Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 212: Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer

The “Childbirth Incentive Policy” had fundamentally altered the social ecology of the Wang clan.

In the past, cultivators rarely married before the age of thirty, dedicating their prime years entirely to the Dao. But now, clan members with four or five spiritual roots, seeing no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, were taking wives and concubines before they even hit twenty. To them, procreation had become a business; they churned out children to harvest the clan’s generous Spirit Stone subsidies, using the funds to feed their own meager cultivation.

Although everyone knew the treasury was bleeding due to these exorbitant stipends and rewards, not a single person dared to utter the word “austerity.” These benefits touched every household. To suggest cutting them was to invite the wrath of one’s own kin.

“Patriarch, we cannot continue like this,” a Qi Refining Elder finally stood up, his voice laced with worry. “Even if the treasury has reserves, with such heavy annual subsidies, we will eventually eat through our mountain of wealth until nothing remains!”

Wang Yanzhao and the few Foundation Establishment elders present exchanged knowing glances. They knew the true state of the books. Even if the public ledger showed a deficit of 5,000 Spirit Stones a year, the clan could sustain it for half a century. Between the secret Spirit Stone mine and their new revenue streams overseas, the family was not actually in the red; it was simply that much of their income could not be publicly declared yet.

However, the momentum of the family’s rapid expansion could not be stalled by fear.

“The solution lies in expanding our revenue, not tightening our belts,” Wang Yanzhao stated calmly, silencing the room. “Austerity is not on the agenda. Instead, I want every Elder to think of ‘Open Source’ strategies. How can we develop our industries to bring in more Spirit Stones?”

He scanned the room. “Let us review the income of our current industries. I want suggestions on how to maximize them.”

Wang Yanzhao’s gaze landed on a burly man. “Zhu Shan, let us start with the fishery.”

Zhu Shan, whose status had skyrocketed due to his mastery of aquaculture, was the first Elder with an external surname to hold such power. He stood up promptly.

“Reporting to the Patriarch. The Spirit Lake Fishery has matured over recent years. We can now harvest a batch of Spirit Fish, Spirit Clams, and Spirit Shrimp every five years. Our average annual income sits at roughly 2,000 Spirit Stones. As we continue to expand the breeding grounds, I project an annual profit of 5,000 Spirit Stones within the decade!”

Spirit Fish were not common carp; their growth cycles were agonizingly long. A First Rank Spirit Fish required over a decade to reach maturity, as did the clams and shrimp. In the early years, the fishery had been a money pit. But now that the breeding stock was established and harvest cycles were optimized, it had become a stable goldmine.

“Excellent work.” Wang Yanzhao nodded, signaling him to sit.

Another Elder rose.

“Reporting to the Patriarch. The family’s spirit fields currently total 300 acres. The majority are sown with Spirit Grain, while a small portion is dedicated to Spirit Herbs. The projected income is around 4,000 Spirit Stones.”

The Elder paused before making his proposal. “I suggest we aggressively expand the terraced fields on Mount Ruojun. Furthermore, the profit margin on Spirit Grain is simply too low for a family of our stature. We should slash grain production and outsource our food supply from our vassal families. We should pivot entirely to high-value Spirit Herbs!”

Spirit Herbs offered immense profits but demanded long growth cycles. If they switched entirely, they might see zero income for a decade. Moreover, a single plague of pests could wipe out years of investment. Small families typically stuck to Spirit Grain or Wheat to mitigate risk. Only a powerful clan dared to gamble on mass-producing Spirit Herbs.

But the Wang family was no longer a small clan. Wang Yanzhao considered the shift. In the future, they could simply buy rations. The Wang family’s destiny lay in planting herbs and refining pills.

“A sound proposal,” Wang Yanzhao agreed. “We will implement this immediately. Do the other Elders have any objections?”

Silence filled the hall. No one objected to earning more money. With their stipends increasing, even the Elders looked down on the meager scrapings gained from selling grain.

Wang Longxing then stood up, his expression heavy.

“Reporting to the Patriarch. This year, our shops in Qingniu Market have faced a coordinated suppression campaign by the Lei, Cheng, and Zhao families. They have deliberately slashed prices to poach our customer base. Our profits have dipped compared to previous years. If not for the superior quality of the Wang family’s pills holding the line, our income would have collapsed. This old man is truly ashamed to face the clan!”

