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...

"Uh..."

Listening to Spirit Artifact Ai Pan's enthusiastic promotion, Wang Shouye was at a loss for words.

Boots are quite personal items, and no matter how impressive Panpan's Traveling Boots are, he couldn't bring himself to wear women's boots.

Besides, they had already been worn.

Fortunately, he had already finished his task, so even if someone had to wear them, it wouldn't be him.

"Hand all the rewards to Wang Ningxi for centralized processing," Wang Shouye instructed Spirit Artifact Ai Pan, then awkwardly stepped down from the assessment platform.

Although he had successfully completed the family task, his mood was still not very high. After all, being ranked at the bottom in terms of command and combat ability in the family's second sequence would dampen anyone's spirits.

"Shouye, well done," Wang Shouzhe praised him.

"Fourth Brother, am I really that weak in combat and command? I'm a man with a unique fire," Wang Shouye said, somewhat dejected.

He had sensed it too; completing some tasks in hero mode was quite challenging. Without the help of the Immortal Sword Niyue, he might have struggled to break the record.

Using an Immortal Sword in the Purple Mansion Realm certainly couldn't unleash its full power, but fortunately, the sword itself was powerful enough to handle things automatically.

This situation was somewhat similar to Lingtai Realm cultivators using Divine Spirit Artifacts, relying entirely on the artifact's own abilities to defeat an ordinary Celestial Realm cultivator.

Similarly, a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator using an Immortal Sword could easily deal with a lord-level demon race just by letting the sword operate automatically.

"Shouye, don't overthink it," Wang Shouzhe patted his shoulder, comforting him. "You're the best alchemist in the family. Leave the fighting and commanding to other clan members."

"..." Wang Shouye sighed deeply, finally accepting reality.

Having stayed in Northern Zhou for a while, surrounded by endless praise and admiration, he almost developed the illusion that he was both a great alchemist and a formidable fighter.

Returning to the Wang's Clan, he was reminded of reality.

"Ahem~ Next up is Elder Wang Mei," Wang Ningxi announced, reading the name of the next trial participant.

Wang Mei was a legendary family guard, and many children grew up hearing her name.

Though she was a family guard, her ancestors had been born and raised in the Wang's Clan for generations, dedicating their lives to the clan. Her status was very high, and the younger generation held her in great respect.

However, despite the respect, no one had ever seen what Wang Mei looked like.

"Huh? Elder Wang Mei is here too?"

Upon hearing Wang Ningxi's words, the clan members began to murmur, looking around for her.

They had been at the training academy for quite some time, yet most hadn't realized Wang Mei was there.

This showed just how low Wang Mei's presence was.

"Elder Wang Mei?"

Seeing that no one came forward, Wang Ningxi called out again, scanning the crowd to find her.

After several attempts, a figure finally drifted out from the crowd, speaking softly, "Young Master Ningxi, I'm here."

As she spoke, her figure seemed to float to the center like a ghost.

She was a girl with exquisite features, her ice-blue hair tied into two long pigtails reaching her hips, her slender legs clad in stockings—one black, one white—a daring combination rarely attempted.

"Spirit Artifact Xiaoxue?"

As soon as this appearance was made, all the clan members instantly recognized her.

After all, she was the family's Spirit Artifact Xiaoxue. As the guardian of the task hall and the clan's treasury, she had accompanied generations of children in the family, and her image was deeply ingrained in their hearts. Every clan member was familiar with her.

However, no one dared to have improper thoughts about Xiaoxue, as she was tied to an important secret past of the Wang's Clan. Though no one knew the details, everyone understood that Xiaoxue had intricate ties with the Clan Leader.

But no one expected that the family guard Wang Mei would appear in such a form...

"This..."

Wang Shouzhe was also secretly surprised.

Wang Mei's makeup skills seemed to have reached an extraordinary level.

It's known that Xiaoxue's two-dimensional appearance is the hardest to imitate; forcing a cosplay would only look awkward. Wang Mei had imitated Xiaoxue before, but while the appearance was similar, the inner temperament was vastly different.

But now, she seemed as if Xiaoxue had truly come to life.

Even Wang Shouzhe was stunned, let alone the other clan members.

The men present were somewhat reserved and timid, but the girls had no such reservations. They excitedly gathered around, asking Wang Ningxi to use the Heavenly Recording Disk to take pictures with Xiaoxue.

