……

The lower-class demon who rose to prominence received a grand audience with the Unicorn Lord and was bestowed the title of "Demon Dragon General."

To win over this exceptionally lucky "demon talent," the Unicorn Lord even married off his beloved youngest daughter to him.

From then on, the "Demon Dragon General" quickly ascended to the ranks of the upper-class demons, becoming the protagonist of a legendary tale among the lower-class demons.

As the saying goes, "Blessings and misfortunes are intertwined."

Shortly after the Unicorn Lord welcomed his favored general, a major incident occurred within his territory.

A large stash of demon crystals, painstakingly accumulated in the territory's warehouse, suddenly vanished without a trace.

The Unicorn Lord was both furious and terrified.

The warehouse was heavily guarded, making it difficult for anyone to even approach, let alone steal from it.

Moreover, half of the missing demon crystals were meant to be tributed to the Dragon Elephant Demon King Fortress. Any delay in the tribute would surely incur the wrath of the Dragon Elephant Demon King.

Yet, the thief left no trace at the scene, and despite the Unicorn Lord's thorough investigation, there were no clues.

With no other options, he had to push the miners to expedite the extraction of more demon crystals.

Meanwhile, the "Dragonblood Demon God" King of the South, who had acquired this batch of demon crystals, absorbed all their energy, significantly enhancing his power. However, he showed no signs of stopping; instead, he intensified his efforts to plunder demon crystals from various demon territories.

With the massive influx of demon crystals, the King of the South's power grew rapidly, achieving a substantial increase in a short period.

It's important to note that the King of the South's demon body, inherited from the "Dragonblood Demon God," was already at the demon god level. For him, consuming demon crystals to enhance his power was not cultivation but rather "restoring power."

Without any barriers, theoretically, as long as the quantity and quality of demon crystals were sufficient, he could quickly reach the demon god level.

Of course, this was only in theory.

To reach the demon god level, he would need to absorb top-grade demon crystals and higher-quality true demon crystals. Such resources are extremely rare even in the outer regions, and not easily obtained by anyone other than the top-tier demons.

Even so, the cost and time required for him to "restore" to the demon god level would still be far less than the normal cultivation breakthrough to a demon god.

However, with the large-scale "theft" of demon crystals, the entire Dragon Elephant Demon King Fortress territory and surrounding areas were thrown into panic.

The loss was so significant that even the Dragon Elephant Demon King was alarmed.

He personally organized a guard army to try and hunt down the elusive "Demon Crystal Thief." But the cunning thief seemed to anticipate his actions, leaving the Dragon Elephant Demon King Fortress before the siege could begin, causing chaos in other demon lord territories.

Because of this "Demon Crystal Thief," the territories of three demon king fortresses near the Great Qian defense zone were in turmoil, severely impacting their offensive against the Great Qian defense zone.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos in the demon-controlled areas outside the Great Qian defense zone, the Changning Wang's Clan remained peaceful and harmonious.

After all, wars must be fought, but life must also go on.

As the spiritual energy grew denser, the spiritual mist over Zhuhui Lake became thicker, appearing from a distance as if covered by a thin veil.

Amidst the hazy spiritual mist, spiritual egrets could be seen soaring over the vast waters, and along the shores, various lush celestial plants thrived, with spiritual cranes strolling among them, exuding an ethereal and vibrant spiritual aura.

Unknowingly, this place had taken on the flavor of a human paradise, surpassing even the ethereal vastness of the Yuanshui Heavenly Lake.

On the water's surface.

A Yuan Shui Old Turtle, four to five zhang long and over three zhang wide, swam gracefully through the water.

With each stroke of its turtle feet, the water was swiftly displaced, allowing it to glide smoothly and quickly across the surface, resembling a small, fast-moving island.

As the founding spiritual beast of the Wang's Clan, personally "captured and tamed" by the great Clan Leader Wang Shouzhe, the Yuan Shui Old Turtle held a special status within the Wang's Clan.

In several critical family battles, it had repeatedly distinguished itself, and afterward, it took on the responsibility of ferrying the clan's young children to and from school.

From Wang Zong'an, Wang Liyao, Wang Liyue, Wang Zongrui, and Wang Lijue, to Wang Anye, Wang Xuanwei, Wang Fugui, and Wang Jidie, each one grew up day by day on its back.

Throughout its journey, the Yuan Shui Old Turtle witnessed the growth of the Wang's Clan and the increasingly prosperous state of the clan with each generation.

