Chapter 564: Cleaning the Swamp

Soon after, Wang Qingshan arrived at Chen Yunyue's courtyard.

Wang Qingshan bowed respectfully to Chen Yunyue and said, "Junior Wang Qingshan greets Senior Chen."

Chen Yunyue scrutinized Wang Qingshan from head to toe, her face showing approval. She said kindly, "You are Wang Qingshan, Young Friend Wang. Very good."

Wang Qingshan's expression remained unchanged, but he felt a little apprehensive. For some reason, he found Chen Yunyue's gaze on him a bit strange.

"Young Friend Wang, I hear you are the top master in Yuyang County?"

"Senior, you flatter me. It's just a nominal title. Compared to you, I am nothing," Wang Qingshan replied humbly.

Chen Yunyue's eyes narrowed slightly, and she asked with a smile, "Young Friend Wang, are you married?"

Chongyang Academy and Taiyi Immortal Sect had a good relationship. For the Chen family to solidify its position as the top family in Muzhou, relying solely on martial strength was insufficient. Some cultivation families also had Core Formation cultivators backing them. Therefore, the Chen family needed to establish marital alliances with other cultivation families. Chen Yunyue had sent people to gather intelligence on other cultivation families in Muzhou, and after careful consideration, she had chosen Wang Qingshan. It was said that the Wang family had a system of "One Prodigy, Two Heroes, Three Talents, Four Sons," and Wang Qingshan was the "Prodigy," making him a key cultivation target for the Wang family.

"Married? Junior's heart is set on the immortal path; I am not interested in romantic attachments. If Senior Chen wishes to form a marital alliance with our Wang family, we have many other excellent clan members. Qiu Ming is Ninth Uncle's favorite grandson and is not yet married. He traveled with me; Senior Chen can send someone to invite him."

As a Core Formation cultivator, Chen Yunyue had lowered herself to inquire about Wang Qingshan's marital status. If Wang Qingshan had directly refused, he would inevitably offend Chen Yunyue. He was truly devoted to the Dao and did not wish to marry. In his opinion, romantic attachments could easily hinder cultivation. Wang Ruyan was the best example: she was at Foundation Establishment Level Six when she married into the Wang family, while Wang Qingshan had not yet reached Foundation Establishment. Now, Wang Qingshan was at Foundation Establishment Level Six, and Wang Ruyan was only at Foundation Establishment Level Eight, a difference of just two minor realms. If he had any attachments, it was to his family. His family was his root; without it, he would not exist. He and his family had a symbiotic relationship. Wang Changsheng had promised Wang Qingshan that once Wang Ruyan advanced to the Core Formation stage, he would fully assist Wang Qingshan in forming his core.

"Wang Qiuming? Ninth Uncle? Is the Ninth Uncle you mentioned Daoist Wang Changsheng?"

"Precisely. Does Senior Chen know Ninth Uncle?"

Chen Yunyue shook her head and said, "No, I've only heard of him. You should go back and rest well! We can discuss the marital alliance later." She was more interested in Wang Qingshan himself than in the Wang family. Wang Qingshan was a rising star of the Wang family, and if he were to become her son-in-law, it would be beneficial for the Chen family's future development. Many cultivation families wished to form alliances with the Chen family; it wasn't exclusively about the Wang family.

Upon returning to their lodging, Wang Qingshan recounted the matter to Wang Qiuming.

Wang Qiuming gave a wry smile and said, "Seventh Uncle, you might not be interested in romantic attachments, but please don't push me out there! Your nephew has no plans to marry for now either." He had always looked up to Wang Qingshan as a role model. Since Wang Qingshan wasn't settling down, he didn't want to either. As for Wang Changsheng, he was too distant.

