Chapter 6: A Small Gathering of Uncle and Nephews, A Thousand Miles Apart |
At dusk, inside Flavorful Bistro, Wang Rongyuan led Yulou and Yu'an, who had just come out of Forge Peak Residence, straight up to the second floor.
"Bring me that Black Jade Oil Bead of yours so I can take a look."
The moment they sat down, Wang Rongyuan asked Yulou for the mid-grade magical artifact Hongmei had bestowed upon him.
It wasn't that he wanted to snatch the treasure, of course. Uncle Rongyuan simply wasn't sure of the artifact's true quality.
Naturally, Yulou didn't refuse. He hurriedly took out the Black Jade Oil Bead and handed it over.
After carefully observing it with his divine sense for a long time, Wang Rongyuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Four of the restrictions are common ones that our family also possesses. As for the remaining five layers, two seem to be specific to stone-based magical artifacts, and the other three likely enhance its power and add extra functions.
"Zhong Tianshuo has real skill. The Patriarch's judgment was correct; your apprenticeship fee wasn't paid in vain!"
The money was well spent!
The Wang Clan didn't mind spending spirit stones; they only feared that Householder Redbrow lacked genuine skill.
"Study hard under Hongmei for the next ten years. Once you return to the family, we'll help you refine this Black Jade Oil Bead further. Pushing it to fourteen layers of restrictions shouldn't be a problem."
Taking back his very first magical artifact, Yulou was astonished.
"Fourteen layers? Didn't Master say it could only hold a maximum of thirteen?"
A mid-grade magical artifact with fourteen layers of restrictions was only three layers short of the absolute limit of seventeen. It would be considered top-tier among mid-grade magical artifacts!
Wang Rongyuan proudly stroked his beard and said, "What does he know? Our Wang Clan possesses many secret, inherited techniques. Fourteen layers is absolutely not a problem. If everything goes smoothly, fifteen layers might not be impossible either!
"Bring out that turtle shell of yours too. Let me take a look."
"It's a Golden Horn Mud Turtle Shell, not just any turtle shell..." Yu'an muttered, handing the shell he had received to Uncle Rongyuan.
Yulou smiled and poured his clan uncle a cup of wine, remaining silent.
It's close enough, Yu'an. This Dao-protecting treasure of yours is indeed extraordinary.
Rubbing Yu'an's turtle shell, Wang Rongyuan sighed in admiration.
"The strength of a Golden Horn Mud Turtle ranges from the Qi Induction stage to the Qi Refining stage. Once it reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, it transforms into a Golden Horn Jade Turtle. Both the golden horn and the jade shell of a Golden Horn Jade Turtle are materials used for refining spiritual artifacts.
"Unfortunately, yours seems to be merely the shell of a high-tier Qi Induction stage mud turtle. However, if the Patriarch steps in, he should be able to refine it to seventeen layers of restrictions for you.
"Ultimately, this turtle was only at the Qi Induction stage. If it were at the early Qi Condensation level, it would have been an excellent base for a high-grade magical artifact!"
Yulou grew a bit restless. He asked, "Are our Wang Clan's artifact refining skills really that high?"
Hongmei was already at the pinnacle of the artificing path in the Qi Refining stage, and the business at Forge Peak Residence was famously lucrative across several nearby markets.
He had said the Black Jade Oil Bead could take a maximum of thirteen layers of restrictions, yet Wang Rongyuan claimed it could reach fourteen or fifteen.
He had said Yu'an's turtle shell could take a maximum of fifteen layers, yet Wang Rongyuan stated they could push it straight to seventeen.
Uncle, if our family's artificing inheritance is so remarkable, why did we spend money to seek out Hongmei?
"Not entirely. Hongmei claims to be unexcelled in both metal and stone, but he doesn't understand the Earth Nurturing Method. The Black Jade Oil Bead uses black jade, an earth-attribute spiritual material, as its base. Hongmei figured that refining it to thirteen layers of restrictions was his limit.
"But if I personally take action and use our family's ancestral Earth Nurturing Method to refine it, there should be a chance to reach fifteen layers!"
Yulou nodded thoughtfully. Just then, the head waiter of Flavorful Bistro brought up their evening meal, and Yulou rose to pour Uncle Rongyuan another cup of wine.
Although the Wang Clan was not a famous clan, it had a long inheritance and retained a deep foundation.
With his earth spirit root, Uncle Rongyuan could use the Earth Nurturing Method to crush Hongmei, pushing his Black Jade Oil Bead straight to the level of fifteen layers of restrictions.
Flattery! Flattery is absolutely necessary!
