Protect Our Patriarch

……

The scene immediately stunned the entire audience.

Especially some young people, who looked at him with eyes full of envy and admiration. That was a Lingxu cultivator, a figure standing at the pinnacle of the world, second only to the few true immortals and true demons.

Faced with the divine-like presence of Jiang Zhencang and his overwhelming aura, Yunyang Daoist instantly cowered, his expression changing faster than a face-changing performance. He rushed forward and bowed deeply, tears welling up in his old eyes: "Master, this disciple has traveled through the Immortal Dynasty this time, enduring countless hardships and walking the edge of life and death many times. In every crisis, your earnest teachings always echoed in my heart."

"Yunyang, the long path of cultivation is about refining one's true self and tempering one's will."

This? Jiang Zhencang's expression froze slightly. Had he ever said this?

Alright, alright, he had taken in quite a few disciples in his lifetime and had said many things, so he might as well assume he had said it. At least Yunyang's attitude was somewhat comforting to him.

"You, you just can't keep your mindset steady, always getting caught up in trivial matters. Back then, for some reason, you ran off to Longzuo Academy?" Jiang Zhencang frowned slightly, "Forget it, forget it. No matter what, you've finally endured the hardships and reached the Divine Realm."

Jiang Zhencang was quite pleased with this matter. He originally hailed from the Taiyi Golden Sun lineage and switched to cultivating the "Lingyun Codex" after becoming a Holy Son, so he naturally paid close attention to this lineage.

However, the Taiyi Golden Sun lineage had a troubled fate, with two generations of Divine Realm peak masters sacrificing themselves on the outer region battlefield.

In the following generation, the Taiyi Golden Sun lineage produced two promising disciples. Jiang Zhencang intended to support this lineage, so he took both Langya and Yunyang as disciples.

Langya primarily cultivated the Taiyi Gengjin Sword from the Taiyi Golden Sun True Method, entering the true method through swordsmanship. Yunyang, on the other hand, had a fire attribute, so he focused on the Taiyi Jiyang Palm.

In Jiang Zhencang's view, the Taiyi Golden Sun lineage was the most powerful among the Holy Land's nine veins. If there were a disciple with exceptionally outstanding bloodline aptitude, combining Gengjin and Jiyang could truly unleash the combat power of the Taiyi Golden Sun True Method.

Moreover, it could continuously improve the Taiyi Golden Sun True Method, gradually advancing it to the level of a codex.

Of course, evolving a Divine True Method to a Lingxu Codex was no simple task, requiring generations of successors to continuously push forward, gradually carving out a path to Lingxu.

This?

The conversation between Jiang Zhencang and Yunyang Daoist shocked the young people present. They never expected that the two had a master-disciple relationship, and their personalities seemed vastly different, didn't they?

Especially Gongyang Ce, who was even more astonished. This Yunyang senior was actually his martial uncle? It felt like the contrast between his martial uncle and his own master was enormous, as if they were not cut from the same cloth at all.

"Lici, hurry and pay respects to your grandmaster." Yunyang Daoist quickly changed the subject to avoid his master dwelling on the old ghost's title.

Then, Wang Lici eagerly flew up and bowed deeply like her master: "Lici pays respects to Grandmaster." Despite her gluttonous and naive appearance, this girl was actually the most clear-headed about the situation.

Gaining a Lingxu powerhouse as a grandmaster for free, wasn't this an expansion of her backing and connections? Her master was right; the further a Basalt cultivator advanced, the more it tested their network.

As the saying goes, at home, rely on the family; outside, rely on friends. It's an eternal truth.

"So, you're Lici?" Jiang Zhencang felt a bit complicated seeing Lici. Technically, she was his grand-disciple, but Jiang Shengzhu had lived for three thousand years and had countless disciples and grand-disciples.

His current focus was on making his true successor, Wang Yingxuan, the heir of Lingyun Holy Land and paving her path to the mid and late Lingxu Realm.

