Chapter 955: Marriage Alliance

"Is the Nine Revolutions Forging God Art a cultivation technique created by the Puppet Emperor?" Wang Changsheng was a little surprised. The Puppet Emperor of the Northern Territory was a powerful figure tens of thousands of years ago, who unified the Northern Territory. When her command was issued, no one dared to disobey.

After the Puppet Emperor ascended, the Northern Territory plunged into civil strife, with various factions attacking each other. Of the current top ten sects in the Northern Territory, the founders of seven were once subordinates of the Puppet Emperor. This demonstrates the Puppet Emperor's immense power. Most notably, the Puppet Emperor was a woman, which is quite rare in the cultivation world. It's not that female cultivators are uncommon; rather, most famous powerful figures in the cultivation world are men, with very few women.

"That's right. It's said that the Puppet Emperor achieved her renown by controlling a vast number of puppet beasts using this cultivation technique. Several main ingredients for forging the God-Forging Pill are incredibly difficult to find elsewhere; they require entering a perilous area in the Northern Territory. We expended a great deal of effort and financial resources just to acquire enough materials for two batches of the pill." Zhou Tianmu spoke cautiously, genuinely worried about offending Wang Changsheng.

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng's face showed contemplation. According to the cultivation technique, the first part has five layers. Upon successful cultivation of all layers, one's spiritual sense can increase by up to twofold. However, the higher one's cultivation level, the less the spiritual sense will increase. The cultivation process is quite painful and requires the aid of the third-tier God-Forging Pill. The God-Forging Pill primarily uses a third-tier demonic core, supplemented by various other ingredients.

With Wang Mingren's assistance, the Wang family has already established outposts and opened multiple shops in the Northern Territory. This allows clan members there to collect the materials needed for refining the God-Forging Pill. This is one of the benefits of expanding influence: having people help gather materials and scout for information.

"Senior Wang, our patriarch has proposed a marriage alliance between our two families, to turn conflict into kinship. What do you think?" Zhou Tianmu asked cautiously, not daring to breathe.

"A marriage alliance? Will the Whale Gate agree? Aren't you afraid they'll misunderstand?" Wang Changsheng asked with a faint smile. This was no small matter. Decades ago, the Whale Gate and the Hailan Sect collaborated against the Zhang family, and the Zhou family was ordered to attack the Wang family on Red Lotus Island. He had also guessed the Zhou family's intentions: to keep options open, ready to abandon one path if it failed. There was a reason the Zhou family had stood strong for thousands of years—they always ensured a fallback.

Zhou Tianmu felt a slight chill but maintained a smiling face. "If Senior Wang proposes it, we are naturally willing." Simply offering generous gifts wasn't enough; the Zhou family would only feel secure if the two families became in-laws. The Zhou family aimed to appease both the Wang family and the Whale Gate. Of course, the Zhou family would still obey the Whale Gate's orders; they remained cautious when it came to choosing sides.

"A marriage alliance? Which female relative are you willing to marry into our Wang family?" Wang Changsheng felt a slight inclination and asked casually. The Wang family's previous marriage alliance with the Tang family had produced a clan member with a rare wind-attributed spiritual root. Given that the Zhou family had a legacy spanning over a thousand years, a marriage alliance with them would likely increase the chances of the Wang family producing clan members with excellent aptitudes.

"Miaoyun and Miaojin are the patriarch's great-granddaughters, Fellow Daoist Wang. We are very sincere." Zhou Miaoyun and Zhou Miaojin were triple spiritual roots, with ordinary aptitude but considerable beauty. To ensure the family's safety, Zhou Shengtao had no choice but to reluctantly offer them as marriage candidates.

"Alright, this matter is settled then." Wang Changsheng thought of a suitable candidate, Wang Huaxi, who had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and was not yet married. Wang Changsheng planned to arrange a marriage for him to secure his loyalty. Although his cultivation technique came from the Tang family, his cultivation partner and resources would be provided by the Wang family. Of course, if Wang Huaxi was entirely devoted to the Dao and uninterested in romantic relationships, Wang Changsheng would not force him; he would simply choose another candidate.

