From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 214 The Mystery of the Spiritual Root
"Brother Wei!"

Xu Xiaoniu called out familiarly.

He and Bailiwei had a friendship back in Tonggu County, and when they arrived in Yuanli City, Bailiwei continued to take good care of him.

Although there was a huge difference in their family backgrounds, it didn't stop him from treating Bailiwei as a friend.

"Fellow Daoist Wei."

Jiang Hao greeted him respectfully.

In front of Bailiwei, he always felt an undeniable sense of inferiority, along with a hint of jealousy and envy.

"Haha, it's really fate that we colleagues from Tonggu County can meet here again. Come on, let me introduce you to the elders of my clan."

Bailiwei led the two to find several Foundation Establishment elders in his clan.

"This is Baili Qing."

First was an elderly man in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Bai Liwei introduced Xu Xiaoniu and Jiang Hao to him: "These two were my colleagues as immortal officials when I was in Tonggu County. Now they have both broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and advanced to the county seat. This is Jiang Hao, and this is Xu Xiaoniu..."

Baili Qing had never heard of the Jiang family or the Xu family, so he assumed they were not Foundation Establishment families. He exchanged a few casual pleasantries with a slightly indifferent expression.

Afterwards, Bailiwei led the two to see the next person.

During the journey, Bailiwei secretly told the two, "According to my family genealogy, Baili Qing is my great-great-grandson."

This situation often occurs when a family has been passed down for a long time: those with high cultivation levels and older age often have very low seniority.

"This is Baili Yi, the current patriarch of my family. According to seniority, he is my uncle."

“Clan leader, these two are my fellow celestial officials from Tonggu County…”

Baili Yi looked like a middle-aged man, wearing a magical robe made of spiritual artifacts. He had thick eyebrows and a broad face, but his temper was very amiable.

He is the patriarch of the Baili family, at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. He is not the strongest in the family, but he controls the weapon-refining inheritance and is in charge of the family's major affairs.

Upon learning their identities, he said warmly, "Both of you have advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age, which is truly remarkable. It is a rare and fortunate coincidence that my nephew Wei is able to work with you both in Tonggu County and has also advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage."

If you have time in the future, please be sure to visit our Moon Spring Mountain often. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything; don't be shy..."

Xu Xiaoniu and Jiang Hao were both flattered by the polite manner shown to them by the Baili clan chief.

After bidding farewell to clan leader Baili Yi, Baili Wei led the two to meet Baili Xi.

"This is my great-grandfather, Baili Xi."

Facing Baili Xi, who was at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, Baili Wei appeared more relaxed, because he was Baili Xi's great-grandson.

"Greetings, Senior Baili Xi."

"Greetings, Chief Baili."

Jiang Hao knew Baili Xi's identity: Deputy Director of the Forestry Bureau of Yuanli County.

Within the Baili family, the patriarch may hold a higher position.

However, outside, Baili Xi, who is at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment and the deputy supervisor, clearly holds a higher position.

Upon learning their identities from Baili Wei, Baili Xi also appeared warm and welcoming, displaying the demeanor of an elder concerned for a younger generation: "Xu Xiaoniu, Jiang Hao, right? I've heard my great-grandson mention you..."

He paused mid-sentence and looked up at the sky.

Not only him, but more and more Foundation Establishment cultivators around him stopped talking and looked up at the sky.

The newcomer neither concealed nor deliberately released his aura. He simply descended from the sky, instantly becoming the focus of the entire scene.

Tuoba Hongyang, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, is at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

His family is a Golden Core family in Zhennan Prefecture!
Baili Xi hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, his manner subtly obsequious.

Clan Chief Baili Yi, who was not far away, also stepped forward. This was the Baili family's territory, and they were the hosts.

Besides the two, there were also some people who wanted to curry favor and swarmed around them.

As for Bailiwei, his strength was not even enough to warrant speaking to Tuoba Hongyang.

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 distance, Tuoba Hongyang was surrounded by a crowd, like a star being the moon.

Meanwhile, Bai Liwei, Xu Xiaoniu, and Jiang Hao remained unnoticed in the distance.

A strong desire welled up in Jiang Hao's heart; he thought that one day he could also achieve this.

Bai Liwei, standing nearby, was unfazed. Born into the Bai Li family, he had long recognized that the cultivation world was a hierarchical system where one level crushed another.

Xu Xiaoniu didn't think too much about it; he just wanted to improve little by little and help the Xu family members live a better life.

"Let's go, I'll take you to see that member of my clan who has three true spiritual roots."

"Bai Liwei said."

The three people the two had just met, Baili Qing, Baili Yi, and Baili Xi, were the other three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Baili family.

Including Bailiwei, there are a total of four Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan.

The Baili family was once very powerful, with many members having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and was in no way inferior to the Fan family.

However, in the last two or three hundred years, the region has entered a period of decline, and the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators has decreased.

This is why the Xue family is dissatisfied with the Baili family and wants to raise the price of Foundation Establishment Pills.

The Foundation Establishment Pill given by the Xue family was several years late, which is why Bailiwei also delayed his breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm for several years.

