A moment later, they arrived at a large hall where a man in his thirties stood waiting at the entrance. Wang Hao recognized him as one of the figures who had received them at the city gate.

Wang Longling introduced him. “Elder, this is one of my sons. His Spiritual Root isn’t good either, so he helps me manage the city’s affairs.”

“Wang Yanjing pays his respects to the elders and Seniors!” the man said, bowing deeply.

Logically speaking, their generation was senior to Wang Hao and the others. However, given the vast difference in status between mortals and cultivators—and low-tier cultivators versus elites—they wouldn’t dare presume to act as elders.

Both men wore broad smiles as they welcomed Wang Hao and his group into the hall. The beams were intricately carved and painted, and behind the main seat stood a screen adorned with a delicate painting of flowers and birds. Several dining tables were made of sandalwood, which would be quite valuable in the mortal world.

Wang Hao was indeed seeing something new, but such wood, lacking any spiritual nature, was worthless to cultivators.

“Elder, please take the seat of honor!”

Wang Hao didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down at the head table.

Wang Longling and Wang Yanjing invited the others to sit, then took their places to Wang Hao’s right. Raising their wine cups, they said, “Thank you for coming to defend against the demon beasts!”

Wang Hao drained his cup in one go, poured another, and said, “No need for formalities. We are all serving the family. The two of you have worked hard managing this mortal city. I offer this toast to you both!”

After some polite conversation, Wang Longling signaled the maids to serve the food. It consisted mainly of lake delicacies, with aquatic products making up the majority.

“Seniors, as Ling Lake has only been developed for a short time, I am not yet fully aware of its specific yields. We only found these few items by the lakeshore. They are quite fresh and delicious; please enjoy!” Wang Longling said apologetically.

Wang Hao looked at the table full of dishes. In his previous life, a meal like this would have cost several thousand, without question. The spiritual energy was relatively rich; these were concentrated first-grade spiritual materials.

Wang Longling proceeded with introductions.

“This is swordfish. Its body is slender, its flesh tender and translucent, with an excellent texture. Qi Refining stage cultivators find it aids in cultivation!”

“This is the Ling Lake crab. They grow extremely slowly but are rich in spiritual energy. Their shells can also be used as material for low-grade first-rank magical instruments. I suggest the family consider farming some in the future; I believe the benefits would not be low.”

“And finally, spirit clams. Their flesh is palatable, but more precious is their ability to produce spirit pearls. The spiritual power contained in a spirit pearl is several times greater than that in its flesh. I have done some simple research and currently only know they have effects like delaying aging and preserving youth!”

Wang Hao gave a light smile. This item could probably be developed and sold to female cultivators who loved beauty; it should be as wildly profitable as cosmetics were in his previous life.

“The City Lord has been thoughtful. Please drink this cup!”

After several rounds of toasts, Wang Hao finally addressed the main topic.

“Everyone, let’s discuss the matter of the demon beasts. For this Beast Tide from the Severed Origin Mountains, the main force will naturally be handled by the Qingyuan Sect. The ones that scatter and reach our area will likely attack other points first. The danger Ling Lake City faces mainly comes from Ling Lake itself and aquatic demon beasts coming along the river! City Lord, have you made preparations?”

Wang Longling hurriedly replied, “I have already ordered people to heighten the city walls and block the river channels entering the city. Additionally, we have prepared some weapons to deal with first-rank demon beasts. However, mortal strength is weak; we can only handle some low-grade beasts. Second-rank demon beasts will require you Seniors to take action.”

“Naturally. It is already quite good if mortals can handle a portion of the low-grade demon beasts,” Wang Hao said. “This time we’ve brought many spirit talismans. We’ll give you a portion later; they shouldn’t be a problem against some low-grade second-rank demon beasts. If there are high-grade second-rank beasts, relying on the great formation, we can still deal with them. As long as no third-rank demon beasts come, we are safe!”

“If third-rank demon beasts do appear, there is no need for panic. Just activate this message talisman, and support from Ruojun Mountain will arrive in moments!”

Wang Hao needed to reassure them. In reality, against a third-rank demon beast, even if all the Wang Family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators joined forces, victory wasn’t certain. If one truly came, escape would be the only option.

After further discussion, the group dispersed.

Wang Hao concluded by saying, “City Lord may order the mortals to continue reinforcing the city walls. The rest of you should rest well and maintain peak condition to respond at any moment.”

“Yes! We respectfully obey Elder’s command!”

Two days later.

