From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 148 Yuan Sha Gong

Yinling has a sharp, short haircut and piercing eyes.

She has been in Yunze Mountain for ten years and is twenty years old this year. Because her voice is as clear as a bell, Xue Yimiao gave her the name "Silver Bell".

Her original name was Meng Jiaojiao, and she was a girl who was sold by a poor farmer to be a maid.

Given her qualifications, it would have been impossible for her to survive to the end during the Xue family's cruel process of "cultivating the main medicine".

When she was taken away from Tonggu County, she met Xu Zhongxi, who was a year younger than her. The two girls encouraged and supported each other, which enabled them to survive countless pains and torments.

Xu Zhongxi was given the name "Nightmare".

When she was captured, she was already at the second level of her stance training, possessed a physique far superior to that of ordinary girls, and had taken many Five Elements Pills, causing the five elemental roots within her body to begin to take shape. After arriving at Yunze Mountain, she performed much better than others in the "cultivation" process.

She was more efficient at cultivating her skills and had a stronger tolerance to toxins, so she often shared some of her spiritual medicines and other resources with Meng Jiaojiao.

With the help of resources, Meng Jiaojiao has been able to survive to this day.

The two received the elixirs and spirit stones and returned to their lodgings.

Their lodgings were not far from the poisonous pool, just a few simple houses. On this Black Swamp Mountain, their every move was being watched; there were no secrets to be had.

Meng Jiaojiao took the antidote pill, clutched the spirit stone in her palm, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to cultivate her technique.

The cultivation technique she practiced was called "Yuan Sha Gong" or "Yu Nu Yuan Yin Gong".

This technique can only be practiced by women, who must remain virgins. It involves absorbing the yin energy between heaven and earth and transforming it into spiritual energy within the body.

Initially, cultivating this technique required a special physique similar to that of cultivating immortal spiritual roots.

Through the Xue family's research, they discovered that by using a special toxin to corrode the body and then treating the toxin with a spiritual medicine, this process could be repeated many times to change one's constitution, allowing ordinary women to cultivate the "Yuan Sha Gong".

The medicinal properties of the healing plants are absorbed and deposited in the body. Over the years, they can cultivate the human body into a "precious medicine".

The cost is that some people cannot withstand the process and are poisoned to death, or are tormented and broken down by the constant cycle of toxins and elixirs.

Therefore, the Xue family would use various methods to screen and "eliminate" a group of people from the very beginning, so as not to waste resources.

"Elimination" means death.

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.

Meng Jiaojiao endured the torment of the poison for ten years, and still suffered unbearable pain after each soak in the poisonous pool.

After taking the elixir, her pain was reduced by more than half.

He then circulated his cultivation technique to absorb all the spiritual energy from the spirit stone in his palm.

The primordial energy circulates throughout her meridians and dantian.

Because of her constant exposure to toxins, her spiritual energy also carries a potent poison, which inadvertently enhances her combat abilities.

However, due to excessive toxins, she could not become the "main ingredient" of the Foundation Establishment Pill, and was instead trained to become a "demonic cultivator" who served the Xue family.

Her current cultivation level is the fifth level of Qi Refining.

In ten years, the Xue family went from an unqualified farmer's daughter to a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator. That's their skill.

Not far away, Xu Zhongxi was also practicing his martial arts.

The difference is that her spiritual energy contains only a negligible amount of toxins.

After taking the elixir and circulating the Yuan Sha Gong several times to digest its medicinal power, she began practicing stance training.

The first two levels of "Five Elements Stance Exercise" consist of five static stances on the first level and ten static stances on the second level.

With her current cultivation level, practicing stance training would have no effect on improving her strength, but she didn't know why, this family's stance training could also neutralize the toxins in spiritual energy.

She, like Meng Jiaojiao, is at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

When she reaches the peak of Qi Refining, she will become the "main ingredient" for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, she was unaware of all this.

The women on Black Swamp Mountain, unaware of the purpose of their training, passively accept various arrangements, brainwashed and having their thoughts changed by the Xue family.

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.

the other side.

Lan Chuanyin and his companions returned from Yunze Mountain to Qingqiu Mountain, encountering many cultivators of unknown origin along the way.

"what's the situation?"

They rushed back to Qingqiu Mountain.

