From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 109 Group Pet
Zhao Shuai wiped out the entire Liu family, leaving no one alive.

He also looted valuables, putting all the gold and silver jewelry and banknotes into his storage pouch.

As he left, the infant soul jar he kept close to his body suddenly began to tremble.

"Ok?"

He took out the Infant Soul Cup from his bosom. Before he could open it, the lid automatically lifted, and a ghostly green, illusory soul floated out.

His appearance was none other than Shi Zheng, the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator who had taken Zhao Shuai as his disciple.

Shi Zheng surveyed the Liu family's dire state and said with displeasure, "What are you doing? Don't forget why you came back here!"

Using demonic cultivation methods to slaughter a family of more than ten people would arouse the vigilance of the Demon Subduing Division.

"Shut up, you old fool! You deserve revenge, but I don't?"

Zhao Shuai's brows were full of ferocity and ruthlessness, and he showed no respect for his master when facing Shi Zheng.

"You! Watch out for your inner demonic oath!"

"I don't need you to remind me, just be a good spirit."

"Hmph, you wicked disciple."

Shi Zheng left these words behind, then transformed into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared into the Infant Soul Cup.

He had reached the end of his life ten years ago and was due to die peacefully in his sleep. Before he died, he discovered a secret method that allowed him to entrust his soul to a special magical artifact and transform it into an artifact spirit.

As a rogue cultivator, he was able to reach the late stage of Qi Refining entirely thanks to the "Infant Soul Vessel," a spiritual artifact.

The Infant Soul Vessel, capable of refining the pure souls of children, is a perfect vessel for Shi Zheng's soul.

A portion of the soul refined by the Infant Soul Cup was absorbed by Shi Zheng to keep his soul burning, a portion was fed back to its master Zhao Shuai to strengthen him, and a portion was used to enhance the Infant Soul Cup itself.

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.

Before leaving, Zhao Shuai intended to stage the scene and fake a fire.

"Forget it, no matter how much I try to fake it, it's not normal."

He figured that no matter how he disguised it, it was impossible for so many members of the Liu family to die in the fire, especially since the corpses of those who died tragically under his wood-type magic were difficult to disguise, so he didn't waste any effort.

A surge of spiritual energy rose beneath his feet, and he floated into the air.

Hovering in the air, gazing down at the Liu family mansion, then looking in the direction of his own home, and towards the Xu family's old residence and the Du family's residence, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

He heard that his martial arts teacher, Du Hai, had passed away three years ago, and that Du Yong, who had trained with him, had not returned after being conscripted into the army. Du Meng had many children, and his eldest son had just gotten married.

"Sigh, there's no going back."

Twenty-five years have passed, and the world has changed dramatically.

It doesn't seem to be like, youth swim.

Zhao Shuai didn't linger and turned to fly away. He had the most painful memories of his life in Baihe Village, and to avoid being reminded of those memories by seeing familiar sights, it was best for him to leave.

He was taken in by Shi Zheng and left Baihe Village to live in seclusion and cultivate immortality in the deep mountains and forests where spiritual energy was slightly more abundant.

At first, Shi Zheng treated him very well. Except when he was strict in teaching him cultivation techniques, he cared for him like an elder in his family.

With the help of the spirit stone, he quickly drew qi into his body, opened his dantian, and embarked on the path of cultivation.

Zhao Shuai has a mixed spiritual root of four elements and has plenty of spirit stones, so his cultivation progress is very fast.

When he reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining, Shi Zheng ran out of the spirit stones he had accumulated, and his attitude towards him gradually worsened, complaining that his cultivation was too slow.

It was then that Shi Zheng revealed his true intention in taking on a disciple: revenge!
Shi Zheng himself wasn't strong enough; he was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining at the time. He could only place his hopes for revenge on his disciple. He made Zhao Shuai swear an oath to his inner demons, promising to avenge him or face a backlash.

Not only was Zhao Shuai threatened by his inner demons, but Shi Zheng later transformed into the spirit of the Infant Soul Vessel, constantly "urging" him on.

