Chapter 68: Rongyuan Returns Home, Jinyan Establishes His Foundation |
At Wang Family Mountain, a wanderer who had been away for ten years finally returned to his hometown.
Unlike the grey-backed falcons, as an elder of the Wang Clan, Wang Rongyuan wouldn't stoop to crawling through an underground river. That would be far too undignified.
Piloting his flying magical artifact, he channeled a somewhat unfamiliar incantation before even approaching the Stratus Cloud Array.
The incantation activated the formation array, and as it shifted, the clouds in the sky slowly parted to reveal a path.
Looking at the familiar Dumb Donkey Plain nestled in the valley, a smile appeared on Wang Rongyuan's weathered face.
Compared to the incredibly dangerous, monster-ravaged West Sea, Wang Family Mountain could only be called a paradise.
However, the Patriarch was absent today. Instead, Tie Qinhuo saw him return and flew up to welcome him.
"Rongyuan, you've worked hard."
Observing Wang Rongyuan's empty right sleeve and noting his cultivation base had dropped by two levels, Tie Qinhuo sighed inwardly. He and Wang Rongyuan were old acquaintances.
He had been in the Foundation Establishment realm for four years. He currently remained at Wang Family Mountain mainly because, as an outsider Foundation Establishment cultivator, there were too many gaps in his cultivation that needed filling.
The Patriarch had negotiated terms with him: the Wang Clan would first help him complete his missing methods and secret legacies, and in exchange, he would provide the Wang Clan with greater returns in the future.
Wang Rongyuan paid no mind to Tie Qinhuo's gaze. The demonic beasts of the West Sea weren't vegetarians; they liked to eat meat—the flesh of cultivators.
The fact that the mongoose Great Demon had only eaten half of his shoulder was already a stroke of luck.
Accompanied by Tie Qinhuo, Wang Rongyuan landed in front of his own courtyard.
"Senior Qinhuo, is the Patriarch absent?"
Tie Qinhuo shook his head.
"You know about the conflict between Wondrous Peak Mountain and Valley Spirit Sect. The Wang Clan's properties in Clear Stream Market have been affected by the war, so the Patriarch had to go take charge."
After Yulou received the news from Zhou Yingxi, he sent a message to the Patriarch, who then explained the situation clearly to Tie Qinhuo.
"You don't need to worry about that, though. Now that your West Sea mission is over, just rest at home for a few years and recover your lost cultivation base."
Wang Rongyuan had half his shoulder eaten by a Great Demon equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage, losing his right arm in the process. His cultivation base had plummeted straight from the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining down to the seventh level.
The fact that he now possessed an eighth-level cultivation base was the result of recuperating in the West Sea for two years.
After all, no matter how ruthless the Immortal Alliance's decrees were, they couldn't force a severely injured cultivator to go to their death.
Since he was the cultivator who accepted the decree on behalf of the Wang Clan, once Wang Rongyuan was injured, the Immortal Alliance couldn't coerce the clan into immediately sending a replacement Qi Refining cultivator.
Thus, he recuperated at the Immortal Alliance outpost in the West Sea for two years. Only after fully collecting the rewards for his ten-year demon hunting mission did he return home.
"It's fine. I exchanged for the Yin-Yang Life Vein Elixir at the Immortal Alliance's Military Merit Court. Both my cultivation base and injuries will slowly recover.
"However, Rongwen mentioned in a letter that Yulou is doing quite well for himself in Clear Stream Market?"
Yin-Yang Life Vein Elixir?
Tie Qinhuo's heart stirred. The item was far from cheap; its price was comparable to a Foundation Establishment Pill, and a post-price-hike one at that.
Matching its exorbitant price, its effects were naturally potent. A Qi Refining cultivator could use it to regenerate severed limbs without damaging their Dao foundation.
It seemed the Wang Clan still planned to support Wang Rongyuan's Foundation Establishment in the future.
With this thought, Tie Qinhuo's attitude grew even warmer. He smiled and explained.