If the plan succeeded, two to three thousand years later, Lingyun Holy Land would completely surpass the Yinsha Sect. With high-end combat power capable of facing two or even three opponents at once, how could Southern Qin and Western Jin resist?

If during this period, the Great Qian grew stronger and the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty could hold back the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, they might even annex Southern Qin and Western Jin.

By then.

The Great Qian could at least become a half-step Immortal Dynasty, and Lingyun Holy Land would also become a half-step Immortal Land.

Two to three thousand years may seem long, but concerning the rise and fall of a nation's fortune, what are these mere two to three thousand years? By then, it would only be ten thousand years since the founding of the Great Qian.

Under Jiang Zhencang's grand "ambitious plan," he could only express his apologies to the rather pleasing Lici: "Lici girl, your grandmaster is a bit tight on resources lately. Consider this one million immortal crystals as a meeting gift to help you step onto the path of the Divine Realm sooner."

A million immortal crystals weren't a small amount, but compared to the resources Jiang Zhencang invested in Wang Yingxuan, it was just a drop in the ocean. In the future, the nine veins of the Holy Land would all become tools to ensure Wang Yingxuan could reach the mid and late Lingxu stages.

Wang Lici's eyes lit up, smiling like a blooming flower: "Grandmaster, you're such a good person. No wonder Master always praises you in private." Her master was right; connections were indeed important.

Yunyang Daoist, standing nearby, thought things were going awry. Lici girl was about to slip up.

Sure enough.

Jiang Zhencang glanced at Yunyang: "Girl, you're exaggerating. My disciple Yunyang has always been a grudge-holder, and he left in anger back then. If he doesn't secretly curse me for being unfair, it would mean he's made progress."

"Grandmaster, you may not know, but Master often sighs privately, saying he failed to meet your expectations and is ashamed of your teachings. However, I didn't know you were my grandmaster... He never mentioned your name." Wang Lici blinked, actually having heard her master complain about the grandmaster's favoritism, otherwise, he would have been the peak master of [Golden Sun Peak] long ago. Of course, he never mentioned the name.

But for the sake of harmony between her master and grandmaster, and to firmly hold onto the Lingxu grandmaster's support, she naturally couldn't spill the harsh truth.

"Well, well, I didn't expect Yunyang to mature after some tempering outside, not wasting my earnest teachings." Jiang Zhencang smiled comfortingly, taking out several large bottles of pills and giving them to Yunyang Daoist, "Here are fifty Refining God Pills, a congratulatory gift for your promotion to the Divine Realm. You just advanced, so take one every ten days to stabilize your realm. After a couple of years, when your realm is stable, switch to one a month. Anyway, I don't expect you to reach the mid Divine Realm... so don't waste them."

Yunyang Daoist's expression froze. Fifty fifth-grade spirit pills, [Refining God Pills]? Master, could you be any more biased? These pills are only worth a thousand immortal crystals each, totaling just fifty thousand immortal crystals, a far cry from Lici's treatment!

So frustrating.

Master, this grudge of favoritism, I, Yunyang, will definitely jot it down in my little notebook. Thirty years, no, thirty years are useless, they'll pass in a blink. It should be three thousand years in the east, three thousand years in the west...

"Do you want them or not? If not, I'll give them to Langya." Jiang Zhencang knew his disciple's temperament well, aware of his petty nature flaring up again.

"I want them, I want them." Yunyang Daoist snatched the Refining God Pills. If Langya got them, it would be worse than killing him. Then, with a cheeky smile, he asked, "Master, do you have any Lingyuan Treasure Pills?"

"What do you need Lingyuan Treasure Pills for?" Jiang Zhencang glared.

Lingyuan Treasure Pills were not ordinary items, each costing ten thousand immortal crystals.

They had versatile uses, serving as high-speed cultivation resources for Lingxu seeds in the Divine Realm, regular cultivation materials for Lingxu Realm cultivators, and sustenance for impoverished Lingxu Realm cultivators.

Therefore, Lingyuan Treasure Pills were also very useful to Jiang Zhencang.