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 moment later, Xu Xiaoniu and Jiang Hao met the seven-year-old member of the Baili family with three spiritual roots.

Compared to other Foundation Establishment cultivators, the two were juniors at the first level of Foundation Establishment.

In front of a seven-year-old child, the two became "Foundation Building Seniors" and "Adults".

Although the child was only seven years old, he was very well-mannered and polite, thanks to the guidance of his elders.

"I'll show you the scenery of Moon Spring Mountain. The banquet will begin in an hour or two."

Bailiwei estimated the time; he knew that Tuoba Hongyang and the other important figures would not stay for a banquet, but would at most exchange pleasantries, offer congratulations and gifts, and then take their leave.

The three of them strolled around Yuequan Mountain for a while.

Taking the opportunity, Xu Xiaoniu got down to business: "Brother Wei, I have something I need your help with."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

Bai Liwei was surprised. What could have prompted Xu Xiaoniu to speak up?
"It's nothing major, I just want to ask for a magical artifact."

While Xu Xiaoniu was speaking, Jiang Hao tactfully made an excuse to leave: "I'll go take a look ahead first."

Bailiwei and Xu Xiaoniu were left behind.

"I would like to request a magical flying sword."

"A magical flying sword? What are your requirements?"

The Bailiwei family specializes in crafting magical artifacts, and it's common for Foundation Establishment cultivators to come to them seeking spiritual artifacts.

"Requirements? Any spiritual artifact will do. I dare not make any other requests."

Xu Xiaoniu said.

"That won't do. Although spirit weapons and flying swords are all similar, there are still differences. Grade, size, style, suitable attribute techniques, and various characteristics, etc. Whether they are suitable for oneself has a great impact on strength."

Ideally, it should be custom-made, with the most suitable spiritual weapon tailored to its attributes, cultivation techniques, and personal preferences.

Custom-made items are more expensive, costing more than three times the price of standard spirit weapons of the same tier.

Bailiwei introduced his company's weapon crafting business.

Xu Xiaoniu knew that magical artifacts were expensive, and custom-made ones were even more expensive.
His family simply couldn't afford that many spirit stones; at most, they could only come up with two or three thousand spirit stones to buy Xu Xiaohou a flying sword.

Xu Xiaohou himself couldn't bear to say any more.

“Brother Wei, let’s not go with the custom-made one. You know my family’s situation. We don’t have much wealth, so where would we get so many spirit stones? We also can’t afford high-grade ones. Low-grade or mid-grade spirit weapons will do.”

Xu Xiaoniu said.

“Standardized spirit weapons are much simpler and more convenient. Spirit weapon flying swords use less material, are relatively easy to forge, and are also cheaper. My family has a few low-grade spirit weapon flying swords. After the banquet, you can go and choose one?” Baili Wei assumed that Xu Xiaoniu was buying them for his own use, since as far as he knew, Xu Xiaoniu was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in his family.

"Okay, thanks."

Xu Xiaoniu expressed his gratitude.

"You are Welcome."

After they finished talking, they caught up with Jiang Hao.

The three strolled around for a while before heading to a banquet.

Along the way, Baili Wei encountered several powerful cultivators in the early stages of Foundation Establishment and exchanged greetings with them.

At this moment, another person arrived.

Upon seeing this person, Xu Xiaoniu was taken aback, secretly thinking to himself, "This is bad."

That person was none other than Yan Yijin!
In fact, Xu Xiaoniu met Yan Yijin when he arrived at Yuequan Mountain. However, he avoided Yan Yijin and did not meet him.

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.

Yan Yijin had not seen Xu Xiaoniu for forty years. Back then, Xu Xiaoniu was an ordinary person who practiced martial arts.

He was completely different from Xu Xiaoniu today; his aura was entirely different.

Therefore, Yan Yijin did not recognize him, nor did he pay special attention to this Foundation Establishment Level 1 figure.

He sought out Bailiwei because he wanted to buy several high-level magical artifacts for the clan to use during the Qi Refining stage.

His main cultivation technique, "Two Elements Sword Finger Technique," does not require spiritual artifacts to enhance his combat power.

Yan Yijin is the patriarch of the Yan family and the first Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Yan family. His family background is similar to that of Jiang Hao and Xu Xiaoniu. He can be said to have started from scratch without any help.

He chose to cultivate the "Two Elements Sword Finger Technique" because he valued this technique for its relatively quick mastery and lack of the need for additional spiritual artifacts.

Every advantage has its disadvantages.

Not needing a magical artifact means being unable to unleash top-tier combat power.

He and other cultivators of the same level would be stronger if the other party possessed a high-level or even mid-level spiritual weapon.

Yan Yijin, who is at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment and serves as the deputy general of the prefectural camp, is of medium rank in the prefectural government, with neither high nor low status.

He wanted to buy several high-level magical artifacts used by Qi Refining cultivators for his descendants.

The price of high-level magic artifacts ranges from one or two hundred spirit stones to three or four hundred or even five or six hundred.

He wants to buy several items, which will cost him two or three thousand spirit stones in total.

