but my refining skills aren't high enough. Could you give me some pointers?"

Expectation filled Wang Qingjing's beautiful eyes.

Wang Mingren did not decline and agreed.

"Uncle Mingren, my second sister's daughter, Su Bingbing, has also joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect. She has an unusual ice spiritual root. If conditions permit, I hope you can look out for her. My second sister only has this one daughter."

"An unusual ice spiritual root? Su Bingbing. I understand."

After chatting for a while, Wang Mingren returned to rest.

Accompanied by Ye Li, he paid respects to Wang Yaolong and then chatted with Ye Li.

Ye Li was old and had little lifespan left, so Wang Mingren naturally wanted to spend more time with her.

After dinner, Wang Qingjing went to Wang Mingren's residence to seek guidance on artifact refining. Wang Mingren did not hold back. Due to time constraints, he couldn't answer all of Wang Qingjing's questions individually, so he recorded his artifact refining insights on a jade slip for her to review.

Early the next morning, Wang Changyue, Wang Qingjing, and Wang Qingzhi saw Wang Mingren off.

"A thousand-mile journey must eventually end in parting. You don't need to see me off further. If I have time, I will return to visit. I entrust Mother to your care."

After saying this, Wang Mingren summoned his flying artifact and flew into the distance.

After Wang Mingren left, Wang Changyue and the other two resumed their respective activities: cultivating and farming.

Taiyi Mountain Range, Taiyuan Market.

In a secret chamber, Wang Changfeng sat cross-legged on the bed, his body enveloped in a red light barrier. Numerous red light specks floated within the room.

As he breathed in and out, the red light specks rushed towards his nostrils.

A quarter of an hour later, all the red light specks in the room had vanished, having been absorbed through his mouth and nose.

The red light barrier around Wang Changfeng dissipated, and he opened his eyes, which were filled with joy.

"I've finally reached the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. I wonder what level my ninth brother has reached. Given his cultivation speed, he must be at least at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment by now!"

Wang Changfeng muttered to himself.

It had taken him over a decade to advance from the fourth to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, which was not a fast cultivation speed.

While cultivation resources were abundant in Taiyuan Market, Wang Changfeng's aptitude was not exceptional. He practiced only a Profound-grade cultivation technique, which limited his progress to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. Furthermore, the spiritual resources he obtained were not particularly plentiful, meaning his cultivation speed was destined to be moderate.

As he stepped out of his room, Wang Mingjiang also emerged from his own.

Wang Mingjiang was still at the third level of Foundation Establishment. His brows were furrowed, and he appeared to be in a bad mood.

Since his divine sense had not reached a certain level, cultivating the *Kushui True Scripture* was agonizing for him each time, posing a constant risk of his body exploding. He simply dared not cultivate it.

Sensing Wang Changfeng's aura had grown stronger, Wang Mingjiang forced a smile and said, "Changfeng, you've advanced to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment! Congratulations! By the way, how many spirit stones do you have left? In three months, the market will hold a large auction, and I hear there will be many treasures."

Wang Changfeng thought for a moment and replied, "I still have over two thousand spirit stones. Uncle Twenty-One, if you need them urgently, please take them."

Zhao Wuji and the other two had successively entered seclusion for cultivation. In the short term, they would not be hunting demon beasts in the mountains. However, Wang Changfeng could earn spirit stones by refining mid-grade spiritual artifacts.

Wang Mingjiang smiled slightly. "Two thousand should be enough. I'll pay you back as soon as I earn some spirit stones."

"We are family; it's only right."

Wang Changfeng took out two thousand spirit stones and handed them to Wang Mingjiang.