Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 272: Settling the Mortals

The mortal populace of Wanxiang City largely descended from disparate Rogue Cultivators. With few ties binding them together, most had long forgotten their Cultivation ancestors after a few generations.

However, this incoming batch was different. Many among them had parents, siblings, or children who were active Cultivators. It remained uncertain whether their respective Cultivation clans had been entirely wiped out. If survivors existed and eventually tracked them down, it would spell trouble for the Wang Family. Worse yet was the very real possibility of hidden spies lurking among the refugees.

“I have decided to temporarily divide them into two separate cities,” Wang Guang’an declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Even within those cities, strict districts must be enforced. Families sharing a surname must be separated. In the future, once we develop the peripheral islands, we will disperse them even further.”

Guarding against the unpredictable was a necessity. Wang Guang’an’s approach was calculated and secure. Mortals possessed fleeting lifespans and multiplied rapidly. Right now, these refugees were merely seeking shelter; they harbored no true loyalty to the Wang Family. But give it a century, and their descendants—born and raised on this island—would belong to the Wang Family in body and soul.

Wang Hao scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on the better-dressed, well-fed mortals. Their survival and relative luxury were undeniable proof of recent Cultivator backing. A pragmatic thought surfaced.

“Ancestor, this situation presents an opportunity,” Wang Hao noted. “Many of these mortals carry direct-line Cultivation blood, significantly increasing the odds of them bearing Cultivator offspring. I suggest we isolate the young women of direct-line descent. When our clansmen seek wives or concubines, they should prioritize selecting from this group.”

“A sound strategy,” Wang Guang’an agreed with a nod. “We will organize a selection once they are settled. However, the Wang Family will not play the tyrant. It must be strictly voluntary; no one will be forced. Ensure the clansmen understand this—they may choose, but they absolutely must not coerce.”

In truth, Wang Guang’an’s concerns were largely misplaced. Presented with the chance to marry a Cultivator, scarcely any mortal woman would refuse. Even if their ultimate fate was simply to bear heirs, marrying into the clan meant residing on a spiritual mountain. The ambient Spiritual Qi and occasional Spirit Pills would drastically improve their living conditions, fortify their health, and significantly extend their lifespans—bridging the gap until they lived nearly as long as Qi Refining Cultivators. Should they actually birth a Cultivator, their status within the clan would instantly skyrocket.

Mortal society naturally formed its own hierarchies and factions. Wang Hao easily spotted a handful of obese, arrogantly dressed mortals barking orders at clusters of subservient attendants. With a wave of his hand, he had them segregated and dumped into a remote, isolated town. The Wang Family would appoint its own managers for the mortal cities; they would not tolerate petty mortal lords throwing their weight around on Giant Turtle Island.

After three days of bustling activity, the forty thousand mortals were thoroughly processed and settled.

Inside the main hall of Qingniu Peak.

The Wang Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators convened once again. This time, their ranks had swelled by two, with Wang Wenxian and Wang Wenjing having successfully broken through.

“Wenxian, Wenjing, you are both skilled alchemists and have prior experience studying in the clan school,” Wang Guang’an began, his expression solemn. “Therefore, I am entrusting the Teaching Hall to you. The clan school must be operational as soon as possible, with a strict focus on passing down our alchemical inheritance. Our Wang Family built its foundation on alchemy; we must vigorously cultivate new alchemists!”

“Yes, Ancestor,” the two women replied in unison, accepting the mandate.

“Wenyan, you possess years of experience managing our shops. You will oversee the clan’s finances and take charge of all commerce!”

“Yanzhi will head the External Affairs Hall!”

“Wenmei will manage the Internal Affairs Hall!”

“Yanyuan will govern the General Affairs Hall!”

“Wenhao will command the Law Enforcement Hall!”

“Wenwu will oversee the Garrison Hall!”

Wang Guang’an surveyed the group. “Due to our limited manpower, we will establish these seven halls for now. Fortunately, with our current population, the workload should be manageable. I will temporarily assume the position of clan head here overseas until Yanzhao arrives to take the mantle.”

One by one, the Elders stepped forward to formally accept their roles.

With the administrative structure in place, the discussion shifted to a far more pressing issue: acquiring Spirit Stones.

The Wang Family was entirely new to the region. Lacking connections, they couldn’t simply open trade routes with their neighbors. Their single shop in Wanxiang City was too small to generate the necessary revenue, and dedicating more manpower to it would stall the vital development of Giant Turtle Island.

