Chapter 579: Wang Ruyan Emerges from Seclusion

"A Nine Cloud Sparrow it is! Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Zhu."

Wang Changsheng knew well that the Spirit Beast Sect had superior spirit birds, but they wouldn't readily sell them to him. He was only buying one for transportation anyway.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, would you prefer a first-tier Nine Cloud Sparrow or a second-tier one? If it's a first-tier sparrow, raised from a young age, its compatibility with you will be higher, making it easier to tame. Even if its cultivation level surpasses yours, the likelihood of it turning on its master is low. However, with a second-tier Nine Cloud Sparrow, the compatibility won't be as high; it will merely submit to your current cultivation level. If its cultivation eventually surpasses yours, it's quite possible it will turn on you. The former is suitable for individuals, while the latter is better for groups."

"Then I'll take a first-tier Nine Cloud Sparrow! I appreciate your trouble, Fellow Daoist Zhu."

Zhu Yunzhen smiled faintly and said, "It's no trouble at all, Fellow Daoist Wang. You're too kind."

He took out a communication disk, cast a spell into it, and instructed, "Nephew Lu, please select two good first-tier low-grade Nine Cloud Sparrows and bring a batch of food that Nine Cloud Sparrows enjoy, then deliver them to the Spirit Control Palace."

"Understood, Uncle-Master Zhu. I'll send them right away."

After about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, a steady-looking middle-aged man strode in, carrying a green spirit beast bag and a blue storage bag.

Zhu Yunzhen took the spirit beast bag and dismissed the middle-aged man.

He tossed the spirit beast bag into the air, cast a spell on it, and two half-zhang-sized blue peacocks flew out.

The blue peacocks were covered in blue plumage, with tail feathers several feet long. Their wingspan, when fully extended, was about a zhang.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, good things come in pairs. I'm gifting you these two Nine Cloud Sparrows. One for you and one for your esteemed wife."

Wang Changsheng thanked him and accepted the two Nine Cloud Sparrows along with some food they enjoyed.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, the Spirit Control Convention has ended, and we must depart as well. As for the market, let's proceed as we discussed."

Once the Spirit Control Convention concluded, Wang Changsheng and Ye Tong departed the Spirit Beast Sect with their clan members and disciples, each returning home.

Wang Changsheng briefly informed Wang Qingkai about the market and territory, instructing him to send people to take over the territory and handle matters related to the market's establishment.

The Heavenly Soldiers Sect's coercion of the Spirit Beast Sect revealed the brutality of the immortal cultivation world. If the Wang family one day lost its Core Formation cultivators, would they be forced to surrender all their occupied territory? While the Hundred Spirits Sect maintained a good relationship with the Wang family, that was only because both possessed Core Formation cultivators. Should something happen to Wang Changsheng, the Hundred Spirits Sect might very well devour the Wang family whole.

Upon returning to his residence, Wang Changsheng heard a mournful cry from a woman, which sounded like Wang Ruyan.

He frowned slightly and quickly walked towards the source of the sound.

In the side room where Wang Ping'an's memorial tablet was kept, Wang Ruyan wept bitterly, clutching the tablet.

Judging by her aura, she had already cultivated to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

She had just emerged from seclusion and was deeply saddened to learn of Wang Ping'an's death from Wang Changyue.

Wang Ping'an had been sent to the mortal world at the age of five. This parting, unexpectedly, turned out to be eternal.

"Wife, don't be too sad. Life and death are fated. Ping'an's spirit is in heaven, and he wouldn't want to see you like this," Wang Changsheng said with a sigh, comforting her.

Wang Ruyan leaned against Wang Changsheng's chest, her face streaked with tears, blaming herself, "Husband, I was such an incompetent mother; I couldn't even send Ping'an off on his last journey."

"Ping'an didn't blame you. He said he always remembered your kindness. You sent gifts when he married and had children. He passed peacefully. According to his will, I cremated him, scattered half his ashes at Green Lotus Manor, and kept the other half. I've set up a memorial tablet for him so we can visit and pay our respects often."

