Protect Our Patriarch

Actually, Wang Liyao wasn't lacking in resources at the moment.

After all, she was the personal disciple of Tianhe Daoist, a great prodigy. Among all the personal disciples in the academy, she enjoyed the highest level of treatment.

However, the academy had its own rules. Every resource was supplied according to rank, with a fixed amount. If one wanted more resources to accelerate their cultivation, they had to take on some academy tasks to earn extra credits.

Additionally, the Changning Wang's Clan also provided a substantial subsidy for Liyao, to help her grow quickly.

The Monan Wang's Clan's attitude was also very clear: they wanted to make a long-term investment in Wang Liyao. Once she grew to the Divine Realm in the future, remembering the current support, the Monan Wang's Clan would have a strong backing, giving them more confidence in their development.

Seeing Wang Shouzhe remain silent, Wang Zonghao continued to persuade, "Fourth Uncle Shouzhe might not be clear about the growth speed of a great prodigy. Let me explain. Most great prodigies, as long as they grow smoothly, will advance to the Celestial Realm within sixty years and to the Zifu Realm within two hundred years."

"But unlike ordinary prodigies whose ultimate goal is just the Zifu Realm, every great prodigy's final goal is to advance to the Divine Realm. Therefore, in the early stages, the faster they cultivate, the better. Otherwise, any delay or accident in the future could easily affect their path to the Divine Realm."

"If the resources are sufficient, Liyao could attempt to reach the Celestial Realm around the age of forty-five and the Zifu Realm at one hundred and fifty. This way, she would have five hundred years to strive for the Divine Realm, greatly increasing her success rate."

"Assuming Liyao cultivates at the fastest speed before reaching the Celestial Realm, the average annual cost would be around one hundred thousand top gold, totaling about two million top gold. Fortunately, great prodigies don't need the 'Ascension Pill' to advance to the Celestial Realm, saving a significant amount."

"During the Celestial Realm period, the average annual cost is three hundred thousand top gold, lasting for a hundred years, which amounts to thirty million top gold. Adding the sixth-grade spiritual pill 'Tongling Baodan' needed to advance to the Zifu Realm, and other auxiliary pills, that's another five million top gold. The total cost adds up to around forty million top gold!"

"In just over a hundred years, such a huge amount of funds is needed. Even with academy subsidies, family subsidies, and the credits she earns from tasks in the outer battlefield, it would still be tight."

Tens of millions of top gold?

Wang Shouzhe had previously estimated the resources needed for a great prodigy to reach the Zifu Realm, but this was much more than he had anticipated.

But it made sense. The higher the cultivation level of a Basalt cultivator, the greater the daily cultivation consumption. In this regard, the Monan Wang's Clan, as a Purple Mansion Clan, certainly had more experience and more accurate estimates than him.

Fortunately, Tianhe Daoist would definitely provide some subsidies, and with the support from the academy and the family, it shouldn't be a big problem.

What gave Wang Shouzhe a headache was that Liyao wasn't the only great prodigy in the family...

Ancestor Long Yan's current annual consumption was already over ten million top gold. When she reached the mid and late Celestial Realm, the expenses would rise even higher.

Then there was his wife Liu Ruolan, his legitimate son Wang Zong'an, and himself, Wang Shouzhe... The future cultivation consumption was daunting just to think about.

Besides, the expenses of other clan members were not low either. There were quite a few prodigious clan members, and if they wanted to develop well, resource support was indispensable. Otherwise, even with prodigious qualifications, they would end up wasted.

Seeing Wang Shouzhe frown, Wang Zonghao thought he was worried about Liyao's future development and immediately tried to persuade him, "Our Monan Wang's Clan may not be wealthy, but we can't let our great prodigy suffer, can we? Letting Liyao run around doing academy tasks in the early stages would be a waste of time, wouldn't it?"

Seeing that Wang Zonghao made sense, Wang Shouzhe, with the principle of saving wherever possible, agreed, "In that case, I'll thank Clan Leader Zonghao on behalf of Liyao."

"We are all from the Wang's Clan, we should support each other, no need to thank me," Wang Zonghao said with a pleased expression, then added, "As for Liyao, when she reaches the Zifu Realm and wants to advance to the Divine Realm, the resources needed will be even more massive. At that time, even with the combined strength of our Monan and Changning clans, we might not be able to support her. Fourth Uncle Shouzhe, I suggest you go to the capital in advance to seek support from the main branch."

Wang Shouzhe agreed, "If there's a chance to go to the capital, I will naturally visit the main branch of the Wang's Clan."