"Ahem!" Wang Ningxi, equally shocked, approached, "Elder Wang Mei, you are in quite the mood~~ Here are the resources allocated to you: a mid-grade manual inheritance, an extreme improvement essence version, and an immortal improvement. I've checked your family contribution points, and they are impressive, but not quite enough. Your contribution points will be negative for a while, so please don't mind."

Not only Wang Mei, but almost everyone owed the family a significant amount of contribution points after this round.

In the entire family, only Wang Shouzhe and his wife, along with Ancestor Long Yan, could use any resources without needing contribution points. The reason was simple: Ancestor Long Yan and the Clan Leader couple had contributed far more to the family than the family had helped them, making it impossible to measure with contribution points.

However, Wang Mei's contribution points were indeed shockingly high.

Over the years, she had relied on her massive family contribution points to continuously exchange for items that improved her bloodline aptitude, allowing her bloodline to constantly improve.

To keep up with the main force, she even found ways to acquire resources from various channels.

As a result, Wang Mei's strength had become unfathomable.

"Young Master Ningxi, I understand. You can deduct the contribution points as you please," Wang Mei's voice was light and charming, her big eyes blinking like a character from a two-dimensional world. "I just have one question: do I get to spend time alone with Master Wang Shouzhe now?"

"Well..." Wang Ningxi quickly shook his head, "This time, I plan to study with Ancestor Grandfather."

In his heart, he was determined not to let Elder Wang Mei be alone with Ancestor Grandfather. If something major happened, the family would be thrown into chaos.

"Young Master Ningxi, you know I'm someone with a strong sense of revenge," Wang Mei's voice remained light and charming, but her tone suddenly turned dangerous. "I often appear when you least expect it."

Wang Ningxi felt a chill in his heart, a bead of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

As a direct descendant of the Wang's Clan, he knew well the prowess of family guard Wang Mei. For this family guard, who could be his great-grandmother in terms of age, he was genuinely reluctant to provoke her.

Immediately, he changed his mind: "Elder Wang Mei, I suddenly remembered I have important matters to attend to. Learning from Ancestor Grandfather can wait for another time."

"There are also the Immortal Sword Niyue, the Half-Immortal Shield Mountain, Panpan's Traveling Boots, the Holy Emperor's Protection, and the Holy Emperor's Wrath—these treasures will be temporarily lent to you. I'll disinfect the traveling boots first... Rest assured, enjoy."

Then, Wang Ningxi indeed went off to attend to his tasks, while Elder Wang Mei went to "report work" to Wang Shouzhe alone.

To avoid suspicion, Wang Shouzhe specifically invited Liu Ruolan to join them.

But Liu Ruolan merely glanced at him, softly saying, "Husband, discussing work with a subordinate, how can I, a woman, interfere? Besides, as the head of the family, it's not a big deal if you want to take a family guard as a concubine."

After saying this, she decisively left, gathering people for a card game.

Wang Shouzhe rolled his eyes inwardly.

Do you really think I'm foolish? If I dared to have even the slightest improper thought, Liu Ruolan, you'd be the first to rush in with a knife.

So, he had no choice but to find a room alone with family guard Wang Mei to assist her in absorbing the improvement liquid's medicinal power.

Three days and nights later.

Wang Shouzhe and Wang Mei reappeared.

Unlike Wang Mei, who was radiant and energetic, Wang Shouzhe seemed somewhat fatigued.

Repeatedly acting as a guardian for family guards, with such high frequency, even his abundant life source profound energy couldn't withstand the consumption.

Not to mention, the Immortal Improvement's effects were extremely potent, typically used by peerless prodigies in the Divine Realm. Now, with Purple Mansion Realm cultivators using it, Wang Shouzhe needed to use a large amount of life source profound energy to constantly reshape their collapsing bodies, which was a significant drain.

After several rounds, not only was his profound energy depleted, but he was also mentally exhausted.

"Ancestor Grandfather, I'm worried your body won't hold up if this continues," Wang Ningxi approached with concern. "Most of the immediate-use items from the super prize pool have been taken. Let's give Elder Wang Mei the only Immortal Improvement Essence Version from the super prize pool, and you should use it to boost your bloodline."