Nowadays, the [Spirit Medicine Garden] in Green Emperor Valley of Lingyun Holy Land could already produce some main ingredients for [Treasure Pills] in stages, and the head of the Xuan Dan Pavilion, one of the nine veins, Yuan Dan Daoist, was the number one alchemist within the Great Qian, the only one capable of independently refining sixth-grade Treasure Pills with a decent success rate.

Some of the Treasure Pills circulating outside were refined by Yuan Dan Daoist. The rest came through various channels from the Immortal Dynasty.

"Never tasted one, just want to try the flavor." Yunyang Daoist said pitifully.

"Then I'll give you one, take it when you hit a small bottleneck." Jiang Zhencang reluctantly took out one, muttering, "For a Divine Realm cultivator of your aptitude, just tasting the flavor is fine. I have to save some for your junior sister; she needs them to push to the mid and late Lingxu Realm..."

Goodness, Master, goodness, Junior Sister.

This grudge, I, Yunyang, will remember.

While the three of them were meeting, Gongyang Ce was watching eagerly. He was also a grand-disciple, standing here for so long, and you haven't even glanced at me? In the past, didn't you expect me to take over? Now I've heard there's a junior martial aunt...

"Ce'er is back too?" Jiang Zhencang seemed to just notice Gongyang Ce, frowning slightly, "Going out to gain experience and broaden your horizons is good. In the future, stay out of those messy affairs. Just cultivate peacefully in the Holy Land, advance to the Divine Realm early, and take over Langya's position, assisting the future Holy Master in managing the Holy Land."

"Boom!"

In an instant, Gongyang Ce was almost in tears. In the past, it was agreed that he would take over your position, but now it's suddenly changed to taking over Master's position. This is a silent demotion from the future Holy Master to a high-level worker.

"Yes, Grandmaster." Gongyang Ce, still unwilling to give up, asked, "By the way, Grandmaster, I heard you've taken in a junior martial aunt? Her aptitude must be excellent, perhaps a great prodigy A-grade?"

Jiang Zhencang replied calmly, "Her aptitude is not bad, but not as exaggerated as a great prodigy A-grade, just B-grade." He was a three-thousand-year-old fox, not revealing his trump cards until the crucial moment.

B-grade?

Gongyang Ce's heart ignited with hope. Grandmaster, you didn't expect this, but I, Gongyang Ce, am also a child of destiny with a fortuitous encounter. This time, I've also advanced to a great prodigy B-grade bloodline.

He was about to reveal his latest bloodline information when he swallowed his words. According to his intelligence, Wang Liyao was also a great prodigy B-grade, leaning towards the upper side.

Along the way, Jiang Xingyuan's intelligence gathering revealed that Wang Lici was also a great prodigy B-grade.

Now, adding the junior martial aunt as a great prodigy B-grade.

Well.

This time, the Holy Son Struggle is much more challenging than when Jiang Shengzhu was elected. Back then, Jiang Shengzhu was just a great prodigy C-grade when he secured the Holy Son position.

Since everyone is a great prodigy B-grade, his chances, given his age and experience advantages, are still quite promising. After all, bloodline aptitude isn't the sole criterion.

He had prepared for many years, and his chances of winning were not small.

Immediately, he let out a bitter smile: "Congratulations to Grandmaster on accepting a beloved disciple."

Jiang Zhencang also encouraged him with a few words, but as for rewards, he simply overlooked them. To cultivate the future big shot of the Holy Land, every saving had to be made.

Subsequently, Tianhe Daoist and a group of young people came forward to pay respects to Jiang Zhencang.

However, Jiang Zhencang's main focus was on Wang Liyao, scrutinizing her: "Liyao, have you had any fortuitous encounters recently? Your cultivation seems to have progressed quite rapidly."

In his mind, Liyao was Yingxuan's main competitor. She was steady and capable, with a strong ability to navigate situations. Behind her, there was likely Wang Shouzhe offering advice, making her a formidable opponent compared to others.

If Wang Liyao were his disciple, there would be no question about supporting her as the Saintess. Unfortunately, Tianhe had beaten him to it.

