Furthermore, the Chaos Earth Seal had also successfully advanced, reaching the grade of a mid-tier spiritual artifact. Its power had increased significantly, though unfortunately, the runes inscribed upon it had not yet fully manifested.

Wang Hao had also successfully entered the field of artifact refinement. With the high-level perspective granted by his elevated cultivation base, he quickly advanced to become a mid-grade first-rank artifact refiner. This progress was mainly due to the large amount of materials he had on hand for practice.

Of course, his primary goal was not artifact refinement itself but the creation of puppets. Just a month ago, he successfully crafted the simplest form: a one-meter-tall puppet dog. It could only serve as a consumable scout for pathfinding, possessing no offensive capabilities and pitiful defense.

However, once a skill is mastered at an Novice, further development becomes easier. Wang Hao believed that with sufficient effort, he would eventually be able to craft high-grade puppets.

At this moment, he held a round piece of wood in his hand, carefully shaping it with a carving knife. When he blew away the wood shavings, it became clear that he was carving the head of an ape.

Another half-day passed before the ape head in Wang Hao’s hands finally took shape. After he infused it with spiritual power, the ape’s eyes flickered with a faint light.

“Finally succeeded!” Wang Hao let out a long sigh of relief.

Puppetry truly consumed a tremendous amount of time. Just the carving process alone took him two or three days to complete the parts for a single puppet. Moreover, it required intense concentration; the slightest distraction could lead to failure.

This was his twentieth attempt at carving a mid-grade first-rank puppet component. All previous attempts had failed. Only this one had succeeded.

Carving was not merely about shaping the form; it also involved inscribing complex runes onto the surface, similar to printing circuit boards in his previous life. Only if every line was correctly inscribed could the entire puppet operate successfully—a process of immense complexity.

He inserted the ape head into the pre-prepared body, twisting it a couple of times to ensure a precise fit.

Placing five low-grade Spirit Stones into the compartment in its abdomen, the ape puppet flashed with white light and began to move with a series of mechanical clicks.

“Initiate attack!” Wang Hao commanded.

The ape puppet clenched its fist and struck fiercely at Wang Hao. He caught the blow with one hand, absorbing the impact.

After assessing the force, he nodded. “Hmm, its power is comparable to that of a mid-stage Qi Refining body cultivator. It qualifies as a competent puppet!”

There were still many materials left behind by Huang Youcheng, but Wang Hao did not continue practicing. Instead, he took out a crystal-clear, translucent fruit.

“I’ve waited nearly two years for you, and you’ve finally ripened! Let me test whether you truly possess the Grandmaster, heaven-defying effects!”

The fruit in his hand was none other than the Jasper Moon Fruit.

Now that he had five golden plots of land and over a dozen black plots, the farm’s output had increased dramatically. Consuming such a valuable fruit did not pain him as it once would have.

The Jasper Moon Fruit lived up to its formidable reputation.

As soon as it entered his mouth, Wang Hao felt a surging medicinal power wash over him. However, this power was not violent; there was no risk of bursting his meridians. Since there was no danger, the following period involved slowly refining the energy.

Wang Hao spent roughly two months digesting the medicinal power of a single Jasper Moon Fruit. As a result, his cultivation successfully advanced another layer, reaching the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

The residual energy was insufficient for Wang Hao to break through to the fourth layer, but it still saved him several years of arduous cultivation. He estimated that in about five more years, he could step into the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

In less than eight years since reaching Foundation Establishment, his cultivation had advanced two layers consecutively—a feat that would be unbelievable if spoken of aloud.

Wang Hao could actually continue consuming the fruit to break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment in one go, but he felt that his Qi was somewhat unstable. Relying on medicinal power for advancement was far less solid than slowly tempering oneself through cultivation.

In the past, he had also used Spirit Gathering Pills for cultivation, but their effects were minimal, serving only as a supplement. The main reliance was still on the cultivator continuously refining the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, ensuring the Qi did not become too superficial.

This realization made him inwardly vigilant, and he decided to postpone consuming more spiritual fruits for a few years. Moreover, he had been in seclusion for over two years; it was time to go out and check on things.

He personally had abundant resources and could stay in his cave abode for decades without issue, but the other clan members could not.

