From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 202 A Word
"The difference between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining is like heaven and earth."

When asked by his elder brother, Xu Xiaohou uttered this sigh.

The people present all looked on with envy.

"Sixth Uncle, I remember you're only four years older than me, forty-five this year. It's said that Foundation Establishment Immortals can live at least two hundred and fifty years..."

The speaker was Xu Zhongche, who was the oldest member of the "Zhong" generation.

Xu Xiaohou was forty-five years old. At such an age, a Foundation Establishment cultivator had a bright future ahead of him.

"With Liu Zi around, our family can be guaranteed to develop peacefully for two hundred years."

Xu Fugui said with a smile.

Sons beget grandsons, and grandsons beget great-grandsons.

The Xu family has only been around for a few decades, and Xu Fugui already has about twenty great-grandchildren of the "Li" generation.

Xu Lijia, the eldest of the great-grandchildren, is seventeen years old this year and has reached the age for marriage.

At this rate of development, the Xu family's generational names will be passed down for more than ten generations in two hundred years.

"However, we must not publicize the fact that our family has reached the Foundation Establishment stage; we must develop it discreetly. And we must never use the fact that our family has reached the Foundation Establishment stage as a backing to commit evil deeds!"

Xu Fugui gave instructions to everyone.

"Yes, Dad."

"I got it, Grandpa."

"..."

Everyone present knew the current situation of the Xu family. In just a few decades, so many Qi Refining cultivators had been born, and now even Foundation Establishment cultivators. If word got out, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble.

Besides the Xu family's Five Elements Stance Technique and the secret of spiritual roots, the Xu family now also has Xu Zhongxi.

The Xue family's power is so great that Xu Xiaohou, after advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, cannot deal with them.

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 next few days.

Xu Xiaohou shared his experience of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage with Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Zhongxi, both of whom were at the peak of Qi Refining and had a glimmer of hope of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

In addition, Xu Xiaohou carefully studied the changes after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, transforming the improvement in his realm into strength.

Foundation building is not the end, but the beginning.

He has only just broken through to the first level of Foundation Establishment and still needs to work hard in his cultivation.

According to the "Immortal Farmer's Foundation Building Technique", the difference between the first and third levels of Foundation Building is the amount of spiritual energy.

Liquid spiritual power is formed by the condensation of a large amount of spiritual energy, so it is very difficult to increase spiritual power, much more difficult than the improvement during the Qi Refining stage.

During the Qi Refining stage, especially in the early stages, improvement is not that difficult; a small amount of spiritual energy from a few spirit stones is sufficient.

However, the Foundation Establishment stage requires a massive amount of spiritual energy and spirit stones.

Even with a first- or second-tier spiritual land, it still takes a long time to cultivate and improve, and it also requires the supplementation of spirit stones and elixirs.

In short, each level of advancement during the Foundation Establishment stage is extremely difficult.

A cultivator who can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, even if they used Foundation Establishment Pills to assist in the breakthrough, is considered to have excellent cultivation aptitude; there are no mediocre ones among them.

However, many of these top-tier cultivators, after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, can only reach the third level of Foundation Establishment in their entire lives, and only a few can reach the sixth level.

As for the seventh, eighth, and ninth levels of the Foundation Establishment stage, each level is a hurdle that is difficult to overcome.

Those who can cultivate to the late stage of Foundation Establishment are all exceptionally talented prodigies.

Xu Xiaohou is still far from the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and he is considering how to make full use of the combat power of the first level of Foundation Establishment.

Once one's cultivation level reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, the previous martial arts techniques become insufficient.

The limit of martial arts is the third level of Grandmaster, which is equivalent to the ninth level of Qi Refining. That martial arts qi is too weak for Foundation Establishment.

Aside from martial arts qi, Xu Xiaohou's strongest technique is the "Flying Sword Technique".

Although the "Flying Sword Technique" he practiced was only the basic version, the principles were universal.

After advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, his spiritual energy and divine soul power broke through the limits, with spiritual energy transforming into spiritual power and divine soul power transforming into divine consciousness.

Using the spiritual power and divine sense of the Foundation Establishment stage to control the flying sword makes it even more effortless.

Xu Xiaohou discovered that he could control the feather-patterned flying sword 50% faster, and the maximum distance he could control the flying sword easily reached one mile, which was exactly within the range of his divine sense.

The sword's power increased tenfold as spiritual energy was poured into it!
Before his breakthrough, he was already able to penetrate the golden light shield of a high-grade golden light talisman by manipulating his flying sword.

Now that he has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he estimates that even a high-grade defensive magic weapon like the "Azure Wood Armor Shield" would be difficult to withstand the power of his control over flying swords.

He wanted to test his strength with the Aoki Armor Shield, but he couldn't bear to damage it.

Their family was short of resources, so even though the Green Wood Armor Shield was a bit insufficient for him at the Foundation Establishment stage, it could be given to other members of the Xu family.

His strength was limited by the magical flying sword.

The feather-patterned flying sword is a high-grade magic weapon, an excellent flying sword for those in the Qi Refining stage.

