When Ancestor Jingyi finished her Dao discussion and noticed Yulou's cultivation base at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, even she found it difficult to maintain her composure. A twenty-six or twenty-seven-year-old at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation—what kind of concept was that?
Ancestor Jingyi had spent many years cultivating in the sect and later ca under the tutelage of Xuanzhuan. She was soone who had seen the grand world.
Wang Jingyi was certain that within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the disciples of the Golden Core families barely active in the mundane world. Compared strictly to the direct lineage of those Purple Palace families, Yulou's cultivation speed was not inferior in the slightest.
An Ning's small grotto-heaven had helped Yulou break free from the constraints of the worldly laws, allowing him to succeed in his Qi Gathering eight years ahead of schedule.
With the assistance of Wang Xianzhou, Yulou broke through to the fourth layer of Qi Condensation in just over three years, effectively clawing back at least another three years of ti. It could be said that over the past three-plus years, Yulou's cultivation speed was more than triple what it would normally be. In the future, as long as Yulou could maintain this pace over the long term, he might even attempt Foundation Establishnt earlier than Zhou Yingxi.
The Zhou family had many children, but Zhou Yingxi, at the very least, had not reached Yulou's level of consumption, which amounted to one thousand two hundred spirit stones per month.
"Yulou, how did you suddenly break through? Didn't we agree you wouldn't rely on pills?"
Wang Jingyi, Wang Rongjiang, and Wang Xianzhou—the three clan elders—were all incredibly startled and skeptical of Yulou's breakthrough.
"Just after the marriage, I suddenly felt a sense of growth, as if a lifeti had passed. While chatting with Little Fish, the bottleneck simply gave way," Yulou replied obediently under the watchful eyes of his three seniors.
How did he break through? There was no secret to it. He had simply held his wife's small hand, his mind had cleared, and the breakthrough had followed naturally.
The managent of Wang Rongjiang's envious expression completely crumbled. Wang Yulou, we both possess dual spirit roots. How could the gap between us back then have been so massive?
Ancestor Jingyi and Ancestor Xianzhou silently exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a mixture of pleasant surprise and bewildernt. Though Yulou's thod of breaking through was within the realm of reason, it was simply too fortunate. Could it be that he truly was the most extraordinary disciple the Wang Clan had produced in twelve hundred years?
"Yes, Xianzhou, your idea to arrange Yulou's marriage was excellent. Little Fish is a fine girl."
Wang Jingyi first validated her younger brother's efforts before turning to explain the matter of the marriage alliance to Yulou.
"During today's Dao discussion, because there were too many attendees, the浊 and Yuan families showed that they are even more divided in spirit than they appear on the surface, so we didn't gather for long. However, I have mostly finalized the contacts for your marriage alliance. Currently, four Foundation Establishnt families within Dripdrop Cave have expressed interest."
Large etings were difficult to conduct. Yesterday, during Yulou's concubine-taking ceremony, Wang Jingyi had arranged a Dao discussion with the visiting Foundation Establishnt cultivators of Dripdrop Cave, but in the end, she had only lightly shared her own insights on cultivation. When everyone gathered, the 浊 family and the Yuan family continued to insult each other alongside their respective allies, leading to a swift and unpleasant parting of ways.
"Only four families?"
Wang Xianzhou's expression darkened slightly. In the eyes of Ancestor Xianzhou, given Wang Yulou's conditions and future prospects, if he wanted to form a marriage alliance with a female cultivator from a Foundation Establishnt family, he should have his pick of the entire lot. Yet those Foundation Establishnt families in Dripdrop Cave lacked all discernnt, treating a pri catch like Wang Yulou as ordinary. They were truly blind!
"No, those are the only four left after I did the filtering," Wang Jingyi corrected with a shake of her head.
Hearing this, Ancestor Xianzhou's old face imdiately split into a wide grin. I knew it! Yulou is the Qilin child of our Wang Clan. Given the opportunity to form a marriage alliance, those Foundation Establishnt families of Dripdrop Cave would naturally scramble for it! Fine, he would grant that they weren't entirely blind!
"A female disciple from the Yuan Clan is roughly the sa age as Yulou, but she is already at the first layer of Qi Condensation with a single Water spirit root," Wang Jingyi introduced. "The Yuan Clan would be a strong ally. Yuan Daoshen possessed profound achievents in the artificing path. Once Yulou enters this marriage alliance, he can study the artificing path under Elder Daoshen. An Ning's artificing notes are indeed extraordinary—perhaps even superior to Yuan Daoshen—but learning from a manual versus learning under a master are two entirely different things, completely beyond comparison."
"There are also two won from a branch line of the 浊 Clan. They are twins; one has a triple spirit root, and the other has a dual spirit root. However, if you choose the two of them as Dao companions to ally with the 浊 Clan, the 浊 family can only provide half a portion of Foundation Establishnt resources when the twins prepare to break through in the future."
