Protect Our Patriarch

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"Honorable Wang Shouzhe, let's talk about glory first~" The Spirit Artifact was excited, "You have truly made history in this camp. If it were the same shameless methods as before, a few graduates might have broken records. But you achieved it through combat, such glory..."

As Wang Shouzhe completed the first kill, the prefixes "Honorable" and suffixes like "Your Excellency" magically returned.

"Let's discuss the rewards first." Wang Shouzhe interrupted the Spirit Artifact's praise, as those accolades meant nothing to him.

"As you wish, Honorable Wang Shouzhe..."

The Spirit Artifact immediately felt that it was not on the same wavelength as Wang Shouzhe.

I talk about ideals, and you insist on reality. I speak of glory, and you talk about rewards! Hmph, worldly.

"The first clear reward for the seventh level can be chosen based on Your Excellency's combat habits: [High-Grade Spirit Plant], [Blank Spirit Artifact Divine Weapon (no replacement needed)], [High-Grade Biochemical Beast Egg], or [Late Purple Mansion Realm Guardian Puppet]."

"The reward for clearing the seventh level is fixed as a [Blank Spirit Artifact Divine Weapon], but it requires replacing a high-quality artifact from the fifth level."

"Breaking the camp's historical record in the seventh level allows you to obtain a [High-Grade Bloodline Improvement Elixir Essence Version]."

Wang Shouzhe had already gleaned these rewards through Wang Anye's indirect inquiries, but even so, he had a small question: "Spirit Artifact, why is there a missing level of equipment between artifacts and divine weapons, namely the Purple Mansion Treasure?"

"Purple Mansion Treasure? Hmm, I've heard of such things. But it's a relatively insignificant piece of equipment, created by some civilian organizations as transitional gear," the Spirit Artifact explained. "The primary driving force of an artifact comes from its own energy and the user's power, which can amplify and enhance the combat power of a Basalt cultivator."

"However, if a Basalt cultivator awakens to the fifth bloodline, they can gradually resonate with the Heavenly Dao and use its power in combat. Therefore, the best weapon for the fifth bloodline is naturally a divine weapon that can communicate and harness the power of the Heavenly Dao. Although a fifth bloodline Basalt cultivator cannot fully unleash the power of a divine weapon at first, over time, with cultivation improvement and the nurturing of the Spirit Artifact, their strength will grow."

"However, divine weapons are not easy to forge and are quite expensive, not everyone can afford them. Therefore, some civilian organizations developed Purple Mansion Treasures, which have some divine power and are relatively affordable, and some people call them 'mini divine weapons.'"

"For a genius with great potential like Honorable Wang Shouzhe, it's recommended to use divine weapons directly, so the reward includes a divine weapon, which over time can nurture and develop its own Spirit Artifact."

Wang Shouzhe understood that the Purple Mansion Treasures used by some in the Purple Mansion Realm (also known as mini divine spirit artifacts) were considered "poor man's gear." If conditions allowed, it was better to directly use divine spirit artifacts, as both could be wielded once reaching the Dao body.

No wonder Liyao's master, Tianhe Daoist, went to great lengths and even incurred a large debt to equip Liyao with a divine spirit artifact. Otherwise, equipping her with a Purple Mansion Treasure would soon require a replacement, delaying her bonding and familiarity with a divine weapon.

Of course, for ordinary Purple Mansion cultivators, using Purple Mansion Treasures was also quite good. After all, most Purple Mansion Realm cultivators in the Great Qian only awaken the fifth Dao body bloodline at the Purple Mansion Realm, making it difficult to progress further.

Using divine spirit artifacts would be unaffordable and somewhat wasteful!

The only thing that slightly troubled Wang Shouzhe was that the first clear rewards were all excellent, but he could only choose one!

Not to mention, those high-grade spirit plants and high-grade biochemical beasts were high-end goods with potential reaching the eleventh tier. Of course, potential was potential, and reaching the eleventh tier was extremely difficult.

