From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 193 Meeting
"Fire is divided into Yin and Yang. Yang fire is like the blazing sun, while Yin fire is like the stars..."

You've already memorized the foundation-building techniques of my clan's "Blazing Sun Fire Technique," right? If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, and I'll explain them to you.

Xue Yimiao taught Xue Fangyuan the secrets of the exercise.

The Xue family's ancestral martial art is called "Yin Yang Fire Technique," a profound fire-based martial art.

This cultivation technique encompasses both Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages. It allows for alchemy and provides considerable combat power, placing it among the top-tier foundation establishment techniques. However, it is profound and complex, making it very difficult to master.

The Xue family ancestors adapted it into two types of techniques, Yin and Yang, namely "Blazing Yang Fire Technique" and "Lunar Yin Fire Technique".

These two cultivation methods cannot be used for alchemy, but they retain considerable combat power and are much easier to cultivate. Descendants of the Xue family with fire-type spiritual roots can choose one based on their compatibility.

Those with a talent for alchemy still practice the original version of the "Yin Yang Fire Technique".

Xue Fangyuan practices the "Blazing Sun Fire Technique". She has a high level of comprehension and a good compatibility with the technique. She reached the Qi Refining Perfection realm a year ago and has been preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm for the past year.

First, the foundation-building part of the cultivation method is passed down orally from the family's foundation-building masters.

The Xue family's ancestral cultivation techniques are recorded on jade slips, but to prevent loss, these slips are not given to clansmen at the Qi Refining stage.

In addition to the Foundation Building Technique, Xue Fangyuan also took some elixirs, such as the Soul-Enhancing Pill, to strengthen her soul power.

Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage requires the unity of essence, energy, and spirit, with all three reaching a state of perfection.

Although the Xue family did not have techniques like the "Meditation Soul Refining Technique" to enhance their spiritual power, they had various spiritual elixirs to improve themselves.

In Xue Fangyuan's storage pouch, there was a Three-in-One Pill that Xue Yimiao had given her not long ago.

Given her current condition, she should be able to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm using the Three-in-One Pill in a while.

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.

Niutou Mountain.

Xu Xiaohou waited until midnight, growing increasingly anxious and agitated.

Every minute and every second of this period was torture for him.

"coming?!"

He looked up at the night sky and saw two figures flying swiftly from a distance, landing on a low hill nearby.

He approached quietly and saw Meng Jiaojiao returning with another person.

The woman wore a plain-colored long dress, had a beautiful face, and an expression as cold as ice that would never melt.

For a moment, he didn't dare to step forward and acknowledge her.

Xu Zhongxi was only nine years old when she left, a little girl. Now, twenty years have passed, and she has grown into a young adult. She has changed so much.

Xu Xiaohou could see the resemblance of his mother, Fu Zhiyi, in her face; she was as beautiful as her mother.

In the distance, the two were talking.

"On a mission here?"

Xu Zhongxi looked around, wondering what she needed to do in this desolate wilderness.
Meng Jiaojiao looked at Xu Zhongxi with a complicated expression. Although she had tricked him out of Yunze Mountain, recognizing him was a problem.

"Nightmare, your real name is Xu Zhongxi, from Tonggu County. You have grandparents, a father, a mother, and two older brothers. Those people in Yunze Mountain, that so-called 'master,' they're all lying to you..."

Meng Jiaojiao didn't know if what she said could help Xu Zhongxi regain his memory.

"Silver Bell, you?!"

Xu Zhongxi looked at Meng Jiaojiao, keeping his distance, his face full of solemnity and vigilance: "What nonsense are you spouting? The Lord treats me like his own daughter, feeding me as I grew up and teaching me cultivation. How could he possibly lie to me?"

Who are you? You're not Yinling, who are you really?

Suddenly she turned her head and looked in the direction where Xu Xiaohou was hiding: "Who goes there? Come out!"

Xu Xiaohou emerged from his hiding place, looking at Xu Zhongxi with eyes full of heartache: "Xiaoxi, it's me, your sixth uncle!"

Sixth Uncle?

Xu Zhongxi had no memory of his sixth uncle.

She retreated repeatedly, filled with suspicion and doubt: "What is your purpose in luring me here?"

"We did this to save you. The Xue family is a demonic cultivation force. They captured you and brought you to Yunze Mountain, where they cruelly trained you to be slaves of the Xue family. You lost your memory and were brainwashed after taking the pill."

