From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 143 Chain
Xu Zhongchao's words stung Ma Shujie's heart.

Although she knew this day would come sooner or later, it came far too quickly.

"Does Father know?"

"Yes, I just took Xiaoyun to pay my respects to Father."

"it is good."

Ma Shujie nodded, thinking to herself: as a lady, she had to appear magnanimous and not seem petty.

So he instructed Liu Yun: "You're new to Baihe Mountain and not familiar with it yet. If you need anything, just let me know and I'll help you."

"Thank you ma'am."

Liu Yun said respectfully.

Subsequently, Liu Yun was arranged to live in a courtyard not far from Ma Shujie's residence. One was Xu Zhongchao's legal wife, and the other was Xu Zhongchao's concubine; living close by would facilitate communication.

That courtyard was originally designed for maids and servants to live in.

They arranged for Liu Yun to stay there, and the dozen or so maids and servants who originally lived there were all moved elsewhere.

Although it was supposed to be a place for maids, arranging for Liu Yun to live alone was appropriate for her status as a concubine and not considered an insult. The Xu family also arranged for a maid to serve her personally.

A few days later, in the courtyard.

Liu Yun slept lazily until she woke up naturally, and with the help of her maid, she changed her clothes and washed up: "What's for dinner today?"

"The host said you are pregnant, so they specially added a few dishes, such as red date and lotus seed porridge, bird's nest and rock sugar... The usual chicken soup is also available, and today there is also steamed sea bass. What would you like to eat? I will have them send it over."

"Um……"

After a moment's thought, Liu Yun named several dishes.

The maid went to prepare the meal, and she leisurely came to the courtyard, looking at the garden full of flowers, feeling extremely happy.

She discovered that life in Baihe Mountain was much better than in the county town. This was the life of a concubine in a wealthy family, which was more comfortable than that of the wives of those in moderately wealthy families.

She touched the gold bracelet on her wrist and thought: It's all because she's pregnant.

If she didn't have children, she might not have received such good treatment.

Actually, it wasn't that the Xu family was generous to their concubines, but rather that the Xu family was so wealthy that even a small amount slipped through their fingers would amount to a lifetime of riches and honor for an ordinary person like Liu Yun.

"My life won't be so easy after the baby is born. In a worse situation, my baby might even be taken away."

This kind of thing is not uncommon.

Liu Yun wouldn't let that happen. She had finally managed to climb up the big tree of the Xu family, and she wanted to go further and change her fate against all odds!

Her demands were not high; as long as Ma Shujie died and she became the legal wife, she would have no worries for the rest of her life.

After twenty years of hardship, it's time for her to enjoy life.

However, one cannot rush things; one must proceed gradually. She has several months before the child is born, so she cannot be hasty.

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 a while.

In the dead of night, on a desolate mountain dozens of miles away from Qingqiu Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, Lan Yunkai sized up the Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivator shrouded in a black robe not far away, wondering where this Qi Refining cultivator got the audacity to sell a Turtle Year Pill worth more than eight thousand spirit stones.

His divine sense had scanned the other party several times, but he only found a storage pouch on the other party's body, and he didn't know if there were any precious Turtle Year Pills inside.

"So you're the one looking for buyers of Gui Nian Dan?"

Lan Yunkai asked aloud.

"Yes."

The person shrouded in black robes revealed only their eyes and spoke in a weathered voice.

His name was He Sou, and he had reached the pinnacle of Qi cultivation, living to the age of 110.

"Take out the Tortoise-Year Pill first, I want to inspect the goods."

Lan Yunkai, who is very shrewd, would certainly not easily trust the other party.

"Heh, do you think I'm stupid, Chief Lan?"

He Sou revealed Lan Yunkai's identity. "Hmm?"

Lan Yunkai's aura, typical of someone in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, exploded, overwhelming his opponent and making it hard for them to breathe.

"Clan Chief Lan, I deliberately leaked information about your Lan family members near Qingqiu Mountain. Who else could be a Foundation Establishment cultivator besides you? As for taking out the Tortoise-Year Pill, I'm not that stupid. You'll definitely kill me and take the Tortoise-Year Pill."

If I were to do business with a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I certainly wouldn't carry the Tortoise-Year Pill with me.

"I must get what I want first before I will tell you where the Tortoise-Year Pill is located."

For this precious second-grade elixir, He Sou had devoted countless efforts and time, making all sorts of meticulous plans.

Although his situation was extremely dangerous, a near-death experience, he didn't care and felt the risk was worthwhile.

His lifespan is nearing its end; he'll die sooner or later, so he might as well gamble on his hope of advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"what do you want?"

Lan Yunkai wanted to hear the other party's terms.

"Foundation Pill."

"Dream on! You want to exchange one Turtle Life Pill for one Foundation Establishment Pill? If I had a Foundation Establishment Pill, would I need to buy your Turtle Life Pill?"

"..."

The conditions proposed by He Sou were not unreasonable.

Which is more precious, the Foundation Building Pill or the Tortoise Life Pill? In most cases, it's the Foundation Building Pill.

But what about Foundation Establishment cultivators without families or descendants? The Turtle Year Pill is definitely more tempting.

Or, for a great cultivator at the eighth or ninth level of Foundation Establishment, the effect of extending their lifespan by forty years is also enormous, no less valuable than a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Eight thousand spirit stones."

"That's too much. Who knows where you got your Turtle Year Pill? It's not worth eight thousand spirit stones."

"Seven thousand."

"Six thousand."

"Too little."

After some haggling, the two sides finally settled on a price of 6,800 spirit stones.

However, a new problem arose.

"Clan Chief Lan, go and prepare the spirit stones first. Once you have enough spirit stones, I will tell you the location of the Tortoise Year Pill."

"Ha, such a petty trick. You think you can fool me with such a lame excuse?"

Lan Yunkai wasn't stupid. He hadn't even seen the Turtle Year Pill yet, and he wanted him to pay 6,800 spirit stones?

"..."

He Sou hesitated for a moment, then lifted his robe to let Lan Yunkai see his appearance: "My name is He Sou, and my title in the Xue family is Gray Wolf. You can go and inquire about something that the Xue family lost recently."

Once you've found out everything and prepared the spirit stones, we can talk again.

I'll tell the Lan family where we'll meet next; I hope you won't make me waste any more time.

Upon hearing the words "Xue family," Lan Yunkai's body tensed instantly.

The Xue family, renowned for their alchemy skills, is a famous and mysterious family in Yuanli County. They are known for their ability to refine second-grade spiritual pills such as Foundation Establishment Pills and Longevity Pills.

Lan Yunkai initially believed only 20% of the rumors about the Tortoise Elixir, and disbelieved the remaining 80%, since few of the rumors were true.

Hearing the name "Xue family" from He Sou, he believed it to a large extent.

However, his first reaction was not to collect spirit stones or investigate the authenticity of the information, but to capture He Sou and search his soul!

"Chief Lan, you wouldn't be planning to attack me, would you? Heh."

As soon as He Sou turned around, he suddenly turned back and smiled mysteriously: "Believe me, Chief Lan, you definitely can't search my soul. Besides having a secret technique to protect my soul, I also have a suicide pill. I will definitely die before you can control me."

And your Lan family will pay the corresponding price.

(End of this chapter)