"It's not as simple as doing 'quite well.' The Hundred Treasures Pavilion isn't particularly special; its goods are simply more expensive, yet they still manage to sell.
"Yulou also set up a shop named the Great Goods Store. You never see them selling physical goods on a daily basis; they exclusively matchmake other cultivators to trade order contracts.
"In addition, he presided over our Wang Clan's cooperation with the Yang Clan, getting the Racetrack up and running.
"Over the years, that child has given our family quite a few surprises."
Even though Tie Qinhuo was clearly praising Wang Yulou, Wang Rongyuan furrowed his brow.
Currently, Yulou's main priority was to focus on his cultivation, not to run shops.
Wang Rongyuan had not yet realized that the Wang Clan was in a critical transition period. This transition brought positive changes, but it also carried massive risks.
Specifically regarding what Wang Yulou was currently doing, he had actually received the Patriarch's permission.
"Surprises... alright. I plan to host a banquet at my residence tonight. Senior Qinhuo, you must come. We haven't seen each other in years, so let's have a few drinks.
"Returning from the West Sea this time, apart from these injuries, I did bring back a few jugs of good wine."
"Ah, why call me Senior? Just like before, calling me Brother Tie will do.
"However, Rongwen is not at home, and Rongjiang is in seclusion. Uncle Xianzhou has returned, though."
Tie Qinhuo was very humble. Even though he had reached the Foundation Establishment realm, he still called Wang Xianzhou—who was only at the Peak Qi Condensation realm—Uncle Xianzhou.
At dusk, Wang Rongyuan's residence was brightly lit. He sat at the banquet, chatting with the clan's brothers and sisters, elders, and juniors about his experiences in the West Sea.
"...That mongoose Great Demon was extremely cunning. It disguised itself as a white fox and hid within a pack of minor demon white foxes. When we approached, it suddenly ambushed us.
"Beside me was a Fellow Daoist from Great Skymount Mountain. He didn't even have time to react before being swallowed in a single gulp. My shoulder and arm were just collateral damage from the beast's massive jaws.
"I panicked and activated my Escape Talisman too quickly. Its teeth had clamped down on half my body, pinning me in place.
"Left with no choice, I channeled my spiritual energy and severed my own shoulder to escape the mongoose Great Demon's mouth."
Everyone at the banquet fell into a heavy silence as they listened.
Having half of his body caught in a Great Demon's jaws, he had been forced to sever his own shoulder just to escape.
"Was that mongoose an Initial Stage or Mid Stage Great Demon? Did it have any special traits? Rongyuan, tell us the details.
"In the future, when our clan's juniors go to the West Sea, they might have a chance to avenge you."
Wang Xianzhou put down his wine cup and asked solemnly.
He himself had no chance. Over the years, Wang Xianzhou had actually accumulated quite a few enemies.
If he went to the West Sea, he would undoubtedly die.
He could only muddle along under the protection of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, barely managing to bully those Qi Refining cultivators.
"There's no need. Come, drink! This is Moon Dew Nectar given to me by a fairy of the Moon Splendor Sect. You can't buy this in the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's territory."
Wang Rongyuan was quite open-minded. He had no intention of seeking revenge and instead urged everyone to drink.
Revenge? Seek revenge on whom?
It was the Immortal Alliance's decree that pressured the Wang Clan into sending someone to the West Sea for demon hunting.
As for the consequences, the Immortal Alliance didn't care, and the Wang Clan was powerless to resist the rules.
On the other hand, the Wang Clan could have hired someone to accept the decree on their behalf, but they had directly sent Wang Rongyuan instead.
Many things couldn't bear close scrutiny, but at the very least, the clan's arrangement wasn't inherently wrong.
Without undergoing hardship, what right did he, Wang Rongyuan, have to be the recipient of the clan's focused resources?
Rely on high talent?
Impossible. If talent decided everything, then those with poor talent could rightfully give up, and the very foundation of the Wang Clan's existence would crumble.
Zhou Yingxi considered herself a flower in a greenhouse, while Wang Yulou was a vigorously growing, vital weed. Her perspective had a naive "let them eat cake" sort of beauty to it.