Good heavens, a pair of twin lotuses on a single stalk, and female cultivators with spirit roots at that. Yulou hadn't even achieved Foundation Establishnt yet, but he was already enjoying a luxury that many Foundation Establishnt cultivators would never experience. The 浊 Clan of Dripdrop Cave was a cultivation family that did not lose out to the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom. The Foundation Establishnt cultivators of the 浊 Clan frequently ca under the tutelage of Perfected Man Hongli of Dripdrop Cave. Now, if Yulou allied with the 浊 Clan, he could actually marry a pair of twin female cultivators.
Under such imnse temptation, the deficit of half a portion of Foundation Establishnt resources seed entirely negligible. It wasn't that Yulou was a lecherous demon, but marrying two Dao companions at once ant gaining two additional pillars of support in the future. Losing half a portion of resources was nothing.
However, this was rely Wang Yulou's perspective. Wang Xianzhou muttered in dissatisfaction, "Why is the 浊 Clan so stingy? They aren't even willing to provide an extra half-portion of Foundation Establishnt resources?"
What ill intentions could the old ancestor have? He rely wished for all the benefits to go to Yulou, for Yulou's cultivation to soar rapidly, and for Yulou's Dao companions to bring him greater support while bearing him more descendants.
"Well, I t 浊 Yinsheng of the 浊 Clan today," Wang Jingyi supplented. "The condition he offered is that these two female cultivators can obtain Foundation Establishnt resources within Dripdrop Cave. Once they secure one portion from the sect, combined with the portion provided by the 浊 Clan, that makes two. If both can secure resources from the sect, it becos three portions. In this matter, the 浊 Clan will naturally lend their assistance."
Only then did Ancestor Xianzhou nod in satisfaction. Knowing how to siphon resources from the sect's walls, the 浊 Clan's thods were indeed respectable.
"The third family, Yulou—how is your relationship with a female cultivator nad Lin Ying?"
When Ancestor Jingyi reached the third option and ntioned Lin Ying, how could Yulou fail to understand? He gave an embarrassed smile and was about to answer when Ancestor Xianzhou cut in with an amused look.
"Yulou has ntioned that young girl from the Lin family to several tis. She is a clever one. If chosen as a Dao companion, once she achieves Foundation Establishnt in the future, she and Yulou will complent each other perfectly. The two of them will likely stir up quite a storm."
Wang Rongjiang instantly grew intrigued, casting a teasing glance toward Yulou, who could only offer a helpless smile. When interacting with his peers, Yulou would always discuss and analyze their traits thoroughly with the old ancestor. This was not a case of family elders over-interfering in Wang Yulou's life; rather, the ancestor was using his abundant experience to help Yulou vet his companions. How many people begged for such treatnt, yet their own elders were incapable of providing any assistance, leaving them to crash into walls and fall into massive pitfalls entirely on their own?
"Mmh, so that's how it is... Lin Hengtai brought Lin Ying to see today. He seems very eager to push this matter forward, and he readily agreed to the condition of one and a half portions of Foundation Establishnt resources. The fourth family is similar to the Lin family, also a dual Foundation Establishnt clan. Their daughter also possesses a dual spirit root, though unlike Lin Ying's Wood-Earth attributes, hers are Earth-Water. The conditions they offered are roughly the sa. Since Xianzhou already has so understanding of Lin Ying, we can discard the fourth family. We will choose from the Yuan, 浊, and Lin families. Yulou, what are your thoughts?"
A choice of one out of three, and a filtered three at that. Yulou could now be considered to be experiencing the life of choosing a consort. However, this choice was not an easy one to make.
"Ancestor, your divine ability," Yulou requested.
Wang Jingyi smiled with deep satisfaction. Good, very good, it had to be this way. Only with sufficient caution could one walk further in the cultivation world. In an instant, the Formless World expanded, enveloping the few people present inside it.
"Ancestor, you didn't give them any verbal promises, correct?"
Interesting. Wang Yulou's very first question was highly intriguing, and at the very least, both Wang Rongjiang and Wang Xianzhou understood its implication.
"Of course not, Hahaha. I rely stated that Xian茂 needs to make the final decision. After all, my authority within the clan isn't very high."
'After all, my authority within the clan isn't very high.' These words were just a deception on Wang Jingyi's part, and those who heard them likely treated them as nothing but hot air. Everyone was an old fox; the mont the opposing side lifted their foot, one could tell exactly what they intended to do.
"Then we are in no hurry. Ancestor, the conflict between the 浊 family and the Yuan family is fierce. I truly do not wish to be entangled in their contradictions so early. Senior 浊 Chi brought into the Dripdrop Cave Heaven, and Senior Daoshen granted imnse sect rewards. I cannot afford to rashly offend either of these two individuals."
Behind a marriage alliance lay a true alliance, and an alliance was the ultimate expression of one's stance. Once a stance was chosen during a conflict, it was incredibly difficult to alter. Yulou had only just stabilized his footing within the Dripdrop Cave Heaven. Entangling himself in the struggle between the two great families too early would be disadvantageous to him.