What Wang Zonghao said made sense. Having a great prodigy in the family was undoubtedly a great blessing. But supporting a great prodigy to the Divine Realm was no easy task.

There had been instances in history where several clans of the same lineage jointly supported a great prodigy. After all, every Divine Realm expert was a pillar of the nation, and such investments were worth it.

There were even cases where several clans of the same lineage jointly supported a Divine Realm expert and then merged into one clan, becoming a third-grade clan.

However, Wang Shouzhe firmly believed that by the time the great prodigies in his family reached the Zifu Realm and aimed for the Divine Realm, the annual income of the Changning Wang's Clan would be far more than the current millions.

Seeing Wang Shouzhe agree to the proposal, Wang Zonghao and Wang Dingxin's attitudes towards him became much more cordial.

It was understandable.

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With Liyao as a link, both sides now had a common long-term interest, rather than just the original kinship.

As their relationship grew closer, Wang Zonghao spoke more freely, "By the way, Fourth Uncle Shouzhe, there's something I need to ask you."

"Go ahead," Wang Shouzhe nodded at him.

"It's like this," Wang Zonghao's expression became slightly serious, "Fourth Uncle Shouzhe, how is the relationship between the Changning Wang's Clan and the Mo's Clan of Monan?"

"Oh?" Wang Shouzhe raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding, "Are you asking if there are deep-seated interests between our two clans? Previously, it seemed that the Mo's Clan was trying to sow discord between the Qian's Clan of Longzuo Commandery and the Monan Wang's Clan, intending to create a rift. Is there some conflict between the Mo's Clan and our Wang's Clan?"

Hearing Wang Shouzhe say "our Wang's Clan," Wang Zonghao smiled knowingly and said frankly, "It's just some interest conflicts. As Fourth Uncle might know, the Mo's Clan of Monan is a nouveau riche family that got rich from mining. They haven't even washed off their stench yet, and they're already eager to move their entire clan to the commandery city, currying favor with this one and that one, trying to gain a foothold in the city."

"But honestly, mining is really profitable. Therefore, our Wang's Clan and the Huangfu's Clan both took action and discovered some mining areas belonging to small families around the Mo's Clan's territory. We signed contracts with those small families to cooperate in mining."

"Where there's profit, there's conflict. The Mo's Clan believes that the Wang's Clan and the Huangfu's Clan are jointly suppressing their living space and bullying the new family. In recent years, they've been spreading rumors and currying favor with Purple Mansion Clans from other commanderies."

"If Fourth Uncle has a close relationship with the Mo's Clan, I would naturally give you face. But if it's just a casual acquaintance... hehe, then forget it."

Wang Shouzhe understood.

This was the Monan Wang's Clan showing goodwill to him again. Before dealing with the Mo's Clan, they wanted to hear his opinion, showing their respect for the Changning Wang's Clan.

Wang Zonghao, as the clan leader nurtured by the main branch, was indeed meticulous and thorough in his actions, especially when he wanted to befriend you, making you feel like a spring breeze.

However, he had no relationship with the Mo's Clan, so how could he vouch for them?

Wang Shouzhe smiled calmly and said frankly, "The Mo's Clan has no significant relationship with our Changning Wang's Clan. Clan Leader Zonghao need not consider my thoughts, just do as you see fit."

"In that case, I understand."

Wang Zonghao's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had made some decision.

***

Meanwhile.

In a private room of a tastefully decorated restaurant in Monan Commandery City, two young women were sitting opposite each other.

On the table between them were two pots of strong liquor and some smokeless charcoal-grilled meat skewers, emitting a spicy aroma that whetted the appetite.

On the left side of the table sat a young woman in a fiery red dress, looking heroic and somewhat like a female hero.

This young woman was none other than Huangfu Feifei, a prodigy of the younger generation of the Monan Huangfu's Clan.

On the right side of the table sat a woman in an ice-blue long dress.

She had a beautifully crafted spiritual sword hanging diagonally at her waist, her long hair reaching her waist, and an extraordinary temperament. However, there seemed to be an unshakable shadow on her delicate face.

"Wanqiu," Huangfu Feifei raised her wine cup to her, "You've been gloomy all day, and you won't say why. Do you still consider me a friend? I even thought it was that Wang's Clan scoundrel bullying you, so I went and beat him up."

It turned out that the woman in the ice-blue long dress was Mo Wanqiu.

