……

At the small deep-water port, a young man in his twenties had been waiting with his group. Although he was not particularly handsome, there was a sense of calmness and competence in his demeanor.

Upon seeing Wang Shouzhe disembark, he immediately led his group to greet him, bowing his hand towards Wang Shouzhe and saying, “Wang Gui pays his respects to the Clan Leader.”

There was a hint of excitement in his voice.

Yes.

This young man was Wang Gui, who had grown up alongside Wang Shouzhe as his attendant.

After Wang Shouzhe got married, it was no longer appropriate for Wang Gui to stay in the courtyard. So, Wang Shouzhe sent him out to establish a secret production base and organize its construction and production.

Given his status as a childhood attendant and his origin from a branch of the Wang’s Clan, Wang Gui’s loyalty was unquestionable. Even when he was away on business, no one could look down on him.

Now, he was the chief steward here, indirectly managing the overall situation for Wang Shouzhe.

“There’s no need for formalities.”

Wang Shouzhe was quite pleased to see Wang Gui.

He glanced at Wang Gui and noticed that compared to their last meeting, Wang Gui’s aura had become much more stable and refined, clearly indicating a new breakthrough in the Wang’s Clan’s Xuan Yuan Jue.

A slight smile appeared on his face as he praised, “It seems you’ve been working hard in your cultivation recently, even breaking through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. But you must continue to strive, aiming to cultivate to the Spirit Platform Realm as soon as possible, so as to accumulate more resources for your children in the future.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

At the mention of his children, Wang Gui also showed a gratified smile.

Years ago, Wang Gui had feelings for Wang Mei.

But as Wang Mei’s strength and status rose, and her temperament became something he could not handle, he gradually gave up.

Eventually, Wang Shouzhe played matchmaker and arranged for Wang Gui to marry a woman from the side branch of the Yingxiu Lu Clan who had cultivation potential.

Six or seven years had passed, and the couple had two children. The older one was already attending clan school, while the younger one was still breastfeeding, with his wife taking care of them at home.

“Clan Leader, please come in.”

After the pleasantries, Wang Gui led Wang Shouzhe inside.

He walked half a step behind Wang Shouzhe, answering Wang Shouzhe’s questions from time to time.

Clearly, he was very dedicated to his role as the chief steward of this secret production base, answering every question with expertise.

Although it had been eight or nine months since Wang Shouzhe’s last visit to this secret base, his control was such that nothing big or small that happened here could escape his notice.

After passing through the corridor, the view suddenly opened up.

This was a canyon.

The canyon was originally semi-natural, but after continuous excavation and development by the Wang’s Clan, its scale had grown larger and more industrial.

Some of the mountains on both sides had been hollowed out to store water-sensitive raw materials and finished products. There were even many rock rooms for people to live in.

On the open ground, there were several large storage buildings built against the mountains, filled with mountains of raw materials.

Most importantly, there were several large kilns standing in the canyon.

The kilns were burning coal.

In this world, coal was not valuable, as it was only used for kiln burning and forging.

In winter, commoners used charcoal for heating, and noble families used high-quality smokeless charcoal.

But in fact, if coal was used to heat the boiler water, and the hot water was circulated through pipes and radiators to form heating, the heating effect would be much better than burning charcoal.

Wang Shouzhe had ordered the craftsmen to build a small boiler heating system in their spare time, to test it out in his own house.

Otherwise, the damp and bone-chilling weather in winter was not very comfortable.

Although cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm had extraordinary physical constitutions and were far more resistant to cold and heat than ordinary people, why not make themselves more comfortable if they could?

Let’s put that aside for now.

Now, this secret base was almost working around the clock to produce “cement”. Several cement kilns were burning all year round, day and night, without stopping.

Speaking of which, the production process of cement was not complicated.

All it required was to grind limestone, iron slag, and clay into powder, mix them in proportion, then use a coal kiln for high-temperature forging, and finally grind them into powder again to get clinker.

Then, mix the clinker with a certain proportion of gypsum powder to form ordinary cement.

This was the so-called two-grinding-one-calcining process.

And the prices of raw materials such as limestone, iron slag, clay, coal, and gypsum powder were extremely cheap, almost everywhere.

After processing, the market price of cement could reach half of that of grain crops, the huge profit margin was self-evident.

Moreover, before the raw materials were transported to this processing base, limestone and iron slag had already been ground into powder, so only the subsequent forging and other processing techniques were needed here.

The only regret was the production volume.

