Chapter 21: I Really Should Die!

"Among the many arts that assist the Dao, array formations are one of the best choices. Your clan uncle Rongyuan is proficient in array formations and is considered the next generation's array master of our Wang Shi."

"Array formations for transporting spiritual energy are very simple; even cultivators at the Qi Refining stage can lay them out, though they are a bit troublesome."

Carrying the two children, Wang Xianmao arrived at the location of the spiritual well.

He placed his hand on the well's mouth, stimulated the last remaining common spiritual seed, and transformed it into a special white elm wood.

It was far superior to mundane white elm wood, carrying a trace of spiritual energy, yet still far inferior to a ninth-grade spiritual object.

Under the control of spiritual power, the white elm wood disintegrated into slender, tubular wooden strips to facilitate the transport of spiritual energy.

This exquisite wood technique left Yulou and the other two mesmerized.

"Haha, neither of you has a Wood spiritual root, so there is no need to watch."

"Come, begin setting up the array formation for transporting spiritual energy. I have already prepared the positions for inserting them in every room beforehand; let us start with the first floor."

Yulou picked up the wooden strips and silently followed behind Wang Xianmao, while Wang Yuan was somewhat curious.

"Is there no necessary connection between techniques and spiritual roots? I saw Master Hongmei use the Use Water Technique just two days ago."

Wang Xianmao began to explain.

"One can cultivate different techniques without a corresponding spiritual root, but this involves an issue of cost versus effect."

A cultivator with a Water spiritual root can typically achieve seventy or eighty percent of the effect when casting the Torrent Technique, whereas a cultivator without a Water spiritual root can at most achieve forty or fifty percent."

The time required for every cultivator to learn enough to stand on their own is fixed; learning techniques that align with one's spiritual root yields better results."

"Yes, just place it there. My spiritual seed itself originates from my cultivation; once placed inside, it will align with the wooden building and serve as an array node."

Wang Xianmao was very satisfied with Yulou's efficiency.

This child is good in every way, except he is too smart; being precocious is actually not a good thing."

"Uncle Rongyuan is profound in wood techniques, and you are also profound in wood techniques."

"Among the few spiritual objects of our Wang Shi, only the foolish donkey Yuan, this Wood-attribute spiritual object, is eighth grade."

"But neither I nor Brother Yulou have a Wood spiritual root; does this mean we cannot learn many of the family's secret transmissions?"

Having the opportunity to communicate with the Clan Leader, and not being foolish, Wang Yuan naturally would not let it pass, so he continued to ask."

Actually, he did not know that this was Yulou deliberately giving him a chance to show himself."

Yulou knew deeply that even between biological brothers, one cannot snatch all the glory; relationships require management and maintenance."

We are all legitimate sons of the Wang Shi; giving Wang Yuan more chances will not cost him anything—after all, the struggle for Foundation Establishment resources is at least decades away."

In dark-style cultivation novels, the protagonist is always filled with bitterness and hatred; given Yulou's background of losing both parents, even the family servants would bully him."

But having traveled to this world for just over thirteen years, Yulou has neither experienced a broken engagement nor any face-slapping by villains, and has not even experienced an adventure."

Catching fish in the water, hunting in the mountains, mining in the cave, and toiling to trade between two worlds—Yulou has done none of these."

Did this affect his abundant harvest?"

No!"

When he became a disciple, his master gave him a Mid-Quality artifact that fit him very well."

The clan uncle said nothing, merely silently arranging half a jin of spiritual rice for him every day—not even mentioning that type."

Recently, he has met the Clan Leader twice."

The first time, he received a pot of eighth-grade spiritual wine and a low-grade artifact golden cup (Wang Rongwen borrowed an old ghost's flower to present to the Clan Leader, who then bestowed it upon Yulou)."

The second time, he simply answered questions well and received a Hundred Mile Carefree Escape Talisman, which is extremely difficult even for Qi Refining cultivators to obtain—this thing is very valuable and is used by the Clan Leader to exchange for merit!"

Brotherly love, family protection, and the master soon reaching Foundation Establishment; for Yulou, the most important thing now is to cultivate well while maintaining good relationships with the family and his master."

As long as he holds the thigh tightly, the shelter of the Wang Shi and Hongmei can be maintained until he achieves success in Qi Refining!"

"Whether you learn or not, there is nothing to regret; you are still young and do not understand the difficulty of wood techniques."

"If you are not good at combat, nor good at auxiliary arts, it looks like you can do everything, but you are not proficient in anything."

"As for you two, both having dual spiritual roots, in the future when Yulou achieves success in Qi Refining, he can join the Red Lantern Sect and enter the inner sect directly."

