Chapter 583: Wang Mingren Who Knows How to Behave

Before we returned, Seventh Brother had not yet emerged from seclusion.

Wang Qingjun truthfully reported to Wang Changsheng about their activities in Peach Mountain, particularly highlighting Wang Qingling's excellent performance in clearing the swamp.

"You all did well with the swamp clearing. Qingling performed excellently; she truly has a specialized skill. It was correct to put her in charge of the Beast-Controlling Courtyard."

After chatting with Wang Qingjun for a while, Wang Changsheng dismissed him.

With two Core Formation cultivators, the Wang family's development momentum was set to improve significantly. Currently, the highest-ranking Foundation Establishment cultivator in the clan was Mo Caiyun, at Foundation Establishment Layer 8.

When Mo Caiyun married Wang Mingjiang, she was already at Foundation Establishment Layer 6. Many years had passed, and she had now cultivated to Foundation Establishment Layer 8.

Over the years, Mo Caiyun had contributed significantly to the Wang family. Her three children with Wang Mingjiang had grown up: Wang Changqing had reached Foundation Establishment, and Wang Changxin and Wang Changxin had both started their own families.

Wang Mingjiang's eldest son, Wang Changyang, had taken two Foundation Establishment Pills, but neither had enabled him to reach Foundation Establishment.

Currently, there were only two Foundation Establishment cultivators in the 'Chang' generation: Wang Changhuan and Wang Changqing. Wang Changhuan had been tormented by Earth Fiend Qi for years, which had stalled his cultivation. Wang Changqing, on the other hand, cultivated very diligently and was already at Foundation Establishment Layer 2.

According to Wang Changsheng's original plan, after Wang Ruyan achieved Core Formation, he would assist Wang Qingshan in reaching Core Formation. However, it now seemed a change of plans was necessary. Mo Caiyun had borne children for Wang Mingjiang, escorted him back to the Wang family, and had continuously resided at Qinglian Mountain Villa, contributing tirelessly to the family. It was only right to help her achieve Core Formation.

Wang Changsheng then went to Wang Qingyang's residence to visit him.

Wang Qingyang's hair was entirely white, and his face was deeply wrinkled; his days were numbered.

Seeing Wang Qingyang's heavily wrinkled face, Wang Changsheng let out a soft sigh.

Not long after Wang Qingyang was born, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had entered cultivation seclusion. Wang Qingyang only met his parents when he was in his teens. Time had passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, Wang Qingyang's lifespan was nearing its end, while Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan still had over three hundred years remaining.

Wang Qingyang's face lit up with a smile as he joyfully said, "Father, Mother has advanced to the Core Formation stage! Your son is truly happy for her."

"We are all happy for your mother. How is your health?"

"Your son is very well, able to eat and sleep soundly. However, your son knows his lifespan is drawing to a close. Father, if your son passes, I hope you can vigorously cultivate Wang Youwang. As long as he can advance to the Foundation Establishment stage, your son will have no regrets."

The most promising of Wang Qingyang's descendants was Wang Youwang. Though Wang Qingyang himself had been unable to reach Foundation Establishment, he hoped Wang Youwang could achieve it.

"Alright, Father promises you. Rest assured, and take good care of yourself."

Wang Changsheng agreed. Wang Youwang had always been looked after by Wang Qingjing, who supervised his cultivation and taught him how to refine puppet beasts. Wang Changsheng also offered guidance whenever he had spare time.

After a brief chat, Wang Changsheng returned to his residence.

His success rate in refining prototype magical treasures was now very high, and he felt ready to attempt refining actual magical treasures. He possessed several first-tier magical treasures, but neither he nor Wang Ruyan could use them due to their incompatible attributes. He planned to find an opportunity to sell these treasures and acquire materials to refine his own.

Wang Changsheng had originally intended to learn how to refine puppet beasts. However, he had been a Core Formation cultivator for over fifty years and still hadn't successfully refined a single magical treasure, which indicated that artifact refining was far more complex than he had imagined. If he were to also attempt learning how to refine third-tier puppet beasts, it would consume too much time and undoubtedly impact his primary cultivation. After careful consideration, he decided to focus solely on learning to refine magical treasures, adhering to the adage, "a jack of all trades is a master of none."

He took out a two-foot-long piece of cyan spiritual wood, opened his mouth, and exhaled a stream of blue elixir fire, which enveloped the spiritual wood…

Northern Frontier, Fire Phoenix Mountain Range.

In a secluded secret chamber, Wang Mingren sat cross-legged on a meditation mat. His body was enveloped by a vast red glow, and numerous golden specks of light floated within the room.