At this moment, the Lan family members on Qingqiu Mountain were in complete chaos. They had learned that their patriarch, Lan Yunkai, was dying, and the Lan family was finished!
Lan Chuanyin heard about another matter: rumors were spreading that Lan Yunkai was dead, that no one in the Lan family had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and that a large number of Tribulation Cultivators and Demon Cultivators were lurking near Qingqiu Mountain, waiting to take advantage of the chaos to make a fortune there.

"To kick someone when they're down, this is outrageous!"

Lan Chuanyin sensed that this was a conspiracy that had been set up against the Lan family long ago. The patriarch was still alive, yet so many cultivators and demonic cultivators had come prepared.

This is because they don't want to leave the Lan family a way out.

On Qingqiu Peak, in the main hall of the Lan family.

Lan Yunkai lay on his seat, his breath growing weaker, with only a moment left to live.

Before him stood Lan Chuanyin and over a hundred members of the Lan family who were at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

"When the wall falls, everyone pushes it down; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Alas~"

Lan Yunkai sighed weakly.

In his final moments, he guessed who had brought such a terrible fate upon the Lan family.

The family that harbors such deep resentment towards the Lan family and can cause such a commotion is the Tong family, which was almost wiped out, and several other Foundation Establishment families in the surrounding area who are waiting to get a share of the spoils.

Those Foundation Establishment families near Qingqiu Mountain certainly wouldn't mind taking a piece of the fragmented Lan family.

"Chuan Yin~~"

He raised his hand slightly.

"Clan leader."

Lan Chuanyin quickly squatted down beside him to listen to his last words.

"If a Foundation Establishment cultivator were willing to protect us, we would give away all our wealth without hesitation. Spiritual plants, talismans, and spiritual stones are not as valuable as preserving a few bloodlines for us."

Lan Yunkai explained.

He realized that the Lan family's situation was dire; if they wanted to retain their resources, they would face annihilation.

The treacherous cultivators near Qingqiu Mountain?

Ha, what Tribulation Cultivator? They're just random cultivators and members of nearby cultivation families, and there might even be Foundation Establishment cultivators among them.

When they put on black robes, they are traitors; when they lift their robes, they are legitimate independent cultivators and clan cultivators.

"Cough cough~~"

Lan Yunkai suddenly coughed violently and passed away. His body then melted away, turning into a pool of grayish liquid, leaving no trace of his body.

"Clan leader!"

The Lan family members all knelt down.

After a moment of mourning, Lan Chuanyin suddenly stood up, turned around and looked at everyone with a sharp and fierce gaze.

He exuded a menacing aura: "From now on, everyone, listen to my orders!"

Their Lan family has occupied Qingqiu Mountain for two thousand years. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. How could those demonic cultivators bully them?
The Lan family has more than twenty people in the late stage of Qi Refining, about a hundred people in the middle stage of Qi Refining, and more than a hundred people in the early stage of Qi Refining.

With so many Qi Refining cultivators, they represent a force not to be underestimated.

"Have all the spiritual plants been harvested?"

Two days ago, he ordered his people to harvest all the sacred plants.

"We've harvested everything, including the spirit plant seedlings. But we don't have enough storage pouches. Our pouches are all full, and there are still many spirit plants that we can't fit in them."

The storage pouch of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator is only about three feet square, and a space of ten feet square is considered quite large.

"Put the valuable spiritual plants into the storage bag, and let ordinary people carry the rest on their bodies if there is no room for them."

Lan Chuanyin gave the instructions.

The Lan family has as many as 50,000 to 60,000 ordinary members, all of whom live at the foot of Qingqiu Peak and are responsible for cultivating spiritual plants.

Each person can easily take away all the spiritual plants by hiding one or two spiritual plants on their person.

"Let's discuss the routes for separate evacuations."

With so many members of the Lan family, it's impossible for them all to escape together; they must disperse and evacuate discreetly.

They discussed various ways to escape, and also agreed that if they were lucky enough to survive, they would change their surnames and names and live in seclusion. They also agreed on how to recognize each other if any branches of the Lan family were to survive.

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.

Tonggu County, Cangwu Mountain.

On the same day that Lan Yunkai passed away, Lü Yisong also died at home.

Bed.

Lu Yisong was silent, clutching his celestial official token in his hand.

