Chapter 806: Guiding the Next Generation

Wang Qingshan had little impression of other clan members apart from Wang Qingkai. He had been away from the East Desolate for decades, and the clan elders handling family affairs had changed repeatedly, making them somewhat unfamiliar to him.

Wang Qingshan smiled slightly and asked, "Qingkai, what were you just asking Uncle Nine about?"

He knew Wang Changsheng was in secluded cultivation, and there were some matters he could decide on his own.

Wang Qingkai recounted the events. He glanced at Wang Qingshan and cautiously said, "Seventh Brother, the clan's penalties are currently too severe. There are quite a few clan members like Tianle. Young people, full of youthful vigor, sometimes act impulsively. While mistakes should be punished, the penalties are too harsh. I've discussed it with several elders, and we believe Tianle should be released. He's been imprisoned for decades; he should have learned his lesson by now."

"Amend the family rules?"

Wang Qingshan frowned slightly. This matter could be significant or minor, and having been away from the East Desolate for decades, he wasn't familiar with the clan's current situation, so it was unwise to make a rash decision.

"Qingkai, show me the current family rules and the records of clan members imprisoned in the Hall of Penalties over the years, including their names, parents, cultivation levels, and offenses."

"Yes, Seventh Brother."

Wang Qingkai reported on the clan's situation to Wang Qingshan, providing a detailed account, from the number of cultivators to the clan's future development strategies.

"Seventh Brother, I don't have many years of life left. I've already found my successors. If Uncle Nine isn't available, you can make the final decision."

Wang Qingshan inquired about the three candidates for clan head, and Wang Qingkai answered truthfully.

"Have them study under you. Observe them as they learn, and the most capable one will succeed as clan head."

"Yes, Seventh Brother."

Wang Qingshan suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, are there any exceptional Qi Condensation stage clan members? We need to cultivate a core group of about twenty to thirty individuals. They must be skilled in combat and have extensive practical experience, not just ineffective 'embroidered pillows'."

This was Wang Changsheng's order. Wang Qingshan's return aimed to select two outstanding clan members to teach them the sword path. For the clan to prosper and grow, it required the efforts of multiple generations, and lineage was also crucial for the clan.

The generational names following 'You' were Meng, Ji, Jun, Rong, Xian, Ying, Hua, Yun, Sheng, Rong, Hong, Cai, Sheng, Bo, Yan, Mao, Tu, Li, and Quan. Clan members of the 'Rong' generation were already numerous. Those with inferior spiritual roots or less resolute hearts for cultivation often married early, had multiple wives and concubines, and produced many offspring.

"Several Qi Condensation stage clan members are quite outstanding. Jitang and Jiyun cultivate sword techniques, while Rongting, Rongxiang, and Rongfei practice musical cultivation methods. They are the Five Lotus Children, and our clan's key cultivation targets."

Wang Qingshan nodded and instructed, "Have Jitang and Jiyun come to my residence. I will guide them and tell them to cultivate diligently and refine their cultivation. For now, tell them not to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage; keep them in the Qi Condensation stage. I have important uses for them."

"Yes, Seventh Brother."

Wang Qingshan gave a few more instructions before leaving the discussion hall.

He went to the ancestral hall to offer incense to his ancestors, then proceeded to Ye Lin's residence to visit Ye Lin and Wang Changyue.

Ye Lin and Wang Changyue's hair had turned white, and they had little life left. Their faces were full of smiles, looking as if they had come to terms with life and death.

"Qingshan, tend to your duties. Don't waste time on us. The clan's future depends on you."

Wang Changyue spoke earnestly.

Wang Qingshan nodded in agreement.

"Qingshan, your uncle-in-law has built a Sword Peak for you, protected by numerous restrictions. In the future, the clan can place flying swords on the Sword Peak to serve as a training ground for sword cultivators. This is the last thing I can do."

Every major power cultivates sword cultivators, and a Sword Peak is where they are trained. Multiple flying swords are inserted into the Sword Peak, and formations are used to make them fight each other, filling the air with sword qi. Sword cultivators can enter the Sword Peak to temper themselves and enhance their strength. The longer the Sword Peak exists and the more flying swords are thrown into it, the more powerful the sword qi becomes, further refining sword cultivators.

