Chapter 868: Chapter 26: Struggle of the Imperial Sons! Wang Family Fully Intervenes

Among them, there are more than a dozen clan members of the Light Straight Vein.

The eldest son of Wang Zongchang, now fifty-four years old Wang Shicheng, the eldest son of Wang Zongyao, now forty-two years old Wang Shichuan, and the eldest son of Wang Zongcai, now thirty-two years old Wang Shihong, all three have come to Anbei Guard with Young Clan Leader Zong’an, serving as his stewards, ready to follow his orders at any time.

Besides them, there are also a group of young clan members in their twenties who traveled together. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

These young individuals have undergone several years of training after graduating from the Clan Academy and have accumulated some experience in handling matters. They can independently manage some tasks, making Wang Zong’an’s operations in Anbei Guard more convenient, ensuring he won’t be left without assistance at critical moments.

This is due to the fact that the Wang Family has become numerous nowadays. Fifty years ago, when the Wang Family had the fewest members, Wang Zong’an might have had to come here alone, handling everything personally, which would not only result in low efficiency but also make it easy for others to underestimate him.

After some pleasantries and introductions of the key figures on both sides, Wu Shengjun invited Wang Zong’an to reside at the Prince’s Mansion.

After all, Wang Zong’an has come this time to substitute for Patriarch Shouzhe to oversee Anbei and to assist Prince Anjun Wu Mingyuan in developing the Great Desert. This is a large-scale project, not something that can be completed in a short time, and Wang Zong’an is bound to stay in Anbei Guard for a long time.

Wang Zong’an naturally did not refuse.

As for the others Wang Zong’an brought with him, naturally, they also have their own accommodations, which Wu Shengjun had already arranged for.

This settling in took approximately one hour.

After everyone was properly arranged, Wang Zong’an proposed to meet Prince Anjun.

Wu Shengjun anticipated this and immediately led him to the protective forest.

Less than a hundred miles northwest of the Prince’s Mansion is the location of the Northwest Great Desert.

Originally, Prince Anjun built the Prince’s Mansion here to let everyone understand his determination. He wants to guard this place, watching with his own eyes as the Great Desert gradually disappears under his governance.

Soon, they arrived at the sparse protective forest.

Wang Zong’an, led by Wu Shengjun, walked into the depths of the protective forest to seek Prince Anjun.

Senior Brother Jinshan followed behind Wang Zong’an, swaying as he entered the protective forest. Seeing several stewards among the officials cutting sand melons and sharing them, he didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbed a slice and started munching, chatting with those officials.

On both sides, technical experts naturally have common topics. After just a few exchanges, Senior Brother Jinshan smoothly blended in, no sense of discrepancy whatsoever.

To those unaware, it might seem he is also one of Prince Anjun’s officials.

Senior Brother Jinshan came this time with "sincerity," having no choice, for he owed Junior Sister Lvwei too much for the transformation of the White Jade Spirit Peony.

He now has only two choices: one, cooperate with Junior Sister in various weird and terrifying experiments; two, follow the Wang Family to help develop Northwest Guard and work off their debts.

Even if he used his backside to decide, he resolutely chose the latter...

"Zong’an pays respect to the Prince." On the other side, Wang Zong’an, led by Wu Shengjun, successfully found Prince Anjun, bowed deeply and respectfully said, "Zong’an, on my father’s orders, comes to assist the Prince."

In terms of seniority, Prince Anjun’s daughter is actually Wang Zong’an’s granddaughter-in-law, although Prince Anjun is one generation shorter than Wang Zong’an. But since Prince Anjun belongs to the Imperial Family, Wang Zong’an naturally did not regard him as overly senior, asking him to address Wang Zong’an by seniority. So they each address each other accordingly.

"Young Clan Leader Zong’an." Prince Anjun was delighted to see Wang Zong’an and eagerly asked, "Earlier, Patriarch Shouzhe informed me through a letter that you would bring a treasure for me this time, stating it could greatly accelerate the construction of the protective forest. Do you know what Patriarch Shouzhe referred to?"

"It’s this."

A composed smile spread across Wang Zong’an’s face as he took off a simple bracelet from his wrist.

"Earth Bracelet?" Prince Anjun, born into the Royal Family, recognized the bracelet’s origins at a glance but was still puzzled, "The Earth Bracelet, while precious, doesn’t solve my current predicament. Could it be there’s more to the Earth Bracelet?"

"The Prince sees clearly." Wang Zong’an smiled, "This Earth Bracelet is merely a container. What my father truly instructed me to bring is the exotic plant within it."

"Oh? What kind of exotic plant is it?" Prince Anjun’s interest piqued.

Senior Brother Jinshan, intrigued by the conversation, quickly approached with his melon to see what Wang Zong’an had brought. On the way here, he noticed Wang Zong’an’s Earth Bracelet but, despite several inquiries, Wang Zong’an refused to reveal what was inside, leaving him riddled with curiosity.

Now that the mystery is finally about to be unveiled, he must take a clear look.

"The Prince will know when he sees it."

Wang Zong’an, not keeping them in suspense, raised his hand, channeling Profound Qi into the Earth Bracelet.

Instantly, the Earth Bracelet began to radiate light, with a ball of green light shooting forth and landing on the ground ahead.

The next moment, the green light expanded rapidly, transforming into a towering tree in an instant.

The tree stood several meters tall, with a robust and strong trunk, its verdant canopy spread wide, as intense Wood Spirit Qi filled the air.

Inadvertently, around the tree, saplings within dozens of miles seemed invigorated, leaves that had previously drooped blossoming in vitality.

The surrounding air, too, appeared to become fresher.

"Longevity Tree?"

Senior Brother Jinshan’s eyes nearly bulged out in shock.

Zong’an got this Longevity Tree from somewhere? Could it be from Junior Sister Lvwei? Was the rumor true, that Zong’an was indeed Junior Sister Lvwei’s...

But no, Junior Sister Lvwei’s Longevity Tree he had seen before was much larger than this one. Could it be...

Suddenly, Senior Brother Jinshan realized something, his eyes widening.

"Splash~"

The sand melon slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground, as the realization hit him like a thunderbolt.

Finally unraveling one of the top ten unsolved mysteries of the Eternal Spring Valley— the "Longevity Tree Spirit Species Disappearance Mystery"—formally unveiled today.

Oh, Young Clan Leader Zong’an, you sly junior brother, you managed to capture the Longevity Tree Spirit Species under our noses without anyone noticing? You’ve truly duped us so well~~

His gaze was profound, his expression akin to Wang Zong’an having snatched away the Goddess he had admired for a century.

...