Under Shi Zheng's careful "cultivation" and with the assistance of the Infant Soul Gu demonic cultivation techniques, Zhao Shuai recently broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

At less than forty years old, he has already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining! If given the opportunity to establish his foundation, he has a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm.

Shi Zheng couldn't wait any longer. So many years had passed, and if he didn't take revenge soon, his enemy would be nearing the end of his life. He didn't want his enemy to live even a year longer.

Besides, the opportunity to establish a foundation is rare and hard to come by; countless Qi Refining cultivators are stuck at their bottlenecks and cannot break through. He didn't have the patience to wait for Zhao Shuai to go and seek the opportunity to establish a foundation.

The relationship between the master and apprentice has gradually reached its current state.

Over the years, Zhao Shuai has ventured into the world of cultivation, searching for spirit stones and killing rogue cultivators. With his experiences and knowledge, his resentment towards Shi Zheng has lessened somewhat.

The path to immortality is arduous. Even low-level rogue cultivators will fight to the death for a few spirit stones. A simple cultivation technique can bankrupt a rogue cultivator who has just discovered his spiritual root.

If Shi Zheng wasn't seeking revenge, why would he invest so many spirit stones in Zhao Shuai? He even passed on all his cultivation techniques and gave him a spiritual artifact like the Infant Soul Vessel.

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.

Early morning. The Xu family's old residence.

Inside the alchemy room.

Flames roared in the stove in front of Xu Zhongche, and water bubbled and boiled in a medicine-refining boiler.

Ten years ago, he followed the pharmacist Tao Shiyuan to learn how to make medicine. With his talent, he learned eighty percent of Tao Shiyuan's skills in just ten years, and brewing a pot of Five Elements Medicine Soup was no problem for him.

The stove was newly built later, and the medicine-refining pot was also a top-quality item bought at a high price.

Xu Zhongche's hands flew across the table, moving so fast they were almost a blur, and a medicinal herb was already being added to the pot, the amount precise to the last cent.

Soon the five elemental plants transformed into a transparent five-elemental medicinal soup.

But it's not over yet.

He poured another ladle of water into the pot and added the medicinal herbs again.

Repeat this process several times, and the amount of the five elemental plants in the pot will be enough to brew three or four medicinal soups.

Xu Zhongche operated the bellows next to the stove, making the fire even more intense, and soon the medicinal soup in the pot became thicker and thicker.

"Hey!"

The alchemy cauldron tumbled in his hands, as if he were performing acrobatics.

A moment later, he put down the pot of medicine, and the scalding steam dissipated, revealing the transparent pills inside.

"Exactly ten, no more, no less."

Two years ago, he had already tried to refine the Five Elements Elixir Soup into more convenient pills. He failed several times at first, burning several pots of the elixir, but fortunately he learned from his mistakes and improved each time, finally succeeding in refining the Five Elements Pills.

Now he can not only refine the Five Elements Pill, but also add a lot of medicinal materials and refine a lot of pills at once.

As more and more children of the "Zhong" generation in his family practice standing meditation, the demand for Five Elements Herbal Soup also increases, which is why he came up with this solution.

He took ten Five Elements Pills and left the alchemy room, then went to the backyard.

Today is the day the Five Elements Pills are distributed once a month, and a group of people are waiting for him.

Xu Xiaoniu's sons, Zhonglei, thirteen, and Zhongyao, eight.

Xu Xiaogou has a seventeen-year-old son, Zhonghuai, and a nine-year-old daughter, Zhongxi.

Xu Xiaoyun's second son, Zhongchuan, is fourteen years old.

Xu Xiaoan's sons: Zhongyi, 15 years old; Zhonger, 13 years old; and Zhongsan, 8 years old.

"Why isn't Zhongchao here?"

Xu Zhongche inquired and learned that Xu Xiaoyun's eldest son, Zhongchao, was missing.

"My brother was delayed by something."

Zhongchuan explained on behalf of his brother.