However, those in the Foundation Establishment stage require a higher-level spiritual artifact.

Like magical artifacts, spiritual artifacts are divided into low-grade, medium-grade, and high-grade.

Based on a comparison of the prices of common spiritual artifacts and magical artifacts in the market, a low-grade spiritual artifact is at least five times more expensive than a high-grade magical artifact of the same type.

A feather-patterned flying sword is worth about two hundred spirit stones, while a low-grade spiritual weapon flying sword costs at least one thousand spirit stones.

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.

night.

Xu Xiaohou practiced flying sword in the deep forest of the core area of ​​Baihe Mountain.

The feather-patterned flying sword was so fast that it was almost invisible in the night, only a fleeting glint of light could be seen, and the sound it made was barely perceptible.

With the acquisition of divine sense, Xu Xiaohou didn't even need to look; the feather-patterned flying sword could accurately hit its target hundreds of meters behind him.

The feather-patterned flying sword abruptly turned and darted back and forth in the air, before returning to Xu Xiaohou and hovering there after a while.

He reached out and took the feather-patterned flying sword back into his hand.

"The art of flying swords lies in its agility, lightness, and silence, as well as its long range. However, its power is only average in direct combat, especially in close combat."

This is his understanding of flying sword techniques.

Then he looked in the direction of Yunze Mountain, the resentment in his heart that had been building up for more than a year had not yet dissipated.

When will he be able to avenge this?

He hadn't known Meng Jiaojiao for long, but she was Xiaoxi's friend and the one who saved her. His budding romantic feelings for her vanished with Meng Jiaojiao's death.

He kept this feeling to himself, never telling anyone.

Also hidden was a deep-seated hatred for 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.

after a while.

Yuanli City, the Prefectural Governor's Office.

This is the core of power in Yuanli County.

At this moment, in the spacious main hall of the yamen, several of the most powerful figures in Yuanli County gathered together.

Prefect Nie Tingjun sat in the main seat.

Seated in the other positions were several people, including the Director of the Demon Subduing Division, the Director of the Forestry Bureau, the Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau, and the General of the County Camp.

Nie Tingjun sat upright, expressionless. As the prefect of Yuanli County, he appeared remarkably young.

It's not just that he looks young; he is actually very young.

Of the important figures present, Nie Tingjun was the youngest.

At fifty years old, the foundation building was completed!

He comes from the Nie family, a Golden Core clan in Zhennan Prefecture, and is a prodigy.

He possesses three true spiritual roots, yet he displays terrifying comprehension of cultivation techniques and a cultivation speed far exceeding that of others.

Even among true spiritual roots, there are differences. He discovered his spiritual root talent at the age of seven and embarked on the path of cultivation. At the age of twenty, he participated in the selection of immortal officials in Zhennan Prefecture, at which time he had just established his foundation.

That's right, a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the age of twenty!

After becoming a celestial official in Zhennan Prefecture, he did not follow his family's arrangement to choose a leisurely and safe celestial official position, but instead joined the Demon Subduing Division.

At forty years old, he had reached the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage!
With countless achievements, he became the governor of Yuanli County.

Now he is fifty years old, has served as prefect for ten years, and his cultivation has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. The next step is to become a Golden Core True Person. But this "step" is difficult to take.

Nie Tingjun's gaze swept lightly over the people present, creating an invisible pressure on them.

Those present were all powerful figures at the top of Yuanli County, each with an extraordinary background. They were either from the oldest and most established Foundation Establishment families in Yuanli County, with incredibly profound foundations, or from Golden Core families from Zhennan Prefecture.

To sit in this position, one needs both personal ability and family background.

However, all of these people seemed to bow down in front of Nie Tingjun.

He spoke slowly, "Gentlemen, what do you think of the Xue family of Yunze Mountain?"

"..."

Upon hearing his words, the group fell silent, trying to decipher his thoughts. These influential figures were well-informed; even if they hadn't known about the Xue family before, they could easily find out about the recent uproar surrounding them with a little inquiry.

Tuoba Hongyang, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, already knew that Nie Tingjun planned to take action against the Xue family.

"Your Excellency, the Xue family of Yunze Mountain has recently gained a bad reputation among the people, having committed numerous crimes."

someone said.

Upon hearing this person's words, Nie Tingjun nodded slightly, signaling them to continue.

The Xue family has been developing in Yuanli County for thousands of years, and its connections with various cultivation families are intricate and complex, inevitably leading to some overlap. Even if the relationship isn't particularly deep, there's always some degree of acquaintance.

Of course, where there is friendship, there is also enmity.

In Yuanli County, the four Foundation Establishment alchemy families are rivals.

"The Xue family is large and powerful, with many members. It's normal for a few spoiled brats to emerge, and some even commit crimes. There's no need to condemn the entire Xue family because of a few individuals."

This person is speaking up for the Xue family.

"I heard that the Xue family is kidnapping people to make pills. This is not a crime that a few members of the clan could commit."

"..."

