From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 158 Late Stage of Qi Refining
After setting up the spirit-gathering array, Xu Fugui pondered how to allocate the spirit stones.

For those with five pseudo-spiritual roots, even with a first-tier spiritual vein, it is still very difficult to advance to the late stage of Qi Refining.

The difficulty of advancing to the next level is drastically different in the early, middle, and late stages of Qi cultivation.

If relying solely on a first-tier spiritual vein, a cultivator with five spiritual roots would need twenty years of arduous cultivation to progress from the sixth to the seventh level of Qi Refining, another thirty years to the eighth level, and another fifty years to the ninth level.

This doesn't even include the minor bottlenecks between each layer.

Therefore, whether it is a Qi Refining family or a Foundation Establishment family, most of the family members with ordinary spiritual root talents are at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and very few reach the late-stage of Qi Refining.

If you want to quickly improve your strength in the late stage of Qi Refining, you can only rely on a large number of spirit stones.

"The family's strength is not enough at present. We must first concentrate resources and cultivate a strong person in the late stage of Qi Refining."

Xu Fugui felt that his family urgently needed a "pillar of support" who had reached the late stage of Qi Refining.

Currently, he is at the sixth level of Qi Refining, Xu Xiaoniu is at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and Xu Xiaohou is at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Xu Xiaoniu is the family's official celestial official and head of the Demon Subduing Division, while Xu Xiaohou is the most powerful in the family.

As for Xu Fugui himself, he doesn't need to rush to make a breakthrough.

Of the nearly 800 spirit stones, he gave 300 to Xu Xiaoniu, 400 to Xu Xiaohou, and kept the rest for later use.

These spirit stones are enough for the two of them to advance to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Xu Fugui distributed spirit stones and gave several people golden talismans for protection, with the extra talismans kept as family reserves.

They obtained more than a hundred spirit talismans, more than half of which were the golden light talismans that the Lan family was best at drawing.

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.

internal space.

Xu Fugui counted the more than 120 spiritual plants.

Others might not be able to distinguish spiritual plants, but it was easy for him.

When he consumed the "Enlightenment Fruit" and obtained the "Spirit Farmer's Qi Cultivation Manual," the accompanying "Illustrated Compendium of Spirit Plants" contained detailed information on hundreds or even thousands of spirit plants.

"The winged flower is only twenty years old, and it can still survive after being planted."

"Huang Ye Nian, over fifty years old, I can revive her with my spiritual energy."

"It's a pity about this white grass. The main root was broken when it was dug up in a hurry, and it can't be saved."

"This century-old plant can be cultivated for propagation."

"..."

These spiritual plants are all first-tier spiritual plants, ranging from seedlings to century-old plants, with values ​​ranging from 1 to 20 or 30 spirit stones, and the total value is estimated to be close to 1,000 spirit stones.

Xu Fugui, however, did not intend to sell all the spiritual plants.

He was worried that there weren't enough kinds of spiritual plants in his body space, and these spiritual plants were just the right thing to do to supplement them. With his skills from the "Spiritual Farmer's Qi Cultivation Technique," he could replant these spiritual plants that had already been harvested.

For the next period of time, he planted spiritual plants in his internal space.

Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Xiaohou absorbed spirit stones and improved their cultivation levels.

The others secretly dug hidden caves and secret chambers within the coverage area of ​​the spirit-gathering array.

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.

Ten days passed in a flash.

Xu Xiaoniu broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining first.

Two days later, Xu Xiaohou broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. The Xu family now had two more late-stage Qi Refining combatants.

Afterwards, Xu Fugui summoned everyone to a secret underground chamber in the core area to discuss important matters.

This time, Xu Xiaoniu's two sons, Zhonglei and Zhongyao, and Xu Xiaoyun's second son, Zhongchuan, were also added to the group.

Previously, due to a lack of spirit stone resources, the secret of the stance training was not revealed to them.

Four people of the "filial piety" generation and five people of the "loyalty" generation, a total of ten people, gathered in the secret chamber of the underground cave.

This underground chamber is very large and spacious, and it was originally dug and built as a place for the Xu family to discuss important matters.

The three newcomers, Zhong Lei, Zhong Yao, and Zhong Chuan, all looked puzzled. This was their first time entering the central core area of ​​Baihe Mountain.

The area of ​​Baihe Mountain is divided into three layers, and even other members of the Xu family are not allowed to enter the core area at the very center.

Xu Fugui sat in the main seat, looking at his sons and grandsons in front of him, feeling gratified: the Xu family's power was growing stronger and stronger.

“Zhonghuai, tell your younger brothers the secret of our family’s stance training.”

"Okay, Grandpa."

First it was Chung-cheol, now it's Chung-hae's turn, who is younger.

When Xu Zhonghuai revealed the secret of the Five Elements Stance Technique to the three men, their reactions were exactly the same as Xu Zhonghuai's before.

After their initial astonishment, they realized that the Xu family had been hiding so many cultivators.

"So, I already possessed five elemental roots?"

Xu Zhonglei is the oldest of the three. He broke through to the Innate Realm three years ago, but he still doesn't know the secret of his family.

