But when he saw the visitors, he couldn't help but be taken aback.

Because the people coming were...

Wang Dazhu and Chen Qingling!

Since the last time Li An escaped from White Tiger City, it had been decades.

Wang Dazhu was about the same age as Li An, who was already one hundred and ninety-two; he, too, was over a hundred, but his cultivation was stuck at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, without progress.

He had the appearance of a wealthy man, dressed in luxurious brocade clothes, with a big belly, looking very prosperous, but there were some wrinkles on his face, and gray hair at his temples.

The simple youth who once entered the Profound Yang Sect with him for cultivation had now completely changed.

What surprised Li An was Chen Qingling; her cultivation progress was incredibly fast, reaching Late-Stage Foundation Establishment!

However, observing Wang Dazhu's situation slightly, he understood.

Wang Dazhu had become her furnace, his cultivation absorbed by Chen Qingling, leaving only a breath of Primordial Qi.

So, how could he not appear old, and how could he progress no further?

Instead, Chen Qingling was stunningly beautiful, exuding a sophisticated allure, and her every gesture was filled with mature charm, graceful and elegant. She dressed boldly, her low-cut gown revealing hints of her snow-white thighs.

"Who might you two be?"

Li An led the two into the living room, and after the servant served tea, Li An immediately asked.

"To report to Master Zuo, I am the patriarch of the Wang family in Heyang, Wang Daozhu. This is my wife, Chen Qingling. We have come after hearing that the Master possesses an inferior Primordial Spirit Pill, and we seek to purchase it..."

Wang Dazhu spoke.

Obviously, Wang Daozhu was the name he adopted later.

After all, to establish a Cultivation Clan, the name Wang Dazhu seemed inappropriate.

Li An smiled slightly, "Of course, but do you two have what I want in your hands?"

Wang Dazhu nodded, took out a box, and presented it to Li An, saying, "This is a Third Grade Artifact Refining material, Third Grade Cold Jade!"

Li An opened the box, and an immediate gust of cold air invaded, causing the living room's temperature to drop drastically. Though it was midsummer, it felt as cold as midwinter; snowflakes and ice crystals appeared directly in front of Li Xiaoyi, fluttering onto the table.

With just a glance, Li An closed the box.

Indeed, it was Third Grade Cold Jade!

"Not bad." He nodded, "But these days, I've come across several Third Grade Artifact Refining materials..."

Chen Qingling, however, smilingly said, "There are many people with Third Grade materials, but few in the entire Northern Border can refine Third Grade Magical Artifacts."

"Oh? What does Lady Wang mean?" Li An asked.

"My husband can refine this item into a Magical Artifact for Master Zuo!"

Chen Qingling was confident, "But, adding the cost of refining, what we are offering is somewhat excessive..."

Both sides were bargaining.

"Additionally, I can offer you five thousand Spirit Stones as the refining fee; you won't lose out," Li An calmly said.

The main issue was that finding a Rank Three Artifact Refiner was indeed troublesome.

There was one at White Tiger Mountain, but currently, Li An didn't want to deal with White Tiger Mountain and preferred to keep his distance.

He certainly couldn't go to Celestial Yang City; the Third Princess was eager for his appearance.

Li An recognized Wang Dazhu's refining skills.

Mainly due to some strange bloodline in Wang Dazhu's body, which seemed to significantly enhance his refining.

Furthermore, Chen Qingling was his flesh puppet, easy to control and most secure.

Chen Qingling also nodded, "Alright—it's a deal!"

"When can you refine it for me?" Li An inquired.

"Today is possible!" Wang Dazhu responded.

Li An nodded, "Good, then today it is."

He ordered a carriage, and immediately, the three departed for Heyang.

...

Heyang County, a significant town in the Northern Border, with many Foundation Establishment Cultivation Clans, situated at the intersection of Divine Sword Sect and Hundred Beasts Sect's influence.

In recent years, the Wang Clan of Heyang had been rising abruptly, founded by the Foundation Establishment cultivator Wang Daozhu, who also had countless concubines and sired dozens of sons, extending broadly.

Greatly so because of Wang Dazhu's remarkable Artifact Refining skills, even said to have received complete inheritance from the Profound Yang Sect's Artifact Refining Hall, leading the Heyang Wang Clan to also be known as the Artifact Refining Wang Clan, earning respect even from the Divine Sword Sect and Hundred Beasts Sect.

The Wang Clan flourished immensely, becoming the foremost family in Heyang, with many offspring apprenticed in the Divine Sword Sect, Hundred Beasts Sect, and others.

Even Li An couldn't help but nod; Chen Qingling was indeed capable.

Wang Dazhu did not possess such abilities!

It was mostly due to Chen Qingling.

As evening approached, the group arrived at the Wang residence.

Wang Dazhu arranged a family banquet to welcome Li An and cleanse him of the dust of travel. After all, he was the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, considered an honored guest by the Wang family.

At the banquet, Wang Dazhu, his wife, two favored sons, and two favored daughters were present, along with three Honored Guest Elders of the Wang family, toasting and exchanging pleasantries.

All three Honored Guest Elders were Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.

However, Li An keenly noticed that these three... were also Chen Qingling's furnaces.

He couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart; marrying Chen Qingling brought back a deity, draining him dry as a furnace, and everyone useful to Chen Qingling in this household was under her influence...

One has to wonder how Wang Dazhu endured it, could it be he was completely oblivious?

Each person has their fate; since Wang Dazhu chose Chen Qingling back then, he must bear all this.

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