Despite the joint efforts of the Lu’s Clan, Liu’s Clan, Gongsun’s Clan, and Wang’s Clan, the annual total production of the entire cement system could only reach 100,000 tons.

100,000 tons sounded like a lot, but compared to Earth, the production volume was far behind.

Wang Shouzhe vaguely remembered that before he crossed over, the average annual cement consumption per person in China was about one and a half tons. The gap was so huge, it was like comparing clouds to mud.

There was no other way.

The current cement production technology was still very backward, especially in the mining and grinding of raw materials. Most of the techniques were primitive, and animal-powered gear grinding carts were still being used.

Even so, the alliance of in-laws had an annual turnover of more than 200,000 Top Gold in cement alone.

Moreover, all the raw materials were produced by their own industries and produced within their jurisdiction. They were usually unsalable items with extremely low costs.

In recent years, after the reputation of “Portland cement” was established, the sales were getting better and better, and it was in short supply.

Now, the entire alliance of in-laws was planning to increase production and planned to apply water-powered gear grinding carts to actual production within the next two years.

It was expected that within ten years, the production volume would increase fivefold, and the annual turnover would exceed one million Top Gold.

Leaving aside the Portland cement.

Glass products were also the main products of this production base.

Most of the glass products were small items like glasses, bottles, plates, and small jars. Overall, the process was much simpler than making ordinary porcelain. However, the price of glass products was several times more expensive than ordinary porcelain.

The raw materials for glass products were also very simple, just quartz sand.

Under the banner of imported goods from overseas, these “exquisite” glass products had gradually become popular among many noble families, making Wang’s Clan and the alliance of in-laws a fortune in just a few years, even more profitable than selling cement.

If it weren’t for Wang Shouzhe’s need to continuously expand cement production capacity to pave the way for future development and city-building plans in the outer regions, he would really want to stop cement production and focus on producing glass.

Unfortunately, he knew that technology had to be accumulated bit by bit. For the future, the production and research of cement must continue.

As for the specific research process and the development of production technology, Wang Shouzhe himself did not have the energy and time to participate. All he could do was provide some directional guidance and inspiration.

Fortunately, there were no shortage of smart and hardworking craftsmen in this world, which made his various ideas become reality.

Of course, the production base and the research and development base were separate.

This was just the production base, the real research and development base of Wang’s Clan was not here.

Later.

Wang Shouzhe, in the guise of an inspection, took a “quick look” around the production base and said he would stay in the production base for a few days to guide the upcoming work and so on.

Soon, this news “spread” throughout the entire production base.

…

Deep in this production base, there was a hidden secret room.

The secret room was not large, but it was fully equipped. Any person living here could stay indoors for ten days or half a month without any problem. If it was a Xuanwu cultivator, it would be even less of a problem.

At this moment.

On the Arhat bed in the secret room, a tall old man was sitting cross-legged.

It was clear that he was not young, his face had many wrinkles, and he exuded an air of vicissitudes, but his aura was still as solid as a mountain, with a majestic demeanor that could calm people’s hearts.

Especially his eyes, they were as deep as a quiet pool.

Even dressed in a simple robe, it could not hide the fact that he was of high status.

Wang Shouzhe sat cross-legged opposite him, personally brewed a pot of tea for him, and apologized with a full face: “Ancestor Zhubo, I’m sorry for the inconvenience over the past six months.”

Yes, this dignified old man was the Tianren Ancestor of Wang’s Clan in Longzuo – Wang Zhubo, Ancestor Zhubo.

He had been living in seclusion in this production base for nearly half a year.

“You arranged everything very carefully, not only providing me with third-order spiritual meat every day, but also covering the elixirs I use for cultivation.” Ancestor Zhubo laughed heartily, “This has made my cultivation progress quite a bit recently, what do I have to complain about? I consider it as a retreat.”

“Besides, Zhouxuan is my cousin. When he and his family were victimized back then, I now have the opportunity to avenge him, which is exactly what I wanted. The Huangfu’s Clan is as cunning as a fox, and no amount of preparation for this is too much.”

“Huangfu’s Clan is indeed very cautious.” Wang Shouzhe sipped his spiritual tea and said, “Even though they are the ones who have connections with the Yinsha Sect, their accounts are almost flawless, and they let the branch bear the blame while the main branch remains unscathed. Huangfu’s Clan has been standing in Changning for five hundred years, and it is indeed not by luck.”