With the generous treatment of an elder and the active feeding by generations of children in the clan, the originally ordinary-blooded Yuan Shui Old Turtle gained immense benefits, rapidly advancing in strength.

Especially this year, it had just broken through to the sixth rank!

"Just a mere sixth rank," naturally didn't mean much in the current Wang's Clan. But for the Yuan Shui Old Turtle, with its unremarkable bloodline, it was a tremendous opportunity and encounter.

It had already made up its mind.

Once it reached the seventh rank and its intelligence increased significantly, allowing it to speak, it would ask a young master to ghostwrite a book titled "The Tale of a Common Turtle Cultivating Immortality," which might just become a bestseller.

Then it could earn a fortune in royalties, marry a beautiful turtle from Yuanshui Heavenly Lake, and have a bunch of excellent-blooded little turtles, sending them to the Clan School for formal education, truly embarking on the "pinnacle of turtle life."

With this thought, the Yuan Shui Old Turtle was filled with motivation, swimming even more vigorously.

"Yiya yiya yo!"

On its back, Wang Zongteng dangled his vines and leaves, protesting loudly.

Recently, Wang Zongteng felt incredibly unlucky. He seemed to grasp everything he learned, but every exam ended in a complete mess.

It was like learning about a leaf, but the mid-term exam was about a tree, and the final exam was about a forest!

How could anyone handle that?

If Wang Bao Cai and Wang Bao Fu were in the same boat, it would be fine; they could all do nothing together. But they always had a way to muddle through, and their grades were always "pretty good."

"Don't worry, Ancestor Zongteng." Wang Fugui comforted him, "Just hang in there a bit longer and get used to the teaching rhythm. Huari, help Ancestor Zongteng with his studies when you have time."

"Me? Help him with his studies?" Princess Huari, holding the little green dragon, pointed at her nose, her eyes wide open, "Me, can I do it?"

"Being a teacher can effectively enhance your own strength and sense of responsibility." Wang Fugui patted Huari on the shoulder.

This girl, Huari, was actually very intelligent and learned quickly; she just didn't like studying. Having her teach Ancestor Zongteng would give her a reason to study well.

As they chatted, the Yuan Shui Old Turtle had already brought them back to the main residence.

Wang Fugui, as usual, took out some high-grade spiritual meat to feed the old turtle, thanking Grandpa Turtle.

As soon as they landed, a fat tiger with wings and a big belly came over happily, circling around them.

This fat tiger was Huahua, the little tiger Wang Lici had brought back from the back mountain.

Over the years, Huahua, who was once only the size of a cat, had grown into a large tiger with shoulders almost as high as a person, and a pair of distinctive golden wings had sprouted on its back.

If not for these wings, just looking at Huahua's round, silly appearance, most people in the Wang's Clan would forget that Huahua's species was the "Golden-winged Sun-swallowing Tiger," and its combat power was quite formidable.

"Huahua, we don't have time to play with you today." Wang Fugui comforted the fat tiger, "Just now, Forty-seventh Uncle sent a message asking me to hurry to the research lab."

"Awuu awuu~" Huahua's tiger face was full of disappointment.

Playing with the clan's children was its mission.

"Huahua must be very lonely." Princess Huari tiptoed to rub its drooping head, "When I grow up, I'll help you find a wife."

"Awuu awuu~" Huahua roared happily.

The little princess was always the best to it, the most caring. Finding a wife... wait, this sounded familiar.

Miss Lici had said it... Miss Yingxuan had said it... Young Master Anye... Alright, it remembered, many young masters and misses had said it.

Year after year, generation after generation, it had heard similar words countless times, but even now, as a sixth-rank Golden-winged Sun-swallowing Tiger, when would it finally get a wife?

Forget it, forget it~ Better not to think about it. The young masters and misses must be thinking of a way for it. Especially Miss Lici, who was its major creditor, surely wouldn't forget it.

"Awuu awuu (I'll take you to the research institute)~~"

Huahua crouched down, lying in front of them, signaling them to get on.

Since reaching the fifth rank, wings had gradually grown on its back, granting it the ability to fly.

Now at the sixth rank, its body was even larger, and its wings were more massive, naturally enhancing its flying ability. Even with all its fat, carrying a few kids was still a breeze.

After all, the combined weight of these kids didn't even come close to its own.

The young masters and misses quickly climbed onto Huahua's back.

Once they were all seated, Huahua straightened up, running with tiger-like strides.

"Roar~"

With a loud tiger roar, the plump Huahua flapped its wings vigorously, soaring into the sky with a speed that belied its bulky appearance, heading straight for the clouds.

