Chapter 69: Rongyuan Returns Home, Jinyan Establishes Foundation

Wangjiashan, a wanderer who had been away for ten years, finally returned to his homeland.

Unlike the Gray Falcon, as a family elder of the Wang clan, Wang Rongyuan had no need to crawl through underground rivers—that would be undignified.

Riding his flight magic artifact, before even nearing the Cengyun Array, he activated the somewhat unfamiliar incantation.

The incantation triggered the array; the array shifted, and the clouds in the sky slowly parted to reveal a path through the clouds.

Gazing at the familiar Shadu Plain in the valley, Wang Rongyuan’s weathered face broke into a smile.

Compared to the treacherous, beast-ridden Western Seas, Wangjiashan was nothing short of a peach-blossom paradise.

Yet the clan chief was not at the clan today; instead, Tie Qinhe, upon seeing him return, flew up to greet him.

“Rongyuan, you’ve worked hard.”

Observing Wang Rongyuan’s empty right sleeve and his two-level decline in cultivation base, Tie Qinhe sighed—he and Wang Rongyuan were old acquaintances.

Despite his imposing name, Tie Qinhe was in fact a withered old man who had reached Foundation Establishment at over one hundred and thirty years of age.

He had been Foundation Establishment for four years and remained in Wangjiashan primarily because, as an outsider who had reached Foundation Establishment, he had too many gaps in his cultivation to fill.

The clan chief had reached an agreement with him: the Wang clan would first supply him with the missing techniques and secret transmissions, and in return, he would offer greater benefits to the Wang clan in the future.

Wang Rongyuan paid no mind to Tie Qinhe’s gaze—the beasts of the Western Seas were not herbivores; they preferred meat, especially the flesh of cultivators.

That great fox-mongoose had eaten only half his shoulder—he was already lucky.

Accompanied by Tie Qinhe, Wang Rongyuan landed before the gate of his family estate.

“Senior Tie, isn’t the clan chief at home?”

Tie Qinhe shook his head.

“You know about the matters between Miaofeng Mountain and Gushen Sect—the Wang clan’s holdings in Qingxi Fang have been affected by the war, requiring the clan chief to go there and oversee things.”

After receiving word from Zhou Yingxi, Yulou had sent a message to the clan chief, but the clan chief had explained things too clearly to Tie Qinhe.

“Still, you needn’t worry about these matters. Now that your Western Seas mission is complete, rest at home for a few years and recover your lost cultivation.”

Wang Rongyuan had lost half his shoulder and his entire right arm to a Great Beast at Foundation Establishment level, causing his cultivation to plummet directly from Qi Refining tenth-layer peak to seventh layer.

His current cultivation of eighth layer is the result of two years’ recuperation in the Western Seas.

After all, even the Immortal Alliance’s edicts couldn’t force a cultivator to die while wounded.

As the Wang clan’s representative who had accepted the edict, once Wang Rongyuan was injured, the Immortal Alliance could not pressure the Wang clan into immediately sending another Qi Refining cultivator in his place.

Thus, he spent two years recuperating at the Immortal Alliance’s outpost in the Western Seas, collecting the full reward for his ten-year hunting mission, before returning home.

“No matter. I exchanged for Yin-Yang Shengmai Drink at the Immortal Alliance’s War Merit Hall—my cultivation and injuries will gradually heal.”

“But in Rongwen’s letter, he mentioned that Yulou is making quite a name for himself in Qingxi Fang ?”

Yin-Yang Shengmai Drink?

Tie Qinhe’s heart stirred—this stuff wasn’t cheap; its price rivaled that of a Foundation Establishment Pill, even the inflated price.

Corresponding to its high cost, its effects were potent: for Qi Refining cultivators, it could regenerate severed limbs without damaging the Dao Foundation.

Clearly, Wang Rongyuan would soon be arranged for Foundation Establishment by the Wang clan.

Thinking this, Tie Qinhe’s demeanor improved. He smiled and said:

“It’s not just ‘making a name’—Baibao Pavilion is nothing special, just pricier goods that still sell.

Yulou also opened a shop called Dahuo Fang, which never sells physical goods, but exclusively brokers trade contracts between other cultivators.

