In the year 3166 of the Daqian Prosperous Era—on the third day of the second month.

Early spring~

Half a year had passed since the Celestial Banquet held by the Wang’s Clan of Changning.

This season, the spring rain drizzled down, casting a veil of gloom over the Wang’s Clan.

Just after the New Year, the second elder of the fifth generation, Wang Xiaohui, passed away peacefully in his sleep, departing from this world.

This was the first death in the clan since Wang Shouzhe took over as the family head.

His second uncle, Wang Xiaohui, was born in the year 3060 of the Daqian Prosperous Era and had lived to the age of 106 when he passed away.

Theoretically speaking, Second Uncle Wang Xiaohui had lived a long life, longer than most.

Yet his death still brought considerable sorrow to the members of the Wang’s Clan.

Wang Shouzhe sat in the courtyard, gazing at the spring scenery and the falling rain, his expression seemingly lost in a daze.

“My husband,” Liu Ruolan leaned close, comforting him softly, “birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life. You have done your utmost for Second Uncle, even going so far as to obtain a longevity pill to extend his life. In fact, these past years, Second Uncle had been holding on, waiting for the Wang’s Clan to become a seventh-rank family. Only then did he leave this world contentedly.”

“Ruolan, I understand what you’re saying,” Wang Shouzhe sighed, “I’m just wondering, what exactly have we been striving for all these years?”

“Have you figured it out, my husband?” Liu Ruolan brewed a pot of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea for him, “This is the fresh tea just picked from the Cloud Mist Cave this winter. Knowing you love this new tea, I took three-tenths of the yield when I visited my parents’ home.”

Wang Shouzhe held the Cloud Mist Spirit Tea, his eyes tenderly on Liu Ruolan: “Of course, I’ve figured it out. The reason I’ve been desperately developing our clan is that I want our family members to survive, to live better and with more dignity. Like you, my wife, if possible, I would like to live with you forever, lovingly until the end of time.”

“My husband,” Liu Ruolan’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes misting with emotion, “No matter when, I never tire of hearing your sweet nothings. Marrying you is the luckiest thing in my life.”

“Your sweet words are also touching. Marrying you is the true essence of my life,” Wang Shouzhe took her hand.

“My husband, don’t be like this, the children are nearby,” Liu Ruolan shyly cast him a coquettish look.

To the side.

The children, who were sitting quietly, all reacted with utter calmness.

The eldest daughter, Wang Liyao, now a grown girl, held her two-year-old weaned youngest brother, Wang Zongrui, in her arms. Her youthful and exquisite face showed no sign of being moved.

No wonder, with their parents often exchanging sweet nothings and flaunting their affection, after nineteen years, how could they not be used to it?

The children were almost sick of it.

Yet their parents seemed to enjoy it, as if they would never tire of it.

“Sister, I feel like I can’t love anymore,” Wang Zong’an, the sixteen-year-old eldest son, muttered softly, “If someone were to whisper sweet nothings to me, my first reaction would definitely be to vomit.”

“Me too…” Wang Liyao’s eyelid twitched, murmuring, “The problem is, after so many years, it’s the same few patterns over and over. ‘My wife, you’re so wonderful, my husband, you’re so amazing…’ and then something about the greatest luck…”

“I think it’s okay,” a five-year-old little girl chirped, blinking her eyes, “Daddy looks so gentle when he says sweet nothings.”

Then, Wang Liyao and Wang Zong’an both gave her a look: “Yuanyuan, you’re still too young. Wait a few more years, and you’ll become numb and gradually disgusted.”

Clearly, the delicate little girl was Wang Shouzhe’s second daughter, Wang Liyuan.

“Hehe, what do you kids know?” Wang Shouzhe turned around nonchalantly, “Your parents’ love is to set an example for you, to create a healthy, positive, and optimistic family environment. You really don’t know the hardships of your parents…”

“Hardships?”

Liu Ruolan’s eyes flickered with something unusual, “Could it be that living with me is a hardship for you?”

“No, no, no, I was just casually educating the children…” Wang Shouzhe was startled and quickly explained.

