From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 149 The demons dance wildly
Underground cave.

Xu Fugui sat in the main seat as always, with Xu Xiaoniu, Xu Xiaoyun, Xu Xiaoan, Xu Xiaohou, Xu Zhongche, and Xu Zhonghuai, the seven of them discussing important family matters.

"There is a Foundation Establishment family in Yunze Mountain called the Xue family, which refines pills. A traitor in the family stole a spiritual pill."

Rumors circulated that it was the Turtle Longevity Pill, but Lan Yunkai, the head of the Lan family, bought the elixir, took it, and was poisoned to death.

Qingqiu Mountain has no Foundation Establishment cultivators to protect it, yet it possesses abundant resources, which is why those with ill intentions, such as cultivators of the Tribulation Realm and demonic cultivators, flock here from all over...

That's all I've heard.

As the director of the Demon Subduing Division, Xu Xiaoniu had a wider network of information, and he revealed everything he knew.

Poison pill?

Xu Fugui recalled hearing about the "Turtle Year Pill" in Kunxu Market before, when the Shan Ning family in Kunxu wanted to raise spirit stones to buy it.

How did it turn into a poison pill?
Xu Fugui was unaware of the conspiracies and schemes among the Foundation Establishment families, but the turmoil they caused would affect the weak Xu family of Baihe Mountain.

“Da Niu, bring Xiu Lian to live in Baihe Mountain, and Zhong Lei’s family and Zhong Yao should also move to Baihe Mountain.”

The situation is turbulent these days; please do not leave Baihe Mountain unless absolutely necessary.

Xu Xiaoniu usually works at the Demon Subduing Bureau, while his wife Chen Xiulian lives with him in the county town.

He also has two sons, Zhonglei and Zhongyao.

Zhong Lei is already married with children. He only practices martial arts and knows nothing about spiritual roots. He usually lives in the county town.

"Yes, I won't be going to the government office for a while; I'll stay in Baihe Mountain."

As the head of the Demon Subduing Division, Xu Xiaoniu was originally responsible for apprehending and killing thieves and demonic cultivators. However, the Qingqiu Mountain incident was clearly beyond the reach of a small county like Tonggu County's Demon Subduing Division.

With his current cultivation level of Qi Refining Level 6, as one of the family's main combat forces, it would be best for him to stay in Hundred Valleys Mountain to protect the family.

"Is Zhongchao in charge of Yun'an Tavern? Let's hand it over to one of the shop's employees and have him come back too."

Xu Fugui then looked at Xu Xiaoyun.

"Got it, Dad."

Xu Xiaoyun nodded in agreement.

After explaining these important matters, everyone dispersed.

Xu Fugui returned to his private cave dwelling for cultivation and entered his inner space.

Beside the trunk of the family's treasure tree, there was an exquisite sandalwood box.

He opened the wooden box, and more than twenty spirit stones inside shimmered with light. These were his reserve spirit stones for emergencies.

With the outside world in chaos and demonic cultivators appearing, it's hard to guarantee that no villains will take the opportunity to cause trouble and endanger the safety of the Xu family.

He needed to improve his strength as soon as possible, so he couldn't worry about saving spirit stones anymore.

"I'm not far from the sixth level of Qi Refining. I'll probably be able to break through with just a dozen more spirit stones."

With this in mind, Xu Fugui took out two spirit stones from the wooden box, holding one in each hand, and sat cross-legged to cultivate his technique.

The pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth flows from the spirit stone into the body's meridians and converges into the dantian.

With repeated cycles of circulation, the spiritual energy within the dantian gradually increases.

Two days later.

Xu Fugui circulated the "Lingnong Qi Refining Technique" over a hundred times, consuming 18 spirit stones, and broke through to the sixth level of Qi Refining!
"I'm at the sixth level of Qi Refining, the third level of Flying Sword Technique, and I also have a low-grade magic weapon, the Flying Sword in My Sleeve..."

