Chapter 854: Counting the Harvest

Wang Changsheng sighed softly and gently patted Wang Qingqi’s shoulder. “Alright,” he said, “quickly take this Longevity Fruit. Your contributions to the family have not gone unnoticed by your Ninth Aunt and me. Seize this opportunity; take the Longevity Fruit first to extend your lifespan.”

Wang Qingqi nodded excitedly and agreed.

After giving a few instructions, Wang Changsheng left.

They had managed to seize the Nascent Soul cultivator’s possessions before the cultivator arrived. If it weren't for the Sea-Pacifying Ape's mastery of water escape techniques and their possession of Millennium Spirit Milk, they might not have been able to shake off their pursuers.

The Sea-Pacifying Ape had consumed twenty drops of Millennium Spirit Milk in total, which enabled it to quickly recover its spiritual power and escape the pursuers.

There were a total of seven second-tier magic treasures. One of them was a Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, brimming with spiritual energy and weighing ten thousand catties, likely the cave owner's natal magic treasure.

The cave’s owner was a Barbarian. Considering that Barbarian cultivators were searching for treasures ahead of them, it was highly probable that the cave owner was related to those Barbarians.

As a precaution, when Wang Changsheng passed through a large market, he sold the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade to the Eight Directions Merchant Alliance. Of course, he did not reveal his true appearance.

The remaining six second-tier magic treasures included a gleaming golden chainmail, forged from an unknown metal; a translucent blue staff that felt light when held, but weighed over ten thousand catties when spiritual power was infused into it; a cloak continuously flowing with blue light, an auxiliary magic treasure capable of concealing one's form; a pair of yellow halberds; a shining golden horse-slaughtering saber; and a wolf-tooth club emanating a constant yellow glow.

Besides the seven second-tier magic treasures, there were also four Longevity Fruits. The Longevity Fruit tree flowers every five hundred years, bears fruit after another five hundred years, and the fruits mature after yet another five hundred years. Each Longevity Fruit could extend one's lifespan by fifty years. However, if a cultivator consumed multiple Longevity Fruits, the effect would diminish with each subsequent fruit. Conversely, refining Longevity Pills from Longevity Fruits yielded better results.

Consuming one Longevity Pill could add twenty years to one's lifespan, while two pills could add forty years.

Wang Ruyan had returned to the Eastern Wasteland with one Longevity Fruit. Firstly, the Longevity Fruit was too precious to entrust to Foundation Establishment cultivators for escort. Secondly, Wang Ruyan’s parents had both passed away, and having been away for so many years, she ought to return to pay her respects.

In addition to the seven second-tier magic treasures and four Longevity Fruits, there were many other valuable items.

There was a bottle of Dragon Transformation Pills and two bottles of Spirit Cultivation Pills. These pills were suitable for python-type demonic beasts, increasing their chances of transforming into dragons. Wang Changsheng didn't raise spirit pythons, but he remembered that Wang Qingling had an Ice Wind Python, so he could give the Dragon Transformation Pills to her.

Also found were three low-grade fourth-tier demonic beast cores, two fourth-tier demonic beast souls, and a set of Nascent Soul-forming spiritual materials.

Seven millennium-old spiritual herbs, and a fist-sized piece of Golden Adamantite Crystal. When refined into a flying sword magic treasure, Golden Adamantite Crystal could increase its power, making it a dream material for every sword cultivator.

Five high-grade spirit stones, and a palm-sized blue scale, crystalline, dazzling, incredibly brilliant, and emitting an exceptionally dense water spiritual energy.

A three-thousand-year-old Flying Azure Spirit Wood, an excellent material for refining flying magic treasures.

Upon returning to his residence, Wang Changsheng found Wang Qingling and Wang Qingshan had been waiting for a long time.

"Ninth Uncle, did you call me for something?" Wang Qingling asked with a smile.

"Qingling, has that spirit beast egg hatched yet?" Wang Changsheng had given Wang Qingling the spirit beast egg that Nangong Miao had given him, for her to hatch.

Wang Qingling shook her head and replied, "Not yet. I don't know why; it has absorbed various spiritual liquids, but the egg just won't hatch."

Wang Changsheng didn't have high hopes either. Nangong Miao had spent over a hundred years trying to hatch it without success, so it certainly wasn't an ordinary spirit beast. It was likely a spirit beast as renowned as the Sea-Pacifying Ape.

"Qingling, I've acquired a bottle of Dragon Transformation Pills. These are mid-grade third-tier pills, beneficial for your Ice Wind Python's advancement." Wang Changsheng flipped his palm, and a blue porcelain bottle appeared in his hand, which he handed to Wang Qingling.

