From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 140 Undercurrent
If he successfully establishes his foundation, he will have over a hundred years more to live and will be promoted to a celestial official in the county government, ushering in a new era for the Lü family.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

Just then, Lü Yisong's nephew, Lü Qingyan, walked into the room.

Lü Qingyan possesses a mixed spiritual root of four elements, making him the highest-ranking member of the Lü family besides Lü Yisong: Qi Refining Level 8.

"Second uncle."

His voice sounded slightly urgent.

Lü Yisong raised his eyelids: "Qingyan, what's wrong?"

Lu Qingyan bent down and squatted beside Lu Yisong's bed, looking worried: "I heard that Pei Wanchang gave Director Xu of the Demon Subduing Division thirty spirit stones to recommend him as the county magistrate."

"He reacted quickly. Call Jiang Hao over! After all these years as county magistrate, he still can't even flatter his colleagues!"

Lü Yisong's voice was filled with anger.

Jiang Hao can't even do something as simple as giving spirit stones to others?

Jiang Hao doesn't need to win Xu Xiaoniu's support; he only needs to keep Xu Xiaoniu neutral. In terms of seniority and ability, it should be Jiang Hao's turn to be promoted to county magistrate.

The first to arrive was not Jiang Hao, but Lü Yisong's son, Lü Qingmao.

"Dad~~"

Lu Qingmao entered and saw Lu Qingyan: "It's good that you're here too. I need to talk to you about something."

"how?"

"That Pei fellow is shameless and his methods are too vicious! The steward just reported that a corpse was found in my residence in the county town. It was a corpse that had been drained of its life essence and died in a bizarre manner. It was obviously the work of a demonic cultivator."

"Father, he's trying to frame me!"

Lu Qingmao was panicked. Once his father died and the celestial official's protective charm was gone, their Lu family would be lambs to the slaughter, at Pei Wanchang's mercy.

"What's the rush! Cough cough~~"

Lu Yisong coughed with anger. After catching his breath, he said, "Xu Xiaoniu isn't stupid. He won't cooperate with that Pei guy so easily with such a simple frame-up. Don't worry. Besides, even if I die, our family still has Jiang Hao. Do you really think that Tonggu County will be ruled by that Pei guy?"

A moment later, Jiang Hao arrived, followed by his daughter, Lü Xuanting.

Nineteen-year-old Lü Xuanting has grown into a graceful young woman. At such a young age, she is already a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining. She exudes an ethereal aura, as if she were a fairy.

"Grandpa!"

Lü Xuanting quickly stepped forward.

"Grandpa, I was just helping Xuan Ting with her magic. I heard you wanted to see me, so I came right away."

Jiang Hao addressed Lü Yisong as "County Magistrate" in public, but at home he and his wife addressed him as "Grandpa".

Lu Yisong smiled as he looked at his great-granddaughter Lu Xuanting: "Ting'er is getting more and more beautiful. You go out and play first. Your father and I will discuss some serious matters."

"it is good."

Lu Xuanting nodded obediently and walked out the door.

Only four people remained in the room: Lü Yisong, Lü Qingyan, Lü Qingmao, and Jiang Hao.

Have you heard about what's happening outside?

Lü Yisong's tone was accusatory.

"what's up?"

Jiang Hao pretended to be stupid.

"At such a critical moment, you don't know what's going on outside? That guy surnamed Pei has already bribed Xu Xiaoniu, what are you doing? Playing with the kids at home?"
You bear the future of the Lü family on your shoulders, how can you be so irresponsible! *cough cough*

Lü Yisong rebuked loudly.

Jiang Hao remained expressionless and spread his hands: "I've heard about it, but there's nothing I can do. My meager salary is only enough for myself; I don't have any extra spirit stones to give to Xu Xiaoniu. Besides, Xu Xiaoniu and I have always had a good relationship and keep in touch frequently. I've done my best."

He was right. He hadn't received a single spirit crystal from the Lü family, so what could he offer Xu Xiaoniu?

"you……"

Lu Yisong pointed his finger at Jiang Hao's nose, his finger trembling slightly.

Jiang Hao had never argued with him before, but now that he had failed to establish his foundation and his cultivation had declined, and he was about to die, his grandson-in-law dared to talk back to him!

"Are you going to fight for this county magistrate position or not?"

“I also want to compete, but I heard that Pei Wanchang not only gave spirit stones to Xu Xiaoniu, but also to a Foundation Establishment Immortal Official in the county government. I’m afraid I can’t compete with him.”

In terms of strength, I am at the eighth level of Qi Refining, which is stronger than him. In terms of seniority, I have served as a celestial official in Tonggu County for much longer than him.

But that can't compare to his willingness to give away spirit stones.

Jiang Hao was helpless.

