Chapter 855: Wang Huashan's Request

East Barrens, Qing State.

In a quiet courtyard within the Black Hawk Mountain Range, Wang Qingjun was recounting the family history to twenty clansmen, all aged seven or eight.

Wang Qingjun was highly senior and powerful within the clan. As soon as he returned to the East Barrens, he immediately consolidated three branches of the clan into two. While separation had its advantages, if a clansman encountered trouble, the family would struggle to provide assistance. Beyond that, there was also the critical issue of a sense of family belonging.

If clansmen were too scattered, new generations would not develop a strong sense of belonging to the family. Moreover, should a leader meet with misfortune, it was inevitable that the lower-ranking cultivators would likely not accept a newly appointed leader from the family. Wang Qingjun himself would not accept a situation where the family suddenly sent an unfamiliar cultivator to lead them. Of course, another clansman might not possess the courage and strength required to integrate the clan members.

The two branches of clansmen were unified under Wang Qingjun’s management. New clansmen with spiritual roots were to be sent to the Black Hawk Mountain Range for a period of cultivation. They would be instilled with family values, taught the history of the family's development, and their sense of family belonging would be strengthened.

“Ancestor, can we still return to Green Lotus Villa?” an eight-year-old boy curiously asked.

Wang Qingjun nodded solemnly and said, “Yes, as long as we are united, think with one heart, and work with one mind, we will certainly be able to rebuild the family. New talents emerge in every generation, and the future of the family rests on you. If we can rebuild the family, remember to visit my grave, tell me, and scatter my ashes at Green Lotus Villa.” As he spoke, Wang Qingjun looked nostalgic, gazing into the distance towards the location of Green Lotus Villa.

“I don’t agree with that, Qingjun. You still have a chance; the family needs you.” A pleasant female voice suddenly rang out.

No sooner had the voice fallen than a graceful beauty in a blue dress walked in. It was Wang Ruyan. She had hastily paid respects to her parents before rushing to Qing State, fearing something might happen to Wang Qingjun.

Wang Qingjun was slightly stunned when he saw Wang Ruyan, and asked in surprise, “Ninth Aunt, why are you here?” He suddenly remembered something, waved his hand, and instructed, “You may all leave!”

“Yes, Ancestor,” the twenty clansmen answered in unison and left one after another.

Wang Ruyan walked up to Wang Qingjun, took out a cyan wooden box, handed it to him, and said with a smile, “Qingjun, see what’s inside.”

Wang Qingjun opened the wooden box and saw a cyan kiwi fruit inside, with some golden patterns on its surface.

“Ninth Aunt, this is…” Wang Qingjun vaguely guessed something. He did not recognize the spiritual fruit before him. If it were demon beast materials, he would most likely recognize them, but the immortal cultivation world had countless rare and exotic fruits, too many for him to remember, and he had no interest in doing so. Wang Ruyan’s sudden appearance before him, along with a spiritual fruit, likely meant it was a longevity-enhancing spiritual fruit.

Wang Ruyan smiled slightly and said, “This is a Longevity Fruit; it can increase your lifespan by fifty years. Qingjun, once you repair your meridians and consume this Longevity Fruit, you’ll still have a chance to attempt the Core Formation stage.”

“A Longevity Fruit!” Wang Qingjun took a deep breath, his expression becoming extremely excited.

“Your Ninth Uncle and I obtained a few Longevity Fruits during our exploration. We’ve sent one to you and one to Qing Qi. Qingjun, with this Longevity Fruit, you still have a chance to attempt the Core Formation stage.” Wang Ruyan held a high regard for Wang Qingjun. Wang Qingjun and Wang Qingshan had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, and their spiritual power was abundant. Most importantly, Wang Qingjun was cautious in his actions, which was evident from his treasure hunt in the Golden Sun Sect ruins.

Wang Qingjun gazed at the Longevity Fruit in the wooden box, his heart racing with excitement, unable to speak for a long while.

“Alright, quickly find a place to consume the Longevity Fruit and refine its medicinal power. As for the Core Formation spiritual item, someone will deliver it to you in a while.”

“Yes, Ninth Aunt.”

The next day, Wang Qingjun opened his door and walked out. His hair had turned from white to black, his aged face had disappeared, replaced by a radiant complexion.

