Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 238: Entertainment City

Typically, a Golden Core Grand Ceremony—or even a Foundation Establishment celebration—was not a profit-making venture. The host family prioritized prestige and influence over Spirit Stones.

In fact, after accounting for the lavish banquets and gifts required to save face, most ceremonies operated at a loss.

But the Wang family was different. They controlled the entire supply chain.

The Ling Lake fishery provided the seafood delicacies. The family’s brewing division supplied the Spirit Wine. Wang Hao secretly funneled Spirit Fruits from his personal stash at a fraction of the market cost. It was a closed loop; the family was essentially trading their own surplus production for the guests’ valuable congratulatory gifts.

It wasn’t just about saving money; it was a massive, captive audience for advertising. The Grand Ceremony was the perfect stage to launch the Wang family’s premium products into the wider market.

Furthermore, the expansion of Qingniu Market was critical. The Qingyuan Sect had grown fat on the trade taxes of their market; now, as a Golden Core power, the Wang family intended to do the same.

Since Jin Heng’s visit, the ownership of the markets had been settled. The Wang family immediately launched an aggressive expansion of Qingniu Market. The other four founding families—Lei, Cheng, Zhao, and Li—had fallen in line.

Lei Liheng, who had once plotted resistance, had completely surrendered to reality. He not only funded the majority of the construction but also donated a Second Rank High Grade formation array seized from the fallen Gu family.

This was the brutal truth of the cultivation world: Strength is Supreme.

Unable to fight and unwilling to flee, the Lei family had no choice but to kneel. And once you kneel, you must offer tribute.

The Li family had always been allies, so their position was secure. But the Lei, Cheng, and Zhao families were terrified. If they didn’t prove their loyalty now, the Wang family wouldn’t need to attack them directly—they would simply delay reinforcements during the next Beast Tide, and the problem would solve itself.

However, submission came with benefits.

A prosperous Qingniu Market was a rising tide that lifted all boats. Previously, the market generated 50,000 Spirit Stones annually in taxes and fees. The Qingyuan Sect took 70%, leaving the five families to fight over scraps—barely 3,000 stones each.

But if the expanded market could generate 300,000 stones? Even if the Wang family took the lion’s share, the remaining 30% split among the four vassals would net them nearly 20,000 stones each.

And that didn’t include the profits from their own shops, which would explode with the increased foot traffic.

These Foundation Establishment patriarchs weren’t blind. They saw the golden future the Wang family was building, and they wanted a seat at the table.

Wang Hao arrived to inspect the construction.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, please, take a look,” Lei Liheng said, bowing slightly. His tone was respectful, devoid of the cold arrogance of the past. He didn’t even dare use the term “Little Friend” anymore.

“Per your specifications, we have laid out six main avenues—three horizontal, three vertical. We have constructed 76 storefronts, with space reserved to the south for future expansion. We have also allocated plots for the new City Lord’s Mansion and the Earth Fire Hall. Once Senior Wang upgrades the Spirit Vein, we can tap into the geothermal fire immediately.”

Wang Hao nodded, his face impassive, though internally he was amused by Lei Liheng’s transformation from rival to sycophant.

Seventy-six shops might seem excessive now, but Wang Hao was thinking decades ahead. If they absorbed 20 vassal families, each would need a storefront. Large merchant guilds would want a presence.

“And for the first ten years,” Wang Hao mused, drawing on his past life’s business strategies, “we will offer rent holidays to attract high-quality tenants.”

They walked down the ten-zhang-wide main avenue.

“This is the new Plaza,” Lei Liheng gestured expansively. “Paved with First Rank Jade. It is ten times the size of the old one, capable of hosting thousands of rogue cultivator stalls and over 10,000 guests.”

“And here is the Auction House. Five stories, partly subterranean. The main hall seats 2,000; the private boxes are fitted with soundproofing arrays for VIPs.”

They arrived at a section of the city that looked different from the rest. Instead of the austere, functional architecture typical of cultivation markets, this area was a maze of exquisite pavilions, water gardens, and glowing lanterns.

“And this,” Lei Liheng said, his voice dropping to a reverent whisper, “is the project you requested. The Entertainment Street.”

“Entertainment City,” Wang Hao corrected him.

“Yes, yes! Entertainment City!” Lei Liheng laughed nervously. “A genius concept, Fellow Daoist. A district dedicated entirely to pleasure—dining, drinking, and… relaxation. The staff training is underway. Frankly, if the paint were dry, I would be the first customer.”

Cultivators were still human. After months of life-or-death struggles in the Broken Origin Mountain Range, they craved release. The old market offered only dingy gambling dens and low-class brothels.

Wang Hao was building something else entirely.

Spirit Water Saunas. Fine dining with spirit-infused ingredients. High-end theaters. Concert halls. Wang Hao had already “composed”—that is, plagiarized—over 100 songs from his previous life to train the performers.

He wanted to show these ancient cultivators what true entertainment looked like.

If it took off, he planned to introduce the concept of “Idols.” He would create stars, sell merchandise, and secure endorsements. It was a commercial empire waiting to be born.

The staff would be a mix of mortals and low-level rogue cultivators. The only requirement: be young, beautiful, and charismatic.

They continued the tour until they reached the central intersection.

“Fellow Daoist, look here,” Lei Liheng pointed to a massive block of pristine Second Rank Jade standing in the center of the square. “This was donated by Fellow Daoist Cheng. We propose to carve a statue of Senior Wang Guang’an here, so all who enter may gaze upon the majesty of a Golden Core patriarch!”

Wang Hao nearly choked. Good lord, Lei Liheng. I knew you were a bootlicker, but this is shameless even for you.

“No,” Wang Hao coughed, keeping a straight face. “Too high-profile. The Ancestor dislikes vanity. Carve it into a Green Ox instead.”

“A Green Ox?” Lei Liheng looked disappointed. “Does Senior Wang not intend to rename the market? ‘Wang Family Market’ has a nice ring to it. Or perhaps use his Daoist title?”

“No,” Wang Hao said firmly. “Qingniu Market remains Qingniu Market.”

Wang Guang’an didn’t even have a Daoist title yet. And even if he did, plastering his name everywhere was asking for trouble. The Wang family’s philosophy was practical growth, not empty vanity.