He felt it wouldn't be worth wasting the favor of Clan Chief Baili Yi on such a deal. He'd only go to Baili Yi to buy spiritual artifacts for himself; for just a few high-level magical artifacts, it wasn't necessary.

For such a minor matter, just ask Bailiwei.

He figured that with his cultivation level and position as deputy commander of the prefectural camp, Baili Wei would give him some face and give him a discount of a few hundred spirit stones.

He had met Bailiwei a few times before because of certain matters, so they were somewhat familiar with each other.

"Fellow Daoist Wei~~"

Yan Yijin stepped forward to greet them, glancing at Xu Xiaoniu and Jiang Hao beside him, but not paying them any attention.

Both of them were at the first level of Foundation Establishment and were not from any Foundation Establishment family, so he seemed very casual and had no intention of befriending them.

"Deputy General Yan."

Bai Liwei replied.

"I have something to discuss with you privately."

"of course."

Bailiwei responded, then suddenly remembered something: "Hey, Deputy General Yan, don't you know Xu Xiaoniu? You're his benefactor."

He meant no harm; he was just reminded of the connection between Xu Xiaoniu and Yan Yijin.

"benefactor?"

Yan Yijin was puzzled and looked at Xu Xiaoniu seriously again, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before, so how could he be a benefactor?
Bai Liwei laughed and said, "Xu Xiaoniu, have you forgotten? When you were a military officer, didn't a Foundation Establishment senior give you military merits? It was Deputy General Yan."

military attache?

Military merits?

Yan Yijin vaguely remembered something.

Xu Xiaoniu thought to himself that he was in trouble. He thought he could get away with pretending not to know him, but Bailiwei saw through his act on the spot.

He remained calm and composed; he couldn't show any unusual behavior at this moment, or things would get even more complicated.

He looked enlightened and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting: "So it's Vice General Yan. How could I forget your great kindness? Back when I was a soldier in Yunbian County, it was Vice General Yan who bestowed upon me military merit, which enabled me to become a military officer."

"I owe my success to Deputy General Yan; he's my greatest benefactor."

Joining the army in Yunbian County?
Xu Xiaoniu?
Yan Yijin remembered the name; wasn't it the immortal official who "stole" his military merits three years ago?

His memory then returned to more than forty years ago, when he participated in that war in Yunbian County.

Foundation Establishment cultivators have excellent memories. After so many years, when he heard about Yunbian County and Xu Xiaoniu again, he recalled them.

"It's you! What are you doing here?"

Yan Yijin was full of surprise, and he couldn't help but look at Xu Xiaoniu again.

Was the Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of me the same insignificant mortal soldier I once was?
Such a drastic change, no wonder he didn't recognize him.

Something's not right...

He thought to himself that he clearly remembered asking about Xu Xiaoniu's family background and examining his body.

It clearly has no spiritual root, how could this be?!

He remained outwardly calm and did not question her directly. Instead, he smiled and said, "Back then, I just casually made a good connection. I never expected that after so many years, you would be a fellow cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. Congratulations, congratulations!"

What has happened over the years?

His face was full of curiosity.

Xu Xiaoniu said, "I returned home with the military merits bestowed upon me by Deputy General Yan. There happened to be a vacancy for a military officer in Tonggu County, so I filled the vacancy and became a military officer county lieutenant."

Later, by chance, he went to have his spiritual roots tested and discovered that he had the aptitude for five pseudo-spiritual roots.

By sheer chance, I performed meritorious service. When the head of the Demon Subduing Division of Tonggu County died, I was promoted to a celestial official by Director Fan of the Demon Subduing Division.

Three years ago, during the Xue family incident, Jiang Hao and I encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Xue family. With the help of a Foundation Establishment senior who had a connection with my family, we killed that Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Xue family and were rewarded with a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Throughout this fortunate journey, I've reached today, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Upon learning what had happened, Yan Yijin was slightly surprised: "Five elemental roots? Fellow Daoist, to be able to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm like this, you are truly blessed with good fortune."

Compared to other Foundation Establishment cultivators, Xu Xiaoniu's path to advancement was indeed both tortuous and fortunate.

At this moment, Jiang Hao finally remembered this matter.

He was there at the time, but he didn't recognize Yan Yijin and had long forgotten the name.

"It turns out that it was Deputy General Yan at the time. I was also present when they discussed giving Xu Xiaoniu a military officer's title. What a coincidence!"

"Haha, it's such a good coincidence that we meet here. I'll definitely have to toast you all later."

Bai Liwei said with a smile, completely unaware that his words had brought enormous trouble to the Xu family.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Wei, I have something to attend to..."

"Yes, yes, let's talk over here."

Bai Liwei then remembered that Yan Yijin had asked him to discuss something.

After Yan Yijin finished discussing the purchase of high-level magical artifacts with Bailiwei, he pondered Xu Xiaoniu's situation.

He remembered that he had no spiritual roots, so how did he suddenly have five spiritual roots?

Did he remember it wrong?
Impossible, his memory couldn't be wrong.

(End of this chapter)