Handing the turtle shell back to Yu'an, Wang Rongyuan added, "The material of this turtle shell possesses the dual properties of both metal and bone. Hongmei gave it to you because he knows the Patriarch can refine it. He's doing our family a favor!"
Yulou and Yu'an exchanged glances. Was taking a master really filled with so many hidden complexities?
"Uncle Rongyuan, how many spirit stones did our Wang Clan actually pay for us to apprentice under Hongmei?" Yulou finally couldn't hold back and asked.
Seeing the curious looks in the two boys' eyes, Wang Rongyuan thought for a moment. He grabbed the wine pot and cups from the table and poured a drink for both youths.
"This is?" Yulou was puzzled.
"Uncle, Wang Clan descendants are not allowed to drink spirit wine before achieving success in Qi Refining. Drinking easily leads to trouble—it's written in the clan rules!"
Who knew if it was spurred by Wang Rongyuan's ten consecutive strikes of 'love', but that little rascal Yu'an was now quite adept at memorizing the clan rules.
"I'm watching over you two. One cup each won't hurt."
For some reason, Wang Rongyuan didn't reprimand Yu'an this time.
He raised his wine cup and said, "For your apprenticeship under Hongmei, our Wang Clan didn't pay a single spirit stone."
"Ah?"
Seeing the two youths' surprise, Wang Rongyuan added with a bitter smile, "We waived twenty years of rent for that man surnamed Zhong!"
This was basic arithmetic. Yulou calculated it in a split second.
Four thousand eight hundred spirit stones!
Four thousand eight hundred...
How many Qi Refining cultivators' lives could that buy!
Faced with such a massive sum, Yu'an was a bit dazed, instinctively feeling that it was too expensive. But Yulou already felt a mountainous weight pressing down on his shoulders.
I must squeeze Hongmei dry!
I must learn every single one of his artificing methods!
"Come, let's not talk about that. The three of us, uncle and nephews, let's have a drink," Wang Rongyuan said. "You'll be staying here in Clear Stream Market for the next few years. Your uncle is tied down by clan duties, so it will be difficult for me to come see you."
Uncle Rongyuan looked at the two youths of the Wang Clan with a hint of heartache and sighed.
There are many turning points in a person's life, and traveling away from home to study is one of them.
Being sent hundreds of miles away by the family to study at thirteen—no matter how one looked at it, it seemed unfeeling.
Yulou had no parents and had been alone since childhood.
Yu'an was far from his parents, and his personality was still immature.
Even Wang Rongyuan didn't know if they would successfully complete their studies and return home.
Hongmei's Dao techniques were profound, and with a Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing Clear Stream Market, it logically should be safe. He had originally felt reassured.
But Yu'an and Yulou were children he had watched grow up. How could Wang Rongyuan not feel a sense of pity for them?
"Uncle Rongyuan, are you leaving?" Yu'an asked blankly.
"Hahaha, now that I've dropped you off, of course I have to leave. Moreover, the Immortal Alliance has issued a dharma decree to every Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan. Our Wang Clan must send a Qi Refining cultivator to the Western Sea every year to hunt demonic beasts.
"For the next ten years, I will be at the Western Sea, thousands of miles away from here. You won't have to worry about me smacking you in the mouth anymore."
For some reason, even though not getting smacked by his uncle was a good thing, Yu'an just couldn't bring himself to be happy. The boy's nose tingled, and he almost burst into tears.
The Western Sea Demon Hunt sounded like a good opportunity to earn merit, but many of the Wang Clan's ancestors had never returned from it.
"The Merit Hall of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect will be arriving at Clear Stream Market soon. Uncle Rongyuan, won't you wait a bit before leaving?"
Yulou didn't know what to say. Wang Rongyuan seemed to be leaving too hastily.
"The Patriarch will be coming with Rongwen in a few days. With them here for the family, it's pretty much the same as me being here.
"Come, let's drink. Yu'an, don't pull such a long face. You're making it look like you're attending my funeral. It's bad luck."
Wang Rongyuan glared at Yu'an, and the boy hurriedly raised his wine cup.
The three cups clinked together, and they all downed their drinks in one gulp.
This year, Yulou was thirteen, and apprenticed under Householder Redbrow of Clear Stream Market.
Yu'an was also thirteen, still just a little blockhead with a strange obsession for the clan rules.
Uncle Rongyuan had just turned seventy, achieved success in his Dao techniques, and accepted the Immortal Alliance's dharma decree on behalf of the Wang Clan to head thousands of miles away for the Western Sea Demon Hunt.
It was clearly just a small gathering between uncle and nephews, but from this moment on, they would be a thousand miles apart.
Perhaps, this too was a part of cultivating immortality.
