Chapter 608: Wang Qingshan's Choice

After saying this, Ye Feng swayed and vanished as an afterimage, leaving the Bluestone Plaza.

Zhou Yunxiao readily conceded defeat, but Wang Qingshan considered it a tie and refused to accept all the rewards, only taking one core-forming spiritual item and a talisman treasure.

This way, Wang Qingshan gained both fame and fortune without arousing jealousy from others.

Upon returning to their residence, Wang Tianwen and the others looked extremely excited.

"Seventh Uncle, you are truly formidable! In the future, probably no one in the Monster Subduing Nation will be unaware of your name."

"It's just fleeting fame; what's there to care about? If I had lost today and died by Zhou Yunxiao's blade, who else but you would have said a word? Ultimately, our family's foundation is too shallow." Wang Qingshan sighed. He had certainly stolen the show today, with a Nascent Soul cultivator offering to take him as a disciple. But what if he had lost? If he had died by Zhou Yunxiao's blade, who would have stood up for him?

The Wang family only had Core Formation cultivators, far from comparable to the Great Yan Dynasty. If Zhou Yunxiao killed other Foundation Establishment cultivators, no one would retaliate against him. However, if another Foundation Establishment cultivator killed Zhou Yunxiao, they would definitely face retaliation from the Great Yan Dynasty. This was the stark reality. Although the Great Yan Dynasty spoke grandly, they didn't need to act personally if they wanted revenge.

After today's battle, Wang Qingshan only wished to become stronger, strong enough to act without considering others' backgrounds or origins.

"Heh heh, with Seventh Uncle joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect, his achievements will be limitless. No one will dare to bully our Wang family."

"Exactly! A Nascent Soul cultivator personally offered to take him as a disciple – the Peak Master of Thousand Swords Peak! This Senior Ye must be incredibly powerful. With his help, it's a certainty that Seventh Uncle will advance to the Core Formation stage."

Wang Qingshan frowned and instructed, "Alright, it's getting late. You may all leave now!"

Wang Tianwen and the others assented and returned to their respective residences.

Wang Qingshan lay down on his bed, took out a cyan token, and a look of hesitation appeared on his face. The cyan token was a family pass, symbolizing the family itself. By joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect, he would certainly have a better path forward, but in doing so, he wouldn't be able to look after his family.

That night, Wang Qingshan neither cultivated nor could he sleep. He tossed and turned, pondering whether to join the Taiyi Immortal Sect or remain with his family. He couldn't have both. Wang Mingren, who had joined the Taiyi Immortal Sect, rarely returned to the Wang family.

Wang Qingshan gazed at the cyan lotus on the token, and a nostalgic expression appeared on his face.

In the Lecture Hall, a group of seven or eight-year-old children were listening intently as Wang Yaoheng explained cultivation techniques. Suddenly, Wang Changsheng walked in. When Wang Qingshan saw Wang Changsheng, an expression of admiration appeared on his face. He had heard from his father that Wang Changsheng was the most powerful person in the clan, and it was precisely because of Wang Changsheng's presence that the family had avoided being swallowed up, allowing the clan members to live peaceful lives. Wang Qingshan also wished to be like Wang Changsheng and protect his family.

"You are all very well-behaved; I've seen it. Feel free to ask anything you want; I will try my best to answer."

After Wang Changyue and Wang Qingyuan asked their questions, Wang Qingshan stood up and said, "Ninth Uncle, which cultivation method is the most powerful in our clan? I want to cultivate the strongest one."

"The most powerful cultivation method? There's a saying in the cultivation world that sword cultivators are unrivaled among their peers. Our clan has a technique called the Azure Wind Sword Art, but its cultivation speed is relatively slow. However, once mastered, its power is immense. Go back and discuss it with your parents."

The scene shifted, and Wang Qingshan abruptly found himself back on his wooden bed. A tremendous roar sounded, and he hastily rushed out of his room. Shouts of battle soared to the sky, and screams were incessant. Watching clan members fall one by one in pools of blood, Wang Qingshan felt a surge of grief and indignation, along with a sense of powerlessness. He secretly vowed, "I must cultivate diligently and protect my clan members in the future."

The next moment, Wang Qingshan returned to reality. He exhaled softly, gazing at the token in his hand, his eyes showing a resolute glint.

Early the next morning, Wang Qingshan arrived outside a secluded courtyard and tossed out a sound transmission talisman. Not long after, Leng Rumei opened the courtyard gate and invited him inside. Leng Rumei pointed to a cyan pavilion not far away and said, "Senior Master Ye is waiting for you inside. Go quickly! Don't keep him waiting too long."

Wang Qingshan assented and quickly walked towards the pavilion.

"Junior Wang Qingshan requests an audience with Senior Ye." Wang Qingshan stood at the entrance and said respectfully.

"Come in and speak."

The door suddenly opened, and Wang Qingshan walked in, immediately spotting Ye Feng.

"So? Have you thought it through?"

Wang Qingshan nodded and said seriously, "I have thought it through. Junior thanks Senior Ye for your kind offer, but I do not plan to join the Taiyi Immortal Sect."

Ye Feng was somewhat surprised and asked gravely, "I've asked my junior niece Leng. Your Wang family is just a small clan, far inferior to our Taiyi Immortal Sect. By joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect, you could go much further on the path of cultivation and learn various secret arts and divine abilities. What can your family give you?"

"Although my family is small, it raised me and sheltered me from harm. If I were to abandon my family for my own future, I would also betray the Taiyi Immortal Sect for greater gains someday. However, I am not that kind of person." Wang Qingshan spoke slowly, his tone calm.

"Abandon your family? If you do well in the Taiyi Immortal Sect, other forces would have some reservations about dealing with the Wang family."

"That's only if the benefit isn't great enough. The Taiyi Immortal Sect is indeed powerful, but the Eastern Barrens isn't entirely under its sway. If my family were to clash with other forces, in the face of immense benefits, others would stop at nothing. As a child, I witnessed my clan members die tragically at the hands of enemies. At that time, I secretly vowed to cultivate diligently and protect my clan. The initial purpose of my sword cultivation was to protect my family. If I were to join the sect now and busy myself with its affairs, ignoring the fate of my clan, it would go against my Dao Heart."

He spoke from the heart. Joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect would violate the original purpose of his sword cultivation. Moreover, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had repeatedly assured him they would help him form his core. Wang Changsheng had forged a nascent magic treasure for Wang Qingshan and even bestowed a third-tier talisman for his protection. In the entire Wang family, Wang Qingshan was the only one to receive such treatment. The family had treated Wang Qingshan well. Wang Qingshan was not a person who would abandon righteousness for profit, so it was impossible for him to forsake his family and join the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Ye Feng frowned slightly. If a sword cultivator violates their Dao Heart, it hinders their future cultivation, making it difficult to reach higher realms. If Wang Qingshan had cultivated sword arts solely for the pursuit of power, joining the Taiyi Immortal Sect wouldn't be an issue. However, he cultivated sword arts to protect his clan, so joining a sect would indeed go against his Dao Heart, which would be detrimental to his future cultivation.

"Have you thought it through clearly? This opportunity only comes once. You've comprehended Sword Intent at such a young age, with infinite potential. Staying with your family, it will be very difficult for you to advance to higher stages. However, if you join the Taiyi Immortal Sect, you have a certain hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage." Ye Feng's words were filled with temptation.

Wang Qingshan remained unmoved and shook his head, saying, "Junior has thought it through very clearly. My family has treated me well, and the initial purpose of my sword cultivation was to protect my clan. Both personally and publicly, I cannot become your disciple. Please forgive this junior."