Before Liyao could respond, Tianhe Daoist stepped in front of her, bowing: "Jiang Shengzhu, our Tianyi True Water lineage is relatively poor. Yaoyao relies entirely on the resources from the Wang Clan for her rapid cultivation."

"It's getting late, I need to take Yaoyao back to our [Heavenly Water Cave Mansion]. My nephew, Tianlang Daoist, is still waiting. Farewell, farewell." Then, Tianhe Daoist quickly took Wang Liyao and flew away to the Heavenly Water Cave Mansion of the Tianyi True Water lineage.

Seeing Tianhe's guilty demeanor, Jiang Zhencang frowned secretly. Liyao's bloodline was likely no longer just a great prodigy B-grade, possibly having reached A-grade.

As for reaching peerless, that possibility was very low.

Even with the Wang Clan's wealth and Tianhe's efforts to earn money for his disciple, it was impossible to accumulate the resources needed for a peerless upgrade in a short time. Most importantly, even if they had the money, there was no way to buy a genuine eighth-grade immortal pill.

But even if she wasn't a peerless prodigy, Liyao wasn't easy to deal with. Her overall qualities were highly advantageous in the competition for the Saintess position.

Forget it, forget it.

Better go back and train Yingxuan more, increasing her chances.

This round of greetings was naturally a small test for each.

Subsequently, within Lingyun Holy Land, small ripples began to emerge.

Yunyang Daoist, who originally didn't want to return to Golden Sun Peak and was staying at the Glazed King Hall, couldn't hold back after Jiang Zhencang showed strong "favoritism" and hearing Tianhe Daoist's rumors. He began forming alliances.

To ensure years of effort weren't wasted, for Lici's sake, Yunyang Daoist visited various peaks, halls, and veins. Ultimately, he decided to go to Golden Sun Peak and met with Langya Daoist.

It's unclear what he discussed with Langya, but the leaders of Lingyun Holy Land's various veins began jointly petitioning Jiang Shengzhu to start the Holy Son Struggle early.

The timing for the Holy Son Struggle wasn't strictly set. As long as it was within a certain period and everyone gathered, it could start anytime.

This infuriated Jiang Zhencang. Among all the candidates for the Holy Son Struggle, his disciple Wang Yingxuan was the youngest. If he could delay for a few more decades, letting Yingxuan study at the Immortal Palace for a while longer, her chances would be greater.

However, Jiang Zhencang thought again, starting early might not be a bad thing.

The Holy Son Struggle had its special rules, not simply a one-on-one duel.

After all, during each Holy Son Struggle, there would always be candidates with significant age differences, resulting in varying cultivation levels. Simply fighting to determine the winner wouldn't meet the criteria for selecting an excellent Holy Son/Saintess.

Jiang Zhencang had already noticed that Wang Shouzhe supported his daughter more than his granddaughter. If he delayed for decades, with Wang Shouzhe's elusive methods, he might elevate Liyao to peerless.

No matter how excellent Liyao was, she wasn't his disciple, was she?

Taking advantage of Yingxuan's bloodline advantage, starting the Holy Son Struggle now also had significant benefits. The level of bloodline aptitude held considerable weight in the final evaluation criteria.

Amidst the internal turmoil of the Holy Land, pushing for the Holy Son Struggle.

In Green Emperor Valley, within Eternal Spring Garden.

In the flower-filled pavilion.

Wang Shouzhe and Yao Chengchao were drinking tea and chatting. Accompanying them were Wang Ningxi and Wang Lici.

"Master Wang." Yao Chengchao seemed to be holding back a fire, "The whole story is as such. Although there were indeed mistakes on our part, your niece Lici, she... she went too far, too bullying. This time, you must stand up for me."

At the mention of this, Yao Chengchao couldn't help but feel a sour nose, with an urge to cry. It was even more aggrieving than the last time he was bullied by Emperor Longchang.

