Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 211: Family Inventory

“I don’t have that many Spirit Stones on hand, Fellow Daoist Chen. Can I settle the payment with other goods?”

“Certainly, but we will handle the appraisal. Naturally, if you are unsatisfied with our valuation, you are under no obligation to sell.”

Wang Guang’an nodded and retrieved two Foundation Establishment Pills. These had been reserved for the clan’s younger generation, but the current emergency left him no choice.

Chen Yuanfeng examined the pills personally before summoning a middle-aged female cultivator to verify the authenticity.

“The Foundation Establishment Pills are perfectly preserved. We appraise them at 35,000 Spirit Stones each, for a total of 70,000.”

The price was fair. Wang Guang’an accepted it without objection.

He then produced a Hundred Fragrance Fruit Tree. He had brought a significant amount of resources with him, a precaution taken in case the family met with unexpected disaster and needed to re-establish their foundation elsewhere.

Wang Hao had originally discovered three of these trees. One had been sold to the Baoqing Pavilion, and of the remaining two, Wang Guang’an had brought one along.

The female cultivator glanced at the specimen and spoke calmly, “One Second Rank Middle Grade Hundred Fragrance Fruit Tree. Appraised at 80,000 Spirit Stones.”

He was still short by 90,000. Gritting his teeth, Wang Guang’an brought out several more bottles of Pills, along with spiritual herbs, talismans, and Magical Artifacts. Finally, the total value of the goods reached 200,000 Spirit Stones. He settled the remaining 40,000 in cash.

Chen Yuanfeng and the female cultivator drafted a receipt. They handed him a nautical chart marking the route to Giant Turtle Island, along with a command token. This token signified his ownership; for the next century, the island and its surrounding waters were the private territory of the Wang family. Trespassing was strictly forbidden.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, there is a remaining balance of 160,000 Spirit Stones. Please ensure this is repaid within ten years. Otherwise, we will be forced to repossess Giant Turtle Island ahead of schedule.”

Wang Guang’an nodded grimly. He left the City Lord’s Mansion and made his way toward the location of the now-destroyed Pill and Talisman Pavilion.

Since the shop had been obliterated by the heavenly tribulation, the Wang family had temporarily rented a nearby inn. When the clan members saw Wang Guang’an return, their faces lit up with joy.

“Ancestor, is our Wang family truly a Golden Core family now?”

“Ancestor, should we return to the clan immediately? With you as a Golden Core cultivator, even the Qingyuan Sect wouldn’t dare move against us lightly!”

“Ancestor, please tell us about the process of forming the core!”

The questions came in a torrent. Wang Guang’an felt no annoyance, only an indescribable warmth. He coughed lightly, and the room fell into immediate silence.

He recounted the perilous experience of his tribulation, satisfying their curiosity.

Finally, he addressed the pressing matters. “The shop will be rebuilt soon, and we will continue our lease here. Furthermore, I have purchased the rights to an island from the Ye family. The Wang family now has a true foundation overseas. As for returning to the main clan… you will have to wait. The family is currently cash-poor and cannot afford the teleportation fees for everyone.”

The news that they couldn’t go home disappointed some of the clansmen. Many hadn’t seen their parents or children in nearly a decade, particularly the younger ones. However, the revelation that they now possessed an island with a Third Rank Middle Grade spiritual vein quickly restored their spirits.

While cultivating in Wanxiang City was possible, it was far from convenient. Their living conditions were cramped, and finding a quiet cave dwelling for Secluded Cultivation was impossible. Furthermore, essential clan industries like spirit farming and beast taming required land—land they simply didn’t have here.

Wang Yanfeng, ever the pragmatist, was more concerned with the massive debt. He mentally tallied the shop’s recent profits. “Ancestor, the shop’s accounts hold 30,000 Spirit Stones. I have over 10,000 in personal savings. Perhaps if we all pool our resources, we can clear the debt immediately?”

“Yes, Ancestor,” Wang Wenmei chimed in. “We all have some savings. If we combine them and sell off a few treasures, we should be able to cover the 160,000.”