“To hunt such a fox, we must calculate again and again. Fortunately, after many years of arrangement, we are finally about to see results.”

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Zhubo was intrigued, “Shouzhe, do you think they’re about to lose their patience?”

“We’ve toppled the former Huangfu’s Clan and eliminated several spies from the Yinsha Sect, effectively cutting off two of Huangfu’s Clan’s arms,” Wang Shouzhe analyzed confidently, “By purchasing all the fixed assets of the former Huangfu’s Clan, we’ve essentially choked their pasture. Moreover, our overt and covert support for Ancestor Beichen’s breakthrough to the Heavenly Realm also poses a significant threat to them.”

“All these factors have already ignited the fury of the Huangfu’s Clan. Their inaction so far is merely a sign of their patience, waiting for the right moment. Just yesterday, Brother Fang You’an from the Purple Mansion Academy and others successfully completed their disaster relief mission and returned to the academy. The city guard, Xiahou Hongde, also took the academy’s flying carriage to report to the Longzuo Commandery. This round trip will take at least ten days, if not a month.”

“This is the best opportunity for the Huangfu’s Clan to strike. Once missed, it will be difficult to find such a good opportunity again,” Wang Shouzhe said calmly, “And my personal presence at the secret production base for several days is the last piece of tempting bait thrown out.”

“What if they don’t take the bait?” Ancestor Zhubo asked.

“If they don’t take the bait under these circumstances, once City Guard Xiahou returns from his report, they will have to wait at least three years before they dare to make a move. After all, the cloud-piercing cannon Xiahou gave me wasn’t for nothing,” Wang Shouzhe laughed, “The longer they delay, the stronger the Wang’s Clan alliance will become. If they delay further, Ancestor Beichen might even succeed in breaking through to the Heavenly Realm. They can’t afford to wait.”

“Shouzhe, you really have them figured out,” Ancestor Zhubo sighed, “If Zhubo had your calculating mind back then, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a predicament.”

“Sigh~ I had no choice, I was forced into this,” Wang Shouzhe also sighed, “As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one is scared of well ropes for ten years. The Huangfu’s Clan is like a venomous snake, lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. How can the Wang’s Clan live in peace? Instead of constantly guarding against them, it’s better to take the initiative.”

Wang Shouzhe was also filled with emotion. If it weren’t for the heavy burden on his shoulders, he wouldn’t want to be constantly scheming. How nice would it be to practice in peace and play with the children?

Unfortunately, the tree desires stillness but the wind will not cease.

In any world, you can’t have peace just because you want it. If you want to be truly powerful, you have to take control of your own destiny.

……

That night.

The main house of the Huangfu’s Clan in Changning.

In the study, a luxurious palace lamp embedded with spirit stones was emitting bright white light, illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime.

Huangfu Jin Huan was sitting at a large ancient wooden desk, reading a secret letter.

The letter was sealed with wax, and a special seal that could prevent forgery was stamped on it. The signature was a simple line drawing of a fish, which seemed to be a special code.

Huangfu Jin Huan was somewhat indifferent as he opened the letter.

However, after only a few glances, his eyes lit up, and the more he read, the more excited he became. After a while, he was so excited that he slapped the letter on the table and stood up.

“Good, good, good! This is a godsend, a real godsend!”

These past few days, he had been feeling extremely stifled.

The high-ranking members of the Yinsha Sect who had been secretly communicating with him, as well as all the branches of the Huangfu’s Clan, had been wiped out. Even the fixed assets of the former Huangfu’s Clan had fallen into the hands of the Wang’s Clan.

The prestige of the Heavenly Huangfu’s Clan in Changning had plummeted, and the forces that had once cooperated with them had all adopted a conservative attitude, keeping their distance. Even the small ninth-rank families that used to visit frequently had all disappeared without a trace.

The once bustling main gate of the mansion was now deserted.

Everything seemed to indicate that the once glorious Heavenly Clan was gradually declining.

But how could outsiders know that the Huangfu’s Clan was not without the power to fight back? He was just waiting, waiting for an opportunity to strike back.

Now, that opportunity had come.

Huangfu Jin Huan couldn’t wait to see Ancestor Huaye and report this good news. The secret agents he had painstakingly planted had finally come into play.

……

Several days later.

It was a dark and windy night.

Under the Eagle Fall Gorge, the water was rushing, and the waves were constantly hitting the cliff, making a “pap pap pap” sound. The cold wind blew over the top of the cliff, and when it was blocked by the trees and the gaps in the rocks, the wind sounded like a ghost’s cry.

