Chapter 468: Nine-Bend Divine Sand

Everything made sense now. No wonder Zhao Zheng had risked his life to save her.

Zhao Zheng hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and bravely asked, "Fairy Wang, would you be willing to be my cultivation partner?"

Hearing this, Wang Qingqing’s cheeks flushed slightly. She lowered her head, her heart fluttering like a startled deer.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked up and seriously asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, are you willing to become a live-in son-in-law?"

She did not wish to marry out of the family. Zhao Zheng was a rogue cultivator, living by hunting demonic beasts and having no fixed abode. With her artifact refining skills, she could support herself by crafting magical artifacts and puppet beasts, eliminating the need to hunt demonic beasts for spirit stones. Her proficiency in crafting puppet beasts was second only to Wang Changsheng’s, and she generated thousands of spirit stones in profit for the family annually. The family would never permit her to marry out.

Zhao Zheng’s face lit up with joy. Wang Qingqing’s reply could be interpreted as an agreement.

"I am willing to become a live-in son-in-law, but I hope that at least one child can bear my surname, Zhao."

He had considered this matter long ago. As merely a rogue cultivator, it was already a great fortune that Wang Qingqing was willing to become his cultivation partner. Nevertheless, he still hoped for one child to bear his surname, Zhao, viewing it as a matter of a man’s dignity.

Wang Qingqing looked troubled. If Zhao Zheng were to marry into the Wang family, the family...

"What are you two chatting about? You seem so happy."

A man’s voice suddenly rang out.

Wang Changsheng walked in, a faint smile on his face.

Seeing Wang Changsheng, Wang Qingqing’s face lit up. She immediately stood up and excitedly exclaimed, "Father, you've emerged from seclusion!"

Zhao Zheng quickly rose, looking somewhat nervous. He bowed respectfully to Wang Changsheng and said deferentially, "Junior Zhao Zheng greets Senior Wang."

"Father, Fellow Daoist Zhao is my friend. A while ago, to overcome a bottleneck, I went out with two fellow Daoists to hunt demonic beasts. Unfortunately, we encountered evil cultivators, and it was thanks to Fellow Daoist Zhao that I was saved."

Wang Changsheng nodded and smiled, "Young friend Zhao, thank you. Since you are Qingqing’s friend, please stay at Qinglian Villa for a few more days so our Wang family can properly host you. You must be tired from your journey. Qingqing, please arrange accommodations for young friend Zhao."

"Yes, Father. Fellow Daoist Zhao, please follow me."

Wang Qingqing led Zhao Zheng away, while Wang Changsheng sat down in the stone pavilion.

He had been in seclusion for eleven years and successfully cultivated the spiritual art. With five years remaining until the Celestial Wolf Secret Realm opened, he needed to acquire a defensive magic treasure. If that wasn't feasible, obtaining a few more third-tier talismans would also suffice.

Upon emerging from seclusion, he learned that he had become a great-grandfather to two great-grandchildren.

Wang Qingzhi was not home. Wang Changsheng habitually released his divine sense and found Wang Qingqing there.

Wang Changsheng had overheard the entire conversation between Zhao Zheng and Wang Qingqing.

To be honest, he didn't care much about his potential son-in-law's capabilities, only that he treated Wang Qingqing well. He spent most of his time in seclusion and wasn't entirely familiar with Wang Qingqing's current situation.

Each time he emerged from seclusion, he would simply inquire about the well-being of his children and grandchildren.

Not long after, Wang Qingqing returned, her face beaming with smiles. She suddenly remembered something and asked nervously, "Father, the things Fellow Daoist Zhao and I just discussed, did you...?"

"I heard it all. From what you said, you seem to like this young man. Tell me more about him."

A blush crept onto Wang Qingqing’s fair, snow-white face. She explained, "During the war between the righteous and demonic factions, my brother and I sought refuge in Qingyue Market City. Fellow Daoist Zhao was then..."

After Wang Changsheng formed his Core, Wang Qingqing had many suitors. After her careful selection, only Li Yan and Zhao Zheng remained.

During their demonic beast hunts, Wang Qingqing observed the character and conduct of both Zhao Zheng and Li Yan, and she found herself favoring Zhao Zheng.

Zhao Zheng was a rogue cultivator, upright and cautious, though quite frugal and particular about prices. Li Yan, who came from a sect, was sincere and social, but he enjoyed showing off and taking advantage, and was somewhat arrogant. Both had their own strengths and weaknesses.

