Chapter 4302: New Changes in the Family

Thirty thousand years had passed.

In the Tianchen Sea Area, on Qinglian Island.

Inside the Council Hall, Wang Yongqian sat on the main seat, a smile gracing her face. Hundreds of clan elders, including Wang Yi'er and Wang Yunyue, were seated on either side.

Qinglian Island had expanded a thousandfold from its original size, becoming the undisputed largest island in the Tianchen Sea Area.

The Wang family was flourishing, and the number of immortals within the clan was steadily increasing.

"Reporting to the Family Head," Wang Changming announced, "the number of immortals in our clan now exceeds one hundred thousand, most of whom are True Immortals. There are over three hundred Golden Immortals, two Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and more than ten thousand members in the Immortal Armored Army. Additionally, five hundred clan members have cultivated their True Spirit."

The Wang family's cultivators in the Tianchen Sea Area alone numbered over ten million, controlling as many as two hundred thousand islands. Beyond the Tianchen Sea Area, the Wang family had established a presence in numerous other sea regions. This dual strategy served to expand their collection of cultivation resources and ensured that their scattered clan members, operating both openly and covertly, could not be wiped out in a single stroke.

Naturally, as in-laws to the Nangong Immortal Clan, the Wang family was largely secure; without immense interests involved, the major powers of the Northern Sea Immortal Domain would not make a move against them.

The Immortal Armored Army was composed of elites selected from both the Wang family and its affiliated forces. A fundamental requirement, and a clear demonstration of strength, was that all positions from captain upwards had to be held by cultivators who had achieved True Spirit.

Leveraging their status as in-laws to the Nangong Immortal Clan and their exquisite artifact refining skills, the Wang family’s development trajectory surpassed that of established powers like the Cao family, the Shangguan family, and the Mayfly Clan. This rapid growth was primarily due to the Wang family being in its ascendant phase, a period of accelerated development that all major powers experienced.

"Our clan members are spread across more than fifty sea areas in the Northern Sea Immortal Domain," Wang Moxin reported. "The majority are from the Trade Hall, primarily focused on collecting cultivation resources."

The Wang family operated shops and businesses in various sea areas to gather cultivation resources. The Trade Hall, with the largest number of personnel, was the Wang family’s biggest branch.

For ease of management, each deputy head of the Trade Hall oversaw business operations in nine sea areas. Under them were numerous deacons, who handled the practical work and reported regularly to their respective deputy heads. The deputy heads then reported regularly to the Trade Hall Head, Wang Moxin, who in turn reported regularly to Wang Yongqian.

Beyond the Trade Hall, other branches like the Dark Hall, Treasure Hunting Hall, and Divine Weapon Hall had also expanded. The Divine Weapon Hall, in particular, was second only to the Trade Hall in scale.

The Wang family heavily invested vast resources into cultivating Immortal Artifact Masters, and many clan members aspired to become one.

Leveraging strategic materials like Immortal Puppets, Immortal Slaying Arrows, Immortal Slaying Cannons, and Chaos Armor, the Wang family expanded its trade network and collaborated with various forces. This led to a surge in family income and a flood of orders. Although the Divine Weapon Hall repeatedly expanded and the number of Immortal Artifact Masters constantly increased, it was still not enough, forcing them to extend delivery dates.

Under these circumstances, the remuneration for artifact refiners continually rose, making it a highly esteemed profession among Wang clan members. Becoming an Immortal Artifact Master was even more highly regarded.

Wang Yongqian nodded, then took out a shimmering golden dharma disk. After striking a spell into it, a joyful expression lit up her face.

"Alright, that concludes our report for today," Wang Yongqian announced. "You may go about your duties."

Wang Yongqian declared the meeting adjourned, dismissing Wang Moxin and the others.

Not long after, Wang Yunfeng entered, accompanied by a tall, well-built young man in golden robes.

"Family Head," Wang Yunfeng reported, "this is Wang Dingyang, a clan member who recently ascended to the Immortal Realm. He ascended from the Dongli Realm to the Xuanyang Realm, and then from the Xuanyang Realm to the Immortal Realm. He possesses Fiery Golden Eyes and is a formation master."

