Protect Our Patriarch

The robust woman in red armor who took Wang Shouye away was none other than his fourth sister, Wang Luotong.

Wang Luotong was now in her late twenties, but she looked no older than twenty-four or twenty-five.

Her demeanor had become increasingly composed and charming, like a juicy peach with a deadly allure. However, the hint of murderous aura she inadvertently exuded gave her the dangerous aura of a wild beast.

She was now completely different from the somewhat weak and aggrieved girl who once stood in front of Wang Shouzhe.

"Fourth sister."

As soon as he returned to his room, Wang Shouye immediately bowed respectfully to Wang Luotong, then took out his treasured spiritual tea and began to brew it for his sister.

Although he was a direct descendant of the Wang's Clan, his treatment in the Pill Workshop was no different from that of other alchemists of the same level, and his room was standard.

However, his room was meticulously arranged. A few simple decorations and paintings created a warm atmosphere, showing that he had put a lot of thought into it.

This also reflected Wang Shouye's character: patient, meticulous, hardworking, and ingenious in the details.

After brewing the tea smoothly, Wang Shouye held the teacup with both hands and offered it to his sister Wang Luotong: "Fourth sister, it's time to prepare for the autumn and winter hunt, isn't it? How come you have time to visit me today?"

The autumn and winter hunt was a traditional hunting festival for the Xuanwu Clan.

On one hand, it could provide spiritual food for the clan members, and on the other hand, it could train the younger generation and remind them not to forget the hardships and achievements of their ancestors.

Nowadays, many Xuanwu Clans, especially those in prosperous areas, have turned the autumn and winter hunt into a pure festival and rarely venture into the wilderness to hunt and kill beasts. However, the Wang's Clan has always adhered to this tradition.

Wang Luotong has always been a loyal supporter of the autumn and winter hunt. She participates actively every year, prepares diligently, and always performs well.

Therefore, Wang Shouye was puzzled as to why she came to find him at this time.

"I have important matters to attend to, so I'm afraid I won't be able to participate in the autumn and winter hunt this time." Wang Luotong sipped her spiritual tea and couldn't help teasing her seventh brother, "The two girls just now were quite pretty. Why not take them in and have them bear a few more children for our clan?"

Wang Shouye's face turned red instantly, and he pleaded with a bitter smile, "Fourth sister, please stop teasing me. I just want to refine some pills and earn back the money our family has lost as soon as possible. They cause trouble in the Pill Workshop all day, and it has upset my colleagues. I'm already very troubled."

"Don't be so burdened." Wang Luotong comforted him with a smile, "Any clan that wants to cultivate an excellent alchemist has to make a large investment in the early stage. You're different from those alchemists who signed a contract to sell themselves to the Pill Workshop. Your task is to master the second-tier pills as soon as possible, and even the third-tier and fourth-tier pills in the future. The day you refine a fifth-tier 'Heavenly Spirit Pill', our clan will be prosperous."

"Fifth-tier Heavenly Spirit Pill!" Wang Shouye's face fell, and he laughed bitterly, "Fourth sister, now I feel even more pressured. My master, Ancestor Ning Chao, has been immersed in alchemy all his life and can only refine third-tier pills, barely making a profit. Fifth-tier pills are impossible. I feel terrible about losing money all the time."

"Don't worry, don't worry." Wang Luotong sipped her spiritual tea, her eyes full of amusement, "You're only twenty years old and you're about to start refining second-tier pills. You're going to lose even more. After you lose seventy or eighty thousand Top Gold, you'll probably be able to start refining third-tier pills. After losing a few hundred thousand more Top Gold, you'll be able to refine fourth-tier pills. The clan will always be your solid backing!"

"%￥*&#……"

Wang Shouye rolled his eyes and wailed, "My name is Wang Shouye, but why do I feel like I'm Wang Bajia (Wang the Prodigal)? The more my fourth sister comforts me, the greater the pressure I feel."

"Fourth sister, I can make money by refining first-tier Small Nourishing Pills." Wang Shouye said weakly, "Each batch can earn ten Top Gold. And my proficiency will only increase, so in the future, each batch can earn twenty or thirty Top Gold. I want to subsidize the family's consumption by refining Small Nourishing Pills."

"One batch earns ten Top Gold, but you need to waste two days." Wang Luotong shook her head, "In this way, you have to work hard for one or two months to have a chance to refine a second-tier pill once, and it will take decades to become a qualified second-tier alchemist. Your fourth brother's intention is to let you start trying to refine third-tier pills as soon as possible in ten years."

A batch of second-tier pills could easily cost two or three hundred Top Gold. If the refining failed, it would be a total loss.

Especially in the early stage, the probability of a complete failure is not small.

Only when the level and proficiency increase can one slowly produce one or two second-tier pills, which can slow down the rate of loss.

