Protect Our Patriarch

……

As a prodigy of a fifth-grade family, there weren't many people Wang Shihai admired. Even the Ancestor Dingxin, who had completed the Purple Mansion transition for the family, didn't impress him much, as he believed he had a good chance of achieving the Purple Mansion himself in the future.

However, his Fourth Uncle, Wang Shouzhe, repeatedly shocked his young mind. From initial admiration to later reverence, Wang Shihai now felt an urge to prostrate himself in worship.

Fourth Uncle, so quietly... yet so domineering in his actions.

"Smack!" Wang Shouzhe casually pointed a finger, and a burst of energy flicked Wang Shihai on the forehead.

This kid had such a punchable face; he just had to be hit.

"The Celestial Maiden is staying with our Changning Wang's Clan for a while," Wang Shouzhe explained seriously, "Shihai, don't let your imagination run wild. There's nothing between me and the Celestial Maiden."

"Young Master Shouzhe." Celestial Maiden Tianyan gave Wang Shihai a sidelong glance before gracefully approaching Shouzhe, handing him a bowl of soup. "Earlier, while entertaining my maternal clan, my sister still remembered to have me prepare some nourishing soup for you. Drink it while it's hot."

"As a distinguished guest, such trivial matters..."

"Alright." Wang Shouzhe downed the nourishing soup invented by Liu Ruolan in one gulp, his face contorting in bitterness.

Wang Shihai's face stiffened on the side. Fourth Uncle, is this what you call 'nothing'? Fine, fine, you really know how to play. Your grandson won't disturb you any longer. Farewell.

……

In the following days.

Various major families continuously arrived in Ping'an Town. The Wang Clan naturally entertained them according to etiquette, arranging everything meticulously. Wang Shouzhe would take time to meet each representative from the seventh-grade families as a courtesy.

Each family followed the proper etiquette, presenting generous gifts.

Fortunately, the Wang Clan was no longer what it used to be. With a considerable number of clan members, ample guards, and servants, they managed to handle everything smoothly.

In Longzuo Commandery, the Qian Clan, Wang Clan, and Yuwen Clan were the most generous. The combined value of their gift lists easily exceeded a million top gold, with the Qian Clan's gifts alone worth two million top gold.

They knew the Wang Clan favored raw materials like crude iron, refined copper, and spiritual wood, so these basic resources made up the bulk of the gifts.

Clearly, these friendly families were very considerate.

Additionally, clan members stationed at the academy or elsewhere returned to the family, both to participate in the rare grand event and to bolster the clan's manpower.

Except for Miss Wang Lici, who had gone to the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty early on and had no news since, all other Wang Clan members, even those married off, attended without exception.

Wang Clan's main residence.

Located by Zhuhui Lake, the exquisite courtyard known as "Liyao Residence" was in a prime location with elegant surroundings.

Every corner of this courtyard was designed by Wang Shouzhe.

Though the courtyard appeared classical, its internal structure was intricate, with facilities like energy array lighting systems and water systems fully equipped. Even the bed and some furniture were crafted from water-element spiritual wood, all masterpieces of exquisite craftsmanship.

Especially the plants and flowers inside, which were carefully selected and cultivated by Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe had always doted on his eldest daughter, Wang Liyao. Since she went to the Purple Mansion Academy at nineteen, he personally renovated her courtyard, even though she only stayed home for ten days during the New Year each year.

Now, the "Liyao Residence" in the Wang Clan's main residence was a place that guests dreamed of entering. Meeting the great prodigy Wang Liyao was a huge honor, and forming a connection with her was worth the effort.

Thus, many seventh-grade families came prepared. They brought their most outstanding young girls, along with generous gifts, to visit Wang Liyao under the guise of seeking guidance. They shamelessly tried to curry favor, hoping to become her maid or something similar...

At first.

Out of courtesy, Wang Liyao took some time to meet them.

But as the number of visiting cards increased and the girls' flattery became more shameless, even Wang Liyao's good temper grew weary.

At this moment.

Outside Liyao Residence.

