Book 5: Chapter 240: The Strongest Green Tea in History

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Treasure Pavilion Headquarters.

After Elder Tianji and the three pavilion masters returned, they all felt a sense of relief.

They all understood that this time, the Immortal Emperor mainly wanted to see the Wang Clan's attitude. Since Wang Fugui, representing the Wang Clan, had decided not to pursue the matter with the Treasure Pavilion, the Immortal Emperor naturally let it slide.

The key was Wang Fugui's attitude, which was evidently quite friendly towards the Treasure Pavilion.

Otherwise, with the Immortal Emperor's fiery temper, he likely wouldn't have let it go so easily this time.

"True Lord of Three Treasures, you were lucky to get through this time," Elder Tianji sternly admonished. "But you three must not slack off in the upcoming internal rectification of the Treasure Pavilion. The Red Moon Demon Dynasty will also undergo a major rectification."

"Yes, Your Excellency," the three pavilion masters quickly accepted the order and bowed.

"Your Excellency, should we support the Demon Dynasty with more resources?" True Lord of Golden Eyes asked in a low voice. "This way, we could balance the power between the Immortal and Demon Dynasties."

"Absolutely not," Elder Tianji firmly refused. "The Demon Dynasty has its own foundation and is not so easily suppressed by the Immortal Dynasty. At this time, we should adhere to a neutral stance, neither biased nor partial. Otherwise, if the Immortal Emperor sees through it, with her personality, she will certainly use extreme measures, and we will be forced to either side with the Immortal Dynasty to suppress the Demon Dynasty or side with the Demon Dynasty to resist the Immortal Dynasty."

"Yes, Your Excellency," the three pavilion masters responded again, their expressions not looking too good. The current situation was indeed precarious, and they feared making even the slightest misstep.

"Don't worry too much," Elder Tianji reassured them. "Although my lifespan is limited, I can rely on my soul to sleep and continuously delay time, indirectly extending my time in the world. Both the Immortal and Demon Dynasties are quite wary of me and wouldn't dare to offend me too much."

After a pause, Elder Tianji curiously asked, "By the way, when we met the Immortal Emperor today, who was that young man riding the puppet spider?"

"Your Excellency, are you referring to Wang Ningxi?" True Lord of Three Treasures replied. "This young man is also from the Changning Wang's Clan in Eastern Gan. In the Immortal Dynasty, he is a legendary figure. Not to mention his extraordinary talent in artifact refining and puppetry, his methods of poaching talents are endless, even causing the Immortal Emperor a headache."

"Another one from the Changning Wang's Clan?" Elder Tianji frowned deeply. "The foundation of the Changning Wang's Clan is so profound. If it wasn't for some great opportunity, it must be an ancient inheritance gradually coming to light."

"Regardless of which it is, it wouldn't hurt to befriend them and form some good relations. His puppet spider is quite unique, with joints that are agile and delicate, crafted with exceptional skill, and seemingly possessing preliminary spirit artifact intelligence. Interesting, very interesting. True Lord of Three Treasures, go invite him over. I want to have a chat with him. If his talent is outstanding, we can offer him some benefits."

"Yes, Your Excellency," True Lord of Three Treasures was just about to go thank Wang Fugui, and upon receiving the order, he eagerly set off.

Meanwhile.

In the luxurious guest courtyard of the Han Yue Wang's Clan.

"Fugui, I'm Wang Ningxi, and it's tough," Wang Ningxi sighed as he rode on the puppet spider, sipping spiritual tea with a look of lamentation. "This time, I've only completed half of the family task, and I don't know if Elder Tianji will take the bait."

"Forty-seventh Uncle, as the saying goes, the capable should do more," Wang Fugui poured him tea, smiling as he comforted him. "I've figured it out. You rode the puppet spider to meet the Immortal Emperor, trying to whet Elder Tianji's appetite. I don't know what to say about you. Why not directly communicate with Elder Tianji and fully showcase your talents?"

"I believe with Elder Tianji's insight, he will definitely appreciate you."

Wang Ningxi turned around on the puppet spider, making himself more comfortable, and shook his head, saying, "Fugui, I admit your strategies in warfare are better than mine, but when it comes to poaching talents, I'm more skilled."

