Chapter 45: In a World Where Mighty Power Belongs to the Individual, the Philosophical Innovation of Methodology and Epistemology is Pitifully Crude

Ascending the Jade Palace

In Fortune Source Residence, the patriarch gathered the Wang Clan disciples stationed in Clear Stream Market.

Wang Rongsheng, Tang Nianqiu, Wang Yulou, Wang Yu'an, and the other younger generation members of the Wang Clan who worked in Flavorful Bistro and Fortune Source Residence all assembled before the patriarch.

Yulou noticed that Bailu was absent. That girl really had been hidden away by Tang Nianqiu to work strictly off the books.

Sitting at the head of the room, the patriarch saw that everyone had arrived. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"You all know Rongsheng. I have decided to appoint him as the steward for the Wang Clan in Clear Stream Market. From now on, all Wang Clan businesses in Clear Stream Market will be under his unified management.

"Nianqiu, you will remain the head manager of Flavorful Bistro and Fortune Source Residence. The newly established Hundred Treasures Pavilion will be placed under Yulou's control. The daily operations of these shops will be your responsibility.

"Rongsheng's main tasks will be cultivation and standing as the town guard. If any issues arise in Clear Stream Market, he will promptly step forward to resolve them."

This arrangement was actually all thanks to Hongmei.

Hongmei had plundered Golden Light Pavilion and amassed enough Foundation Establishment resources for himself, only to be instantly refined by Wang Xianmao.

Wang Rongsheng, an experienced Qi Refining cultivator with average aptitude, now also had the possibility of pursuing the Foundation Establishment realm.

All of this was thanks to Hongmei's greed.

If he hadn't been greedy, how would he have dared to plunder Golden Light Pavilion?

If he hadn't been greedy, he wouldn't have harbored murderous intent toward Yulou and Yu'an.

If he hadn't been greedy, he never would have given Wang Xianmao such an opportunity.

Hongmei was far too greedy, and it cost him his decisiveness.

Even with his weaknesses handed right to the Wang Clan on a silver platter, Hongmei still stubbornly plotted for some sort of compromise.

But Wang Xianmao gave him no such chance, directly stripping away his path of cultivation.

In the end, he was left stranded in limbo, completely squeezed dry.

"Hundred Treasures Pavilion? Patriarch, you wish to open a new shop?"

Tang Nianqiu was somewhat surprised, which was to be expected. Anyone would be surprised to suddenly have a direct superior placed over their head.

"Yes. Things are going to remain chaotic over in Hidden Dragon Market for a long time. Wondrous Peak Mountain will not resign themselves to defeat. The shops over there have closed down, so we must hurry and finish the preparations for Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"Bringing Rongsheng over is meant to coordinate with the family's future layout in Clear Stream Market. Hundred Treasures Pavilion is being established to the highest specifications of Clear Stream Market and requires a high-tier Qi Refining cultivator to hold the fort.

"The rest of you may leave. Rongsheng and Yulou, stay behind."

Tang Nianqiu left with a heavy heart. This head manager who could stand alone certainly had his own opinions about Wang Xianmao's arrangement, but he could only obey.

"Rongsheng, you are just over a hundred years old this year, correct?"

The patriarch's words held deep meaning. Wang Rongsheng suppressed the excitement in his heart and replied steadily.

"One hundred and three years old, Patriarch."

One hundred and twenty years of age was the golden line for a Qi Refining cultivator to attempt Foundation Establishment. Breaking through within this age limit would directly grant three sixty-year cycles of lifespan, bringing one's minimum longevity to three hundred and sixty years.

If their cultivation method was somewhat special, if they maintained themselves properly, and if they were lucky enough to avoid severe injuries, living to four hundred years old was entirely possible.

Immortality. This was the pursuit of longevity.

But waiting until after one hundred and twenty years of age to attempt Foundation Establishment meant the loss of vital essence could no longer be reversed, and the lifespan gained from the cultivation breakthrough would also be reduced.

The patriarch's words allowed Wang Rongsheng, who possessed a four-attribute spirit root, to see a certain possibility. He was looking forward to it—looking forward to it very much.