Wang Qiuming was already at Foundation Establishment Level Three. The supplies purchased by the Wang family in Yuyao Kingdom were escorted back to Green Lotus Manor by Wang Qingjun, Wang Qiuling, and Wang Qiuming. Wang Qingshan glared at Wang Qiuming and reprimanded him, "If our Wang family forms a marital alliance with the Chen family, it would be beneficial for our family's development and for you personally. If I didn't see that you're a bright young man, I wouldn't have recommended you to Senior Chen." Wang Qingshan didn't solely rely on martial strength; he was well aware of the importance of marital alliances. However, he was accustomed to a carefree life and disliked being constrained by romantic attachments.

Wang Qiuming made a bitter face. He had thought that after reaching Foundation Establishment, he would have control over his marriage, but it seemed he couldn't escape the fate of a marital alliance. He knew clearly that if two cultivation families were to form an alliance, he would be the most suitable candidate. The reason was simple: he was Wang Changsheng's direct grandson.

"Look how scared you are, relax! I think Senior Chen has other candidates; it's not certain she'll ally with our Wang family. Ultimately, our family's foundation is too weak, with only one Core Formation cultivator. What I'm more concerned about is that the Chen family is holding this grand birthday banquet for other reasons."

Hearing this, Wang Qiuming felt relieved and laughed, "When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will cover it with earth. If the Chen family wants to display its strength, perhaps with a combat tournament, that would be excellent! Seventh Uncle, you are sure to win first place."

"There are always greater heights to achieve; one should always remain humble. As the saying goes, 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.'"

Wang Qiuming gave an awkward smile and said nothing more.

Three days later, the birthday banquet officially began.

In the reception hall, Chen Yunyue sat in the main seat, a broad smile on her face. Representatives from various families presented their congratulatory gifts. The Wang family offered a three-hundred-year-old spirit bamboo and two high-grade second-tier puppet beasts, valued at over ten thousand spirit stones. This was considered quite valuable compared to the gifts from most other cultivation families. Wang Qingshan couldn't discern Chen Yunyue's true intentions, so he decided to give a more generous gift. He reasoned that by accepting a substantial offering, the Chen family would be less inclined to cause trouble for the Wang family.

After receiving the gifts, Chen Yunyue exchanged a few pleasantries before getting straight to the point: "There's a marshland at the border between Jizhou and Muzhou, infested with venomous insects. When the demon race retreated, many venomous creatures and fierce beasts remained there. Not long ago, a high-grade second-tier demon beast attempted to break through to the third tier, fortunately without success. To ensure the peace and safety of the people in both prefectures, this old one and Daoist Ye from Bailian Temple in Jizhou plan to join forces to clear out the demon beasts from that marshland. This endeavor cannot rely solely on our Chen family and Bailian Temple; you all must also contribute."

That marshland was home to numerous venomous insects and dense miasma. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, if they inhaled a small amount of the miasma, would be severely impacted, if not killed. The Chen family and Bailian Temple intended to clear out the demon beasts from the marshland to prevent them from harming the people of both prefectures, and also to develop resources. Most importantly, it was a legitimate way to weaken the power of other forces. Of course, they weren't forcing other cultivation forces to participate. However, refusing would be seen as disregarding the safety of the people in both prefectures. If a beast tide or insect tide were to erupt from the marshland in the future, the cultivation forces that did not participate in clearing it would be deemed the culprits and would inevitably face ostracism. If other cultivation families united in opposition, the Chen family and Bailian Temple wouldn't be able to force them. The problem was that they would rally some forces while suppressing others, practicing a divide-and-conquer strategy.

"Our Taoshan Wang family is willing to participate in clearing the marshland. However, the miasma there is indeed a problem; even spiritual power shields cannot sustain for too long. Does Senior Chen have a good solution?"

Wang Qingshan was the first to express agreement. With two Core Formation powers joining forces, anyone who refused would clearly be going against both forces. In his mind, it was better to agree first, then find excuses to contribute more money and less effort. Hesitating at this moment would surely lead to being assigned compulsory tasks later.