Longcheng, Day Two after the Wang Family's Fall.
The sun rose as usual, but for everyone in Longcheng, the events of yesterday were etched deeply into their memories. The Wang family's ruins, glaring under the sun, were a stark symbol of the collapse of the old era.
The Qin Family Manor, early morning.
Qin Mingyuan and his wife still felt as if they were dreaming. The bloodshed and shock from the previous day had kept them up all night. However, when they saw Qin Wan'er sitting in the courtyard, meditating as calmly as ever, they finally felt a sense of reality and peace.
Shan Hu sat opposite Qin Wan'er, holding an antique storage ring—the spoils of war taken from Wang Xiaotian's corpse.
"Master, the Wang family... is truly gone," Qin Wan'er spoke softly, her tone complex.
"They brought it upon themselves," Shan Hu said lightly, his voice calm and steady. "In the world of cultivation, the strong prey on the weak; karma runs its course. The Wang family is destroyed, but their fortune, I shall accept."
With a sweep of his divine consciousness, he instantly cataloged the items within the storage ring. Wang Xiaotian was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Ancestor with decades of accumulation, and the contents were immensely rich.
(I) Resource Inventory
"A pile of scrap metal," Shan Hu shook his head. Though the resources were abundant, most were mundane in the eyes of an Immortal Emperor.
Mortal Wealth: Bank cards, property deeds, gold bars, etc., estimated total value exceeding three hundred billion Chinese Yuan. These were the foundations the Wang family used to maintain their secular operations.
Cultivation Resources: Three Mid-grade Spirit Stones and three hundred twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones. A large amount of low-level herbs, dozens of bottles of pills for stages below Foundation Establishment, and over ten low-grade magical artifacts.
Rare Item: A fragment of black metal engraved with strange symbols, emanating a faint, ancient aura.
Shan Hu showed no interest in the mortal wealth, directly tossing the stack of cards and gold bars to Qin Mingyuan.
"These are for rebuilding the Qin family and expanding its influence beyond Longcheng," Shan Hu instructed. "As for the Wang family's assets within Longcheng, take control of everything, but don't be too ruthless; leave some room to breathe for better control."
Qin Mingyuan trembled with excitement. Three hundred billion? This was several dozen times the Qin family's assets even at its peak! "Master... this is too much..."
"Take it." Shan Hu's tone left no room for doubt. "You don't need to concern yourself with cultivation. Wan'er needs resources now, and you are responsible for providing them."
Qin Mingyuan immediately accepted the order, his reverence for Shan Hu reaching its zenith.
(II) Subsequent Resource Allocation
Shan Hu handed over all the Wang family's cultivation resources, including the Low-grade Spirit Stones and low-grade magical artifacts, entirely to Qin Wan'er.
"Wan'er, these are enough for you to cultivate into the Mid, or even Late, Qi Condensation Stage. But your foundation is still shallow; never be greedy for speed. Stability is paramount."
Then, Shan Hu's gaze settled on the black metal fragment.
"This thing..." Shan Hu frowned. The symbols on the fragment were actually a damaged piece of what was known in the Immortal World as the 'Archaic Array Script,' containing an extremely faint trace of Archaic Immortal Power.
"How could Wang Xiaotian, a mortal ancestor, possess such a thing? It seems the secrets of this world are deeper than I imagined."
Shan Hu was contemplative, but at the moment, he was more concerned with Qin Wan'er's future.
"Wan'er, you cultivate the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sutra, one of the most top-tier female cultivation methods in the Immortal World. Now that you have stepped into the Qi Condensation Stage and your foundation is stable, it is time to consider the matter of Dual Cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Qin Wan'er's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head in shyness.
"Master..."
Shan Hu smiled, his gaze deep.
"Dual Cultivation is not the common affection between mortals; it is a destiny tied to the Great Dao. A Dual Cultivation partner is not only an aid in cultivation but also a reliance for the spirit." He paused, his tone becoming gentle and serious. "I have searched this entire world, and there is only one woman who can perfectly align with your Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sutra and help you break through bottlenecks, eventually achieving the Golden Core Stage and even higher realms."
Qin Wan'er's heart pounded. She knew her Master spoke the truth, but she wanted to know, who was that person?
"That woman is in the nearby capital city, and her name is..."
"Ye Qingcheng."
When Shan Hu spoke the name, a complex emotion flashed across his eyes. This name was both the beginning of his regret in his previous life and the catalyst for his rebirth in this one.
"The Capital's Ye Family, Ye Qingcheng." Qin Wan'er quietly repeated the name, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
"Precisely. She possesses the Nine Yin Body, similar to your pure Yin constitution, but cultivates a completely different technique. If the two of you can Dual Cultivate, it will not only achieve twice the result with half the effort but also mutually complete the deficiencies in your Great Dao."
"My next step is to take you to the Capital. First, to seek further cultivation resources. Second, to secure this Dao companion for you."
Shan Hu rose, his gaze turning towards the Capital, filled with an air of dominance that surveyed the world.
"The business in Longcheng is concluded. The Capital is the true starting point of my second life."