And Wang Lici sat obediently beside Wang Shouzhe, blinking innocently, with a small green snake poking its head out of her sleeve, eyeing Wang Shouzhe with an appraising look.

Is this the Great Demon King Fourth Uncle that the Great Demoness Lici always feared?

Heh, this ancestor dragon doesn't believe it. What qualifications does this "plain-looking" human have to be fiercer than the Great Demoness Lici?

This ancestor dragon wants to see,

"Ningxi, what do you say?" Wang Shouzhe didn't directly answer Yao Chengchao but continued sipping his tea calmly.

Wang Ningxi first poured tea for everyone present, then sat upright, saying seriously, "Based on our Wang Clan School's study and research in law, both Young Master Yao and Auntie Lici are involved in using an absolute monopoly position to significantly raise prices."

"On the surface, this behavior doesn't violate the Great Qian's laws, as neither party forced buying or selling. However, this involves deeper moral and legal discussions. For example, if a Basalt cultivator is seriously injured and needs treatment, and you're the only one within hundreds of miles with a healing pill, and you exchange this pill for everything he has, this is a type of question we always test in our Wang Clan School graduation exam."

"Our Wang Clan's common value is that earning profits is reasonable, but unchecked greed will erode one's moral baseline and directly or indirectly affect the surrounding clan members, deeply impacting the family's long-term stability and development."

"Young Master Yao's indifference to his shopkeeper's behavior but anger at the same thing done to him proves at least two points: First, Young Master Yao's moral baseline is very low. Second, Young Master Yao is a self-centered person. Third, whether the Yao Clan's family style is like this needs further investigation."

"Our Clan School's law class often says, 'Law is the lowest baseline for doing things and being a person. If someone is complacent about not breaking the law, that person is probably not a good partner.'"

"To give a simple example, our Wang Clan produces cheap and good agricultural tools. We could easily crush individual blacksmith shops, and then, once all competitors are gone, monopolize the market and raise prices recklessly. But we don't do that because once a habit of unchecked greed forms, it turns us into monsters driven solely by profit."

"Ancestor Grandpa, my suggestion is, if Young Master Yao cannot recognize his problem, we should change partners. If the entire Yao Clan's family style is like this, we should change partners to avoid dragging our Wang Clan down in the future."

Yao Chengchao was dumbfounded. Wasn't this Wang Ningxi just a young lad? How could he speak so eloquently?

"Brother Chengchao, your Yao Clan stands on the foundation of keeping promises, otherwise, I wouldn't cooperate with you." Wang Shouzhe said calmly, sipping his tea, "During this free time, you need to further your studies, at least pass the law course and practical ethics course before proceeding with the next step of cooperation."

Yao Chengchao almost fainted. I just came to complain to you, to win.

Shouzhe, I was wrong, isn't admitting my mistake enough?

I'm getting old, I really don't want to go to school.

Wang Lici was dumbfounded, Fourth Uncle seemed even more formidable than before...

Oh no, oh no, Fourth Uncle is looking at me.

"Big girl, you left home too early and wandered outside for too long, not yet exposed to our family's new Clan School's teachings. From your eager eyes, Fourth Uncle can see your longing for the new content and knowledge of the Clan School."

"F-Fourth Uncle..." Wang Lici's eyes welled up with tears of excitement, childhood memories flooding her heart.

"Don't get excited, don't get excited, Fourth Uncle understands you best." Wang Shouzhe leisurely took out a large stack of books from his storage ring, lovingly ruffling her hair, "Ningxi's graduation exam results were excellent, let Ningxi help you catch up on your lessons."

"Yes, Ancestor Grandpa." Wang Ningxi was full of excitement, the hard work in the Clan School finally had a place to shine.

Fourth Uncle, thank you.

Wang Lici's tears flowed uncontrollably, the taste of home, Fourth Uncle's style, still as memorable as ever.

And Yao Chengchao was even more miserable. He just came to the Holy Land to join the fun, to watch the Holy Son Struggle, and upon seeing Wang Shouzhe, he thought to complain a bit~~ but unexpectedly, he was forced to study.

……