Chapter 412: Sacrifices to Ancestors

After Wang Changsheng achieved Core Formation, the name 'Wangjia Fort' no longer suited the Wang family. Although the clan's cultivators indeed resided in a fortress, the name 'Wangjia Fort' lacked a sense of grandeur.

Wang Changsheng renamed it Qinglian Villa. Having traveled through many states, he knew that most immortal cultivating families with a Core Formation cultivator in residence were named 'Villa'. For instance, the Yang family, a Golden Core family in Yue State, was publicly known as 'Purple Moon Villa'.

Beyond this, Wang Changsheng also organized the compilation of a family history. Clansmen who had made significant contributions to the family, as well as those who had sacrificed their lives for its sake, were to be recorded. These individuals, who laid the foundation for the family's development, deserved to be remembered by all members of the Wang family.

Furthermore, clansmen who committed crimes or were cunning and deceitful should also be recorded, serving as a warning to future generations.

Before beginning their cultivation studies, Wang family members were to first learn the family history. This was intended to help them cherish their present lives, remember those who laid the family's foundation, and cultivate a sense of collective honor.

After implementing these changes, Wang Changsheng led the senior members to the ancestral hall.

Hundreds of ancestral tablets were arranged on the offering table. Unlike the secular world, tablets for female clansmen were also present, including that of Wang Changsheng's fifth aunt, Wang Mingmei.

Wang Mingmei was heartbroken by love in her youth and never married. Before her death, she was a first-grade high-rank artifact forger and puppet master. Both Wang Changhuan and Wang Qingjing were personally taught by her, with Wang Changsheng only offering minor guidance.

Wang Changsheng's gaze swept across the ancestral tablets, a look of reminiscence on his face. It was these clansmen who had laid the foundation for the family's development, allowing the Wang family to reach its current position.

He took a deep breath, took out sandalwood incense, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner.

Wang Qingzhi personally carried the offerings and placed them one by one onto the offering table.

With a respectful expression, Wang Changsheng knelt before the ancestral tablets, and Wang Qingzhi and the others followed suit.

The Wang family had been established for over 700 years, and counting from Wang Tiangang, Wang Changsheng was of the fifth generation.

"I, Wang Changsheng, fifth-generation descendant, lead the clansmen in kowtowing to our ancestors. We recall their grace and shall never forget it. We inherit the family legacy, with new generations to carry it on. We respectfully offer pure wine and humble dishes, and announce to all our ancestors: Great-grand-ancestor migrated from the South Sea to Qinglian Mountain in Ningzhou, Song State, Eastern Wasteland, over 700 years ago. He established roots and branched out, blessing future generations. Future descendants will never forget the ancestors' blessings and protection and are grateful for their nurture and teachings. Under the ancestors' protection, in the winter of the Renshen year of the Eastern Wasteland calendar, I, Wang Changsheng, fifth-generation descendant, successfully formed my Core. Our Qinglian Wang family is now a Golden Core family. We humbly ask all ancestors in heaven to bless our clan, that the Wang family may flourish even more. May our descendants be of one heart and mind, unite hand in hand, strive for rejuvenation, and stand proudly among the immortal cultivating families."

Wang Changsheng took out the prepared sacrificial text, read it aloud, and then kowtowed three times.

"We humbly ask all ancestors in heaven to bless our clan, that the Wang family may flourish even more," Wang Qingzhi and the others said in unison. They then kowtowed three times, each with a profoundly respectful expression.

Humans had been developing the Eastern Wasteland for 3,844 years. Wang Changsheng formed his Core two years ago, which, according to the calendar system, corresponded to the Renshen year.

After completing the ancestral worship, Wang Changsheng and the others moved to the main hall to eat and drink.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, everyone gradually departed to attend to their respective duties.

Wang Qingyuan arrived at Wang Changsheng's residence to report on the gifts received.

"Ninth Uncle, preliminary estimates show that the guests' congratulatory gifts are worth over 117,000 spirit stones. The most valuable items are Foundation Establishment Pills and two bottles of Purple Jade Spirit Water. Here is the ledger."