Zhou Tianmu breathed a sigh of relief. He had been afraid Wang Changsheng would refuse.

"The wedding will be set for one year from now. At that time, I will mention it to Fellow Daoist Liu. If there's nothing else, you may go and rest!" Zhou Tianmu bowed, turned, and left. Upon exiting the reception hall, he was surprised to find his back soaked with cold sweat.

Wang Changsheng took out his communication disk and contacted Wang Huaxi, asking him to come to the reception hall.

Not long after, Wang Huaxi arrived at the reception hall.

"This grandson greets our Ancestor." Wang Huaxi bowed. He was tall, with handsome features and a fair complexion. Dressed in a scholarly teal robe with a white jade belt around his waist, he gave off the impression of a refined young master. He had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, and special personnel were assigned to supervise his cultivation, ensuring he didn't slack off.

Wang Huaxi cultivated an Earth-grade technique. He had arrived at a fortunate time, with two Nascent Soul cultivators and over a dozen Core Formation cultivators in the family. From a young age, he had no worries about food, drink, or cultivation resources; he only needed to cultivate systematically. Of course, he regularly challenged the Illusionary Demon Tower to enhance his combat experience.

"Huaxi, you're not young anymore. I heard your mother has been urging you to marry. What's your stance on this?" Wang Changsheng asked gently. After Tang Keqing and Wang Yingxiong relocated to Silver Serpent Island and saw the family's immense power, both were greatly startled. Tang Keqing had privately reported back to her maiden family, which led to Wang Mengfen being severely injured. For Wang Huaxi's sake, she was given thirty whips and five years of confinement; any other clan member would have had their spiritual power crippled. She dared not complain. After her release from confinement, Tang Keqing persistently urged Wang Huaxi to marry. She hoped he would settle down soon, preferably by marrying a female cultivator from the Tang family. Wang Changsheng had heard bits and pieces of these matters. Tang Keqing was Wang Huaxi's mother, so Wang Changsheng didn't press the issue with her. However, he would not allow Wang Huaxi to marry a Tang family female cultivator. The Tang family had already provided the cultivation technique; all other necessities would be supplied by the Wang family.

"It's entirely up to Ancestor to decide," Wang Huaxi replied honestly. He wasn't opposed to marriage. For one, his mother's constant urging had indeed become tiresome, but as she was his mother, he dared not lose his temper with her and could only marry as soon as possible. He clearly understood where his roots lay. He had no sense of belonging to the Tang family, having grown up in the Wang family and having been instilled with the ideal of loyalty to the clan. Moreover, with Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan simultaneously forming their Nascent Souls and causing auspicious phenomena, he wasn't a fool; he naturally knew how to choose.

Wang Changsheng nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "In a few days, I'll introduce you to two female cultivators. If you like them, you can take them as concubines. Once you reach the Core Formation stage, we'll find you a proper wife who is also at the Core Formation stage. With two concubines, your mother will have grandchildren to dote on and won't keep pressing you, allowing you to cultivate in peace."

"Yes, Ancestor, this grandson will obey all of Ancestor's commands," Wang Huaxi replied dutifully and obediently.

"Husband, Huaxi, what are you two discussing?" Wang Ruyan walked in, asking with a smile.

Wang Huaxi dared not delay and quickly bowed.

"The Zhou family plans to form a marriage alliance with us. Huaxi is not young anymore, so I intend for him to take two female cultivators from the Zhou family as concubines. This will put his mother's mind at ease and prevent her from constantly urging Huaxi." Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

"This is excellent news! We'll preside over your wedding then." Wang Mengbin possessed a lightning spiritual root, and after forming his core, his divine abilities greatly increased, with his renown catching up to Wang Qingling's. It was estimated that Wang Huaxi would not be far behind once he formed his core.