Protect Our Chief-Chapter 526 - 27: Great Harvest and Excellent Young Clan Members_4

"Judging from the time," Wang Shouming said, "Fourth Brother sent Liyao to the academy, he should be coming back soon. Let’s put in more effort, maybe this time we can explore a Fire Spiritual Vein and make Fourth Brother happy."

Mentioning Wang Shouzhe sparked expressions of admiration and excitement among the young ones. Fourth Brother/Uncle is a legendary figure in the Wang Family. It was he who led the declining family, step by step, to its current standing.

Though the family currently has only one Celestial Human, Ancestor Longyan, in the Celestial Human Realm, no Seventh-Grade family among the Six Southern Guards of Longzuo County dares to underestimate the newly promoted Changning Wang Family.

Wang Family’s young members, slightly exhilarated, continued to engage in the arduous and monotonous process of exploration. The mountain paths, untraveled for countless years, were rugged and perilous, often with overlapping ridges or being cut off by ancient forests. Even those with decent cultivation had to be extra cautious.

Several days later.

This mountainous area was particularly desolate and frightening; they had lost three Panjiao Tuo Sheep in succession, along with some supplies. Had they not rented a Storage Ring before setting out, they might have faced a shortage of provisions, necessitating a retreat while accepting the losses.

Suddenly!

Wang Shouming, who cultivated the "Red Dragon True Technique" of the Fire Element, showed a slight smile and said, "I smell a hint of fiery aura. The temperature in that direction is rising."

When the temperature changes regionally, there are only a few possibilities. It’s either a place where Earth Fire leaks, a Fire Spiritual Vein, or, in extreme cases, some Fire Element Heavenly and Earthly Treasures might have fallen here. Of course, in the worst case, a High-Tier Ferocious Beast might be around. However, as this area is near human settlements, normally Tier Five Ferocious Beasts have a decent level of intelligence and will stay as far away from human settlements as possible unless something special happens.

"Sister," Wang Shouming said to Wang Luoqing, "it’s up to you now."

"Okay!" Wang Luoqing took out a bead emitting an earth-colored glow. Employing the "Earth Profound Technique," the earth-colored bead shone brightly upon touching the ground, as if soil and rocks flowed towards it like water.

Wang Luoqing continuously injected Earth Element Profound Qi, and soon, she was perspiring, and once she finished, the soil and rocks coalesced around the earth-colored bead to form a small three-foot-tall Earth Puppet. It appeared somewhat clumsy and not very intelligent.

Even this small Earth Puppet stirred up envy among Wang Shouming, Wang Zongyao, and Wang Lili. Luoqing’s Little Spirit Treasure was called the "Earth Spirit Pearl."

This wasn’t something she acquired through her own earned Contribution Points; rather, it was gifted by her blood brother Wang Shouye. Wang Shouye, who focused on alchemy, accumulated quite a few Clan Contribution Points every year.

Seeing such a good Earth Element Little Spirit Treasure in the family’s treasure vault, he exchanged it to give his sister, Wang Luoqing. Don’t underestimate this "Earth Spirit Pearl," as even though it can only ultimately summon an Earth Puppet equivalent to the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, it still costs over fifty thousand Merit Points.

Apart from elders, only someone like Wang Shouye, a "wealthy" person, could afford to exchange for it.

It is said that this "Earth Spirit Pearl" was sent by Wang Lici, who hadn’t returned home for a long time, to the academy, from where Wang Zongsheng sent it back. Who knows where Wang Lici acquired this item?

This Little Spirit Treasure is quite useful; those who cultivate Earth Element Profound Skills can use it to transform into Earth Puppets. Although their combat power and intelligence are concerning, they’re excellent for doing hard labor or probing dangerous areas.

Of course, Wang Luoqing’s cultivation is still very low, so the Earth Puppet she catalyzes is very weak and can only be used for exploration.

Wang Luoqing rested for a while and began directing the small Earth Puppet forward. Although the Earth Puppet was not tall, it made quite a commotion, clanking loudly as it walked.

Once it traveled about a hundred feet, she could hardly sense the Earth Spirit Pearl, so she had it stop.

Leaving two Household Generals to guard the Panjiao Tuo Sheep and luggage, everyone cautiously followed the direction of the Earth Puppet. However, after being more than ten feet away from the Earth Puppet, they stopped again, waiting for it to continue exploring.

Again and again, they repeated this process, and half a day passed.

They had entered a scorching hot area, where many ordinary plants had vanished, leaving only some highly heat-resistant weeds struggling to survive.

"This..." Wang Shouming examined the topography, noting some congealed lava rocks, and said with slight disappointment, "It doesn’t seem to be a Fire Spiritual Vein, but an Earth Fire leakage area. Hopefully, we can find some valuable Heavenly and Earthly Treasures."

"Watch out! The Earth Puppet was shattered."

Wang Luoqing’s beautiful face changed subtly: "Its movements are so fast, it doesn’t feel like a Tier Two..."

Not like Tier Two? Could it be Tier Three?

The young members of the Wang Family immediately put on serious expressions and readied themselves for battle. Although Wang Shouming wasn’t the oldest, he had the seniority and instructed, "Brother Hu, form the formation with the Household Generals first."

The Household General called Brother Hu was Wang Hu, the son of Wang Zhong, a Household Generals handed down through Wang generations and one of the key-trained Household Generals. At thirty, he was already at the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining Realm. Drawing his saber and shield with a calm and steady gaze, he commanded, "Form the formation!"

A group of young and vibrant Household Generals formed a battle formation centered around Wang Hu, the front row with shields and the back row with strong bows.

Meanwhile, the Wang Family members also took out their strong bows, each holding their breath and forming incantations in preparation for the anticipated fierce battle.

Just as they prepared themselves, suddenly, a red "flame," incredibly agile, darted towards them with an accompanying foul, fishy wind.

"It’s a Tier Three Red-scaled Horned Python!"

"Everyone, be careful."

...