A young woman in a water-blue long dress, with a clear and delicate appearance, stood at the entrance, holding a sword. Her cold gaze swept over the meticulously dressed young girls at the door, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. She lightly said, "I said, I will control my cultivation level. Anyone who can withstand three of my sword strikes has the qualification to see Miss Liyao."

This woman in the water-blue dress was Mo Ruoqiu, a prodigy disciple of Xuan Yao Ascetic from the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery. She hailed from the Mo Clan of Monan Commandery. Originally, she wanted to follow Miss Liyao but didn't even qualify.

Later, her family prepared to buy a Wuji Baodan for her, only to have it snatched by Wang Shouzhe.

Fortunately, her family supported her, spending a fortune to acquire a Wuji Baodan, which helped her achieve the status of a prodigy. After years of effort, she finally moved Wang Liyao and was accepted under her wing.

As a prodigy, Mo Ruoqiu had struggled so much.

Among this group of girls, most of whom didn't even have mid-grade qualifications, only a few barely reached mid-grade D or C.

And yet?

They dared to dream of becoming phoenixes from chickens?

A great prodigy's maid wasn't a position just anyone could take.

"Mo Ruoqiu, we're here to see Miss Liyao. What does it have to do with you?"

"Ruoqiu Celestial Maiden, please let me see Miss Liyao."

"Mo Ruoqiu, don't be arrogant. Take this sword!"

Voices of pleading and cursing rose and fell, but Mo Ruoqiu remained steadfast, cutting down each challenging family girl.

Even with her cultivation suppressed, no one could withstand her three sword strikes.

The girls were all in awe. The academy prodigy Mo Ruoqiu was so terrifying~~ This, this was the strength of a follower? Then, how powerful must the legendary great prodigy Wang Liyao be?

This was just the tip of the iceberg for Wang Liyao.

During this period, countless noble young ladies found various excuses to enter the Wang Clan's main residence, creating "chance encounters" and "serendipities," hoping to catch the eye of a Wang Clan young talent.

Unfortunately.

The young generation of the Wang Clan had increasingly high standards and pride.

Many noble young ladies came with high hopes but left with sorrowful faces.

……

Time flew by.

Before they knew it, the day of the double Celestial Banquet and promotion ceremony for the Wang Clan arrived.

Early that morning, the area near Dingpu Ferry was already crowded with onlookers from small and medium families.

The crowd was so large that the ferry area couldn't accommodate them all. People even stood on the water dragon formations on both sides of the ferry.

The crowd was packed tightly, with hardly any room to move.

Wu Bangzuo, who was slightly late, was blocked outside the ferry by the crowd, feeling deeply regretful. If only he had spoken fewer words with the Ancestor earlier.

Just as he was feeling regretful, a voice called out from the ferry, "Brother Wu, over here~ I saved a spot for you, come quickly!"

Following the voice, he saw his good friend from Yingxiu, Lu Wenhong, a direct descendant of the Yingxiu Lu Clan. Surrounded by a few guards, there was just enough space for one person.

Overjoyed, Wu Bangzuo leaped into the air, taking a few steps in the void before landing lightly in the gap.

Qi Refining cultivators could only glide in mid-air. To stay airborne like this, creating an effect similar to walking in the air, required a Basalt cultivator of the Lingtai Realm or higher.

The surrounding Basalt cultivators looked at Wu Bangzuo with respect. Those close by even moved aside to give him more space.

Wu Bangzuo nodded in thanks, then cupped his hands to Lu Wenhong, saying, "Brother Lu, you had the foresight. Thank you so much today~ Missing such a memorable event would have been a shame."

"Hey~ what's the point of saying that between brothers?" Lu Wenhong waved it off casually.

Lu Wenhong was a carefully nurtured prodigy of the Yingxiu Lu Clan. His aunt, Lu Xiaoxiao, was the Celestial Ancestor of the Lu Clan.

Since the passing of the old patriarch Lu Zhengxiong and the old matriarch Wang Liuling years ago, the marriage ties between the Yingxiu Lu Clan and the direct line of the Changning Wang Clan had faded, though the direct lines still maintained their ties.

