Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Upon hearing this, several young faces lit up with joy.
It was because Wang Shouyong's personality was somewhat old-fashioned and he was meticulous and critical in his work, so gaining his approval was no easy feat. Moreover, if they could also earn the recognition and reward from Fourth Uncle, that would be an even greater cause for boasting.
"Fifth Brother," Wang Shouming greeted with a clasped fist, "Please rest in the tent first, and then I'll explain the matter to you in detail."
Though he was a year younger than Zong Yao, he was also of the "Shou" generation and didn't feel as much pressure when speaking to Wang Shouyong.
With that, he led Wang Shouyong to the tent.
Due to the surrounding fiery earth, the environment was extremely hot, so Wang Shouming and the others could only set up a rudimentary camp in a relatively cooler area, complete with wooden fences, tents, and stone water tanks carved from rocks.
"Fifth Brother, this valley is scorching and water sources are depleted. The nearest water point is ten miles away. If we want to station here for a long time, the difficulty far exceeds the norm. For now, we've only managed to establish a temporary camp," Wang Shouming explained as they walked, "We've carefully explored the fire spirit veins and geothermal heat here. Whether it's the location, environment, or the flame's intensity, it's all quite suitable for constructing geothermal pill furnaces and forges. It's just that the geographical location is too remote and the environment too harsh."
"Eighth Brother, the foundation of our clan wasn't built overnight. We can find ways to overcome these difficulties," Wang Shouyong said, stroking his small mustache, calm and unhurried, "Such a treasure land is hard to find in a hundred years. Even if we spend fifty or a hundred years developing it, it's worth it. You must know, the various assets our Changning Wang's Clan has today were also accumulated bit by bit by our ancestors over a hundred years."
As they spoke, everyone entered the temporary tent.
Although the tent was set up in a relatively cooler place, it was still very hot inside. Fortunately, everyone was a cultivator of not insignificant skill, especially those like Wang Shouyong who had reached the Lingtai Realm, whose physical constitution had undergone a qualitative leap, making such heat seem ordinary and maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.
Wang Lianlian and Wang Luqing, the two girls, were busy boiling water and brewing tea to serve the guests.
The Changning Wang's Clan had always adhered to strict rules, with order and hierarchy being fundamental. Even in the wilderness, they could not neglect etiquette and rules, and they had brought along some spiritual tea and ordinary tea leaves.
After sipping some tea, Wang Lianlian took out a stack of maps and said, "Fifth Uncle, these are the maps and records drawn during the 'Clearing the Fog' mission. Moreover, during the time we waited for reinforcements, we re-surveyed the surrounding ten-mile radius and drew detailed maps. We discovered that the terrain here is like a collapsed valley, so we named it 'Qinglian Fire Valley.'"
According to the family rules set by Wang Shouzhe, clan members who discovered valuable special terrains had the right to name them. These names would be recorded in the "Wang's Clan Heritage Records," and the chapter on "Qinglian Fire Valley" would specify who discovered it, with participants including clan members and family guards listed.
In this way, future generations could remember the achievements of their ancestors.
Just like "Zhuwei Lake" next to the Wang's main residence, which ensured that descendants would almost never forget there was once an ancestor named "Wang Zhuwei."
"Qinglian Fire Valley" was clearly named after taking a character from Wang Luqing and Wang Lianlian's names, obviously a decision made by Wang Shouming and Wang Zongyao.
They gave this honor to their sisters.
"This name is good. The 'Qing' character represents the heat of the valley, and the 'Lian' character… that 'lava pond' is enhanced by a fire spirit vein, where fire spirit plants like 'Fire Lotus' can indeed be cultivated, which is quite fitting," Wang Shouyong said approvingly.
He was in a good mood, as these young men and women had added a fine foundation to the family.
For the clan, obtaining some natural treasures was certainly joyous, but acquiring a treasure land that could produce resources continuously for a hundred or a thousand years was even better.
Subsequently.
Wang Shouyong led the young people to explore the geothermal cave again, carefully observing the concealed mechanism.
"The technique used in this mechanism is somewhat similar to that of artifact refining," he deduced with a frown, "Moreover, it doesn't resemble the artifact refining techniques of our Daqian. Of course, it's even less like the technology from the era of the Shenwu Royal Dynasty."
During the Shenwu Royal Dynasty, human civilization was highly advanced, and the technology in every aspect was much more advanced than that of Daqian. Even the setting of mechanisms was probably beyond the detection of young people like Wang Shouming.