Nie Tingjun listened to their discussion without saying a word, lost in thought.

The important point in discussing how to deal with the Xue family is not their actions, but the attitudes of the adults involved.

In such situations, attitude is more important than facts.

As for the truth, it all depends on what they say. But their "stance" and attitude prove their relationship with the Xue family.

After a while, the discussion quieted down, and everyone looked at Nie Tingjun.

What the Prefect thinks is what everyone is most concerned about.

Nie Tingjun looked at Tuoba Hongyang: "Chief Tuoba, why don't you say anything?"

Of the people present, Tuoba Hongyang, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, was the one who should have spoken the most, but he remained silent.

"Your Excellency, I believe that the Xue family's situation is inconsistent with the rumors circulating outside. According to my investigation, there are both true and false information, but most of it is false. It is a fabrication by someone to frame the Xue family."

However, some of it is true that certain members of the Xue family were cruel and ruthless, harming ordinary people.

My suggestion is to impose a slight punishment on the Xue family.

After careful consideration, Tuoba Hongyang finally decided to say this.

Nie Tingjun remained silent for a few more breaths before suddenly speaking, "Tell me, what benefits did the Xue family give you?"

This statement came as a surprise to everyone.

In fact, some people could guess that Tuoba Hongyang must have received benefits from the Xue family to speak up for them.

But to everyone's surprise, Prefect Nie Tingjun pointed it out on the spot.

Some people are indifferent to the matter, secretly laughing and watching the show.

There were others present who had also received benefits from the Xue family and had just spoken a few words in their defense.

"..."

Tuoba Hongyang was speechless for a moment; this was far too disregard for his dignity.

He was taken aback for a moment, then forced himself to say, "What do you mean by that, Prefect? ​​I have no vested interests with the Xue family."

In fact, he did receive benefits from the Xue family.

With Fan Kongye acting as a go-between and pleading on his behalf, Tuoba Hongyang accepted a second-grade spiritual pill, the "Turtle Longevity Pill," from the Xue family and agreed to put in a good word for them with the prefect.

The Xue family spared no expense in trying to quell the incident.

The Xue family was forced into this situation. They knew that the lives of ordinary people were not important; what mattered was the attitude of the adults.

In any case, they have to take action; they can't just sit and wait to die.

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.

Nie Tingjun ignored Tuoba Hongyang's explanation; he had already made his decision.

"The Xue family has been cruel to mortals, committing massacres and disrupting order. The Demon Subduing Division, in conjunction with the county garrison, has launched a campaign to annihilate the Xue family of Yunze Mountain."

Those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage will be killed on the spot.

Those in the late stage of Qi Refining are ruthless and merciless.

Those in the mid-stage and early-stage of Qi Refining will be expelled from Yuanli County and forbidden from returning.

Ordinary members of the clan will have their surnames stripped. They will be driven from Yunze Mountain and forced to fend for themselves.

This is Nie Tingjun's decision regarding the Xue family.

Hearing his words, everyone present was astonished; he was going to wipe out the Xue family!
"Your Excellency, the Xue family is guilty, but surely their crimes don't warrant this? Even a member of the clansmen at the late Qi Refining stage must be executed without mercy?"

The speaker was Tuoba Hongyang.

Tuoba Hongyang said this not only because he had received benefits from the Xue family.

When he accepted the Xue family's Turtle-Year Pill, he said he would only help by saying a few words and could not guarantee that he could change anything.

The reason for questioning Nie Tingjun is that the consequences were indeed too severe, amounting to the extermination of the Xue family.

Tuoba Hongyang came from a Golden Core family, a prestigious and powerful family of cultivators. In his eyes, the Xue family was the same kind of cultivator family as him, belonging to the same social class.

Ordinary people are the bottom layer that supports them.

Tuoba Hongyang naturally preferred to stand on the same social class as himself.

Killing a few ordinary people is nothing, why exterminate the entire Xue family?

Are all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xue family going to die because of this?

Nie Tingjun's eyes were icy: "Chief Tuoba, are you questioning my decision?"

"..."

Tuoba Hongyang looked displeased when Nie Tingjun used his status to intimidate him.

If he were to say he was afraid, he wasn't actually afraid of Nie Tingjun. Because in Zhennan Prefecture, his Tuoba family's power was greater and more prosperous than the Nie family's.

However, in terms of individuals, Nie Tingjun is indeed far more capable than him.

Tuoba Hongyang became the head of the Demon Subduing Bureau because of his family's influence, while Nie Tingjun's success was due to his exceptional personal abilities.

He took a few deep breaths to suppress his displeasure and bowed his head, saying, "This humble official dares not, I will obey the Prefect's decision."

"That's good. No information should leak out before the operation; aim to capture them all in one fell swoop. Dismissed."

After Nie Tingjun finished speaking, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

The saying goes that a new broom sweeps clean, but after serving as the prefect of Yuanli County for ten years, he still hadn't established his own prestige.

The Xue family has run into trouble, which is perfect opportunity for him to establish his authority.

(End of this chapter)