People used spirit stones to smooth things over, but he did nothing. Why was he promoted to magistrate?
"..."

After a long silence, Lü Yisong waved his hand and said, "You wait at the door first. I need to say a few words to Qingyan and Qing'ang."

"it is good."

Jiang Hao turned and walked out of the room, talking to Lü Xuanting outside.

He could guess what Lü Yisong would discuss with the two of them; it was all within his calculations. Ultimately, the Lü family still didn't completely trust him.

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.

After Jiang Hao left the room.

Lu Yisong and the two whispered to each other, "Do you think our family can spend spirit stones to support Jiang Hao in becoming the county magistrate? If we give him a hundred spirit stones, it should be a sure thing, right?"

"Second Uncle, one hundred spirit stones is a lot, but it's probably not enough for this matter."

Lu Qingyan pondered this in his mind, then shook his head helplessly.

The county magistrate's salary of spirit stones alone was 12 more per year than that of an ordinary celestial official. Over ten years, that would amount to 120 spirit stones.

As a county magistrate, one can recoup the cost of one hundred spirit stones through his salary alone, not to mention other benefits.

Pei Wanchang was certainly willing to spend more than 100 spirit stones in order to become the county magistrate.

"Then give him two hundred, or even three hundred spirit stones?"

Lu Yisong knew that under normal circumstances, one hundred spirit stones would be enough, but when they encountered someone who was determined to fight them to the death, the spirit stones they spent were like a bottomless pit: there was no specific amount, and they could only invest more than their opponent.

“Father, we still have quite a few spirit stones. Give Jiang Hao four hundred spirit stones, and he can use three hundred spirit stones to advance from the eighth to the ninth level of Qi Refining. Then use the remaining spirit stones to bribe Xu Xiaoniu. The position of county magistrate will be rightfully his.”

Lü Qingmao made the suggestion.

The higher a Qi Refining cultivator goes, the more spirit stones they need to consume for each level of advancement.

If you rely solely on spirit stones to advance, it will only take thirty to forty spirit stones to go from the first to the third level of Qi Refining.

However, in the later stages of Qi Refining, it takes 300 spirit stones to go from the eighth to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

"It's not that I'm reluctant to part with the spirit stones, it's that I'm worried..."

Lu Yisong was worried about whether Jiang Hao truly cared about the Lu family.

Having served as magistrate for so many years, and with the Lü family being the number one cultivation family in Tonggu County, it wouldn't be difficult for them to come up with four hundred spirit stones.

If the Pei family could afford to contribute several hundred spirit stones to support Pei Wanchang, the Lü family would only contribute even more.

But if they raise an ungrateful son-in-law, their spirit stones will be wasted.

"We have no better solution right now."

"Father, no matter what, Jiang Hao is Xuan Ting's biological father, and he will definitely side with our Lü family."

Lü Qingyan is strong enough, but unfortunately he doesn't have the status of a celestial official.

Behind the celestial officials lies the imperial court, symbolizing power. No matter how strong Lü Qingyan is, if he is classified as a "demonic cultivator" by the Demon Subduing Division, he will only face death.

"Four hundred spirit stones..."

After much deliberation, Lü Yisong finally decided to support Jiang Hao. "Then give him four hundred spirit stones to help him advance to the ninth level of Qi Refining, and use the remaining spirit stones to smooth things over."

As he said those words, it was as if he had used up all his strength, and he felt a sense of utter exhaustion.

Upon learning this news, Jiang Hao was secretly delighted: his plan was going very smoothly.

The reason he appeared at the same time as Lü Xuanting was to dispel the concerns of the Lü family.

With four hundred spirit stones in hand, they swindled the Lü family out of a fortune.

But the real show has only just begun!
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.

Baihe Mountain.

The Xu family continued to develop discreetly, unaffected by the conflict between the Lü and Pei families.

night.

Xu Fugui practiced flying sword techniques in the mountains and forests of the core area.

He cultivated his spiritual power to the late stage of Qi Refining through the "Meditation Soul Refining Technique," enabling him to use the third level of flying sword techniques.

The magical flying sword he used was a low-grade magical artifact called "Sleeve Flying Sword".

While it may not be as high quality as the Feather Pattern Flying Sword, Xu Fugui was able to unleash its full power.

"Huh! Huh!"

The palm-sized flying swords darted back and forth in the air, making a soft whooshing sound.

"return."

Xu Fugui reached out, and the flying sword from his sleeve flew back into his palm.

Compared to the second level of the Flying Sword Technique, which only has the power to strike once, the third level of the Flying Sword Technique has a much greater sustained combat capability.

"Too little spiritual energy, too weak spiritual power."

He couldn't help but sigh, realizing that the spiritual energy in his dantian had been completely depleted in just a short time, and he felt a sense of mental exhaustion.

"After all, I'm only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and the road ahead is long."