Moreover, the excavation method of this cave was relatively rough and hasty, not matching the style of the "collective OCD sufferers" of the Shenwu Royal Dynasty.
However, even with Wang Shouyong's strength, he dared not rashly activate the mechanism.
If someone could construct a geothermal spirit cave here, their strength was probably not something Wang Shouyong could match.
Fortunately, he was just the vanguard that had arrived first. More clan members and family guards would come later, and Ancestor Long Yan and Fourth Sister-in-law would also come to support.
After the academy incident was resolved, the Ancestor was the first to return to the clan. After all, as an Ancestor-level figure, she needed to stay with the clan to provide the strongest sense of security to the clan members. It didn't matter if she was in seclusion all day. As long as she was there, she was the important pillar.
Several days passed.
The clan's "main force" arrived at Qinglian Fire Valley, with the head of the Wang's Clan, Liu Ruolan, taking charge, and Ancestor Long Yan stationed in the middle. Except for Wang Shouzhe's absence, this was almost the highest-end personnel configuration of the clan.
At this point, the clan members felt greatly reassured, confident that even if the ancient ruins posed any danger, the clan could handle it calmly.
Even so, Liu Ruolan did not act rashly but first led the clan members and family guards to widen the lava passage, carefully inspecting and reinforcing the unstable structures of the passage.
Over a hundred horned pack goats were mobilized to transport various materials back and forth.
Only after the hundred-zhang lava passage was widened and made very stable did Liu Ruolan send a puppet specialized in mining to activate the mechanism next to the molten cave pond.
As for the younger generation and family guards, they took refuge on a safe high ground over a hundred zhang away, watching everything from a distance.
"Crack-crack!"
"Boom-boom!"
Loud muffled sounds kept coming from beneath their feet.
The ground trembled slightly.
Even though they were far away, everyone could still feel the majestic shock, as if some colossal being, long sealed in dust, was slowly starting up, awakening from its slumber.
Everyone couldn't help but feel their hearts palpitate.
Such a powerful mechanism was indeed fraught with danger.
The strange noises lasted for a good half an incense stick's time before the ground slowly quieted down. Nothing dangerous like monsters were activated, nor did any other anomalies occur.
The clumsy puppet responsible for activating the mechanism was still intact, obviously indicating that the mechanism had only opened a secret chamber and was not a lethal trap.
But this didn't mean that the Wang's Clan had been busy for nothing. The fact that no danger occurred this time didn't mean it wouldn't happen every time.
Just one serious accident would be a disaster for the Wang's Clan.
Afterward, Ancestor Long Yan personally led the exploration of the ancient ruins, with Liu Ruolan ready to assist outside the passage.
Within an hour, Ancestor Long Yan safely returned.
Inside the tent.
Ancestor Long Yan held a meeting to announce the situation to everyone present, including Wang Shouyong, Liu Ruolan, and the younger generation who had discovered the geothermal spirit cave.
"The mechanism opened an ancient secret chamber. From the text found inside, the owner of the ruins was identified as a master artifact refiner named 'Tianyiezi.'"
"According to the messages he left behind, he claimed to be from a continent called Tianji State, which had several countries vying for supremacy. In addition to Basalt cultivators, these countries were also skilled in the art of artifact refining."
"Tianyiezi was born in a country called 'Great Zhou' and was an independent master artifact refiner. The technique he cultivated, 'Yie Tian Jue,' sounded impressive, but it was actually just a mid-grade fire technique. The 'Heavenly Man Chapter' could only support his cultivation until the late Heavenly Man Realm, after which he faced a hopeless future."
"Tianyiezi was extremely talented and unwilling to join an artifact refining sect to be at others' beck and call. So, after spending decades preparing, he stole the inheritance technique 'True Heavenly Fire Jue · Purple Mansion Chapter' and several chapters of the 'Complete Treasure Book' from a sect called 'Heavenly Fire Sect.'"
"However, Tianyiezi's meticulous planning was still discovered by the Heavenly Fire Sect, who immediately sent experts to hunt him down. Tianyiezi had already prepared an escape route and fled Tianji State through a hidden ancient teleportation array. Little did he know that the other end of the teleportation array was a barbaric land teeming with ferocious beasts. At that time, even Longzuo Commandery had not been developed, and this place was rampant with beasts, including seventh-order great demons."
