Chapter 421: Returning to the Wei State

The second highlight item for auction was three Rank 3 Mid-grade Golden Adamant Talismans. Their defensive power was comparable to Rank 3 magical treasures, and they could be used repeatedly, though they would become unusable once their power was depleted. They sold for the high prices of 85,000, 88,000, and 90,000 spiritual stones, respectively. The third highlight item was two bottles of Rank 3 Chi Zhi Pills. Suitable for Core Formation cultivators practicing fire-attribute cultivation techniques, these pills could enhance spiritual power and were sold for a high price of 150,000 spiritual stones.

“The fourth highlight item is a Rank 1 Mid-grade defensive magical treasure, the Golden Luo Treasure Umbrella. The starting bid is 300,000 spiritual stones, with each subsequent bid not less than 20,000.”

The middle-aged man took out a shimmering golden umbrella and announced loudly.

This defensive magical treasure drew fierce competition from many Core Formation cultivators, eventually selling for a high price of 620,000 spiritual stones.

Wang Changsheng watched as one treasure after another was auctioned off, feeling a strong sense of envy. Despite his envy, he didn't bid impulsively. His immediate priority was to upgrade the family’s spiritual vein. In the cultivation world, strength speaks for itself; the stronger he became, the more cultivation resources he would be entitled to.

The final highlight item was a Rank 3 Mid-grade defensive formation, the Seven-Star Primordial Chaos Formation. It included a magical treasure as the main formation flag, thirty-six artifact-grade sub-formation flags, and a formation plate. It sold for the astronomical price of 800,000 spiritual stones.

After the Rank 3 formation was sold, the middle-aged man cupped his fist at the crowd and smiled, saying: “The auction has concluded. We thank all fellow cultivators for attending the Guangyuan Grand Gathering. In a hundred years, we will host the Guangyuan Grand Gathering again, and we hope all fellow cultivators will honor us with your presence.”

Hearing this, the Core Formation cultivators present began to leave.

Wang Changsheng stood at the entrance of the Treasure Palace, waiting for Guang Dongren and Wang Huashan.

Shortly after, Guang Dongren and Wang Huashan emerged.

Wang Changsheng greeted them, and they walked out together.

“Fellow Daoist Guang, Fellow Daoist Wang, how do you usually earn spiritual stones? It can’t be entirely reliant on your subordinates, can it?” Wang Changsheng asked curiously. Upgrading the spiritual vein required too many spiritual stones, and he couldn’t solely depend on his clan members; he also needed to put in his own effort.

“There are many ways to earn spiritual stones, but you’ve only just formed your Core. It’s better to cultivate for a few decades first, and only then consider advancing to Core Formation Layer 2. Your cultivation is too low; you won't get a share of any good opportunities. If push comes to shove, you can cultivate at the Hundred Spirits Sect for a few decades. You’d only be cultivating there, not abandoning your family.” Guang Dongren said sincerely.

Wang Changsheng could discern the concern in Guang Dongren’s words, and his heart felt warm. However, he still believed that “a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one’s own doghouse.” He preferred to spend more time earning spiritual stones than to go to the Hundred Spirits Sect for cultivation. If he were to cultivate at the Hundred Spirits Sect, what would his other clan members think? They might suspect Wang Changsheng had grown to despise the family and wished to join a sect. Over time, this could lead to the clan members losing morale and cohesion. Therefore, Wang Changsheng preferred to stay at Green Lotus Villa rather than cultivate at the Hundred Spirits Sect.

Leaving Guangyuan City, the three of them transformed into three streaks of light and flew towards the State of Wei.

More than half a year later, Wang Changsheng and Guang Dongren returned to the State of Wei, while Wang Huashan went back to the State of Chu.

“Master, your disciple bids you farewell here. This disciple must return to Green Lotus Villa.” In private, Wang Changsheng still addressed Guang Dongren as Master.

“Changsheng, I ask you again, are you truly not returning to the Hundred Spirits Sect with me to cultivate? Cultivating at the Hundred Spirits Sect isn't abandoning your family.” Guang Dongren’s expression was serious.

Wang Changsheng shook his head and earnestly asked: “Master, if you were to advance to the Nascent Soul stage and the Taiyi Immortal Sect invited you to cultivate there, what would you do?”

Guang Dongren pondered for a moment before replying: “I would strive to earn spiritual stones and upgrade the sect’s spiritual vein to Rank 4 as soon as possible.”

“This disciple thinks the same way: a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one’s own doghouse.”

Guang Dongren sighed and pondered for a moment, then said: “Fine. Since you call me Master, I’ll see this good deed through to the end! Go back and calculate how many spiritual stones your clan has. I will bring our sect’s formation masters to your Green Lotus Villa to help you upgrade your spiritual vein. Pay what you have now, and repay the rest as soon as possible.”

