Protect Our Clan Leader

```

...

As Wang Shouzhe pondered heavily, everyone paid their respects in turn.

Following that, it was from Wang Lingzhu's introduction that Wang Shouzhe learned the several middle-aged and elderly men and women Tianren Realm Cultivators by her side were clan relatives from branches of the Great Qian Wang Clan that had split off early on.

Excluding a few branches that mixed and prospered, the truth was that most branches were not doing too well. Some were almost on the verge of extinction, and others were living in straitened circumstances.

After these branches had split off, the Great Qian Wang Clan naturally couldn't coddle them like a high-end nanny.

However, if these relatives came all the way to Ding Duke's Mansion to ask for help, the mansion wouldn't completely ignore them, and would lend a hand within reasonable bounds.

Of course, if they encountered branches that were fundamentally decayed, whose members were incompetent and yet did not strive to improve, instead of relying on Ding Duke's Mansion for handouts, there was no need to help.

These few Tianren Realm Cultivator relatives belonged to different declining branches, all with qualities of Little Sky Pride. They had joined Lingyun Holy Ground thanks to connections from the Ding Duke's Mansion, and with subsidized resources from the family, the mansion, and the Sacred Land, they ultimately advanced to the Tianren Realm.

Little Sky Prides counted as outstanding elite disciples in the Local Learning Palace. If they were Grade B or A, they would be core disciples, and if they had enough potential, they could even be directly taken in by various veins of the Academic Palace.

But within Lingyun Holy Ground, Little Sky Prides were just ordinary disciples. Grade B and A counted as elite, and only Sky Prides were considered core.

Even so, being an ordinary disciple within the Sacred Land was still better treated than in local academies, with even the spiritual energy in the air being much more abundant.

The most important thing was that they could make more connections, and with the likes of Wang Lingzhu providing cover for them, overall it was a more worthwhile deal than in Local Learning Palaces.

As long as they endured until they reached the Tianren Realm, they could become one of the managers of the Sacred Land, and life would be much better.

Their generational ranks were somewhat mixed, with some holding higher positions and others lower. Wang Shouzhe, of course, followed the rules of a prominent family, paying his respects to each of them.

However, they were all very deferential to Wang Shouzhe, showing a timid and reverent demeanor. It was no wonder, after all, as Wang Shouzhe was a significant figure. As Wang Lingzhu would put it in private, Shouzhe's voice and influence within the court far exceeded that of the old ancestor of the Ding Duke, Yin Da.

If in the future, Yuxuan or Li Yao were to ascend as the Sacred Master, the influence of the Changning Wang Clan within the entire Great Qian Land would reach its peak, and it could very well evolve into a Third or even Second Class Prominent Family.

And the one pushing all this was none other than the graceful and dignified Master Shouzhe.

How could such a person not inspire awe?

This series of respects took up the duration of a stick of incense, but this was all part of the proprieties of the world and also the foundation of the families in this world.

Afterward, Wang Lingzhu led Wang Shouzhe and the others to their accommodations.

Given Wang Shouzhe's current status and position, he naturally stayed in one of the best scenic spots and courtyards reserved for foreign guests of the Sacred Land. And because he was "Wood Type," he was arranged to be accommodated in Evergreen Garden within Green Emperor Valley, which was quite far from here, requiring a ride on the Sacred Land's internal flying carriage.

Evergreen Garden.

This was a thousand-acre courtyard located in one of the Nine Veins of the Sacred Land, Green Emperor Valley, where the Wood Type spiritual energy was as thick as spiritual fog, with various Spiritual Medicines and Spirit Grasses visible everywhere.

Within Green Emperor Valley, numerous precious Spiritual Medicines were cultivated long-term, a significant production base for Spiritual Medicines.

Many of the Sacred Land's Spirit Pills and even Treasure Pills were likely made of materials from Green Emperor Valley.

Although Wang Shouzhe's true bloodline wasn't Wood Type, he also favored an environment brimming with vitality and life essence. Wang Ningxi and Shangguan Lingbo naturally stayed with Shouzhe in the inner courtyard, gaining a firsthand experience of grandeur.

However, Shangguan Yunhong was placed in the manager's quarters in the outer courtyard, temporarily taking on the role of a guard and gatekeeper.

Even though he felt aggravated, he had no recourse, because he simply couldn't defeat Wang Shouzhe. Don't ask how he knew, it was a tale of heartbreak.

"Shouzhe, you all get settled in first," Wang Lingzhu said. "The Sacred Master has sent word that she will emerge from seclusion in less than three months. During this time, I will accompany you and Ningxi around, to experience the unique scenery of the Sacred Land."

The Sacred Land was a vast area, almost the size of the entire Southern Six Guards. Every aspect of the environment here has been painstakingly built over seven or eight thousand years, and many of the sights are indeed worth seeing.

"Then I'll trouble Great Grand Aunt," Wang Shouzhe once again paid his respects.

"Grandfather, Master said I could take three days off to accompany you, after which I must fully commit to cultivation and training," Wang Ying Xuan whined coquettishly, clinging to Shouzhe's arm. "In the blink of an eye, I haven't seen you for several years, and I really want to spend more time with you."

But, Wang Shouzhe pried her hand from his arm, "You're nearly ninety, a grown woman. You ought to take care of your appearance before going out. You should be a dazzling Immortal, instead of grossing out your grandfather here."

"Grandfather, I'm an Immortal even without dressing up," Wang Ying Xuan pouted with indignation. "You have no idea how many young elites secretly admire me."

"Then is there anyone you fancy?" Wang Shouzhe asked with a smile.

"Of course not, I am to be the Martial Goddess who commands the entire army," Wang Ying Xuan said disdainfully, pouting her mouth. "In Lingyun Sacred Land, none of my peers are worth fighting, let alone finding a few satisfactory subordinates."

```