I Cultivate in a Government Office

Lan Ying stood on Yang Wenqing’s shoulder, her small head swiveling back and forth. Her mutters echoed continuously in his Spirit Sea:

"Wow, this place is so much bigger than our home!"

"Qingqing, that tree is so tall! There’s a bird’s nest on it!"

"That person isn’t making any sound when they walk..."

"The Spiritual Qi here seems a little thicker than outside, but it’s not as good as the place where Daddy and Mommy live."

While responding to Lan Ying in his Spirit Sea, Yang Wenqing observed his surroundings and the estate’s layout, gaining a more direct understanding of the Wang family’s power.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a magnificent, five-bay main hall appeared ahead. The plaque above the entrance bore the three gilded characters for ’Chongde Hall’, and imposing stone lions stood on either side of the front steps.

Wang Yufei stopped before the steps and nodded at a steward standing watch inside the hall. The steward immediately announced in a loud voice, "The honored guests have arrived—!"

"Everyone, please."

Wang Yufei turned sideways, inviting Yang Wenqing and the others to enter first.

A quiet and solemn feeling washed over them as they stepped into the main hall. The interior was immense. Massive pillars made from precious golden-silk nanmu wood exuded a faint, fragrant scent. Behind the main seat in the center hung a huge painting, "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains," while the side walls were adorned with calligraphy from past sages and maxims of the family’s code.

A middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties, with bright and piercing eyes, was seated in the main seat. This was none other than the Patriarch of the Wang family, Wang Chongshan.

When he saw Yang Wenqing and the others enter, Wang Chongshan did not rise. His gaze immediately fell upon Yang Wenqing, who was in the lead. His eyes flickered slightly, especially when he saw Lan Ying on his shoulder and the Xuanyue Jade Pendant at his waist.

"Junior Yang Wenqing, here with my brother Yang Wenjian and Senior Brother Tang Yuan, pays his respects to Patriarch Wang." Yang Wenqing took a step forward and bowed in accordance with the etiquette for a junior meeting an elder.

Tang Yuan and Yang Wenjian also followed suit and paid their respects.

"No need for such ceremony. Please, have a seat." Wang Chongshan’s voice was low, yet it possessed a power that commanded respect.

After the three were seated and a maidservant had served fragrant tea, Wang Chongshan finally smiled. "Director Yang, you are young and promising. Yanzi often mentions your achievements in Lingshan County. The Xuanyue Lineage has gained another brilliant talent. Director Qin truly has a good eye."

"Patriarch Wang, you flatter me. Wenqing is unworthy of such praise. It is all thanks to the teachings of my elders and the support of my colleagues." Yang Wenqing leaned forward in response.

Wang Chongshan’s gaze turned to Tang Yuan. "Nephew Tang, you’re here as well. How has your master been lately?"

Tang Yuan quickly cupped his hands. "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. My Master is well and often speaks of your admirable character."

After some necessary pleasantries and formalities, Wang Chongshan subtly changed the subject. "The city seemed a bit restless last night. Director Yang, now that you’ve just arrived at the Provincial Government, are you finding it to your liking?"

Yang Wenqing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Wang. The Provincial Government is a bustling place, and it has been an eye-opening experience for Wenqing. Last night, I was enjoying tea and conversation with a few fellow cultivators. We had a brief spar, which is a common part of cultivation. Nothing to be concerned about."

Wang Chongshan nodded and smiled. "It’s a fine thing for young people to be full of vigor, sparring and discussing the Dao. However, if you run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to let Yanzi or Yufei know. My Wang family still has some small influence in the Provincial Government."

This statement was both an olive branch and a subtle indication of the Wang family’s stance on the matter. They were on Yang Wenqing’s side, or so it seemed on the surface.

"Wenqing is endlessly grateful for your kindness, Patriarch Wang." Yang Wenqing thanked him again, then took the jade box from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "This is my first visit, and my Master prepared a humble gift. He instructed Wenqing to present it on his behalf as a small token of his esteem. I hope Patriarch Wang will accept it."

The steward standing behind Wang Chongshan stepped forward to receive the jade box, opened it, and presented it. Upon seeing the warm, tranquilizing jade within, Wang Chongshan smiled. "Director Qin is too kind. Please thank Director Qin for his thoughtful gesture on my behalf."

He gestured for the steward to put the jade box away, and his gaze lingered on Yang Wenjian for a moment. He asked, "This must be Nephew Wenjian, correct? Truly a fine-looking talent. I heard from Yufei that you’ve already entered Qi Cultivation. Is your practice going smoothly?"

Yang Wenjian quickly stood up. Though nervous, he answered respectfully, "In response to Patriarch Wang, this junior is slow-witted. My cultivation is still in its exploratory stages. I have made a fool of myself before you."