Wang Changsheng was overjoyed to hear this. He bowed to Guang Dongren and expressed his gratitude: “This disciple thanks Master.”

Guang Dongren smiled slightly and said: “You didn’t sell the Golden Flame Fruit, did you?”

Wang Changsheng took out two Golden Flame Fruits and handed them to Guang Dongren. He still had one Golden Flame Fruit left, which he intended to keep as a reserve. A 700-year-old fire-attribute spiritual fruit was still a relatively precious item for the current Wang family.

“These two Golden Flame Fruits will be valued at 80,000 spiritual stones. You still owe 320,000. Just gather as much as your family can.”

Wang Changsheng bowed again, chatted briefly with Guang Dongren, and then flew towards Green Lotus Villa.

Green Lotus Villa, a tranquil courtyard.

Wang Qingyuan’s family of four was having dinner. Wang Qingyuan currently had two sons, Wang Qiuzheng and Wang Qiulang. Their dinner consisted of a bowl of purple sweet potato porridge and two steamed buns per person.

Wang Qiuzheng, already seven years old and in his growing phase, had a large appetite. A bowl of purple sweet potato porridge was quickly emptied, and two steamed buns quickly disappeared into his stomach.

“Dad, I’m still hungry!”

Wang Qiuzheng stared longingly at the steamed bun in Wang Qingyuan’s hand, swallowing hard.

Wang Qingyuan sighed and handed the bun in his hand to Wang Qiuzheng.

“Husband, please talk to the family head! Ask them to distribute a bit more spirit grain each month. It’s one thing for us adults to not be full, but the children are also hungry. Last time I took Qiuzheng and the others to my mother’s home, they devoured the food at the table, making my family members laugh at us.” Fang Siqing complained, handing her own steamed bun to Wang Qiuzheng as well.

“It’s not just our family; others are like this too. Bear with it for a while! We’ll get through this period.”

“I’ve only been away for a few years, how has the family fallen into such a state? The children can’t even eat their fill? They are the future of our Wang family.” A familiar male voice suddenly rang out. Just as the voice faded, Wang Changsheng walked in, his brows deeply furrowed.

“This nephew greets Ninth Uncle.” Seeing Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingyuan’s face lit up with joy, and he hastily bowed to Wang Changsheng. Fang Siqing also followed suit.

“Enough with the formalities. Qingyuan, come with me. I’ve only been away for a few years, and the children aren’t even getting enough to eat.” Wang Changsheng strode outside, and Wang Qingyuan quickly followed.

“Ninth Uncle, it’s not the family head’s fault. My expenses this month were a bit high, so I didn’t have extra spiritual stones to buy spirit grain.”

Wang Changsheng waved his hand and asked: “How many spiritual stones does the clan still have?”

“254,745 spiritual stones. Of that, 110,000 were gathered by Second Aunt and Fourteenth Uncle, and the rest accumulated by the entire clan over the past few years.”

Wang Changsheng was startled by this figure. In the four years since he left, the entire clan had actually accumulated 140,000 spiritual stones, and it was incredible that Wang Changxue and Wang Changping could even gather 110,000 spiritual stones.

“The family head has been expanding income sources and reducing expenditures, sending some clan members out to work as guides or laborers to earn spiritual stones. Ninth Aunt and the others put aside their cultivation to refine talismans, artifact puppet beasts, or formation flags. Eighteenth Uncle and his team led hunts for demonic beasts. This is how the clan managed to accumulate 140,000 spiritual stones in four years. As for Second Aunt and Fourteenth Uncle, I heard Second Aunt borrowed from every Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Hundred Spirits Sect—from a few hundred to a few thousand spiritual stones from each—which is how she managed to gather 110,000 spiritual stones.” Wang Qingyuan slowly explained.

Wang Changsheng was deeply moved by this. According to Wang Qingyuan, the family had been like a spiritual stone-earning machine for the past four years, with Foundation Establishment cultivators putting aside their cultivation to earn spiritual stones. And Wang Changxue, who borrowed from every Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Hundred Spirits Sect—blood is thicker than water; this is what family means. At critical moments, one must still rely on their own kin.

“Go tell Qingkai that expanding income is good, but cutting expenses should not come at the cost of children being hungry or elders being cold. They can save in other areas. Also, call back the clan members who were sent out, and have the Foundation Establishment cultivators resume their normal cultivation. They don't need to stop cultivating to earn spiritual stones anymore; we now have enough spiritual stones to upgrade the spiritual vein.” Wang Changsheng still had 130,000 spiritual stones plus one Golden Flame Fruit on him. Since 320,000 was still needed to upgrade the spiritual vein, this amount was sufficient.

“Yes, Ninth Uncle.”

Wang Qingyuan agreed and turned to leave.