Xu Fugui thought to himself that he was only a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, which was not considered low-level among Qi Refining cultivators, but he was definitely not a strong one either.

He returned to his private cave dwelling and entered his inner space to cultivate.

By circulating the "Lingnong Qi Cultivation Technique" throughout the body, spiritual energy is rapidly restored.

Two days later, Xu Fugui was in top condition.

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

He hasn't been to Kunxu Market for the past year, and his internal space has helped several more century-old spiritual plants grow.

As his cultivation level reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, his efficiency in cultivating and promoting spiritual plants increased.

As his internal space expanded, his spiritual plants still seemed far from sufficient. The Xu family had many descendants, and those younger spiritual plants needed to be refined into Five Elements Pills to aid in his cultivation practice.

“We dug up three century-old dead-leaf vines, two century-old blue vines, and two century-old ground vines.”

He carefully dug out the good-quality spiritual plants with his herb-gathering hoe and packed them into prepared wooden boxes.

Afterwards, he replanted the spiritual plant seedlings in the cleared land.

The total space inside the body is only so big, and every inch of space is precious, so there can't be any empty spaces.

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.

A few days later, Kunxu Market.

"So lively?"

Xu Fugui, shrouded in a large black robe, walked into Kunxu Market with a bamboo basket on his back and saw a bustling crowd.

Looking around, one could see a large number of cultivators coming and going.

Business was indeed booming in Kunxu Market, but Xu Fugui had never seen so many cultivators appear in the market at the same time.

"Woof woof~~"

"Roar--!"

"Ouch~~"

"..."

In the distance, the roars of wild beasts echoed one after another.

Xu Fugui noticed that most of the people were gathered there, so he squeezed forward to join in the fun.

Inside a cage made of steel as thick as a wrist, there was a huge beast shaped like a lion or tiger.

There were also iron cages of various sizes nearby, containing animals of different sizes.

The seller introduced the animal to everyone: "This three-month-old exotic beast, the Azure Mastiff Wolf, is the offspring of the spirit beast Azure Wind Wolf and the mastiff dog. It will have the combat power of an innate martial artist as soon as it grows up. It is a good helper to guard the house and the yard. It is in the stage of being fed and recognizing its master. I'm selling it cheaply for twenty spirit stones."

"The Snow-haired Weasel Beast, just reaching adulthood, can be controlled by a whistle. It can be easily controlled to kill enemies and defend itself. It has innate triple combat power and costs thirty spirit stones."

"..."

Xu Fugui knew that the Ning family, a Qi-cultivating family that occupied Kunxu Mountain, was famous for its "beast taming" tradition.

However, these so-called strange beasts were not valuable items.

The Ning family rarely puts their truly precious spirit beasts out for sale.

For example, the most imposing and ferocious spirit beast in the largest iron cage, with its long fur, was two zhang tall when it stood up. Even Xu Fugui felt its pressure when he got close. Its strength was probably at the late stage of Qi Refining.

Xu Fugui had no doubt that the iron cage was just something to give everyone psychological comfort and could not contain the spirit beast at all.

The monks nearby were discussing it.

"Is that the Mountain-Suppressing Lion-Bear Beast, bred by the Ning family? I heard its strength is equivalent to the eighth level of Qi Refining."

"If it performs well, it can even slay a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator. I heard it costs a thousand spirit stones to buy."

"One thousand? Dream on, it'll be at least eighteen thousand, and you're not even going to haggle?"

“This spirit beast needs to eat spirit bamboo and spirit herbs every day, and its food costs one or two spirit stones every month. You can afford to buy it, but you can’t afford to raise it.”

"The Ning family doesn't usually put things up for sale, why this time?"

"Haven't you heard? Recently, a second-grade spiritual pill called the Tortoise-Year Pill has been produced. If the Ning family wants to buy it, they'll definitely have to gather spirit stones."

"Tortoise-Longevity Pill? What kind of elixir is that?"

"One of the rarest second-grade spiritual pills is the Tortoise-Year Pill, also known as the Foundation Establishment Longevity Pill, which can extend the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator by forty years!"

"..."

What is most precious to a cultivator?

life!

The Longevity Pill, which can extend a mortal's life by ten years, can sell for 28 spirit stones.

What about elixirs that can extend the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator by forty years?

Xu Fugui couldn't imagine the price; he estimated it to be an astronomical sum of several thousand or even tens of thousands of spirit stones.

"Fortunately, I have the Longevity Fruit. To extend my lifespan, all I need is the bloodline essence of my offspring."

he thought.

He then stopped looking at the spirit beasts for sale and started selling spirit plants instead.

The mountain-guarding lion-bear beast worth over a thousand spirit stones, and the priceless tortoise-year pill, none of these have anything to do with him.

(End of this chapter)