"So, you lean more toward choosing Lin Ying of the Lin family?" Wang Jingyi asked with a smile.
However, Yulou shook his head.
"A marriage alliance is rely to win over allies, but currently I have no enemies within Dripdrop Cave, so there is no rush for the marriage. Many issues must be considered as a whole. My marriage alliance can beco a specific lever to solve a major problem. Ancestor, Dripdrop Cave is destined to be rely a temporary stop for . In the future, I intend to enter the Immortal Alliance. However, since I have initiated the path of operating the Wang Clan's influence within Dripdrop Cave, the situation at River Bend Fishing Port cannot be easily handed over to outsiders the mont I depart!"
These words were sowhat complex, but both Wang Rongjiang and Wang Xianzhou understood completely. Uncle Rongjiang's eyes locked straight onto Yulou. He had a premonition that given his situation of owing the clan two and a half portions of Foundation Establishnt resources, he would certainly have no shortage of dealings with this master of sches, Wang Yulou, in the future.
"Elaborate further," Wang Jingyi said, filled with anticipation for the kinds of changes Yulou could bring to the Wang Clan.
Yulou took a deep breath and voiced his ambition.
"Ancestor, I am not clear on the disciple promotion system of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, but within Dripdrop Cave... our Wang Clan can entirely station a branch line here for the long term. You are well aware of the environnt within the grotto-heaven; ninth-grade and eighth-grade spiritual items are everywhere, and the spirit fish within Beautiful Water Lake are countless. Starting with , and using my future descendants within Dripdrop Cave as a foundation, establishing another branch of the Wang Clan is entirely feasible."
In the early tribal eras of human civilization, formal laws and customs did not exist. n and won within the tribe mated freely, resulting in children who only knew their mothers and not their fathers—thus the matriarchal system erged. In those early periods of extre scarcity, every pri male was a massive unit of productivity. The more children a mother possessed, the easier it was for her to beco the leader of the tribe. People who grew up healthy were productivity itself!
If Yulou could spread his roots and leave behind a lineage within Dripdrop Cave, then by the ti he grew powerful within the Immortal Alliance in the future, the Yuan and 浊 families would be nothing more than local thugs. At that ti, the targets of Yulou's political duels within the power structure of Dripdrop Cave would be its three Purple Palace cultivators! Whoever won would siphon more resources from the walls.
Of course, Yulou was not fighting alone—the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom held its own private compartnt on the train to the future driven by Patriarch Mangxiang!
"Excellent! Yulou, magnificent!"
Wang Jingyi saw Wang Yulou's ambition and greed, but far from feeling any aversion, she stood up excitedly and clapped her hands repeatedly in praise. Given Ancestor Jingyi's steady disposition, such a display demonstrated just how satisfied she was with Yulou. A son should be exactly like Wang Yulou!
The elders of the Wang Clan did not fear a disciple having ambition; they only feared a disciple who possessed ambition but lacked a brain. Yet Yulou was clearly the most intelligent existence within the Yu-generation. Supported by his intellect, his ambition would only beco one of his greatest catalysts for ascending to the peak.
No matter how powerful external forces or objects were, they ultimately had to rest upon the concrete individual acting as the carrier. Different people possessed different capacities. Take Wang Rongjiang, who required two and a half portions of resources just to achieve Foundation Establishnt... While Wang Yulou, at a re fourth layer of Qi Condensation, already knew how to operate factions and pave the way for his future cultivation. How could such a person siphon two and a half portions of resources from the clan in the future?
Of course, Uncle Rongjiang was by no ans a bad person; he was simply an incredibly unfortunate fellow. Furthermore, he was the first within the Rong-generation to have a shot at Foundation Establishnt, so the clan naturally had to support him with all its might.
"Xiao Jiang, after you return, discuss this with Xian茂. Allocate four direct lineage Qi Gathering cultivators and four external surna Qi Gathering cultivators to be arranged into Dripdrop Cave, to..." Speaking up to this point, Wang Jingyi suddenly paused. She looked at Yulou with a smile and asked, "How many people do you want?"
Wang Xianzhou's pupils contracted slightly as he registered the subtle shift. At this mont, Wang Jingyi was not looking down upon Yulou, nor was she asking for his opinion from the stance of an authoritative elder. Ancestor Jingyi's question was an inquiry into Yulou's attitude and thoughts. Reflecting upon the deeper aning behind this filled Wang Xianzhou with profound gratification.
It turned out that Yulou had already grown to this height. Indeed, within a brief span of ti, he had managed to turn River Bend Fishing Port into an absolute fortress. Could it be that Yulou was a natural-born leader?
"Four direct lineage and four external surnas are indeed just right. However, Ancestor, we must have Elder Qinhuo arrange for a direct mber of the Tie family to co over. The cultivators within Dripdrop Cave enjoy using spirit boats as transport, but that does not an they dislike spirit cranes."