"No," Wang Shouzhe shook his head firmly. "I've decided to let Ancestor Long Yan use the Immortal Improvement Essence Version. With her bloodline further enhanced, she'll be safer over there."

"Shouzhe, I know your filial piety, and I know you care for me," Ancestor Long Yan had overheard his words and gracefully appeared. "However, my bloodline is already sufficient. It's you whose bloodline improvement would benefit the family far more than mine."

As the important pillar of the Wang's Clan, Wang Shouzhe was crucial to the family.

If Wang Shouzhe used the Immortal Improvement Essence Version, not to mention the increase in combat power, his bloodline talent alone would be of great utility to the family.

Since enhancing his bloodline through the Marrying Blood Gu, Wang Shouzhe's divine power had significantly increased. Together with Wang Lixian, they had improved the efficiency of developing spirit rice varieties and various spirit plants, with remarkable results over the years.

Even now, the sale of rice seeds, wheat seeds, and various spirit seeds remained a crucial part of the Wang's Clan's industry.

Moreover, the various strange and wonderful combat spirit plants developed by Wang Shouzhe and Wang Lixian were always popular in the family's exchange list. Especially for the younger generation, who didn't exchange for a few combat spirit plants as trump cards when their strength was lacking?

If Wang Shouzhe's bloodline could be elevated to the Heavenly Son level, perhaps even the spiritual medicine varieties on Xuandan Island could be improved.

"Ancestor..."

Wang Shouzhe was about to argue but was stopped by Ancestor Long Yan's gesture.

"Enough, Shouzhe, remember that you are the core soul of the family. The stronger you are, the stronger the family's cohesion, and the stronger the family becomes."

With that, she turned to Wang Ningxi, her tone firm and resolute: "Ningxi, it's decided."

"Yes, Ancestor."

Wang Ningxi complied respectfully, going along with the decision.

In fact, he also leaned towards letting Ancestor Grandfather use the only Immortal Improvement Essence Version.

At the level of a peerless prodigy, items that could enhance bloodline aptitude were increasingly rare, and each one was a priceless treasure. Who knew if they could find another Immortal Improvement Essence Version after leaving the military officer training academy?

And the improvement of Ancestor Grandfather's bloodline aptitude and cultivation was crucial to the family, so the higher, the better.

"Young Master Ningxi, please arrange for my assessment as soon as possible," Wang Mei's eyes sparkled, as if she had made a decision.

"Elder Wang Mei, this way, please."

Under Wang Ningxi's arrangement, Wang Mei soon began the next round of hero leaderboard challenges.

Everyone initially thought that Wang Shouzhe's move was to elevate Wang Mei and set an example for the family guards. Normally, with Wang Mei's level, even with the help of the Immortal Sword and other items, she would barely break into the top ranks.

But unexpectedly.

Wang Mei showcased a different kind of brilliance during the assessment.

Her strength didn't lie in command but in intelligence analysis. With her keen insight honed over the years, any intelligence that passed through her hands couldn't escape her notice.

On the battlefield, the importance of intelligence is undeniable.

As for troop deployment... For someone who had independently managed the Palace of Immortals for years without a hitch, this was naturally not a problem. Boosting morale, winning hearts, utilizing talents... these were routine operations for her.

She completed her combat tasks with great efficiency, and her scores were naturally high, climbing the leaderboard rapidly.

In the final tasks of hero mode, if she hadn't intentionally controlled her score, she might have achieved a terrifying score.

Of course, her final score settled at 90.75, with precise control.

Spirit Artifact Ai Pan was already numb.

This batch of students had too many anomalies, and after a series of intense stimuli, her threshold had rapidly increased. She felt that nothing could shock her anymore.

She introduced the rewards almost mechanically.

Needless to say, when Wang Mei chose the unique super prize, she directly selected the Immortal Grade Bloodline Improvement Liquid Essence Version.

Hearing her choice, Spirit Artifact Ai Pan was instantly excited: "Student Wang Mei, you must use this with caution. This treasure is an experimental improvement liquid personally refined by His Majesty the Holy Emperor. He didn't make many bottles in his lifetime, and each one is priceless. Most importantly, it's extremely dangerous, and even with the Holy Emperor's protection, it's not absolutely safe."

"I strongly recommend notifying His Majesty the Holy Emperor to personally gather top figures to guard it."

