Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 217: Jin Heng’s Visit

After Wang Guang’an departed, Wang Yanzhao stood up and said, “I trust you all understand the Ancestor’s intentions. I need not say more. The Golden Core Grand Ceremony is imminent. This is the single most important event for the Wang family right now. The appointments for the new positions will be finalized in three days; you will be notified then.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “Dismissed. Once you leave, convey the Ancestor’s decree to every clansman immediately. Warn them: anyone who violates the family laws now will find no mercy.”

With that, Wang Yanzhao exited the Council Hall. Wang Hao and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators followed in file.

Only after the heavy doors closed behind the leadership did the remaining clansmen dare to exhale. The sound of collective gasping filled the room as they wiped cold sweat from their brows and adjusted robes that had clung to their damp backs.

The news of the meeting spread through the family like wildfire. Reactions were mixed. The majority of the clan cheered, seeing a path for advancement based on merit. But a significant minority looked as though they were mourning their own parents, their faces grim and pale.

Equally grim was the expression of Jin Heng, the current Headmaster of the Qingyuan Sect.

Since the arrival of the Wanderer of the Vast Sea, Jin Heng had lived in a state of high anxiety. Fortunately, the formidable cultivator had not seized direct power. Although the Wanderer treated the entire Qingyuan Sect like his personal servants—demanding they scour the land for rare heaven and earth spiritual treasures—this was standard behavior in the cultivation world. Strength entitled one to service.

As long as the Wanderer didn’t interfere with the Sect’s internal operations, Jin Heng could swallow his pride.

Today should have been a good day. The Qingyuan Sect was finally reopening its mountain gates after a long lockdown. But the moment the gates opened, the manager of Qingyuan Market delivered a crimson invitation card from Wang Guang’an.

A Golden Core cultivator.

The Wang family, a mere vassal, had produced a Golden Core patriarch.

If this were the past, Jin Heng wouldn’t have batted an eye. Even if the Wangs had a Golden Core, they would still have to tuck their tails between their legs. The Qingyuan Sect had possessed three Golden Core masters then; crushing the Wang family would have been as easy as flipping a hand.

But times had changed. The Qingyuan Sect was a shadow of its former glory. Jin Heng was the sole remaining Golden Core cultivator, and he was only at the early stage. He didn’t even have a peer to consult with—the Wanderer of the Vast Sea had declared absolute seclusion and forbade all disturbances.

Jin Heng was alone.

“No. I cannot wait.” Jin Heng paced his hall, his mind racing. “If I wait until the Grand Ceremony, I will be completely passive. I must go to the Wang family now. I need to gauge Wang Guang’an’s attitude personally.”

With a heavy sigh, he transformed into a streak of light and shot into the sky, tearing toward Wang Family Ridge.

A journey that would take a Foundation Establishment cultivator ten days took a Golden Core master less than one.

Wang Guang’an was startled by Jin Heng’s sudden arrival. He hurriedly arranged a reception in the newly constructed Welcome Hall.

“Junior Wang Guang’an pays respects to Senior Jin!”

Wang Guang’an bowed deeply, adhering strictly to the etiquette of a junior. He had only just formed his core. He possessed neither a Dharma Treasure nor powerful divine abilities. He was no match for a veteran like Jin Heng. Moreover, the Qingyuan Sect’s resources and manpower still dwarfed the Wang family’s by tenfold. He could not afford to offend them—yet.

Jin Heng waved his hand with a warm, practiced smile. “Fellow Daoist Wang, you have already formed your Golden Core. We are peers of the same generation now. There is no need for such formalities!”

Though his words were polite, Jin Heng was inwardly relieved by Wang Guang’an’s submission. A humble Wang family was a manageable Wang family. With strong enemies lurking on all sides, the last thing he wanted was a rebellion in his own backyard.

“The Qingyuan Sect has sheltered the Wang family for generations,” Wang Guang’an replied, his face a mask of sincere gratitude and humility. “How could this junior dare to claim equality with Senior?”

“If you have such a heart, that is enough,” Jin Heng chided gently. “But do not say such things in public, lest it damage the reputations of both our houses.”

He produced a white jade porcelain bottle. “This is a Foundation Establishment Pill. Consider it a congratulatory gift for your advancement.”

Wang Guang’an accepted the bottle with effusive thanks, but inwardly, he scoffed. A Golden Core sect giving a single Foundation Establishment Pill? Stingy. A proper gift between Golden Core forces should be a Third Rank spiritual item.