Fortunately, the Celestial Ancestor Lu Xiaoxiao was the direct cousin of Wang Shouzhe, the head of the Changning Wang Clan. Additionally, the Lu Clan had shares in the Shouda Trading Company, so the two families remained closely connected.

Lu Wenhong, now in his sixties, had reached the fourth level of the Lingtai Realm, a cultivation speed that placed him in the middle ranks among prodigies. At this rate, he had a good chance of reaching the Celestial Realm before the age of 150.

This was possible because the Yingxiu Lu Clan was now financially robust enough to support his cultivation. Fifty years ago, even with prodigy potential, he would have had to attend the academy because the family couldn't afford to support him.

In comparison, Wu Bangzuo, though also a prodigy, lagged behind Lu Wenhong in cultivation speed.

At sixty-five, he was only at the peak of the third level of the Lingtai Realm, needing another half year to reach the fourth level.

The Yingxiu Wu Clan was too poor to support his full-speed cultivation.

This was despite his sister Wu Lingyun marrying into the Changning Wang Clan, which had boosted the Wu Clan's influence and wealth in Yingxiu. Without this, he might not have maintained even this cultivation speed.

Fortunately, his brother-in-law Wang Zongyao was a prodigy of the Wang Clan, a renowned artifact refiner at sixty-nine, with an eighth-level Lingtai Realm cultivation. The Wu Clan's good days were ahead.

Because of their ties to the Wang Clan, both being prodigies, and both being from Yingxiu, Lu Wenhong and Wu Bangzuo had become friends.

Today, on the grand occasion of the Changning Wang Clan's promotion to a sixth-grade family, they had planned to watch the event together.

As they spoke, the crowd suddenly parted, and the people of the Changning Wang Clan arrived.

Leading them was Wang Shizhao, the eldest son of the young clan leader Wang Zong'an.

Dressed in a blue robe, with a handsome face and extraordinary demeanor, he was followed by a group of Wang Clan members and guards, making quite an impressive sight.

Family promotions followed the "three welcomes and three invitations" tradition.

The first welcome was at the ferry, usually by the younger generation of the direct line. The second welcome was at the pavilion three miles from the ferry, also by the younger generation. The third welcome was at the family gate, by the clan leader himself.

This tradition showcased the family's importance to the event.

When the Changning Wang Clan had few members, during their promotion to a seventh-grade family, the eldest direct descendants, Wang Liyao and Wang Zong'an, were only teenagers. With Wang Shouzhe, they barely managed "two welcomes and two invitations." Though Wei Wenxun had no objections, it was somewhat embarrassing.

Now, with the Wang Clan's growing numbers, they could finally fulfill the "three welcomes and three invitations" tradition.

Lu Wenhong and Wu Bangzuo hurriedly greeted Wang Shizhao.

Though Wang Shizhao, in his forties, was a generation younger, he was a prodigy with a fifth-level Lingtai Realm cultivation, higher than both of them. They treated him with great respect.

Wang Shizhao, following family etiquette, greeted them politely as juniors, displaying composure and elegance reminiscent of Wang Shouzhe in his youth.

As they spoke, someone near the ferry shouted.

"They're here~ they're here!"

"The Commandery Governor's boat is here!"

Everyone looked towards the An River, where an official boat bearing the Commandery Governor's emblem was approaching, drawing everyone's attention as it docked.

Amidst the crowd's gaze, a clear gong sound rang out.

Then, a loud voice from the boat announced, "Wei Wenxun, Deputy Commander of the Longzuo Commandery Governor's Mansion, is here by the Commandery Governor's order to deliver the 'Sixth-Grade Family Plaque' to the Changning Wang Clan. All unrelated persons must clear the way."

After three shouts, the official boat docked completely.

A team of soldiers in the Commandery Governor's armor disembarked, followed by four "No Trespassing" signs.

This was the Commandery Governor's ceremonial guard, symbolizing the emperor's delegated authority.

Behind the signs, four strong men carried a large plaque covered in red cloth.

This was the "Sixth-Grade Family Plaque" for the Changning Wang Clan.

Following them was Wei Wenxun, now Deputy Commander of the Longzuo Commandery Governor's Mansion.

This grand procession was a rare sight in Longzuo Commandery.