Yulou naturally had no need to dispute Ancestor Jingyi's arrangents. The ancestor's perspective and experience guaranteed that while she might not be entirely correct, she would absolutely never make a major blunder. Under the system of the Immortal Alliance in the Wunan Cultivation World, how many cultivators who managed to stand out were fools? Eight people, when expanded outward by a single circle, could influence dozens. It was entirely sufficient for Yulou to establish his own small faction within Dripdrop Cave. Even if this faction temporarily lacked height, Yulou's cultivation speed was guaranteed to reach Foundation Establishnt. He himself was the high mountain!
"Sister Jingyi, Yulou is exceptionally skilled at business managent," Wang Xianzhou reminded from the side.
Wang Jingyi nodded understandingly and laughed. "Back then, I was the one who pulled the strings to secure that Red Lantern edict. I am naturally well aware of Yulou's managent capabilities. However, Yulou, after your Great Goods Store was taken over by the sect's Comrce Hall of Elders, its operations gradually withered. It seems many things truly can only be handled by you."
"Ancestor praises too highly. Yulou dares not take the credit."
Seeing Yulou act in this manner, Wang Xianzhou spoke up, though his reminder this ti differed from the past. "Yulou, you must rember that before us elders of the clan, you can afford to be humble because we know exactly what you have accomplished. But within the sect, and in the future within the Immortal Alliance, while you should remain reserved and low-profile in your personal conduct, you must absolutely never be humble when it is ti to fight for what you deserve. There are too many people snatching at within the sect, and the situation you will face inside the Immortal Alliance is far more complex. It can be said that place is filled with individuals of wild and predatory ambition."
Yulou blanked for a mont before responding, "Thank you for the guidance, Ancestor. A low profile in behavior, a high profile in action—Yulou understands."
Wang Xianzhou laughed heartily, pointing at Wang Yulou as he addressed his older sister, "Sister Jingyi, this brat doesn't need my guidance at all; he understands everything perfectly on his own. I think I finally get it now. Your construction of the Golden Platform was precisely the manifestation of high-profile action. The mont that platform was erected, that Cui Dingyi completely lost any room to maneuver against you."
Wang Yulou naturally offered a bashful smile; before his three elders, he would always remain a fresh recruit. By the ti their conversation reached this point, the critical matters had essentially been finalized. It amounted to the Wang Clan arranging a few disciples whose aptitudes were not particularly outstanding to enter Dripdrop Cave first, helping Yulou secure the foundation of his influence. In the future, once these individuals spread their roots and multiplied, Yulou would easily obtain a core base centered around the sons of the Wang Clan.
Cultivation was a long-term journey. The success of Clear Stream Market was built upon the platform of the Wang Clan. Now, Yulou was constructing his own platform. As long as it was built well and secured firmly, no matter where Yulou went in the future, his core base within Dripdrop Cave would serve as his pillar of support. Naturally, the matter of the Dripdrop Cave branch required the Patriarch's approval, but given the Patriarch's vision, he would naturally comprehend Yulou's intent. What Yulou wanted was a voice within Dripdrop Cave, not a split from the family.
"However, Yulou, you ntioned that there is no rush for the marriage alliance and that it should serve as a lever to solve a major issue, but there must be a rough tiline, correct?" Ancestor Xianzhou asked.
He actually thought very highly of a marriage between Yulou and Lin Ying. That young girl was no simple character. After Yulou beca her Dao companion, he could borrow the strength of the Lin family to help his own developnt within Dripdrop Cave. Once he achieved Foundation Establishnt, he could cast her aside and seek a new Dao companion. The old ancestor was no saint; being good to Yulou did not an he harbored goodwill toward others. As for whether it would offend the Lin family... as one ascended higher, the struggle for benefits would only grow sharper. When it was ti to offend, one could not afford to hesitate.
"Ancestor, Ancestor Jingyi, Uncle Rongjiang, Yulou actually has a threefold consideration," Yulou stated.
Wang Jingyi's curiosity was piqued once more. This child was simply too intelligent; coming up with a threefold consideration right off the bat naturally made her incredibly curious.
"Which three?"
"Fan Zhugao, Wu Faxian, Ji Yuan, and I have joined forces to establish a special 'Exchange Conference'. This involves the restructuring of Dripdrop Cave's distribution system. Through this 'Exchange Conference', I can create a market of my own, thereby achieving the goal of selling spirit cranes and spiritual artifacts. If the conference can be smoothly promoted, the value of my marriage alliance will rise further, allowing to renegotiate terms with the Lin family."
At this mont, Ancestor Xianzhou suddenly chid in from the side, "We can also sell spiritual pills and braised donkey at!"
Wang Jingyi also nodded in agreent, praising, "Yulou, I am deeply gratified that you can observe the key points of comrce within the sect and the Wunan Cultivation World. Back then, Patriarch Mangxiang utilized the Red Lantern Illumination Sect to extract resources from subordinate forces and various markets under his banner, thereby preparing resources for attaining Golden Core. This was precisely because the Red Lantern Illumination Sect controlled the vast majority of comrce within its sphere of influence. The three-palace rit system designed by Dripdrop Cave completely occupies the comrcial space within the grotto-heaven. Even if you want to sell artifacts to exchange for resources, in the absence of an open market, everything must pass through Dripdrop Cave's hands. Your idea of creating a hidden market to nurture your own comrcial space is indeed highly innovative."