Additionally, the late Purple Mansion Realm guardian puppet was also an excellent treasure for the Wang Clan. Given the Shenwu Royal Dynasty's consistent high-quality standards, that item might even hold off a Divine Realm cultivator for a moment.

Wang Shouzhe wished he could take all those treasures, but unfortunately, there were two Divine Realm guardian puppets in the camp. Moreover, the first clear rewards were shared stock from the entire camp's dimensional warehouse, not in this new recruit camp.

Fortunately, Wang Shouzhe always valued intelligence and had long instructed Wang Anye to investigate the subsequent rewards during his spare time. The first clear reward for the eighth level included a plant option.

Therefore, after a brief hesitation, Wang Shouzhe chose the late Purple Mansion Realm guardian puppet.

This treasure would greatly aid the Wang Clan, significantly ensuring the clan's daily safety.

"Honorable Wang Shouzhe, you will receive the late Purple Mansion Realm guardian puppet, the blank Spirit Artifact divine weapon, and the High-Grade Bloodline Improvement Elixir Essence Version," the Spirit Artifact continued, "because you passed the seventh level, the [Intermediate and Advanced Officer Training Academy] will welcome you with open arms, granting you the rank of a prospective officer and qualifying you for prospective legion commander training and assessment."

With a flash of light, a guardian puppet about the height of an ordinary person appeared before Wang Shouzhe.

It appeared quite understated, with a restrained aura and no trace of an expert's presence. Compared to the costly Purple Mansion Realm puppet Wang Shouzong obtained, it seemed more peaceful and serene.

This demonstrated the strength of the official puppets manufactured during the Shenwu Royal Dynasty, showcasing their superior craftsmanship.

"You shall be called Wang Shouzong from now on, and I hope you will protect the Wang Clan well," Wang Shouzhe instructed after a simple recognition and communication.

"Yes, Clan Head." The puppet Wang Shouzong responded respectfully, then followed closely behind Wang Shouzhe.

This guardian puppet was powerful, but it was not allowed to participate in the graduation exam. Unlike Wang Shouzong's life-bound spirit plant, which was part of his combat power and aligned with his Yi Wood bloodline fighting style.

As for battle pets, unless one was a specialized beast tamer relying solely on battle pets, even recognized battle pets were not allowed to participate in combat.

Similarly, like Wang Luojing, a spirit insect master whose entire strength lay in her spirit insects, she was allowed to use them in battle. Moreover, she had so many hidden spirit insects that even Wang Shouzhe couldn't estimate their number.

The spirit insect master's bloodline and spirit insects complemented each other. The stronger the spirit insect master's bloodline, the faster the spirit insects would advance under her care, and the more powerful they would become in battle, potentially awakening ancient bloodlines and undergoing bloodline transformation.

Thus, high-level spirit insect masters were often terrifying. Just like Lady Huandie from Myriad Butterfly Valley, her status in the Purple Mansion Academy was quite high, and few Purple Mansion Realm experts were willing to fight her.

Now, Luojing had become a great prodigy, with a qualitative change in her bloodline. Once her cultivation improved, she would become even more formidable than Lady Huandie.

For this reason, Wang Shouzhe placed her in the second sequence, hoping she could clear the seventh level, unlike Zongchang and others in the third sequence, who were only required to stall for time.

Wang Shouzhe didn't have time to play with the blank divine spirit treasure shield exchanged for a top-grade treasure shield. Instead, he gave the High-Grade Essence Version to Wang Luojing: "Jing'er, don't feel too pressured. It's okay if you don't pass the seventh level."

"Fourth Brother, don't worry. Jing'er has some foundation of her own. I just didn't have the qualifications to use it before. After digesting the bloodline power, give me some time to refine it," Wang Luojing said calmly.

"Alright, in that case, let's wait for a while," Wang Shouzhe said calmly.

Then, everyone waited for another ten days.

During this time, Wang Shouzhe led everyone to continue clearing the new recruit camp, earning some meager military merits, hoping that before leaving, everyone could exchange for a Primary Bloodline Improvement Elixir.

