Chapter 411: Improving the System

Wang Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Forget it, I'll figure out a way to get spirit stones."

He had only just reached the Core Formation stage; what would his clan members think if he went to cultivate at the Hundred Spirit Gate? There's no place like home, no matter how humble. At worst, he could disguise himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and eradicate the low-level demonic beasts in the surrounding countries. If that failed, he'd shamelessly borrow spirit stones from his in-laws.

Guangdong Ren didn't press the issue. "Alright, I should be going now," he said. "You've just formed your core, so focus on your cultivation. As for the Guangyuan Grand Meeting, if you don't have spirit stones or spiritual items, just go watch the spectacle. Oh, and by the way, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Qin family in Qinjialing were killed. This kind of thing must not happen a second time. When two countries are at war, it's fair game to destroy an immortal cultivation family. But once the conflict ends, no one is allowed to settle scores later; that's an unspoken rule among us. You've reached Core Formation, so you must act with decorum. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Do you understand?"

Wang Changsheng broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. He had handled that matter very cleanly. How did Guangdong Ren know about it? Had the secret been exposed? Or was Guangdong Ren trying to trick him?

Although many years had passed, it remained a hidden danger. The Huangsheng Palace had three Core Formation cultivators; if the truth came out, the Wang family would still face trouble.

"I've heard about this matter too, but what does it have to do with me?" Wang Changsheng asked with a puzzled expression.

"Hmph, you and your father-in-law thought you handled it cleanly, but you were too clever for your own good. Qin Yuyao was killed while performing a mission; it's clear the killer knew she was heading to the spiritual herb garden. Not many people in the Huangsheng Palace's Deacon Hall knew about this, and there aren't many forces capable of organizing people to eliminate all the Qin family's Foundation Establishment cultivators. Using the process of elimination, it could only point to the Wang and Wang families. When you entered the Core Formation stage, Li Qingshan sent you a Foundation Establishment Pill, likely out of consideration for the relationship between our two families. According to seniority, you should call him grandfather.

When the Qin family incident occurred, Li Haifeng was traveling. Li Qingshan investigated your two families, but lacked concrete evidence. Considering the implications for himself, me, and fellow Daoist Wang, he suppressed the matter. However, your wife's cousin had a terrible fate; she was imprisoned."

Wang Changsheng forced a smile and bravely said, "Master, what kind of joke is this? If Li Haifeng knew about this, how could he possibly let it go?"

Guangdong Ren glared at Wang Changsheng and spoke in a reproachful tone, "Li Haifeng returned from his travels a few years ago and already knew about this. He came to me, and I took the blame for you. Li Haifeng owed me a great favor from years ago, and because of this matter with you, we are now even. Don't assume others are fools; cultivators who reach the Core Formation stage are not so easily deceived. If it weren't for considering Wang Huashan and me, your master, Li Qingshan would have already acted against your two families. I can save you once, but not a second time. The Qin family's possessions, especially their cultivation techniques, must not appear in Wei State for a hundred years. It's best to destroy them all, leaving no evidence."

Wang Changsheng broke out in a cold sweat. He had no idea that his entire clan had narrowly escaped disaster. If Guangdong Ren hadn't intervened, the Wang family would have been finished. Wiping out an entire clan was against heavenly harmony. If they were rogue cultivators, they could just pack up and flee, but an immortal cultivation family couldn't do that. Such actions would lead to endless troubles.

Hearing Guangdong Ren's words, Wang Changsheng felt a surge of gratitude. This nominal master had proven very reliable in a crucial moment. However, a question arose in his mind: A few years ago, Wang Changsheng hadn't yet formed his core, so why had Guangdong Ren defended the Wang family so fiercely? Was it because of Wang Huashan? That seemed unlikely!

As if discerning Wang Changsheng's confusion, Guangdong Ren explained, "Don't you have a clan uncle who joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect? He was taken as a disciple by a Core Formation cultivator right after entering the sect. To catch the eye of a Taiyi Immortal Sect elder, his aptitude must be extraordinary, wouldn't you agree? Li Haifeng dropped the matter for two reasons: first, to repay my favor, and second, out of concern for your clan uncle. However, such incidents must not happen again. Li Haifeng is already at the ninth level of Core Formation and could advance to the Nascent Soul stage at any time. From now on, act dutifully and keep your clan members in line."

Wang Changsheng gave a bitter smile and said, "Master, this matter truly has nothing to do with our Wang family." He was filled with gratitude towards Guangdong Ren, but he would deny involvement in this matter even if it killed him.