Notify the Holy Emperor? The Holy Emperor perished ten thousand years ago in the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss alongside the Great Demon Lord, with many True Immortals and True Demons accompanying them.

Everyone present was speechless.

However, they also gained some understanding of the dangers of using the Immortal Grade Bloodline Improvement Liquid Essence Version, casting worried glances at Wang Shouzhe.

"Clan Leader, I'll accompany you in using this Immortal Improvement Essence Version," Wang Mei was instantly spirited, her eyes on Wang Shouzhe filled with fervor.

"Well..." Wang Shouzhe coughed, declining her offer, "Rest assured, with Ruolan by my side, I'll be fine."

"I can join too," Wang Mei persisted.

"..." Wang Shouzhe.

Under Wang Mei's wistful gaze, Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan returned to their temporary residence, entering the unfolded portable cave mansion to begin this bloodline transformation journey.

Wang Shouzhe's bloodline aptitude had already reached the mid-stage of Peerless B-level.

At this level, even with Lixian as his natal spirit tree, his bloodline awakening speed had become extremely slow.

Without the "Shenwu Legacy," he wouldn't even be able to enter the Heavenly Son category, let alone reach Peerless A-level.

"Husband, Wang Mei has waited for you for so many years, have you really not considered it?" Before starting, Liu Ruolan glanced at him, her expression teasing.

"My dear wife," Wang Shouzhe held Liu Ruolan's hand, speaking tenderly, "Marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life. I have no other desires, only to grow old with you and spend this life together."

"Husband, your sweet words are lovely, but they've been the same for years without any change," Liu Ruolan was also moved, "Husband, marrying you is the happiest thing in my life."

"My dear wife, you are my treasure."

"Husband, you are my treasure."

"Ahem, ahem!"

Wang Lixian stood nearby, her delicate, jade-like face full of maturity, coughing repeatedly: "Father, Mother, your old-fashioned sweet talk is making me nauseous. Let's focus on evolving the bloodline; I still want to play with Huari."

"Also, I have some popular booklets here: 'Forty-Seven Styles of Love,' 'Three Hundred Love Quotes,' 'My Wife Loves Me'..." Wang Lixian started promoting her little booklets.

It was clear she was quite disdainful of her parents' level of sweet talk.

Naturally, Wang Lixian soon found herself on the receiving end of a combined parental beating.

"At such a young age, you should be studying, not reading toxic books."

"Wang Lixian, are you planning to start dating?"

"What your mother and I have isn't dating; we're husband and wife, inseparable parts of each other."

Since attending the advanced clan school, Wang Lixian hadn't been beaten like this in a long time, and she cried pitifully.

After disciplining Wang Lixian, the couple felt much more relaxed and began their sweet journey of bloodline advancement.

"Husband, take this Immortal Grade Bloodline Improvement Liquid to soothe your throat. If it tastes bitter, you can have some spirit fruit wine."

"My dear wife, you're so considerate."

With the Immortal Improvement down his throat, Wang Shouzhe felt a fiery sensation spreading throughout his body, quickly permeating every part, and his bloodline began to boil.

Clearly, the Immortal Improvement was taking effect.

Having consumed many bloodline improvement liquids before, Wang Shouzhe was familiar with the sensation and quickly settled down to gradually absorb the medicinal power.

After a long while, the intense bloodline transformation process finally concluded.

Wang Shouzhe felt his body becoming more agile, his senses sharper, and the life source power in his bloodline more abundant.

Closing his eyes, he felt as if he could easily grasp the laws and changes of the Heavenly Dao.

Opening his eyes, the world appeared more vibrant and colorful.

Space, once elusive and intangible, was now something he could faintly perceive—the gaps, folds, even slight distortions of space.

Great Saint Body!

Eighth-level bloodline!

Moreover, he had awakened his bloodline to the eighth level while still in the Purple Mansion Realm. Such bloodline aptitude was truly a favorite of the Heavenly Dao.

For this reason, cultivators with such bloodline aptitude were honored as Heavenly Sons or Heavenly Daughters.

"Congratulations, husband, on becoming a Heavenly Son," Liu Ruolan said with a smile. "In the future, with an Immortal Scripture, even the mid-stage of True Immortal is within reach."

