Chapter 71 Choosing the Patriarch

Chapter 71: Choosing the Patriarch

Upon reaching the peak, Wang Hao withdrew three spiritual artifacts and seven first-grade magical instruments, laying them out before Wang Yanzhao.

Wang Yanzhao was immediately surprised, but his brows soon furrowed in concern. "These items are of excellent quality. They must have cost a fortune!"

"It came to less than three thousand Spirit Stones," Wang Hao explained. "I traded directly with an artificer inside the Qingyuan Sect, so the price was twenty percent lower than the market rate. It wasn't wasteful spending. How could I pass up such a cheap opportunity? They even threw in a few mid-grade first-rank instruments as gifts."

Wang Yanzhao nodded in agreement, a satisfied expression on his face as he stroked the Green Soul Armor, a mid-grade spiritual artifact.

Come to think of it, as a proper alchemist, he should theoretically be wealthier than other Foundation Establishment cultivators. Yet, who would have thought he still didn't own a single mid-grade spiritual artifact? The burden of providing for a family was heavy indeed.

"You've returned just in time," Wang Yanzhao said, putting the armor away. "Your Eighth Uncle has also mostly consolidated his cultivation recently. Let's return to Wang Family Ridge together. With the family gaining two more Foundation Establishment cultivators, we should make the Old Ancestor happy!"

Making the Old Ancestor happy was just an excuse; the real purpose was to discuss countermeasures.

The sudden addition of two Foundation Establishment cultivators to the Wang Family was too conspicuous. Fortunately, Wang Yanfeng hadn't caused much of a stir yet, and the clan members were still unaware of his breakthrough. However, it wouldn't stay hidden for long, so they needed to prepare their response in advance.

As soon as Wang Hao returned to Wang Family Ridge with Wang Yanzhao and Wang Yanfeng, Patriarch Wang Guang'an summoned all the elders currently staying at the Ridge to the council hall.

Seeing everyone assembled, Wang Guang'an spoke. "Since everyone is here, let's begin. This matter concerns the future direction and prosperity of our Wang Family, as well as our deployment plans for the coming beast tide. We must be cautious."

He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the room. "Moreover, this will be the last time I convene a council meeting in my capacity as Patriarch."

A wave of anxiety ripple through the elders. They knew the Patriarch had been injured before, but hadn't he recovered? His injury hadn't been apparent during the last campaign at Ruojun Mountain. What was going on?

Concerns were voiced one after another.

"There is no need to worry," Wang Guang'an explained, raising a hand. "The injuries I sustained in the past have healed. However, I am already two hundred and ten years old. I do not have many years left."

He smiled, looking specifically at Wang Hao and the younger generation. "Now that the younger generation has grown, it is time for me to step down."

"Me stepping down isn't necessarily a bad thing," he continued. "Although I suffered severe injuries in my early years and my cultivation stagnated for nearly a century, my heart still yearns for the Dao. From now on, I plan to focus entirely on cultivation and strive to form a Golden Core within my lifetime!"

Forming a Golden Core was no easy feat, but Wang Guang'an was a genius among geniuses; it wasn't impossible for him.

Wang Hao could only offer his silent blessings. Success would naturally be excellent. As for failure... well, given the Patriarch's age, he wouldn't be able to protect the Wang Family for many more years regardless.

Hearing this explanation, everyone felt relieved and the room quieted down.

In truth, Wang Longyou had been managing family affairs all these years. Most assumed he was the natural successor.

Wang Guang'an continued, "Since we've brought up the topic, let us first select a new Patriarch before we discuss the deployment plans."

"There are three suitable candidates: Wang Longyou, Wang Yanzhao, and Wang Wenhao."

The inclusion of Wang Wenhao—Wang Hao's formal name—caused a few ears to perk up.

"Longyou has managed family affairs for hundreds of years during my period of injury," the Patriarch said. "You all understand his capabilities."

"Yanzhao has also steadily progressed to where he is today through solid steps. His cultivation talent is excellent. He trained in the marketplaces during his early years and now oversees Ruojun Mountain. Everything under his management is orderly and well-organized."

The Patriarch shifted his focus. "You may not know Wenhao as well, but whether it is temperament, capability, or cultivation level, he is not lacking in the slightest."

"He spent over thirty years alone in the outside world, yet managed to achieve Foundation Establishment on his own. He is also a second-grade low-rank alchemist—truly the foremost talent our Wang Family has produced in nearly a century!"

Wang Guang'an’s voice grew more animated. "His contributions are significant. Under his leadership, profits from Green Bull Market increased tenfold! Our Wang Family's shop is now the most profitable establishment aside from the Qingyuan Pavilion and the Four Seas Merchant Alliance."

"The shop at Qingyuan Market also turned losses into profits because of him. Not only does it no longer require support from the family coffers, but it has contributed thousands of Spirit Stones in pure profit over the past two years!"

He continued listing achievements, ticking them off on his fingers.

"He contributed to expanding the techniques in the family repository. He captured our family's guardian spirit beast—the Ice-Eyed White Tiger. And during the expansion at Ruojun Mountain, it was he who rescued several elders and injured a second-grade Long-Armed Ape to secure our victory!"

"Other contributions currently need to remain confidential; only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators know about them. But what I want to say is this: among everyone present here today, your combined contributions do not match his!"

The Patriarch looked deeply at Wang Hao. "Even my recovery was possible only because of Wenhao!"

Sitting below, Wang Hao felt somewhat stunned.

This was too much—it felt like the Patriarch was putting a target on his back! What was Wang Guang'an trying to do? Wang Hao had only visited Wang Family Ridge twice over these years; how did he end up being nominated for Patriarch?

He truly had no desire for the position.

Yet, Wang Guang'an continued showering him with lavish praise. "It can be said that what the family provided him pales in comparison to what he has contributed back! If he exchanged his contribution points for resources... he could empty out more than half of our repository's contents!"

"I am saying all this so that no one will hold bias against him due to his youth or because he hasn't often stayed at Wang Family Ridge."

Wang Guang'an sat back, his expression resolute. "Alright, I have finished speaking. If anyone has opinions or suggestions, please voice them now!"

Everyone exchanged glances. They truly hadn't known how remarkable Wang Hao was until this moment. But upon carefully recalling the Patriarch's words, they realized that all those deeds had indeed been accomplished by him.