Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 244: Not a Single Spirit Stone Leaves

Wang Guang’an pondered for a moment. “Fellow Daoist, you should know the value of Foundation Establishment Pills. My Wang family’s foundation is shallow; we truly have no spares to offer!”

With his skills as a third-tier alchemist, refining six Pills from a single core was simple. The first core given by the Ye family could be used, but Wang Hao had already earmarked it for another purpose. The two Pills currently in Wang Guang’an’s possession were strictly reserved for the Qingniu Market auction to build the venue’s prestige.

Realizing Wang Guang’an had misunderstood, Ye Jingtao quickly explained. “This Junior naturally intends to offer something of equal value in exchange!” He flipped his palm, revealing a jade box. He snapped the lid open, revealing a perfectly round, yellow Demon Beast core.

“Though I couldn’t purchase Foundation Establishment Pills overseas, I emptied my clan’s century-old treasury to acquire another third-tier Demon Beast core. Senior Wang’s alchemy skills are unparalleled. I simply ask that you open your furnace for us. I only need three Foundation Establishment Pills; the rest of the yield will be your compensation!”

Another third-tier Demon Beast core. Wang Hao was mildly surprised. Even in Ten Thousand Elephants City, these were highly sought-after commodities, no easier to procure than the Pills themselves.

Ye Jingtao had indeed leveraged his overseas connections, heavily bribing a shop manager to gain entry to an exclusive auction. The core had cost him a staggering 110,000 Spirit Stones, effectively bankrupting the Ye family. But exchanging 110,000 stones for three Foundation Establishment Pills—averaging less than 40,000 each—was a solid bargain.

The Wang family could certainly use the deal. Their Pill reserves were dwindling, and with the younger generation rapidly maturing, the demand for Foundation Establishment would only surge. Wang Guang’an had already planned to hunt third-tier Demon Beasts once they settled overseas to replenish their stock.

“If I hadn’t already converted my liquid assets into this core, I would have gladly bid at the Qingniu Market auction,” Ye Jingtao continued, his tone earnest. “But now, my hands are tied.”

Wang Hao saw right through him. Ye Jingtao had planned this from the start. The auction was too volatile; bidding wars could push the price of a single Pill far beyond reason.

Stepping into the conversation, Wang Hao said, “The market rate for a third-tier Demon Beast core hovers around one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Regardless of what you paid for it, Fellow Daoist, asking for three Foundation Establishment Pills in return is a bit steep.”

“This…” Ye Jingtao hesitated. “Should I make up the difference with Spirit Stones or other treasures?” Three Pills were vital. He was aging, his lifespan waning, and his family desperately needed new blood. A single Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t secure their future—they needed at least two. Given the inherent failure rate of breakthroughs, three Pills were the bare minimum requirement for insurance.

“I’ve heard the Ye family is renowned for their mastery of formations,” Wang Hao said smoothly. “Do you happen to have any High Grade, second-tier grand formations for sale?”

As the Wang family developed their territory, their need for formations skyrocketed. They had to secure five spirit mountains and two markets in the Qingniu region alone, requiring a minimum of seven grand formations. Their current stock was already deployed at the Spirit Stone mine and the Guiran Sect tunnels. They didn’t even have Low Grade, second-tier formations left, let alone High Grade ones.

Ye Jingtao’s eyes flickered. “Years ago, my elder brother did construct a High Grade, second-tier grand formation, but it requires a vast amount of spirit materials…”

“Do not worry about the cost,” Wang Hao interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. “In business, I never let a Fellow Daoist suffer a loss. Whatever the difference in Spirit Stones, the Wang family will cover it. In fact, why not expand our dealings? We offer Pills, puppets, and spirit wine. You are welcome to browse. Naturally, we won’t force a sale if nothing catches your eye.”

Ye Jingtao shot a questioning glance at Wang Guang’an.

The old Monarch nodded slightly. “Wang Hao has full authority over the clan’s commerce.”

Reassured, Ye Jingtao began to calculate. Puppet beasts were incredibly rare. The Ye family’s previous assault on Wang Family Ridge had been thwarted largely by Wang Hao’s mechanical guardians. If the Ye family could acquire a few second-tier puppets, it would immediately plug the gap in their combat power.

