Chapter 816: Dispersing Tribes and Establishing Branches

"May I ask, what is your name, fellow Daoist?" a disciple of Xuan Shui Palace politely inquired. With a Xuan Shui Token in hand, the other party was certain to be accepted into Xuan Shui Palace.

"My name is Wang Miao. I appreciate you leading the way, fellow Daoist. I wish to meet your esteemed sect's Sect Master," the young man in blue sincerity said, clasping his fists.

Wang Miao's true name was Wang Rongmiao. He was a descendant of Wang Changxing, cultivated a water-element technique called "Myriad Waves True Scripture," and was at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment.

When Green Lotus Mountain Manor was attacked, he was traveling abroad and fortunately escaped harm.

Following Wang Qingling's orders, the clan dispersed, going from overt to covert.

Wang Rongmiao had obtained a Xuan Shui Token years ago and planned to use it to join Xuan Shui Palace.

He had long been married, but his wife, children, and elderly relatives had all perished. His heart was filled with boundless hatred, yet he knew he was no match for his enemies.

He intended to use the power of Xuan Shui Palace and his clan to advance to the Core Formation stage, vowing to make his enemies pay a blood debt.

Hundreds of Wang family members had fortunately survived the disaster. They dispersed, infiltrated various forces, and went into hiding under assumed names, hoping to rebuild the family in the future.

Wang Rongmiao and several other clan members were instructed to join cultivation sects, using the sect's power to strengthen themselves. Naturally, during this period, the clan would assist them as much as possible.

"So it's fellow Daoist Wang. Please come this way."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Rongmiao and the leading disciple stopped. Below them was a desolate mountain range with thin spiritual energy.

The leading disciple took out a circular blue token, waved it downwards, and a blue light shot out, disappearing into a certain void below.

Ripples spread across the void, and with a flash of blue light, an endless expanse of lush green mountains appeared before them.

Amidst the perilous peaks, a vast array of buildings, pavilions, and palaces could be seen. A group of celestial maidens rode spirit birds, flying high above, presenting a scene of a blessed immortal land.

Upon seeing this sight, Wang Rongmiao's face showed a trace of reminiscence. If his clan hadn't been destroyed, perhaps such a scene would have existed in their future.

Soon after, they arrived at the Council Hall of Xuan Shui Palace, where Sect Master Chen Zhiyong personally received Wang Rongmiao.

Chen Zhiyong inspected the Xuan Shui Token, and after confirming its authenticity, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, according to our sect's rules, you will now be a disciple of Xuan Shui Palace. However, before that, we need to ask you a few questions using the Heart-Questioning Mirror. Of course, we won't ask anything too intrusive."

Regardless, Xuan Shui Palace had to take precautions. Who knew if Wang Miao was a demonic cultivator?

Wang Rongmiao agreed and allowed Chen Zhiyong to proceed with the questions.

Chen Zhiyong took out a small, glittering silver mirror. He aimed the mirror at Wang Rongmiao, and with a flash of silver light, a vast expanse of silver radiance enveloped Wang Rongmiao.

He mainly asked if Wang Rongmiao had committed any evil deeds, if he was sent by a hostile force of Xuan Shui Palace, or if he intended to harm Xuan Shui Palace's interests. Wang Rongmiao passed all these questions successfully.

Chen Zhiyong was satisfied and had someone escort him to complete the initiation procedures and arrange his lodging. Thus, Wang Rongmiao became a disciple of Xuan Shui Palace.

Xuan Shui Palace had eighteen inner peaks and thirty-six outer peaks. The inner peaks were residences for Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the outer peaks were for Qi Refining cultivators.

Green Lotus Peak was one of the eighteen inner peaks. Wang Rongmiao chose to reside there, using it as a reminder not to forget his origins from Green Lotus Mountain Manor and not to forget the vengeance for his annihilated clan.

He named his residence Green Lotus Courtyard and planted some green lotuses there.

Wang Rongmiao took out the memorial tablets of his parents, lit incense, and offered sacrifices.

"Father, Mother,"

Great Moon Kingdom, Golden Moon Market City.

Come Immortal Restaurant, a private room.

A shrewd-looking, round-faced man was drinking and chatting with a red-robed elder in his early sixties. The two were laughing and talking, getting along very harmoniously.

"Young friend Wang, just speak directly about what you need! This isn't like you," the red-robed elder said meaningfully.

The round-faced man gave an embarrassed smile, then said with an ingratiating expression, "Nothing escapes Old Wu's eyes. It's like this: my shop truly can't continue operating; it's losing money heavily. I wonder if Old Wu would be willing to take in a junior like me and provide me with a livelihood."

The round-faced man was named Wang Mengyang, a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator. He originally belonged to the Intelligence Hall, outwardly managing a small shop, but secretly gathering information for the clan.

With the clan heavily damaged and moving from overt to covert, Wang Mengyang was ordered to join the Skywind Merchant Alliance.

The Skywind Merchant Alliance was a mercantile organization whose influence spanned the Eastern Barrens, the South Sea, and the Central Plains. Golden Moon Market City had a branch of the Skywind Merchant Alliance, and the red-robed elder was its manager, Wu Feng.

Prior to this, Wang Mengyang had cultivated a good relationship with Wu Feng by catering to his preferences.

Wu Feng narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully, "Our food isn't easy to earn, young friend Wang. Although we are a merchant association, we have our own rules. If you do anything that harms the interests of our alliance, we won't be lenient with you. If you work for us, you must obey our orders. Have you thought this through?"

"I've thought it through. These days, without backing, business is indeed difficult to do. Manager Wu, please look after me in the future. I'll drink this first as a sign of respect."

Wang Mengyang, his face full of flattery, raised his wine cup and drained it.

Wu Feng was very satisfied with Wang Mengyang's attitude, nodded, and said, "Alright! Starting tomorrow, you can come to the shop to help out. You'll start as a shop assistant, with a base salary of five spirit stones per month. The more you sell, the higher your remuneration."

"Thank you, Manager! I'll toast you again."

Wang Mengyang's face lit up with joy. He stood up and toasted Wu Feng again.

Wu Feng laughed heartily and said, "This child is teachable."

Wei Kingdom, Green Moon Market City.

In a certain green pavilion, Wang Tianwen and more than a dozen other Wang family cultivators gathered. Their faces were filled with grief and indignation, and they were dressed in mourning attire.

"We can't stay in the Eastern Barrens any longer. Come with me to the Central Plains cultivation world! Perhaps we can carve out a place for ourselves there," Wang Tianwen sighed. He had recently returned to his clan for a visit, only to discover it had been annihilated. Seeing Green Lotus Mountain Manor reduced to ruins, Wang Tianwen's heart was filled with sorrow.

Following Wang Qingling's orders, the clan members dispersed into multiple branches for development.

"Patriarch, should we change our names?"

Wang Tianwen shook his head and said, "Don't change your surname. Change your given names and generation names. I'm not famous, and not many clan members know of my existence. From now on, I will be the patriarch of this branch. All of you will come with me to the Central Plains cultivation world. One day, we will return and make them pay a blood debt!"

By the end, Wang Tianwen's voice was filled with murderous intent.

"Yes, Patriarch."

Similar scenes unfolded across the Eastern Barrens. The Wang family cultivators dispersed, forming multiple branches with Foundation Establishment cultivators at their core. Some joined cultivation sects, others changed their names, some joined merchant associations, and still others established their own forces.

Their hatred made them more united, and they were all determined to rebuild Green Lotus in the future.