Chapter 68: Initial Arrival at Xianyuan City

Xianyuan City, Wang's Weapon Shop.

Wang Yaolong, the twenty-fifth in the 'Yao' generation, was forty-five years old this year. He had a five-spirit root, indicating very poor aptitude. Despite being only at the third level of Qi Refinement, he had one wife and two concubines. He had two sons, neither of whom had good aptitude. His main wife and one concubine were currently pregnant and resting in Qinglian Mountain. Only one concubine remained by his side at the moment.

Aware of his limited aptitude, Wang Yaolong knew he would never reach Foundation Establishment, no matter how hard he tried. At the age of sixteen, he proactively decided to start working earlier than usual, hoping to accumulate spirit stones for his descendants' future. Once he began working, he realized the difficulties of life; every aspect, from food and clothing to housing and travel, required spirit stones. Gradually, life's challenges smoothed out his rough edges, making him more tactful in his dealings and broadening his social circle.

He was originally the manager of a raw materials shop. However, two years ago, the family unexpectedly converted the shop into an artifact forging store, selling low to mid-grade spiritual artifacts. Wang Yaolong managed the business diligently, but with numerous weapon shops in Xianyuan City, competition was fierce, and the store remained in a state of loss. To address this, he had already suggested to the family patriarch, Wang Mingyuan, that two artifact forgers be assigned to Xianyuan City. This would not only save on labor costs but also allow them to take on spiritual artifact repair jobs. Wang Mingcan had arrived over four months ago, but the other artifact forger was still delayed, which greatly worried Wang Yaolong. According to Wang Mingcan, the other artifact forger was Wang Changsheng, Wang Mingyuan's only son. Since Wang Yaozu had only one grandson, Wang Yaolong naturally did not want anything to happen to Wang Changsheng.

Wang's Artifact Forging Shop included a small courtyard where Wang Yaolong and other clan members had their meals. At dusk, Wang Yaolong, Wang Mingcan, and others were dining in the courtyard. Their meal was prepared by Wang Yaolong's concubine, Ye Li. Ye Li was a rogue cultivator with a four-spirit root and a degree of beauty. By chance, she had met Wang Yaolong. Life as a rogue cultivator was difficult, with spirit stones needed for everything. Under Wang Yaolong's sweet words, Ye Li quickly agreed to become his concubine.

After marrying Wang Yaolong, Ye Li's life became much easier, free from worries about food and clothing. Her greatest wish was to bear a child for Wang Yaolong to elevate her status. With Wang Yaolong's main wife and another concubine already pregnant, and only she by his side, Ye Li naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity.

Dinner was simple: twenty large steamed buns, a plate of stir-fried spiritual rat meat, a pot of winter melon soup, and five bowls of spiritual rice. Demonic beast meat contained spiritual energy, and regular consumption was beneficial for cultivators. Wang Yaolong knew that eating it himself wouldn't be of much use. He left the spiritual rat meat and spiritual rice for Wang Mingcan and the others, while he only ate steamed buns.

Just the steamed buns were a bit dry, and he wanted a bowl of winter melon soup, but Ye Li stopped him. Ye Li took out a bowl of hot soup from a food container. A meat-like object could be seen in the soup, and the broth emitted an enticing aroma.

"Why did you only make one bowl of soup? What about Mingcan and the others?"

Wang Yaolong's face showed displeasure. He was usually very frugal, saving most of his spirit stones to buy cultivation resources for his two sons. Now that his main wife and one concubine were pregnant, the future expenses would be even greater if the children had spirit roots. He wished he could spend one spirit stone as if it were two. The spirit stones for meals were provided by the clan, with every expenditure recorded. If Ye Li only stewed meat soup for him, wasn't that taking advantage of the family? What would the other clan members think?

"I knew you'd react this way. I begged Butcher Li for days, and he only gave me this pig's pizzle for free out of consideration for a loyal customer. Since your two older sisters aren't here, I have to take good care of your body. This bowl of pig's pizzle soup is specifically for you to replenish your energy." Ye Li emphasized the words 'your body.'

Hearing this, Wang Yaolong's old face flushed. Ye Li, at thirty years old, was in her prime, with vigorous desires almost daily. Wang Yaolong found himself overwhelmed; as the saying goes, 'only a bull can be exhausted from plowing, not a field worn out from plowing.' He had repeatedly declined Ye Li's requests, citing physical discomfort. He had barely enjoyed a few days of peace before Ye Li cooked him a bowl of pig's pizzle soup.

