Chapter 674 The Domineering Royal Family - I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain

"Patriarch!" Wang Wanli, seeing the elder with hair as white as a crane's feathers yet youthful visage enter the ancestral grounds, respectfully called out. This elder was undoubtedly the Wang Family Patriarch, who, upon sensing the disturbances within the ancestral grounds, emerged from his secluded practice to assess the situation. Still soaking in the pool, Wang Haoran turned his gaze towards the patriarch but found that he couldn't discern his level of cultivation. Simultaneously, the patriarch's eyes settled on Wang Haoran. Wang Haoran had retracted the bulk of his spiritual energy, revealing only a cultivation level around the sixth layer of the Qi Refining stage. He displayed this much because, after absorbing the mystical energy within the ancestral grounds, his constitution had changed, allowing him to accumulate quite a bit of spiritual energy. Estimating the amount he had gathered, Wang Haoran judged it appropriate to reveal this level of cultivation. As the patriarch scrutinized him, Wang Haoran felt a twinge of concern about his true level being discovered. However, after a moment of intense observation, the patriarch maintained his initial exuberant expression, betraying no hint of suspicion or alarm. Clearly, the patriarch also failed to see through Wang Haoran's actual cultivation level. With a silent sigh of relief, Wang Haoran felt reassured. Though he trusted that neither Wang Wanli nor the patriarch would harm him, his fear lay in the potential for their boastfulness to draw unwanted attention. If they proclaimed his cultivation level at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, it could spell trouble. Having interacted with various protagonists, Wang Haoran knew well the importance of keeping one's cards close to the chest. Revealing to the patriarch and Wang Wanli that he was at the sixth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage might lead to the whole sanctuary learning of it, including its protagonists. That was absolutely something Wang Haoran wished to avoid. "Wang Haoran, this is our family's patriarch," Wang Wanli briefly introduced. "Hello, Patriarch," Wang Haoran greeted symbolically, then feigned confusion, asking, "What is an Innate Spiritual Body?" Having copied Ye Fan's memory, Wang Haoran was well aware of what an Innate Spiritual Body entailed. However, as a mortal man, he wasn’t supposed to know about such things and thus asked deliberately. "The talent of cultivators varies greatly. Without counting comprehension and techniques, this disparity comes from one's affinity with spiritual energy. For instance, someone with a 20% affinity for spiritual energy will inevitably cultivate much faster than someone with only 10%," the patriarch explained. "In short, the greater your affinity with spiritual energy, the faster your cultivation progress. The Innate Spiritual Body is an extraordinary and unmatched physique, with an almost perfect affinity with spiritual energy. Spiritual energy will naturally flood into your body to enhance your cultivation, even if you do not actively cultivate." At this point, the patriarch's old face reddened with excitement, "Truly, Heaven blesses our Wang family! Despite our lineage being thin, an extraordinary genius like you has appeared!" "Sounds impressive," Wang Haoran feigned astonishment, though inwardly he pondered over what he'd heard. He wasn’t originally supposed to possess any spiritual aptitude. It was only after coming to the ancestral grounds that he awakened to an Innate Spiritual Body, likely due to the effects of the 'Extremely Favorable Background Card.' This was a delightful unforeseen bonus for Wang Haoran, who already had three cheat-like artifacts: the Heaven-Opening Pagoda, Chaos Flask, and the Demon Emperor's Canon. "Wanli, announce to the sanctuary that our Wang family now has an Innate Spiritual Body among its descendants. Our family is destined for greatness!" the patriarch ordered. "Yes, Patriarch!" Wang Wanli responded eagerly. "Furthermore, inform all major and minor powers in the Eastern Domain to send their unmarried beautiful daughters to our family for Haoran to choose as wives and concubines." Given the Wang family's sparse lineage, both the patriarch and Wang Wanli shared the intention to alter this course, and naturally, the burden fell upon Wang Haoran. "Yes, Patriarch!" Wang Wanli nodded. "There’s no need to be so ostentatious. This would definitely antagonize all the powers in the Eastern Domain," Wang Haoran tried to reason. "Our Wang family reigns supreme in the Eastern Domain. Inviting them to send their beautiful daughters for your selection as spouses is an honor for them," the patriarch arrogantly responded. Wang Haoran was left speechless. The patriarch and Wang Wanli shared an identical disposition. A logical and benevolent patriarch, given the Wang family as notorious antagonists, would truly be a bizarre anomaly. "Haoran, no need to be shy. Didn't you come to the sanctuary for its many beauties? The patriarch won't blame you. There's no need to pretend," Wang Wanli remarked, thinking he had seen through Wang Haoran. "Very well, proceed swiftly. Especially those beauties who have recently arrived from the mortal realm, like a certain faction leader's newly discovered beautiful daughter—they must be brought to me," Wang Haoran said, no longer fussing around. He came to the sanctuary with three goals: to trace Fang Xuan, gather female leads, and take down protagonists. The patriarch’s proposition, audacious as it was, conveniently aligned with Wang Haoran's objectives. If things went awry, he was more than prepared to make a swift escape. Wang Wanli, having gathered the patriarch and Wang Haoran's directives, hurriedly exited the ancestral grounds to implement them. By the next day, every notable power in the Eastern Domain of the sanctuary received word from the Wang family. Reactions varied; some were delighted while others were dismayed. Those who wished to align with the powerful Wang family saw this as a great opportunity. Conversely, those who disdained the Wang family's methods were filled with dread. In the sanctuary, marriages occurred early. Once suitable in age, some traditional elders arranged marriages for their daughters, aiming for connections that suited their status, with weddings to follow if things progressed well. Other more open-minded elders allowed their daughters to choose their partners freely. Regardless, whether engaged or allowed to choose freely, upon hearing the news, many were disheartened. To powers eager to attach themselves to the Wang family, the prospect was heaven; for those wishing to remain independent, the Wang family posed a treacherous pit. Who would willingly send their daughters into such peril? Amidst all this, the influence known as the Feiyun Pavilion in the Eastern Domain faced a similar dilemma. The Feiyun Pavilion was a leading force in the Eastern Domain but was still comparatively weaker than the Wang family. Thus, confronted with the Wang family’s command, they had to deliberate carefully. The head of Feiyun Pavilion, Xu Ao, appeared exceedingly troubled. He had two daughters: his eldest, Xu Qingxuan, who had been lost in the mortal realm until recently, and his younger daughter, Xu Qingtong, only eighteen and unmarried. Yet both daughters cherished chosen partners. Therefore, the abrupt mandate from the Wang family weighed heavily on Xu Ao's mind. (End of Chapter)