Of course, the Sword Peak would require at least a hundred years to become fully operational; it was a matter of accumulated power and resources. Over that century, flying swords, starting with the lowest-grade spiritual artifacts, would need to be continuously invested, incurring high costs. If the Wang family hadn't grown so significantly, they wouldn't have been able to achieve this.

Wang Qingshan's eyes lit up. He bowed to Ye Lin and sincerely said, "Thank you, Uncle-in-law."

Ye Lin waved his hand and said, "We're family; no need for formalities. All right, go attend to your duties. Don't waste any more time on us. Just help us look after Haitang and Yutong in the future. Whether they can advance to the Core Formation stage depends on their destiny; I won't force it. We just hope they can live their lives safely and peacefully."

"Aunt, Uncle-in-law, rest assured, as long as I live, I will not let Haitang and Yutong come to harm."

Wang Qingshan promised gravely.

Ye Lin nodded, allowing Wang Qingshan to depart.

Not long after, Wang Qingshan returned to his residence, where two young cultivators had been waiting for him for quite some time.

One was a tall, slender young man in green robes with a dignified countenance, Wang Jitang, at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, cultivating the "Azure Nether Sword Scripture."

The other was a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a blue dress, with delicate features and fair skin, Wang Jiyun, at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, cultivating the "Ice Soul Sword Canon."

Influenced by Wang Qingshan, many members of the Wang family practiced the sword path. Wang Jitang and Wang Jiyun were the most outstanding Qi Condensation stage sword cultivators. Their parents, both practitioners of the sword path, had provided them with extensive guidance in their early years.

When they learned that Wang Qingshan had returned and intended to guide them in the sword path, they were so excited they could barely speak for a long time.

Amidst their excitement, they were also a bit nervous. They had only ever seen Wang Qingshan in portraits; this was their first time meeting him in person.

"Your grandchildren greet the Old Ancestor!"

They were five generations removed from Wang Qingshan. For convenience, anyone five generations apart was addressed as "Old Ancestor."

Wang Qingshan carefully observed Wang Jitang and Wang Jiyun and asked, "Why do you cultivate the sword path?"

"Great-Great-Grandfather said you are very formidable, and he told your grandson to practice the sword path. Your grandson also wishes to become as formidable as the Old Ancestor."

Wang Jitang said with some excitement, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Who is your Great-Great-Grandfather?"

"Wang Qiusheng. Great-Great-Grandfather followed the Old Ancestor in hunting demonic beasts for many years and is currently working in the Demon Imperial Kingdom."

Wang Qingshan suddenly understood and looked at Wang Jiyun.

Wang Jiyun thought for a moment and then said earnestly, "A sword can slay demons and monsters, and it can also defend our home. Wielding a sword and roaming the world offers freedom and ease. Cultivators seek a life of freedom and ease, and sword cultivation is the best choice."

"Excellent, Jiyun's answer is better than Jitang's. Jitang, if you cultivate the sword path simply to become a powerful sword cultivator like me, you probably won't go far. To cultivate the sword path, you must first understand why you are doing it, and what is a sword? Only you yourselves can answer this question."

Wang Qingshan spoke earnestly.

Wang Qingshan's question seemed simple, but it was actually to gauge whether they possessed a 'sword heart' and their fundamental motivation for cultivating the sword path. Wang Jiyun's answer was excellent: cultivating the sword path for freedom and ease, which truly indicated a sword heart. Jitang's desire to become as powerful as Wang Qingshan, while a noble aspiration, wasn't strictly a 'sword heart.'

"Yes, your grandson will bear that in mind."

Wang Jitang agreed repeatedly.

For the next five days, Wang Qingshan kept Wang Jitang and Wang Jiyun by his side, guiding them in the sword path and sharing his insights.

Wang Qingkai, along with over a dozen clan elders, amended the family rules and presented them to Wang Qingshan for review. Wang Qingshan found no issues and approved them on the spot, deciding to adopt the new family rules and release Wang Tianle immediately.

Five days later, Wang Qingshan left Qinglian Mountain Estate, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the horizon.