"In that case, I will arrange an allocation of medicinal pills and other corresponding resources for you. For the next few years, while you oversee the businesses in Clear Stream Market, your main task will be your cultivation.

"If you can reach the Peak Qi Condensation realm before you turn one hundred and fifteen, the family will give you an opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment, providing half a portion of Foundation Establishment resources. Consider this a reward for your contributions."

Hearing the patriarch's promise, Wang Rongsheng's heart beat wildly. He dropped to his knees with a thud, kowtowed, and choked out a response.

"Rongsheng will definitely go all out!"

He was a child of the family whom Wang Xianmao had watched grow up. Naturally, the patriarch felt a deep sense of affection for him.

Gently lifting Wang Rongsheng from the floor with spiritual power, the patriarch spoke softly.

"The family will not mistreat anyone who contributes to it. Rongsheng, cultivate well. There is still a chance."

After saying this, he looked at Yulou and said,

"Yulou, you must learn from your Uncle Rongsheng. His aptitude is poor, and he has dawdled for many years, but he has never given up on his cultivation.

"The fortunes of an immortal cultivator throughout their life are very hard to predict. No matter how great the difficulties you face in the future, you must never give up."

Wang Xianmao's earnest teachings conveyed a deep sense of protection and expectation.

The patriarch knew that Yulou was a very intelligent child, so he was always worried that his extreme brilliance might end up hurting him.

"I will engrave the patriarch's teachings in my heart."

Yulou became increasingly aware that the patriarch held high expectations for him.

It could be said that the patriarch's earnest expectations for him would move anyone who heard them.

"I have discussed the matter of Hundred Treasures Pavilion with Mu Changze. This person is even worse than Jiang Baobian.

"Jiang Baobian was terribly greedy, but he still cared about appearances. Mu Changze doesn't even bother putting on an act. Sigh.

"In the future, while you are cultivating in Clear Stream Market, if you encounter Mu Changze acting recklessly, discuss it with me promptly.

"Our Wang Clan is backed by Patriarch Mangxiang's Behemoth Lineage, and our bitter days are now turning sweet. Even if he is a Red Lantern Illumination Sect Core Disciple, you do not need to fear him."

Yulou thought for a moment and replied pointedly,

"Patriarch, a massive number of Qi Refining disciples from Wondrous Peak Mountain are currently fleeing, but the situation for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's other vassal sects is actually no better.

"During our Wang Clan's current expansion, we are preparing to have multiple Qi Refining disciples attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. I'm afraid the situation we face in the future will be very difficult."

The resources in heaven and earth were limited. The Red Lantern Illumination Sect kept harvesting them, squeezing the vassal sects and families in its territory until even their roots were almost gone.

Those items exchanged from the Merit Hall were catalysts. Over the next few decades, Foundation Establishment cultivators would emerge in massive numbers.

Yulou worried that the Wang Clan's current wave of expansion would meet with setbacks because it was too radical.

The logic was simple. The Wang Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators would increase, but so would the Foundation Establishment cultivators of other families and sects. Everyone's relative strength would remain the same.

But the competitive landscape would change. How would the Wang Clan support these newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivators?

Wang Xianmao sat in stunned silence for a long time before sighing.

"Even I hadn't thought of this. Yulou, you truly are the Qilin child of the Wang Clan.

"Rongsheng, look after Yulou well from now on. We can't let him easily follow Hongmei out anymore."

The patriarch understood Yulou's warning, but he actually had no solution either.

Patriarch Mangxiang was True Person Xuanzhuan's master, and the actual controller of the faction the Wang Clan had been subservient to for a thousand years.

If he wanted to attain the Golden Core realm, could the Wang Clan not support him?

They had to support him; they had no choice.

The Behemoth Lineage had so many vassals, and the other families were all doing their best to support him.

If the Wang Clan tried to be clever, sending people but not putting in any real effort, did they think the True Person wasn't keeping score?

Therefore, even though he saw the danger, Wang Xianmao had no other choice!

The Immortal Alliance suppressed the Ten Sects, and the Ten Sects suppressed their many vassals. These rules were like a cage, but those with meager strength could only obey.

Under this tight web of control, the Wang Clan was just a slightly larger ant.