Although low-grade, that elixir was very suitable for the clan's children. The key was that its effect didn't conflict with other pills like the Xisui Dan, allowing for cumulative use. With a few more, the clan could produce many prodigies.

Ten days later.

Wang Luojing, who had completely transformed, stepped barefoot onto the training ground.

Compared to before, her demeanor was more composed and confident, unfathomable.

It was unclear if it was due to the special effects of Myriad Butterfly Valley's techniques or the influence of the spirit insect master's bloodline, but over the years, her skin had become increasingly snow-white and translucent, her aura purer and more ethereal, exuding a unique spiritual charm.

Yet beneath this exterior lay a hidden, unsettling power, a difficult-to-describe sinister quality.

Among Wang Shouzhe's peers, Luo Tong was undoubtedly the most resilient and stubborn, while Luo Qiu was straightforward and direct. Only Wang Luojing was hard for even Wang Shouzhe to fathom her true thoughts.

No one knew how many formidable techniques she truly concealed.

The only thing Wang Shouzhe could be sure of was that Luojing cared deeply for the clan, cherished her Fourth Brother, and would never betray the family.

"With the High-Grade Essence Version, Luojing should have bloodline qualifications around the middle stage of a great prodigy," Wang Shouzhe mused. Coupled with her cultivation at the third level of the Celestial Realm, theoretically, she wasn't much weaker than the Asura Demon.

With some hidden techniques and life-saving methods given to her, this battle had a chance of victory.

With calm and unwavering eyes, Wang Luojing initiated the seventh level.

It was also a terrifying Asura Demon. At first, Wang Luojing didn't even use her insects but continuously conjured dancing butterflies, filling the training ground, making it impossible to discern which were real and which were illusions.

This was Lady Huandie's signature illusion technique. Her origins were equally mysterious, and this movement-type illusion technique, [Phantom Butterfly Dance], wasn't part of the academy or Holy Land's heritage.

Even the Asura Demon couldn't capture Wang Luojing's true form for a while, roaring in frustration.

This Phantom Butterfly Dance wasn't an ordinary high-grade movement technique; it could be considered a top-tier technique from a true inheritance.

"I underestimated her; she's hiding quite deeply," Wang Shouzhe showed a look of satisfaction, while also speculating more about Lady Huandie of Longzuo Academy.

What was the true origin of that mysterious and enchanting woman?

From Luojing's mastery of the Phantom Butterfly Dance, it was evident that Lady Huandie had taught her everything, but what was the reason behind it?

At this moment, Wang Luojing continued to toy with the Asura Demon.

Simultaneously, she cleverly scattered many [Shouzhe Brand] battle seeds, growing numerous Witch's Long Hair vines, gradually restricting the Asura Demon's movements.

This was the significant boost Wang Shouzhe's bloodline power brought to the clan. The auxiliary battle seeds could comprehensively enhance the combat power and life-saving methods of clan members.

Time passed little by little.

The training ground gradually became overgrown with vines.

One day, two days.

After two and a half days, Wang Luojing finally erupted.

She played a top-grade treasure-level insect flute, and various strange insects surged forward. Among them, the most lethal were self-exploding gu insects, capable of inflicting significant damage on the Asura Demon.

However, those self-exploding gu insects seemed to have some spiritual connection with her. Each time one exploded, her complexion turned paler. Until her final blow brought down the Asura Demon, she nearly collapsed.

She used less time than Wang Shouzhe, naturally breaking the record.

Wang Shouzhe hurriedly went forward to treat her, reproaching, "Why did you drag it out for so long? Why didn't you use some of the life-saving cards I gave you?"

"Fourth Brother, I could win, so I didn't want to waste them. There's still another battle ahead, and that's the real tough fight. A little soul damage is nothing; I'll recover after some rest," Wang Luojing stubbornly and softly explained, then closed her eyes, refusing further communication.

