Chapter 20

Received a warning letter! The family's life and death are at stake?

The Wang Family Old Residence has been renovated, and it has even been upgraded.

That Misty Spirit Gathering Array is turning again.

This time it's more stable than before, and the effect of gathering spirit qi is much better.

The spirit qi in the courtyard has become thick; even taking a breath feels a bit sweet.

This is a great thing for the younger generation of the Wang Family to cultivate, and for those precious seedlings in the spirit fields as well.

Wang Shan sat in the courtyard.

He was consolidating his Body Refining Seventh Layer cultivation on one hand, and pondering the new features after the system upgrade on the other.

In the Spirit Plant Mall there are now Condensing Yuan Grass seeds, a Basic Alchemy Furnace, and a Detailed Introduction to Alchemy Techniques.

He felt that the family now had more ways forward.

Farming, alchemy, drawing talismans…

It seemed like a path of a self-sustaining, ever-stronger cultivation family was slowly unfolding before their eyes.

But he also understood.

Whether exchanging good seeds, buying equipment, or learning new skills, all require lots and lots of Spirit Plant Points.

Moreover, the Wan Family could come at any time to strike a heavy blow.

This is the sword hanging over his head.

Even at Body Refining Seventh Layer, going up against a cultivation family with deep foundations is still not enough.

This pressure has been following him.

On the Wang Family's side, they had just been a little happy because their strength had increased a bit.

But also because they were worried about future danger, their hearts were tense, and they were busy preparing.

Just at this moment.

An unexpected person arrived, breaking the temporary tranquility of the old residence.

That morning, a guest arrived.

A middle-aged man in a blue robe.

The courier led him to the gate of the Wang Family Old Residence.

The man looked quite steady.

His clothing was ordinary in style, but the material was good.

More importantly, he had a calm and unhurried demeanor.

There also seemed to be a mark of the two characters 'Heavenly Confucian' on his cuff.

All these indicated he was no ordinary person.

"Excuse me, is this the place where Old Master Wang Shan lives?"

The middle-aged man spoke in a very gentle tone, and his attitude was also good.

He even seemed to show a bit of respect.

This left the courier who was leading the way, as well as the neighbors peeking out to watch the excitement, stunned.

Heavenly Confucian Academy!

That place is in Heitu City, famous throughout the prefecture! It's a great place for cultivation!

Usually, who among those who come out of the academy doesn't hold their chin high?

Not to mention these ordinary folks, even the high officials in the county find it rare to see an ordinary student from the academy.

Today, surprisingly, a Heavenly Confucian Academy steward of considerable status personally came to the Wang Family's gate?

And he was so polite?

Has the Wang Family recently run into good fortune?

First, they heard that Old Master Wang Shan was incredibly formidable, having driven away the Chen family's bad servants.

Now even the Heavenly Confucian Academy has taken the initiative to send someone!

In an instant, gazes of envy, jealousy, and wild speculation all fixed on this seemingly ordinary farmstead.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Shan went out to meet them himself.

Looking at the blue-robed man before him, his heart also stirred a little.

He could sense that this person had cultivation, though not strong, roughly at Body Refining Fourth or Fifth Layer.

But the gentle aura of a scholar, plus the confidence that comes from a big place, cannot be underestimated.

"Old man, I am Wang Shan, the master of this household. I don't know what business brings the steward all this way?" Wang Shan clasped his hands and asked politely.

The blue-robed man smiled and returned the salute: "Old Master Wang, you're too polite. I am Liu Ming, an outer steward of the Heavenly Confucian Academy. I have been sent by our Vice Dean specifically to deliver a letter to your family."

A letter personally written by the Vice Dean!

Wang Shan's heart jumped, and he quickly made way: "Please, steward, come inside!"

Liu Ming smiled and waved his hand: "No need, just delivering the letter is fine. I still have things to do, so I won't disturb you further."

While saying that, he took out a wax-sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Shan with both hands.

"This is a letter personally written by our Vice Dean, who is also the teacher of your grandson Wang Xuanqing. Please, Old Master, open it yourself."

Wang Shan received the letter.

The envelope felt a bit heavy in his hand.

The wax seal bore an ancient-looking 'Confucian' character stamp.

That uneasy feeling in his heart became even clearer.

What could the lofty Vice Dean, teacher of Xuanqing, possibly write to a country old man like himself?

The troublesome steward personally made the trip. Wang Shan thanked him sincerely.

Old Wang, you're too polite. I'm leaving." Liu Ming again clasped his hands, turned and left, without any delay.

Watching Liu Ming walk away, the surrounding neighbors started whispering, increasing their awe of the Wang family.

Wang Shan held the letter, turned and went back to the courtyard.

He had the curious sons and grandsons who had gathered around disperse.

He alone went to the main hall and sat down.

He rubbed the envelope, steadied his mind.

Then he carefully broke the seal and took out the letter inside.

The letter paper was fine xuan paper.

The characters were written with strong force, carrying a sense of righteousness.

Indeed, it was the Vice Dean's handwriting.

Wang Shan focused his spirit and read carefully.

The beginning of the letter was a tremendous piece of good news.