A moment later, he opened his eyes. The radiant glow around him dissipated, and the golden light vanished.

"Finally, I've advanced to Foundation Establishment Layer 9."

Wang Mingren exhaled a breath of stale air, his face beaming with delight.

The Fire Phoenix Mountain Range was rich in fire spiritual energy, making cultivation here incredibly efficient. After more than a decade in seclusion, supplemented by elixirs, he had advanced two minor realms, reaching Foundation Establishment Layer 9. Just one more step, and he would achieve Core Formation.

Wang Mingren had few contribution points left. To exchange for Core Formation spiritual items from the sect, he would need to accumulate a sufficient amount.

He needed to perform a significant deed; merely hunting demonic beasts would not accumulate enough contribution points.

Merit would not simply fall from the sky; he had to actively strive for it himself.

Leaving his dwelling, Wang Mingren summoned his flying magical artifact and soared towards the mountain gate.

Fire Phoenix Valley, a large market town established by the Taiyi Immortal Sect, was not far from the Fire Phoenix Mountain Range. After decades of management by the sect, Fire Phoenix Valley had become incredibly prosperous, bustling with merchants and travelers.

Wang Mingren spent forty thousand spiritual stones to purchase a jar of third-tier spiritual tea and three jars of third-tier spiritual wine.

Xu Zihua hadn't taught Wang Mingren cultivation, but instead, he had taught him how to conduct himself and interact with others. Among all the fellow disciples who knew Wang Mingren, not one spoke ill of him. Collaborating with Wang Mingren always brought more benefits than disadvantages. Whenever fellow disciples celebrated joyous occasions or mourned losses, Wang Mingren would always send a gift, and he never forgot about holidays. Consequently, disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect eagerly sought to befriend him.

He rode his artifact to the entrance of a crimson valley, outside of which stood a stone tablet inscribed with the large characters "Fulong Valley."

A vast expanse of crimson fire clouds enveloped the valley, obscuring its interior.

Wang Mingren took out a sound transmission talisman and spoke into it, "Disciple Wang Mingren has come to pay respects to Martial Uncle Meng."

Soon after, a brightly feathered crimson parrot flew out, speaking in human tongue, "Master invites you in. Follow me!"

The crimson fire clouds churned and parted, revealing a path.

Wang Mingren followed the crimson parrot inside. As soon as they stepped into the valley, the crimson fire clouds churned and rolled, and the passage vanished.

Inside a magnificent palace, Meng Tianzhen lay sprawled on an exquisite crimson chair. His bulging belly stretched his Daoist robe taut, threatening to burst at any moment, and several empty wine jars lay on a nearby table.

Meng Tianzhen was fond of spiritual wine, and the higher its tier, the more he enjoyed it.

"Disciple Wang Mingren pays his respects to Martial Uncle Meng."

Wang Mingren entered and bowed respectfully.

"Excellent! You've cultivated to Foundation Establishment Layer 9; you can start preparing for Core Formation. I had thought you, like Senior Brother Xu, were only interested in socializing and paid no mind to cultivation!"

Meng Tianzhen assessed Wang Mingren from head to toe and praised him.

"Martial Uncle Meng, do you have any news of Master? Is he well?"

"If Senior Brother Xu weren't doing well, then no one would be. There are no outsiders here, so just say what's on your mind!"

Wang Mingren smiled faintly and took out three exquisite wine jars, saying, "Knowing Martial Uncle Meng's fondness for fine wine, your disciple specially purchased three jars of Drunken Immortal Brew from the Drunken Immortal Palace. Drunken Immortal Brew is a third-tier spiritual wine, perfectly suited for Core Formation cultivators like yourself. I hope Martial Uncle Meng does not find it too little."

A hint of surprise flickered in Meng Tianzhen's eyes. He said, "Drunken Immortal Brew is not easily made; it can only be pre-ordered, and even then, it takes at least ten years. Did you truly pre-order three jars of Drunken Immortal Brew over a decade ago?"

"Precisely."

"As expected of Senior Brother Xu's disciple. I won't simply drink your spiritual wine for nothing. Speak! What do you wish for me to do for you?"

Wang Mingren shook his head and sincerely replied, "Your disciple is a junior, and it is only proper to show respect to elders. Your disciple has no other requests."

Wang Mingren embodied the saying, "He who accepts favors becomes indebted, and he who accepts gifts loses resolve." Xu Zihua often said that if you allow others to benefit from you ten or even a hundred times, their single act of assistance in return might prove endlessly beneficial. Of course, to be in a position to leverage such advantage, one must first possess sufficient strength.