Moreover, he brokered the cooperation between our Wang clan and the Yang clan, reviving the horse racing track.

Over these years, this child has given us more than a few surprises.”

Though Tie Qinhe was praising Wang Yulou, Wang Rongyuan frowned.

Yulou’s primary duty now was to focus on cultivation, not running shops.

Wang Rongyuan had not yet realized the Wang clan was in a critical transition period—a period with both active opportunities and immense risks.

Specifically, what Wang Yulou was doing now had been approved by the clan chief.

“Surprises... fine. Tonight, I plan to host a banquet at home—Senior Tie, you must come. We haven’t seen each other in years; let’s drink properly.

I brought back a few flasks of fine wine from the Western Seas, besides this wound.”

“Don’t call me ‘senior.’ Just call me Brother Tie, like before.

But Rongwen isn’t home, and Rongjiang is in seclusion—though Xianzhou has returned.”

Tie Qinhe was humble—even after reaching Foundation Establishment, he still called the Qi Refining peak cultivator Wang Xianzhou “Uncle Xianzhou.”

In the evening, Wang Rongyuan’s estate glowed with lantern light; he sat among his clan siblings, elders, and juniors, recounting his experiences in the Western Seas.

“...That fox-mongoose was cunning—it disguised itself as a white fox, hiding among a herd of minor white foxes, then struck the instant we approached.

A Daoist friend from Datiantai Mountain stood beside me—he had no time to react before being swallowed whole. My half-shoulder and arm were merely torn off by the fox-mongoose’s jaws as it bit down.

At that moment, I panicked and activated my escape talisman too quickly; its fangs clamped onto half my body, and I couldn’t break free.

I had no choice but to surge my spiritual energy and sever my own shoulder to escape the beast’s mouth.”

The guests at the banquet fell silent.

To have your body clamped by a Great Beast’s fangs and be forced to sever your own shoulder to escape—that was unthinkable.

“Was that fox-mongoose a low- or mid-tier Great Beast? Or did it have any special traits? Rongyuan, tell us in detail.

Perhaps one day, the Wang clan’s younger generation will have a chance to avenge you.”

Wang Xianzhou set down his cup and asked solemnly.

He himself had no chance—he’d had too many enemies over the years.

To go to the Western Seas would mean certain death.

He could only drift through Hongdengzhao, barely bullying Qi Refining cultivators.

“No need. Come, drink. This is Yue Lu Qiongjiang, gifted to me by a female immortal of the Yuehua Sect—it’s unobtainable in Hongdengzhao.”

Wang Rongyuan was remarkably carefree, showing no desire for revenge, instead urging everyone to drink.

Revenge—against whom?

It was the Immortal Alliance’s edict that forced the Wang clan to send people to hunt beasts in the Western Seas.

As for the consequences, the Immortal Alliance didn’t care, and the Wang clan had no power to resist the rules.

On the other hand, the Wang clan could have hired someone else to accept the edict—but they sent Wang Rongyuan directly.

Many things couldn’t be scrutinized too closely; at least the clan’s arrangements were sound.

Without enduring hardship, how could Wang Rongyuan deserve the clan’s resources?

Because of his talent?

Impossible—if talent decided everything, those with poor talent could just lie down and give up, and the Wang clan’s foundation would collapse.

Zhou Yingxi saw herself as a flower in a greenhouse, and Wang Yulou as a wild grass growing strong and vital—her view carried a kind of “why don’t they eat meat?” elegance.

Within the Wang clan’s standards, Wang Yulou had merely proven his talent in business—he still lacked the necessary trials and needed far more refinement.

“Rongyuan, tell us more about that Yuehua Sect female immortal, hahaha!” Tie Qinhe teased.

When the banquet ended and everyone had left, Wang Xianzhou stayed behind, touching Wang Rongyuan’s grotesque wound, his eyes filled with concern.

This Wang clan prodigy, nearing the end of his life, cared deeply for the younger generation.

“Is the Yin-Yang Shengmai Drink enough? If not, I’ll think of another way to help.”

Wang Xianzhou’s Dao Foundation had been irreparably shattered after losing half his body; even the finest pills couldn’t heal his ruined torso—he’d barely maintained his Qi Refining peak cultivation, and that was already a miracle.