Wang Jingyi referred to the market as a comrcial space, but it amounted to the sa thing. The overall productivity of the Wang Clan was not low, but many of its products could only be sold through bulk trade precisely because the Wang Clan did not control a market of its own. The clash of power and influence among Dripdrop Cave, the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, and the Ten Sects was, in essence, a struggle over resource distribution rights, which directly corresponded to market dominance. To harvest items using favors required a target to harvest from in the first place. To earn spirit stones by selling artifacts, spiritual pills, and spirit cranes required a purchasing demographic. A cultivator acting as a lone rchant, carrying goods physically to sell, was certainly possible, but the efficiency was far too low.
Establishing a reliable distribution network required maintenance costs. If the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had failed back then, the Wang Clan's losses would not have been light. Under a market dominated by the Red Lantern Illumination Sect or other forces big and small, no matter how hard the Wang Clan worked, they would first be sheared by others before they could set up their own system—the cost was simply too high.
Although the Wang Clan enjoyed a degree of coat-tail riding due to the ancestor's pursuit of the Golden Core realm, the clan could not use its status within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect to obtain so kind of special operating license. That was the authority of a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator. The Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom did not yet possess the qualifications to siphon resources from the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's walls! However, the walls of Dripdrop Cave could certainly be picked at a bit. After all, the pool of Dripdrop Cave was sowhat shallower. Furthermore, this wasn't strictly siphoning resources. While extracting benefits from Dripdrop Cave, the market and influence Yulou pulled together would also enhance the sect's comprehensive strength. In this dynamic, whether Dripdrop Cave stood to gain or lose, and who exactly was losing out, remained to be seen.
"As for the second consideration, if the promotion of the conference encounters obstacles, bringing the Lin family or other marriage alliance families into the fold can help push this matter through, while simultaneously strengthening the bond of mutual interest between myself and this Dao companion. The third consideration involves Little Qin and Little Fish. One is my assistant in business managent, and the other is my vital partner. If I were to seek a primary Dao companion imdiately after marrying them, it would simply be inappropriate."
Wang Jingyi nodded in deep agreent. "Hearts are made of flesh. Not ignoring the thoughts and interests of others simply due to one's own status and power—Yulou, you already possess the shoulders to shoulder responsibility."
So said that the highest level of praise between n was 'I'll grant that you're capable.' In that case, the greatest praise an elder could bestow upon a junior was likely Ancestor Jingyi's final sentence.
"Two ancestors, Uncle Rongjiang, Yulou lost both parents at a young age. It was only through the clan's protection that I could gradually grow up. Later, the clan spent a vast sum of spirit stones to invite Hongi to serve as my master on the artificing path. When Yu'an and I first arrived at Clear Stream Market, I was only thirteen years old. To grant more ti to practice the artificing path, Uncle Rongyuan prepared a sum of spirit stones to purchase spirit rice for to eat, saving an imnse amount of ti. Following that, managing the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at Clear Stream Market, the clan's support for my investnt in the Yang Clan's racetrack, and the establishnt of the Great Goods Store. Then ca the Patriarch's personal support during the Talisman Master Competition, and later my entry into Dripdrop Cave, where the Patriarch arranged the position of a Azurewater Palace disciple for . The clan's care and cultivation of Yulou is sothing I have never dared to forget! I am now at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, having stepped into the middle stage of Qi Condensation, and will reach the late stage and even Foundation Establishnt in the future. Having been protected and nurtured by the clan for so long, Yulou is unwilling to forever take shelter behind it, nor can the clan protect forever on the path ahead. How can soone who dares not face difficulties and high mountains ever grow into a true pillar? Yulou has naturally reached the point where he must shoulder the responsibilities of the clan!"
Ever since stepping into the cultivation world, Yulou had never suffered grievances, never encountered any true danger, never been plotted against by enemies, and had not even ford enmities with anyone. Why? Because the clan shielded him, supported him, helped him, granted him opportunities, provided him resources, and offered him a platform. Thus, Yulou's journey had been extraordinarily smooth. However, the Wang Clan's protection possessed an upper limit, a definitive boundary. The Wang Clan was rely a Foundation Establishnt family without a Purple Palace or a Golden Core. The Wang Clan itself was not a towering tree; Yulou could not hide behind the Wang Clan forever. He was in the middle stage of Qi Condensation now; it was ti for him to face the true slaughterhouse of interests, and ti for him to truly experience the wind and rain.
Seeing Yulou state his stance in this manner, the three elders were all visibly moved. What an exceptional child!
