From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 106: Death
Xu Fugui spent a full ten days in his internal space, constantly nurturing it with spiritual energy, and finally refined the superior-grade magic weapon "Feather Pattern Flying Sword".

"As expected of a top-grade magic artifact."

He held the flying sword in his hand, infusing it with spiritual energy, and saw the feather patterns on the sword's surface emit a faint light.

The feather patterns on both sides can reduce wind resistance and noise when the flying sword is in flight.

"The power can be adjusted by the amount of spiritual energy infused."

He refined the flying sword, using spiritual energy to enhance its power, and mastered the first level of the "Flying Sword Technique".

In the early stages of Qi Refining, one's control over flying swords is not strong, so being able to achieve this level is already quite good.

His method of wielding the flying sword was still the same as the hidden weapon flying sword technique he learned when he first started learning.

The difference lies in the quality of the flying sword and the enhancement of spiritual energy, which increases its power by more than ten times.

Previously, when Xu Fugui used his hidden flying sword, the ordinary flying sword made of fine steel could not withstand too much force. When it hit the golden light shield of the low-grade golden light talisman, it would twist and deform, turning into a lump of scrap iron.

He used the Feathered Flying Sword, a high-grade magic weapon combined with the spiritual energy of a third-level Qi Refining cultivator, which was enough to break through the defense of a low-grade Golden Light Talisman.

"It's time to go to the market."

He plans to make another trip to Qingqiu Market to purchase resources.

The previous annihilation of the robbery gang was enough to deter other rogue cultivators, and no more robbery gangs would dare to rob and kill others near Qingqiu Mountain.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Qingqiu Market.

Xu Fugui wore a loose black robe, just like most of the rogue cultivators who concealed their identities.

He didn't bring any spiritual plants this time, but instead brought spiritual stones.

Like ordinary medicinal herbs, spiritual plants become more valuable the older they are.

Now that he has spirit stones, he doesn't need to rush to sell the spirit plants in his inner space; he can let those spirit plants grow for a few more years.

He went straight to the "Tong Family Elixir Pavilion".

"Welcome, fellow Daoist. What kind of elixir would you like?"

He was greeted by Tong Bailie, just like last time.

"The Elixir of Youthful Appearance and Longevity costs twenty-eight spirit stones, right?"

Xu Fugui remembered the price he had inquired about last time.

"I have some good news for you, fellow Daoist. My family has recently reduced the price of our elixirs and is having a clearance sale. All our elixirs are now cheaper. The Longevity Pill is 26 spirit stones."

"If you buy two or three spirit pills at once, you'll get a bigger discount, and the price is negotiable."

Tong Bailie's brows furrowed with worry.

Elixirs are the hard currency of the cultivation world. If there hadn't been a change in the clan, how could they have lowered the price so much?

Price dumping?

Xu Fugui didn't know what was happening, but it was a good thing for him.

His entire fortune consisted of over eighty spirit stones, and he would save every single one he could.

"Boss, would it be convenient for me to inquire about the elixirs? I have two elixirs that I don't know the type of."

He did not know the name or effect of the elixir he obtained from the calamity cultivator.

"Of course, let me see."

Tong Bailie had been selling elixirs here for many years and had seen a lot; he had encountered similar situations many times.

As for where others obtained the elixir, he would not inquire or speculate; that was the rule.

Xu Fugui took out the elixir from Lu Hou's body, opened the porcelain bottle, and held it in his hand.

Tong Bailie didn't touch the porcelain bottle, he just glanced at it and took a light sniff: "This is a Qi-boosting pill. My shop has some. It used to sell for 18 spirit stones, now it sells for 16 spirit stones."

Its effect is to provide a large amount of spiritual energy, helping mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators break through minor bottlenecks, such as breaking through from the third to the fourth level of Qi Refining, or from the fourth level to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

"Where is this elixir?"

Xu Fugui then took out another porcelain bottle containing elixirs, which were the elixirs that Chu Wuyang possessed.

"This kind?"