By the Wang Clan's standards, Wang Yulou had at most only proven his talent in business management. He still desperately lacked corresponding trials and would need much more tempering in the future.
"Rongyuan, tell us more about this fairy from the Moon Splendor Sect! Hahaha," Tie Qinhuo teased with a laugh.
When the banquet ended and the guests dispersed, Wang Xianzhou stayed behind. Touching Wang Rongyuan's hideous wound, his eyes were filled with worry.
This heavenly genius of the Wang Clan, who was nearing the end of his life, was full of concern for his junior.
"Is the Yin-Yang Life Vein Elixir enough? If not, I can help you figure something out."
Wang Xianzhou's own Dao foundation had been completely ruined after losing half his body. No matter how good the elixirs were, they couldn't save him from the damage of a destroyed half-body. Being able to maintain his Peak Qi Condensation realm cultivation base was already a miracle.
Wang Rongyuan's situation was more peculiar. Having lost half a shoulder, he was stuck in a state of limbo, his future entirely uncertain.
"Uncle Xianzhou, don't worry. A Foundation Establishment senior from the Immortal Alliance examined me. Even if it does affect my Foundation Establishment, the impact won't be too severe."
Wang Rongyuan spoke calmly.
The clan needed responsible descendants to become its pillars, so it cast them out to constantly undergo trials.
Risks naturally existed. Wang Xianmao knew this, and so did Wang Rongyuan.
Therefore, he could accept this outcome. At the very least, he was still alive, wasn't he?
——
Turning the clock back a few hours.
At noon in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Yulou stood behind the counter holding a copy of the Thirty-Six Stratagems of Rogue Cultivator Magical Combat, thoroughly engrossed in his reading.
"Go fetch your shopkeeper!"
A Peak Qi Condensation realm cultivator with a beard as stiff as a halberd rapped on the stone counter, ordering Yulou around.
Yulou naturally wouldn't bicker with a customer. He put down his book and replied with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist, I am the shopkeeper of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Wang Yulou of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan. May I know your honorable surname?"
The cultivator with the stiff beard looked suspiciously at Yulou. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"My surname is Luo. You can just call me Luo Lansan. I heard the Hundred Treasures Pavilion sells auxiliary spiritual pills for Foundation Establishment?"
A big fish!
Stowing his book into his storage bag, Yulou led this big fish up to the second floor.
After the two took their seats, a servant brought over some spiritual tea.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, have a taste. While it's not Gu Family Spiritual Tea, it's still spiritual tea carefully cultivated by our Wang Clan, and it's on the verge of being graded."
"I'll pass on the tea. Just tell me about the auxiliary spiritual pills for Foundation Establishment," Luo Lansan said impatiently.
Yulou smiled faintly and began his pitch.
"For cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment like yourself, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion offers three related services.
"First, information on auxiliary spiritual pills for Foundation Establishment. For three hundred spirit stones, you can obtain intelligence matching what the disciples of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect have access to.
"Second, custom formulation of Foundation Establishment auxiliary pills. We can refine over a dozen different types. The fee is high, but the quality is absolutely guaranteed.
"Third, full-process Foundation Establishment guidance. Since you're a rogue cultivator, if you purchase Foundation Establishment-related elixirs and herbs yourself, it's inevitable that someone will try to swindle you. One moment of carelessness, and you'll suffer a loss.
"If you choose the full-process guidance, our Wang Clan will impart all Foundation Establishment-related information to you, provide custom alchemy services, and finally, allow you to peruse the Foundation Establishment insights of our clan's past Foundation Establishment Ancestors.
"Of course, if you haven't found a suitable location for Foundation Establishment, the Wang Clan can also arrange a seclusion cave dwelling for you."
"How much is the full-process guidance?" Luo Lansan asked, full of expectation.
"A modest sum—starting at three thousand spirit stones. Custom alchemy and arranging a cave dwelling require an additional three thousand spirit stones each, depending on your needs.
"It is a bit expensive, but that's how the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has always operated. Since we dare to charge a premium, we naturally provide the best service."