Since they lived by the sea, they had to harvest the sea. With the clan’s foundation finally stabilizing, it was time to turn their blades toward the local Demon Beasts.

Wang Hao still held the Five Elements Entrapment Formation, a perfect tool to slaughter a batch of beasts and relieve their immediate financial strain.

“Ancestor, I have a batch of Demon Luring Grass. We can use it to draw in Demon Beasts. Not only will their materials fetch a good price in Spirit Stones, but the meat will also serve to entertain our distinguished guests arriving in two months,” Wang Hao suggested.

Wang Guang’an pondered the idea briefly before nodding. “Excellent. I will personally lead a team to hunt Demon Beasts near Tenghu Island.”

“Ancestor, you are a Golden Core Cultivator. Isn’t it a bit unseemly for you to personally hunt low-tier Demon Beasts?” Wang Hao asked.

“Pride does not fill the treasury,” Wang Guang’an replied dismissively. “These surrounding waters are our inner sea. The resources belong to the Wang Family. Who would dare gossip about me hunting our own Demon Beasts? Besides, who has the idle time to monitor our every move?”

Wang Guang’an understood Wang Hao’s caution, but the clan’s financial needs far outweighed the vanity of his cultivation realm. The family framework was still fragile; he couldn’t afford to risk multiple Foundation Establishment Elders on a routine hunt. It was far safer and exponentially more efficient for him, a Golden Core Cultivator, to lead a squad of Qi Refining juniors. Tenghu Island was close enough that, at his flight speed, he could return in an hour or two if the clan came under attack.

“Very well. Just exercise caution, Ancestor,” Wang Hao agreed. He retrieved over twenty stalks of Demon Luring Grass and handed them over. “We’ve gained more talisman-making talents recently, and the Li Family members are also on the island. If you harvest plenty of high-quality hides, we can craft spirit talismans to exchange for even more Spirit Stones.”

“The Garrison Hall doesn’t require immediate setup,” Wang Guang’an instructed. “Wenwu, you will accompany me on the hunt. The rest of you will remain on Giant Turtle Island and follow Wenhao’s orders.” He then turned to Wang Wenyan. “What is the status of the spirit fish? And when can Zhu Shan attempt his breakthrough?”

“Reporting to Ancestor, the Red Dragon Fish have spawned, and the first batch of fry has already hatched. Give it another month, and Zhu Shan can delegate his duties to the others and enter Secluded Cultivation for his Foundation Establishment attempt!”

“Good. I expect to see another Foundation Establishment Cultivator in our ranks by the time I return.”

With the meeting concluded, Wang Guang’an, Wang Wenwu, and over twenty mid-to-late stage Qi Refining clansmen boarded a vessel and set sail for Tenghu Island. Meanwhile, Wang Hao and the remaining Elders began drafting clansmen to staff their newly formed halls.

Shortly after, they hosted an Ascension Assembly within the mortal cities to screen children under the age of ten for spiritual roots. Given the manageable population size, Wang Hao personally assisted Wang Wenyan in testing even the toddlers and infants.

Wanxiang City might have screened them before, but oversights were common, and children born during the journey would have gone untested.

His thoroughness paid off. He discovered two toddlers—a two-year-old and a one-year-old—who possessed three-attribute spiritual roots. Both hailed from the ruined Han Cultivation Clan. It was a remarkably good haul.

At their age, they knew nothing of the world. Once taken in by the Wang Family, they would be molded into fiercely loyal clansmen. This was the brutal, pragmatic reality of the Cultivation world: any child born within a faction’s territory belonged to that faction, regardless of their original surname.

According to their parents, the Han Family, like most Cultivation factions, only tested children upon reaching their fifth birthday. The officials of Wanxiang City had simply overlooked the infants during the transfer.

“As their parents, you will receive a Reward,” Wang Hao announced, his gaze settling on the two young couples. “You will be permitted to live at the foot of the spiritual mountain, where the ambient Spiritual Qi will nourish your bodies. However, there is a strict condition: you must abandon your current surnames, and you are forbidden from ever speaking of your past or your original clan to these children.”

The four mortals instantly fell to their knees, their faces flushed with desperate gratitude. “We are willing to change our names! Please, Immortal Elder, just take good care of our children!”

“Our Wang Family discovered their spiritual roots. From this day forth, these two children are of Wang blood. They will be treated with the exact same care and resources as any other clansman. You have nothing to worry about,” Wang Hao stated coldly, yet reassuringly.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered a subordinate to arrange the parents’ new, isolated lodgings.