However, if one can become a mature second-tier alchemist, each batch of pills can earn at least a few dozen Top Gold, and with good luck, even one or two hundred Top Gold.

At that time, if Wang Shouye focuses on refining second-tier pills, he will be a money-making machine. It will take at most seven or eight years to make up for all the previous losses.

And by that time, Wang Shouye would be only about forty years old.

However, it is clear that this is not what Wang Shouzhe wants. He doesn't need Wang Shouye to make money at all, he just needs him to spend money to become a third-tier, or even a fourth-tier alchemist faster."Then I can only occasionally refine first-grade elixirs to maintain my touch." Wang Shouye knew his fourth brother had high expectations and said helplessly, "Fortunately, refining high-grade elixirs often improves my understanding of low-grade ones."

"You can't slack off in your cultivation either. Train your furnace attendants well, and let them handle the heat control on a daily basis." Wang Luotong advised, "Your fourth brother has been cultivating you as if you were a celestial being. It's not easy to train an alchemist, so naturally, the longer you live, the better."

With that, the pressure on Wang Shouye increased.

However, he understood his fourth brother's intentions. The goal of cultivating him as an alchemist at all costs was at least to become a fourth-grade alchemist, or even possibly a fifth-grade one. They must be hoping for him to walk the path of the celestial beings.

Otherwise, it would be a huge joke if he finally became a qualified fourth-grade alchemist, but died of old age before he could contribute to the family.

"I will definitely work hard and not let down the fourth brother's expectations." Wang Shouye said solemnly, then he shifted the topic to Wang Luotong, "Fourth sister, what about you? Over the years, haven't you had anyone you fancy?"

"No." Wang Luotong said simply, then glanced at Wang Shouye and teased, "I can't help it. The men in our family are too outstanding. Not to mention your fourth brother, even you, Shouye, are already a mature first-grade alchemist at the age of twenty, and you are so handsome and elegant."

"Looking at the entire Changning Guard, even among the direct descendants of those noble families, who can compare with you? How can I, your fourth sister, settle for less? Ah, having such outstanding brothers is also a heavy burden~"

"Uh..." Wang Shouye shook his head helplessly, "So, fourth sister, you're not planning to get married?"

"It depends." Wang Luotong laughed generously, "Anyway, I'm aiming for the Spirit Platform Realm. I won't be satisfied otherwise. If worst comes to worst, I'll just pick a pleasing rogue cultivator to marry into our family. That way, I can also add some bloodline to our family."

"That's true. You're so outstanding, fourth sister. I'm afraid it's really hard for ordinary direct descendants to catch your eye. But I believe that there will be a fate for you." Wang Shouye changed the subject, "Let's not talk about this for now. Fourth sister, did you come to Changning Guard for something important this time? Is there anything I can help with?"

"Your fourth brother sent me to Qianma Town to take over the fixed assets of Huangfu's Clan. I passed by Changning Guard, so I came to see you and cheer you up." Wang Luotong smiled, "Don't worry, this time Ancestor Xiaohan will be there. I, Shouyong, and Zongwei are just going to assist."

Assist.

That was naturally Wang Luotong's modest way of saying it.

In fact, as an ancestor, Ancestor Xiaohan wouldn't do everything himself. The real management still relied on the younger generation like Wang Luotong, Wang Shouyong, and Wang Zongwei.

For the younger generation of the family, as long as they were willing to grow, Wang Shouzhe would spare no effort in cultivating them. His requirements were also high, needing them to have sufficient training to stand alone.

This was also inevitable.

The family was developing too fast, and there were not many people in the family, so Wang Shouzhe naturally had high expectations for the younger generation.

Under high standards and strict requirements, the results were gratifying. Now, the younger generation of Wang's Clan had been trained and had the initial ability to stand alone.

This time, it was a test of the abilities of Wang Luotong, Wang Shouyong, and Wang Zongwei.

Just as they were talking.

Suddenly, the voices of two girls came from outside the house: "Is Shouye here?"

"Again..."

Wang Shouye slapped his forehead, quite speechless.

He just wanted to refine an elixir in peace, why was it so difficult?

Helplessly, he walked out of the room, saluted the two girls, and was about to say a few perfunctory words to send them away.

Suddenly.

A group of young people in splendid clothes rushed into the door.

The leader was a young man in his twenties.

He was dressed in luxurious Basalt attire, wearing a jade crown, with a treasure sword hanging from his waist, and his demeanor was stern.

Seeing Wang Shouye, Lei Yanyun, and Huangfu Qianqian standing together, his face suddenly darkened.

"Brother, why are you here?" Lei Yanyun's face changed.

The man she called "brother" had a cold face: "Lei Yanyun, do you still know that I am your brother? As the direct descendant of the Lei Clan in Tianren, you are so disgraceful here."

"Brother, how am I disgraceful?" Lei Yanyun's face turned pale, and she retorted in a wronged voice, "What's wrong with me liking a man? Even father didn't say anything about it."

