Chapter 950: Picking Up Scrap Huang Fugui

A short while later, Wang Mingren appeared in a quiet courtyard where Ximen Feng had been waiting for a long time.

"How did it go? My dear Wang, is she willing to accept?" Ximen Feng asked somewhat nervously. After all, Chen Xiang'er was Wang Mingren's legitimate wife, and her background was more powerful than Ximen Feng's. If she wasn't willing, Wang Mingren truly had no recourse.

Wang Mingren sighed lightly and said, "She tore up the divorce papers. Regardless of her reaction, I admit I wronged her, and I'll accept any punishment or scolding. I made a mistake once before, Feng'er, and I won't make it again. It's just hard on you; she might spread rumors everywhere, saying you seduced a married man and are a vixen."

"None of that matters," Ximen Feng said. "We owe her, and as long as she's happy, that's what's important." Ximen Feng knew well the feeling of losing one's beloved, a pain like a dagger to the heart. She had already taken Wang Mingren; if Chen Xiang'er was angry, she could say whatever she pleased.

Wang Mingren embraced Ximen Feng and said, "Feng'er, come back to the East Barrens with me! I'll take you to meet my clan, and then I'll grandly marry you. May we share one heart and grow old together, never to be separated."

Ximen Feng nodded, leaning into Wang Mingren's embrace, her face radiant with a happy smile.

A sharp, urgent whistle sounded. Wang Mingren took out a red jade plate, channeled a spell into it, and a line of small characters appeared: "Ancestor, Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt have simultaneously reached the Nascent Soul stage. Heaven bless our Wang clan!"

Wang Mingren's eyes lit up, and his expression became excited.

"My dear Wang, what's wrong? Is there good news?"

"Changteng and Ruyan have reached the Nascent Soul stage," he exclaimed. "They actually broke through simultaneously, haha!"

Wang Mingren's expression became extremely excited. With Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan having advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, and two Nascent Soul cultivators as their backing, Wang Mingren felt no fear, even if Chen Haibin also reached the Nascent Soul stage. His vigorous efforts to help the clan over the years had not been in vain; with Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Wang Mingren's confidence grew even stronger.

"Your nephew and niece-in-law have reached the Nascent Soul stage?" Ximen Feng asked, slightly stunned. She had heard Wang Mingren mention Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan before, but she hadn't expected them to break through simultaneously. Previously, she had been somewhat worried about Chen Haibin's considerable status, but now that Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had reached the Nascent Soul stage, she breathed a long sigh of relief. With this development, no one would be able to separate them again.

"Since they've reached the Nascent Soul stage, we must purchase two substantial gifts," Ximen Feng suggested.

Wang Mingren nodded with a smile. "Of course," he said, "let's go choose the gifts together!"

Leaving their residence, they headed straight for the Myriad Treasures Tower, the largest shop in Fire Crow Market, known for its high prices and unquestionable quality.

Before long, they appeared at the entrance of a nine-story azure pavilion. On a silver plaque, three shimmering golden characters — "Myriad Treasures Tower" — were carved.

Standing at the entrance, they could see the Myriad Treasures Tower's hall, bustling and crowded with cultivators.

A short, stout old man in a yellow robe walked out, his pockmarked face beaming with smiles.

"Oh, Huang Fugui!" Wang Mingren exclaimed softly, a hint of surprise in his voice.

The last time Wang Mingren had seen Huang Fugui was over a decade ago; at that time, Huang Fugui was only at the seventh level of Core Formation, but now he had advanced to the eighth. Over the years, Huang Fugui had gained quite a reputation in the Northern Frontier, not a good one, but a bad one.

Even at the eighth level of Core Formation, Huang Fugui still didn't dare to hunt third-tier demonic beasts, preferring to target second-tier ones. Alternatively, he would step in for minor factions to resolve small issues, charging exorbitant fees. This fellow was as timid as a mouse; he once had a dispute over a trivial matter with a third-level Core Formation sect cultivator, and when the two encountered each other in the wilderness, Huang Fugui immediately fled, becoming a laughingstock among his peers.