Tong Bailie examined it several times and then sniffed it carefully: "It is not produced by my family. Based on my experience, I judge that it is a Qi-replenishing pill. It is taken after the spiritual energy in the body is exhausted, and it can quickly replenish the spiritual energy in the body."

My Qi-replenishing pills cost 8 spirit stones each.

The two Qi-replenishing pills were obtained by Chu Wuyang from outside Yuanli County, and he always carried them with him.

"Thanks."

Xu Fugui carefully put away the jade porcelain bottle, pondering to himself. He absolutely had to buy the Youth-Preserving Elixir; taking advantage of the discounted price at the Elixir Pavilion, he could also buy a Qi-Boosting Pill.

"How many spirit stones do I need for the Youth Preservation Pill and the Vitality Boosting Pill?"

"Twenty-six Youth Preservation Pills and sixteen Vitality Boosting Pills, for a total of forty-two. I'll deduct two spirit stones from your price, making it forty."

Thirty-five.

Xu Fugui slashed with his sword.

"..."

Tong Bailie was speechless for a moment. If it weren't for family matters and the desire to quickly convert the elixir into spirit stones, they would never have lowered the price.

The price of elixirs has a market price and doesn't fluctuate too much.

"At least thirty-eight, no less."

"Row."

Xu Fugui took out thirty-eight spirit stones and bought the Longevity Pill and the Vitality Pill.

After leaving the "Tong Family Herbal Medicine Pavilion", he headed to the Lan Family's "Spirit Plant Garden".

A female cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi Refining stepped forward and inquired about Xu Fugui's needs.

"Do you sell seedlings of purple vine, three-leaf orchid, or ginseng here?" He came to buy seedlings of spiritual plants.

According to the "Illustrated Compendium of Spiritual Plants" accompanying the "Spiritual Farmer's Qi Cultivation Manual," he knew that these spiritual plants were common low-level spiritual plants with the effect of "replenishing spiritual energy," and he estimated that they could be used to refine spiritual pills such as Qi-replenishing pills and Qi-boosting pills.

As his internal space expands year by year, it would be a waste to only plant five types of spiritual plants, so he wants to supplement them with other spiritual plants to make the variety of spiritual plants more abundant.

"I only have spirit ginseng at home. Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment while I go and inquire about the price of spirit ginseng seedlings."

A moment later, the female cultivator returned: "Fellow Daoist, a three-month-old ginseng seedling costs 5 spirit crystals, a half-year-old ginseng seedling costs 1 spirit stone, and a one-year-old ginseng seedling costs 2 spirit stones."

"I want two three-month-old plants."

Xu Fugui's internal environment is excellent, and besides, he himself is a "spiritual farmer," so he can easily grow ginseng seedlings that are only three months old.

Once the ginseng has reached a certain age, he will be able to cultivate seedlings himself.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the other side of Fangshi Mountain are the residences of the cultivator families and independent cultivators who are affiliated with the Lan family.

The rental price varies depending on the concentration of spiritual energy.

In cheaper areas, a few spirit stones a year are enough.

Expensive areas, costing dozens or hundreds of spirit stones annually.

One of the best areas, covering a thousand acres, is home to the Tong family, a family of alchemists.

The Tong family didn't have to pay such a high price in spirit stones. Instead, they were treated favorably by the Lan family, only needing to pay one hundred spirit stones a year to occupy a thousand acres of land.

The Tong family and the Lan family have supported each other for many years, and the Tong family even helped the Lan family through difficult times.

Therefore, the treatment the Tong family received was deserved.

Furthermore, the Lan family has no tradition of alchemy, which is why they have given the Tong family many benefits, allowing the Tong family to stay in Qingqiu Mountain for so long.

This is a win-win situation for both sides.

Previously, the Tong family had no Foundation Establishment cultivators. As a Qi Refining level alchemy family, without the protection of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would have attracted countless covetous eyes.

However, the balance was broken after Tong Yiyan broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

At this moment, Lan Yunkai, the head of the Lan family, surrounded Tong Yiyan with several late-stage Qi Refining family members.

