"Bee Taming Notes"

Especially those Spirit Platform ancestors who understood the art of preserving health could live to nearly two hundred years of age. Under such circumstances, they could often live to see the birth of their eighth-generation, even ninth-generation blood descendants.

If they advanced another step and attained the Celestial Realm, their maximum lifespan could reach four hundred years. The entire family would rise with the tide as well—one could even describe it as chickens and dogs ascending to heaven.

In his delight, Ancestor Mingsheng pulled out another ancient beast-hide book and tossed it to Wang Shouzhe. "This is the 'Bee Taming Notes.' Consider it my congratulatory gift to your Wang Clan for producing a Spirit Insect Master. It is the notes of a Spirit Platform Realm Rogue Cultivator from several centuries ago, one skilled in controlling Spirit Bees. It records certain techniques and key points for raising various kinds of Spirit Bees. However, this is only a copied edition, so omissions and errors are inevitable. Use it only for reference and verification."

Wang Shouzhe froze for a moment, then rejoiced. "Thank you, Ancestor, for sending charcoal in the snow."

Luojing now possessed the talent of a Spirit Insect Master, but the single copy of the "Insect Classic" in the clan was clearly not enough.

These "Bee Taming Notes" were undoubtedly focused on Spirit Bees and would be of immense benefit to Luojing, who possessed an Amethyst Spirit Bee Honeycomb.

"Now that you've taken the benefits, get lost. Stop being an eyesore to this old man." Ancestor Mingsheng impatiently chased him away.

"This junior takes his leave, takes his leave." Wang Shouzhe had already gained a great deal from this trip. He promptly tucked the "Bee Taming Notes" into his robes and respectfully departed from the pavilion of Yingxiu Rising Moon Pavilion.

Ancestor Mingsheng watched Wang Shouzhe's departing back from afar, feeling both pleased and disappointed. He was pleased because this descendant who carried his bloodline was truly outstanding and possessed tremendous future potential. Yet he was disappointed because, among the Lu Clan's young men of two generations, not one could compare to Shouzhe.

Fortunately, there was still Xiaoxiao.

Ancestor Mingsheng lovingly stroked the head of the already sleeping Lu Xiaoxiao. "This child actually awakened the Li Fire Physique of my Lu Clan's ancestors. Though it is somewhat thin, it is already extraordinary. Heaven truly blesses my Yingxiu Lu Clan."

No inheritance of any Profound Martial Aristocratic Clan was ever simple. And every ancestor who opened up territory and founded an aristocratic clan had been a peerless genius.

Having obtained quite a few benefits and bid farewell to Ancestor Mingsheng, Wang Shouzhe had a maid lead him to the guest quarters—Elegant Guest Residence. This was where the Lu Clan specially housed honored guests. An entire lakeside courtyard served as his lodging, with several side rooms standing guard around it for the honored guest's family guards and attendants.

The Wang Clan's family guards, along with Wang Luojing, had all gone to help handle the disaster. Wang Shouzhe was rarely afforded such peace and quiet, so he simply instructed the Lu Clan maid to prepare bathwater. He soaked comfortably in the bath, washing away the fatigue of recent days.

Afterward, he ordered that no one disturb him and entered cultivation mode. Both the Shanyang Gongsun Clan and the Yingxiu Lu Clan had brought out their finest Spirit Food to entertain Wang Shouzhe's party. He had eaten and eaten along the way, without having time to properly digest and refine his qi and blood.

Moreover, he had just consulted Ancestor Mingsheng about many matters of cultivation that day, and the advice had truly cleared the clouds and revealed the sun to him. Once he entered meditation, he swiftly entered a state of cultivation.

This session of cultivation lasted all the way until the following morning. The meridians and acupoints within his body had entered a state of fatigue, and much of his vigorous qi and blood had been consumed. Yet his eyes shone brilliantly with spirit. Clearly, he had made considerable progress and taken another firm little step toward the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm.

Wang Shouzhe was overjoyed by this. Combining some ways of thinking from modern Earth with Ancestor Mingsheng's guidance and explanations, his path of cultivation in the Qi Refining Realm had become much clearer.

When he stepped out of his room, Wang Zhong had already been waiting outside. He cupped his hands and said, "Clan Head, your maternal uncle has come to visit. Hearing that you were in seclusion cultivating, he did not dare disturb you and is currently waiting in the reception hall."

Wang Shouzhe had Wang Zhong lead the way toward the reception hall and casually asked, "How did yesterday's disaster relief go?"

"Everything went very smoothly. After receiving our letter, the Lu Clan made many preparations at once." Wang Zhong said in amazement, "Miss Luojing is truly remarkable. In such a short time, she controlled several Nine-Star Insect Kings and suppressed the signs of the insect plague breaking out."

When Wang Zhong spoke Luojing's name, his tone clearly carried heartfelt respect. It was apparent that Luojing's performance had earned the family guards' recognition and admiration.