“Casual words reveal the true feelings. We’ve been married for twenty years. Even if you’ve grown tired of the old and crave the new, I completely understand,” Liu Ruolan said gently, “Speaking of which, it’s my fault. I should have found you a few concubines long ago…”

“My wife, please don’t misunderstand, it was just a slip of the tongue…”

“A slip of the tongue? Hmph, the appearance of that system spirit artifact you created, who is it based on? Why is the figure so… large… Tell me which girl it is, and I’ll personally help you propose.”

“The spirit artifact system is just an exaggerated anime image… It’s not real, purely a figment of imagination.”

“What is anime? Never mind, even if it’s just your fantasy, it proves that you’ve grown tired of me… My husband, no, Wang Shouzhe…”

“Liu Ruolan? Oh no… Ancestor, save me… Long Yan, Ancestor, save me!”

“Wang, in this vast world, no one can save you.”

“My wife, please! Don’t think that just because you’re a Lingtai Realm spirit body you’re amazing, I’ll fight you…”

Far away!

Some clansmen who were about to report something to Wang Shouzhe immediately changed their expressions, stopped in their tracks, and turned to leave. In recent years, such scenes had become more and more frequent, and the family head Wang Shouzhe and his wife’s peculiar habits were too embarrassing.

Meanwhile, Long Yan, who was cultivating in her residence, merely lifted her eyelids slightly, then continued to meditate. Clearly, she had grown accustomed to this couple’s way of expressing affection through playful bickering.

Previously, she had rushed to save Wang Shouzhe in a panic, only to almost interrupt the couple’s intimate moment. After several such incidents, how could she rashly interfere again?

Long Yan, who had just turned 136 years old and had consumed the longevity fruit to replenish her vitality, was still a youthful and single immortal according to the four-hundred-year lifespan of a Celestial Realm cultivator.

“Sigh~ Shouzhe and Ruolan are good in every way, it’s just… their habits… Sigh~~ too embarrassing.”

…

Half a month later, at the Baibao Pavilion in Donghai Guard.

The branches of Baibao Pavilion had rapidly spread throughout Longzuo Commandery, and it was said that there were even branches outside the commandery.

However, in the area of the Southern Six Guards, although the Baibao Pavilions also dealt in ordinary treasures, some exceptionally valuable items were only auctioned at the Donghai Guard Baibao Pavilion biennially.

Wang Shouzhe had not missed any of the recent auctions.

Once the Wang’s Clan’s invitation was delivered, Wang Shouzhe and Ancestor Long Yan were invited by a Lingtai Realm official to a superior private box reserved for Celestial Realm families, where they were provided with the best maids and an abundance of spiritual fruits and tea.

It was said that the head of the Donghai branch of Baibao Pavilion would personally meet with Wang Shouzhe and Ancestor Long Yan later.

The reason, aside from the fact that Changning’s Wang’s Clan was a Celestial family, was mainly that the Wang’s Clan was known for their generous spending, making them valued patrons of Baibao Pavilion.

Of course, before they became a Celestial family, Wang Shouzhe always visited incognito. And to respect the privacy of their patrons, Baibao Pavilion provided corresponding confidentiality services.

But this time.

Wang Shouzhe and Ancestor Long Yan were making their official appearance at Baibao Pavilion without any concealment.

The situation had changed.

Previously, the Wang’s Clan needed to hide certain tactical treasures to use as trump cards at critical moments in their struggle against the Huangfu’s Clan.

But now, the risen Wang’s Clan needed to make a public appearance, openly adding strategic magical treasures for the ancestor and letting many Celestial families know.

This was akin to a fierce beast baring its fangs, warning and deterring potential adversaries with the message, “I’m not to be trifled with, weigh your options before provoking me.” This way, some unnecessary troubles could be relatively avoided.

For a family to grow and strengthen, a long-term stable environment is needed. Constantly playing possum only invites others to commit crimes and deliberately creates conflicts.

As Wang Shouzhe made his “first” official appearance at Baibao Pavilion, the news spread like dandelion seeds, carried by the wind everywhere.

One of the hosts of Donghai Guard—the head of the Tuoba’s Clan, Tuoba Gaozhan, rushed over to meet with Wang Shouzhe as soon as he heard. Upon entering, he first paid his respects to Ancestor Long Yan according to proper etiquette.

Then, Tuoba Gaozhan slightly complained to Wang Shouzhe: “Family Head Wang, you came to our Donghai Guard without sending word in advance. Our Tuoba’s Clan would have sent someone to welcome you properly and take good care of Ancestor Long Yan.”