Ancestor Long Yan narrated, "Tianyiezi spent his days in constant fear and never managed to leave the barbaric land. After several injuries, he finally gave up hope and settled in Qinglian Fire Valley, building a secret dwelling in hopes of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm before seeking the human world. Unfortunately, due to age, injuries, and lack of resources, he never achieved the Purple Mansion Realm and died in Qinglian Fire Valley."
"Before his death, he regretted stealing the Heavenly Fire Sect's secret technique and involving his trusting friends from the sect. He closed his secret dwelling and left a will, hoping that if someone with destiny acquired his inheritance and had the chance to cultivate to the Purple Mansion Realm, they would make a trip to the Heavenly Fire Sect in Great Zhou of Tianji State."
"If the descendants of his friends were still alive, he hoped they would help them as much as possible. This was the only last wish of the senior Tianyiezi."
The younger members of the Wang's Clan listened with dazzled eyes and dry mouths. This ancient ruin was involved in such a twisted and incredible story. Moreover, there was a world called Tianji State outside…
No wonder, they had grown up in Ping'an Town, and their activities were mostly limited to the Changning defense area. During the autumn and winter hunts outside the territory, their range of activity did not exceed eight hundred li.
For the younger generation of the clan, a trip to the external cities like Donghai Wei or Bai Dao Wei was already considered a long journey. As for the bustling Longzuo Commandery City, they dreamed of it and hoped that when they matured a bit more, they would have the opportunity to visit the city.
In their view, the entire Longzuo Commandery was vast. As for the overseas world, they had occasionally heard some descriptions in books, but those were all ethereal legends, such as the seas being full of Top Gold and spirit veins everywhere.
"Tianji State, I've occasionally come across some related secrets during my time at the academy," Ancestor Long Yan said seriously, "But the information is very scarce, and even the Purple Mansion Academy knows little about Tianji State. However, from some of Tianyiezi's records, it can be seen that Tianji State is overall quite powerful and developed, with some artifact refining products deeply integrated into the lives of common people. In the Lingtai Realm, spirit tools are widely equipped among cultivators, and only top-grade spirit tools are sought after."
"The art of artifact refining in The Great Qian is still not systematic," Liu Ruolan nodded in agreement, "Even the price of low-grade spirit tools is very expensive, and many ninth-grade families can only afford one."
The Wang's Clan had also tried to hire a few artifact refiners, but to call them refiners was a stretch; they were at best apprentice refiners. They were purely following Wang Shouzhe's intentions, developing and forging various strange and curious components.
Even so, the Wang's Clan had paid a significant price to retain them, and currently, they had sent clan members and side branch descendants into the artifact refining system, striving to learn more knowledge.
As for artifact refiners capable of forging spirit tools, those were the elites of the Daqian artifact refining world. Back then, Ancestor Zhouxuan had to bring enough materials to the city to successfully refine the Zhouxuan Sword and Long Yan Sword, two spirit tools.
It's imaginable that the art of artifact refining in The Great Qian is much scarcer compared to the art of pill refining. At least Ancestor Long Yan had never heard of any Purple Mansion cultivator in Longzuo Commandery who was skilled in artifact refining, at most a few Heavenly Man Realm artifact refiners.
"Ancestor," Wang Shouming's eyes were fervent, "I possess the Red Dragon True Jue and am proficient in fire-type Xuanqi. I wonder if I could try to accept Tianyiezi's artifact refining inheritance?" He envied his brother Wang Shouye's status as a pill refining master, not only holding a transcendent position in the clan but also receiving attention and respect wherever he went.
"Artifact refining inheritance isn't just about fire-type Xuanqi," Ancestor Long Yan said, "I've encountered the Red Dragon True Jue many times, and this technique emphasizes dominance and ferocity, charging forward relentlessly. Artifact refining, on the other hand, requires patience and control, as well as countless tedious learning processes."
"Of course, I'm not saying you definitely can't. Each of you four has the opportunity to try. As for whether to go to Tianji State in the future, it depends on the development of our Wang's Clan. If the artifact refiners reach the Purple Mansion Realm, it's not impossible to make a trip."
Ancestor Long Yan was in a good mood and continued, "In addition to leaving behind his life's insights, Senior Tianyiezi also left behind a damaged Heavenly Man Realm puppet. At that time, he was out of resources and couldn't repair the puppet. If our Wang's Clan can produce an artifact refiner and repair the Heavenly Man puppet, it would be a significant addition to the clan's foundation."