Selected

A blue-robed elder past seventy walked in. His complexion was ruddy, his beard and hair snow-white, and his tiger eyes carried an imposing majesty even without anger. At a glance, he was clearly not someone easy to fool.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the Blue-Robed Elder's features somewhat resembled Wang Mingyuan's.

The Blue-Robed Elder was none other than Wang Mingyuan's father, Wang Yaozu, and Wang Changsheng's grandfather.

Wang Yaozu was seventy-five this year. He had a Triple Spirit Root and was at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. He was responsible for liaising with other factions. For example, if the Family Head of a Wang Family in-law celebrated a major birthday, Wang Yaozu would lead people to offer congratulations upon receiving an Invitation.

"Father, why have you returned so soon? Weren't you going out to visit an old friend?" Wang Mingyuan asked, surprise flickering in his eyes.

Wang Yaozu blew his beard and glared. "If your sister-in-law hadn't sent me word, you really would have fooled me into visiting an old friend. You even invited Second Brother out and convened such a major meeting. You deliberately sent me away, didn't you? If I hadn't come back, Changsheng probably wouldn't have been selected!"

"Listen to yourself. The candidates were recommended by all the uncles and elders; it wasn't my decision alone." Wang Mingyuan felt somewhat guilty.

Wang Yaozu shot Wang Mingyuan a glare. "I'm your father, and I'm also a Clan Elder of the Wang Family. I have the right to speak, don't I?"

"Of course you do, but the final decision rests with all the uncles and elders."

"I knew you'd say that. Second Brother, Sixth Brother, Eighth Brother, as the saying goes, when recommending the worthy, one need not avoid relatives. Changsheng is indeed my biological grandson, but Qing'er spent ten years as an Artifact Refining Apprentice at the Divine Armory Pavilion in Violet Moon Market. Since Sheng'er was little, she has instilled in him a great deal of Artifact Refining knowledge. If we look only at theoretical knowledge, I believe no one his age knows more about it than Sheng'er. No one can deny that, right? Furthermore, Sheng'er guarded Peaceful County for three years and, by a stroke of fortune, discovered the Profound Gold Mine. Is it too much to give him an opportunity? If he performs mediocrely in the assessment, then naturally there will be no need to train him as an Artifact Refiner. But if he performs well, then he should be cultivated as a priority. What do you all think?" Wang Yaozu said slowly.

"Father, Sheng'er made a great contribution by discovering the Profound Gold Mine. The clan will certainly reward him well; there's no need to give him a spot as well. It would be difficult to convince everyone." Wang Mingyuan looked troubled.

"When recommending the worthy, one need not avoid relatives. It is right for you to act impartially, but you must hold the bowl of water level. If Sheng'er weren't your son, would he be unable to get selected? Besides, Qing'er spent ten years as an Artifact Refining Apprentice at the Divine Armory Pavilion and should know quite a few people there. If Sheng'er becomes an Artifact Refiner, then when we purchase Refining Materials from the Divine Armory Pavilion in the future, Qing'er can serve as a bridge and secure us some discounts. Sheng'er's knowledge of Artifact Refining is solid. If he cannot be selected, then why can anyone else be selected? Give me a reasonable explanation."

"Th-this..." Wang Mingyuan was rendered speechless and looked toward Wang Yaozong.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Yaozong said, "There are five spots anyway, and there will be a second round of assessments. Count Changsheng as one of them. That leaves four spots. Let me add this: recommended candidates must have Triple Spirit Roots. Pseudo Spirit Roots make cultivation difficult. Even if they are trained into Tier 1 Artifact Refiners, if their cultivation cannot keep up, their Artifact Refining skills will be difficult to improve as well. In addition, clan members already proficient in other crafts cannot be selected. They must be over eighteen and under fifty. First select ten clan members who meet these requirements, then choose the four more outstanding ones. Oh, and have Changsheng transferred back immediately. Send someone to take over his post."

"Yes, Second Uncle. I'll send Sheng'er a message shortly and have him return as quickly as possible. Let's first pick ten people from among the clan members."

After nearly half an hour of discussion, they finally selected ten clan members.

After the meeting ended, Wang Mingyuan and Wang Yaozu went to the study. Liu Qing'er had already prepared tea and pastries and had been waiting for a long time.