"Fiery Golden Eyes! A formation master!"

Wang Yongqian was overjoyed. The Wang family still had too few Immortal Formation Masters. It was a difficult path; without innate talent, one could not become a formation master, and even a formation master was not guaranteed to cultivate into an immortal.

"Your grandson, Wang Dingyang, greets the Family Head," Wang Dingyang bowed respectfully.

"Excellent," Wang Yongqian said with a smile. "The Old Ancestor will surely be delighted to hear this. First, there was Wang Xinghai, and now Wang Dingyang, showing the continuous emergence of promising talents."

"It seems we've returned at just the right time; the family has gained another promising talent," a cheerful male voice chimed in.

No sooner had the words faded than four streaks of light flew in, landing before Wang Yongqian.

The lights dissipated, revealing Wang Qingshan, Wang Mengbin, Liu Hongxue, and Wang Qingling. All four had cultivated to the Grand Perfection of Golden Immortal and had returned to the Tianchen Sea Area to enter seclusion and attempt to break through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"Ancestor Qingshan, why have you returned?" Wang Yongqian asked in surprise, having assumed Wang Qingshan and the others would attempt their breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal on the Chaos Continent.

"Ninth Uncle instructed us to return to the Tianchen Sea Area to seclude ourselves and attempt the breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal," Wang Qingshan explained. "Also, please find a cave dwelling rich in spiritual energy to settle Senior Nangong."

Wang Changsheng had asked Nangong Yulang to protect Wang Qingshan and the others, allowing them to attempt their Grand Unity Golden Immortal breakthrough without worry. It would be problematic if they attempted it on the Chaos Continent and coincidentally encountered a siege by Chaos Beasts.

"Senior Nangong is here in the Tianchen Sea Area?" Wang Yongqian exclaimed in surprise.

"Ninth Uncle paid a considerable price to ask Senior Nangong to protect us," Wang Qingling explained, "so we could safely attempt our breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal." Even as in-laws, Nangong Yulang had no obligation to protect the younger generation of the Wang family. Wang Changsheng was not at ease asking other Grand Unity Golden Immortals for assistance. However, the Nangong Immortal Clan, being in-laws and possessing profound heritage, would not be interested in the Wang family's meager possessions.

"I will immediately arrange a cave dwelling for Senior Nangong."

Wang Yongqian agreed and immediately departed.

Nangong Yulang stood high in the sky, his expression calm, with Wang Qingxiao standing beside him.

Wang Changsheng had offered him an upper-grade immortal artifact to protect Wang Qingshan and the others, an offer Nangong Yulang naturally wouldn't refuse. For him, it was merely moving his secluded cultivation to a different location.

"Young friend Wang, there's no need for formalities," Nangong Yulang said genially. "I am here at Fellow Daoist Wang's request; simply arrange a cave dwelling for me, and I will not inquire about your family's affairs."

Wang Yongqian agreed and personally arranged a cave dwelling for Nangong Yulang. Meanwhile, Wang Qingshan and the other three headed to different islands to enter seclusion and attempt their breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Wang Yongqian dispatched additional patrolling cultivators and heightened security.

Having handled these matters, Wang Yongqian then returned to her residence.

No sooner had she returned than Wang Changming arrived.

"Family Head," Wang Changming reported, "the Firmament Realm within the Eastern Profound Continent Cluster has erupted with an insect plague. Dozens of Mahayana cultivators have perished, and they are requesting our assistance."

"The Firmament Realm!" Wang Yongqian mused. "I recall that's the realm where Song Junwu originated from." Wang Yongqian said, remembering that Song Junwu had already advanced to the Golden Immortal stage and was one of the deputy heads of the Dark Hall, responsible for counter-espionage.

"Precisely," Wang Changming confirmed. "It's the Song family, Song Junwu's original family, that is requesting our assistance."

"Send a Mahayana cultivator to quell this matter," Wang Yongqian instructed. "And while they're there, take down the Divine Mechanism Immortal Lord statue, which was forged from Soul-Awakening Divine Clay. Have the major powers of the Firmament Realm worship it; if they do, we will guarantee their safety."

"Yes, Family Head," Wang Changming replied.

Wang Changming bowed and departed.