The Vice Dean wrote in the letter that his grandson Wang Xuanqing had awakened his spiritual root.

This child has a special affinity with the Confucian Dao, and his talent is very high.

Even the Vice Dean appreciates him quite a bit.

Therefore, he has formally taken Wang Xuanqing as an indoor disciple and will teach him well.

"Indoor disciple!"

These four words made Wang Shan's hand tremble slightly.

Before he was only a nominal disciple; now he is an indoor disciple—the status difference is huge!

This shows that Xuanqing can learn the Vice Dean's true abilities and receive the academy's best resources for cultivation!

The letter also said that Wang Xuanqing now trains diligently and progresses quickly.

He has already begun studying the true Confucian Dao cultivation method; his future prospects are very bright.

Reading this, Wang Shan's face broke into a grin he could hardly contain, and his eyes grew a little wet.

Good! Great!

Xuanqing this child truly hasn't disappointed the family!

The Wang family has finally produced a scholar with great promise!

Moreover, he is a disciple under the Vice Dean of the Heavenly Confucian Academy!

If this news gets out, the Wang family's status in Luo Bay County will immediately rise significantly!

This makes him happier than his own breakthrough to the seventh layer of Body Refining.

He seems to already see the Wang family flourishing in the future because of Wang Xuanqing.

This good news must be told to the family right away!

Wang Shan forcibly suppressed the urge to go share it immediately, then continued reading the letter.

But the content later in the letter made his smile fade slowly, and his brows furrowed.

The Vice Dean shifted the topic, speaking about what the Wang family has recently been doing in Luo Bay County.

It is obvious that the Wang family's feud with the Chen family, especially the major clash with the Wan family in which they killed two Body Refining eighth-layer cultivators, has already reached the academy in Heitu City.

The Vice Dean spoke politely, but his meaning was clear.

He reminded Wang Shan that cultivation requires cultivating the mind, with virtue being paramount; one cannot rely solely on fighting and killing.

An eye for an eye leaves no end.

He also said the academy is a tranquil place and does not wish disciples to be overly involved in family feuds.

Fearful that getting involved in trouble would affect their cultivation.

Reading this, Wang Shan's heart sank.

The Vice Dean is both reminding him and stating his position.

The academy does not approve of the Wang family's violent, blood-soaked rise.

At the end of the letter, the Vice Dean's attitude improved somewhat.

He said that, considering Wang Xuanqing's face, if the Wang family truly faced a catastrophic disaster, the academy would not ignore it.

But the meaning in his words is also clear: for ordinary family feuds, such as the current conflict with the Wan family, the academy will not intervene.

He hopes the Wang family will resolve it themselves.

Finally, he added a special sentence, hoping the Wang family will act with discretion.

Don't, due to a momentary impulse, ruin Wang Xuanqing's and the Heavenly Confucian Academy's reputation.

After reading the whole letter, Wang Shan remained silent for a long time.

His emotions rose and fell, joy and worry mixed together, indescribable.

The joyful part is that grandson Xuanqing has a bright future, and the Wang family indeed now has a strong potential backer.

If this relationship is used well, it could save lives at critical moments.

The worrisome part is that the academy's attitude is very pragmatic.

They value Wang Xuanqing's future, not the Wang family.

They are willing to give some protection, but there are limits and conditions.

Wanting the academy to directly help resolve the Wan family matter is basically impossible.

Moreover, the Vice Dean's words also convey dissatisfaction with the Wang family's methods.

Wang Shan understood that leaning on the academy as a big tree is not that easy.

"Ah…"

Wang Shan let out a soft sigh, carefully folded the letter paper, and put it away.

The academy's attitude made him see reality more clearly.

To forge iron, one must be strong oneself.

The family's fate ultimately still depends on oneself.

It's better to rely on oneself than to hope for others.

At the same time, he also felt that Wang Xuanqing's position at the academy was an honor, but it could also be a double-edged sword.

His talent and the vice dean's favor could bring benefits and intimidation to the Wang family.

But it could also make the Wang family and Wang Xuanqing themselves targets of attention, even attack and exploitation.

For example, the Wan family, if they learned of Wang Xuanqing's situation, might want to eliminate him even more ruthlessly.

Or perhaps someone might want to use the Wang family to attack Wang Xuanqing, even affecting that vice dean.

These are all risks to consider.

"Strength… after all, it's still strength…"

Wang Shan said softly, his eyes growing deeper and more resolute.

He must quickly increase his and his family's strength!

Not only to deal with the Wan family's imminent retaliation.

Also to give his grandson, far away at the academy, a stable home so he can cultivate in peace without worrying too much about home.

Furthermore, so that when the Wang family truly needs the academy's help, they will have enough weight to make the academy act, rather than just empty words.

This letter from the Heavenly Confucian Academy calmed him down.

It dulled the excitement from the system upgrade and the beautiful hopes for the future, letting him see the present difficulties clearly again.

The road ahead is still long, with many challenges.

But his conviction grew even firmer.

To protect this home, for his descendants, he, Wang Shan, must take responsibility!

He stood up, put the letter away, and prepared to tell this news, both good and bad, to the family's core members.

The future of the Wang family depends on everyone working together to strive for it.