Xu Xiaoniu said expressionlessly, "My family is so short of spirit stones that I didn't plan to tell you. Qi cultivation and martial arts cultivation are actually quite similar, except for lifespan."

Hearing his words, Xu Zhonglei couldn't help but feel sad.

Of the three, Xu Zhongyao has not yet broken through to the Innate Realm; he is currently at the third level of perfect stance training: "Once I break through to the Innate Realm, I can also cultivate immortality?"

"Of course. Our Hundred Valleys Mountain now has a first-class spiritual land, where everyone can embark on the path of cultivation..."

A first-tier spiritual land?
The three of them were completely confused again.

After some explanation, they understood the origin of the first-tier spiritual land.

Only now did they realize that so many secrets were hidden in their home, and that they, as members of the Xu family, were completely unaware of them. It can only be said that the others had kept the secrets very well.

Xu Fugui introduced the three cultivation techniques available in his home, allowing them to choose freely: "You can cultivate the Spirit Farmer's Qi Refining Technique, or the Nine Flames Spirit Fire Technique, or the Water Control Profound Ice Technique, a water-based technique."

These three techniques each have their own unique characteristics…

"Once you successfully draw Qi into your body and open your dantian, spend a lot of time practicing 'Meditation and Soul Refining' to quickly raise your soul power to the late stage of Qi Refining. Use the Soul Sealing Technique to defend your soul and prevent it from being searched by powerful individuals."

This is what he is most worried about right now.

With so many secrets about the Xu family, and more and more people finding out, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator were to search their soul, all the family's secrets would be exposed.

"Meditation for Soul Cultivation" and "Soul Sealing Technique" are the first cultivation methods that every Qi Refining cultivator in the Xu family must practice.

"There is also a Flying Sword Technique in the family, or you can cultivate both immortal and martial arts, it's up to you to choose."

Xu Fugui gave them the choice.

Zhonglei, Zhongyao, and Zhongchuan listened to Xu Fugui introduce various cultivation techniques and marveled at the profound heritage of their family.

They had heard many stories about the Xu family in the past. Just a few decades ago, the Xu family was an inconspicuous farming family in Baihe Village. How did they become a powerful and secretive family of cultivators in just a few decades?

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 more days passed.

Xu Zhongyao was ready to advance to the Innate Realm, while his father, Xu Xiaoniu, watched from the sidelines.

"Father, please check if I have any spiritual roots."

He wanted Xu Xiaoniu to examine his physique and the changes before and after breaking through to the Innate Realm.

Xu Xiaoniu was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening: he was currently at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and it was said that late-stage Qi Refining cultivators could help ordinary people test their spiritual roots. He hadn't known this before; he had only heard about it from others later.

"Let me see."

He grabbed Xu Zhongyao's wrist, and a wisp of spiritual energy, infused with his soul, slowly flowed from his wrist into Zhongyao's body. The spiritual energy flowed through his muscles, bones, and limbs, but it was stagnant and slow, and the meridians showed a slight resistance to the spiritual energy.

"This is probably because you don't have a spiritual root. I'll check again after you break through to the Innate Realm, Er Yao."

"I'll break through right now."

Xu Zhongyao had already mastered the innate dynamic stance of the Five Elements Stance Technique. He swallowed a Five Elements Pill and then took a half-spirit pill, the "Qi and Blood Pill," which was refined by Xu Zhongche.

With the help of medicinal pills, Xu Zhongyao successfully broke through to the Innate Realm by practicing the various stance exercises.

The gushing internal energy is generated and flows into the kidney palace.

"Hu~~"

He exhaled a long breath, his whole body turning red and steaming with heat.

"He's at the innate level!"

Experiencing his innate power, he was overjoyed. Then, thinking that he could cultivate immortality, he became even more excited: "Father, please take another look at me."

Xu Xiaoniu grabbed one of his wrists again and infused it with a wisp of spiritual energy that merged with his soul.

The spiritual energy, carrying his "consciousness," flowed through Xu Zhongyao's entire body, thoroughly investigating his condition.

He discovered that Xu Zhongyao's meridians no longer rejected spiritual energy and even had a certain affinity for it; the flow of spiritual energy between his tendons and veins was also much smoother. He also "saw" Xu Zhongche's kidneys and internal energy.

"It's definitely different. After breaking through to the Innate Realm, my muscles, bones, and meridians have become much more compatible with spiritual energy. I wonder what a mixed spiritual root with four elements looks like. I probably won't be able to tell the difference until I encounter a mixed spiritual root with four elements and examine it myself."

As Xu Xiaoniu spoke, he suddenly recalled an event from more than 20 years ago.

That was when he was conscripted to Yunbian County, when the war in the Huangze Mountains was almost over... Twenty-five years ago.

His expression changed.

"Dad, what's wrong with you?"

Xu Zhongyao noticed the change in his father's expression.

"N-nothing, I just had something urgent to take care of and needed to see your grandfather..."

Before Xu Xiaoniu could finish speaking, he hurriedly went to find Xu Fugui.

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.

"Da Niu, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

Xu Fugui was hurriedly pulled by Xu Xiaoniu into a secret underground room.