Yulou naturally understood this reasoning. Thus, he had thought of another method.

"Patriarch, I actually have an immature little idea."

Wang Rongsheng cast a surprised look at this arrogant clan junior. He couldn't quite understand why Yulou liked showing off in front of the patriarch so much.

You were just a minor cultivator at the fifth layer of Qi Induction. Since when did you have so much to say?

"Speak!"

Wang Xianmao looked forward to Yulou's "immature little idea."

For no other reason than the fact that Yulou had already given him quite a few surprises and proven himself multiple times.

The new small-room business at Fortune Source Residence was one example. Detecting Hongmei's killing intent and handling the aftermath was another.

Nowadays, Wang Xianmao didn't treat Yulou as a child at all. He was very much looking forward to what other surprises Yulou could give him.

"The Red Lantern Illumination Sect forces its vassal sects and vassal families like ours to provide resources for Patriarch Mangxiang, but this oppression is passed down layer by layer. Right now, those having the hardest time are the independent cultivators.

"Under these circumstances, independent cultivators must either abandon their path or become rogue cultivators. Only a small minority can maintain their cultivation.

"Our Wang Clan's expansion cannot just increase the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators. We must also promptly recruit cultivators of different surnames to increase our Wang Clan's foundations.

"In this way, we can seize more initiative in the future.

"Once we absorb enough independent cultivators, we can even organize teams to directly go on a Western Sea Demon Hunt.

"Our Wang Clan still has some skill in Spiritual Bone Artifact Forging. If we form more demon-hunting teams, we can use the beast bones to refine magical artifacts, the beast hides to craft talismans, and the demonic beast meat to refine spiritual pills."

Wang Xianmao nodded repeatedly, highly approving of Yulou's suggestion.

Off to the side, Wang Rongsheng saw Yulou in a completely new light. It was his first time seeing such an outstanding clan junior.

These suggestions and observations of Yulou's weren't particularly special, and couldn't even be considered brilliant.

But in this world, they were already suggestions with great practical value.

Ultimately, the cultivation world lacked education in dialectics, much less an understanding of the universality and particularity of connections.

In a world where mighty power belonged to the individual, the philosophical innovation of methodology and epistemology was pitifully crude.

After all, no matter how brilliant your updates to methodology and epistemology were, they were no match for the flying sword of a high-level cultivator.

Demand determined value. Without demand, there was no value, and naturally, no development.

However, Wang Xianmao thought for a long time before ultimately saying quietly,

"It's a good suggestion, but let's wait. You are all sons of the Wang Clan; there is nothing to hide from you.

"Tie Qinhuo and Rongjiang are both in secluded cultivation attempting Foundation Establishment. Once they emerge from seclusion, we will reconsider whether to recruit independent cultivators!"

The Patriarch's earnest hopes for him would have moved anyone who heard them.

"I have already discussed the matter of Hundred Treasures Pavilion with Mu Changze. This person is even worse than Jiang Baobian.

Jiang Baobian was incredibly greedy, but at least he cared about appearances. Mu Changze doesn't even bother to put on an act. Sigh.

When you cultivate in Clear Stream Market in the future, if you encounter Mu Changze causing trouble, inform me immediately.

Our Wang Clan is backed by the lineage of Patriarch Mangxiang. We have finally endured the bitterness to taste the sweetness. Even if he is a Core Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, you do not need to fear him."

Yulou thought for a moment and replied pointedly.

"Patriarch, right now there is a massive exodus of Qi Refining disciples from Wondrous Peak Mountain, but the situations of the other vassal sects under the Red Lantern Illumination Sect are not much better.

During this current expansion, our Wang Clan is preparing to have multiple Qi Refining cultivators attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. I am afraid the situation we face in the future will be very difficult."

The resources of heaven and earth were limited. The Red Lantern Illumination Sect had harvested them again and again, to the point where the vassal sects and families within its territory were practically uprooted like chives.

The items exchanged from the Merit Hall were catalysts. In the coming decades, Foundation Establishment cultivators would emerge in large numbers.

Yulou was worried that the Wang Clan's wave of expansion would encounter setbacks from being too aggressive.

