Chapter 429: Wang Changxing's Last Wish

Qin Ming led his men forward to deal with the monster's corpse. Ye Lang put away his magical artifact and said to Wang Changsheng, "Fellow Daoist Wang, since you've just joined the demon-hunting team, this set of formation plates cost 20,000 spirit stones. Divided equally, that's 2,500 for each person. We'll gradually deduct it from your earnings. This is the rule; do you have any objections?"

Wang Changsheng nodded and replied, "None. Fellow Daoist Ye, is hunting monsters always this easy? We barely exerted any effort."

Hunting monsters with a formation array carried almost no danger, and the rewards were substantial. No wonder the rogue cultivators in the South Sea were so wealthy.

Ye Lang gave a wry smile and explained, "Fellow Daoist Wang, it's not as easy as you imagine. We just coincidentally discovered traces of the Crystalline Flame Shrimp. Most of the time spent hunting monsters is dedicated to searching for them. Sometimes, we can't find any monster tracks for a year or even longer, forcing us to travel to other sea areas. Other times, we find traces but wait for months without success. Furthermore, there's a considerable number of demonic birds. If we encounter hundreds of them without a third-tier demonic bird, it's often a perilous situation. We were quite lucky this time."

Wang Changsheng suddenly understood. That made more sense; if spirit stones could be acquired so easily by simply finding and killing monsters, it would be too simple.

"Monsters and demonic birds are secondary concerns," Qin Ming added. "The most dangerous aspect of hunting monsters is dealing with other cultivators. It's not uncommon for demon-hunting teams to fight amongst themselves over monster spoils. If a team has too few members and encounters a larger demon-hunting team, they can easily be attacked."

"I've learned a lot."

Qin Ming and his men processed the monster's materials, placed them into storage beads, and handed them over to Ye Lang. The formation flags and plates were also retrieved, but the formation flags held by Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were not taken back.

"Let's go! We're off to find more monsters," Ye Lang declared. He summoned a red flying boat, which carried everyone high into the sky.

Wei State, Qingyue City. At the Four Seas Restaurant, in a private room, Wang Qingjing was dining and drinking with fifteen Foundation Establishment cultivators. Most were male cultivators, including disciples from immortal cultivation sects and members of immortal cultivation families.

After Wang Changsheng formed his Core, Wang Qingjing's status significantly increased, attracting many suitors. Marrying Wang Qingjing would mean having a Core Formation cultivator as a father-in-law, which would smooth one's path in immortal cultivation.

Wang Qingjing was also no longer young and wished to find a suitable partner. She cultivated a wood-attribute cultivation technique, which limited her to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

The Wang family currently lacked alchemists and formation masters the most. Wang Qingjing was practical; formation masters were rare talents, and immortal cultivation sects or families might not allow a formation master to marry into the Wang family. The chances of an alchemist marrying into the Wang family were higher. Besides considering her family, finding a second-tier alchemist as a husband would also make her own future path easier.

After eating and drinking to their satisfaction, everyone began to exchange insights on cultivation, artifact refinement, and alchemy.

"Fairy Wang," a refined-looking middle-aged man enthusiastically said, his face full of anticipation, "I've discovered the lair of a mid-tier second-rank monster. Are you interested in joining me to hunt it down? It's much more interesting than refining artifacts all day. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

The middle-aged man was named Zhao Zheng, a third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator who made a living by hunting monsters. He had previously sold some second-tier spiritual wood to Wang Qingjing.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, thank you for your kind offer," Wang Qingjing gently refused. "I am not skilled in combat. If you acquire any second-tier spiritual wood, I would be willing to purchase it at a high price." She knew her limitations; she had never hunted monsters before. While she had sparred with her clan members during the Qi Condensation stage, those were only friendly matches. She admitted to herself that she was no match for a life-and-death battle. After all, Zhao Zheng was a rogue cultivator, and one could not be too careful. Wang Qingjing would not easily go monster hunting with him.

Zhao Zheng looked somewhat disappointed upon hearing this but nodded with a smile.

Just then, an urgent knocking sounded at the door. "Aunt, it's urgent, please open the door."

Wang Qingjing opened the door to find Wang Qiuhong standing there, looking anxious. "Aunt, Third Great-Uncle is dying. The Patriarch sent a messenger to tell you to return to the family quickly," Wang Qiuhong conveyed via spiritual transmission.