You are my dear niece, Xiaoxi. Our Xu family lives in Baihe Village, Tonggu County. Have you forgotten what happened back then?
"Your parents, your brother, all these relatives, and the times I often took you to the market—don't you remember any of these?"

Xu Xiaohou felt a pang of pain as he looked at Xu Zhongxi's bewildered expression.

After going through countless hardships to rescue Xiaoxi, she stood in front of him but didn't recognize him.

"No, that's not right!"

Xu Zhongxi felt a headache coming on and shook his head, trying to recall those vague memories.

Meng Jiaojiao continued, "If the Xue family is your family, then why don't you have the surname Xue? And who are your parents?"

Xu Zhongxi couldn't answer these questions, and her head throbbed even more: "No, you're lying to me. I need to ask the Lord in person. It's not like that."

The Soul-Losing Pill she took was of the highest quality, and she was also personally brainwashed by Xue Yimiao.

Ten years of ingrained thinking made it impossible for her to make changes in a short period of time.

At this moment, she tried to retrieve those memories lost many years ago, and her mind was torn apart with pain, which made her want to escape.

She ascended into the sky, wanting to fly back to Yunze Mountain.

"Don't!"

"Stop her!"

Xu Xiaohou and Meng Jiaojiao spoke in unison.

They finally managed to rescue Xu Zhongxi from Yunze Mountain. If she were to return, not only would all their efforts be in vain, but it would also bring them utter destruction.

The two acted almost simultaneously to stop Xu Zhongxi.

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 was closer to Xu Zhongxi and stepped in front of her first.

However, Xu Zhongxi's near-perfect Qi Refining stage is much stronger than Meng Jiaojiao's.

With a casual wave of her hand, several streaks of silver light flashed through the air. Her "Yuan Sha Gong" was a pure Yuan Sha Gong, without any poison.

"Bah!"

Meng Jiaojiao barely managed to dodge, the air in front of her cracking as if tearing fabric.

the other side.

In his desperation, Xu Xiaohou unleashed his martial arts aura and spiritual energy simultaneously. With a loud "boom," his aura blasted a crater in the ground, sending dirt and gravel flying everywhere, and his body soared into the sky.

He was incredibly fast, flying directly above Xu Zhongxi's head.

"Xiaoxi, don't go! Trust us, trust Uncle Liu! I'll take you home, back to your real home. We'll definitely find a way to help you regain your memory."

He spread his arms and blocked Xu Zhongxi's way.

This action made Xu Zhongxi feel even more confused and frightened; she just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

"bass!"

Her fingertips, imbued with spiritual energy, traced a two-zhang-long arc of light in the air.

The arc of light, sharp as a knife, flew towards Xu Xiaohou.

Xu Xiaohou neither dodged nor avoided the "arc light" as it struck him.

His clothes were easily cut open, and a bloody gash appeared from his left shoulder to his right abdomen, the neat bloodline branding his body.

His recent battle with the oriole had just healed the wound in the same spot, and the scar hadn't even disappeared when it was cut open again.

Fortunately, he had the inner strength of a martial arts grandmaster to protect him, making his body's defense much stronger than that of an ordinary Qi cultivator; otherwise, this attack would have been enough to seriously injure him.

"Xiaoxi, I won't hurt you."

Xu Xiaohou still stood with his arms outstretched, blocking Xu Zhongxi's path. This posture was of no use to Qi Refining cultivators; it was merely symbolic.

Xu Zhongxi was stunned, clearly not expecting the person opposite him to neither dodge nor evade.

With a flash, she flew to the other side. With her cultivation level, a single flash could cover hundreds of meters.

"..."

Xu Xiaohou was helpless. He didn't want to hurt Xiaoxi, but this obviously wouldn't stop her.

call out!
With a flick of his wrist, the feather-patterned flying sword shot out, drawing an arc in the air as it flew towards Xiaoxi.

However, the target of the feather-patterned flying sword was not Xiaoxi, but the path in front of her that she had to take.

Seeing the flying sword coming, Xiaoxi had no choice but to stop and dodge the attack.

"How to do?"

Meng Jiaojiao was weaker and could only follow behind Xu Zhongxi, but she didn't want to attack her.

If they attack Xiaoxi, the already existing trust between them will worsen.