Wang Chongshan chuckled. "No need to be so modest. The path of cultivation is long, and building a solid foundation is the most important thing. If you have free time in the future, you should visit our residence often. It would be a pleasure to have you exchange pointers and interact with the younger generation of my clan."

The intention to foster a closer relationship was abundantly clear in his words. Standing quietly to the side, Wang Yufei lowered her gaze, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

Yang Wenqing chimed in at the right moment, "It would be Wenjian’s good fortune to receive Patriarch Wang’s guidance."

Wang Chongshan’s smile suddenly faded slightly, and his gaze fell directly on Yang Wenqing.

"Director Yang," he said, his voice still low. "This old man has a few private words I’d like to share with you alone. Would that be possible?"

Tang Yuan immediately stood up and smiled. "Of course. Wenjian, Miss Wang, how about we go for a walk in the garden outside?"

Yang Wenjian looked at his elder brother. Seeing Yang Wenqing give an imperceptible nod, he also stood and said, "Alright."

Although Wang Yufei was a bit puzzled, she immediately performed a graceful curtsy. "Patriarch, this niece shall take her leave."

In an instant, only Wang Chongshan, Yang Wenqing, and the curious Lan Ying—who was tilting her head on Yang Wenqing’s shoulder—were left in the vast main hall.

Lan Ying asked in the Spirit Sea, "Qingqing, what’s this old guy up to?"

A trace of vigilance and suspicion also rose in Yang Wenqing’s heart, but he showed none of it on his face, simply waiting quietly for Wang Chongshan to speak.

Wang Chongshan scrutinized Yang Wenqing, his gaze seeming to pierce through skin and flesh to see what lay within.

After a moment, he finally spoke. "During our conversation just now, this old man used a Divine Art to probe you slightly. Director Yang, your Second Transformation, ’Burning Meridians and Tempering Vessels,’ is just one final step from completion, is it not? The last bit of ’stubborn impurity’ in your meridians is already nearly imperceptible, yet it’s like a fishbone stuck in your throat, preventing you from reaching perfection. Am I right?"

"Patriarch Wang’s perception is as sharp as a torch. This junior is impressed."

Yang Wenqing did not deny it.

Wang Chongshan smiled. "You just gave me a piece of warm jade. Do you think my Wang family would accept such a gift for nothing?"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "This old man can see your foundation is solid. I can lend you the power of my Divine Art, give you a helping hand, and stir your own potential to break through this final barrier in one fell swoop!"

"Patriarch Wang, about this matter..."

Yang Wenqing was about to politely refuse. He had only just met Wang Chongshan today; there was no foundation of trust between them.

However, Wang Chongshan had no intention of giving him time to think or refuse.

"Do not hesitate!"

A brilliant golden divine light suddenly erupted from Wang Chongshan’s body. His scholarly aura was instantly replaced by a vast power. Then, a beam of light, condensed purely from golden power of faith, shot out from between his eyebrows, instantly enveloping Yang Wenqing.

"VMMMM—"

The moment the golden light touched his body, Yang Wenqing felt himself stiffen, as if frozen in place by an invisible force.

But this was not a restraining paralysis, but a strange kind of neutralization and guidance. The golden light carried a gentle yet irresistibly immense penetrating power. It ignored the protective Spiritual Light on the surface of his body, seeping directly into his limbs, bones, and all his meridians.

"What is this old geezer doing?!" Lan Ying shrieked in his Spirit Sea. Her feathers puffed up, and a sapphire-blue Spiritual Light instinctively began to erupt to protect her master.

"Lan Ying, don’t move!"

Yang Wenqing hastily stopped her in his Spirit Sea.

Though startled, he did not sense any malice from the golden light. Wang Chongshan truly just wanted to help him break through.

"Hah!"

With a low shout in his heart, Yang Wenqing activated the projection of his Golden Core World. At the same time, the profound light of the Spirit Gathering Array around him flared, and then a larger cultivation-assisting array unfurled with him at its center.

The crimson halo of the Array intertwined with the golden divine light enveloping his body, creating a strange and wondrous sight.

The golden divine light in Wang Chongshan’s eyes intensified. He pointed a finger through the air, and the beam of golden light connecting the two of them surged in brilliance.

"Now!"

Seized by a moment of inspiration, Yang Wenqing frantically operated the Second Transformation Heart Method of the "True Scripture of Xuanyue Bone Marrow Cleansing." Under the dual reinforcement of his Golden Core World and the Bing Fire Array, the placidly flowing Spiritual Qi in his body instantly turned violent. Like a fuel depot set ablaze, it surged with the force of a tidal wave along the path carved by the Divine Art’s golden light, scouring away the final obstruction in his meridians.

"RUMBLE—"

A faint clap of thunder seemed to echo within his body. That stubborn ’impurity’ finally began to loosen, and just a breath later, it disintegrated completely.