Zhao Zheng risking his life to save Wang Qingqing, coupled with his childhood experiences, swayed Wang Qingqing towards him.

"This young man is indeed good. Qingqing, do you truly like him?"

"Your daughter is not young anymore. He is devoted to me. Though he himself is quite frugal, he never holds back when buying gifts for me. I love second-tier spiritual wood, and he would venture deep into ancient forests just to find precious spiritual wood for me. Yes, your daughter does like him, and he has also agreed to become a live-in son-in-law. However, he wishes for one child to bear the surname Zhao, just like Uncle-in-law."

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, gently patted Wang Qingqing’s head, and said, "As long as he treats you well, the surname doesn't matter. I approve of this marriage. Once your mother emerges from seclusion, we will arrange your wedding."

In his view, this was hardly an issue. Years ago, when Li Qiwen married into the family, he requested that one child bear his surname, Li. Given Li Qiwen's specialized skill, Wang Changsheng agreed. The cultivation resources in the Eastern Wilderness were limited, mostly controlled by cultivation sects. Even with Wang Changsheng having formed his Core, there wasn't much advantage to be gained there. He planned to lead his clan to the South Sea for development.

The South Sea boasted abundant cultivation resources, though it was a place where strength spoke volumes. The Wang family currently had too few Foundation Establishment cultivators capable of engaging in combat. With Zhao Zheng marrying into the family, he could accompany Wang Qingshan on demonic beast hunts.

Wang Qingqing smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, Father. Oh, Father, a few years ago, the ruins of the Golden Sun Sect appeared. Mother and Eighteenth Uncle entered the ruins to search for treasures..."

She recounted the family's situation over the past few years, including how Wang Mingjiang had brought back a magic treasure.

Learning that Wang Mingjiang had died, leaving behind orphans and a widow, Wang Changsheng sighed softly. He had instructed Wang Mingjiang to lie low until the trouble subsided before returning, never expecting his death.

If the opportunity arose, he would avenge Wang Mingjiang.

"By the way, Qingqing, did your mother and the others bring back any cultivation techniques from the ruins?"

"Mother brought back several cultivation techniques. One wood-attribute technique suits me, but I’m currently stuck at a bottleneck. Changing techniques wouldn't resolve it, so I plan to break through this bottleneck before cultivating a new technique."

Wang Changsheng nodded and instructed, "Spend less time outdoors these days and focus on recovering from your injuries. I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Wang Changsheng found Wang Qingyuan to inquire about the family’s finances.

Thanks to the expedition to the Golden Sun Sect ruins, the Wang family acquired a significant windfall. The materials they sold brought in over a hundred thousand spirit stones, and combined with profits from recent years, the family currently held two hundred thirty thousand spirit stones.

All the third-tier materials Wang Ruyan had brought back remained untouched.

Learning that there were three sets of materials for refining magic treasures, Wang Changsheng was exceptionally excited.

"Ninth Uncle, how many merit points is the magic treasure that Twenty-first Uncle brought back worth? Twenty-first Uncle left behind two wives, four sons, and three grandchildren. How should the merit points be distributed?"

Wang Qingyuan sought instructions, as Wang Mingjiang had accumulated a vast amount of merit points, and with Wang Mingjiang having left behind orphans and a widow, he was unsure how to distribute them.

"She is Uncle Mingjiang’s wife, after all, and there are Changxin and the others. As his nephew, I should go and see them. But first, show me that magic treasure."

Wang Qingyuan led Wang Changsheng to the family treasury, a five-story azure stone building. The building was heavily fortified with restrictions and guarded by several Qi Refinement cultivators. Anyone entering the treasury had to be searched and accompanied by a guard to prevent embezzlement.

Accompanied by a guard, Wang Qingyuan retrieved the yellow gourd from the treasury and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng took the yellow gourd, examining it carefully. He found the four small characters "Nine-Bend Divine Sand" carved at its base.

He opened the gourd’s lid and poured out a large quantity of sparkling yellow fine sand, his eyes brimming with joy.

When he was in the Foundation Establishment stage, he possessed a magical artifact made of Profound Yin Sand, which offered both offensive and defensive capabilities.

With this treasure, Wang Changsheng now effectively possessed a top-grade, first-tier magic treasure that offered both offense and defense.