Before long, it had flown the group of kids to the research institute.

Led by Fugui, the kids climbed down from the tiger's back, entering the research institute with a sense of awe.

It was said that only the most outstanding graduates of the advanced Clan School were qualified to enter the research institute.

For those like them, who were considered underachievers even in the introductory class, this place was undoubtedly the legendary kingdom of high-IQ geniuses.

Especially Wang Zongteng, who was filled with boundless admiration.

Teacher Xiong had once praised Wang Bao Fu, saying that after graduating from the advanced Clan School, he might have the opportunity to further his studies in the research institute.

The people here must be very smart, quick with exams, and able to understand each other without speaking. The people here must be harmonious and perfect.

With these beautiful expectations, the kids curiously and solemnly observed everything in the research institute.

The place did not disappoint them.

The adults coming and going in the research institute all wore uniform white research coats, and they would even come over to greet them, looking both cultured and polite. When they chatted with each other, they would casually use a string of academic terms, clearly very knowledgeable.

Suddenly.

"Bang!"

A loud sound of someone slamming a table echoed.

The kids jumped in surprise, seeing a research room door inexplicably open, and a fierce argument erupted from inside.

"What kind of attitude is that? Let's talk about the issue; your design is garbage!"

"Are you trying to start a fight?!"

"Bring it on!"

The sound of fighting and objects falling to the ground followed from the research room. Clearly, two researchers had started fighting over a disagreement.

The kids stared wide-eyed, dumbfounded.

Is this how it is? Isn't the Wang's Research Institute supposed to be the foundation of the Wang's Clan's strength?

"Stay calm, stay calm." Wang Fugui coughed awkwardly, "This isn't the usual scene..."

However, before he could finish, another research room door opened, and a researcher with a dusty face emerged.

Inside the research room, a team of researchers studying higher-grade spiritual coffee were fiercely arguing, and soon started a brawl. However, their combat skills were rather poor; despite their Celestial Realm cultivation, they fought like rookies pecking at each other.

The kids all turned to look at Wang Fugui.

"Cough cough~~"

Wang Fugui looked helpless: "Alright, I admit, the deeper the academic research, the more likely disagreements arise. When no one can convince the other, tempers flare, and fights are inevitable. Let's go, I'll take you to see the battle armor research room. That project is led by Forty-seventh Uncle, and it's relatively more peaceful."

To prevent the kids' worldview from collapsing, Wang Fugui hurriedly led them straight to the battle armor research room.

However, this time, as soon as they peeked into the research room, the booming voice of the Hundred Refinements True Monarch erupted.

"Wang Shouzhe! This True Monarch respects you as a wealthy man, which is why I've tolerated you repeatedly. But my patience with you has reached its limit!"

The kids stood with their mouths agape, then all turned to look at Wang Fugui.

Even the Clan Leader Grandpa was being scolded; this was supposed to be relatively peaceful?

Wang Fugui was extremely embarrassed, unsure how to explain. Fortunately, at that moment, Pei Xin'an and other disciples of the Hundred Refinements True Monarch began to mediate: "Master, please calm down. Although Master Shouzhe doesn't understand a thing, we still need to endure and tolerate him."

"True Monarch, my Ancestor Grandfather may not be very skilled in technology," Wang Ningxi interjected in defense, "but many of his 'lightbulb' ideas are worth considering."

"Consider my foot! They're all wild and unrealistic ideas," the Hundred Refinements True Monarch fumed, "What do you mean by creating an array to transmit pure energy fluctuations and using refining techniques to convert sound and energy fluctuations for communication purposes? And setting up more arrays for relaying... I've never heard of anything so outrageous in my life..."

"True Monarch, I don't find it outrageous," the research institute's director, Wang Liyue, defended her father, "Many of my father's ideas sound far-fetched, but in fact, most have proven feasible. Our research institute has already realized many of his ideas."

"Suppose we design a large array that generates energy fluctuations at different frequencies. Because of its single function, we can make it detectable from a thousand miles away," Wang Liyue explained, "We just need to design a refining device similar to the Heavenly Recording Disk to receive and translate these fixed-frequency energy fluctuations, enabling real-time message transmission."

"Exactly, we can also mass-produce 'Energy Fluctuation Relay Arrays'... let's call them 'Communication Arrays' from now on, to relay fluctuations and encompass the entire Longzuo Commandery, or even the entire Great Qian. This way, we can achieve real-time message transmission regardless of location," Wang Ningxi added excitedly, "If we extend this further, we can establish 'Communication Arrays' on the outer region battlefield, enabling real-time unified command and significantly enhancing the army's flexibility."