Handing the turtle shell back to Yu'an, Wang Rongyuan added, "The material of this shell possesses both metal and bone properties. Hongmei gave it to you because he knows the Patriarch can refine it. He is doing our family a favor!"
Yulou and Yu'an exchanged glances. Did taking a master truly involve so many hidden complexities?
"Uncle Rongyuan, exactly how many spirit stones did the Wang Clan pay for us to take Hongmei as our master?"
In the end, Yulou couldn't hold back his curiosity and finally voiced his question.
Looking at the curious eyes of the two youths, Wang Rongyuan pondered for a moment. He picked up the wine pot and cups from the table and poured a drink for each of them.
"This is...?" Yulou asked, puzzled.
"Uncle, Wang Clan disciples are not allowed to drink spirit wine before achieving success in Qi Refining. Drinking leads to trouble—it's a rule in the clan teachings!"
Who knew if it had been beaten into him by Wang Rongyuan's affectionate ten-slap combos, but that little rascal Yu'an had a real knack for remembering the clan teachings these days.
"I'm watching over you. Just one cup each; it will be fine."
For some reason, Wang Rongyuan didn't single Yu'an out for a scolding this time.
He raised his wine cup and said, "For taking Hongmei as your master, our Wang Clan didn't pay a single spirit stone."
Huh?
Seeing the two youths' astonishment, Wang Rongyuan smiled bitterly and added, "We waived twenty years of rent for that fellow named Zhong!"
It was basic arithmetic. Yulou calculated the sum in a split second.
Four thousand eight hundred spirit stones!
Four thousand eight hundred...
How many Qi Refining cultivators' lives could be bought with that?!
Faced with such a colossal sum, Yu'an was a bit dazed. He only vaguely registered that it was far too expensive. Yulou, however, already felt a mountain-like burden pressing down on his shoulders.
He had to squeeze Hongmei dry!
He had to learn every single one of his artificing path methods!
"Come, let's not mention these things. Let the three of us share a drink. Drink up.
"For the coming years, you will be staying in Clear Stream Market. I am burdened with clan duties and will hardly be able to visit you."
Uncle Rongyuan looked at the two young men of the Wang Clan with a hint of heartache and sighed.
There are many turning points in a person's life, and traveling far away to study is one of them.
Being sent hundreds of miles away by the clan to study at the age of thirteen—no matter how you looked at it, it seemed somewhat unfeeling.
Yulou had no parents and had been alone since childhood.
Yu'an was far from his parents, and his temperament was still immature.
Even Wang Rongyuan didn't know if they would successfully complete their studies and return home.
Hongmei possessed profound Dao techniques, and Clear Stream Market was overseen by Foundation Establishment cultivators. By all rights, it should be safe, and he ought to be at ease.
But Yu'an and Yulou were both children he had watched grow up. How could Wang Rongyuan not feel a sense of pity?
"Uncle Rongyuan, are you leaving?"
Yu'an asked blankly.
"Hahaha, I've dropped you off, so of course I must be on my way.
"Moreover, the Immortal Alliance has issued a legal decree to every Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan. Our Wang Clan must send one Qi Refining cultivator to the West Sea every year to exterminate demonic beasts.
"For the next ten years, I will be in the West Sea, thousands of miles away from here. You won't ever have to worry about me smacking you across the mouth again."
For some reason, even though avoiding his uncle's slaps was a good thing, Yu'an couldn't bring himself to be happy. The child's nose tingled, and he nearly burst into tears.
The Western Sea Demon Hunt sounded like a good opportunity to earn merit points, but many ancestors of the Wang Clan who went there never returned.
"The Merit Hall of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect is coming to Clear Stream Market soon. Uncle Rongyuan, won't you wait a bit longer before leaving?"
Yulou didn't know what to say. It felt like Wang Rongyuan was leaving in far too much of a hurry.
"In a few days, the Patriarch will bring Rongwen over. With them around, it will be the same as if I were here.
"Come, let's have a drink. Yu'an, there's no need to pull a long face. You're acting as if you're sending off my funeral procession. It's bad luck."
Wang Rongyuan glared at Yu'an, and Yu'an hurriedly raised his wine cup.
The three cups clinked together, and they drained their drinks in a single gulp.
This year, Yulou was thirteen, taking Householder Redbrow of Clear Stream Market as his master.
Yu'an was also thirteen, still just a little blockhead with an unusual obsession with the clan teachings.
Uncle Rongyuan was exactly seventy, having achieved success in his Dao techniques. He accepted the Immortal Alliance's legal decree on behalf of the Wang Clan and headed thousands of miles away for the Western Sea Demon Hunt.
It was just a small gathering between an uncle and his nephews, but from this moment on, they would be thousands of miles apart.
Perhaps, this too was a part of cultivating immortality.
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