After his death, the spirit jade token suddenly lost its luster and became an ordinary white jade stone, which then shattered into several pieces with a "crack".

The Immortal Official's Token contained the aura of Lü Yisong's soul. After his death, the token naturally shattered, and at the same time, the Yuanli County government would learn of his death.

The room was filled with members of the Lü family.

Lu Qingmao knelt by the bedside, tears streaming down his face.

Everyone else remained silent, heads bowed, deeply saddened.

Among those present, Jiang Hao outwardly appeared grief-stricken, but inwardly he was secretly delighted: he had finally outlived the old man.

He currently possesses the aura of the ninth level of Qi Refining. The four hundred spirit stones given to him by the Lü family allowed him to advance from the eighth to the ninth level of Qi Refining in a short period of time.

After a long while, Lü Qingyan looked at Jiang Hao: "The prefectural government will send someone soon. What are your chances of being promoted to county magistrate?"

All eyes were on Jiang Hao.

With Lü Yisong dead, the Lü family can only rely on Jiang Hao to maintain its facade.

"Nine-nine percent."

Jiang Hao answered in this way.

"That's good."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw how confident he was.

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 half a day.

A mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator named Qu Yunya arrived at the Yuanli County government office.

Because Lü Yisong's lifespan was nearing its end according to the records of the prefectural government, he was not given as much attention as Jing Zhuo when he died.

Qu Yunya arrived in Tonggu County and investigated in Cangwu Mountain, discovering that Lü Yisong had failed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and died a natural death.

Afterwards, he summoned the three immortal officials of Tonggu County: Jiang Hao, Pei Wanchang, and Xu Xiaoniu.

A county magistrate is half a rank higher than an ordinary celestial official, and is usually promoted from among the celestial officials in the county.

Qu Yunya asked the three men, "Who do you think is suitable to be the county magistrate?"

Pei Wanchang spoke first, respectfully saying, "Lord Qu, I recommend County Supervisor Jiang Hao. He is the most senior and has the highest cultivation among the three of us, and has made countless contributions over the years."

He is truly deserving of the position of county magistrate.

After saying that, Pei Wanchang winked at Xu Xiaoniu.

what?
Xu Xiaoniu was puzzled. Wasn't Pei Wanchang supposed to be competing with Jiang Hao? He even gave him thirty spirit stones.

He was just wondering what to do when he saw that Pei Wanchang recommended Jiang Hao, so he chimed in, "Sir, I also think that Magistrate Jiang is the most suitable."

No need to worry about it now.

Jiang Hao said modestly, "I am deeply grateful for the kind words of my two colleagues..."

Seeing that the three were so in agreement, Qu Yunya figured they must have already discussed it privately. If there were any disagreements, he wouldn't mind accepting a small favor to help them out.

Since the three had made their decision, he nodded: "In that case, County Supervisor Jiang Hao will be promoted to County Magistrate. The next County Supervisor will be arranged by the Prefectural Government. You will hand over your Celestial Official Token to me, and the new token will be delivered in a while."

The last sentence was addressed to Jiang Hao.

"Lord Xie Qu."

Jiang Hao handed over his celestial official token with both hands.

The next time he obtains the Celestial Official's Token, the title "County Supervisor" will change to "County Magistrate".

Qu Yunya did not linger and flew away.

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.

"Director Xu, recently there have been frequent appearances of thieves and demonic cultivators. You must be vigilant and ensure the safety of the people of Tonggu County."

Jiang Hao reminded Xu Xiaoniu.

The story of the Lan family of Qingqiu Mountain had already spread for hundreds of miles, and was known to all cultivators.

"Yes, Magistrate Jiang."

Xu Xiaoniu responded.

"Magistrate Jiang, shall we find a place to have a drink?"

Pei Wanchang and Jiang Hao seemed to know each other very well.

"Great! Haha, let's celebrate!"

Jiang Hao and Pei Wanchang flew away side by side.

Xu Xiaoniu, left with a bewildered expression, asked, "Aren't they rivals? How come I'm the one who's superfluous?"

However, he didn't care; it was good not to get involved in the feud between the two families.

As for what happens to the Lü and Pei families, it's not his concern.

"The recent events at Qingqiu Mountain have been making headlines, and there have been quite a few unfamiliar cultivators in the vicinity. I need to go home and remind them."