"Nonsense, as long as I am around, the clan can naturally shield you even further. We can shield you even after you achieve Foundation Establishnt." With a trace of affectionate anger, Wang Jingyi pulled out two talismans forged from purple copper and tossed them to Wang Yulou. "Here, take these two Formless Sword Talismans. Killing newly ascended Foundation Establishnt cultivators like Tie Qinhuo or Wu Jinyan with these is as easy as slaughtering chickens! Even if Yuan Daoshen or 浊 Yinsheng were present in person, they would not dare to et my Formless Sword head-on!"
Receiving the ancestor's sword talismans, Yulou's hand instantly sank. "Eighth-grade refined purple copper?"
These two sword talismans were each as large as two palms, with a thickness of two fingers. In terms of weight alone, a single talisman weighed several hundred kilograms. Upon the purple surface of the copper, grey lines were traced, ticulously outlined using seventh-grade ink lead, shimring with an extraordinary, muted spiritual light. The Formless Sword Talismans, crafted personally by the peak Foundation Establishnt sword cultivator Wang Jingyi, were likely more valuable than many weaker spiritual artifacts.
"Yes, though it would ideally be better to use seventh-grade Yuan copper as a base material, seventh-grade Yuan copper is simply too rare. These two portions were originally intended to give one to Rongjiang for self-defense, while leaving the other within the clan for future Foundation Establishnt cultivators of the Rong-generation. However, since you wish to achieve great things within Dripdrop Cave, well, it is always better to leave yourself more fallback options. That escaped Stone Ancestor is rely the Great Demon of Dripdrop Cave that we know about; who knows if there are other Great Demons hiding here? It never hurts to be careful."
Wang Rongjiang cast an aggrieved glance at Ancestor Jingyi, but dared not speak. He already owed two and a half portions; what right did he have to make demands of the clan?
"Rongjiang, these two will go to Yulou first. Yours can wait; in any case, the fighting hasn't broken out yet," Wang Jingyi laughed.
"Is it truly going to co to blows?"
All three caught the implication within Ancestor Jingyi's words. Ancestor Jingyi nodded slightly and stated, "It will definitely happen, only the timing remains uncertain. The Sky Serpent Sect is not fully prepared, and the Red Lantern Illumination Sect is not fully prepared either. I have already communicated these matters with Xian茂. You need not worry; the Wang Clan will not be significantly affected."
A great war was brewing, and both the Red Lantern Illumination Sect and the Sky Serpent Sect were making preparations—the Sky Serpent Sect preparing to attack, and the Red Lantern Illumination Sect preparing to defend. It could be said that before Patriarch Mangxiang's Golden Core was even ford, it had already kicked up a massive storm within the Wunan region.
A few days after bidding farewell to the two clan Foundation Establishnt cultivators, the matter of Bai Xiaoyu's appointnt as a Splendid Pool Palace disciple was finalized. The bitter leaf wine Yulou drank that day had not been for nothing. Wang Yaohai was indeed highly dependable, dispatching one of his subordinates to deliver Little Fish's Splendid Pool Palace disciple robes and various other benefits directly to River Bend Fishing Port. Aside from that, there was also a letter addressed to Yulou.
"Senior Brother Yuque, within this letter is Fellow Daoist Little Fish's appointnt certificate as the Town Guardian Cultivator," the fifth-layer Qi Condensation Splendid Pool Palace disciple spoke respectfully.
Wang Yulou had long since made a na for himself within Dripdrop Cave. His operational na, Yuque, had been spread everywhere through Old Wu's loose tongue. Consequently, when interacting with fellow disciples, the Splendid Pool Palace disciples who were also at the Qi Condensation stage would address Yulou as Yuque, while the Azurewater Palace disciples would generally call him Yulou. Depending on the height of their cultivation, the titles of senior or junior brother would be appended. This ssenger was particularly interesting; though his cultivation base was clearly a layer higher than Yulou's, he directly addressed Yulou as senior brother. It could only be said that cultivation was a pursuit where, without becoming an immortal, no one could truly transcend worldly conventions.
Yulou opened the letter. Inside, alongside the appointnt certificate for Bai Xiaoyu to take up the post of Town Guardian Cultivator at River Bend Fishing Port, was a small slip of paper written by Wang Yaohai.
'Yulou, I heard from Old Wu that you, Senior Brother Zhugao, and Junior Brother Ji Yuan have organized a special Exchange Conference. I have now also taken a Foundation Establishnt cultivator as my master, and I have served as a Grotto Heaven Patrol captain for many years. I wonder if I might be of assistance to you?'
What constituted a clever person? The mont Wang Yaohai saw whom Yulou had invited, he understood Yulou's intent completely. Fan Zhugao and Ji Yuan were both disciples of Foundation Establishnt cultivators from large clans, yet they were not of the direct lineage, belonging to the category of individuals with a background but lacking special favor. Yulou could pull them into his circle, and Wang Yaohai naturally t those exact criteria. The man had sent this application for partnership alongside Little Fish's appointnt letter, making his aning as clear as day. Yulou naturally would not refuse.