Wang Rongyuan’s situation was different: he’d lost half his shoulder and now hovered in an uncertain state, his future unknown.

“Uncle Xianzhou, don’t worry—the Immortal Alliance’s Foundation Establishment elders have examined me. Even if it does affect my Foundation Establishment, the impact won’t be severe.”

Wang Rongyuan spoke calmly.

The clan needed capable descendants to become pillars, so it sent them out, constantly testing them.

Risks were inevitable—Wang Xianmao knew it, Wang Rongyuan knew it.

So he accepted this outcome—at least he was still alive, wasn’t he?

Turn back time a few hours earlier.

At noon, Baibao Pavilion, Yulou stood behind the counter, deeply engrossed in a book titled *Thirty-Six Tactics of Cultivator Combat*.

“Go, summon your shopkeeper!”

A Qi Refining peak cultivator with a bristling white beard tapped the stone counter, ordering Yulou around.

Yulou naturally didn’t argue with a customer. He closed the book and smiled.

“Sir, I am the shopkeeper of Baibao Pavilion—Wang Yulou of the Wang clan of Anbei. May I ask your surname?”

The bristling-bearded cultivator eyed Yulou suspiciously, hesitated, then spoke:

“My surname is Luo—call me Luo San. I heard Baibao Pavilion sells Foundation Establishment auxiliary elixirs?”

Big fish!

Yulou tucked the book into his storage pouch and led this big fish upstairs.

After they sat, a page brought them spiritual tea.

“Master Luo, try this—it’s not Gu Shiling tea, but it’s carefully cultivated by our Wang clan and nearly worthy of the top grade.”

“No tea. Just tell me about the Foundation Establishment auxiliary elixirs,” Luo San said impatiently.

Yulou smiled slightly and began his explanation.

“For cultivators like you who seek Foundation Establishment, Baibao Pavilion offers three services:

First, Foundation Establishment auxiliary elixir information—three hundred spirit stones, granting information equal to what Hongdengzhao disciples can access.

Second, customized Foundation Establishment auxiliary elixirs—we can refine over ten different types; though the cost is high, the quality is guaranteed.

Third, full-process Foundation Establishment guidance—if you’re a lone cultivator, buying Foundation Establishment-related treasures and herbs on your own risks being deceived—you’ll inevitably suffer losses.

If you choose full-process guidance, the Wang clan will impart all knowledge related to Foundation Establishment, provide customized elixir refinement services, and allow you to read the personal cultivation insights of our Wang clan’s ancestral Foundation Establishment elders.”

Of course, if you haven’t found a suitable Foundation Establishment site, the Wang Clan can also arrange a secluded cultivation cave for you.

“How much do you charge for full-process guidance?” Luo Laosan asked eagerly.

“Our standard fee starts at three thousand spirit stones—for customized alchemy and cave arrangement, each adds another three thousand spirit stones, depending on your preferences.”

It’s expensive, yes, but the Baibao Pavilion has always been this way. We dare to charge high prices because we deliver the best service.

Lifting his teacup, Yulou replied softly.

Faced with the Wang Clan’s masterful money-grabbing tactic, Luo Laosan, who had been so confident, slunk away in disgrace.

He had spent years grinding on the frontlines between the two sects, believing his savings were enough to support lavish spending.

Yet before Wang Yulou’s super-sized harvesting machine, he was still far behind.

Having failed to make a sale, Yulou returned to the counter and pulled out the book *Thirty-Six Tactics of Outlaw Cultivator Duels*, continuing to read.

The book sounded dubious, but the content was actually interesting.

Golden-liquid sword techniques, lime-based battlefield control—outlaw cultivators pulled out all sorts of clever tricks just to survive.

“Big brother! Big brother!”

Wang Yuan ran in, calling out Yulou’s name.

“What’s with the yelling? Get to the point!”

Yulou didn’t look up, directly transmitting his voice to reprimand his brother.

Customers and clerks in the Baibao Pavilion turned to look at Yuan; Yuan, embarrassed, nodded politely, feigning calmness, and replied via mental transmission.

“Senior Wu! Wu Jinyan—has successfully established his Foundation!”

Yulou’s pupils contracted slightly as he read.

That high-ranking bastard is finally going to crash and burn!