Tonggu County is only three or four hundred miles away from Qingqiu Mountain.

Xu Xiaoniu had a premonition that the chaos might affect his family, so he had to make preparations as soon as possible.

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 core area, inside the cave.

Xu Zhongche was refining pills, and the pill furnace in front of him was churning.

"Cold fire!"

Under his control, the originally bright yellow spirit fire suddenly turned cold white.

His hands moved with lightning speed, adding several medicinal herbs to the stove.

A moment later, the pill furnace landed with a "thud".

Lifting the stove lid, scalding hot steam immediately wafted out.

When the white mist dissipated, one of the pills was revealed.

"It's finally done."

Xu Zhongche examined the quality of the pill and found that it was not very good.

However, it is extremely rare for him to be able to refine a pill of this quality after many attempts.

This pill is a "semi-spiritual pill" of Qi and Blood that he developed. He replaced the herb *Dictyophora indicum* with a younger spiritual plant called *Dictyophora indicum*.

He had failed many times in his previous attempts to refine semi-spirit pills. After Xu Fugui distributed spirit stones and Qi-boosting pills, his cultivation level improved to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

He also mastered another type of spiritual fire from the "Nine Flames Spiritual Fire Technique": Cold Fire.

In addition, his understanding gained from taking the "Qi-Boosting Pill" allowed him to barely refine one and a half pills.

"The withered leaves have corresponding spiritual plants, but there are still many medicinal herbs in the Qi and Blood Pill that do not have corresponding spiritual plants, only ordinary medicinal herbs. Changing the medicinal herbs according to their medicinal properties is more difficult."

Xu Zhongche thought to himself.

If other alchemists knew Xu Zhongche's thoughts, they would definitely be very surprised.

Other alchemy families have so much experience, yet they still have to spend countless manpower and resources to develop a method for refining elixirs, while he actually dares to attempt to refine elixirs all by himself.

"Let Sixth Uncle have a taste."

This half-spirit pill of qi and blood is most suitable for Xu Xiaohou to try.

Outside the cave, in the mountains and forests, Xu Xiaohou was practicing stance training, his fists and feet whistling through the air.

His cultivation also improved; with the addition of a spirit stone and a Qi-boosting pill, his Qi cultivation broke through to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

The Five Elements Stance Technique is at the second level of the Grandmaster realm, and is about to break through to the third level of the Grandmaster realm.

"Sixth Uncle!"

Xu Zhongche saw that Xu Xiaohou had just finished practicing the stance training and quickly stepped forward.

"I just finished making a Qi and Blood Pill, would you like to try it?"

"it is good."

Curious, Xu Xiaohou took the still-warm Qi and Blood Pill and swallowed it.

"Sixth Uncle, I... I was just about to say that if you feel anything is wrong, you should spit it out."

"..."

Xu Xiaohou was stunned for a moment, then suddenly clutched his stomach and squatted down, looking like he was in pain.

"Sixth Uncle!"

Xu Zhongche hurriedly stepped forward, puzzled: This shouldn't be the case; no matter how well this half-spirit pill is refined, it shouldn't be poisonous.

But Xu Xiaohou stood up and said, "Haha, I was just kidding. Don't worry, I believe in your abilities."

"Sixth Uncle, you..."

Xu Zhongche was speechless for a moment, and at the same time breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, Xu Xiaohou practiced his stance training again to accelerate the digestion of the medicinal power of the Qi and Blood Pill in his abdomen. He soon noticed a difference: the Qi and Blood power in this pill was denser and easier to absorb, and it contained a trace of spiritual energy.

"break!"

His body was filled with surging internal energy, which filled his meridians, vital acupoints, and major acupoints, and then suddenly penetrated into several minor acupoints.

Grandmaster Realm, Level Three!
When one's internal energy is fully replenished and connects all 720 acupoints in the body, one reaches the third level of the Grandmaster realm.

Above the third level of the Grandmaster realm is the Great Grandmaster, and there are currently no martial artists of this level in Tonggu County.

"This Qi and Blood Pill is quite good; it has sufficient Qi and Blood energy and is easy to absorb..."

He made his assessment.

At this moment, Xu Xiaoniu's voice came from afar, calling the two to discuss matters.

(End of this chapter)