"As for Wang Yuan... the Fulong Temple is too far; you can go to Miaofeng Mountain. I have a very close friend there at Miaofeng Mountain."

Wang Xianmao calculated very carefully."

Yulou is extremely intelligent and can seek Foundation Establishment resources at the Red Lantern Sect; in the future, he can choose the right moment to become a disciple under a Purple Mansion master, thereby seamlessly becoming a true disciple of the Red Lantern Sect and serving as a pillar of the Wang family within the sect.

Wang Yuan is slightly inferior to Yulou in all aspects, so he can go to Miaofeng Mountain to try his luck; such minor sects attached to major sects have slightly shallower waters and fewer restrictions."

After Wang Yuan enters, if he can use Miaofeng Mountain's resources to reach Foundation Establishment, he can return to the family in the future; if not, the Wang family can also help him reach Foundation Establishment."

The position of the next Clan Leader will most likely be chosen between Wang Rongwen or Wang Rongyuan; the generation after that will be Wang Yuming and Wang Yuan."

Yulou is the Qing Qilin; the Qing Qilin cannot have his life wasted in the Wang family mountains."

If you love your child, you plan deeply for them."

Wang Xianmao's expectations are actually similar to those of a mortal mother for her daughter."

"I want to go to the Fulong Temple..."

Wang Yuan was somewhat dissatisfied with the Clan Leader's arrangement, or rather, the young Wang Yuan disliked the Clan Leader's underestimation of him."

"Yulou can enter the Shi Sect; why can't I enter the Shi Sect?"

"Clan Leader, the family raised me; Yulou is more willing to stay at home and contribute to the family!"

Yulou's answer made Wang Yuan slap his thigh hard."

No, big brother, my dear big brother!"

Is this the legendary one sentence worth ten?"

Indeed, I still have much to learn from you!"

Looking at Yulou, Wang Xianmao's eyes were full of tenderness; what a good child."

"Hahaha, it is all far off; you two should focus on Qi Refining first!"

"Let's go, up to the second floor; we will lay out the array formation for the second floor."

To Wang Yulou's surprise, the clan head neither taught nor demonstrated anything in the end; he simply had them finish laying out the formation and then let them rest.

In truth, this was because he did not understand Wang Xianmao.

The clan head merely liked the young people of the family and wanted to grow closer to the two brothers; that was all.

"Brother, do you think the clan head likes you a bit more?"

Lying in bed, Wang Yuan felt uneasy no matter how he thought about it.

They were both Wang family descendants, yet the clan head was clearly somewhat biased.

Why can't I enter the Shi Sect?

Wang Yulou sat cross-legged on the bed, reading the cultivation travelogue the clan head had given them by the light of the Eternal Bright Lamp.

Hearing Wang Yuan's question, he set down the travelogue.

"Do you really want to know?"

Wang Yuan pouted, turned his back, and said.

"Forget it; who am I to say I'm not as smart as you."

Wang Yulou sighed and spoke.

"I had no parents from childhood. Although I did not suffer cold glances within the clan, I still grew up alone, so I naturally appear more mature than you and than those brothers and sisters our age.

The clan head is not biased; he was simply worried that something bad might happen to me because of my parents, so he paid a bit more attention to me; that was all."

Wang Yuan stopped twisting and stopped speaking.

I truly deserve to die!

I truly deserve to die!

I truly deserve to die!

Seeing the effect was significant, Wang Yulou satisfiedly raised an eyebrow and continued guiding Wang Yuan.

His younger brother was actually very good; he was just thirteen years old, so sometimes he was a bit impulsive, which was normal.

"If you wish to join the Fulong Temple, it is not actually difficult. As long as you perform better, achieve profound cultivation, and reach a competent level in magical combat, the clan head will certainly give you a chance."

"No need, Brother. I'll just follow you. If you want to stay in the Wang family, I'll stay in the Wang family too.

We two brothers won't rely on a great sect; relying on ourselves, we can still become immortals!"

Hearing Wang Yuan's aggrieved voice, Wang Yulou was somewhat speechless.

The brotherly bond, thicker than blood, is often more moving than those so-called loves.

"Sleep; we'll talk about future matters later."

Wang Yuan fell silent for a long while, then said softly.

"Brother, I'm hungry..."

Wang Yulou almost lost his composure.

"Then go get something to eat."

"How?"

"Go check the kitchen on the front floor; there should be something. The Fuyuan Residence does not seal its stoves at night."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"You didn't ask..."

"Actually, I was hungry on the first night I arrived."

"Fine, go then; I'll sleep first."

"I'm afraid to go alone; let's go together."

"..."

"Brother?"

"Let's go!"