Chapter 536: Family's New Atmosphere

Spring came and went, and seven years passed quickly.

In the Eastern Wilderness, within the Wei State.

At Qinglian Villa, in the deliberation hall, Wang Qingkai was listening to the reports from eight elders.

"Patriarch, the clan currently owns 765 mu of spiritual fields. Hongye Ridge and Qingyue Market collectively have 120 mu of spiritual veins, Qinglian Villa has 200 mu, and Yunzhou has 445 mu of spiritual fields. Another 500 mu of spiritual herbs are not yet mature. This year, we harvested 110,673 Seven-Star Grass, 78,600 catties of Azureflower Grass for feeding spirit horses, 2,637 Purple Scale Carp, 1,745 spiritual frogs, and 842 spiritual clams, which produced 735 clam pearls."

The war between humans and demons had not yet ended. The seven major immortal sects organized their affiliated forces to fight against the demon race. Naturally, Qin State's territory had to be returned to the four sects of Qin State.

After negotiations between Taiyi Immortal Sect, Yin Corpse Sect, and Shangqing Temple, the six states returned four-sevenths of their occupied territories. The land allocated to each force was reduced, and the four prefectures originally obtained by the Wang family also became three prefectures.

Huangsheng Palace was naturally unwilling to accept this loss silently. Li Qingshan had already anticipated this, having an agreement with Wang Changsheng that stipulated the Wang family would only receive one and a half prefectures.

This one and a half prefectures included five spiritual veins: three second-tier spiritual veins and two first-tier high-grade spiritual veins. These veins were used for cultivating spiritual herbs, spiritual trees, and breeding spiritual fish and spiritual clams.

The Wang family now had five affiliated immortal cultivator families. They offered tribute annually in exchange for the Wang family's protection.

During the war between righteous and demonic forces, the Wang family acquired considerable wealth. Wang Qingkai selected ten relatively outstanding Qi Condensation realm clansmen and gave each a Foundation Establishment Pill, instructing them to attempt breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Seven successfully advanced: Wang Qinghao, Wang Qingying, Wang Qiuguang, Wang Qiulan, Wang Qixi, Wang Tianqi, and Wang Tianbin.

The Qiu generation had matured, and the Tian generation had also begun to take on responsibilities. According to the family genealogy, twenty generations would follow the Tian generation, each with a naming convention reflecting themes such as 'managing the family with diligence and frugality,' 'loyal and virtuous succession,' 'diligent study and adherence to cultivation,' and 'ensuring complete blessings and prosperity.'

These seven Foundation Establishment cultivators were assigned to preside over the market or Hongye Ridge as a form of experience.

"The clan currently possesses 107 Azure Scale Horses, 35 Fire-Feathered Eagles, 1 Golden-Beaked Eagle, 18 pairs of Golden Silk Silkworms, 350 Dual-Eyed Rats, and 2 Tortoise-Beast mounts."

With the expansion of their territory, the Wang family had more resources to train spirit beasts.

"Patriarch, the clan currently has 937 immortal cultivators: one Core Formation cultivator, twenty-eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, and 908 Qi Condensation cultivators. In the mortal world, there are 4.45 million commoners, and this year, three individuals with spiritual roots emerged."

As the war between humans and demons began, some cultivators exploited the chaos. Several smaller families were annihilated by rogue cultivators, and incidents of murder and treasure-snatching were rampant. Wang Qingkai, through a mix of coercion and enticement, absorbed two families, gaining over 130 immortal cultivators. Simultaneously, he recruited a group of rogue cultivators, including one first-tier formation master, four first-tier talisman masters, and two first-tier alchemists.

Han Jianming was a prime example among them, a first-tier high-grade formation master. He was already attempting to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. However, Qingniu Mountain, where the Han family resided, belonged to Huangsheng Palace. When Huangsheng Palace exchanged spiritual lands with the Wang family, the Han family subsequently came under the Wang family's jurisdiction.

When the Wang family arrived, Han Jianming had just advanced to the Foundation Establishment realm. Under Wang Qingkai's combination of threats and inducements, Han Jianming had no choice but to lead the Han family in merging with the Wang family.

