From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 130 Family Heirloom

The Xu family mansion.

Xu Fugui had just returned from Kunxu Market when he happened to run into Xu Xiaohou, who was also returning from outside, dressed in night clothes.

Where did Liu Zi go?

He was puzzled; such attire was clearly unusual.

Is he going out to stir up trouble again?

In the past three years, he has never reprimanded Xu Xiaohou to his face because of Xiaoxi.

Xu Xiaohou's actions over the past three years have proven that he has changed. Apart from frantically searching for the whereabouts of demonic cultivators and human traffickers at the beginning, he has settled down at home to focus on cultivation.

"After three years, Liu Zi finally couldn't bear this monotonous training any longer?"

Xu Fugui thought.

Not long after, Xu Xiaoniu finished dealing with Yuan Zhongqiu's matter and returned to the Xu family mansion.

"Father, I've collected enough spirit stones. We can take over Hundred Valleys Mountain now."

He had saved up three years' worth of spirit stones as salary, and with the spoils of war from killing Yuan Zhongqiu just now, he finally had enough for thirty-eight spirit stones.

Even for celestial officials, accumulating spirit stones is not easy.

“I was just about to discuss this matter with you, and asked Siyun to come back from the county town.”

Xu Fugui returned from Kunxu Market with enough spirit stones to occupy Hundred Valleys Mountain, with plenty to spare.

"There's one more thing: Zhonghuai has broken through to the Innate Realm."

"Perfect, let him come back too."

The two brothers, Zhongche and Zhonghuai, live in the county town. Zhongche refines medicine pills at the Xu family mansion, while Zhonghuai usually stays with his mother.

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.

This five-courtyard mansion of the Xu family has many secret rooms.

Night falls in the largest underground chamber.

The Xu family members gathered here to discuss matters.

In the dimly lit secret room, Xu Fugui sat in the main seat of the grand master's chair, followed by Xu Xiaoniu, Xu Xiaoyun, Xu Xiaoan, and Xu Xiaohou in order of age, along with the younger generation Xu Zhongche and Xu Zhonghuai.

Xu Zhonghuai, who had just advanced to the Innate Realm, was visiting for the first time. He had no idea that there was such a secret underground room in the mansion.

In such a secluded room, in such a dark and gloomy environment, what important matter could they be discussing? He felt both excited and nervous.

"Jungcheol, you tell him."

Xu Fugui spoke up, asking Zhong Che, the youngest among those present, to explain the secrets of stance training.

"Ah."

Xu Zhongche nodded, then turned to his younger brother Zhonghuai and revealed the secret of the family's stance training technique, which could only be known after advancing to the Innate Realm.

"This! I have five elemental spiritual roots? And everyone in our family who has advanced to the Innate Realm all has spiritual roots?"

It took Zhonghuai a while to process this shocking news.

"This news must be kept secret. No one can know, not even other family members..."

Xu Zhongche explained the importance of the secret to Zhonghuai.

The secrets of the Five Elements Stance Training only require a slight reminder; anyone can imagine the consequences if it were to be revealed.

Xu Zhonghuai nodded solemnly: "I promise I won't say a single word."

Regarding what cultivation method Xu Zhonghuai should practice after breaking through to the Innate Realm, Xu Fugui gave three options: "You can cultivate the 'Lingnong Qi Refining Technique,' which is a dual-system cultivation method of wood and earth. Its disadvantage is that the spells are used for assistance, and its combat power is not strong."

You can also learn the "Nine Flames Spirit Fire Technique" from your older brother. It's a fire-based technique, suitable for alchemy, but its combat power is much stronger than the Spirit Farmer Technique.

Or, like your father, you could simply use cultivation techniques to guide qi into your body, open your dantian, become a qi cultivator, prolong your life, and still focus on the Five Elements Stance Technique to enhance your martial arts strength.

In terms of martial arts, there are ample Qi and Blood Pills, allowing for rapid early-stage improvement and increased combat power.

These three choices presented Xu Zhonghuai, leaving him in a state of hesitation.

Both options have their drawbacks.

This is the current predicament of the Xu family: an extreme lack of resources for cultivating immortality.

Even choosing a cultivation method is difficult. Although the Spirit Farmer Technique is a high-quality dual-system technique, it is biased towards support.