Given Xu Xiaoniu's steady nature, what major event could have caused him to be in such a hurry?
"Father, something terrible has happened! Our family's secret stance training technique might have been discovered!..."

Xu Xiaoniu's body trembled uncontrollably.

He was now in his fifties, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, and a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. He was well-informed and had a calm mind. However, he couldn't help but feel fear when he thought about the disaster that would be brought to the Xu family if the secret of the stance training were exposed.

The more he learned about cultivation families, the more he realized how miraculous the Five Elements Stance Technique was in cultivating five elemental roots.

"What happened? Don't rush, tell me slowly."

Upon hearing his words, Xu Fugui's expression changed.

"Twenty-five years ago, before I returned from Yunbian County, I encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator on the battlefield. His name was Yan Yijin. He was the one who awarded me the first-class military merit when I first obtained my military officer status."

......"

Xu Fugui knew all about what he was talking about. More than 20 years ago, the Xu family often mentioned it, and everyone said that Xu Xiaoniu was lucky and had met a benefactor.

"I still remember Yan Yijin using his spiritual power to examine me, saying that I had already mastered the third level of stance training and that it was very solid. I just tested Zhongyao's spiritual root and found that as long as spiritual energy enters his body, I can check his physical condition."

The progress of stance training, whether there is dantian qi sea, kidney palace internal strength, etc., including whether there is spiritual root, are all clearly known!
Those Foundation Establishment cultivators who examined me must know that I have no spiritual roots!

Now that I've become a celestial official, if he finds out, it will definitely pique his curiosity. What if he starts asking about my sudden acquisition of spiritual roots and my becoming a celestial official?

After hearing the whole story, Xu Fugui frowned, realizing the troublesome nature of the matter.

It's not Xu Xiaoniu's fault; he was just an ordinary person at the time and didn't know about the methods of immortals.

After becoming a military officer, it was most appropriate for him to reveal his five elemental roots and become a cultivator for the sake of the Xu family's development.

Who would have thought that someone knew he had no spiritual roots more than 20 years ago!
"Big Bull, you don't have much interaction with those Foundation Establishment cultivators, right?"

"Yes, now that I think about it, that man only awarded me a first-class military merit because I unintentionally helped him a lot. I only met him briefly and exchanged a few words with him."

Xu Xiaoniu carefully recalled the past scenes, trying not to miss any details.

“The Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator is high above, and hasn’t come to see you for over twenty years. He must have long forgotten your name.”

But if he sees you, he'll most likely remember you. Find out where he is now and what his identity is. If you might run into him in some situation, be sure to avoid him!

More than twenty years have passed, and Xu Xiaoniu has been a celestial official for ten years. The Foundation Establishment cultivator has not come looking for him, presumably because he is still unaware of the matter.

Yan Yijin may have long forgotten the name "Xu Xiaoniu," but we cannot hope that he has forgotten Xu Xiaoniu as a person.

With the spiritual power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, their memory is definitely extraordinary.

Even if they had only briefly crossed paths more than twenty years ago, he would recognize Xu Xiaoniu when he saw him.

"Well, I'll go right away."

Xu Xiaoniu's expression was solemn as he turned and left.

Xu Fugui watched his departing figure, stood there silently for a long time, and finally let out a sigh.

"Ah~~"

This matter is extremely serious for the Xu family.

That Foundation Establishment cultivator was like a sword hanging over the Xu family's head; the slightest misstep could bring about its destruction.

"We must have a backup plan."

Xu Fugui cannot place all his hopes on the fact that "Yan Yijin will not find out." He must do everything he can to protect the Xu family.

If the secret of the Five Elements Stance Technique is exposed, how will the Xu family 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.

A few days later, Xu Xiaoniu found out about Yan Yijin.

Yan Yijin is currently in Yuanli County, where he is a Celestial Official: Deputy General of the County Garrison, at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

This is bad news for Xu Xiaoniu.

As fellow celestial officials of Yuanli County, Yan Yijin might have heard of Xu Xiaoniu's name because of some incident.

The good news is that the county's Demon-Slaying Division and the prefectural garrison are not directly subordinate to each other, and they will not have any interaction in daily affairs.

Furthermore, as fellow celestial officials, Xu Xiaoniu had an easier time finding out Yan Yijin's whereabouts.

He learned about the Lan family incident at Qingqiu Mountain some time ago, and Yan Yijin went there in person.

"I must find every possible way to avoid him from now on."

Xu Xiaoniu prayed that Yan Yijin would not remember his name, and even more so that he would not be seen by his own eyes.

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.

Baiheshan Residential Area.

The rest of the Xu family continued their lives as usual; they were unaware of the Xu family's secrets and did not care about the conflicts outside.

The Lan family, the Tong family, the Lü family, the Pei family—they have nothing to do with them.

Their lives became increasingly better and more comfortable as Baiheshan was developed.

The outermost mountainous area of ​​Baihe Mountain is still being reclaimed, and it is estimated that it will take several more years to fully develop it into terraced fields, at which time it will have tens of thousands of acres of farmland.

(End of this chapter)