Protect Our Clan Leader

The fifth-level Wild Marsh Fierce Crocodile was very rare, even in the vast expanses of the Great Wilderness Marsh, they were not commonly found. After one such fifth-level Beast was killed, the meat, post-slicing, weighed over twenty-three thousand pounds.

The skin of the Fierce Crocodile, once peeled, was an excellent material for protective gear. The select, essence parts could be used to craft magical protection armor of the Spiritual Instrument Level.

In addition, the carriage also pulled along some third and fourth-level Wild Marsh Fierce Crocodile meat. These had been processed by the head of the household. The skin was kept separate from the meat, teeth, and bones, each categorized and loaded onto the carriage.

The history of a feud between humans and fierce beasts over territory was long-standing and countless. Every part of a fierce beast's body was utilized to perfection, without a shred of waste.

If the livestock losses and public unrest caused by the beast invasion were disregarded, this wave of beast invasion had brought huge benefits to the Wang family.

Especially the meat from the fifth-level beasts, which was in high demand within the Wang family.

The Generals of the family, the Pride of the heavens, were all big eaters. For a Heavenly Human Realm General like Wang Shouzhe, consuming thousands of pounds of meat a month, if allowed to feast openly, was easy despite the amount.

The considerable harvest brought joy to the heads and clan soldiers. This bounty signaled that an award from Old Ancestor Luotong was certainly on its way.

As the caravan entered the base, it drew the attention of many farmers and herdsmen who were beholden to the Wang family.

The barbaric beast's disturbance and the damage caused to the livestock were well known. But before the consequential damage occurred, the beasts were slayed by Old Ancestor Luotong. These beasts transformed from predators to human food.

This steadied the hearts of the agitated farmers. With Old Ancestor Luotong around, no fierce beast could create a storm.

This was the influence an all-powerful Old Ancestor had over the family.

An Old Ancestor of the Heavenly Human Realm, acted like a Sea Stabilizing Needle, stabilizing the core of a family: the family's "hearts".

Within the base, core family members like Wang Luotong, Lei Bowu, and Wang Shihao watched as the household heads enthusiastically carried the meat into the cold storage room in the cellar. Their hearts felt both joy and worry.

During lean times for the family, ice blocks were the main means of keeping the cellar cold.

Shipped by boat from Northern coastal regions during the winter, the ice blocks were pricey but essential for the survival of a prominent family. Otherwise, they could only resort to preservation through salting.

But consuming too much cured food was detrimental to the body.

The Wang family of today utilized the more temperature-stable Cold Crystal Array cold storage. Although more expensive, it maintained temperature stability and was beneficial for food preservation.

Having a supply of Spirit Meat was obviously good, but the continuous, stable production of Wang's Large Pasture was more important. Even a single year of interruption could cause massive losses for the Wang family.

As long as the issue with the Great Wilderness Marsh remained, it would be a thorn in the side of Wang Luotong and others.

Suddenly!

A long, distant call of a crane echoed from the sky above.

A Spirit Bird Flying Carriage spiralled down from the cloud layer, landing gently in the pasture base. The emblem on the litter of the flying carriage denoted that it was the personal chariot of Family Head, Wang Shouzhe.

Progressing to the current state of the Wang family, the Family Head would lose face if they didn't have a personal flying carriage.

After all, surely Wang Shouzhe wouldn't resort to public carriages or fly on his own?

Seeing this, Wang Luotong was overjoyed and rushed to welcome him. She bowed to Wang Shouzhe who walked out of the flying carriage saying, "Fourth brother, you're finally here."

Then she saluted Old Ancestor Longyan who followed behind Wang Shouzhe, "Luotong pays her respects to the Old Ancestor."

"Luotong, no need for formalities," said Old Ancestor Longyan, glancing at Wang Luotong. Her eyes revealed a hint of admiration and affection.

Luotong didn't have much of a presence as a child but she'd worked hard and managed to secure family resources. She became a Heavenly Human at a young age and now was revered as Old Ancestor Luotong.

She had become a legendary figure within the family.

After encountering Wang Shouzhe and Old Ancestor Longyan, Wang Luotong and others were relieved, their tensions dissipating.

Both Family Head Wang Shouzhe and Old Ancestor Longyan were the stabilizing pillars of the family. As long as one was present, their hearts would be at ease.

Now that both had arrived, what problem could there be that they couldn't handle?

Moreover, Luotong's fourth brother had powerful resources. Even if the problem in the Great Wilderness Marsh was severe, they would surely solve it.

After conversing briefly with Luotong, Wang Shouzhe turned to Wang Shihao and frowned, "What are you doing here?"

Wang Shihao hurriedly laughed and bowed, "Grandfather, my brother is dealing with the Southern Desert Wang family's gifts. I'm here to help and earn some family contribution points."

"Stop loafing around," Wang Shouzhe waved with a disgruntled face, "Go home to your wife and child. Try to have some more children soon."

Wang Shouzhe hadn't been too impressed with his grandson, Wang Shihao lately. He had even arranged a match with the main daughter of the Yuwen Clan for him. But Wang Shihao still complained privately.

Moreover, they had been married for several years and had only one child, Wang Anru. He was still young, but he never strove to achieve more!