Sixth Grandfather Wang Xiaohan was somewhat suspicious and uncertain, but in the end, he still respected Wang Shouzhe’s decision. He is the Clan Leader now, the head of the family. If he strongly opposes selling the immature Five Hundred-Year Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng, then naturally no one would dare to sell it. Subsequently, Wang Shouzhe also took an interest in the remaining six or seven portions of the Middle-Grade Spirit Field. It was also planted with the Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng, ranging from low to high maturity, the least mature being ten years old, and the most mature astonishingly reaching seventy years. "The Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng is not sold externally by us but is instead used to slowly accumulate the family’s foundation," Wang Xiaohan explained, "Thus, although these two acres of Middle-Grade Spirit Field yield considerable value, at least half of the profit is reinvested into increasing the cultivation of the Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng." "Indeed." Wang Shouzhe nodded in praise, "If a family wishes to continue thriving over the long term, it cannot rely on quick profits alone, but rather on long-term investments and returns. As such, the family’s foundation will gradually become robust, allowing us to rise with good harvests, and sustain during downturns or crises." These two acres of Middle-Grade Spirit Field are secretly operated outside the clan’s assets, which theoretically violates the taboos of the Black Tortoise Race. However, it’s not a clan member operating a private property. Broadly speaking, it is still part of the clan’s assets, while accumulating this foundation, it also occasionally bleeds a wave of support to the family. Clan members operating private properties for personal gain have always been one of the greatest taboos of the Black Tortoise Race. Such practices inevitably lead to disunity, constant internal strife, and eventually the family’s collapse. If a certain clan member truly wishes to independently develop his or her business, they can separate from the family to establish their own lineage elsewhere, with the family’s agreement on conditions. This is known as a branching off. At that time, that branch will be recorded as a subsidiary bloodline of the Ping’an Wang Family. For example, the Golden Sand Xu Family is the branch of the Changning Xu Family. Though both bear the Xu name, they split into two independent entities more than a hundred years ago. The Ping’an Wang Family is also a branch of the Longzuo Wang Family, with the family tree records in the Longzuo Wang Family’s ancestral hall inevitably including records of Ancestor Zhou Xuan passing on this lineage. However, how many descendants survive, who they are, naturally won’t be recorded in the family tree, at most some chronicles will record the prominent figures that emerged from here. Anyway, enough idle talk. After visiting the family’s secret foundation, Wang Shouzhe was in high spirits, feeling more confident because of these foundations. Wang Xiaohan also took Wang Shouzhe around Xingsheng Farm to further understand it, greatly enhancing his knowledge of the farm. After achieving his goal, Wang Shouzhe, having eaten dinner, took a boat back home with The Seventh, Wang Shouye. Along the way, in the boat covered with dark bamboo. Wang Shouzhe took out pen and paper, sometimes pondering, sometimes noting down things. Beside him, Wang Shouye showed curiosity, "Fourth Brother, what are you writing?" "Oh." Wang Shouye had no idea what a system panel was, but he inexplicably thought his Fourth Brother was amazing, his admiration and respect reaching new heights. Indeed, Wang Shouzhe was absolutely not going to give up gradually establishing and updating his system panel. The dark bamboo boat gently rocked along, returning to residence. After encouraging and advising Wang Shouye with a few words, Wang Shouzhe had the servant Wang Gui escort him back. Carrying a cloth bag full of fresh fruits, he made his way to [Longyan Residence]. Outside Longyan Residence, Wang Shouzhe found Big Girl Wang Lici peeking around. His face became stern, "Big Girl, what are you doing sneaking around?" "Ah? Fourth Uncle..." Wang Lici was scared stiff, confessing honestly, "I-I’m looking for Ancestor." "Nonsense." Wang Shouzhe frowned and reprimanded, "Longyan Residence is a forbidden area. Without Ancestor’s summons, how dare you disrupt Ancestor’s concentration?" "I, I..." Wang Lici was terrified, her round face turning pale, tears welling up, "Fourth, Fourth Uncle. I was just trying to seek Ancestor’s guidance, guidance on Body Technique Combat Techniques." "Body Technique Combat Techniques?" Wang Shouzhe suspiciously assessed her, "Are you sure you’re not here to ask Ancestor for food?" "Fourth, Fourth Uncle. How can you say this about me." Wang Lici, brimming with grievances, weakly retorted, "Don’t you have aspirations? I, I also want to become stronger." A hint of warmth softened Wang Shouzhe’s stern expression, as he tenderly rubbed her head, "It turns out my Little Lici is indeed ambitious, it was a misunderstanding by Fourth Uncle. Fourth Uncle apologizes to you." Humph, so angry, I don’t want to talk to you. Wang Lici turned away, puffing her cheeks, tears in her eyes, looking pitifully aggrieved. "By the way, I just went to Xingsheng Farm," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "I picked some fresh sweet melons, this year’s weather is good, the melons are juicy and sweet. Would you like one?" Saying this, he pulled out a vibrant, green sweet melon from the bag. "Want, want, want." Wang Lici’s eyes immediately lit up, grabbing the melon and wiping it before munching loudly, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction while praising, "This melon is so sweet and delicious, thank you Fourth Uncle." "Lici, being ambitious is a good thing. However, Ancestor’s health is poor, it’s best not to disturb her without reason." Wang Shouzhe said with relief, "Given your current realm level, Fourth Uncle’s guidance is sufficient. Starting tomorrow, meet me at my training ground at 5:00 AM, Fourth Uncle will train with you. Slow down eating, here, have another melon." Wang Lici listened