Picking up his teacup, Yulou replied gently.
Faced with the Wang Clan's brilliant wealth-gathering scheme, the once fully confident Luo Lansan fled in utter defeat.
He had scraped by on the front lines between the two sects for years, believing his savings were finally enough to support a lavish spending spree.
However, in the face of the ultimate wealth harvester deployed by Wang Yulou, he was still far too poor.
Following the failed pitch, Yulou returned to the counter, took out the Thirty-Six Stratagems of Rogue Cultivator Magical Combat again, and resumed reading.
The book sounded unreliable, but the contents were actually interesting.
The Golden Liquid Magic Sword, using lime powder for crowd control... To survive, rogue cultivators truly exhibited boundless resourcefulness.
"Big brother, big brother!"
Wang Yu'an ran in from outside, calling out to Yulou.
"What are you shouting for? If you have something to say, just say it!"
Wang Yulou didn't even look up as he transmitted his voice to scold his brother.
The customers and clerks in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were already looking at Yu'an. Yu'an nodded awkwardly, feigned calmness, and transmitted a reply.
"Senior Wu, Wu Jinyan... He successfully reached Foundation Establishment!"
Reading his book, Yulou's pupils constricted slightly.
That bastard surnamed Gao was finally going to crash and burn!
If he went to the West Sea, he would undoubtedly die.
He could only idle his days away within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, barely managing to bully Qi Refining cultivators.
"There's no need. Come, drink. This is Moon Dew Nectar gifted to me by a female immortal from the Moon Splendor Sect. You can't buy it in the Red Lantern Illumination Sect."
Wang Rongyuan was quite unbothered. He had no intention of seeking revenge at all and instead urged everyone to drink.
Revenge? Avenge himself against whom?
It was the Immortal Alliance's decree that pressured the Wang Clan into sending people to the West Sea for demon hunting.
As for the consequences, the Immortal Alliance didn't care, and the Wang Clan was powerless to resist the rules.
On the other hand, the Wang Clan could have hired someone to accept the decree on behalf of the family, yet they had directly sent Wang Rongyuan.
Many things could not be scrutinized too closely. At the very least, the clan's arrangements were without issue.
Without experiencing such tempering, on what grounds could he, Wang Rongyuan, become the target of the clan's resource allocation?
Based on high talent?
Impossible. If talent decided everything, then those with poor talent could justifiably slack off, and the foundation of the Wang Clan's existence would crumble.
Zhou Yingxi considered herself a sheltered greenhouse flower, while Wang Yulou was a vibrant, vigorously growing weed. Her perspective carried a naïve, detached sort of idealism.
Within the Wang Clan's evaluation metrics, Wang Yulou had at most only proven his talent in business management. He still severely lacked the corresponding tempering and would need much more polishing in the future.
"Rongyuan, tell us more about this female immortal from the Moon Splendor Sect, hahaha," Tie Qinhuo teased with a laugh.
When the banquet concluded and the guests dispersed, Wang Xianzhou, who had stayed until the end, touched Wang Rongyuan's hideous wound, his eyes filled with worry.
This heavenly genius of the Wang Clan, who was approaching the end of his life, was full of concern for his junior.
"Is the Yin-Yang Life Vein Elixir enough? If not, I will help you figure something out."
Wang Xianzhou's Dao foundation had been completely ruined after he lost half his body. Even the best medicinal pills couldn't repair the damage. Being able to maintain his Peak Qi Condensation realm cultivation base was already a miracle.
Wang Rongyuan's situation was rather unique. Having lost half a shoulder, he was in a state of limbo where his future remained uncertain.
"Uncle Xianzhou, don't worry. A Foundation Establishment senior from the Immortal Alliance examined it. Even if it really affects my Foundation Establishment, the impact won't be too severe," Wang Rongyuan said calmly.
The family needed responsible descendants to become its pillars, so it cast them out to undergo constant trials and tribulations.
Risks naturally existed. Wang Xianmao knew this, and Wang Rongyuan knew it too.