The Nine Flames Spirit Fire Technique is slightly inferior, and there's an even inferior Earth Element Technique.

Most importantly: a lack of spirit stones.

Focusing on cultivating immortality inevitably leads to a slow rate of advancement.

It focuses on martial arts, has Qi and Blood Pills, and provides rapid improvement, but it cuts off any hope of future Foundation Establishment.

"Take your time to think it over. There's no need to rush into a decision. Three to five days, or even ten days to half a month, is fine. You can decide to cultivate martial arts now and then decide to cultivate immortality later."

The path of spiritual practice is long and winding; it is not something that can be followed blindly once a decision is made.

After Xu Fugui finished speaking, he took out a bulging, exquisite cloth bag, untied the rope, and poured out eighty spirit stones.

"These spirit stones will be used to register the Xu family to reclaim the Baihe Mountain. You can discuss how to divide the rest of the spirit stones."

He also kept seven or eight spirit stones as a backup.

He has ample spiritual energy within his body, and the Longevity Fruit can extend his lifespan. With gradual cultivation, he'll eventually reach the ninth level of Qi Refining. It's better to distribute the spirit stones to others.

A pile of crystal-clear spirit stones, reflecting their luster, astonished everyone.

Every time Xu Fugui went out, he would bring back some resources, but they didn't know where these resources came from. In short, the Xu family's secrets were definitely not limited to the "Five Elements Stance Technique".

"I have it here too."

Xu Xiaoniu also took out a bag of spirit stones, poured them out, and mixed them with the previous spirit stones.

His pile of spirit stones and spirit crystals totaled thirty-eight spirit stones and three spirit crystals.

“It costs 38 spirit stones to register the land reclamation, and 5 spirit stones per year starting from the second year. Those 5 spirit stones will come from my spirit stone salary, and I will be responsible for them.”

Xu Xiaoniu continues to shoulder the responsibilities of being the "eldest brother".

"Brother, how can you, as the head of the Demon Subduing Division, only be at the fourth level of Qi Refining? You should save your spirit stones to improve your strength."

"Give Zhongche a bigger share. He's our family's pharmacist. Once his strength improves, he'll be more efficient at refining pills."

"And Zhonghuai..."

Everyone politely declined and defered to each other. ————

Xu Fugui watched this scene with mixed feelings.

There are only so many spirit stones, how should we divide them? Everyone is short of spirit stones, we can't favor one over the other.

He, as the father, felt helpless; it was precisely because the distribution was difficult that he asked everyone to discuss it.

“I’ll do it. This time, we’ll divide it equally. We’ll give thirty-eight spirit stones to the Forest Supervisor, and we’ll have eighty spirit stones left. Da Niu, Liu Zi, Zhong Che, and Zhong Huai, each of you will get twenty spirit stones.”

Xu Fugui made the allocation in this way, and as for how the four people should defer to each other, he left it to them to decide.

Appropriate rules must be established for the distribution of family spirit stone resources in the future. Family harmony is important, but so are rules and regulations.

Xu Xiaohou, Xu Zhongche, and Xu Zhonghuai each received twenty spirit stones.

Xu Xiaoniu accepted the remaining spirit stones and went to hand them over to the Forest Supervisor.

Xu Zhonghuai looked at the twenty spirit stones in front of him. This was a resource that would make many rogue cultivators envious. He hesitated for a moment, then kept only one spirit crystal and gave the rest to Xu Zhongche: "Brother, you should keep the spirit stones. It's more important for you to improve your cultivation level."

I've decided to focus on martial arts first, and leave the cultivation of immortality to fate.

"……it is good."

Xu Zhongche ultimately did not refuse, as his cultivation speed with his five pseudo-spiritual roots was too slow, and he was still only at the first level of Qi Refining.

Only by quickly improving one's cultivation level can the true effects of the "Nine Flames Spirit Fire Technique" be unleashed.

Xu Xiaoniu took out ten spirit stones from his own collection and gave them to Xu Xiaohou: "Sixth son, you take these ten spirit stones."

"No, no, big brother, you need it too..."

Xu Xiaohou waved his hands repeatedly.

"Take it if I tell you to. You have even greater talent. When you become stronger, you can help me, just like you made the greatest contribution in dealing with that rogue cultivator this time."

Xu Xiaoniu knew his talent was average; he only became a celestial official through a series of fortuitous events. In terms of practical combat talent, Xu Xiaohou was far superior.