Upon hearing the words "Dragon Transformation Pills," Wang Qingling's eyes lit up, and a look of excitement appeared on her face. Python-type demonic beasts could increase their chances of advancing to dragons by consuming Dragon Transformation Pills. However, these pills were refined primarily from the inner core of a third-tier dragon, making them quite precious. Wang Qingling had sent people to procure them, but not only could they not find any Dragon Transformation Pills, they hadn't even heard of them being for sale anywhere.

"Thank you, Ninth Uncle." Wang Qingling took the Dragon Transformation Pills, beaming with joy, a pair of cute dimples appearing on her face.

"Qingling," Wang Changsheng cautioned, "Ninth Uncle knows you like spirit beasts, but you must remember that cultivation is the fundamental pursuit. Don't prioritize the trivial over the essential and neglect your own training." Wang Qingling raised a large number of spirit insects, spirit beasts, and spirit birds. Wang Changsheng himself raised Soul-Devouring Golden Cicadas, Twin-Eyed Rats, and Gold-Devouring Ants. The Gold-Devouring Ants were relatively easy to keep, subsisting entirely on the Wang family's discarded artifact-refining materials. For the Twin-Eyed Rats, any spiritual food sufficed. The Soul-Devouring Golden Cicadas, however, consumed demonic beast souls, and Wang Changsheng had expended great effort to cultivate them to the third tier. The Wood Demon was considered a spirit pet; it primarily absorbed wood-attribute spiritual energy or consumed spiritual fruits and herbs to slowly advance.

"That's right! Tenth Sister, cultivation is indeed the foundation," Wang Qingshan echoed.

Wang Qingling nodded with a smile and said, "Got it, Ninth Uncle. Seventh Brother, if there's nothing else, I'll head back."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingshan nodded. Wang Qingling turned and left, her face full of excitement.

"Qingshan, I recall you raising a second-tier spirit beast, a Three-Headed Slybeast. It's been at the second tier for many years; this bottle of Spirit Cultivation Pills should aid its advancement. Also, I've obtained a piece of Golden Adamantite Crystal, which I can refine into your flying sword to enhance its power." Wang Changsheng had acquired two bottles of Spirit Cultivation Pills, so giving one to Wang Qingshan was no big deal.

"What? Golden Adamantite Crystal! Thank you so much, Ninth Uncle!" Wang Qingshan exclaimed, a look of excitement on his face. Golden Adamantite Crystal could significantly boost a flying sword's power and increase its resilience, making it a highly coveted material for every sword cultivator.

"No need for thanks," Wang Changsheng said. "We're family; there's no need to be so polite. The family still needs your support. Give me your Azure Glaze Sword; after refining the Golden Adamantite Crystal into it, it should be able to upgrade to a second-tier magic treasure." He had obtained many rare artifact-refining materials, so upgrading the Azure Glaze Sword to the second tier should not be a problem.

Wang Qingshan opened his mouth, and the Azure Glaze Sword shot out, its blade showing some cracks. Wang Changsheng took the Azure Glaze Sword and told Wang Qingshan to go back and cultivate.

Wang Changsheng took out a light green animal hide, which was a topographical map. In the upper left corner were the characters "Heavenly Void." If he remembered correctly, there was a dangerous place in the South Sea called Heavenly Void Cavern-Heaven, rumored to be an independent space, similar to a secret realm. Heavenly Void Cavern-Heaven was even more perilous than the Spirit-Devoid Sea and the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sea. The sixth Grand Elder of Zhenhai Sect, being arrogant and obstinate, had led a large number of disciples into Heavenly Void Cavern-Heaven, resulting in the loss of more than half of their elites. This severely weakened Zhenhai Sect, laying the groundwork for its eventual demise.

It seemed this Nascent Soul-stage Barbarian had entered Heavenly Void Cavern-Heaven and even left a map. He wondered if Zhenhai Sect possessed a map of Heavenly Void Cavern-Heaven.

He put away the map and took out a misty green flying dagger. He was preparing to refine a second-tier magic treasure. During this excursion, Wang Changsheng had acquired a large quantity of artifact-refining materials. He had never refined a second-tier magic treasure before. To be cautious, he decided to practice with a few first-tier magic treasures first, as failing wouldn't be a great loss.

Wang Changsheng tossed a piece of green ore into the air and emitted Profound Nether Black Lotus Flame, enveloping the ore.

Soon after, the green ore showed signs of melting…