Xu Xiaohou, standing nearby, spoke up: "He's afraid I'll scold him, so he didn't dare come. It's getting late, quickly take the Five Elements Pill and prepare to practice your stance. It's been a month since I last saw you, let's see how much progress you've made."

His uncle possessed exceptional martial arts talent, and the task of teaching the younger generation stance training fell to him.

Xu Zhongche distributed Five Elements Pills to everyone: "Since there's an extra one, give it to Xiaoxi."

He gave two Five Elements Pills to Xu Zhongxi.

Children of all ages took the Five Elements Pills and then dispersed to practice the Five Elements Stance Exercise.

Some practice the first level of stance training, some practice the second level, and some practice the third level.

Xu Xiaohou's face was stern, his sharp eyes sweeping over everyone present. The once impetuous young man had now become a respected elder.

Everyone present was his junior, and the shortest time they had practiced stance training was a year.

However, in his judgment, no one possessed martial arts talent as exceptional as his.

Chungcheol is nineteen years old and is about to reach his limit.

Zhonghuai is seventeen years old, still far from reaching his potential limit.

As for the others, who are younger, they are far less capable.

No one possessed Xu Xiaohou's innate martial arts talent at the age of fourteen.

The resources enjoyed by the "Zhong" generation were no less than those enjoyed by Xu Xiaohou.

"Among these younger generation, Xiao Xi actually has the best martial arts aptitude."

Xu Xiaohou's gaze fell on Xu Zhongxi.

Nine-year-old Xu Zhongxi, the only girl in the "Zhong" generation, is the center of attention in the Xu family.

She mastered the first level of stance training a few days ago and is now at the second level.

He mastered the first level of stance training in two years, which is not much different from Xu Xiaohou's talent in mastering the first level of stance training in a year and a half.

An hour and a half later, everyone finished practicing their stances.

"Xiaoxi, there are still some areas where your stance in the second level of stance training is not quite right. Let me explain it to you. In the second posture, the coordination of breathing is not smooth enough, and there's also the fifth posture, the static stance..."

Xu Xiaohou explained and demonstrated at the same time.

He was at the third level of the Innate Realm, and with his martial arts skills, his understanding of the Five Elements Stance Technique had already reached another level.

He cultivated both martial arts and internal energy simultaneously, and used many Qi and Blood Pills, which is why his martial arts level was higher.

His Qi Refining Realm is at the second level, and the lack of spirit stones limits his rate of improvement.

"Understood, Sixth Uncle."

Zhongxi said sweetly, keeping Xu Xiaohou's words in mind.

When they finished practicing their stances and came out of the backyard, Jiazhen had been waiting for them for a long time: "It's time for the children to eat. I specially made glutinous rice and osmanthus cake, which Xiaoxi likes."

"Thank you, Grandma. I love Grandma's osmanthus cake the most."

After finishing their stance training, the children, who were already hungry, swarmed to the dining table to eat.

Had a meal.

The older Zhongyi and Zhonger went to help Xu Xiaoan with his work.

Xu Xiaoan is building a new mansion for the Xu family elsewhere: a spacious five-courtyard mansion covering an area of ​​five or six acres, comparable in size to the Fu family's mansion.

Today, the Xu family has many members and children, and the old Xu family house still feels crowded despite several renovations, as it was originally just a small courtyard house.

The new Xu family residence, which has been under construction for over two years, is now complete and undergoing final furnishing.

The mansion has a training ground for people to practice stance training and kung fu, and also has several secret rooms.

"Xiaoxi, would you like to go boating on the lake? There's a theatrical performance going on there recently."

"Xiaoxi, let's go to the temple fair, it's lively there."

"I recently met a vendor who sells candied hawthorns, they're so delicious, I'll take you there."

"..."

The rest of Zhong Lei, Zhong Huai, and the others surrounded Zhong Xi.

"I'll go get the carriage."

A group of people were noisily discussing going to the city for sightseeing.

Before they left, Jiazhen repeatedly reminded them to be careful.

The horse-drawn carriage rattled and clattered as it carried everyone away from Baihe Village, heading towards the county town.

(End of this chapter)