The "Third Great-Uncle" Wang Qiuhong referred to was Wang Changxing, who had a five-element spiritual root. He had started working early in life, diligently serving the family his entire life. His lifespan was nearing its end. Wang Qingze had already returned to care for Wang Changxing, leaving Wang Qiuhong temporarily in charge of the restaurant.

"I understand. You can go now," Wang Qingjing said, nodding. She then turned to Zhao Zheng and the others. "Fellow Daoists, I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I must excuse myself now. Please continue your discussion. My apologies." After a brief explanation, Wang Qingjing hurriedly left the Four Seas Restaurant.

After leaving the market, she summoned her flying artifact and ascended high into the sky.

Not long after she left, Zhao Zheng followed. He hesitated for a moment, then summoned a flying spiritual artifact and slowly trailed after her.

At Qinglian Villa, in a secluded courtyard. Wang Changxing lay on the bed, his hair completely white and his face covered in wrinkles.

Wang Changxue, Wang Changhuan, Wang Changyu, Wang Changjing, and other clan members of the "Chang" generation gathered inside the room, their expressions sorrowful. Wang Qiuxin leaned by the bed, and Wang Changxing held Wang Qiuxin's plump hand. Wang Qingze, Wang Qingkai, and Wang Zhizhi stood nearby, also looking grim.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt are still in seclusion," Wang Changxue began. "I've already sent someone to inform Eighth Sister; she should be rushing back soon. Third Brother, please speak your mind. We are family; we will certainly help in any way we can." She could tell that Wang Changxing wouldn't last much longer.

Wang Changxing forced a smile and said, "Second Sister, Sixth Brother, Seventh Sister, Eighth Brother, you are all here. It's a pity Ninth Brother is still in seclusion. I fear I won't live to see him emerge, so I'll say a few words to you all. As everyone knows, my spiritual root isn't good. I always hoped Qingze would amount to something, so I was a bit strict with him. Unexpectedly, it backfired; this child has no interest in cultivation and doesn't excel in any skills, though he's good at handling people. Since my son didn't achieve much, I put my hopes on my grandson. After much anticipation, Qiuxin finally arrived. Qiuxin, this child loves good food but has no malice. When I'm gone, I hope you all, for this old man's sake, will look after Qiuxin. Qiuxin, you are the one your grandfather worries about the most. You must strive to succeed, you must reach the Foundation Establishment stage. In my lineage, you are the most outstanding." Towards the end, Wang Changxing coughed a few times, his voice weak.

"Grandfather, your grandson has noted it. Please, don't speak so much," Wang Qiuxin choked out, his eyes red and his face filled with sorrow.

"Third Brother, rest assured," Wang Changxue said. "Qingjing and I will teach Qiuxin artifact refinement. As for reaching Foundation Establishment, that will depend on him." "Third Great-Uncle, please don't worry! We will take good care of Qiuxin," others also chimed in, expressing their commitment to look after Qiuxin.

Wang Changxing shook his head, looking at Wang Changxue with anticipation. The merit points accumulated by Wang Changxing and his son Wang Qingze were enough to exchange for one Foundation Establishment Pill. However, with only one such pill, Wang Changxing worried that Wang Qiuxin might not be able to establish his foundation. Wang Changxue was the Sect Master's wife of the Hundred Spirits Sect; she should have a way to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Third Brother," Wang Changxue mused for a moment before saying, "If conditions allow, I will help Qiuxin. As for whether he can achieve Foundation Establishment, that will be up to him."

Wang Changxing let out a long sigh of relief. With Wang Changxue's words, he felt at ease. "Qiuxin, if you reach Foundation Establishment, remember to go to my grave and tell your grandfather," Wang Changxing instructed, gripping Wang Qiuxin's hands tightly.

Tears streamed down Wang Qiuxin's cheeks uncontrollably, dropping onto Wang Changxing's hands. "Grandfather, your grandson will definitely cultivate diligently, and will definitely reach Foundation Establishment—" Before he could finish his sentence, Wang Changxing took his last breath.

"Father... Grandfather..." Wang Changxing's passing brought the deepest grief to his children and grandchildren.

Wang Changxue sighed and walked out. Wang Changhuan and the others followed, leaving Wang Changxing's children and grandchildren behind.

"Why isn't Qingjing back yet? Qingkai, did you send someone to inform her?" Wang Qingkai nodded and replied, "I've already sent someone to notify Eighth Sister. Based on the time, she should be back soon." "Third Brother's funeral, arrange it well, let him be buried with dignity." "Yes, Second Aunt."