In a few years, when Wang Qingyang passed away, Wang Changsheng would experience the pain of losing a child once more.

Wang Ruyan remained silent, weeping bitterly in Wang Changsheng's arms. No matter what, her inability to send Wang Ping'an off on his final journey filled her with immense self-reproach.

After about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Wang Ruyan stopped crying, and Wang Changsheng wiped away her tears.

"The Great Dao is ruthless. Ping'an's spirit in heaven wouldn't want to see you crying endlessly. Wife, please don't be too sad." Wang Changsheng didn't know how else to comfort Wang Ruyan. To be honest, every time he saw Wang Ping'an's memorial tablet, he was overcome with grief.

"Husband," Wang Ruyan looked up at Wang Changsheng and asked softly, "I remember Qingyang's lifespan is also nearing its end. And Qingjing and Qingzhi too. If they can't advance to the Core Formation stage, they will also turn to dust."

"Our children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes. As parents, we just need to have a clear conscience. Wife, you've toiled too much for this family. On this long path of immortality, I don't know about others, but I hope you can walk with me until the end. Before we married, I told you I would hold your hand and grow old with you." Wang Changsheng kissed Wang Ruyan's forehead, his face full of tenderness.

He had prepared three Core Formation spiritual items for Wang Ruyan, so her chances of successfully forming a core were still quite high.

Wang Ruyan broke into a smile through her tears, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness. "Husband, becoming your dual cultivation partner was the best decision I ever made."

"Alright, no more crying. If our great-grandchildren see you, they'll think I'm bullying their great-grandmother!"

Wang Changsheng comforted her for quite some time before Wang Ruyan's mood began to improve.

"Husband, I want to go and see the places where Ping'an lived. Otherwise, my heart will feel too heavy."

"Alright, I'll go with you. You always accompanied me in search of spiritual waters of heaven and earth before; now I'll accompany you," Wang Changsheng said softly, his face filled with tenderness.

He accompanied Wang Ruyan as they left Green Lotus Manor and descended into the mortal world.

They cast an invisibility spell, making themselves unseen by mortals.

Wang Ping'an's family was prosperous and influential. When Wang Changsheng had left previously, he had instructed Wang Tai to take over Wang Ping'an's position and establish a cenotaph for him.

In the mourning hall, a coffin lay in the center. Wang Ping'an's children and grandchildren were arguing over the family assets. Wang Ping'an had too many descendants, and Wang Tai was utterly unable to control them in the face of such immense wealth; everyone wanted a larger share.

They all claimed to have treated Wang Ping'an exceptionally well, and some even produced Wang Ping'an's will. Over the property, biological brothers argued fiercely, their faces flushed, even on the verge of coming to blows.

Witnessing this scene, Wang Changsheng shook his head. He didn't want to interfere too much with mortal affairs. Everyone present was his descendant, and showing favoritism to any one of them would be inappropriate.

While Wang Changsheng preferred not to intervene, Wang Ruyan couldn't stand idly by.

She revealed herself, and a powerful spiritual pressure burst forth from her, sweeping through the surroundings. All the mortals in the mourning hall felt their legs give way and involuntarily knelt down.

"Ping'an has just passed away, his body barely cold, and you are already thinking of dividing the family assets? For a mere pittance, biological brothers are arguing fiercely, their faces flushed. Do you wish for him to find no peace even after death? You are truly Ping'an's filial descendants," Wang Ruyan said coldly. She felt she had to do something for Wang Ping'an to ease her own heart.

No one cared how to handle Wang Ping'an's funeral arrangements. These supposedly filial descendants were only thinking of dividing the family, forging wills, insulting uncles, and quarreling fiercely among themselves over more wealth, even coming to blows. If these people hadn't been her own descendants, Wang Ruyan would have immediately wiped them out to avenge Wang Ping'an.