Wang Hao was using Profound Yin Spirit Liquid to temper his body within his room. While cultivation wasn’t possible here—the spiritual energy being too thin—body tempering relied less on ambient spiritual energy and could still proceed.

At that same time, in an opulent room elsewhere in the manor, Wang Longling sat in a high seat listening to Wang Yanjing’s report.

“Father, I’ve found out everything clearly now,” Wang Yanjing reported respectfully from below.

“This Foundation Establishment Elder is named Wang Wenhao,” he continued in detail. “He ranks fifth among his generation. He is actually the first Foundation Establishment cultivator of his ‘Wen’ character generation within our family lineage. Moreover… he is also an alchemist. His contributions to our family are immense. It is said that when the Old Ancestor relinquished the Patriarch position… he almost became the new Patriarch himself!”

“What?! Almost became Patriarch?!”

Shocked by this revelation, Wang Longling abruptly stood up from his seat, taking several hurried steps forward before stopping again. “Someone so young achieving such accomplishments already? In the future… The Wang Family will undoubtedly fall under his control!”

“Not just the future,” his son corrected quietly but firmly. “The new current Patriarch happens to be his own father. So right now, one could say the entire clan already lies firmly within the grasp of this father-son pair!”

His tone carried a slight tinge of envy. After all, they were both father-son pairs, yet why must they remain stuck ruling mere mortals while the others led an entire cultivation clan?

Silence hung heavy for a long while before the father finally spoke again, slowly. “We must win over this person. Only then can Wenxian’s path forward proceed more smoothly.”

“But what ordinary thing could possibly move a Foundation Establishment cultivator?” his son voiced his doubt. “Wouldn’t it be better to try and win over the other few Qi Refining Elders instead?”

“How do you know without trying?” the father countered decisively. “Go retrieve that Righteous Qi Lotus stored in the secret vault. I shall personally pay a visit to him.”

“That Righteous Qi Lotus is a second-grade spirit medicine worth several hundred Spirit Stones! Selling it could buy Wenxian many Spirit Gathering Pills!”

The son’s face clearly showed pain and reluctance. Their meager stipends barely afforded a few pills a year. Finally finding a second-grade spirit medicine within Ling Lake, yet having to give it away? How could he bear to part with it?

“Foolish! Short-sighted!” Wang Longling scolded. “Even if we exchange it for a few bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills—how long will that truly aid Wenxian’s cultivation? Will it enable her to breakthrough to late-stage Qi Refining? Will it enable Foundation Establishment?”

“Wenxian possesses triple Spiritual Roots—the possibility of Foundation Establishment exists—but without anyone in the clan looking after her, how will it ever be her turn? Do you think the clan is entirely harmonious inside?”

“This person holds high status in the clan. He does not even need to show deliberate favoritism—a mere inquiry about Wenxian, a few words—and other clansmen wouldn’t dare make things difficult for her!”

After this scolding tirade, the father finally calmed his expression somewhat. “You and me—our lives are already hopeless. But Wenxian has a chance. Perhaps in the future, other descendants will appear possessing Spiritual Roots too. Wenxian must first secure her own footing before she can look after others later! A mere Righteous Qi Lotus—I fear others might even look down upon it—yet you are reluctant to part with it?!”

“I understand now, Father…” the son replied dejectedly, head lowered. “I will go fetch it now.”

Moments later, the son returned holding a jade box, which his father promptly tucked into his robe before hastily heading towards Wang Hao’s quarters.

Wang Hao had just finished his cultivation session when he saw a figure appear outside his door.

“Is the Elder free for a moment? This subordinate has a matter to request an audience for.”

Opening the door, Wang Hao saw Wang Longling standing respectfully outside, immediately offering an apology. “Disturbing Elder’s cultivation is this subordinate’s fault!”

“No matter,” Wang Hao replied calmly. “In a place where spiritual energy is this thin, where can one cultivate anyway? I was merely sitting idle. City Lord, come in. What is the important matter?”

Wang Longling hesitated, glancing inside the room.

“Oh, City Lord, please enter first.”

This person is acting timidly, Wang Hao thought. He probably has a request to make. At this critical juncture of the Beast Tide, he better not cause trouble!

Inside the room, both seated down again. Wang Hao spoke directly. “City Lord, if there is a matter, speak frankly and straightforwardly. This is my temperament; I hope you do not take offense.”

“I dare not! Elder, at such a young age, you have achieved Foundation Establishment. You must have devoted all your time to cultivation… cough, cough… look at me, spouting nonsense again…”