Chapter 91: Returning Home

Seven days later, Wang Changsheng returned to Xianyuan City.

He did not immediately go back to the Wang Clan's Artifact Forging Shop. Instead, he went to the Demon Hunting Tower, run by the Four Major Sects, and exchanged demon beast corpses for 638 contribution points.

He spent 200 contribution points to acquire a bottle of Tier 2 mid-grade Marrow-Nourishing Pills, which are effective in repairing meridians.

After obtaining the Marrow-Nourishing Pills, Wang Changsheng headed straight for the Wang Clan's Artifact Forging Shop.

Seeing Wang Changsheng return safely, Wang Yaolong let out a long sigh of relief and asked with concern, "Changsheng, where have you been? Why are you back so late? Twelfth Uncle was about to go into the mountains to look for you!"

"I encountered a swarm of demon insects on the way and found a place to hide for a while. Are Twenty-fifth Granduncle and Twelfth Uncle alright?"

Wang Yaolong's expression dimmed slightly as he sighed, "Twelfth Uncle is fine, but Mingfeng was killed by a demonic bird while trying to block it, and Thirteenth Uncle was killed by demonic bees. Additionally, four other clan members died in battle, and two were crippled. We've only accumulated over a thousand contribution points so far, still needing more than three thousand. I've already persuaded Twelfth Uncle not to go into the mountains; frankly, even if they all died, they wouldn't be able to gather the remaining three thousand contribution points. It would just be a pointless sacrifice."

"Twenty-fifth Granduncle, on my way back, I saw several cultivators fighting with demon beasts. Both sides perished, and I found a great opportunity. These are the contribution points I exchanged: 438 points."

As Wang Changsheng spoke, he took out a foot-long silver jade token and handed it to Wang Yaolong.

Wang Yaolong nodded with satisfaction, accepted the silver jade token, and said, "Well done. You must be tired. Go upstairs and rest!"

Wang Changsheng agreed and returned to his residence on the second floor to meditate and cultivate.

He still had two Black Luo Persimmons, but he didn't plan to consume them. He intended to take a few years to slowly cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Condensation, strengthening his foundation. Zhou Yang's eagerness for quick success led to his failure and demise when attempting to break through.

Of course, Zhou Yang was almost sixty and had no choice but to take the risk, but Wang Changsheng was still young and not in a hurry.

A few days later, Wang Yaohuan and others prepared to return to Qinglian Mountain. Wang Yaolong asked Ye Li to prepare a lavish dinner to see them off.

"This trip to Xianyuan City was meant to exchange for a bottle of Purple Jade Spirit Water to take back," Wang Yaohuan sighed, "I didn't expect the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range to be so dangerous. We lost five clan members and two were severely injured, only accumulating close to two thousand contribution points." Wang Yaohuan had little appetite as he sighed.

Wang Yaolong comforted him, saying, "Twelfth Uncle, you did your best. This isn't your fault. I believe Mingyuan will understand. We're still relatively fortunate; I heard a small family named Zhou sent twenty people into the mountains, and only one returned. Even several disciples from the Four Major Sects were lost."

"Indeed! Twelfth Granduncle, our trip wasn't in vain. At least we exchanged for some fire-attributed spirit herbs, and our clan members didn't die for nothing." Wang Changge echoed.

Wang Yaohuan gave a wry smile and said, "The Four Major Sects brought out so many Foundation Establishment spiritual items this time. In the coming decades, even fewer will flow into the market. If we want to obtain Foundation Establishment spiritual items, we'll have to find ways from other countries. By the way, Mingzhan, you mentioned Changxue is in White Dragon Valley in Wei State. Please tell me about Changxue's situation."

Wang Mingzhan immediately recounted Wang Changxue's situation in White Dragon Valley, without any concealment.

After listening to Wang Mingzhan's account, Wang Yaohuan said to Wang Changsheng, "Changsheng, pack your things and return to Qinglian Mountain with us! After the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range was cleared, the number of demon beasts drastically decreased; it will take at least several decades for them to recover. Consequently, the number of cultivators coming to Xianyuan City to hunt demon beasts will surely decrease. Puppet beasts won't sell for a higher price in Xianyuan City. The demon beast resources in Baiyun Ridge, Yunzhou, are not much worse than those in the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range. We've already rented a shop in Baiyun Ridge to sell spiritual artifacts, and there isn't currently a shop selling puppet beasts there. Selling puppet beasts in Baiyun Ridge will definitely yield more profit."