"As the saying goes, what's delivered to your door isn't as appealing. I have to make Elder Tianji interested in me but not let him easily succeed, so he'll become more and more intrigued, seeing me as a treasure."

"Fugui, let me teach you eight words of wisdom: hot and cold, near and far."

"..." Wang Fugui looked deeply at his smug forty-seventh uncle. He had long heard that his forty-seventh uncle was cunning, and today he truly witnessed it.

Sigh~ Remembering when his forty-seventh uncle was young, he was quite righteous. What had he experienced to become like this?

As the uncle and nephew were talking, the gatekeeper of the Han Yue Wang's Clan came to report that True Lord of Three Treasures had come to thank Wang Fugui.

True Lord of Three Treasures was a well-known and respected Void Realm elder, so Wang Fugui naturally wouldn't put on airs and immediately went with Wang Ningxi to greet him.

After some pleasantries, True Lord of Three Treasures was invited into the guest courtyard.

After a brief reception in the guest courtyard, True Lord of Three Treasures repeatedly expressed his gratitude and insisted on giving the Immortal Spirit Stone to Wang Fugui. He also invited Wang Ningxi to visit the Treasure Pavilion, saying that Elder Tianji had requested his presence.

But unexpectedly, Wang Ningxi declined, saying, "True Lord of Three Treasures, it's not that I don't appreciate the invitation, but I've been blacklisted by the Immortal Emperor. Being able to stay at the Han Yue Wang's Clan is already a grace from the Emperor. If I wander around, wouldn't that be publicly slapping the Emperor's face?"

After True Lord of Three Treasures returned and reported truthfully, Elder Tianji waved it off lightly, saying, "If that's the case, then it's just not meant to be between me and him. Forget it, let's not offend the Immortal Emperor over this."

But within a few days, news shook the Immortal City.

In several large and small families in the Immortal City, the younger generation skilled in artifact refining visited Wang Ningxi to exchange skills, only to be defeated without exception.

This caused Wang Ningxi's reputation as a genius in artifact refining to soar, and being so highly valued by the Hundred Refinements True Monarch, he indeed had his merits.

Upon hearing this, Elder Tianji was once again tempted. However, as a True Immortal, he naturally wouldn't lower himself to visit personally—that would be too embarrassing.

But who could have imagined?

A few days later, Wang Ningxi's fame exploded again. His puppet spider won a contest against a Purple Mansion Realm puppet of a Divine Realm artifact master, and it was revealed that he had independently crafted the puppet spider.

Typically, a master capable of crafting puppets at the Divine Realm level is already top-notch if they can create a Purple Mansion Realm puppet.

But Wang Ningxi, at the Celestial Realm, could independently craft a puppet with Purple Mansion Realm combat power. If he hadn't cheated by enlisting the help of the Hundred Refinements True Monarch, he would be the most outstanding puppet master in history.

This time, even Elder Tianji couldn't sit still. Throughout his life, he had been extremely skilled in artifact refining and puppetry, but even he, at the Celestial Realm, couldn't compare to Wang Ningxi's prowess.

Fortunately, rumors were circulating outside, claiming that at least half of the components of Wang Ningxi's spider puppet were crafted by the Hundred Refinements True Monarch. While some admired him, others spread slanderous rumors.

Elder Tianji, changing his mind, decided to visit the Han Yue Wang's Clan under the pretext of assessing Wang Ningxi's abilities, accompanied by a group of local Immortal Dynasty artifact refining masters and grandmasters.

Although Elder Tianji couldn't match the Immortal Emperor in combat, his prowess in artifact refining was unparalleled worldwide. He had many followers in both the Immortal and Demon Dynasties.

Many people begged, even knelt at the door, just to receive guidance from Elder Tianji.

With Elder Tianji's involvement, it naturally attracted significant attention, and even the Immortal Emperor sent an attendant to observe the situation. If Wang Ningxi was indeed cheating, he would be expelled from the Immortal Dynasty.

If he truly possessed such skills, the Immortal Emperor would consider lifting his travel ban.

It was a grand event.

Elder Tianji continuously posed questions, and Wang Ningxi answered them swiftly. However, Wang Ningxi wasn't one to be underestimated; he also raised many of his own doubts to question Elder Tianji.

The old and the young seemed increasingly engrossed in their exchange, which lasted for three days and nights.