“Ah, Uncle, there is no need for self-reproach. This is not your doing,” Wang Yanzhao comforted him, but then his expression hardened into a scowl.

“That Lei Liheng… he relies on his cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment and thinks he can bully us? Good. Very good.”

Wang Yanzhao’s voice dropped to a chilly register. “Since they want a war, this old man will give them one. If they want to be unrighteous, they cannot blame us for being ruthless. Effective immediately, we will flood Qingniu Market with our full range of products—artifacts, puppets, Spirit Wine, and robes. Undercut their prices. Drive them into the ground!”

Wang Hao had brought back a treasure trove of legacies from the Danding Sect. The clan had strategically selected a few to develop: Artifact Refining, Puppetry, Sericulture, Spirit Wine, Talismans, and Beast Taming. Although they hadn’t yet produced Second Rank masters in all these fields, against the Qi Refining dominated market of Qingniu, their quality was already overkill.

One by one, the remaining Elders reported on their respective industries.

The conclusion was clear: there was massive room for growth, provided they were willing to invest time and capital. The mood in the hall shifted from anxiety to ambitious planning as they dismantled each problem.

Meanwhile, at the summit of Wang Family Ridge.

Inside a secluded cave dwelling, Wang Hao suddenly opened his eyes. A look of profound joy washed over his face.

After more than two years of Secluded Cultivation, he had finally broken through to the Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment.

Compared to his previous breakthroughs, this stage had been a slow grind. The spiritual vein of Wang Family Ridge was of too low a grade, the ambient Spiritual Qi thin and lackluster. Furthermore, his previous advancements had been too rapid, leaving his foundation shaky. He had spent the bulk of this time simply purifying his Qi, ensuring his base was solid as rock.

Just as Wang Hao was preparing to end his seclusion, the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist jolted violently, emitting a dense, heavy demonic aura.

Wang Hao’s eyes lit up. The Illusion Moon Butterflies had entered a deep slumber two years ago, spinning silk to encase themselves.

By his calculations, it was time for their awakening.

He quickly opened the bag and released them. Two massive insect cocoons materialized in the center of the room. They were wrapped in layers of iridescent silk, glowing with a misty, colorful light.

The silk had become translucent, allowing Wang Hao to see the silhouettes inside. The two butterflies were curled tight, their bodies twisting and writhing as they fought to break free from their chrysalis.

As time ticked by, their struggles grew more frantic. It looked as if they would burst out at any second, yet the tough silk held firm, denying them that final inch.

“Let me give you a hand,” Wang Hao murmured.

He retrieved a Nurturing Spirit Pill. With a flick of his finger, he summoned his pill fire, melting the medicinal pill into a potent liquid essence. He guided the shimmering droplets to float over the two cocoons, allowing the essence to seep through the silk.

As the medicinal energy penetrated the shells, the butterflies absorbed it greedily. Their struggles immediately doubled in ferocity.

Crack.

A fissure appeared on the surface of the cocoons.

Through the crack, a wave of pressure washed over the room—an aura distinct to a Second Rank Middle Grade Demon Beast.

With the barrier breached, a mental link reconnected with Wang Hao’s consciousness. After their long slumber, the butterflies sensed his presence and radiated pure, unadulterated excitement.

Chirp! Chirp!

Their mental signals were simple and urgent: Hungry! Food!

Wang Hao chuckled. “You two gluttons. I have top-tier Spirit Fruits waiting for you, but you have to come out and get them. Put your backs into it!”

It was crucial for Spirit Beasts to complete their evolution with their own strength. Like humans, they needed to struggle to temper their bodies; a life of ease would only leave them weak.

He continued to coax and encourage them through their mental link, urging them to tear down their prisons.

Gradually, the cracks spider-webbed across the surface of the cocoons. The aura leaking from within grew heavier and more oppressive.

Under Wang Hao’s expectant gaze, Little Moon was the first to succeed. A long, barbed leg punched through the shell. It thrashed and sawed at the opening, widening the breach until—rip!

Little Moon tore the cocoon apart and scrambled out.

The moment she was free, she unfurled her magnificent, massive wings. She took to the air, dancing around Wang Hao in a joyous, fluttering display of affection.

Moments later, Little Butterfly also shattered its shell.

The two ethereal creatures hovered before Wang Hao, staring at him with eager, expectant eyes.