It seemed Luojing truly possessed considerable talent in the path of a Spirit Insect Master. She had been improving even in such a short time.

While pondering this, Wang Shouzhe entered the reception hall of Elegant Guest Residence and cupped his hands toward Lu Zhengjie. "Shouzhe has arrived late. I hope Uncle will forgive me."

"No matter, no matter." Lu Zhengjie rose with a broad smile. "Shouzhe, this time our Lu Clan truly owes you for your support. The insect plague was contained just as it began."

If grain production were to plummet, the loss would not be merely economic. It would trigger a whole chain of repercussions.

Great Qian was founded upon Profound Martial Aristocratic Clans. Such clans enjoyed various privileges in their local territories, but they also bore the duty of guarding the land and protecting the people. Their rights and benefits, as well as their responsibilities and obligations, far exceeded those of rural gentry in ancient Earth.

"Uncle is too polite. The Wang Clan and Lu Clan are linked by blood; watching out for and helping one another is only natural." Wang Shouzhe replied with a modest smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lu Zhengjie continued, "That wealthy merchant family massacre case has also reached its conclusion. That Rogue Cultivator was no hard bone to chew. After less than two hours of interrogation, he confessed to everything, and all the hidden stolen goods were recovered. Before long, he will be publicly executed to warn others from following his example."

"Rogue Cultivators wandering about everywhere will ultimately remain a hidden danger." Wang Shouzhe frowned. "If Rogue Cultivators entering the territory cannot be controlled, similar cases will happen again sooner or later."

"This is exceedingly difficult. Most Rogue Cultivators travel back and forth under the guise of itinerant merchants, and Great Qian Law does not forbid Rogue Cultivators from roaming about." Lu Zhengjie frowned, then changed the subject. "By the way, the swift resolution of this case was entirely to your credit, Shouzhe. The Town Guardian Office has decided to grant you a reward of fifty Qian Gold. It may not be much, but this is already the largest amount we could secure."

"Thank you, Uncle, for mediating on my behalf." Wang Shouzhe was quite satisfied with the result. Fifty Qian Gold was no small sum. Some Rogue Cultivators would risk their lives for that much Qian Gold.

After receiving the reward, Wang Shouzhe also proposed taking his leave first.

He left behind two family guards to assist Wang Luojing and entrusted his maternal uncle with protecting her while she eliminated the disaster. The insect plagues in the Lu Clan and Gongsun Clan territories had only been initially contained. The wild Insect Kings' degree of taming was still too low and needed to be strengthened repeatedly. Over the next dozen or so days, she would need to travel back and forth among the Lu Clan, Gongsun Clan, and Wang Clan.

Wang Shouzhe himself had many matters to attend to and could not participate in this affair from start to finish. He could only entrust the task of Safety to the Lu Clan and Gongsun Clan.

After bidding farewell, he handed the "Bee Taming Notes" to Wang Luojing.

Wang Shouzhe rode a black steed and led two family guards back to Changning Guard. Without a carriage slowing them down, they traveled light on horseback and arrived at Changning Guard in merely three or four hours.

They had only just settled into the Branch Residence behind the Ping'an Wang Clan fish shop and were preparing to rest before visiting the Qian Clan Trading Firm the next morning when Manager Qian of the Qian Clan Trading Firm unexpectedly beat them to it, charging straight into the Wang Clan Branch Residence.

Clearly, he had stationed watchers at the city gates long ago.

The moment the two met in the reception hall, before the tea and fruit could even be served, the plump Manager Qian began crying bitterly, "Brother Wang, you've truly gotten this old brother into a terrible mess this time."

"What are you saying, Brother Qian?" Wang Shouzhe personally poured tea for Manager Qian and replied without betraying a trace of emotion, "I kindly helped your Qian Clan Trading Firm clear out its inventory of Pest-Exterminating Powder. Was that somehow wrong?"

Manager Qian did not mind that the tea was scalding. He gulped it down in one go, then said somewhat angrily, "Brother Wang, things have reached this point, so let us speak plainly. You clearly used our Qian Clan Trading Firm to catch a wolf with empty hands and make a huge profit. Impressive—truly a clever move."

"You flatter me, Brother Qian. Making money from an information gap is simply the way of merchants." Wang Shouzhe smiled. "If Brother Qian had been in my place, I fear you would have done it even more ruthlessly."

"Information gap, information gap." Manager Qian muttered the words twice, then sighed helplessly. "Brother, I admit that you have a point. But you did not spend even a single Jiao, yet you are about to make a massive profit from this. You truly have put this old brother in a terrible bind. If I cannot resolve this matter smoothly, my ending may not be pleasant. Brother, show some mercy."

"Brother Qian, do not be anxious. Didn't I say before that I would give you a great merit?" Wang Shouzhe said unhurriedly. "This great merit will not only allow you to atone for your faults through service, but may very well let you advance another step."

"What?" Manager Qian stared at him in disbelief.