Those in the artifact refining world listened with rapt attention, as if immersed in endless enlightenment. Onlookers, however, found it dull and dozed off.

"Excellent, excellent!"

Elder Tianji leaped up in delight, praising, "Ningxi, you're even more extraordinary than the rumors. With your expertise in artifact refining and puppetry, you can undoubtedly craft that spider puppet independently."

The experts were all astonished. With Elder Tianji's validation, Wang Ningxi was no longer suspected of cheating. This meant that the Immortal Dynasty had produced an unparalleled genius in artifact refining.

"Thank you, Elder, for clearing up the rumors," Wang Ningxi replied, neither arrogant nor humble.

"Ningxi, are you interested in becoming my disciple?" Elder Tianji's eyes burned with passion as he looked at Wang Ningxi, as if he were gazing at a peerless treasure.

"Well..." Wang Ningxi hesitated, "I've already promised my master, the Hundred Refinements True Monarch, to inherit his Hundred Refinements Manual in the future."

"Hundred Refinements? Bah!" Elder Tianji's face turned angry as he spat, "That kid from Hundred Refinements has some skills, but he's not qualified to take you as a disciple. Ningxi, you're a rare gem; don't waste your future."

"Elder Tianji," Wang Ningxi shook his head firmly, "a person must keep their word. Since I've already promised my master, I won't change my mind."

"You..." Elder Tianji waved his hand in frustration, "You ungrateful brat, you've missed the greatest opportunity."

With that, he left in a huff.

Leaving behind a crowd of people who sighed, both amazed by Wang Ningxi's talent and feeling regretful or secretly gloating.

But Wang Ningxi remained unmoved.

Some days later, the Immortal Emperor summoned Wang Ningxi for an audience, and soon after, it was revealed that Wang Ningxi possessed a supreme Grade A bloodline. Once again, the Immortal Dynasty was shocked.

Supreme Grade A!

He was only at the Celestial Realm and hadn't yet reached the Purple Mansion Realm to inherit the manual.

By then, he might break through to the Heavenly Son level in one go. If given an Immortal Scripture, his bloodline would be further enhanced, making him a peer of Princess Suiyun.

Then, Elder Tianji couldn't sit still again and hurried to the Han Yue Wang's Clan, only to find that Wang Ningxi had quietly left the Immortal Dynasty and returned to the Wang's Clan in Eastern Gan.

After hesitating for a moment, Elder Tianji couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Someone, buy me a ticket for a Domain-Crossing Flying Boat to Eastern Gan."

****

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, some time had passed since Wang Ningxi and Wang Fugui visited the Immortal Dynasty.

Great Gan.

Longzuo Commandery, Changning County, Changning Garrison.

Wanghai Town.

Like Xinping Town and Dongxia Town, Wanghai Town was developed during the Wang Clan's second outer region expansion.

In terms of fame, Wanghai Town couldn't compare to Xinping Town, the center of foreign trade. In terms of resources, Wanghai Town didn't have much to boast about, but for the Changning Wang's Clan, its importance was no less than Xinping Town.

Because it was the location of the [Wang's Shipbuilding Headquarters].

The Wang's Shipbuilding Headquarters, in essence, was where the Wang's Clan built ships. The Wang's ironclad sea ships were constructed here.

Although Wanghai Town was by the sea, due to its geographical location, most of its coastline was mudflats, with only a slightly deeper port to the north. The port wasn't large enough to accommodate many ships, but it sufficed as a shipyard.

Initially, the [Wang's Shipbuilding Headquarters] was just a branch of the Wang's Research Institute. At that time, the ironclad ships were still in the research phase, and because a coastal port was needed as a shipyard and research base, this port was chosen, and the branch was relocated here.

Later, as the Wang's ironclad ships were introduced and the manufacturing process matured, the [Wang's Shipbuilding Headquarters] gradually became independent from the research institute, gradually taking on orders from the Great Gan royal family and other clans.

However, even so, the shipbuilding headquarters retained a core research department called the [Ship Research Institute], which remained under the Wang's Research Institute's jurisdiction.

This Ship Research Institute was located in an unassuming shipyard near the port of Wanghai Town.

From the outside, this shipyard looked no different from the surrounding Wang's shipyards, appearing to be just an ordinary shipyard.

But inside, it was a different world.