"Go back and tell Brother Yaohai that Yulou will always clear the couch to await his arrival."
Once the ssenger departed, Yulou took the appointnt certificate and the robes and hurried over to Little Fish's quarters. Today, Bai Xiaoyu was focused entirely on her cultivation, neither playing with that small stone turtle nor bullying He Laosan.
"Lord Town Guardian Cultivator, it is ti for you to assu your post~" Yulou stood at the doorway of the quiet room, holding aloft Bai Xiaoyu's Town Guardian Cultivator appointnt certificate as he spoke with a smile.
"Ah?" Little Fish leaped up, snatching the Splendid Pool Palace edict from Yulou's hand—which appeared incredibly crude and shabby compared to the Red Lantern edict or the Dripdrop Cave edict—and began inspecting it with excitent.
"Husband, there's no duration written on this?"
The beauty of Dripdrop Cave lay precisely in this: it took excellent care of its core base. As long as eight spirit fish were handed over daily, River Bend Fishing Port remained loyal. Yulou was a reliable, grounded, and outstanding Town Guardian Cultivator and Azurewater Palace disciple; his personnel suggestions would naturally be respected. In reality, Yulou had run things far better than Ji Yuan. Of course, this also involved Yulou's relationship with Wang Yaohai, as well as the influence of Yulou's background and reputation. Therefore, Bai Xiaoyu's appointnt was naturally an easy matter to settle. As long as the eight spirit fish sent up from River Bend Fishing Port did not decrease, Bai Xiaoyu could remain in the position of Town Guardian Cultivator until she reached one hundred and eighty—provided she could not break through to Foundation Establishnt.
"Otherwise, why would I have accompanied Old Wang to drink that bitter leaf wine? You have no idea; though that stuff is a spiritual wine, it tastes horribly bitter. Sigh."
The thought of that bitter leaf wine sent a slight chill through Yulou's heart. Old Wang was generous, but Yulou simply could not get used to bitter leaf wine. This item seed to be one of Dripdrop Cave's specialties, though it wasn't as famous as Dripdrop Grass or the marrow of the Azure-Blooded Frog.
"Husband, you are so good to ." Bai Xiaoyu wrapped her arms around Yulou's face and gave him a kiss before turning her gaze back to the Splendid Pool Palace disciple robes. "It's just that this clothing is truly unsightly. Do I need to wear it every single day?"
The Splendid Pool Palace robes were naturally not ugly, but compared to Bai Xiaoyu's own white robes, they were indeed worlds apart.
"Of course not. I'll have soone custom-make two beautiful sets of robes for you to rotate through later. However, your husband's financial resources are currently limited, so I can only arrange for low-grade spiritual artifact quality for now. You aren't allowed to look down on them."
Yulou intended to commission four sets—two for Chu Ran and two for Little Fish. Though it cost spirit stones, these two won were, respectively, the executor of his orders and his helper in controlling River Bend Fishing Port. Furthermore, both girls had married Yulou. In short, their dignity was his dignity, so a certain amount of expenditure was entirely appropriate. Even between husband and wife, when it was ti to cultivate relationships, one had to do so diligently.
"No, no, no, Little Fish doesn't want that. This robe already cos with a self-cleaning function, so it won't get dirty even if worn constantly, and..."
Wang Yulou waved his hand grandly, declaring, "Alright, our household does not lack that small amount of spirit stones. Let's go, gather everyone so they know that River Bend Fishing Port now completely belongs to the Wang Clan!"
From subjugating Zhang Xuewu to suppressing Cui Dingyi. Then to the completion of the Golden Platform and the water gates, moving the entirety of River Bend Fishing Port inland... utilizing the engineering construction to naturally complete a personnel reshuffle. Finally, Old Cui had sought his own demise, granting Yulou absolute control over the fishing port's authority. Now, the situation had shifted again. Previously, Wang Yulou's position as Town Guardian Cultivator was that of a temporary official; there was no telling when he might be replaced by soone else. But with Bai Xiaoyu assuming the post with a permanent tenure, it wouldn't matter who ca to River Bend Fishing Port to contest Yulou's position. Husband and wife were of one body; Bai Xiaoyu was Wang Yulou. This was precisely the significance of marrying Chu Ran and Little Fish!
"...Hereby appoints Splendid Pool Palace disciple Bai Xiaoyu as the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Fishing Port!"
Upon the Golden Platform, Zhang Xuewu loudly read out the Splendid Pool Palace's appointnt of Bai Xiaoyu. He and Bai Xiaoyu stood like guardian deities on either side of Yulou, while Yulou sat upon a chair. Before him stood twenty-four Qi Gathering cultivators of River Bend Fishing Port, with Qin Churan standing at the very front. The sole mortal martial artist remained Li Changming. Yulou intended to support this individual all the way to the Qi Condensation stage. Nurturing such a minor character did not consu many resources, but once trained, they were incredibly convenient to deploy.
"Next, let us invite Fellow Daoist Yulou to speak!" Old Zhang bellowed.
