Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 269: The Million Spirit Stone Gap

Wang Guang’an and Wang Hao stared at the ledger, their brows knitting tighter with each line item. The financial deficit was catastrophic.

Spirit Soil, defensive formations, architectural repairs—the total projected cost was a staggering 1.2 million Spirit Stones.

Over the years, Wang Hao had accumulated nearly 500,000 Spirit Stones through his Farm, and if he liquidated his various treasures, he might scrape together a million. But even emptying his personal pockets wouldn’t fill this black hole. More importantly, he couldn’t explain the source of such vast wealth to the Patriarch without revealing his deepest secrets.

The silence in the hall was heavy until Wang Wenyan stepped forward.

“Ancestor,” she reported, her voice steady. “We surveyed the two Spirit Lakes. We found five Second Rank Red Dragon Fish and one hundred and thirteen First Rank specimens. Currently, it is the spawning season. Zhu Shan has examined the stock and confirmed that many are ready to lay eggs. If we protect them properly, we project a yield of five hundred fry.”

“Good!” Wang Guang’an exclaimed, relief washing over his face. “Finally, some good news. The Ye family mandated that we raise these fish, but we were expected to purchase the fry ourselves. This saves us a significant expense.”

He stood up, looking at Wang Wenyan with genuine appreciation. “Your Dao Companion is a talent. Very well, I will make the decision now: once the spawning season concludes, the clan will grant Zhu Shan a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Wenyan’s eyes widened, and she bowed deeply. “Thank you, Ancestor! Wenyan is endlessly grateful!”

“Rise,” Wang Guang’an said warmly. “Zhu Shan has served the Wang family faithfully for years. He deserves this reward. Let this be a signal to all cultivators who marry into our clan: as long as you work diligently, I, Wang Guang’an, will treat you as one of our own.”

“The Ancestor is wise!” the assembly chorused.

Wang Guang’an raised a hand to settle the room, returning to business. “Regarding the Spirit Soil… prioritize the Medicine Gardens. The area is small and easier to defend, and we need it to fulfill the Ye family’s tribute of Spirit Gathering Grass. For the Spirit Fields, cultivate only enough Spirit Rice to feed the clan. The rest will have to lie fallow for now.”

He pointed to the map of the island. “As for construction, repair the residences and critical infrastructure first. We have fewer than 100 clansmen; we don’t need the entire complex operational yet. We will make do with the supplies we brought from Wanxiang City and expand slowly as funds allow.”

“The Spirit Lakes are critical,” he emphasized, looking at the elders. “Spare no effort there. Since we lack underwater defensive formations, increase the guard patrols. Once the eggs hatch, the local wildlife won’t be a threat to the fry.”

Wang Guang’an issued command after command, stabilizing the clan’s precarious footing. The initial cost of developing a Third Rank Spirit Mountain was brutal, but once they weathered the storm, the returns would be immense.

Wang Hao spoke up. “Ancestor, we are new to this region. Should we send invitations to the neighboring powers? It would be wise to establish diplomatic relations.”

“I have already invited Liao Yetian,” Wang Guang’an nodded. “We will host a ‘Housewarming Banquet’ in six months. I will write invitations for the other Golden Core factions later. Whether they attend is irrelevant; the point is to announce that the Wang family has arrived and is here to stay.”

He turned to the elders. “Inform the Li family cultivators that they should remain on Giant Turtle Island for now. It is safer here. After the banquet, they can choose one of the five satellite islands to settle on.”

The Li family was the Wang clan’s first vassal in the overseas region. Treating them well was essential to setting a precedent for future subordinates.

Wang Guang’an paused, then looked at Wang Hao. “Where is the Ji family located? In a few days, I will accompany you on a visit.”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators present smiled knowingly. The alliance with the Ji family was an open secret.

“That’s right,” Wang Wenmei teased. “Fifth Brother isn’t getting any younger. It’s time he found a Dao Companion. Fairy Ji is talented and beautiful—a perfect match for our Fifth Brother!”

“The family is pushing for fertility, and even the Ancestor is leading by example,” Wang Wenyan added with a grin. “Fifth Brother can’t stay single forever. Even I plan to have a few children with Zhu Shan soon!”

Laughter rippled through the hall, lightening the grim atmosphere.

Wang Hao smiled faintly at the mention of Ji Xiaotang. He recalled the coordinates she had given him for Giant Crab Island. “The Ji family is two million miles to the south. Let’s wait a year or two. I plan to enter secluded cultivation soon to master a secret technique.”

He needed to train his Golden Eye Pupil Technique. It wasn’t just for combat; the enhanced vision would be invaluable for studying high-level formations. The clan desperately needed formation masters, and without suitable candidates, Wang Hao had to fill the gap himself.

“Very well,” Wang Guang’an nodded. “As long as you have a plan. By the way, have the Foundation Establishment Pills been refined?”

Wang Hao produced a jade bottle. “Luck was on our side. I refined seven pills, all Middle Grade quality. With a few more attempts, I might be able to produce High Grade ones.”

A murmur of appreciation went through the room.

Pill quality mattered. Middle Grade pills had fewer impurities than Low Grade ones, meaning less pill toxicity and a more stable breakthrough. High Grade pills were even better, increasing the success rate of Foundation Establishment by an additional ten percent.

Including the two pills from the Treasure Clarity Pavilion, the clan treasury now held nine Foundation Establishment Pills—enough to sustain their growth for the next few years.

“Excellent!” Wang Guang’an beamed. He took the bottle and immediately dispensed three pills to Wang Wenmei. “Distribute these to Wenxian, Wenjing, and Wuyan. Have them enter seclusion immediately. You will act as their Dharma Protector.”

He then handed three more to Wang Wenyan. “One is for Zhu Shan, to be given after the fish spawning is secure. You will protect him during his breakthrough.”

“The other two,” he continued, “give to He Qing. We made a promise, and the Wang family does not break its word.”

The benefits the Wang family had reaped from the He family’s mine were immense; two Foundation Establishment Pills were a small price to pay for such loyalty.

“As for the invitations,” Wang Guang’an scanned the room. “Yanping, you go. Your cultivation is higher. Take the Flying Cloud Boat and two Qi Refining disciples.”

“Yanyuan, lead a team to construct the Mortal City. The ships carrying the mortals should be arriving soon.”

“Yes, Ancestor!”

“Dismissed. Go about your duties.”

The Wang family threw themselves into their work. The island buzzed with activity, but the treasury continued to bleed Spirit Stones without any income to stem the flow.

Eating into their capital was unsustainable. The new Foundation Establishment cultivators would need Magical Artifacts, but the clan’s armory was nearly bare. Most of the spoils from the Sect War had been distributed years ago or left back at Green Cattle Market.

Furthermore, the fertility policy required massive subsidies in Spirit Stones, and raising a generation of cultivators required tons of Spirit Rice.

Living on an island, the ocean was the obvious source of wealth. Hunting Demon Beasts was profitable, but the clan simply lacked the manpower to organize hunting parties while also building a city and guarding their territory.

This paralysis would only break once the new batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged from seclusion.

Wang Hao could do little to help with the administrative grind. His battlefield was the cultivation chamber.

It was time to close the door.