"Feifei, it's a personal matter, it has nothing to do with Wang Shihai," Mo Wanqiu shook her head, "You really don't need to get involved."

"You're my friend, your business is my business. Everyone knows that I, Huangfu Feifei, am the most loyal!" Huangfu Feifei's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had an epiphany, "Could it be that someone in Longzuo Academy is bullying you? No wonder you don't want me to get involved, afraid I can't handle it?"

"Hehe, last time I didn't get enough of fighting in Monan Academy. Alright, I'm bored anyway, I'll go to Longzuo Academy with you. By the way..."

"No!" Mo Wanqiu hurriedly stopped her, "Don't mess around! You're not her..."

"You want to say I'm not her match?" Huangfu Feifei raised her eyebrows, looking unconvinced, "Is that person a man or a woman? How old?"

Although she was confident, she knew that the academy was full of hidden talents and experts, and she couldn't beat some of the older prodigies.

"She's a woman, only twenty years old..." Mo Wanqiu said helplessly.

"A twenty-year-old woman?" Huangfu Feifei sneered, "Isn't she three years younger than me? Wanqiu, do you really think so little of me... that I can't beat someone younger than me?"

"No... you misunderstand. It's not Miss Liyao's fault, it's just that my qualifications are too poor to even be her follower," Mo Wanqiu lowered her delicate face, her eyes dim, "Feifei, I'm not underestimating you. Miss Liyao is a great prodigy~~ I once saw her spar with an elder in the mid-Celestial Realm. Although she lost in the end, she injured the elder. I was so impressed by her that I wanted to be her follower, but unfortunately..."

A great prodigy? Sparring with a mid-Celestial Realm elder?

Huangfu Feifei's expression froze, seemingly shocked, but after a few moments, her eyes lit up, "So she's a great prodigy, no wonder she's so impressive. I've never seen a great prodigy in my twenty years of life~~~ This time, I'll send you to Longzuo Academy and see the power of a great prodigy. Wanqiu, when are you going back to Longzuo Academy?"

"Sigh~ I'll return to the academy after this auction. If you want to come with me, just don't cause trouble," Mo Wanqiu sighed.

She knew that Huangfu Feifei was not a peaceful person, which was why she hadn't told her the truth. She was well aware that although Feifei was strong, the gap between her and Miss Liyao was still significant.

"After the auction? Wanqiu, have you set your eyes on some treasure?" Huangfu Feifei asked curiously.

Mo Wanqiu hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, "My father has convinced the elders to use the family's funds to buy the 'Wuji Baodan' for me, to help me enhance my prodigy bloodline."

"Normally, our family hasn't developed to the point where we can cultivate a Zifu Realm expert, and producing a prodigy would be a waste. But my father believes that if I become a prodigy, I can find a way to become Miss Liyao's follower. With a great prodigy as our master, the Monan Mo's Clan would have a strong backing, deterring some predators. Moreover, as an academy disciple, with prodigy treatment and family resource support, I can pave the way for the family to the Zifu Realm in advance. Considering all this, the family thinks it's worth a try."

"Wuji Baodan, that's a good thing," Huangfu Feifei's eyes also lit up, "It's just too expensive, and it doesn't do much for my bloodline enhancement. Wanqiu, I didn't expect your Mo's Clan to have saved up such a huge amount of money while developing rapidly~"

The larger the family, the greater the annual income, but the various expenses would also increase dramatically. Under such huge expenses, the family could save very little each year. Moreover, these funds couldn't be easily used and had to be accumulated for major events like the transition to the Celestial Realm or the Zifu Realm.

"Wuji Baodan," Mo Wanqiu's eyes showed a trace of excitement and obsession, her cheeks slightly flushed, and she murmured in her heart, "Miss Liyao, I will not disappoint you again."

***

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

During these days, Monan Commandery City had gradually become visibly bustling. Many family representatives, like Wang Shouzhe, who had come from other commanderies, had arrived one after another.

These family representatives were at least from sixth-grade families, and not the weak ones with only three Celestial Realm experts.

The specifications and level of this auction by the Baibao Pavilion were evident.

The Changning Wang's Clan was probably the only seventh-grade family this time.

Soon, it was the day of the Baibao Pavilion auction.

That day.

The weather was clear, with no clouds in the sky.

Monan was at a high altitude with a dry climate, and there was little water vapor in the sky, so clouds were rare. On clear days, the sky was a deep, gem-like blue, breathtakingly beautiful.

The Baibao Pavilion was located under this sky, occupying a large area in the northern part of the commandery city.