Inside the shipyard, there was a seemingly bottomless giant pit. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

In the pit, a massive giant ship lay quietly, with countless workers bustling around it, coming and going like worker ants transporting materials in an anthill.

Countless Wang's glass lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire shipyard brightly, but only lighting up the upper half of the giant ship, leaving the lower half in shadow, looking like a prehistoric behemoth from afar.

This giant ship was the Kunwu Giant Ship captured from the Demon Zhao Kingdom.

Since it was captured years ago, this giant ship had been docked in this shipyard for the Wang's research personnel to study and analyze, and it had been here for many years.

On the platform beside the shipyard, there was a row of neatly arranged buildings, where the staff of the [Ship Research Institute] worked and conducted research. There were even dormitories for staff to live in, as well as a mini-mall and entertainment center, making the facilities quite comprehensive.

At this moment.

In an office within the building complex, Wang Shixin was holding a pen, calculating the material consumption and employee wages for the first half of the year.

As the eldest son of Wang Zongrui, he ranked thirteenth among the "Shi" generation and was now about 140 years old, a full fifteen years older than his sister Wang Yingxuan.

His personality had always been relatively quiet, and compared to the lively and flamboyant Wang Yingxuan, they were like two extremes.

Among Wang Shouzhe's many grandchildren, Wang Shixin's performance wasn't particularly outstanding.

Of course, this was within the Wang Clan. If placed outside, with his qualifications, he could definitely be called a "young hero" or "promising youth."

However, he had one extremely prominent advantage: he was meticulous and reliable. Any task assigned to him was almost never done wrong. Even if it was beyond his capabilities, he always found the right people to help, ultimately completing the task successfully.

Because of this, after graduating from the clan school, he was noticed by Wang Liyue and transferred to the Wang's Research Institute to assist her.

Now, after many years, he had become a capable and independent elite member of the Wang Clan.

The [Ship Research Institute] was now under his management, with material distribution, personnel deployment, and salary payments all going through him.

Just as Wang Shixin was immersed in accounting.

Suddenly.

A young clan member burst in, shouting, "Thirteenth Brother! Big news! Big news!"

Wang Shixin was halfway through his calculations, and his train of thought was immediately interrupted by the shouting.

He frowned in displeasure, looked up to see who it was, and his expression turned to helplessness, "Forty-first Brother, haven't I told you not to disturb me when I'm accounting? What's the matter this time?"

The intruder was named [Wang Shilei], a descendant of the Ninth Elder Wang Shoucheng's lineage.

Since Wang Shoucheng was the youngest in the "Shou" generation, his children were naturally younger and of higher rank. Wang Shilei's father, Wang Zongxuan, was the youngest in the "Zong" generation, and Wang Shilei was similarly the youngest in the "Shi" generation.

Though he called Wang Shixin "brother," they were nearly fifty years apart.

Wang Shixin, dealing with a brother barely older than his grandson, couldn't bring himself to be strict.

"Thirteenth Brother, it's really important," Wang Shilei, realizing he had interrupted Wang Shixin's accounting, felt a bit embarrassed but still coughed and quickly explained, "Our sea outpost sent a message. They've spotted an Immortal Dynasty fleet at sea, including two heavily guarded [Canglan Giant Ships], seemingly carrying something valuable. It's initially judged to be the fleet escorting two medium-sized Domain-Crossing Shuttles!"

Wang Shixin's eyes lit up, "Where?!"

"On the East Sea, less than an hour's journey from our port."

"Great! Immediately notify the port to prepare for reception. Also, tidy up the reserved shipyard once more to ensure nothing is overlooked. Arrange accommodations for the accompanying personnel... Never mind, I'll go with you."

With that, he put down his pen, leaving the accounting unfinished, and dragged Wang Shilei out.

Compared to those two Domain-Crossing Shuttles, everything else was trivial. The accounting could wait a bit longer~

Before long, under Wang Shixin's management, the [Ship Research Institute] was ready to receive the Domain-Crossing Shuttles.

Meanwhile, the two Canglan Giant Ships were brought into the port.

The [Canglan Giant Ship] was a standard warship of the Immortal Dynasty, similar in specifications to the Kunwu Giant Ship, serving as the backbone of the Immortal Dynasty's naval fleet.