Since the Celestial Banquet held by the Wang’s Clan, Ancestor Long Yan’s reputation had spread throughout the Southern Six Guards. No major family dared to underestimate Long Yan, especially with a Purple Mansion elder backing her.

Although that elder was from the academy and, by rule, would not help the Wang’s Clan bully other families, if other families thought of bullying the Wang’s Clan, they would have to consider the temper of Elder Binglan.

It was said that among the elders in the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery, Elder Binglan had the most explosive temper.

Therefore, many Celestial families’ attitude towards the newly risen Wang’s Clan was to neither bully nor fear them, and to make friends if possible. But they would not flatter them just because they had a Purple Mansion realm backer.

To be honest, there were other Celestial families with Purple Mansion realm backers, not just the Wang’s Clan.

“Brother Tuoba,” Wang Shouzhe returned the courtesy, speaking elegantly, “Ancestor and I came to Donghai Guard this time just to see if we could find a suitable offensive magical treasure for the ancestor. We didn’t intend to disturb the Tuoba’s Clan or the Dantai’s Clan.”

Donghai Guard was located in the alluvial plains of the An River, boasting countless fertile fields and a vast sea area rich in resources. Hence, the overall wealth and strength of Donghai Guard were far superior to Changning Guard. This was also why Baibao Pavilion chose to hold the auction here.

The two major Celestial families of Donghai Guard, the Tuoba’s Clan and the Dantai’s Clan, were also quite powerful. Although Wang Shouzhe had a good relationship with the Dantai family, he did not want to take sides casually.

As the two were talking.

The head of the Dantai’s Clan, Dantai Yongyi, also hurried over with his entourage. After paying his respects to Ancestor Long Yan, he spoke warmly to Wang Shouzhe in front of Tuoba Gaozhan: “Shouzhe, I was too busy with my duties to catch up with you at the last Celestial Banquet. Now that you’re here in Donghai Guard, our Dantai’s Clan must properly fulfill our duties as hosts and catch up on old times.”

In fact, Wang Shouzhe had only met Dantai Yongyi two or three times in his life, mostly on formal occasions. With his words, it seemed as if the two had a deep relationship.

However, Wang Shouzhe did have a decent relationship with his son, Dantai Heyu, and they had cooperated on many business ventures.

Seeing Dantai Yongyi being so affectionate, Wang Shouzhe was also filled with emotion. He remembered when the Wang’s Clan was setting a trap for the Liu and Zhao families, they had once borrowed the name of the Dantai family.

Back then, the Dantai family of Donghai Guard was an unattainable existence for the Wang’s Clan.

Yet, twenty years had passed, and the Wang’s Clan now truly stood on equal footing with the Dantai family of Donghai Guard, and he was “like brothers” with Dantai Yongyi.

Wang Shouzhe also knew what the Tuoba’s Clan and the Dantai’s Clan were plotting. They were both trying to secure an ally to increase their overall strength and momentum.

With the situation still unclear, Wang Shouzhe did not want to take sides rashly, which was why he did not visit either family upon arriving in Donghai Guard. Visiting either one could potentially cause the other to become wary and hostile.”Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe, if you are purchasing a magical treasure for Ancestor Long Yan this time…” Tuoba Gaozhan took out a picture album and said, “I recommend this rare mid-grade treasure sword—the Purple Lightning Treasure Sword. Although it is not of the Profound Ice attribute, it is still a magical treasure of extraordinary power. Originally, my Tuoba Clan had set our sights on this treasure and wanted to acquire it. However, to celebrate Ancestor Long Yan, as long as Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe desires it, we will not compete for it.”

“Brother Tuoba, to offer a treasure that does not belong to you as a favor, truly, I am impressed,” Dantai Yongyi said with a cold sneer, “If Wang Shouzhe truly wants this treasure, your Tuoba family might not be able to compete with him, so why bother owing you a favor for nothing?”

What a situation!

Wang Shouzhe frowned inwardly. Although he had received some intelligence earlier that the relationship between the two great celestial families of the Eastern Sea Defense was deteriorating, he did not expect it to have deteriorated to such an extent that their discord had already become public.

It would be best not to get involved in their strife and disturb the peace of the Southern Six Defense.

……