to the first part earnestly, but the latter part made her tremble, practically giving up on the melon, her voice trembling while weakly saying, "Fourth, Fourth Uncle. Isn’t 5:00 AM a bit too early?" "Not early, now that summer is here, dawn arrives early at 5:00 AM." Wang Shouzhe slightly frowned and said, "That time is perfect for training Battle Techniques and Body Techniques. Are you having difficulties?" "I, I mean. Is there a way without training, where every day I just eat and drink, and still become strong with some Black Tortoise Combat Skills?" Wang Lici blinked with curiosity, "Why not, Fourth Uncle, ask Ancestor for me?" Wang Shouzhe’s face twitched uncontrollably; so this was Big Girl’s ambition? He actually believed her! Wang Shouzhe, oh Wang Shouzhe, you’re still too young after all. At once, he quietly grabbed her melon, stuffed it back into the cloth bag, and walked toward Longyan Residence without looking back. "Hey, Fourth Uncle, that’s my melon. How can you just take it?" Wang Lici chased after him, "Fourth Uncle, the world is so big and full of wonders. Maybe there’s such a Black Tortoise Combat Technique out there." Wang Shouzhe sneered twice. Are you accusing me of being ignorant? "Come inside, don’t make a fuss out here." At this moment, Ancestor Longyan’s voice came from inside Longyan Residence. Wang Shouzhe responded and pushed the door open to enter. Wang Lici, however, trotted in after him, shrinking back when she caught Fourth Uncle’s unfriendly gaze and said, "Ancestor said everyone should come in." She particularly emphasized the word "everyone." "Heh heh~" Wang Shouzhe gave her a glare before proceeding to pay respects to Ancestor Longyan. By this time, Ancestor Longyan had already moved to the pavilion, waiting for the two of them. "Shouzhe pays respects to Ancestor." While giving his salute, Wang Shouzhe noticed that Ancestor Longyan’s aura seemed greatly improved, even the white hair draped over her shoulders appeared to have an invisible gloss, prompting him to exclaim joyfully, "Congratulations Ancestor on your great health." His heart was stirred as well; the better the Ancestor’s health, the safer the Wang Family would be, and the burden on his mind could ease considerably. "Lici pays respects to Ancestor, congratulations Ancestor on your great health." Wang Lici rushed forward to pay her respects, even parroting Wang Shouzhe’s congratulatory words, which made Wang Shouzhe twitch at the corner of his eye. However, Ancestor Longyan seemed rather receptive to her. In such good health, her mood was also pleasant, and she gestured for Wang Lici to come over: "Child, why haven’t you come to see Ancestor recently?" This scene left Wang Shouzhe slightly bewildered. During the trip to the Hundred Islands Guard, what charm had this girl used on Ancestor? Ancestor seemed quite fond of her. Then, Wang Lici began to attend diligently to Ancestor, rubbing her shoulders and arms while replying, "Fourth Uncle said Longyan Residence is off-limits to the family, and told Lici not to disturb Ancestor’s meditation. Boo hoo~ Ancestor, Lici misses you dearly, I’ve lost my appetite these days, just look how thin I’ve become." Wang Shouzhe’s expression turned unkind. This bothersome girl dared to put on a victim act right in front of him? "She does seem a bit thinner." Ancestor Longyan gave her a glance and then said to Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, if Big Girl wants to come in the future, just let her." Upon hearing this, Wang Lici, who had been hiding behind Ancestor, gave Wang Shouzhe a triumphant look. "Ancestor," Wang Shouzhe said, "I’m just afraid she’ll be too noisy and disturb your cultivation." "It’s fine." Ancestor Longyan, perhaps due to her improved health, seemed to have an open mind, "Lici is gentle and clever, very attentive. With her company, I can recover even faster." Wang Shouzhe admitted that Wang Lici was quite skilled at currying favor. He immediately said, "If Ancestor likes it, that’s wonderful. These fruits are freshly picked from the farm; please try them." "Fourth Uncle, you’ve worked hard. I should handle these small tasks." Wang Lici rushed forward, took the cloth bag, enthusiastically washed two melons, and naturally gave one to Ancestor, "Ancestor, please enjoy the melon. I’ve tried it, it’s very crisp and sweet." Then she happily munched away, delighting in her meal. Wang Shouzhe was truly impressed by his niece’s thick-skinned nature. Seeing her enjoy the melon so much, Ancestor Longyan slightly turned aside, lifted a corner of her veil, and took a couple of bites as well, saying, "This year, the summer came with less rain, making the melons sweeter than usual." Seeing Ancestor in such good spirits, Wang Shouzhe also felt relieved. Recently, Ancestor’s nourishment with spiritual food was ample for healing, making her once emaciated figure more robust, shooing away the cold and withering aura. It was clear that her health was improving, and she was filled with hope for herself and the family’s future. This also signified that the Wang Family’s fifty years of misfortune were about to end. What followed would be the reckoning and rise. Wang Shouzhe’s mood also improved significantly. But before all that, he must first manage the future of the promising younger member, Wang Lici, of the Wang Family. This child had ambition, loved gourmet food, was filled with enthusiasm and a colorful imagination for life, and knew how to endear herself to her elders. Such an outstanding child. Surely, having her accompany Sixth Grandpa in planting the Spirit Field would be most suitable. Besides, this child loved reading and possessed a spiritual quality, so she mustn’t miss out on any new classics or ancient works. Although the Wang Family was poor, its members couldn’t be deprived of education. Imagining Big Girl working tirelessly in the fields during the day and reading by lantern light in the grass hut at night, Wang Shouzhe couldn’t help but smile with gratification and satisfaction. The family’s hope for rising ultimately rested on these excellent descendants. We as elders must support them during these crucial moments of their development. While indulging in her third melon, Wang Lici sensed that something was off, her back felt a chill.