"Even if it exhausts her spiritual energy, we must keep her here! You can attack her and deplete her spiritual energy."

Xu Xiaohou had no better solution.

"it is good."

Meng Jiaojiao's strength poses little threat to Xiao Xi, so she can be attacked using some methods.

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.

Xu Xiaohou controlled the feather-patterned flying sword, always flying in front of Xiaoxi, forcing her to stop and dodge.

Besides the feather-patterned flying sword, Xu Xiaohou also used his physical body as a shield to block Xiao Xi. In a short time, he had many more wounds on his body.

Seeing that Xiaoxi showed no intention of holding back, he took out the Green Wood Armor Shield from his storage pouch and used it to block Xiaoxi's attack.

Meng Jiaojiao engaged Xiao Xi in a fierce battle, but instead of fighting head-on, she merely harassed her.

The stalemate lasted for a while.

Xu Xiaohou's spiritual energy was more than half depleted, and his spiritual power was also greatly depleted.

Defeating or killing a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator is far more difficult than stopping her without harming her.

As time went by, Xu Xiaohou and Meng Jiaojiao grew increasingly anxious.

This place is too close to Yunze Mountain.

Once the Xue family discovers that Xiaoxi is missing, they will definitely send people out to search for her.

Once they are discovered, they will certainly not escape the pursuit of the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xue family.

Fortunately, Xiaoxi's spiritual energy was finally running low.

"Hu~~"

Xiao Xi floated in the air, with spiritual energy surrounding her and supporting her.

The two men entangled her for a full hour, leaving her almost exhausted. She had no choice but to stop and rest, adjusting her breathing.

Realizing that the two men truly wouldn't harm her, her wariness lessened slightly: "What exactly do you want? What's the point of getting entangled with me like this?"

"Xiaoxi, we won't hurt you."

I have a compromise, listen carefully. Come with me to a place, and I will help you regain your memory.

Once you regain your memories, you can decide for yourself whether to stay or leave. If you wish to return to Yunze Mountain then, I will not stop you, how about that?

Xu Xiaohou thought of taking her to Baihe Mountain and trying to find a way to help her regain her memory.

"Is this true? You won't lie to me, imprison me, or even kill me?"

Xiaoxi dared not easily trust the young man in front of her.

"I swear, I swear on my life, I will never imprison or even harm you. Xiaoxi, believe me, I am truly your family."

The bloodstains on Xu Xiaohou's body added to the persuasiveness of his words.

Xiaoxi pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Okay. But if I find out that you want to harm me, I will leave even if it costs me my life."

She began to believe their claims that her origins were not as the "Lord" had stated.

If the two people in front of her wanted to harm her, she would have been dead long ago, given their strength.

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.

Yunze Peak.

Xue Yimiao spent the entire night teaching Xue Fangyuan by example.

As dawn approached, Xue Yimiao thought of Xiao Xi: "The main medicine should be nearing the completion of Qi cultivation by now."

Nightmare, whom she nurtured to the point of perfect Qi cultivation, regularly takes elixirs and soaks in medicinal baths. Combined with her physique from practicing the Jade Maiden Primordial Yin Technique, she is an excellent "main ingredient" for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Fang Yuan, come with me to Black Swamp Mountain. If you can advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm, the tasks at Black Swamp Mountain should be assigned to you."

"Yes, clan elder."

Xue Fangyuan is indeed a member of the Xue family, but she belongs to a branch of the clan that developed elsewhere and then came to Yunze Mountain.

Although she was following the generational naming conventions of the Xue family, she didn't know which generation of the "Fang" lineage she belonged to, and couldn't discern her kinship with Xue Yimiao.

Therefore, she addressed Xue Yimiao as "elder of the clan".

The two descended upon Black Swamp Mountain.

Xue Yimiao explained the key points of each step in cultivating the "main medicine" to Xue Fangyuan as they walked and talked.

"Each time, the number of people sent out should not be too many or too few. Too many people will easily cause too much of a commotion and attract the attention of the Demon Subduing Division."

With too few people and weak strength, we are prone to various unexpected events.

Send out one team at a time, at most two teams, with five or six people in each team..."

Xue Yimiao explained these details very clearly; these are all experiences shared by her predecessors.

Of course, times change and plans change, so adjustments are needed.

