Chapter 18: Grasp One Fundamental Point and Two Core Principles

Gao Jian, standing nearby, could not see the three hidden by Wang Xianmao’s spell, still whipping them wildly with unrestrained delight.

Under the spell’s concealment, Yulou was already drenched in sweat.

Teaching by word and example, teaching by word and example—Wang Xianmao clearly had a taste for educating younger family members, though his method was unusual.

He began with a question so broad it was a trap, and the goal was simple—to assess the brothers’ character or understanding.

After all, the Clan Chief didn’t know these two youths well; he needed to understand them first, before he could teach them properly.

Faced with this hard-to-answer question, Yulou said nothing, but immediately turned his gaze toward Yuan.

The meaning was obvious.

My dear brother, you go first and take the hit—give me time to charge up my skills.

Yuan didn’t understand that Wang Xianmao was testing them, but Yuan wasn’t stupid.

Yulou stayed silent yet subtly signaled for him to go first—this couldn’t be that simple.

So he copied Yulou’s move.

Hanging around Yulou, Yuan had seen him act obedient in front of elders time and again—he’d picked up a thing or two.

He avoided Yulou’s gaze, lowered his head, drooped his brows, and replicated Yulou’s usual routine.

Hey, my dear brother, the Clan Chief has a question—of course it’s your duty as the elder to answer first; I won’t steal your spotlight.

“Hah! Yulou, you go first.”

Wang Xianmao chuckled at the two brothers—so you’re putting on a show for me?

He actually liked the two brothers; they seemed to dig pits for each other, but that only proved how close they were.

Unity and camaraderie—how could Wang Xianmao not like that?

“Clan Chief, this matter is simple, yet not simple.

From Gao Jian’s perspective, driving away these scattercultivators who refuse to pay lodging fees isn’t wrong—in fact, he did it excellently.

In his official role, he’s responsible for Qingxi Market’s security; these impoverished scattercultivators have little wealth but linger in Qingxi Market, making them potential risks.

In his personal role, he must serve his master Jiang Bao’s interests—the Red Lantern Merit Hall’s branch has arrived in Qingxi Market, accompanied by a Purple Mansion cultivator for protection, and he must handle many matters well for his master.

One must be accountable for one’s position, and even more so for the source of one’s power. We are cultivators, not immortals; Gao Jian is merely faithfully playing his role.”

Yulou’s answer was excellent; Wang Xianmao listened with great satisfaction.

But beside him, Yuan was growing tense.

Wait, brother?

Are you that ruthless?

How am I supposed to answer now?

Can I just say “me too” and skate past this?

“You just analyzed it from Gao Jian’s perspective—what about from our Wang family’s standpoint?”

Wang Xianmao smiled and continued.

He wanted to see just how deep Yulou’s thinking could go.

“The Wang family… Clan Chief, the scattercultivators won’t pay lodging fees but won’t leave—they actually have spirit stones, they’re just saving them to spend after the Red Lantern Merit Hall arrives.

You and Master Jiang and other elders organized the Ghost Market auction perfectly—the timing was exquisite; I learned a great deal from it.

Qi Refining cultivators live two lifetimes; Foundation Establishment cultivators live three. Every cultivator’s path is long; we will have many opportunities in life, but these opportunities won’t fall into our hands by chance.

We must have the courage and resolve to act, to explore, to break conventions—and at the same time, gather friends and companions for stability.”

Yulou’s answer was mostly flattery, with just a touch of substance—Wang Xianmao nodded repeatedly.

Could you say Yulou’s answer was off-topic?

No, being off-topic doesn’t matter—what matters is this answer was perfect, unquestionably perfect!

Beside him, Yuan was already sweating profusely.

Dear brother, Yulou, you’re my real brother.

But why give me not a single opening?

Yulou’s answer was like a university group project where everyone slacked off, but he secretly cranked out thirty pages of PPT, a full paper, and a polished video.

Yuan was utterly overwhelmed by him!

“Good. Let me test you further—if you were the Garrison Cultivator Jiang Bao, how would you respond to the recent influx of scattercultivators into Qingxi Market?”

Yulou paused, then answered.

“First, clarify your position: grasp one fundamental point and two core principles. The fundamental point is Qingxi Market’s development and prosperity; the two cores are demonstrating the Red Lantern’s resolve and helping the Merit Hall branch secure more achievements.

The former is the duty of a Garrison Cultivator—only by fulfilling basic responsibilities can one be considered competent.

The latter concerns tasks beyond the basics, yet is actually more important than mastering the basics.

Cultivation resources in Wunan are limited—otherwise, the Ten Sects wouldn’t have spent millennia expanding westward into the Western Seas.

Even within our own Wang family, since you arrived, Uncle Nianqiu has been unusually busy running errands for you.

Resources are scarce; those in power control the key resources, and those below must understand where to direct their efforts.”

Yulou’s answer far exceeded Wang Xianmao’s highest expectations—his expression shifted from a faint smile to solemnity.

“Yulou, cultivation is your own matter. For us cultivators, true power comes from within.

Is it not a sign of inner weakness to rely solely on external support?”

Yulou paused, then replied.

“Aren’t we still not Immortals yet?”

If you’re not yet an Immortal, countless others are stronger than you—where’s your power?

Everyone’s struggling to climb—why pretend to be carefree?

If you want to transcend the world, escape heaven and earth’s constraints, you must become an Immortal first to earn that right!

Wang Xianmao was stunned, then burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! Good, good!”

The Clan Chief said nothing more, but turned to Yuan.

“Yuan, tell me your thoughts.”

What thoughts could Yuan have?

His legs were weak, his mind a blur.

His gaze at Yulou was complex.

Confusion.

Brother, we both eat Wang family rice, went to the same clan school—how did you end up with a mind like this?

Resentment.

Brother, your answer was brilliant in every way—you left me zero room to breathe!

Relief.

Brother, from now on, if I compete with you, I’m an idiot!

Regret.

Brother, I should’ve just answered outright—I wouldn’t be this embarrassed now!

Yuan shut his eyes, gave up thinking, and spoke bluntly.

“Clan Chief, Yulou’s right—we must seize opportunities, hold more Ghost Market auctions, earn more spirit stones!”

Yulou sighed and shook his head—Yuan had clearly surrendered.

He’d given up entirely, embracing a miserable life.

“You, you should learn more from your brother.”

Wang Xianmao said, half-laughing, half-sighing.

He looked again at Yulou, growing ever more satisfied, then pulled a talisman from his sleeve.

“Yulou, you’re cultivating outside and your cultivation base is still low—you can’t go without a way to save yourself.

Here, take this Hundred-Li Free-Flight Talisman. If anyone tries to harm you, activate it.

It will let you flee a hundred li at the speed of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator’s full-speed flight—ordinary early-Foundation Establishment cultivators can’t catch you.”

It was a rare Foundation Establishment flight talisman, made of silver-colored beast hide, its inscriptions glowing faintly with blue light—clearly extraordinary.

Yulou naturally wanted it, but he looked at the talisman, then at the Clan Chief, then at Yuan.

Yuan didn’t react at first.

But soon, he stared at his beloved Clan Chief in disbelief.

Clan Chief, you can’t be serious.

You can’t be this biased.

You can’t do this to me!

Compared to my brother, I, Wang Yuan, may be weaker—but you can’t treat me like this!

I’m only thirteen! If you do this, my tender heart will be shattered!