"Your Twenty-Fifth Uncle isn't feeling well, and I used a free pig's pizzle to make him a bowl of soup. That's not too much, is it?" Ye Li looked at Wang Mingcan and asked.

Wang Mingcan gave an awkward smile and replied, "Auntie is right. Twenty-Fifth Uncle has been quite tired lately and needs to recuperate. We have no objections. Twenty-Fifth Uncle, you should go back and rest tonight! I can watch the shop."

Ye Li smiled contentedly upon hearing this and said, "Mingcan is indeed understanding. Have a few more pieces of spiritual rat meat. It'll be hard on you to stay at the shop tonight."

"Alright! There's hardly any business anyway. Thank you for your trouble tonight, Mingcan." Wang Yaolong no longer resisted. He drank the pig's pizzle soup completely, not even leaving the pizzle itself.

Just then, a hearty voice rang out: "What a delicious smell! It seems we've arrived just in time for dinner." As the voice faded, Wang Mingzhan and Wang Changsheng walked in. The Azure-Scaled Horse was extremely fast, and after more than two months, the two finally arrived in Xianyuan City.

"Mingzhan, Changsheng, why did it take you so long to get here?" Wang Yaolong's eyes lit up. He stood up and asked with concern.

"We were delayed for a while on the road. Sorry to have made Twenty-Fifth Uncle worry."

Wang Yaolong waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's alright, as long as you arrived safely. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Quickly, sit down and eat."

Wang Mingzhan and Wang Changsheng didn't stand on ceremony; they sat down and began to eat.

"Twenty-Fifth Uncle, after dinner, I have something very important to tell you."

Wang Yaolong looked troubled, glancing at Ye Li, whose face was full of unspoken resentment.

"Sixth Brother, you and Changsheng must be tired from such a long journey. You should rest well tonight, and we can discuss things tomorrow! Twenty-Fifth Uncle has plans for tonight." Wang Mingcan stepped in to smooth things over.

"Never mind. Since Mingzhan has something to say, let's hear it first! Finish what you have to do, then go back! I'm not in a hurry anyway." Ye Li shook her head, speaking meaningfully.

Wang Yaolong's old face slightly reddened, and he cleared his throat, saying, "Understood. I'll return immediately after I've finished my tasks here."

After they had eaten their fill, Wang Yaolong, Wang Mingzhan, Wang Changsheng, and Wang Mingcan went up to a guest room on the second floor. Wang Mingzhan briefly recounted the events. Upon learning that Wang Changsheng could refine puppet beasts, Wang Yaolong excitedly slapped the table and exclaimed, "Excellent, Changsheng, well done! There's only one shop selling puppet beasts in Xianyuan City, and they even require pre-orders. With puppet beasts, our shop's business is sure to pick up!"

"Twenty-Fifth Uncle, only a few of us currently know that Changsheng can refine puppet beasts. For caution's sake, it's best not to let too many people know." Wang Mingzhan hesitated for a moment before cautioning.

Wang Yaolong waved his hand and said, "I know what I'm doing, rest assured. You must be very tired after arriving. You should rest on the second floor! Take a good night's rest, it won't be too late to start refining puppet beasts tomorrow. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to rest. Mingcan, I'm leaving the shop to you."

"Yes, Twenty-Fifth Uncle."

After giving a few instructions, Wang Yaolong hastily left.

"Eleventh Uncle, why is Twenty-Fifth Granduncle's face so red? The food just now wasn't spicy at all!" Wang Changsheng watched Wang Yaolong's hurried departure, utterly perplexed.

Wang Mingcan patted Wang Changsheng's shoulder and said with a wry smile, "You're still young; you'll understand later."

Wang Mingcan arranged a room for Wang Mingzhan and another for Wang Changsheng, then went downstairs to attend to guests.

The room was small but fully furnished, and it included a bathing tub. Wang Changsheng took off his clothes, stepped into the bathing tub, and began to chant under his breath. Soon, a large number of blue light points appeared in the room, quickly gathering to form a considerable amount of clear water, filling more than half of the tub. This was the convenience of the Cloud Rain Art: it made bathing and changing clothes very easy. He comfortably took a bath and changed into a clean set of clothes. He sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, silently recited the incantation for the second level of the Cloud Rain Art, and began to cultivate. Soon, the room was filled with numerous blue light points.