Xue Fangyuan had heard about the family's method of cultivating "main medicine", but seeing those suffering girls, she felt a little sorry for them.

These members of the Xue family were raised in luxury from childhood, as if they were living in a honey pot.

With such a family background and so many resources, and without having witnessed the cruelty of the cultivation world outside, it's inevitable that they would have a bit of a "saintly heart."

Xue Yimiao noticed Xue Fangyuan's gaze and said earnestly, "Don't feel guilty. Adjust your mindset. Cultivators and mortals are from two different worlds, with a greater difference than between ordinary people."

Even in the mundane world, high-ranking officials and nobles still oppress the common people, consuming their wealth and resources. Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the streets, the bones of those frozen to death lie.

We are immortals. Mortal lives are as lowly as weeds, and to pave our path to immortality with mortal lives is the rule of the universe, and their honor.

"I understand, elder."

Xue Fangyuan seemed to be deep in thought.

She already knew all this, but she was just a little soft-hearted for a moment.

Cultivating immortality is all about competition—competing with others, competing with oneself, and competing with heaven and earth. No matter what level you are at, you need to desperately "compete" for resources.

In the cultivation world, strength is paramount; only cultivation level matters, not methods.

Even the Xue family was overshadowed by the Baili and Fan families.
The two talked as they arrived at Xu Zhongxi's residence.

Xue Yimiao stepped forward and asked the demonic cultivator guarding the gate, "Has Nightmare finished his seclusion?"

"My lord, didn't you send her on a mission?"

The demonic cultivator was puzzled.

"Ok?"

Xue Yimiao frowned. When did she send Nightmare on a mission?
"Say, what's going on?"

She questioned him sternly.

The demonic cultivator recounted the entire story of how Silver Bell came to visit.

Silver bells?!
Xue Yimiao's expression changed drastically. She sent Yinling, Huangli, and others out, and judging by the time, those people should have returned long ago, but they have not yet returned.

Why did Silver Bell appear out of nowhere and take away the most important nightmare?
Is someone impersonating someone, or...?

"Are you sure it really is Yinling?"

“My lord, I saw it with my own eyes, it is indeed a silver bell.”

"..."

Xue Yimiao was stunned for a moment, then quickly enveloped Black Swamp Mountain with her divine sense.

She has reached the third level of foundation cultivation, and her spiritual consciousness can be felt in an area of ​​about three miles in radius.

"no!"

Within its spiritual range, there were neither nightmares, nor silver bells, nor orioles and others.

She knew something was wrong; her most important nightmare had vanished!

"Men, investigate immediately! Find out when they left, who saw them, and which way they went!"

Xue Yimiao was extremely anxious at this moment.

The Xue family wants to give the Foundation Establishment Pill, which they made from nightmares, to the Fan family. What if they run out of the main ingredient?
There weren't many late-stage Qi Refining demonic cultivators in Black Swamp Mountain, and the general situation was quickly determined.

That night, Silver Bell returned from outside, took Nightmare away, and left Yunze Mountain under the false pretense of "the Lord's command".

"what happened?"

Xue Yimiao couldn't understand why Yinling would take the nightmare away from Yunze Mountain.

The patriarch is currently in seclusion refining pills, and Xue Weiwu is also in seclusion.

She forcibly suppressed her inner panic; she was in charge of Black Swamp Mountain, and she would be responsible if anything happened.

"Someone, someone! Fang Yuan, summon all of our family's Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivators!"

She dared not send demonic cultivators to conduct a large-scale search outside, and at this moment she was not even sure how many of the demonic cultivators had "betrayed" her like Yinling.

On the other hand, sending out too many demonic cultivators could cause chaos.

It would be more appropriate for the Xue family to handle this matter.

The situation was urgent, and a moment later Xue Fangyuan arrived with three other members of the Xue family who were at the ninth level of Qi Refining. The rest of the ninth-level Qi Refining members were either out on business or in seclusion.

"Something's happened! You guys go outside and look for them!..."

Xue Yimiao briefly explained the situation, and the others were shocked.

"Each of you take two people, divide the directions and areas, and search quickly! Try to keep a low profile and don't make a fuss."

It concerns a secret of the Xue family, and they don't want more people to know.

"Oh, and bring the communication talisman. Send me a message immediately if you find anything!"

The communication talisman is a one-time use item and is very precious; they only use it when something major happens.

(End of this chapter)