Fortunately, Wang Shouzhe's life essence energy had some nourishing effect on the soul. Under Wang Shouzhe's profound energy nourishment, she soon regained some spirit, got up, and exchanged her top-grade insect flute for a blank Spirit Artifact divine treasure, and received an extra reward for breaking the record, a bottle of High-Grade Essence Version.

Then, she handed the High-Grade Essence Version to Wang Luo Qiu.

Wang Luo Qiu's gaze turned slightly serious, and she said lightly, "Rest assured, that Asura Demon is merely a stepping stone on my imperial path."

Then, she went to digest the High-Grade Essence Version, similarly elevating her bloodline to the middle stage of a great prodigy, and began her journey to clear the seventh level.

Wang Luo Qiu followed a path of close combat, with all her strength in her physical body and fists. In this battle, she didn't use many tricks, just fought the Asura Demon head-on.

It seemed she was using the Asura Demon as a tool to hone her cultivation. Despite the tough battle, she gradually strengthened herself through combat.

Her "Glazed King Body" shattered repeatedly in battle, yet reformed again and again.

Her fighting spirit was as strong as a rock amidst stormy waves, unwavering no matter how powerful the enemy.

By the second day, she gradually turned the tide, reaching a stalemate with the Asura Demon. As the battle progressed, her advantage accumulated.

By the third day, she finally unleashed a long-prepared mountain-shaking strike, sending the Asura Demon flying, and defeated it with a series of fierce attacks.

"Honorable Wang Luo Qiu..." The Spirit Artifact's words were cut off by Wang Luo Qiu's expressionless gesture, "I don't care for such mundane matters; speak with Fourth Brother."

With that, she tossed her gloves to Wang Shouzhe, then left the training ground with her hands behind her back, swaying like a triumphant mountain king.

Clearly injured, she stubbornly pretended nothing was wrong.

"Fourth Brother, who is Fourth Brother?!" The Spirit Artifact was confused, calling out urgently, "Luo Qiu, Luo Qiu! Who is Fourth Brother?"

"Stop calling, don't you have any sense? That's me..." Wang Shouzhe said with a dark face, "Spirit Artifact, I'll collect the rewards on behalf of Wang Luo Qiu, exchanging her top-grade treasure gloves for blank Spirit Artifact divine gloves."

Then, Wang Shouzhe handed the High-Grade Essence Version to Ancestor Long Yan, "Ancestor, please clear the first six levels, use the High-Grade Liquid to enhance your bloodline, rest a bit, and then clear the seventh level. I'll go check on Luo Qiu; she's quite injured."

With that, Wang Shouzhe's figure flickered, catching up with Wang Luo Qiu, who was hiding in a corner behind the barracks, vomiting blood. He grabbed her ear and scolded, "You reckless girl, daring to use the Asura Demon's power to temper your battle body. Don't you know that repeated shattering of the Glazed King Body can cause irreversible internal injuries?"

Despite his scolding, he still treated her with care, continuously channeling life essence energy into her body.

"And why are you hiding? We're all family; do you think it's embarrassing for others to see you vomiting blood?"

"I just don't want that pretentious girl Luojing to see." Wang Luo Qiu snorted, "Fourth Brother, let go of my ear, or don't blame me for turning against you... Ouch, ouch~ I was wrong~~ Let go quickly, it's embarrassing if someone sees."

"Luojing is your sister; stop calling her 'girl' all the time, show some respect."

"She's only a year older... Alright, alright, your fists are bigger, I'll listen to you, okay? If you keep this up, I'll learn to act cute like Luojing. Ouch, Fourth Brother~ It hurts~~ I want a hug~"

"I..."

That unexpected act of cuteness made Wang Shouzhe's hair stand on end, feeling as if he was covered in caterpillars, almost swearing out loud.

He couldn't stay here any longer.

Wang Shouzhe quickly treated her, then kicked her away, "You roll back to the barracks and rest."

Then Wang Shouzhe fled the scene.