The reasoning was simple. If the Wang Clan gained more Foundation Establishment cultivators, other families and sects would do the same. Everyone's relative strength would remain about equal.

But the competitive landscape had changed. How would the Wang Clan support these newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivators?

Wang Xianmao was stunned for a long time before he sighed.

"I had not even thought of all this. Yulou, you truly are the Qilin child of the Wang Clan.

Rongsheng, you must look after Yulou in the future. You cannot let him carelessly follow Hongmei out again."

The Patriarch understood Yulou's warning, but he actually had no other choice.

Patriarch Mangxiang was the master of True Person Xuanzhuan, and the true controller of the faction the Wang Clan had served as vassals for a thousand years.

He wanted to prove his Dao and reach the Golden Core realm. Could the Wang Clan choose not to support him?

They had to support him. There was no other choice.

The Behemoth Lineage had many vassals, and every other family was doing their utmost to support him.

If the Wang Clan tried to be clever by offering people without putting in real effort, did they think the True Person wasn't keeping a ledger?

Therefore, even though he saw the danger, Wang Xianmao had no alternative!

The Immortal Alliance suppressed the Ten Sects, and the Ten Sects suppressed their many vassals. These rules were like a cage, and those with meager power could only obey.

Beneath this tightly woven net of control, the Wang Clan was just a slightly larger ant.

Yulou naturally understood this logic, which was why he had thought of another method.

"Patriarch, I actually have an immature little idea."

Wang Rongsheng cast a surprised look at this arrogant clan junior. He couldn't quite understand why Yulou liked showing off in front of the Patriarch so much.

'You are just a minor cultivator at the fifth layer of Qi Induction. Why do you have so much to say?'

"Speak!"

Wang Xianmao was very much looking forward to Yulou's 'immature little idea.'

There was no other reason; Yulou had already given him quite a few surprises and had proven himself multiple times.

The new private room business at Fortune Source Residence was one example, and catching Hongmei's killing intent along with the subsequent handling of the situation was another.

Now, Wang Xianmao didn't treat Yulou as a child at all. He was greatly looking forward to whatever other surprises Yulou could bring him.

"The Red Lantern Illumination Sect oppresses vassal sects and vassal families like ours to provide resources for Patriarch Mangxiang, but this oppression is passed down layer by layer. The ones having the hardest time right now are the rogue cultivators.

Under these circumstances, rogue cultivators will either have their paths of cultivation severed, or they will become bandit cultivators. Only a small minority can continue to sustain their cultivation.

Our Wang Clan's expansion cannot solely rely on increasing the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators. We must also opportunely absorb cultivators of different surnames to increase our foundational strength.

Only in this way can we seize more initiative in the future.

Once we absorb enough rogue cultivators, we can even organize teams to directly head out for the Western Sea Demon Hunt.

Our Wang Clan still has some skill in Spiritual Bone Artifact Forging. If we form more demon-hunting teams, the beast bones can be used to forge magical artifacts, the beast hides can be used to craft talismans, and the demon beast meat can even be used to refine spiritual pills."

Wang Xianmao nodded repeatedly, highly approving of Yulou's suggestion.

Beside him, Wang Rongsheng viewed Yulou in a completely new light. This was the first time he had seen such an outstanding clan junior.

Yulou's suggestions and observations were not particularly unique, nor could they even be considered brilliant.

But in this world, they were suggestions of immense practical value.

Ultimately, the cultivation world lacked education in dialectics, and it understood even less about the universality and particularity of connections.

In a world where mighty power belonged to the individual, the philosophical innovation of methodology and epistemology was pitifully crude.

After all, no matter how brilliant one's updates to methodology and epistemology were, they could not match the power of a high-level cultivator's flying sword.

Demand determined value. Without demand, there was no value, and naturally, no development.

However, Wang Xianmao thought for a long time before finally speaking softly.

"It is a good suggestion, but let us wait. You are both children of the Wang Clan, so there is nothing to hide from you.

Tie Qinhuo and Rongjiang are both in seclusion attempting Foundation Establishment. Once they come out of seclusion, we will then consider whether or not to absorb rogue cultivators!"