Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 189: Nine-Elixir Golden Liquid

Since the clan began encouraging childbirth, the Wang Clan had gained about a hundred new cultivators.

Wang Guang’an had taken more than ten of the more promising ones overseas, leaving about eighty with the clan. The number was still rising by more than ten a year; ten years could bring another hundred.

As the number of cultivators grew, the rate of increase might multiply.

In ten years the oldest of them would be close to twenty, and those with two Spiritual Roots would not be far from Foundation Establishment.

Qingyuan still required clan tribute during its mountain closure, but its oversight would weaken. The Wang Clan should use the opportunity to grow.

Wang Hao set a modest goal: train one Foundation Establishment cultivator each year.

By the time Qingyuan reopened, the Wang Clan might have one Golden Core and twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators. It would then be harder for Qingyuan to pressure them.

With the Burning Heaven Sect and Boundless Palace nearby, Qingyuan might find it better to win over the Wang Clan than suppress it. The Wangs were already under its authority and weaker than those two neighbors.

This was only Wang Hao’s initial idea. Whether the clan could make good use of the decade depended on events.

Wang Guang’an’s Golden Core breakthrough was not assured. To reassure the clan before leaving, he had said his chance of success was above fifty percent.

That was already high. Most cultivators who found materials to aid their breakthrough still had only a thirty or forty percent chance.

Wang Hao and Wang Longyou returned to Qingyuan Market and promptly led the clan members home.

Wang Hao did not plan to go overseas yet. Until he reached late Foundation Establishment, he would be limited to exploring near Wanxiang City. The clan had just endured a war, and his presence at home would reassure its members.

Wang Guang’an was overseeing matters overseas, so there was no need to worry about them.

Overseas, in a cultivation room behind the Pill & Talisman Pavilion, Wang Guang’an sat cross-legged before a large blue cauldron.

Pill fire burned beneath it, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the room.

After three years of practice, he had finally become a third-rank alchemist. Once familiar with the work, he began trying to refine the Nine-Elixir Golden Liquid.

Cultivation resources overseas were plentiful. Wang Hao had supplied most of the auxiliary herbs; Wang Guang’an bought the remaining older ones at auction for high prices.

He had a third-rank pill furnace and the two Gold Essence Fruits Wang Hao had given him. If he still failed, perhaps it simply was not his fate to succeed.

Before starting, he had told Wang Wenyan and the others not to disturb him, no matter what happened.

A third-rank pill that aided a breakthrough into a major realm was difficult to make. He needed to concentrate without interruption.

He had now been in seclusion for more than two years.

The previous batch had failed. This was his last chance.

Experience had taught him that a disturbed state of mind was a danger during alchemy; it had ruined the first batch. Before attempting this one he had meditated for half a year to calm himself completely.

His eyes were closed, but his Divine Consciousness remained fixed on the contents of the blue cauldron.

Time seemed to stop inside the room, marked only by the flicker of the fire.

A fragrant scent spilled from the furnace.

Wang Guang’an opened his eyes.

He gazed at the cauldron eagerly, then held back his excitement and rose, his face grave.

“One last chance. I won’t repeat my mistake. I will succeed!”

He formed hand seals and sent a beam of spiritual light into the cauldron. The fire flared.

A moment later, the cauldron settled.

His Divine Consciousness already told him the result, but he wanted to see it. He lifted his left hand, drawing up the lid.

Golden light appeared. A pool of golden liquid flowed inside the cauldron, giving off an enticing fragrance.

He took out a jade bottle and drew the liquid into it.

His hands trembled as he inspected its scent and color. Both were as they should be.

“Nine-Elixir Golden Liquid! I finally refined it! Ha ha ha!”

His laughter echoed through the cave dwelling. When the years of pent-up strain had passed, he straightened his clothes and stepped outside.

Others might mock him for using two Gold Essence Fruits to make only one portion, but for the Wang Clan it was a first.

“Wenyan greets the Ancestor! Congratulations on leaving seclusion!”

Wang Wenyan bowed when she saw him.

As the clan’s overseas contingent grew, Wang Yanfeng, a second-rank alchemist, had shifted toward teaching and managing the younger members. Wang Wenmei had been in seclusion for years while changing her cultivation method. Although some clan members outranked Wang Wenyan in seniority, she was the most capable.

At Wang Hao’s suggestion, Wang Guang’an entrusted the shop to her. Although its business was still suppressed, it could pay rent and provide some resources to clan members. He might not have run it better himself.

Pleased, Wang Guang’an asked, “Has anything significant happened at the shop?”

“Everything is as usual. We’ve kept our regular customers, but there are still few new ones.”

“You’ve done well. Keep things steady. The clan won’t make any big moves for now. I’m only out briefly before entering seclusion again. I’ll leave the shop to you.”

Wang Wenyan was surprised that he would seclude himself again, but knew better than to ask why.

“Don’t worry, Ancestor. I’ll look after the shop and make sure no one disturbs you.”

Wang Guang’an intended to attempt his Golden Core breakthrough in this seclusion.

He could not wait much longer. He was over two hundred and twenty years old, nearing the end of his lifespan.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator might live to two hundred and forty, but few reached that age. Injury and other causes shortened lives. Though Wang Guang’an had recovered from a severe wound, it had still cost him years.

Waiting longer might bring some unexpected misfortune.

A Golden Core breakthrough could also take time. Some cultivators remained in seclusion for decades, longer even than some Golden Core cultivators spent forming a Nascent Soul. An ordinary attempt took two or three years.

Wang Guang’an intended to prepare for the possibility of a longer attempt. If his life ended at its final stage, he would die with deep regret.

A quiet cave dwelling would be preferable. The shop had enough Spiritual Qi, but too many people came and went.

A Nascent Soul sect stood behind Wanxiang City. On its fourth-rank spiritual vein, a third-rank cave dwelling could be rented for ten to twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

But Wang Guang’an had the clan to consider.

Herbs for alchemy practice and auxiliary materials had cost nearly a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Little of what he had brought remained.

Another costly rental would make life hard for the young cultivators who had come with him. They were too young and weak to hunt demon beasts at sea. Supporting them was already difficult for Wang Yanfeng and the others.

If Wang Guang’an failed, the clan might need decades to recover its investment.

He would save what he could.

After speaking briefly with several Foundation Establishment clan members, Wang Guang’an returned to seclusion.