Chapter 403: The Secret of the Inherited Jade Stone

Wang Qingyuan replied truthfully, "Ninth Uncle, we still have 23,437 spirit stones. Our income this year has been considerable, but the clan owes too many spirit stones to our Foundation Establishment cultivators. After using a portion to pay off debts, we still owe 75,320 spirit stones. The most valuable item in the clan is that Foundation Establishment Pill, which Eighteenth Uncle and Seventh Brother brought back."

The Wang clan's territory was limited, and with the number of cultivators increasing yearly, expenses grew steadily. Foundation Establishment clan members without a specific skill received at least 1,000 spirit stones annually, while those with skills who generated profit were given a portion as a reward. Consequently, the stipends for Foundation Establishment cultivators could not be paid in full, leading to outstanding debts.

This was a historical issue. In the past, there weren't many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan, so an annual stipend of 1,000 spirit stones for them was not an issue. However, as the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan grew, an annual stipend of 1,000 spirit stones became too high.

Now that Wang Changsheng had formed his Core and possessed absolute authority, he intended to revise the clan's unreasonable system.

"Qingkai," Wang Changsheng began, "I plan to hold a grand celebration for my Core Formation. Over the years, for all the cultivating families or powers with whom we've had cordial relations, send them invitations. Also send invitations to well-known cultivating families. In half a year, we will hold the Core Formation ceremony. From now on, our clan will no longer be a minor one. As the clan leader, it doesn't sound good that you're still at the Qi Refining stage. Give him that Foundation Establishment Pill to consume; I hope he advances to the Foundation Establishment stage. Of course, since Qingkai hasn't rendered any great service, he cannot receive the Foundation Establishment Pill for free. The spirit stones for the Foundation Establishment Pill will be slowly deducted from his stipend. Qingkai, what do you think?"

Wang Qingkai's expression was somewhat excited as he respectfully said, "I will respectfully obey Ninth Uncle's decree."

"Then it's settled. You may carry on with your duties."

Wang Changsheng nodded and left with Wang Ruyan.

Wang Changsheng and his wife returned to their residence, where Wang Qingzhi and others were just having a meal. Wang Qiuxin had once again come to scrounge for food.

Upon learning that Wang Changsheng had advanced to the Core Formation stage, Wang Qingzhi and the others were extremely happy.

Qiu Shanshan was the most excited; with Wang Changsheng's Core Formation, her hope for revenge grew stronger.

Wang Qiuming smiled sweetly. He ran to Wang Changsheng's side and said, "Grandfather, you've advanced to the Core Formation stage! Your grandson hasn't been lazy either; I'm already at Qi Refining Level Two!"

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng laughed heartily. He picked up Wang Qiuming, kissed him once, and smiled, "Good, good, good! Truly my good grandson! Heaven rewards diligence. I hope you reach Foundation Establishment soon."

"What's Foundation Establishment?" Wang Qiuming declared proudly. "One day, I will surpass Grandfather and become a Grand Cultivator admired by tens of thousands!"

Wang Qiuming declared proudly, his tender face full of seriousness.

Wang Changsheng was momentarily stunned, then the smile on his face deepened. "Good, good, good!" he said. "I hope your father didn't give you the wrong name, for 'he may not sing, but when he does, he startles everyone' perfectly describes you. This high-grade magic artifact, the Ice Dragon Flag, was once used by your grandfather, and I bestow it upon you. I hope you won't forget what you said today."

He took out the Ice Dragon Flag and handed it to Wang Qiuming.

After leaving the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Wang Changsheng had only four magic artifacts remaining: the Black Dragon Flag, the Ice Dragon Flag, the Hundred Blades Umbrella, and the Blue Lotus Boat. After bestowing the Ice Dragon Flag upon Wang Qiuming, he still had four magic artifacts on him.

"Qingzhi, Shanshan, where has Qingyang gone?"

"He's with Luyang, learning how to brew wine," Wang Qingzhi replied truthfully.

Wang Changsheng chatted briefly with them before returning to his room to cultivate.

After advancing to the Core Formation stage, the spiritual nexus of Green Lotus Mountain could no longer meet Wang Changsheng's cultivation needs. This was unavoidable. Firstly, he needed to pay off debts. Secondly, he needed to purchase magic treasures. Thirdly, he also needed to upgrade the spiritual nexus.