In the past thirty years, only the completion ceremony of the Qingluo Garrison, hosted by Commandery Governor Taishi Ankang, could compare.

Wang Shizhao quickly led the Wang Clan members to greet Wei Wenxun, expressing their gratitude to the Commandery Governor's Mansion and the emperor, completing the "first welcome."

After this, the "second welcome" took place at the "Three-Mile Pavilion," led by Wang Zong'an with more clan members.

Finally, the "third invitation" was at the Wang Clan gate by Zhuhui Lake, with Wang Shouzhe personally presiding.

After the "three welcomes and three invitations," the Wang Clan members would hang the plaque on the archway.

A month earlier, the new archway, supervised by the Commandery Governor's Mansion, had been completed.

This new archway, over four zhang tall, was made of blue-white stone, with four towering pillars carved with intricate patterns of mythical birds and fish, looking grand and majestic.

This blue-white stone, called "white-patterned stone," was a byproduct of spiritual stone mines, very sturdy and capable of isolating and sealing spiritual energy, making it an excellent array foundation material. With enough of it, a family could set up a protective array for their residence.

Now, the plaque covered in red cloth hung high on the archway, adding a festive touch.

Wang Shouzhe personally invited Ancestor Long Yan to unveil the plaque.

Traditionally, this step was done by the clan leader, but Wang Shouzhe, grateful for Ancestor Long Yan's sacrifices for the family, insisted on her unveiling the plaque. Though she initially refused, she eventually agreed.

With a gentle pull from Ancestor Long Yan, the red cloth fluttered down, officially marking the Changning Wang Clan's promotion to a "sixth-grade family."

The plaque was inscribed by Commandery Governor Taishi Ankang himself, giving Wang Shouzhe great face.

This moment was recorded by Elder Wang Xiaohan in the "Wang Clan Heritage Records," along with a scene reconstruction drawn from memory.

From this day, the Changning Wang Clan's prestige in Longzuo Commandery surged.

Months later, people in the commandery still talked about it with great interest.

The Changning Wang Clan had accomplished many significant feats over the years, from developing the Qingluo Garrison and building seafood farms to expanding the flying carriage system in Qing'an and Longzuo Commanderies, and establishing related industries. Each was a remarkable achievement.

But ordinary people didn't understand the profound significance of these accomplishments.

They were busy with their daily lives, unaware of the importance of developing the Qingluo Garrison or building seafood farms. Many didn't even know who owned the Shouda Trading Company.

What they saw and felt most directly was the grand ceremony of the Changning Wang Clan's promotion to a sixth-grade family, with the Commandery Governor's personal inscription and Wei Wenxun's delivery.

This event brought the Changning Wang Clan into the public eye, making people truly understand the power behind the name "Changning Wang Clan."

……

Some time later.

In the inner residence of the Changning Wang Clan, Wang Shouzhe's study.

Wang Shouzhe reclined comfortably in a lounge chair, sipping celestial tea, while the twin-tailed Spirit Artifact Xiaoxue reported the current status.

[Clan Name]: Longzuo Changning Wang Clan

[Clan Grade]: Sixth-Grade

[Clan Prestige]: [Local Prestige (100) Overwhelming][County Prestige (100) Overwhelming][Commandery Prestige (88) Dominant][National Prestige (11) Unknown]

[Clan Industries]: 139 items (click to view details)

[Clan Members]: [In Clan (153)][Married Out (24)] (click to view details)

[Clan Marriages]: 9 (click to view details)

[Clan Guards]: [Adults (1863)][Minors (289)] (click to view details)

[Clan Servants]: [Adults (4056)][Minors (627)] (click to view details)

……

"Xiaoxue, show me the clan members' details~ project the family tree." Wang Shouzhe sipped his tea contentedly. The clan had grown so much that even he couldn't keep track of all the members.

"Yes, Master. The new Longzuo Wang Clan family tree has been projected at the end of the third chapter's epilogue." Xiaoxue replied cutely.

"Call me Clan Leader..." Wang Shouzhe gave her a meaningful look, having caused quite a stir over this title.

"Yes, Master." Xiaoxue smiled sweetly.

……

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