Therefore, he could accept this outcome. At least he was still alive, wasn't he?
——
Rewinding time to a few hours ago.
At noon, inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Yulou stood behind the counter, deeply engrossed in a copy of Thirty-Six Stratagems for Vagrant Cultivator Magical Combat.
"Go, call your shopkeeper over!"
A Peak Qi Condensation realm cultivator, whose grey beard bristled like halberds, knocked on the counter's stone surface and bossed Yulou around.
Yulou naturally wouldn't bicker with a customer. He put down the book and replied with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist, I am the shopkeeper of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Wang Yulou of the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom. May I ask your honorable surname?"
The cultivator with the halberd-like grey beard looked suspiciously at Yulou. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"My humble surname is Luo; just call me Luo Lansan. I heard that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has Foundation Establishment auxiliary spiritual pills for sale?"
A big fish!
Stowing the book into his storage bag, Yulou led this big fish up to the second floor.
After the two sat down, a young servant brought over spiritual tea.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, have a taste. Although it's not Gu Family Spiritual Tea, it is a spiritual tea meticulously cultivated by our Wang Clan that is about to reach the graded ranks."
"I won't drink the tea. Just introduce the matter of the Foundation Establishment auxiliary spiritual pills directly," Luo Lansan said impatiently.
Yulou smiled faintly and began his introduction.
"For cultivators preparing for Foundation Establishment like yourself, Fellow Daoist, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion offers three related services.
"The first is information regarding Foundation Establishment auxiliary spiritual pills. For three hundred spirit stones, you can obtain information no lesser than what Red Lantern Illumination Sect disciples have access to.
"The second is the custom crafting of Foundation Establishment auxiliary spiritual pills. We can refine over a dozen different types. Although the refinement fees are high, the quality is absolutely guaranteed.
"The third is full-process Foundation Establishment guidance. If you are a vagrant cultivator, buying Foundation Establishment-related precious pills and spiritual medicines on your own inevitably leads to being swindled. If you aren't careful, you will suffer a heavy loss.
"If you choose the full-process guidance, our Wang Clan can impart all information related to Foundation Establishment to you, provide the corresponding custom pill refinement services, and finally, even allow you to peruse the Foundation Establishment insights of the Wang Clan's past Foundation Establishment Ancestors.
"Of course, if you haven't found a suitable place for Foundation Establishment, the Wang Clan can also contact related secluded meditation caves for you."
"How much is the fee for the full-process guidance?" Luo Lansan asked, full of anticipation.
"A sincere price—starting from three thousand spirit stones. Custom pill refinement and arranging a cave each require an additional three thousand spirit stones, depending on your preferences.
"It is a bit expensive, but the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has always been this way. If we dare to ask for a high price, we naturally provide the best service," Yulou replied in a gentle voice, picking up his teacup.
Faced with the Wang Clan's brilliant wealth-amassing methods, Luo Lansan, who had initially been full of confidence, fled dejected and crestfallen.
He had struggled on the frontlines between the two sects for many years and thought his savings were enough to support extravagant spending.
However, compared to the super harvesting machine rolled out by Wang Yulou, he still fell far short.
After his failed sales pitch, Yulou returned to the front counter, took out that copy of Thirty-Six Stratagems for Vagrant Cultivator Magical Combat again, and continued reading.
The book sounded unreliable, but its contents were quite interesting.
The Golden Liquid Magic Sword, quicklime field control... Vagrant cultivators practically had endless ploys and schemes just to survive.
"Big brother, big brother!"
Wang Yu'an called Yulou's name and ran in from outside.
"What are you shouting for? If you have something to say, say it!"
Wang Yulou didn't even look up, directly reprimanding his younger brother through sound transmission.
The customers and staff inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were already looking towards Yu'an. Yu'an nodded awkwardly and, pretending to be calm, also replied via sound transmission.
"Senior Wu, Wu Jinyan, has successfully reached Foundation Establishment!"
Yulou's pupils shrank slightly as he read his book.
That animal surnamed Gao is finally going to crash and burn!
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