Wang Qingyuan took out a ledger and handed it to Wang Changsheng with both hands.

Wang Changsheng casually flipped through a few pages, then closed the ledger and asked, "How is Ping'an doing now?"

He had always been concerned about his third son, Wang Ping'an. Wang Qingyuan, who had been responsible for looking after him, knew Ping'an's situation best.

"Thanks to your great fortune, Ninth Uncle, he has been very well," Wang Qingyuan replied. "He now has one wife and four concubines, but none of his children have spirit roots. Two of his concubines are currently pregnant."

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng's face showed disappointment. He had hoped Wang Ping'an would have descendants with spirit roots, whom he could then raise by his side.

"Ninth Uncle," Wang Qingyuan suggested, "why don't we bring Ping'an and his family back? It's only a few more people."

Wang Changsheng shook his head. "There's a clear distinction between immortals and mortals. Let it be. If he can live out his life peacefully, then I'll be at ease."

As the current head of the family, every word and action of his was closely watched, and he naturally had to set an example. While he could keep Wang Ping'an by his side, what if other clansmen's descendants turned out to be mortals? Should they also be kept by his side? It was a common understanding in the cultivation world that mortals and cultivators living together was not conducive to family development.

The path of cultivation was ruthless. Wang Changsheng would have increasingly more descendants in the future, and he could not keep all of them by his side, nor could he help all of them achieve Foundation Establishment. The Wang family was not solely his. As the family's leader, he had to set an example in many matters, understanding that "a crooked upper beam makes a crooked lower beam."

Wang Changsheng then asked about Wang Ping'an's daily life, which Wang Qingyuan truthfully reported.

"Qingyuan, you've worked hard," Wang Changsheng said. "You understand the family's situation. You manage the family's finances, a position of great power and influence, but you haven't accumulated significant merits. It will still be quite difficult to obtain Foundation Establishment spiritual items."

Wang Qingyuan gave a bitter smile. "Your nephew knows his own limitations," he said. "The merit points I've accumulated will be left for Qiuzheng, hoping he can advance to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"One generation plants trees, another enjoys the shade." He was already old and hadn't accumulated enough merit points to exchange for Foundation Establishment spiritual items. After having a son, his desire to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage had somewhat faded, and his life's focus gradually shifted to his son. He and his wife worked diligently, certain that the merit points they accumulated would be for their son, hoping he would go further on the path of cultivation.

Only when one becomes a parent does one truly understand parental kindness.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes, so don't worry too much," he said. "If Qiuzheng possesses spirit roots, I will have Qingjing teach him artifact forging. Mastering a skill is essential for progressing further on the path of cultivation."

"If Eighth Sister is willing to teach Qiuzheng artifact forging, that is his good fortune," Wang Qingyuan said, his face lighting up with joy. "Your nephew thanks Ninth Uncle on Qiuzheng's behalf."

Wang Changsheng gave a few instructions and then dismissed Wang Qingyuan.

Because the spiritual脉 grade was too low, Wang Changsheng's cultivation efficiency was halved, so he didn't cultivate. Instead, he took out artifact forging materials to create second-tier puppet beasts.

After entering the Core Formation stage, his divine sense had greatly increased. He could also temper materials with his elixireal flame, significantly shortening the time needed to forge second-tier puppet beasts.

Three months later, the Song family sent the remaining balance and portraits of ten female clansmen for Wang Qingyang to choose one to marry.

At Wang Changsheng's suggestion, Wang Qingyang married Song Yongyan, the grand-niece of Song Hefeng. She was nineteen years old, at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, and possessed three spirit roots.

After Wang Qingyang chose his future wife, the Wang family sent out invitations to their relatives by marriage and friends.

Since Wang Changsheng had just achieved Core Formation and his son was getting married, the invited immortal cultivating families naturally extended their respect. They all prepared gifts and sent representatives to Qinglian Villa.