He estimated his own strength to be among the top in the mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

"Continue, meditate and refine your soul!"

He practiced the "Meditation and Soul Refining Technique" to enhance his spiritual power. Spiritual power can increase the power of flying sword techniques.

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, a residential area.

The place became even more lively after Xu Xiaoniu and his family moved in.

"Sixth Uncle, I broke through to the second level of the Innate Realm a few days ago, but my martial arts skills are not up to par."

Xu Zhonglei consulted Xu Xiaohou.

His younger brother, Xu Zhongyao, is eighteen years old this year and is about to break through to the Innate Realm.

Xu Xiaoniu did not tell the two the secret of the Five Elements Stance Technique, intending for them to only cultivate martial arts.

The Xu family's martial arts consist only of the "Five Elements Stance Technique." When Xu Xiaogou was alive, he could also teach them some basic fist and foot techniques like the Arhat Fist.

That won't work now, though. Those are martial arts techniques from other schools, and they're not suitable for "stealing" their skills.

"I have improved and gained some understanding of the Five Elements Stance Techniques and Metal Body Techniques that I taught you before, and I will teach them all to you today."

Xu Xiaohou recently perfected the Five Elements Stance Technique, a metal-based physical art created by his brother San Gou, but hasn't taught it to anyone else yet.

He taught Xu Zhonglei and Xu Zhongyao the Five Elements Body Techniques, while pondering how to develop the remaining four elements of the Five Elements Stance Techniques for the family.

Given the Xu family's current severe shortage of spirit stones, the martial arts lineage still needs to be developed.

In the coming decades, many members of the Xu family will focus on martial arts.

the other side.

Xu Zhonghuai also brought his mother, Fu Zhiyi, to Baihe Mountain.

Two years ago, Fu Zhiyi’s father, Fu Yuanzhen, passed away, and the Vajra Gate was taken over by Fu’s two sons.

At that time, Chungcheol and Chunghuai wanted to bring Fu Zhiyi to Baihe Village, but Fu Zhiyi resented Xu Xiaohou and was unwilling to come.

This time, Xu Zhonghuai persuaded her so much that he finally managed to bring his mother over.

“Mom, look how nice the environment is here, how beautiful the scenery is. You can live here to retire, take care of your grandson, and when you’re free, go play cards with my aunts. They’re all so nice.” Fu Zhiyi, who was nearly fifty and looked like an old woman, asked Zhong Huai, “What has your older brother been busy with all these years? Why hasn’t he gotten married yet? You should have a second child soon.”

She was unaware of the Xu family's secrets, only knowing that many years ago Xu Zhongche was sent to a family of alchemists to learn how to make pills.

“My brother isn’t in a hurry. I’ll call him over in a bit so you can urge him in person.”

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.

In the courtyard where Liu Yun lives.

"Sir, what do you think of the pastries I made?"

With her slightly protruding belly, she brought a plate of pastries to Xu Zhongchao, picked up a piece of pastry with her delicate fingers, and offered it to him.

As a concubine, she addressed Xu Zhongchao as "Master".

Xu Zhongchao opened his mouth, and the pastry was stuffed into it: "Delicious, delicious. Xiaoyun, you're pregnant, so don't do anything yourself. Let the maids do any chores."

"How can something made by a maid be the same as something I make myself? Besides, I'm not showing yet, it's fine."

Liu Yun stretched out her finger and wiped away the crumbs of pastry from Xu Zhongchao's mouth.

"Master, why don't you send some to Madam? Just say I made them myself, it's a token of my appreciation."

Upon hearing the word "Madam," Xu Zhongchao's expression became slightly unnatural.

He forced a smile: "Okay, you're really thoughtful."

After returning to Baihe Mountain from the county town, he spent most of his time with Liu Yun, as he really didn't want to face Ma Shujie's appearance.