As soon as Wang Hao emerged from seclusion, he saw Li Derong practicing sword techniques in the courtyard. Her cultivation had also improved by one layer, reaching the second layer of Foundation Establishment.

Li Derong was genuinely surprised to see Wang Hao.

“When you previously mentioned you would be in long-term seclusion, I was somewhat puzzled. But now, seeing you advance two layers in cultivation in less than two years… it is truly astonishing!”

Hearing the commotion, the others also came out, their eyes filled with similar astonishment. The Wang Family members held an additional hint of joy in their gazes.

However, surprise aside, no one asked Wang Hao how he accomplished it. Cultivation secrets were absolute taboos; even among family members, it was inappropriate to inquire too deeply. Only between father and son or husband and wife might a few words be exchanged.

Wang Hao waved his hand, not wishing to discuss cultivation matters further. instead, he looked at the crowd.

“In these two years, everyone’s strength has improved to some extent. There’s no need to flatter me. Let us first go discuss the next course of action!”

Everyone nodded repeatedly and hurriedly followed Wang Hao to the meeting hall.

Only one person’s gaze was evasive, lingering at the very back. But the more they acted this way, the more attention they drew. The others glanced at them but only sighed softly, saying nothing.

Wang Hao also glanced over and understood immediately: it was Wang Yanyuan. The spiritual fluctuations around him still lingered at Qi Refining Perfection, indicating that his Foundation Establishment attempt had failed. No wonder he behaved this way.

Wang Hao took the initiative to approach him. “Seventeenth Uncle, a temporary failure is not the end. We are overseas now, where resources are abundant. After we go out to hunt demons again, I will naturally purchase another Foundation Establishment Pill for you!”

In fact, his Essence Condensing Fruit had already ripened, but his alchemy skills had not yet advanced to the required level, so he was currently unable to refine it. However, he had been stuck at the mid-grade second-rank alchemist level for several years, with success rates for several types of pills above fifty percent. It was time to attempt refining high-grade second-rank pills. With no shortage of spiritual herbs, producing them was merely a matter of time.

“I am truly ashamed, unworthy of the Elder’s cultivation,” Wang Yanyuan’s eyes reddened, tears nearly falling.

He had spent decades in the clan without even glimpsing a Foundation Establishment Pill, yet upon arriving overseas, he received one. He thought he would become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but who could have imagined that out of six who took the pill, he alone failed?

The bitterness in his heart was known only to him. “Yanyuan truly dares not waste the clan’s resources further. Elder, you must not waste Spirit Stones on Yanyuan again!”

Wang Hao patted his shoulder. “Do not lose heart; this is a major taboo in cultivation. I, with my five-element Spiritual Root, was able to reach Foundation Establishment—so why not you with your three-element Spiritual Root? We have only this many people now, and keeping Spirit Stones in hand without using them is also a form of waste. It’s better to improve your cultivation. However, the clan is not investing resources for free; after you reach Foundation Establishment in the future, you must gradually repay this amount of Spirit Stones!”

Wang Yanyuan still wanted to refuse, but upon seeing Wang Hao’s firm gaze, he struggled for a moment before kneeling on the ground.

“Yanyuan will surely live up to the Elder’s expectations and, in the future, will serve the clan with utmost dedication, even unto death!”

“Alright, alright, rise. Let’s go inside to talk!” Wang Hao helped him up, and they entered the meeting hall.

He and Li Derong took the upper seats.

Li Derong spoke first. “You have just emerged from seclusion and are not yet aware of the developments over these two years. Should we step out first to let you discuss family matters?”

“No need,” Wang Hao waved his hand. “Our two families have come to this place and should share the same spirit and interests. Moreover, there is nothing to hide! It’s just a few words; no need to trouble yourselves.”

He then looked at Wang Wenyan. “Wenyan, first explain the operations of the shop.”

“Yes, Fifth Brother!”

Wang Wenyan stood up, took out a small booklet, opened it, and began her report.

“Elder, after over two years of operation, the Pill & Talisman Pavilion has acquired a group of regular customers. Revenue has gradually increased. Last year, we were able to achieve a balance between income and expenditure. This year, we even retained a profit of two thousand Spirit Stones. However…”

At this point, she paused and glanced hesitantly at the Li Family cultivator beside her.