"Okay, brother, just let me know if you run into any trouble."

Xu Xiaohou accepted the spirit stones. In his view, whoever used the spirit stones to improve their strength was helping the entire Xu family.

"What kind of rogue cultivator?"

Xu Fugui overheard Xu Xiaoniu saying something about "dealing with rogue cultivators."

"Father, this is what happened. A couple of days ago, a rogue cultivator was massacring civilians. I asked Sixth Son to help him. If it weren't for him, the cultivator would have escaped..."

Xu Xiaoniu briefly recounted the events.

Xu Fugui then realized that he had misunderstood Xu Xiaohou. When he encountered Xu Xiaohou returning from outside, it was not because he had gone out to cause trouble, but because he was helping Xu Xiaoniu.

Afterwards, the Xu family discussed various matters after occupying Baihe Mountain.

Occupying a vast mountainous area, there are countless things to deal with.

The group only discussed a general plan; they would need to analyze the specifics when problems arose.

"I have something to tell you all by the way. I'm currently looking for a husband for Chung-chao so that he can get married as soon as possible."

Xu Xiaoyun took this opportunity to tell everyone about it.

"This is great news! Marriage is a serious matter and cannot be taken lightly. If you need any help, just let me know. I'll see if I can help find a good in-law for Zhongchao."

"Brother, I can handle this. You don't need to trouble yourself."

Xu Zhonghuai, blushing, said, "Grandpa, I also want to get married."

"And my son, Chuichi, I'm making arrangements for him."

The speaker was Xu Xiaoan.

His four sons, Chung-i, Chung-er, and Chung-san, all lack martial arts talent like him, while Chung-si, who is currently six years old, has not yet started practicing stance training.

Although they lacked talent, they were all honest and dutiful, having worked alongside him for many years handling farm affairs.

"Haha, good, good, good! Our Xu family will have several happy events this year."

The group discussed things all night in a festive atmosphere, and the meeting did not end until the early hours of the next morning.

Xu Xiaoyun, Xu Xiaoan, Xu Zhongche, and Xu Zhonghuai left first.

Xu Fugui left Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Xiaohou behind: "Here's a mid-grade Golden Light Talisman for each of you. Da Niu, you're the director of the Demon Subduing Division, so you're bound to encounter danger. A protective item is essential. Once you get to the county town, go to the mountain forest to oversee the affairs of Baihe Mountain as soon as possible."

"I know dad."

Xu Xiaoniu accepted the golden talisman and took his leave.

Only Xu Fugui and Xu Xiaohou remained in the underground chamber.

"Liu Zi, this is for you."

Xu Fugui stretched out his palm, and a flying sword lay quietly in his palm, with feather-like patterns tattooed on both sides of the sword.

It was the flying sword he had used before: the Feather Pattern Flying Sword.

He spent 34 spirit stones to buy a low-grade magic weapon called "Sleeve Flying Sword" in Kunxu Market. After thinking it over, he decided to keep the Sleeve Flying Sword for himself and pass the Feather Pattern Flying Sword to Xu Xiaohou.

He cultivates the Spirit Farming Technique, spending a great deal of time nurturing spiritual plants within his internal space, and rarely goes out.

Even if he encounters danger, he has the ultimate life-saving ability to "hide in his internal space".

Xu Xiaohou, who helps Xu Xiaoniu fight against demonic cultivators and thieves, has an even greater need for magical artifacts.

"Dad, this..."

"I have erased the mark left on the feather-patterned flying sword. Refine it according to the method of the first level of the Flying Sword Technique, and then this high-grade magic weapon flying sword will be passed on to you."

Use it with extreme caution; in short, your secret as a Qi Refining cultivator should not be revealed.

This top-grade magic weapon, the feather-patterned flying sword, is worth at least two hundred spirit stones and is the most valuable treasure of the Xu family.

It can be considered a "family heirloom".

The Xu family is currently facing a shortage of resources, and even a magical flying sword must be passed down and used.

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Xiaohou carefully accepted the feather-patterned flying sword.

His elder brother gave him the spirit stone, and his father passed on the most precious magical artifact in the family to him.

He felt a greater sense of hope on his shoulders and decided to work even harder to live up to his talent and his family's expectations.

(End of this chapter)