Wang Ruyan carefully observed Wang Qingjun, nodded in satisfaction, and said with a smile, “Excellent, Qingjun. The Longevity Fruit's effect is quite remarkable; it truly lives up to its reputation as a wondrous fruit of heaven and earth.”

Wang Qingjun bowed to Wang Ruyan and said gratefully, “Thank you, Ninth Aunt.” The Longevity Fruit could extend one's lifespan and was extremely rare. For Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan to be willing to let him consume it, this kindness was immense.

“You've contributed significantly to the family, Qingjun, and you deserve this. Alright, the clansmen in the East Barrens are now entrusted to you. Your Ninth Uncle and I will oversee the South Sea; distant water cannot quench a nearby thirst. You must seize this opportunity, cherish it, and strive to advance to the Core Formation stage.”

“Ninth Aunt, I've noted that. Please rest assured, you and Ninth Uncle! I will take good care of the clansmen in the East Barrens.”

Wang Ruyan nodded, gave a few instructions, then left the Black Hawk Mountain Range and headed straight for Chu State.

Over half a year later, she arrived in Chu State, appearing above a continuous stretch of lush green mountains.

Originally, to counter other forces, three sects, led by Medicine King Valley, merged to form the Three Immortals Sect. Wang Huashan also brought his clansmen to join. After years of development and integration, the disciples of the three sects and the Wang family descendants had completely merged, all becoming disciples of the Three Immortals Sect.

“Who goes there? This is the territory of our Three Immortals Sect. Outsiders, stop here.” A team of patrolling cultivators appeared on the horizon, swiftly flying towards Wang Ruyan.

Not long after, they stopped. The leading cultivator saw Wang Ruyan, his expression changed, and he exclaimed, “Is that Great-aunt? I am a descendant of the Wang family.”

Wang Ruyan nodded and instructed, “Is Third Grand-uncle in the sect? I have something to discuss with him.”

“He is! Great-aunt, please follow me. The others, continue patrolling.”

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Wang Ruyan appeared in a spacious grand hall. Wang Huashan sat on the main seat, his head full of white hair, his face aged. Huang Fugui had been apprehended by the Sun and Moon Palace, and Wang Huashan had consequently suffered misfortune. A few Core Formation cultivators, seeking to curry favor with the Sun and Moon Palace, had attacked Wang Huashan. Wang Huashan had been gravely wounded and fled, daring never again to set foot in the South Sea.

Wang Huashan's lifespan was running short. No new Core Formation cultivators had emerged among the Wang family descendants, and the branch led by Wang Ruyan's father had not prospered.

“Ruyan, is Changsheng doing well?” Wang Huashan asked, his voice weak and feeble.

“Thanks to Third Grand-uncle's great fortune, my husband is doing very well.”

“Ruyan, tell me the truth, how many Core Formation cultivators does the Wang family currently have?”

Wang Ruyan gave a wry smile and said, “Third Grand-uncle, our Wang family has provoked a powerful enemy, and it's not advisable to reveal such information. It's difficult to say.”

Wang Huashan frowned, pondered for a moment, then took out two wooden boxes and handed them to Wang Ruyan, saying, “These are things I obtained years ago while treasure hunting with Huang Fugui. I have no use for them anymore, so I'll give them to you. I hope you will grant me one request: if conditions permit in the future, please cultivate a Core Formation cultivator for our Wang family.”

Wang Ruyan opened the two wooden boxes. Inside each were a cyan demon core and a white jade stone the size of a watermelon. The white jade stone emitted a bone-chilling cold.

“A mid-grade third-tier demon core and a piece of Millennium Cold Jade. Millennium Cold Jade is a fourth-tier refining material; it would be no problem to use it for refining first-tier or second-tier magic treasures. Changsheng should be able to use it.”

Wang Ruyan nodded and thanked him, saying, “Thank you, Third Grand-uncle. I can promise you that if conditions permit in the future, I will cultivate a Core Formation cultivator for the Wang family.”

Wang Huashan nodded with relief. With Wang Ruyan's words, a burden was lifted from his heart.

After less than half an hour, Wang Ruyan left the Three Immortals Sect and flew towards Chongyang Market, preparing to return to the South Sea.