Chapter 414: Repaying Debt

The top-grade second-tier Earth Fire Spirit Vein was sold for 60,000 spirit stones. Wang Ruyan sold most of her personal assets, raising 60,000 spirit stones, while the family treasury could provide 20,000.

Every family hoards resources for emergencies, and the Wang family was no exception, possessing a stock of cultivation resources. These mainly consisted of second-tier puppet beasts, magic tools, elixirs, formation flags, refining materials, and talismans, though not in large quantities. Burdened by debt, they sold off most of their stored cultivation resources, retaining only some spirit herbs and elixirs. This raised another 60,000 spirit stones, barely reaching the 200,000 spirit stones needed.

The Core Formation celebration and Wang Qingyang's celebration had consumed a significant amount of spirit stones. Fortunately, Wang Ruyan had borrowed 20,000 spirit stones from her maiden family, ensuring the family's continued operation without issue.

In addition, Wang Changsheng still possessed a Golden Flame Fruit Tree and eight Golden Flame Fruits, which he estimated could fetch over 200,000 spirit stones. Upgrading to a third-tier spirit vein would require 400,000 spirit stones, leaving them short by a considerable amount. They would have to find other solutions.

“Husband, please don’t worry!” Wang Ruyan’s expression was serious. “I will think of other ways to gather the 400,000 spirit stones as quickly as possible.” The family was truly impoverished, tied to a fixed territory with little extra income, forcing them to painstakingly accumulate wealth.

Wang Changsheng nodded, offered a few words of advice, and left Qinglian Villa.

After Wang Changsheng departed, Wang Ruyan summoned the family's Foundation Establishment cultivators to the discussion hall. Wang Qingkai was in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, so Wang Ruyan was temporarily acting as head of the family. Wang Changjing had accumulated a significant number of merit points, and combined with those accumulated by Wang Qingjun, they were just enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. He too was attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Wang Qingshan had not yet emerged from his seclusion. Wang Changhuan, however, had already emerged.

Wang Changyue, Wang Qingqing, Wang Qingzhi, Wang Changhao, Wang Qingyun, Wang Changhuan, and Wang Ruyan—seven individuals in total—gathered together. Wang Ruyan’s expression was solemn.

“The family’s spirit vein is insufficient to support my husband’s cultivation. Upgrading to a third-tier spirit vein requires 400,000 spirit stones. We sold off most of our stored cultivation resources just to repay the debt to the Taiyi Immortal Sect. These 400,000 spirit stones can only be raised through our collective effort. I’ve calculated: a set of second-tier formation flags can earn at least 3,000 spirit stones. If Brother Eight works hard, he should be able to refine three sets of second-tier formation flags a year, bringing in nearly 10,000 spirit stones. Qingqing can refine four mid-grade second-tier puppet beasts annually, earning over 4,000 spirit stones. Qingyun can refine three types of low-grade second-tier talismans, earning 3,000 spirit stones a year. I can refine mid to low-grade second-tier talismans, bringing in over 7,000 spirit stones annually. That totals 24,000 spirit stones. With the profits generated by other family members, we should be able to earn 40,000 spirit stones per year. This means we can gather the funds for the spirit vein upgrade in ten years. I know this will affect everyone’s cultivation, but the family is in dire need of spirit stones right now. We must unite and work together to accumulate 400,000 spirit stones for the spirit vein upgrade.”

The task Wang Ruyan assigned was extremely demanding. This meant that the Foundation Establishment cultivators present would have very little time for their own cultivation. Wang Changyue was relatively better off; her role was simply to sort the formation materials and hand them over to Wang Changhuan for refining into formation flags and arrays.

“Mother, what about me? How many spirit stones do I need to earn a year?” Wang Qingzhi asked, somewhat worried. Spirit herbs wouldn’t mature quickly, and the spirit fish couldn’t be sold for another two to three years.

Wang Changhao frowned and said, “Ninth Sister-in-law, when I form a team to hunt demonic beasts in Wei Country, we can earn at most a little over 3,000 spirit stones a year. Hunting demonic beasts requires purchasing elixirs and talismans, and damaged spirit tools need repairs; the expenses are not small. We also have to consider the risk of casualties among family members.” Demonic beast resources in Wei Country were already scarce. With Wang Qingshan still in seclusion and only him as a Foundation Establishment cultivator available, earning 3,000 spirit stones a year was an optimistic estimate.

