Chapter 464: Going Home

Two people escaped, and they might still have magic treasures on them. The magic treasures will be mine; you can share their two storage bags. Then we'll go after them," the yellow-robed youth suggested.

The black-robed man smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, they won't get far. Those flying needles were coated with various poisons; the more they use their spiritual power, the faster the poison will take effect. I have a second-tier rat-bat with a keen sense of smell, so catching them is only a matter of time. Let's discuss the distribution of the treasures now! It's fine for the magic treasures to go to Fellow Daoist Li, and all the valuables on the man will be mine."

The yellow-robed youth looked at the other man, who had no objections.

If all the treasures were here, they might have fought fiercely. But with two Foundation Establishment cultivators having escaped, they definitely had to restrain themselves, as who knew how many more valuable items the other two might still possess.

After dividing the spoils, the black-robed man put away the Peacock Plume and released a gigantic black bat. The bat had a long tail and an unusually small head.

The three of them jumped onto the black bat's back, and the black bat flapped its wings, soaring into the sky.

In a vast, endless dense forest, Wang Mingjiang's face was pale, and he was covered in sweat.

"Damn it, the flying needles are poisoned," he cursed under his breath, and quickly took out two blue pills and swallowed them.

A black light flew from a distance and landed in front of him. It was Mo Caiyun. Before Wang Mingjiang set off, they had already agreed that Mo Caiyun would be responsible for meeting him, precisely to prevent any attempts at murder and treasure snatching.

"Husband, are you alright?" Mo Caiyun asked with concern.

Wang Mingjiang shook his head and said, "I've been poisoned. We need to leave quickly. Escape through the ground; they'll be here soon."

Mo Caiyun nodded, took out a yellow short ruler, and with a gentle flick, released a large expanse of yellow light. It enveloped her and Wang Mingjiang, and the two of them disappeared underground.

Half an hour later, a gigantic bat flew from a distance.

"This fellow is a body cultivator, so his resistance should be stronger. However, there's no antidote for a mixed poison unless he gets a third-tier antidote pill. Fellow Daoist Li, you brought this person here; do you know his residence?"

The yellow-robed youth nodded and said, "Yes, I know. He lives on Tianquan Mountain. He also has a cultivation partner and three children, so he definitely won't get far."

"With a family in tow, he definitely can't escape. Let's go to Tianquan Mountain."

The black bat flapped its wings and flew towards the distance.

Wei State, Green Lotus Manor.

In the Talisman-Making Courtyard, Wang Qingyun was crafting a first-tier flying talisman-puppet, while five clan members gathered around to watch.

The clan had established nine departments, each managing different affairs. Wang Qingzhi was in charge of the Agriculture and Fishery Department, managing spiritual fields and spiritual fish. Wang Changhuan was in charge of the Artifact Forging Department, managing artifact forging. Wang Qingling was in charge of the Spirit Beast Department, managing spirit beasts, spirit birds, and spirit insects. Wang Changyue was in charge of formations. Wang Qingqi was in charge of alchemy. Wang Changhao was in charge of the Combat Strength Department. Wang Changmin was in charge of the Preaching Department, teaching cultivation knowledge. Wang Qingyuan was in charge of general affairs, including personnel transfers and finances.

Each department was further divided into several halls, each responsible for different tasks.

Taking the Talisman-Making Courtyard, overseen by Wang Qingyun, as an example, it had three halls under its jurisdiction: the Talisman Crafting Hall, the Talisman Paper Hall, and the Material Hall. These three halls comprised thirty clan members.

The Talisman Crafting Hall was responsible for making talismans and had fewer members. The Talisman Paper Hall was responsible for producing blank talisman paper. The Material Hall was responsible for providing materials for talisman crafting, such as talisman brushes, cinnabar, and talisman paper. The talismans crafted by the talisman masters would be handed over to Wang Qingyun, who would then turn them over to the clan.

The more talismans submitted each month, the more merit points Wang Qingyun would earn, and the same applied to others.