To his knowledge, there were two ways to upgrade a spiritual nexus. One was to use a formation to gather spiritual energy and slowly nourish it. This method was too time-consuming; it would be impossible to upgrade a second-tier spiritual nexus to a third-tier one without hundreds of years. The second method involved using a formation. To upgrade a second-tier spiritual nexus to third-tier, at least a third-tier formation was required, and it would also consume a large number of spirit stones.

These three points, when summarized, boiled down to two words: Spirit Stones.

Indeed, he now needed a large quantity of spirit stones. However, spirit stones would not fall from the sky, so he could only acquire them gradually.

After Wang Changsheng formed his Core, his magical power surged, and his divine sense also greatly increased.

He took out the inherited jade slip and immersed his divine sense within it.

This time, he encountered no obstruction and smoothly accessed the contents within the inherited jade slip.

A quarter of an hour later, Wang Changsheng put down the inherited jade slip, a thoughtful expression on his face.

This inherited jade slip was left by a Nascent Soul cultivator who called himself Qingmingzi. During his lifetime, Qingmingzi was a Level Six Nascent Soul cultivator. Because his lifespan was limited, he recorded all his knowledge and experiences within the inherited jade slip.

There were two Profound-grade cultivation techniques: the *Qingming Sword Sutra* and the *Heavenly Flame Treasure Codex*. These two techniques could be cultivated from Qi Refining Level One all the way to Nascent Soul Level Nine. Besides the cultivation techniques, the inherited jade slip also recorded Qingmingzi's insights and experiences. What surprised Wang Changsheng was that Qingmingzi had visited the Eastern Barrens and had even entered a certain forbidden area.

The only drawback was that, apart from the two Profound-grade cultivation techniques and Qingmingzi's experiences, there was nothing else. There were no pill recipes, artifact refining insights, or formation arrangement methods. It was unclear whether Qingmingzi hadn't learned them or simply hadn't recorded them. The most valuable aspect of this inherited jade slip was undoubtedly those two Profound-grade cultivation techniques that could be cultivated to Nascent Soul Level Nine.

Wang Qingshan was a sword cultivator and could switch to cultivating the *Qingming Sword Sutra*. While switching cultivation techniques would waste a fair amount of time, he wouldn't need to switch techniques again in the future.

Wang Qingshan had already cultivated to Foundation Establishment Level Four, so it was not too late to switch cultivation techniques at this point.

Wang Changsheng put away the inherited jade slip. He sat cross-legged on the bed and began meditating to regulate his breathing.

Three months later, the news of Wang Changsheng's Core Formation spread throughout the State of Wei. All well-informed cultivators knew that Wang Changsheng had formed his Core.

What Wang Changsheng hadn't expected was that Guangdong Ren, upon learning of his Core Formation, immediately came to visit him.

Soon, the two met in the discussion hall. Guangdong Ren was currently at Core Formation Level Six.

"Your disciple, Wang Changsheng, greets Master."

Wang Changsheng spoke in the tone of a disciple. He had just formed his Core, possessed no magic treasures or divine abilities yet, and still needed Guangdong Ren's protection, so it was better to be polite.

When a disciple forms their Core, a master should give a grand gift.

Guangdong Ren waved his hand. He smiled and said, "You've already formed your Core; there's no need to call me Master anymore."

"Once a teacher, always a teacher," Wang Changsheng said earnestly, his expression respectful.

"It's enough that you have this sentiment. I'm giving you this Foundation Establishment Pill. Congratulations on your advancement to the Core Formation stage."

Guangdong Ren took out a blue porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng thanked him and accepted the blue porcelain bottle. However, he felt a little disappointed. He had originally thought that Guangdong Ren would at least give him a prototype magic treasure; he hadn't expected him to only give a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The two had the title of master and disciple, but their bond wasn't deep. A prototype magic treasure cost over 200,000 spirit stones, so Guangdong Ren wouldn't be that generous.

Guangdong Ren took out a blue jade box. He pushed it towards Wang Changsheng and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, open it and take a look."

Wang Changsheng opened the jade box. He gasped sharply, his gaze filled with surprise and uncertainty.