Li Changming took the lead in kneeling, and a massive crowd below instantly fell to their knees in unison. The sight brought an amused smile to Yulou's face. When he had first grasped this kind of authority, his thought had been that he could finally count himself a true man. Now, he rely felt that River Bend Fishing Port was too small. Too small to contain his grand ambitions.
"From now on, the daily operations of the fishing port will be managed by Chu Ran. Old Zhang, you may focus entirely on your cultivation."
Yulou's very first sentence stripped Zhang Xuewu of his authority. Old Zhang's heart trembled, but he was well aware of what Wang Yulou's background, influence, and terrifying talent signified. Consequently, he dared not harbor a single shred of resistance, hastily kneeling as he declared, "Xuewu will certainly cultivate diligently, and will not fail Fellow Daoist Yulou's painstaking intentions!"
What those kneeling Qi Gathering cultivators below were thinking, Wang Yulou did not know, though he was quite satisfied with Old Zhang's response. Fine, since you understand reverence, I shall grant you an opportunity. Wang Yaohai had knelt too late, wasting many years as a result; he was now nearly a hundred years old and had only just caught sight of an opportunity for Foundation Establishnt. Zhang Xuewu's cleverness lay precisely in the fact that he knelt both early and fast. The rules were unfriendly, but if one wished to beco the person who changed the rules, one had to first accept them. Old Zhang's behavior perfectly illustrated this point.
Yulou arranged a few other personnel changes, bringing Little Fish's modest assumption ceremony to a close. No one within River Bend Fishing Port dared to oppose Yulou anymore, and by utilizing Little Fish's assumption of office to reinforce his authority once more, he naturally encountered no resistance whatsoever.
As the crowd dispersed, the calm-faced Old Zhang was about to head ho when Qin Churan intercepted him.
"Senior Zhang, please head to the quiet room. My husband is waiting for you," Qin Churan said with a smile.
"Oh?" Old Zhang's calm, almost numb face instantly turned vibrant, as if an HDR filter had been applied to it. "Little Qin, do you know what this is about?"
Saying this, Zhang Xuewu slid five spirit stones over. Qin Churan accepted the spirit stones without the slightest hesitation, answering, "A good thing. In truth, you should have already guessed—you have passed the test."
A mundane compliance test; incredibly tedious. Ji Chang eating the flesh of Bo Yikao was a compliance test, and the physical control of three prostrations and nine kowtows was also a compliance test. In the modern era, compliance tests grew even more varied, typical of which was drinking alcohol; refusing to drink ant one did not wish to make progress or align oneself with the group. Yulou's suppression and public stripping of authority just now was an incredibly crude compliance test. As for whether it was accurate, that was rarely the focus. Just as King Zhou back then did not care whether姬昌 was truly loyal or not. What they required was the form and process of loyalty, alongside the order of resource distribution behind such forms and processes. As for whether things would spiral out of control, the moon did not care, and neither did Wang Yulou.
It could be said that at this mont, Yulou already possessed a presence that did not lose out to a Grand Cultivator. The waters of the Yellow River were turbid, while the waters of the Yangtze River were clear; one could not employ soone simply because they were clean, nor could one discard soone simply because they were dirty. It had been thus since ancient tis. The clouds rested in the blue sky, while the water rested inside the bottle. Yulou stood upon the clouds; no matter what kind of water it was, it had to fit within his bottle to be utilized by him. The Dao of the Daoist Sovereign Jiajing could not truly allow him to stand upon the clouds, but the Dao of this world could assist Wang Yulou in standing atop the clouds. Whether loyal or not, all had to comply. This, alone, was sufficient.
"Xuewu, have you ever thought of marrying?"
Yulou's very first question caught Zhang Xuewu entirely off guard.
"This... Xuewu already has three children, and there are several wives and concubines at ho," Zhang Xuewu replied, sowhat bewildered.
Yulou raised his head, looking in the direction of the Dripdrop Cave Heaven. "I intend to introduce a woman from a Foundation Establishnt family to be your Dao companion, thereby helping you enter the Azurewater Palace. What say you?"
Although Old Wu was nothing more than a small chick before Wang Xianzhou, Wang Jingyi, and Wang Xian茂, he was still a Foundation Establishnt cultivator. Wu Jinyan was a guest elder of Dripdrop Cave, the supervisor of the Immortal Alliance within Dripdrop Cave, a friend of the Wang Clan, and a close friend of Yulou's master, Hongi. Purchasing a disciple slot for the Azurewater Palace required several thousand spirit stones, and Zhang Xuewu was not worthy of Yulou spending such a sum. Therefore, Yulou decided to call upon Wu Jinyan to utilize a bit of his social capital.
"Xuewu... Xuewu's life will henceforth follow Fellow Daoist Yulou's lead blindly!"
Withdrawing his gaze from the Dripdrop Cave Heaven, Yulou looked back at Zhang Xuewu, who was already weeping tears of intense gratitude. His destiny had been completely rewritten from this mont onward!
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