"Yi Yan, I'm older than you, so I'm shamelessly asking you to reconsider. Feel free to name your conditions. You can stay here for free, and we won't charge you spirit stones. We can also discuss the price of spirit plants."

Lan Yunkai showed his utmost sincerity.

He couldn't let the Tong family move away; that would be too much of a loss for the Lan family.

The inheritance of alchemy is very important. The Lan family currently only has the inheritance of pharmacists, and there are pharmacists in the family who can refine common medicines such as "Qi and Blood Pills" and "Detoxification Pills".

But pharmacists and alchemists are worlds apart, the gap is too big.

The Lan family has always dreamed of having a lineage of alchemy, but it remains just a dream. The difficulty of a Qi Refining level alchemy family continuing to this day is greater than the difficulty of the Lan family establishing itself as a Foundation Establishment family.

"Clan Chief Lan, I can only apologize. Given my family's situation, it's time to find a mountain to establish our own independent household. It's not that the Lan family has treated us badly, but rather that everyone in the clan hopes to be more independent."

However, our friendship will not break down. Our development depends on mutual support, and we still need to conduct business normally, right?

Tong Yiyan's words were reasonable and well-founded. He had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and couldn't always live under someone else's roof.

But he underestimated Lan Yunkai's ruthlessness.

How could Lan Yunkai let a family of alchemists, who had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator, leave?

"Yi Yan, let me be frank. Given the current situation of my Lan family, it would be unethical for you to just leave like this."

Lan Yunkai thought to himself, if he died and the Lan family had no Foundation Establishment cultivators left, the Tong family might take the opportunity to seize the Qingqiu Mountains.

It's not that he was "petty-minded," but the path to immortality is truly difficult.

Spiritual veins are scarce, and it is difficult to protect a second-tier spiritual vein without having established a foundation.

"Chief Lan, there's nothing I can do about your family's situation."

What could Tong Yiyan do? Besides, he wasn't the Lan family's "nanny," so why should he worry about such important matters?

"You have a way! If you can refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for my Lan family, you can leave. Otherwise, you should stay."

Lan Yunkai didn't want to break off relations, but he had no better choice.

Their Lan family's generational naming system consists of 32 characters: "Year, Month, Day, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Wind, Frost, Rain, Snow, Cloud, Thunder, Dew, Qi, Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Marshes, Rivers, Seas, Waves, East, South, West, North, Heaven, Origin, Earth."

At that time, the ancestors of the Lan family did not expect that the Lan family would grow and prosper, and that the thirty-six characters would not be enough. By the time of Lan Yunkai’s “Yun”, it was already the fifth cycle.

Lan Yunkai's generation is not high; the Lan family already has members of the sixth generation.

Nearly two hundred generations!
Lan Yunkai cannot allow the Lan family to decline or even perish in his hands.

"Chief Lan, are you threatening me?"

As a Foundation Establishment alchemist, Tong Yiyan held an extremely high status and was highly respected in the outside world. He had only managed to refine his own Foundation Establishment Pill by sheer luck at a great cost, and it was impossible for him to refine another one for the Lan family.

"So what?"

The two hovered in the air, facing each other.

"Aren't you afraid? If you treat my Tong family like this, your Lan family's reputation will plummet."

"Reputation? Can it compare to the alchemy heritage? What does temporary fame matter? As long as the Lan family is strong enough, no one will remember these things two hundred years from now. The world will only know the Foundation Establishment Lan family!"

"Ha, do you really think we're afraid of death? We risk our lives to refine elixirs and sacrifice our lifespans to test medicines, do you think we'd be afraid of your threats? I'd rather die!"

As soon as Tong Yiyan finished speaking, he unleashed a flame attack on Lan Yunkai, shouting at the same time, "Run!"

The Tong family members below took the opportunity to flee in all directions.

The scene was chaotic.

Lan Yunkai was stunned for a moment, not expecting the Tong family to be so determined to "die" rather than submit.

"Capture him alive! I want his alchemy inheritance!"

He reminded the Lan family members.

(End of this chapter)