In this eerie atmosphere, three masked men appeared on the top of the cliff, where only eagles and hawks could perch.

The man in the lead stood with his hands behind his back.

Although his face was covered, his signature red hair revealed his identity. Even a blind man could tell that he was Ancestor Huaye of the Heavenly Huangfu’s Clan.

It was clear how perfunctory his disguise was this time. Or perhaps, his heart was filled with confidence in victory. The mask was just a formality.”Jinning, Jinyu.” Ancestor Huaye looked down at the production base in the canyon, his voice filled with a hint of fervor and disdain, “According to the intelligence, there is always a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator from the alliance stationed in this secret production base of the Wang’s Clan’s in-law alliance. The current one is Chen Junyao from the Chen’s Clan of Donggang.”

Ancestor Junyao is the second ancestor of the Chen’s Clan of Donggang. Because he is still relatively young, he hasn’t even reached the middle stage of the Spirit Platform Realm. To ordinary people, he is already a formidable ancestor.

But in the eyes of the Celestial Clan, a mere early-stage Spirit Platform Realm cultivator is hardly a significant figure.

No wonder Ancestor Huaye’s tone was tinged with a hint of disdain when he mentioned it.

He continued, “Besides, Wang Shouzhe has secretly come to take charge. This is a heaven-sent opportunity. You first control Wang Shouzhe, then take down some of the main production managers, and you can temporarily control this production base and force out the secrets of cement and glass production as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, Ancestor.”

Two other masked elders answered solemnly.

Their hair was all white, and their voices carried a hint of the twilight years, seeming even older than Ancestor Huaye.

These two elders, one named Huangfu Jinning and the other named Huangfu Jinyu, were both ancestors of the Jinning generation of the Celestial Huangfu’s Clan.

The Celestial Clan is not the same as the eighth or ninth rank clans.

The foundation of an old seventh-rank clan is extremely terrifying and unfathomable.

These two Jinning generation ancestors, along with those who had branched out and established a clan in the former Ma Town, were of the same generation.

They were once the pillars of the Celestial Huangfu’s Clan, and Huangfu Jinning even held the position of Clan Leader for several decades.

But now, they are all old, with only a decade or two of life left, and no hope of reaching the Celestial Realm, so they have long retired to the second line and become clan elders.

Under normal circumstances, they would live out their years in the clan until their lifespan was exhausted.

This is the normal succession of a Celestial Clan.

After all, Celestial Realm cultivators have a lifespan of nearly four hundred years. Under normal circumstances, a Celestial Clan changes its Celestial Ancestor about every two hundred years.

Apart from a few lucky direct descendants, the vast majority of people do not qualify to become Celestial seeds, let alone have the opportunity to reach the Celestial Realm.

Even someone with better aptitude like Huangfu Jinyuan had to take the path of branching out, working hard all his life, and in the end, he still didn’t get the chance to reach the Celestial Realm.

On the other hand, Ancestor Beichen of the Xu’s Clan in Changning had excellent luck and managed to accumulate the opportunity to reach the Celestial Realm.

“Jinning, Jinyu.” Ancestor Huaye looked up at the starry sky and sighed, “I know, you have been somewhat wronged in this life. If the Huangfu’s Clan were a Purple Mansion Clan, you might have had the chance to become Celestials.”

If they had been cultivated as Celestial seeds from a young age, Huangfu Jinning and Huangfu Jinyu would have at least a 30% chance of entering the Celestial Realm.

And the deceased founder of the Huangfu’s Clan in Ma Town, Huangfu Jinyuan, would have had a 60-70% chance, which was no less than Ancestor Huaye’s back then. But what can be done in the face of the overwhelming trend?

“But the path to the Purple Mansion is not ordinary. Now there is an excellent opportunity in front of our Huangfu’s Clan, and you must seize it for your descendants.”

“Ancestor, we understand.” Huangfu Jinning and Huangfu Jinyu were resolute, their eyes shining, “For the future of the Huangfu’s Clan, we will do our utmost and live up to the trust of the Ancestor.”

“Go.” Ancestor Huaye waved his hand indifferently, his tone calm and confident, “The prepared mind overcomes the unprepared, and I, the old ancestor, am here to hold the fort.”

“This will surely succeed.”

As his words fell.

“Boom!”

Below the Eagle Fall Canyon, a surge hit the cliff, splashing water seven or eight meters high.

……