Guangdong Ren revealed a look of approval and said, "Mm, remember this: no matter who asks, stick to your denial. When you have time, come visit the Hundred Spirit Gate. As for calling me 'Master,' keep that in your heart from now on; don't use that title in front of others."

Wang Changsheng bowed respectfully and personally saw Guangdong Ren off.

Wang Changsheng then told Wang Ruyan about the matter. Upon hearing it, she too broke out in a cold sweat.

"This time, we owe Senior Guang a huge favor. We must gather the spirit stones for upgrading the spiritual vein, even if we have to sell everything we own. My dear, cultivating on Qinglian Mountain will indeed affect your cultivation speed, but first, we must repay the two hundred thousand spirit stones we owe the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Owing such a huge debt makes it impossible to sleep peacefully."

Wang Changsheng nodded. "After Qingyang gets married, I will personally go to the Taiyi Immortal Sect and repay the spirit stones."

That evening, Wang Changsheng called Wang Qingyang before him.

Wang Qingyang was already twenty-four years old and at the fifth level of Qi Refining. His cultivation was entirely due to the accumulation of pills.

"Qingyang, you're not young anymore. Your father has arranged a marriage for you. The other party is a member of the Song family from Han State. To save face for both families, you'll be given a Foundation Establishment Pill. However, this pill isn't free; it will be deducted from your contribution points later, understand?"As Wang Changsheng had become a Core Formation cultivator, his every action would be observed by his clan members. It's not about having too little, but about uneven distribution. If all of Wang Changsheng's children and grandchildren relied on him to establish their foundations, what would the other members of the family think? Over time, the clan would lose cohesion.

"Yes, I know. Your child is useless and has caused you and Mother worry," Wang Qingyang said with a look of shame.

"My silly child, this is what a father should do. After you marry, you'll be an adult. From now on, you must cultivate diligently and act responsibly," Wang Changsheng advised, then sent Wang Qingyang away to rest.

The next morning, Wang Changsheng convened a meeting of the higher-ups.

He revised some unreasonable family policies. Foundation Establishment cultivators at or below the third level would receive 500 spirit stones annually; those from the fourth to sixth level, 1,000 spirit stones; and those above the sixth level, 2,000 spirit stones. Of course, this applied to Foundation Establishment cultivators who focused solely on cultivation. Foundation Establishment clan members with special skills, like Wang Qingjing, would receive additional rewards after creating benefits for the family.

The treatment for Qi Refining clan members was also revised. Those at or below the third level of Qi Refining would receive two spirit stones and ten catties of first-tier low-grade spiritual grain monthly. Those from the fourth to sixth level would receive four spirit stones and twenty catties of first-tier low-grade spiritual grain monthly. Those above the sixth level would receive ten spirit stones and thirty catties of first-tier low-grade spiritual grain monthly. These benefits were for clan members who focused solely on cultivation; those who performed duties for the family would be compensated separately.

The family would also encourage more births. Bearing a child with a three-spirit root would be rewarded with 500 spirit stones, and a child with a two-spirit root with 5,000 spirit stones.

Contribution points were renamed "merit points." Merit points accumulated by a clan member could be passed on to direct descendants. If there were no direct descendants, the merit points could be left to cousins.

For the exchange of Foundation Establishment spiritual items, True Fiend Qi was set at 7,000 merit points, Foundation Establishment Pills at 25,000 merit points, and Purple Jade Spiritual Water at 6,000 merit points.

As Wang Changsheng had entered the Core Formation stage, the clan could not temporarily support too many Foundation Establishment cultivators. Therefore, the exchange values for Foundation Establishment spiritual items had to be increased. Additionally, cultivation techniques also required merit points for exchange; the higher the grade of the technique, the more merit points required. In short, the family would not support idlers. To obtain cultivation resources and excellent cultivation techniques, one must diligently contribute to the family.

Wang Changsheng specifically emphasized that no clan member was allowed to kill others for their treasures. Self-defense resulting in a kill was permissible.

Furthermore, there were changes to the attire. Each Foundation Establishment cultivator would receive two sets of Dharma artifact-grade robes, while Qi Refining cultivators would receive two sets of spiritual artifact-grade robes. For ordinary clan members' robes, there would be one blue lotus flower. For Foundation Establishment clan members, those with special skills, and those in management, their robes would feature two blue lotus flowers.