"Just barely entering the Heavenly Son category, nothing to be proud of," Wang Shouzhe was satisfied with the changes in his bloodline, feeling a surge of excitement.

Each bloodline level is divided into four stages: D, C, B, and A, with increasing difficulty in advancement. Thus, even though Wang Shouzhe's Immortal Grade Bloodline Improvement Liquid pushed him from mid-stage Peerless B to Heavenly Son D, he was far from reaching Heavenly Son C.

In fact, he had just crossed the threshold into Heavenly Son D, with a long way to go to reach C.

"Husband, while you're at it, take this unique Immortal Improvement Essence Version," Liu Ruolan lovingly offered the treasure, feeding it to Wang Shouzhe.

With the Immortal Improvement Essence Version down, Wang Shouzhe's body felt as if it were on fire.

Even with his bloodline awakened to the eighth level and his body strengthened by a round of bloodline baptism, he couldn't withstand it.

His face flushed red, his body feeling as if it might explode, he urgently called out, "Xian'er, help."

"Yes, Father."

Wang Lixian didn't dare to be careless, enveloping Wang Shouzhe in a large amount of life immortal energy.

Wang Shouzhe himself entered a state of self-healing, his life source profound energy continuously circulating within.

The violent power surged through his bloodline, causing his body to repeatedly collapse and heal under the influence of life source profound energy and life immortal energy, growing stronger each time.

Unbeknownst to him, Wang Shouzhe's bloodline power began to grow at a frenzied pace.

Seeing this, Liu Ruolan's expression was solemn, ready to assist Wang Shouzhe at any moment.

Fortunately, Wang Shouzhe's life source power was profound, and with the assistance of the already ninth-level Wang Lixian, he gradually endured the bloodline's frenzied transformation.

After a long, long time.

He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the increasingly powerful life source power within and the unstoppable primordial force about to erupt, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

Wang Shouzhe even felt as if any casual movement could destroy the heavens and the earth.

Of course, this was merely an illusion caused by the rapid increase in strength, requiring time to settle.

"Husband, how does your bloodline feel after the advancement?" Liu Ruolan asked curiously.

"It feels like I'm at the mid-stage of Heavenly Son B," Wang Shouzhe assessed himself carefully, "still a long way from A."

"Then you're just a bit behind that so-called Little Holy Emperor?" Liu Ruolan was slightly dissatisfied.

"Dear wife, don't forget, that Little Holy Emperor reached the Heavenly Son B close to A after inheriting a manual and using the Immortal Improvement Essence Version," Wang Shouzhe said confidently. "In the ultimate prize pool, there's a high-level manual waiting for me to inherit. After inheriting the manual and receiving the essence of heaven and earth, I won't necessarily be inferior to him."

"Husband, you still have an Extreme Improvement Essence Version unused. Although at this level, it's like a drop in the bucket, it might help you reach A," Liu Ruolan's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"I'll save the Extreme Improvement Essence for the children," Wang Shouzhe shook his head. "The difference between the peak of Heavenly Son B and A is significant, but practically, it doesn't matter much. Perhaps with Lixian's growth, I can break through to that level."

"Father, then you'll soon be on the same level as the Little Holy Emperor?" Wang Lixian was equally delighted. "If the Holy Emperor were alive, you could compete for the Little Holy Emperor's position. When Father becomes the Holy Emperor, I'll be the Holy Emperor's daughter."

"Huh? Xian'er, why are you still here?" Liu Ruolan glared at her.

"I just helped Father break through his bloodline," Wang Lixian said innocently.

"Go play with Huari; your father and I have things to discuss."

"No worries, I see you're both happy, I can share in the joy..."

"..."

A stick of incense later, Wang Lixian left the portable cave mansion tearfully and limping.

Before leaving, she vaguely heard her mother say, "Husband, now it's just the two of us. I want to taste the 'Little Holy Emperor.'"

"Dear wife, isn't this inappropriate? I just advanced... can you wait a bit?"

"Wang Shouzhe, are you hesitating because of Wang Mei..."

"Dear wife, don't misunderstand, I'll prove my innocence right away."

"..."

Listening to these faint conversations, Wang Lixian's delicate face was filled with worry.

What to do, Mother wants to eat Father~ If Mother really eats Father, what then?

No, no!

She needed to find her siblings to come up with a plan to prevent this tragedy.

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