Jin Heng, a master of observation, caught the microscopic flicker of dissatisfaction in Wang Guang’an’s eyes. He narrowed his eyes, secretly pleased. Good. He still has the mindset of a small clan—cautious, timid, afraid to voice his grievances.

The Qingyuan Sect’s treasury held several Third Rank items, but Jin Heng wasn’t about to hand them over for nothing.

A stick, then a sweet date. He had established the hierarchy; now he needed to offer the carrot. If he pushed too hard, he might drive the Wang family into the arms of the Blazing Heaven Sect, which would be catastrophic.

Jin Heng retrieved a sleek black box and slid it across the table.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, open it and take a look.”

Wang Guang’an looked at him with feigned confusion, then carefully lifted the lid.

He sucked in a cold breath.

Inside lay a magnificent fan, glowing with shifting, iridescent light. Waves of terrifying spiritual energy radiated from it, distorting the air above the box.

“The Three Flames Fan,” Jin Heng introduced with a smile. “A Middle Grade Dharma Treasure. It can unleash three distinct fires: the Ultimate True Flame, the Ultimate Yang Flame, and the Ultimate Heat Flame. It has the power to boil seas and melt mountains. The Wang family rose to prominence through Alchemy, so I assume Fellow Daoist possesses a Fire Spiritual Root. This treasure should suit you perfectly.”

A Middle Grade Dharma Treasure?

Wang Guang’an was genuinely shocked. A Low Grade Dharma Treasure started at 200,000 Spirit Stones. A Middle Grade one? You couldn’t touch it for less than 400,000.

Was Jin Heng truly this generous?

What does he want?

Suppressing his excitement, Wang Guang’an closed the box but did not pull it closer. He looked Jin Heng in the eye. “Fellow Daoist Jin, what is the meaning of this? As the saying goes, one does not accept rewards without merit. Please, speak plainly.”

Jin Heng’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn gravity. He wasn’t giving this away for charity; that would be strengthening a potential rival.

“Very simple,” Jin Heng said. “If you agree to merge the Wang family into the Qingyuan Sect, this fan is yours. I guarantee that your disciples will receive treatment identical to our own. And you, Fellow Daoist Wang, will become a Supreme Elder of the Qingyuan Sect. Your status will be second only to mine.”

Jin Heng had calculated this move carefully. The best way to neutralize the threat of the Wang family was to absorb them. It would remove a potential rival and bolster the Sect’s strength instantly. With two Golden Core cultivators, revenge against the Blazing Heaven Sect would no longer be a pipe dream.

“If that is the condition, then Headmaster Jin, please return.”

Wang Guang’an rejected it instantly.

The Wang family had clawed its way up from nothing. To merge into the Qingyuan Sect now would be suicide. “Identical treatment”? Beautiful words. But once they were inside, the Qingyuan Sect’s massive majority would swallow them whole.

As a Supreme Elder, Wang Guang’an would be “promoted” to a high shelf, unable to interfere in the daily squabbles of the juniors. Within a few decades, once the current generation of Wang Foundation Establishment cultivators died of old age, the Wang family identity would be erased.

Jin Heng had expected the refusal, but he still sighed dramatically. “Ah, it seems Fellow Daoist’s attachment to his clan runs deep. Very well. Let us hear the second option.”

A second option? He had come prepared.

“Please speak,” Wang Guang’an said calmly, unwilling to burn the bridge.

“An alliance,” Jin Heng said. “Our two families will form a formal pact to jointly resist the Blazing Heaven Sect and the Boundless Palace.”

Wang Guang’an raised an eyebrow. “Is that all? My Wang family has lived here for generations under your protection. We would never betray our friends to join the enemy. If that is your condition, I agree immediately.”

Jin Heng smiled, a glint of cunning in his eyes. “Fellow Daoist Wang… have you ever heard of the Purple Void Secret Realm?”

Wang Guang’an paused, searching his memory. He had only just entered the Golden Core circle; his knowledge of high-level secrets was nonexistent.

“I have not,” he admitted, shaking his head. “As Fellow Daoist knows, I am but a humble family cultivator, isolated and uninformed. Please forgive my ignorance.”

“No matter,” Jin Heng said, taking a slow sip of his tea. “Allow me to enlighten you.”

“I am all ears.”

Jin Heng set down his cup. “Fellow Daoist must have heard the rumors that the cultivation world of the Southern Sea was not recently developed. It was occupied by human cultivators long before the last ten thousand years… correct?”