Unlike the common low buildings in Monan, the Baibao Pavilion was significantly taller than the surrounding buildings, more majestic, standing out like a crane among chickens.

Today, the day of the auction, the Baibao Pavilion was even more splendidly decorated than usual, adding a touch of grandeur, fully showcasing its extraordinary status.

On this day, Wang Shouzhe and his party arrived at the auction venue early.

For such a high-level auction, each family was naturally allocated a private room.

The Changning Wang's Clan and the Monan Wang's Clan, one seventh-grade and one fifth-grade, from different regions, were naturally in separate private rooms.

Wang Shihai, as an "attendant," was in the same private room as Wang Shouzhe, Ancestor Long Yan, and the Puppet Wang Shouzhu.

The Baibao Pavilion had a significant background, and this auction was also intended to showcase its heritage and strength. Besides the "Wuji Baodan," the auction items included the essential pill for advancing to the Zifu Realm, the "Tongling Baodan," which was even more valuable than the Wuji Baodan.

In short, the items offered by the Baibao Pavilion this time were quite attractive, and each family had its own desired items. Although the Wuji Baodan was precious and miraculous, not every family wanted it.

As Wang Shouzhe and his party settled in, other families also arrived one after another.

Every family qualified to enter this auction was a dominant family in their region.

The Changning Wang's Clan, if not for Wang Shouzhe's strong earning ability and even stronger spending ability, probably wouldn't have qualified for the auction.

"Fourth Grandpa, that's the Wang's Clan from Lingbei Commandery, a sixth-grade family," Wang Shihai, with his high starting point and keen insight, introduced to Wang Shouzhe, "Although they share our surname, the Lingbei Wang's Clan has no relation to our Daqian Wang's Clan."

Wang Shouzhe nodded silently. He had heard of the Lingbei Wang's Clan. In the past, he had even made up a name "Wang Ziteng" to pretend to be a member of the Lingbei Wang's Clan to attend an auction.

"That's the Cao's Clan from Longyuan Commandery, a fifth-grade Purple Mansion family. This family has a profound heritage and is not to be underestimated, with the potential to advance to a fourth-grade family," Wang Shihai pointed to another group and introduced.

Hearing this, Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but take a few more glances at that private room.

The Saintly Land prodigy Cao Youqing, who had had a conflict with the Wang's Clan, was from the Longyuan Cao's Clan.

He had never stopped tracking and investigating Cao Youqing, as his intuition told him that Cao Youqing was a proud person who wouldn't easily let go after suffering a big loss from the Wang's Clan.

"Huh? The Gongye's Clan from Tianfu Commandery is here too?" Wang Shihai raised his eyebrows in surprise and introduced to Wang Shouzhe, "The Gongye's Clan is known for their craftsmanship. The famous 'Heavenly Workshop' is a business of the Daqian third-grade Gongye's Clan. However, the Gongye's Clan of Tianfu Commandery is only a fifth-grade family, a branch of the Daqian Gongye's Clan."

Gongye's Clan?

Wang Shouzhe squinted his eyes. That was a very wealthy family.

Back then, he had spent eighty thousand top gold just to repair a Heavenly Puppet at the "Heavenly Workshop"...

"That's... the Zuoqiu's Clan from Qing'an Commandery!"

Suddenly, Wang Shihai's eyes widened, his voice filled with surprise.

"The Zuoqiu's Clan is a fourth-grade family, almost dominating Qing'an Commandery. Could it be that their target is also the 'Tongling Baodan'?"

The Monan Wang's Clan's goal this time was to acquire the "Tongling Baodan," preparing resources for their Zifu seed, Wang Dingxin, decades in advance.

After all, advancing to the Zifu Realm was a major event, and preparing resources decades in advance was common practice.

Hearing this, Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly. He had also heard of the Zuoqiu's Clan from Qing'an Commandery. Qing'an Commandery was located in the heart of Daqian, developed early and with a long history, not to be underestimated.

He focused his attention on the group from the Zuoqiu's Clan.

The leader was a young man who looked very young. He was dressed in luxurious clothes, wearing sword boots and a jade crown, with a sword hanging at his waist. He had a handsome and extraordinary appearance.

However, his gaze was somewhat arrogant, and as he scanned the room, there was a faint hint of contempt.

It was clear that this young man held a high status within the Zuoqiu's Clan.

Behind him, two elderly men in luxurious robes stood guard. They were also upright, composed, and extraordinary, with profound profound energy cultivation that was as deep and unfathomable as a thousand-year-old cold pond.