After a Wang clan member was born, their spiritual root would be tested at the age of five. If they had no spiritual root, they would be sent to the secular world and raised by designated guardians. If they possessed a spiritual root, they would enter the Preaching Department to learn cultivation knowledge. After the age of ten, they would gradually enter other departments to perform tasks within their capabilities. The main purpose was to see which skill they preferred and then guide them accordingly. Clan members interested in alchemy could go to the Alchemy Department after turning eighteen. If they could pass Wang Qingqi's assessment, they could stay and work in the Alchemy Department. If they couldn't learn any skill, they would be assigned to external duties, such as working as shop assistants in Wang family establishments, escorting goods, procuring commodities, or gathering intelligence. This type of clan member was the most numerous, as not every cultivator could master a skill.

The Wang clan had too few Foundation Establishment cultivators, and only some of them mastered a skill. For example, Wang Changhao, Wang Qingshan, and Wang Qingjun were all responsible for...

One after another, green runes appeared under Wang Qingyun's brush. After drawing the last rune, the green paper crane immediately emitted a brilliant green light, as if it had come to life. It spread its wings, and with a gentle flap, its size rapidly expanded, hovering unstably above the courtyard.

Wang Qingyun raised a hand, and the green paper crane quickly reverted to its original size, landing in her hand.

"A first-tier low-grade flying talisman-puppet," Wang Qingyun said, putting away the green paper crane and looking at the clan members around her. She asked kindly, "You've observed this many times now. Do you understand it?"

"I think we understand," one replied, "but we'll only know for sure after practicing."

"Good, take your time practicing," Wang Qingyun encouraged. "Crafting first-tier talisman-puppets is much more difficult than crafting first-tier talismans, and their price is also higher. If you can successfully craft flying talisman-puppets, your remuneration will also increase. Keep up the good work! If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask me."

"Understood, Fifth Sister (Fifth Aunt)," they replied.

Currently, the 'Qing' generation served as the backbone of the Wang clan, while the 'Qiu' generation was gradually growing up and beginning to take on responsibilities.

In the Council Hall, Wang Qingkai was speaking with Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingjun.

"Seventh Brother, Twelfth Brother," Wang Qingkai instructed, "you must personally deliver these items to Uncle Mingren. Go quickly and return swiftly."

They had been in seclusion for two years. Wang Qingshan was still at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, but Wang Qingjun had fortunately advanced to the third layer. They were preparing to go to Taiyi Immortal Sect to deliver some cultivation resources to Wang Mingren.

"Clan Head, rest assured," Wang Qingshan promised, "we will personally deliver the items to Uncle Mingren. Once the delivery is complete, we will return immediately."

Wang Qingshan assented, and he and Wang Qingjun turned and left. The journey was long, so they didn't bring anyone else.

After leaving Green Lotus Mountain, Wang Qingshan released his Three-Headed Fox, which carried the two of them into the sky.

No sooner had they left than a green light flew from a distance. It was Wang Changtai, whose face was filled with panic as he rushed up the mountain.

Fifteen minutes later, a Fire-Feather Eagle flew out from Green Lotus Manor. Wang Qingkai, Wang Qingqi, and Wang Changtai were seated on the Fire-Feather Eagle's back, and all three of them had extremely grim expressions.

Green Lotus Market, a certain inn.

Wang Mingjiang lay in bed, his eyes tightly shut and his face covered in a dark aura. Mo Caiyun stood by the bedside, her face stained with tears.

Wang Changxin and two others stood nearby, their young faces filled with bewilderment.

He groaned.

Wang Mingjiang opened his heavy eyelids. Mo Caiyun wiped away her tears and asked with concern, "Husband, how are you feeling?"

"Have we returned to Green Lotus Mountain?" Wang Mingjiang asked, his voice weak and faint. He was holding onto his last breath solely to return to Green Lotus Mountain and confirm his children's identities.

"Yes, we're back, we're back!" Mo Caiyun said, a faint smile on her face as she comforted him. "Husband, I have good news for you. Your Wang clan now has a Core Formation cultivator! It's your nephew, Wang Changsheng. He has already formed his Core, and he'll surely have a way to save you."

"Changsheng formed his Core?" Wang Mingjiang's eyes lit up, and he nodded with relief. "Good to form a Core, good to form a Core."

A flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside, and Wang Qingkai and the other two quickly entered.

"Twenty-first Great-Uncle!" Wang Qingkai exclaimed, his eyes reddening at the sight of Wang Mingjiang. "Qingqi, quickly take a look at Twenty-first Great-Uncle."