Chapter 397: Seeking Help from Wang Mingren

After a few simple pleasantries, Wang Changsheng got straight to the point: "Uncle Mingren, Bingbing, I have a very important matter to ask of you during this visit to Taiyi Immortal Sect." As he spoke, his expression turned solemn.

"We are all family; feel free to speak. If I can help, I will certainly not refuse," Wang Mingren said earnestly.

"Uncle, please tell me what's on your mind! Over the years, I've met quite a few people, so perhaps I can help you," Su Bingbing smiled sweetly and said.

"I want to attempt to reach the Core Formation stage. I established my foundation using Earth Fiend Qi, and I've checked the ancient texts; one can use Heavenly Star Qi to break through to Core Formation. Does the Taiyi Immortal Sect have any formations or treasures that can draw down Heavenly Star Qi? Or perhaps other spiritual items that could aid in breaking through to Core Formation would also work. Uh, I don't have that many spirit stones."

Wang Mingren frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Changsheng, to be frank, the Taiyi Immortal Sect possesses a second-tier spiritual treasure called the Haotian Mirror, which can draw down Heavenly Star Qi to assist in Core Formation. Uncle Meng Tianzheng, the head of the Five Taiyi Prodigies, also used Earth Fiend Qi to build his foundation and Heavenly Star Qi for Core Formation, but..." At this point, he looked troubled.

Wang Changsheng, who had been listening intently, quickly pressed him: "But what?"

"You are not a member of our Taiyi Immortal Sect. The sect might not allow you to use the Haotian Mirror, and even if they do, it would incur a considerable cost."

"Uncle Mingren, regardless, this is a possibility. Please help me and Bingbing inquire if there are other ways to borrow the Haotian Mirror. I beg you." Wang Ruyan stood up, bowed to the two, and spoke earnestly.

Wang Changsheng also stood up, bowed, and said, "Uncle Mingren, Bingbing, please help us."

"Alright! For now, you two stay here. Junior Sister Su and I will go back and make some inquiries. If we hear anything, we will contact you immediately." Wang Mingren agreed and left with Su Bingbing.

After seeing them off, Wang Changsheng took out his refining materials and began his work. He was currently penniless, so earning more spirit stones would be beneficial.

After returning to the sect, Wang Mingren and Su Bingbing parted ways. Wang Mingren arrived at a dense bamboo grove and sent out a sound transmission talisman. Soon after, the bamboo grove quickly swayed, and hundreds of spiritual bamboos moved rapidly, clearing a small path. Wang Mingren followed the path and entered. Before long, a three-story azure pavilion appeared before him.

"This disciple greets master." Wang Mingren bowed to the azure pavilion and said respectfully.

"Mingren, it's been a while since you came to see your master. Come in and speak," Xu Zihua's voice came from inside the pavilion.

Wang Mingren acknowledged and stepped inside. Xu Zihua sat in the main seat, a faint smile on his face. "Have you encountered some difficulty?"

Wang Mingren hesitated slightly, then told Xu Zihua about Wang Changsheng's request for help.

Xu Zihua frowned and said, "According to our sect's regulations, outsiders can indeed borrow the Haotian Mirror, but the starting cost is 300,000 spirit stones, and a guarantor is required. If the Core Formation attempt fails, the guarantor is responsible for repaying the debt. Listen carefully: it's a *starting* fee of 300,000. If he stays in the spiritual pool for a longer time, spending a million spirit stones only to fail, then you would be responsible for repaying that debt. With your current cultivation family, let alone a million spirit stones, you probably couldn't even produce 300,000! While it's important to help family, it depends on the situation. For this matter, I, your master, do not advise you to help."

Wang Mingren hesitated for a long time, then asked, "Master, if Changsheng fails to form his core, and I, your disciple, cannot repay this debt immediately, what would happen?"

Xu Zihua sneered and said bluntly, "The sect does not support idlers, nor does it help outsiders for free. Junior Brother Meng also had to accumulate significant merits and sufficient contribution points to use the Haotian Mirror. If you cannot produce 300,000 spirit stones, then you will have no choice but to perform hard labor, earning spirit stones day and night without cease. In short, the sect won't let you die, but it won't let you be idle either. This is just for 300,000. If it were a million spirit stones, you wouldn't be free for the next fifty years. Your Uncle-Master Zhao's fifth brother, Li Feng, is skilled in alchemy. Li Feng guaranteed his clan uncle for the use of the Haotian Mirror. His clan uncle failed to form his core and died on the spot, leaving Li Feng burdened with a million spirit stones. He is still refining pills in the Divine Pill Hall to this day! He must repay a certain amount of spirit stones each year, or face severe penalties. For fifty years, he will not be able to leave the Divine Pill Hall, and his cultivation will be stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage for life."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Wang Mingren. Logically, Wang Changsheng was his clan nephew, and without Wang Changsheng, he might not have been able to enter the Taiyi Immortal Sect. However, over the years, he had made considerable contributions to the family, providing not only a Foundation Establishment Pill but also a collection of ancient texts. If he were to guarantee Wang Changsheng, and Wang Changsheng failed, he would be burdened with enormous debt. Given the family's current situation, 300,000 spirit stones was an astronomical sum. For decades to come, he would be busy refining artifacts to repay the debt, unable to free himself. If he didn't guarantee Wang Changsheng, he would be unburdened.

"If you want to form a core, honestly conduct business, stay within your bounds, and accumulate wealth for over a hundred years, you can still gather enough spirit stones to buy spiritual items that aid Core Formation. Many cultivation families do this; it's just that not many succeed. If you don't help him, your future prospects are bright. While it's true you are of the same clan, that doesn't mean you must sacrifice your own cultivation path to help him. Most importantly, to use the Haotian Mirror, a Core Formation cultivator must act as a guarantor, and I, your master, will not agree to it."

Xu Zihua's tone was severe. He still hoped Wang Mingren would help him enter a secret realm to gather spiritual herbs! If Wang Mingren incurred a massive debt, he would not be allowed to leave the sect until it was fully repaid, and all his activities would be under the supervision of enforcement disciples.

"A Core Formation cultivator is also required as a guarantor?"

Xu Zihua glared at Wang Mingren and said bluntly, "Nonsense. Our sect has tens of thousands of disciples. If just anyone could be a guarantor, it would be fine if they succeeded, but if they failed, wouldn't our sect suffer immense losses? It's precisely because such unprofitable transactions have occurred that our sect established the rule that a Core Formation cultivator must provide the guarantee."

"This disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"You may go. Tell your clan member that this matter is not to be thought of further. Return home, manage the family, accumulate for a hundred years, and there will still be a chance to form a core."

Wang Mingren acknowledged, bowed, and withdrew. Leaving Xu Zihua's residence, he summoned his flying artifact and headed straight for the Welcome Hall. Upon arriving at the Welcome Hall, Wang Mingren found Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan and truthfully relayed everything.

"Changsheng, this matter requires a Core Formation cultivator as a guarantor. I cannot help you, I apologize," Wang Mingren said with a face full of apology.

Wang Changsheng frowned deeply. Having finally seen a glimmer of hope for Core Formation, he was naturally unwilling to simply turn back. Honestly, if it hadn't been for that incident involving Wang Mingren, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to form his core. He was racing against time with the lives of his entire clan at stake; he had to stay ahead.

"Uncle Mingren, please come with me to a certain place. I have something very important to tell you," Wang Changsheng said solemnly. He felt it was necessary to confess to Wang Mingren; otherwise, if the matter came to light, it might implicate Wang Mingren.