Wang Changsheng paused slightly, then turned his head to look at Wang Yaolong, who nodded.

"Yes, Grandfather, I understand."

Since Wang Yaolong agreed, Wang Changsheng naturally had no objections.

To be honest, he also wanted to return to Qinglian Mountain and establish his foundation there.

"Twelfth Granduncle, wouldn't it be better to transfer Ninth Brother to Baiyun Ridge? The puppet beasts he crafts could be sold directly in the shop, saving costs." Wang Changge voiced his doubt.

"Bringing Changsheng back to Qinglian Mountain is Second Uncle's idea. He wants Changsheng to teach other clan members how to craft puppet beasts. Currently, the clan has already organized a group of people to learn carving wooden puppets. Changsheng alone, as a puppet master, cannot produce many puppet beasts." There was another reason Wang Yaohuan didn't mention: Wang Changsheng was currently the family's only puppet master. The family feared something might happen to him, which was why they brought him back. It wouldn't be too late to transfer Wang Changsheng to Yunzhou once the family had trained a few more puppet masters.

Early the next morning, Wang Yaohuan led Wang Changsheng and his group out of Xianyuan City, heading straight for Qinglian Mountain.

More than two months later, Wang Yaohuan and his group returned to Qinglian Mountain.

Wang Mingyuan held funerals for the five deceased clan members and distributed spirit stones as compensation to their families.

"I didn't expect that a trip to Xianyuan City would allow you to advance two minor realms consecutively. That's good, but in the path of cultivation, one must not seek quick success; a steady and systematic approach is best," Wang Mingyuan looked at Wang Changsheng, who stood before him, and lectured in a deep voice.

"Yes, Father, your child will remember your teachings." Wang Changsheng nodded in agreement.

"Go see your mother. She's pregnant. Don't tell her about any dangerous incidents, so you don't frighten her. In a few months, your mother will give birth to your younger brother or sister." At this point, Wang Mingyuan's stern expression softened, revealing a hint of a smile.

"Your child understands. Your child takes his leave."

Soon after, Wang Changsheng arrived at Liu Qing'er's residence.

Seeing Wang Changsheng, Liu Qing'er was very happy and wanted to prepare something for him to eat, but Wang Changsheng stopped her.

"Mother, please just sit. Your condition is special right now; let me handle the cooking from now on!"

Liu Qing'er waved her hand and said, "No need. You still have to cultivate. Second Aunt comes every day to cook for me, and Changyu and the others come to chat with me. Just focus on your own matters; your mother doesn't need your care."

Wang Changsheng didn't insist. It was a Wang Clan rule that pregnant female family members were cared for by other female family members.

Wang Changsheng chatted with Liu Qing'er for a while, carefully choosing only cheerful topics.

Half an hour later, Wang Changsheng returned to his residence to meditate and cultivate.

Wang Mingyuan assigned ten clan members to Wang Changsheng to learn how to craft puppet beasts, starting with the simplest task: carving wooden puppets.

Besides teaching the clan members how to carve wooden puppets, Wang Changsheng also made time to visit his mother. Of course, he didn't neglect his cultivation either.

Five months later, Liu Qing'er successfully gave birth to a daughter, and Wang Changsheng gained a younger sister.

Wang Mingyuan named her Wang Changyue. Wang Yaolong's principal wife and concubine also gave birth to a boy and a girl, named Wang Minglong and Wang Mingfeng, respectively.

The birth of the three newborns brought a measure of joy to the Wang Clan.

It was impossible to determine if the newborn infants had spirit roots at birth, so they would temporarily reside on Qinglian Mountain. If they later proved to have no spirit roots, they would be sent to live a secular life.

Wang Changsheng was very happy to have a younger sister and tried various ways to amuse Wang Changyue.

Wang Changyue seemed to adore her older brother, Wang Changsheng, and would giggle incessantly whenever she saw him.