It wasn't just his appearance; more importantly, he was treated like royalty by Liu Yun and lived a very comfortable life.

But to Ma Shujie, he was a good-for-nothing playboy who couldn't even get a penny of pocket money.

"Sir, my pastries aren't very good. It's probably because Baihe Mountain doesn't have the ingredients I need. I'll go to the county town to buy them."

Liu Yun suddenly said.

"Go to the county town? Or I can have someone bring it over. Things are not peaceful lately, and my grandfather told everyone to try not to leave."

"I have to mix my own ingredients. A round trip takes a day, so it's no problem."

Liu Yun was going to the county town to prepare some things.

"Alright, then I'll find a servant to escort you."

Xu Zhongchao looked at Liu Yun's pretty face and did not refuse.

They hired some guards to protect Baihe Mountain from anyone sneaking in and stealing medicinal herbs from the herb fields. Among these guards, the weakest were high-level martial artists, and there were also two innate martial artists.

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.

In the vicinity of Qingqiu Mountain, the number of cultivators has been increasing over the past two days.

At first, there were only a few scattered cultivators and demonic cultivators, but later even groups of cultivators from outside Yuanli County came after hearing the news.

To this day, they have not launched an attack on the Lan family.

Firstly, although the Lan family no longer has Lan Yunkai as their Foundation Establishment patriarch, their overall strength is not weak, with two to three hundred Qi Refining members.

Secondly, they had no legitimate reason to charge in without a word? They were treacherous cultivators whom everyone should kill, and they deserved to be killed in return.

Besides, without a leader to "take the lead," no one wants to be the first to show their face.

However, as more and more cultivators gathered, a chaotic storm was brewing.

These cultivators gathered near Qingqiu Mountain were all opportunists with ulterior motives.

With so many "evil people" gathered together, trouble is bound to ensue.

There are quite a few late-stage Qi Refining cultivators among them, so mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators can only keep a low profile and dare not be arrogant.

"Stop! Don't move! If you don't want to die, hand over all your spirit stones and treasures!"

A cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining, shrouded in a black robe, descended from the sky, carrying a high-grade magic weapon sword over ten feet long, his voice distorted and altered.

He was a professional robber who came to Qingqiu Mountain to take advantage of the chaos.

Robbing the Lan family members is robbing them, robbing other cultivators is also robbing them; as long as there's benefit to be gained, it makes no difference. However, he never robs ordinary people, because slaughtering mortals is more likely to attract the attention of the Demon Subduing Division.

At this moment, he stopped three cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Despite facing three opponents alone, he showed no fear, for his strength was among the top tier of cultivators of the same level, let alone three mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Ordinary rogue cultivators have limited fighting methods and rarely even possess magical artifacts.

"Brother Dao? He's one of us, Brother Dao."

"You recognize me?"

"Brother Dao, your magical broadsword is renowned, I recognized you at a glance. We cooperated in Qinghe County."

As he spoke, the one with the highest cultivation level among the three cultivators lifted his robe and said, "It's me, Brother Dao."

"Oh, it's you guys. What a coincidence to run into you here."

The Qi Refining Level 8 cultivator sheathed his magic weapon, a long sword. He recognized the three people in front of him: they were also robbers, with many tricks up their sleeves and considerable strength.

"Brother Dao, why aren't you robbing the Lan family? Why are you robbing people here?"

"The Lan family is like a tortoise, afraid to come out. They are a major Foundation Establishment family, with twenty or thirty late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. No one wants to be the first to step forward, so they just keep at it."

"I've been waiting for days, but I haven't caught a single member of the Lan family. Instead, I killed a petty thief and made over ten spirit stones."

"Brother Dao, don't you know about Fangshi Mountain east of Qingqiu Peak? Someone is calling for a gathering there to discuss attacking the mountain. We're on our way there."

"Oh? Let's go and take a look."

Several bandits rushed towards Fangshi Mountain.

(End of this chapter)