These warships usually operated in the open sea, so appearing near neighboring countries was relatively rare.

Now, these two Canglan Giant Ships were clearly meant to escort the Domain-Crossing Shuttles.

After the handover, with the cooperation of both parties, the two medium-sized Domain-Crossing Shuttles were quickly transferred to the shipyard.

Under the bright lights, the two dark, vintage, enclosed giant ships lay quietly in the pit.

In terms of appearance, they were only slightly smaller than the Kunwu Giant Ship, undoubtedly qualifying as "giant ship" class.

In the light, it was obvious that one of them had significant damage and wear on its exterior, looking battered and worn, clearly having weathered many storms. The other, though intact on the outside, had many internal components and parts removed, appearing empty and somewhat desolate.

However, despite this, Wang Shixin's good mood remained unaffected.

He had already received word that these two Domain-Crossing Shuttles were damaged, so he was mentally prepared.

Moreover, judging by the condition, it was highly likely that a complete medium-sized Domain-Crossing Shuttle could be pieced together.

With them, the severe shortage of Domain-Crossing transport capacity on Third Aunt's side could be temporarily alleviated.

The remaining parts, whether used for research or repairs, were undoubtedly invaluable.

Amidst the busy work, the researchers in the shipyard gradually gathered, eagerly surrounding Wang Shixin, asking when they could start researching and if they could begin dismantling parts now.

For the researchers, having such treasures in front of them but being unable to touch them was torturous.

Having worked with them for so long, Wang Shixin understood their thoughts well and playfully scolded them away.

Despite the "ship" in their names, ironclad giant ships and Domain-Crossing Shuttles capable of traversing the void were fundamentally different, with the latter being far more technically challenging.

The researchers in the shipyard were only qualified to assist.

The reason these two Domain-Crossing Shuttles were placed here was simply because the Wang Clan currently had no dedicated place to dock them, so they were temporarily housed at the [Ship Research Institute].

In due time, a team led by the Hundred Refinements True Monarch and the Jade Talisman Immortal would take residence here to oversee the dismantling, research, and reassembly.

Soon, the Wang Clan might have its own Domain-Crossing Flying Boat!

Wang Shixin's eyes shone brightly, as if he could already see the moment the Domain-Crossing Flying Boat took shape.

***

While the Wang Clan was bustling in various areas.

In Shouzhe's Small Courtyard.

Wang Shouzhe was quite at ease, comfortably half-reclining in a grandmaster chair. Having encouraged prolific reproduction, producing a large number of capable descendants, Wang Shouzhe naturally didn't need to worry about everything himself.

Beside him, Wang Lixuan was dutifully massaging his back and legs. For some reason, she had been particularly obedient lately.

Liu Ruolan, ever the dutiful wife, brought Wang Shouzhe some afternoon snacks and also served Wang Lixuan a large bowl of grilled fish, causing Wang Lixuan's turtle body to stiffen.

"By the way, Ruolan, have you seen my jade pendant?" Wang Shouzhe asked casually, causing Wang Lixuan's turtle body to start trembling.

"Jade pendant?" Liu Ruolan asked curiously, "Which jade pendant is missing?"

"The one I've worn since childhood, it's not worth much," Wang Shouzhe frowned, "Strange, I always keep it by the bedside, how did it go missing?"

"Check again later, it might turn up," Liu Ruolan said nonchalantly.

"Alright," Wang Shouzhe said, refocusing his attention on the two treasures recently sent back.

His expression was somewhat complex, as he had received two lotus roots almost simultaneously.

One was the [Netherworld Gold Lotus Root], a treasure impersonating the Netherworld Purple Gold Lotus. Although an imitation, the Netherworld Gold Lotus itself was a rare and precious treasure, and if it advanced, it would become a true [Netherworld Purple Gold Lotus].

The other lotus root was even more remarkable.

It was the [Scarlet Lotus of Immortality] from the Red Moon Demon Dynasty's royal family, currently known as the most top-tier treasure. It was unexpected that the third prince, now Crown Prince Shentu Jingming, would even give this to Ancestor Long Yan.

The ancestor, being straightforward, sent it directly to the Wang Clan for Wang Shouzhe to handle. Such a precious treasure left Wang Shouzhe both surprised and speechless. However, if cultivated well, it would add a significant foundation to the Wang Clan.

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