"This..." The Hundred Refinements True Monarch, listening intently, seemed convinced, feeling a sense of enlightenment, and with a hint of embarrassment, said, "I admit, this idea is valuable. Master Shouzhe, I apologize to you."

Despite his fiery temper, the Hundred Refinements True Monarch was ultimately reasonable.

"No problem, no problem," Wang Shouzhe replied politely, "I was just thinking out loud. As a grandmaster in refining, True Monarch's considerations are naturally more thorough than mine."

"Alright, let's move on from this. You can leave now; we need to discuss the structure of the energy fluctuation communication array and, most importantly, the third version of the Celestial Realm battle armor improvements," the Hundred Refinements True Monarch waved impatiently, then eagerly resumed discussions with Wang Ningxi, Wang Liyue, and others.

"..." Wang Shouzhe was speechless.

"Fugui, you're here too?" At this moment, Wang Ningxi noticed Wang Fugui standing at the door and happily called out, "Come, help us evaluate the pros and cons of these two battle armor improvement plans. Earlier, we were arguing so much it gave us headaches, and then Ancestor Grandfather came to distract us."

"..." Wang Shouzhe.

"Ancestor Grandfather."

Wang Fugui and Wang Shouzhe greeted each other, then joined the discussion.

Wang Shouzhe, with the group of kids, stood at the door, listening to their rapid debate as if it were a heavenly book.

The people inside were technical experts, leaders in their respective fields, with knowledge depth and breadth far exceeding the norm, and their thought processes were incredibly fast. Often, one person would start a topic, and the others would instantly grasp the idea and continue along that line, even filling in gaps.

Not to mention the completely clueless kids, even Wang Shouzhe, who knew some theory and could understand some technical terms, couldn't keep up with the pace.

"Ancestor Grandfather," Wang Jidie, feeling more and more confused, finally wore a small, dejected face, "We're all your children, so why is there such a big gap?"

"Uh... Huari, let's not be discouraged; everyone's talents develop in different directions," Wang Shouzhe said helplessly, "Just like your Ancestor Grandfather, I'm not very skilled in technology, but I'm a rare strategic talent."

"Then I'm a combat talent," Huari's eyes lit up, suddenly excited, "I feel full of desire and strength for battle. Ancestor Grandfather, does this mean I don't have to attend Clan School?"

At these words, Wang Zongteng and the other kids all looked at Wang Shouzhe with hopeful eyes.

They were also special talents and didn't want to go to school.

"That's not possible," Wang Shouzhe said sternly, "Regardless of the type of talent, you still need a foundation of knowledge. Does combat not require planning and strategy? Attending Clan School is not just about accumulating knowledge; it's also about developing and training your critical thinking skills. You must at least graduate from the advanced Clan School."

Graduate from the advanced Clan School?

The kids felt a strong urge to cry, and even the little green dragon in Huari's arms looked tearful.

The last time they went to the Celestial Dynasty, it had wanted to visit the Green Dragon Sanctuary, but it ended up being brought back to study instead.

As they spoke, the debate inside the room over two design plans for a key structure in the "New Celestial Realm Battle Armor" third version continued unabated.

Both plans had their advantages, but they were difficult to combine.

"Why not just mass-produce both, and decide based on battlefield feedback which one to choose?" Wang Shouzhe suggested again.

"Wang Shouzhe, human patience has limits," the Hundred Refinements True Monarch's temper flared again, angrily shouting, "We don't have enough time now; we can only build one production line, and each plan represents a different direction, requiring significant manpower and resources to tackle subsequent issues."

Wang Shouzhe was left speechless, unable to refute, and could only remain silent.

At that moment, Wang Fugui suddenly brightened: "I have an idea."

He labeled the two plans as "Plan A" and "Plan B," then quickly made a lottery box, calling Wang Bao Fu over: "Bao Fu, come draw a prize."

"Yiya yiya~"

Wang Bao Fu shuffled over, extending a slender branch into the box and randomly drawing out "Plan A."

All the research experts immediately made a decision, reaching an unprecedented consensus: "Alright, let's go with 'Plan A.'"

Is this even possible?

Wang Shouzhe was stunned by their decision.

What happened to the technical approach? What happened to the sanctity of academia? How did it turn into mysticism?

However, even Wang Shouzhe had to admit that this method was indeed the most suitable at the moment.

Wang Bao Fu, the Tree of Fortune, was not just for show. As a semi-celestial plant, he was, in a sense, already a preliminary "causal organism."

……