Wang Qingkai promised that non-clan members with specialized skills could also obtain Foundation Establishment Pills if they accumulated enough merit points. This finally offered hope to these individuals from outside the clan. Within fifty years, these non-clan cultivators would fully integrate into the larger Wang family.

"The clan currently has 26 artificers, three of whom are second-tier. This year, they collectively refined 437 puppet beasts: three second-tier and 434 first-tier."

"Patriarch, the clan currently has 32 talisman masters, three of whom are second-tier and twenty-nine first-tier. This year, they collectively produced 1,955 talismans and 25 talismanic weapons."

Holding an account book, Wang Qingyuan excitedly reported: "Patriarch, this year's total income is 99,832 spirit stones, with expenditures of 66,731 spirit stones. Clan members' stipends account for 60%, shop rents and various materials for 35%, and social expenses for 5%. Compared to last year, income increased by 40%, and expenditures increased by 60%."

The Wang family did not operate many shops. Due to the war, strategic materials like spirit tools, Dharma artifacts, talismans, formations, and pills were in high demand.

"Because of the war, strategic materials are highly sought after. Everyone worked hard this year; next year, we must strive even harder to earn more spirit stones."

Wang Qingkai stated solemnly. With the protection of a Core Formation cultivator, the Wang family's development was relatively smooth, and no short-sighted forces dared to target them. Of course, the Wang family did not control significant resources like metal or spirit stone mines, only a few spiritual veins.

"Yes, Patriarch."

"The family has developed quite well these past few years!"

Wang Changsheng walked in, a faint smile on his face, his aura noticeably stronger than before.

Aided by the Glazed Tidal Moonstone and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, his cultivation progressed rapidly. After seven years of secluded cultivation, he had advanced to the third layer of the Core Formation realm, making significant progress in his cultivation.

Of course, he knew that within each major realm, the initial stages were relatively easy to break through, but the higher the layer, the slower the cultivation speed.

Without the aid of the Glazed Tidal Moonstone and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, it would have taken Wang Changsheng at least a dozen years to cultivate to the third layer of the Core Formation realm.

"Ninth Uncle."

Everyone present hastily stood up and bowed to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng waved his hand and said amiably, "You may return to your duties! I have something to discuss with Qingkai."

"Yes, Ninth Uncle."

Wang Qingyuan and the other eight agreed in unison and turned to leave.

"Qingkai, has the war not ended yet?"

"Not yet. Currently, there's no conscription of personnel, only procurement of strategic materials. Strategic materials are in high demand right now."

Wang Qingkai replied truthfully. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he continued, "Ninth Uncle, I used ten Foundation Establishment Pills, and our clan gained seven more Foundation Establishment cultivators. The six states returned part of the territory; however, according to our agreement with Huangsheng Palace, out of two and a half prefectures, we only received one and a half."

"You don't need to report such matters to me. You are the Patriarch; you can make your own decisions on these things. Spend more time cultivating when you have free time. Just make the key decisions; you don't need to personally handle every detail."

"Understood, Ninth Uncle."

Wang Changsheng inquired about the family's recent situation. Learning that the family was thriving, he nodded with satisfaction.

After leaving the deliberation hall, Wang Changsheng went to a secluded courtyard, tossed in a sound-transmitting talisman, and shortly after, Wang Qiuxin quickly walked out.

As a child, Wang Qiuxin was a well-known chubby boy in the clan; growing up, he became a rather large man.

"Your nephew greets Ninth Grand-Uncle."

Wang Qingze had already passed away. Among his children, Wang Qiuxin was the most outstanding. Before his own passing, Wang Changxing had instructed the other clan members to take good care of Wang Qiuxin.

"How are you only at the third layer of Foundation Establishment?"

Wang Changsheng said in a chiding tone.

Wang Qiuxin gave an awkward smile, then a wry one, saying, "Your nephew hasn't been lazy, but these past few years, I've been busy refining puppet beasts and artifacts, which caused some delays. Once the war ends, puppet beasts and Dharma artifacts won't be as easy to sell. Ninth Grand-Uncle's reprimand is valid; your nephew will strive harder in cultivation."

"Are you capable of refining mid-grade Dharma artifacts now? What about mid-grade second-tier puppet beasts?"

"I can refine both, but there are still some shortcomings. Please advise me, Ninth Uncle."