Wang Shouye recognized that this splendidly dressed man was Lei Bowu, the second son of the direct line of the Tianren Lei Clan.

In Changning Guard, Lei Bowu was one of the top prodigal sons, with a formidable reputation, and almost no one dared to provoke him.

And Wang Shouye had never had much interaction with him.

"Lei Yanyun, what nonsense are you talking about?" Hearing Lei Yanyun dare to retort, Lei Bowu was furious, "The family raises you and provides for you, not for you to act recklessly. Don't you know? The Zhang Clan of Tianren in Anyuan Guard has already come to our house to propose marriage."

"The Zhang Clan of Tianren in Anyuan Guard!?"

Lei Yanyun trembled.

Anyuan Guard was a city to the north of Changning Guard.

Once upon a time, when Changning Guard was still a barren frontier, Anyuan Guard was the border of Daqian, which was the origin of the city's name.

Compared to Changning Guard, Anyuan Guard has a much longer history, and the Zhang Clan of the Celestials is an old and deeply-rooted celestial family.

Her and Lei Bowu's great-grandmother was from the legitimate line of the Zhang Clan in Anyuan. It was likely that her father would agree to this marriage proposal.

Her eyes flickered, suddenly revealing a determined look: "It's just a marriage proposal, my father hasn't agreed yet. I'm going to find my father, whether it's the Zhang Clan of the Celestials or any other celestial clan, I don't want to marry."

With that, she looked anxious and was about to leave.

"Insolent! Stand still." Lei Bowu was furious, "You like that kid Wang Shouye, don't you? Not to mention that the Wang's Clan in Ping'an is just an eighth-rank family. This kid isn't even from the legitimate line, how can he be worthy of you?"

"I won't let you talk about Shouye like that!" Lei Yanyun stomped her foot in anger, "Shouye is much better than you think."

"Better?" Lei Bowu sneered, "Since you say he's better, let me test him."

With that, he looked at Wang Shouye with a malicious expression, and with a "clang", he drew his long sword and pointed it at him.

"Pretty boy, draw your sword, let me see what you're made of."

Wang Shouye was speechless.

He just wanted to peacefully refine a pill, why was it so difficult?

He was about to refuse.

Unexpectedly.

Lei Yanyun directly threw herself in front of him, spreading her arms like a hen protecting her chicks: "Brother, you're six or seven years older than Shouye, and you're already at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm. You, you're bullying people!"

"Hmph! Didn't you say he's better?" Lei Bowu sneered repeatedly, "So, he doesn't even have the courage to fight me? He's just a silver-plated spearhead, good-looking but useless, deceiving ignorant girls like you."

With that, he pointed his spear at Wang Shouye again: "Wang Shouye, you'd better go back to Ping'an Town as soon as possible, otherwise, I'll beat you every time I see you. What, you're not convinced? If you're not convinced, you can go back and tell your brother Wang Shouzhe......"

"Shut up!"

Wang Shouye was also angry.

Lei Bowu could talk about him, but not his fourth brother!

He pushed Lei Yanyun away, his expression serious, and a sharp look in his eyes: "Lei Bowu, do you think you're worthy to call my fourth brother by his name? You want to spar? I'll oblige you!"

With that, he reached out to draw his sword.

But before his hand could touch the hilt, it was caught by a delicate hand.

At the same time, a lazy and somewhat coquettish voice rang in his ear: "Shouye, you're an alchemist, there's no need to stoop to the level of this profligate brute."

Fourth sister?

Wang Shouye was stunned, and saw Wang Luotong leisurely walking out from behind him.

She was dressed in red armor and black banner, looking heroic with a touch of fierceness and wildness, her aura far stronger than Wang Shouye's.

She looked Lei Bowu up and down with her phoenix eyes, and snorted disdainfully: "You don't even look like a human, and you dare to shout at my brother? We're about the same age, if you really want to get beaten, I can oblige you."

Lei Bowu's face changed slightly: "Who are you?"

"Ping'an Wang's Clan, fourth daughter of the 'Lu' generation, Wang Luotong." Wang Luotong casually grabbed the hilt of her sword, holding it horizontally in front of her, her voice lazy, "Please enlighten me."

Her posture seemed careless, but her body was like a tightly coiled spring. This was the ability she had cultivated from years of hunting fierce beasts, like a ready-to-pounce leopardess, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any time.

"Good, good, good! A good Wang's Clan girl, even dares to shout at the legitimate son of my Celestial Clan." Lei Bowu was so angry that he laughed, his eyes suddenly sharp.

Although he was a profligate son, he was after all the second son of the legitimate line of the Celestial Lei Clan, and his inherent pride would not allow anyone to trample on it.

He flicked his long sword, suddenly pointing at Wang Luotong: "Changning Lei Clan, seventh son of the 'Bo' generation, Lei Bowu, please enlighten me!"

......

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