“Qingzhi, just focus on taking care of the spirit fish. They won’t be ready for sale for another year. Eighteenth Brother, please don't lead teams to hunt demonic beasts for now. Wait until Qingshan emerges from seclusion, then you can go together; it will be safer. I know this will affect everyone’s cultivation, but only by working together can we overcome this challenge. I implore all of you.” Wang Ruyan’s expression hardened, and she bowed deeply to everyone.

Wang Changyue and the others exchanged glances, and spoke in unison, “United, we will strengthen our Wang Clan!”

Wang Ruyan nodded, a long sigh of relief escaping her.

Huang Youxin, aged thirty-seven and at the first level of Foundation Establishment, was an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Taiyi Immortal Sect. He was Huang Fugui’s grand-nephew. Huang Fugui had served as an enforcer for the Heavenly Star Sect, in exchange for a recommendation slot. Through this, Huang Youxin successfully passed the Taiyi Immortal Sect’s trials and became a disciple. To help him achieve Foundation Establishment, Huang Fugui had hunted demonic beasts in the Taiyi Mountains using his Core Formation cultivation. However, he was discovered by the Taiyi Immortal Sect and expelled.

Huang Youxin did not wish to undergo external cultivation trials. Thus, he took on a simple and monotonous task of patrolling the mountain gate, which at least allowed him to cultivate within the sect.

One day, he was patrolling near the mountain gate with a team of fellow disciples, as usual. Suddenly, a blue light appeared on the horizon, rapidly approaching them.

Huang Youxin’s patrol team immediately halted. Shortly after, the blue light stopped, revealing the figure of a refined-looking man in a blue robe – it was Wang Changsheng. After he advanced to the Core Formation stage, his magical power significantly increased. Within half a year, he had arrived at the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Wang Changsheng bore no markings of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. The Foundation Establishment cultivator leading the patrol cupped his hands and asked, “Senior, this is the mountain gate of our Taiyi Immortal Sect. May I ask your purpose here?”

“I am Wang Changsheng. I have business with the Deputy Head of your Taiyi Immortal Sect’s Hall of Deacons,” Wang Changsheng said with a smile. “Young friend, if you report my presence, your sect’s elders should know why I am here.”

“Please wait a moment, Senior. I will contact my martial brother from the Hall of Deacons.” The leading disciple took out a communication plate, cast a spell on it, and said, “Is this Senior Brother Chen from the Hall of Deacons? A senior calling himself Wang Changsheng has arrived. He says he needs to speak with Martial Uncle Li from the Hall of Deacons.”

“I understand. I will notify Martial Uncle Li right away. Do not neglect this senior.”

The leading disciple put away the communication plate and respectfully said, “Senior, please wait a moment. Martial Uncle Li should be here shortly.”

Wang Changsheng nodded with a smile in response.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a colossal white crane carrying Li Jiong, the Deputy Head of the Hall of Deacons, flew from the distant horizon and landed before Wang Changsheng.

“Alright, you may return to your patrol!” Li Jiong waved his hand, dismissing the patrolling disciples. “Fellow Daoist Wang, it’s been over a year. Have you managed to gather the spirit stones so quickly?”

Wang Changsheng nodded with a wry smile, saying, “I sold everything I could, barely managed to scrape them together. I didn’t dare to delay, and I also wanted to visit my clan uncle.”

“Follow me! We will go to the Hall of Deacons to complete the repayment procedures. I will send someone to notify your clan uncle to meet you there.”

Wang Changsheng followed Li Jiong to the Hall of Deacons in the Taiyi Immortal Sect. The two entered a side room, where another deputy head was also present.

“Fellow Daoist Li, Madame Chen, I don’t possess that many spirit stones. How much is this Golden Flame Fruit Tree worth?” Wang Changsheng said, as he took out the Golden Flame Fruit Tree. The Golden Flame Fruit Tree was over eight hundred years old and about ten feet tall. Even if it couldn't be planted further, it was more than sufficient for refining fire-attribute magic treasures. Had Wang Changsheng not cultivated water-attribute techniques, he might have kept it to refine his own life-bound magic treasure.

Li Jiong and the other person carefully examined it and offered a high price of 120,000 spirit stones. Wang Changsheng negotiated, and they finally settled on 150,000.

With the Golden Flame Fruit Tree sold for 150,000 spirit stones, Wang Changsheng added another 50,000 spirit stones, completely settling his debt. Li Jiong wrote him a receipt.

Soon after, Wang Mingren arrived at the Hall of Deacons. Li Jiong arranged a side room for them to converse.

“Changsheng, why are you back so soon? Have you gathered the spirit stones?” Wang Mingren asked, somewhat surprised.