When Huang Fugui saw Wang Mingren, his eyes lit up, and he said enthusiastically, "Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see! Are you free? I'd like to invite you for some tea."

"Apologies, but we don't have time," Wang Mingren said, shaking his head and politely declining.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Huang Fugui transmitted his voice, his tone full of temptation, "I've acquired an auxiliary spiritual technique. Are you interested? The price is negotiable."

"An auxiliary spiritual technique?" Wang Mingren was somewhat tempted. With Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he had been struggling to find good gifts, and an auxiliary spiritual technique would be an excellent choice.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Huang, lead the way!"

A short while later, the three of them appeared in a private room at a teahouse.

Huang Fugui took out two jade slips, handed them to Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng, and said, "These contain the Ethereal Evasion spiritual technique and the crafting method for the Azure Lotus Platform flying magic treasure. I obtained both items from an ancient cultivator; they are genuine, so fellow Daoists can rest assured."

Wang Mingren carefully examined the contents of the two jade slips, then nodded and asked, "Fellow Daoist Huang, these two items are originals, aren't they? You haven't copied them, have you?"

"Of course, I haven't copied them," Huang Fugui said somewhat vaguely, lying without batting an eye, "but I can't guarantee they are unique copies."

He had already sold dozens of copies of these two items, including one to each of the stronger factions. The items themselves were genuine; they just weren't unique. Even if other factions knew they weren't unique, they would still purchase them.

Wang Mingren frowned, knowing full well that Huang Fugui was lying. However, as long as the items themselves were fine, it was acceptable. The crafting method for the flying magic treasure was one thing, but the Ethereal Evasion spiritual technique could conceal one's figure, making it difficult for cultivators of the same rank to detect without special treasures or unique divine abilities; it was considered a good auxiliary spiritual technique. Since Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were active in the South Sea, it didn't matter if it wasn't a unique copy.

"How about this amount?" Wang Mingren said, taking out a green storage pearl and handing it to Huang Fugui.

Huang Fugui swept his divine sense over the pearl and nodded in satisfaction. He knew not to be too greedy; he had already sold dozens of copies, so a slightly lower price from Wang Mingren was acceptable.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I've acquired some third-tier spirit honey," Huang Fugui said with a beaming smile, taking out a jar of honey. "It has beautifying effects for female cultivators. If this fairy lady consumes it, she'll surely become even more beautiful."

Wang Mingren glanced at Ximen Feng, nodded, and purchased it.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I also have some..."

A short while later, Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng exited the teahouse.

"This Fellow Daoist Huang truly lives up to his reputation," Ximen Feng said with a light chuckle. "He collects all sorts of junk. A mere fragment of a magic treasure, and he insists it was used by the Puppet Emperor." Huang Fugui had peddled goods to them like a junk collector: fragments of magic treasures, severed limbs of puppet beasts, damaged formation flags and plates, and even intimate undergarments worn by female cultivators. The items were incredibly diverse and numerous, far beyond Wang Mingren and Ximen Feng's imagination.

Wang Mingren smiled. "This guy is notoriously thick-skinned," he said. "I wonder how many low-level cultivators have been conned. Let's not talk about him anymore; let's go buy our things!"

***

East Barrens, Black Eagle Mountain Range.

In the main hall, Wang Qingjun and a group of clan elders gathered.

They had already received news of Wang Changsheng reaching the Nascent Soul stage, and everyone was extremely excited.

Wang Qingjun was currently at the second level of Core Formation and had mastered a spiritual technique. Following Wang Changsheng's orders, he would lead a group of clan elites to the South Sea to attend the Nascent Soul ceremony.

"You-shan, the clan is entrusted to you," Wang Qingjun instructed, his expression somewhat excited. "We must hurry to the South Sea to attend Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt's Nascent Soul ceremony."

"Yes, Great-Uncle," Wang Youshan readily agreed. With Nascent Soul cultivators now backing the clan, the day they returned to Azure Lotus Villa was not far off.