Behind him came Wang Luo Qiu's triumphant and arrogant laughter, "Fourth Brother, don't run~~ Come on~~ Let's hurt each other~~"

Wang Shouzhe didn't look back, running farther and farther away.

With the most risky Wang Luojing and Wang Luo Qiu both clearing the seventh level, Ancestor Long Yan's battle was almost without suspense.

After clearing the sixth level, she took the High-Grade Liquid and High-Grade Essence Version together, her bloodline qualifications soaring to the great prodigy A grade!

Most importantly, her cultivation was high.

As an ancestor who only needed to oversee the clan, her cultivation was more diligent than Liu Ruolan's, and with abundant cultivation resources, she was now at the peak of the sixth level of the Celestial Realm, just half a step away from the late stage.

Then, she crushed the Asura Demon with absolute superiority, breaking Wang Luo Qiu's record and obtaining the High-Grade Essence Version, which she passed on to Wang Liyao.

Wang Liyao.

Currently the Wang Clan's apparent "number one great prodigy," thanks to that small piece of seventy-thousand-year-old purple ganoderma, her bloodline qualifications had reached the great prodigy B grade, very close to A grade.

The first elixir raised her bloodline to around the mid-high stage of A grade, and the second essence version allowed her bloodline to break through to the sixth level, soaring forward to reach the innate spirit body D grade, close to C grade.

Additionally, she had already reached the peak of the sixth level of the Celestial Realm, more than capable of crushing the Asura Demon. In fact, she had been preparing to break through to the seventh level of the Celestial Realm in the capital before being called back by her father, otherwise, she might have already succeeded.

With such strength, the outcome was naturally without suspense.

She crushed through the sixth and seventh levels with overwhelming force, easily breaking records and leaving her mother with a full two days of record-breaking leeway.

Afterward, she passed the High-Grade Liquid and High-Grade Essence Version to the clan's hidden big boss, Liu Ruolan.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ruolan didn't use those two elixirs at all, instead fighting her way through.

She didn't even rest, directly starting the seventh level!

As a result, she spent half an incense stick's time easily crushing the Asura Demon, setting a new record for the seventh level, with a clearance time of half an incense stick!

This, this, this... This left no room for future challengers.

However, there was no need to leave room. By Liu Ruolan's turn, the seventh level's clearance record reward was already exhausted.

Even if she set an unparalleled record, she only exchanged her top-grade treasure sword for a divine spirit treasure sword.

The seventh level's rewards had been completely emptied.

"Honorable Liu Ruolan, the clearance record reward [High-Grade Bloodline Improvement Elixir Essence Version] owed to you has been applied for replenishment from the relevant department. As soon as the reward is in stock, I will immediately exchange it for you," the Spirit Artifact said with exceptional reverence.

The Spirit Artifact spoke earnestly, clearly making a sincere promise, but Wang Shouzhe and the others didn't care. The Shenwu Royal Dynasty had been extinct for ten thousand years; who would come to replenish its stock?

"Mm." Liu Ruolan lazily replied, then tossed the unused High-Grade Essence Version to Wang Shouzong, "Son, this is for you."

There were only ten essence versions in total, but there were eleven core adult clan members present, so for maximum benefit, Wang Shouzhe temporarily sacrificed Zong An.

"Mother, this is your spoils," Wang Shouzong hurriedly declined.

"I don't need it anymore." Liu Ruolan handed the ordinary High-Grade Bloodline Improvement Elixir to Wang Shouzhe, "Keep this for Anye, and if he has an opportunity, leave it for Xuan'er."

Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouzong exchanged glances, and he quickly stepped forward, "Wife, when did you become an innate spirit body?"

"Unknowingly, I became a spirit body. Didn't you know?" Liu Ruolan's eyes held a hint of doubt as she stared at Wang Shouzhe.

As if expressing, you don't even know your wife became an innate spirit body, is your mind elsewhere!?

Not good.

Wang Shouzhe's heart tightened, suddenly feeling a strong sense of crisis.

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