"Father, how did it go? Was Sheng'er selected?" Liu Qing'er asked impatiently, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

"Once I took action, success came as soon as the horse arrived. Come to think of it, if you hadn't informed me, I would still be kept in the dark. Mingyuan, shouldn't you give your father an explanation? I am, after all, a Clan Elder of the Wang Family. Why did you send me away when you convened a clan meeting?" Wang Yaozu asked with a stern face.

Wang Mingyuan gave a bitter smile and explained, "Father, I didn't want people gossiping."

Wang Yaozu rolled his eyes and rebuked him without ceremony. "Gossip? What is there to gossip about? There are five spots, and Sheng'er only occupies one. He discovered the Profound Gold Mine. Is it excessive for him to take one spot? Are the others naturally entitled to be selected? When recommending the worthy, one need not avoid relatives. When you sent Sheng'er to Peaceful County to serve as Celestial Master, did I ever say you were wrong? Setting aside the fact that Sheng'er is your biological son, if the clan selects members to train as Artifact Refiners, Sheng'er will certainly be selected."

Liu Qing'er nodded. "Exactly. Ever since Sheng'er could remember, I've taught him Artifact Refining knowledge every day. Wasn't it all for this day? But can the clan really train five Artifact Refiners at once? The cost of training a single Artifact Refiner is no small sum, let alone five at the same time."

"Of course it's impossible to train five Artifact Refiners at once. First, we'll select ten clan members and choose five to train for a period of time. Then they'll undergo an assessment, and the two most outstanding will remain for focused training," Wang Mingyuan explained.

Liu Qing'er immediately beamed with joy and urged, "Since Sheng'er has been selected, hurry and transfer him back!"

"Second Uncle has already given the order. Now you've gotten your wish."

"What are you saying? This is the clan's decision. Your father is going out for a while. Let me remind you: it is fine to be strict with Sheng'er, but you must keep the bowl of water level and treat everyone equally. You care too much about what others say. Rumors stop with the wise. Back when you were elected Family Head, Sixth Brother and the others grumbled in private as well. But you acted impartially, which was why they became convinced. It will be the same for Sheng'er. If he passes the assessment and can be trained into an Artifact Refiner, no one else will dare spout nonsense." Wang Yaozu offered this meaningful warning.

"Father is right. As long as Sheng'er can become an Artifact Refiner, no one else will gossip. Hurry and transfer Sheng'er back. I want to teach him everything I learned at the Divine Armory Pavilion. I hope he can become an Artifact Refiner." Liu Qing'er was eager to get started.

Wang Mingyuan gave a bitter smile and agreed repeatedly.

"I'll write him a letter immediately and have Sheng'er return at once."

He let out a long breath inwardly. In truth, if he had truly wanted to keep the matter secret, Liu Qing'er would never have known that Wang Yaozu was going on a long trip. He had always presented himself as fair and impartial, so it was inconvenient for him to recommend his own son. Thus, he had no choice but to direct and perform this little play himself.

Peaceful County, Lotus Island.

As the sun set in the west, the evening glow draped Lotus Island in a golden Cloak.

Wang Changsheng sat in the Stone Pavilion, holding the Artificing Compendium in his hands and reading with great relish.

He had now memorized the basic knowledge of Artifact Refining and the characteristics of several hundred kinds of Tier 1 Refining Materials. So long as he had an Artificing Furnace, Refining Materials, and a spiritual artifact blueprint, he could try Artifact Refining.

"Ninth Uncle-Grandfather, there's a message from the clan." Wang Qiusheng hurried over, holding a letter in his hand.

There was only one line on the letter: Return to Azure Lotus Mountain immediately. Your father, Wang Mingyuan.

"Return to Azure Lotus Mountain immediately? Did something happen in the clan? Why such urgency?"

Wang Changsheng frowned, confusion appearing in his eyes.

He had returned to Lotus Island less than half a month ago, yet he was being transferred back so quickly. This did not seem like his father's usual way of doing things.

"Qiusheng, are you sure this is a message from the clan?" Wang Changsheng asked solemnly.

"Yes. The clan's carrier pigeons are different from ordinary carrier pigeons. It truly is a message from the clan."

After receiving Wang Qiusheng's confirmation, Wang Changsheng felt a little delighted.

"Watch over Lotus Island properly. I'm returning to Azure Lotus Mountain. If anything urgent arises that you cannot resolve, send a message to the clan." Wang Changsheng gave his instructions, put away the Artificing Compendium, and moved his lips a few times. A White Cloud appeared out of thin air, lifting him up as it flew toward the sky.