Wang Guang’an was deeply moved by their loyalty. He let out a hearty laugh. “You are all good children. But there is no need to rush. We must build a proper residence on the island, and that will require a river of Spirit Stones. The debt can wait.”

He continued, his voice steady and reassuring. “Do not worry. Since Wanxiang City gave us a ten-year deadline, they will not trouble us before it is due. I plan to make a trip back to the main family to gather Supplies and reinforcements.”

“The family has Wang Wenhao, a business prodigy. After all these years, I imagine the clan’s treasury has grown significantly.”

“In short, the Wang family will only rise from here!”

The clansmen laughed, the tension in the room dissolving.

Time was of the essence. The construction of their new base was urgent, and Wang Guang’an was anxious about the state of the main branch.

After a brief discussion, it was decided: Wang Guang’an would return to the family immediately to ensure their safety and bring back more clansmen and supplies. Meanwhile, Wang Yanfeng and the others would stay in the city to manage the reconstruction of the shop and prepare for the move to the island.

Before leaving, Wang Guang’an met with Li Dedao and the other cultivators from the Li family. Li Dedao was respectful; now that the Wangs were a Golden Core family, the two clans were no longer equals.

However, Wang Guang’an had no intention of burning bridges. He offered Li Dedao a choice: strike out on their own in Wanxiang City, or become a vassal of the Wang family. If they chose the latter, the Wangs would sublease a smaller island with a Second Rank spiritual vein near Giant Turtle Island to them.

Seeing Li Dedao hesitate, Wang Guang’an did not press him. He was returning to Qingniu Market anyway and could discuss the matter directly with the Li family head.

He headed straight for the Teleportation Hall.

The local Golden Core cultivators who had hoped to curry favor with him were left disappointed; they hadn’t expected the new patriarch to leave Wanxiang City in such a hurry.

Back at Wang Family Ridge.

In the council hall, Family Head Wang Yanzhao was presiding over a plenary meeting to review the clan’s development over the past few years.

Three years had passed since the last family competition. By their calculations, the Qingyuan Sect was nearing the day it would reopen its mountain gates.

Aside from Wang Hao and Wang Longyou, who were in Secluded Cultivation, every Elder was present.

Wang Yanzhi, who had managed the family’s finances since reaching Foundation Establishment, cleared his throat to speak first.

“Over the past few years, thanks to the tireless efforts of every clan member, our revenue has seen steady growth.”

He opened his ledger. “This year, total revenue stands at 25,067 Spirit Stones. The pill business remains our pillar, contributing 40 percent. The remaining 60 percent is derived from spirit fish, spirit rice, herbs, minerals, wine brewing, and the hunting spoils of our outdoor teams.”

He paused, his expression turning serious. “However, total expenditure stands at 31,032 Spirit Stones. The primary costs are clan stipends, accounting for 40 percent. Benefits, competition Rewards, and initial investments in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation take up another 30 percent. Hospitality and miscellaneous expenses are 10 percent. The remainder… is entirely consumed by the special incentives for the Childbirth Encouragement Policy.”

“Hiss…” Several Elders drew in sharp breaths.

“The family is running a deficit?” one asked in disbelief.

Wang Yanzhi nodded gravely. “In previous years, we maintained a surplus of over 10,000 Spirit Stones annually. But recently, as the population has exploded, the cost of stipends and birth incentives has skyrocketed. Expenditure has finally overtaken income.”

“Take this year as an example. 26 children with spiritual roots were born. The one-time subsidy alone cost us over 2,000 Spirit Stones. That does not include the ongoing costs for prenatal care, postnatal recovery, and early education.”

Encouraging childbirth was meaningless if the clan did not support the offspring. If the family ignored the children after they were born, who would be willing to have more? The clan was committed to heavily subsidizing every member until the age of 18. This was where the money was bleeding out.

Wang Yanzhao turned to the Elder in charge of personnel. “Wang Yanji, what is our current population count?”

Wang Yanji stood and bowed. “Reporting to the Family Head. The clan now has 302 cultivators. We have broken the 300 mark for the first time. We are adding over 20 new cultivators annually. The ‘Wu’ generation has begun to marry and have children, and just this year, we welcomed three children of the ‘Ben’ generation!”