Though he didn’t know their exact market value, a construct capable of rivaling a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t be cheap. “My family holds an Eight Directions Enemy Detection Formation, valued at eighty thousand Spirit Stones,” Ye Jingtao said after a moment. “May I ask the price of Fellow Daoist Wang’s second-tier puppet beasts?”

“Eighty thousand for a High Grade, second-tier formation is fair,” Wang Hao replied. “As for the puppets, I can currently only offer Low Grade, second-tier models. They are priced at twenty thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones each.”

Every second-tier puppet required the soul essence of a corresponding second-tier Demon Beast. If the refinement failed, the essence was destroyed. Coupled with the rare materials required for the chassis, the base cost was undeniably high.

In truth, the raw materials for a single Low Grade, second-tier puppet only cost about four thousand Spirit Stones. However, Wang Hao’s current success rate sat at a mere forty percent, effectively pushing the cost per unit to ten thousand stones. Doubling that for retail wasn’t exactly extortion, especially considering the unquantified cost of his time and past failures.

Presently, Wang Hao was the only artisan in the family capable of crafting them. They couldn’t even meet their own internal demand, so technically, they shouldn’t be selling them. Yet, the profit margins were astronomical. Puppetry was destined to become a pillar industry for the clan. Selling a few early units would serve as excellent marketing. After all, if the Wang family just boasted about their own products, no one would believe them; putting them in the hands of other families proved their worth.

Ye Jingtao frowned. The price was steep; two puppets equaled the cost of an entire Foundation Establishment Pill.

Still, considering his clan’s precarious situation, he decided to bite the bullet. These constructs only required Spirit Stones to operate—infinitely simpler than raising and training a living Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, I will take two. But is the operation method difficult to master?”

“Not at all. They are controlled purely via Divine Sense,” Wang Hao explained. “A late-stage Qi Refining cultivator can pilot a Low Grade, second-tier puppet, though it strains the mind. For an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, it’s effortless. Controlling two simultaneously is well within their limits.”

“A Qi Refining cultivator can pilot them? Excellent! I’ll take them.” Ye Jingtao was thrilled. He could hand the puppets over to his two most promising Foundation Establishment candidates, ensuring their survival.

Wang Hao offered a faint, predatory smile. “Let us tally the ledger, Fellow Daoist Ye. Three Foundation Establishment Pills at forty thousand each comes to one hundred twenty thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. Adding two puppets brings your total to one hundred sixty thousand. You are providing a third-tier Demon Beast core valued at one hundred thousand, and the Eight Directions Enemy Detection Formation at eighty thousand. We owe you twenty thousand Spirit Stones.”

Wang Hao leaned forward, slipping effortlessly into his pitch. “Are you certain you don’t need anything else? Our Wang family’s Meridian Protection Pills are top-tier. Taking one during a breakthrough shields the heart Meridians, preventing catastrophic injury upon failure. They are also excellent for treating meridian damage sustained in combat. A bottle of ten is a mere two thousand Spirit Stones!”

He was determined not to let a single Spirit Stone escape the mountain.

“We also stock Barrier Breaking Pills to aid in minor bottlenecks, Foundation Restoration Pills to heal damaged cultivation bases, and Eternal Youth Pills to preserve one’s appearance…” Wang Hao listed them off rapidly. “These are highly restricted goods. We do not sell them to the public. If you hadn’t offered us the grand formation, I wouldn’t even have brought them to the table.”

Ye Jingtao clenched his fists inside his sleeves. They were all incredible items. He wanted everything, but his heart bled at the thought of parting with his remaining funds.

Eventually, overwhelmed by Wang Hao’s silver-tongued salesmanship, Ye Jingtao purchased an additional six thousand Spirit Stones’ worth of Pills. The Wang family was left to pay out a mere fourteen thousand Spirit Stones to settle the difference.

Seeing the transaction conclude, Wang Guang’an nodded in approval. “Little Friend Ye, it is settled then. In one month, after I have refined the Foundation Establishment Pills, we will complete the exchange at Qingniu Market.”

“Understood. This Junior will bring the grand formation and arrive punctually!” Ye Jingtao readily agreed, immensely satisfied with the haul.

After a few final pleasantries, Ye Jingtao bowed deeply and took his leave.