From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 217 Seeking Asylum
With a pleading expression, Xu Xiaoniu took out a bag of spirit stones from his storage pouch and handed it to the Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of him, intending to ask him to help spread the word.

There were one hundred spirit stones in that brocade pouch.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of guarding the area declined, saying, "That won't be necessary. Take it back. I'll pass on your message, but I can't guarantee whether the Prefect will be willing to see you. You wait here."

Seeing Xu Xiaoniu's anxiety, he worried that something extremely urgent had happened.

He can't afford to take responsibility if he causes delays.

He agreed to report Xu Xiaoniu because of his identity: a Foundation Establishment Realm Immortal Official. This identity was enough to hold him accountable if he angered the Prefect.

If Xu Xiaoniu were merely a Qi Refining stage cultivator or even a mortal, the guards wouldn't report him even if he said that.

"Thank you, sir."

Xu Xiaoniu clasped his hands in thanks and hovered in place, waiting.

A moment later, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come to report returned: "The Prefect wishes to see you. You may go in."

"Thank you so much!"

After thanking him again, Xu Xiaoniu hurriedly flew to Nie Tingjun's residence.

Once you pass through the checkpoint, no one will stop you from going any further in.

However, when Xu Xiaoniu flew into the huge and luxurious mansion, he had no idea where the prefect lived.

Just as he hesitated, a voice rang in his mind: "Come here."

The divine sense guided him forward.

On the top of an artificial hill, he saw a blurry figure standing there.

Xu Xiaoniu quickly flew close to the ground, landing when he got close to the artificial hill, and then took two steps at a time to quickly move forward.

From a distance of several dozen feet, he bowed and greeted the Prefect: "Your humble servant Xu Xiaoniu pays respects to Your Excellency the Prefect."

This was the first time he had met Nie Tingjun, the prefect of Yuanli County.

Xu Xiaoniu knew very little about Nie Tingjun. All that was widely known was his name and that he came from a powerful Golden Core family in Zhennan Prefecture.

More detailed information cannot be obtained through rumors.

"What's the matter?"

Nie Tingjun's calm tone carried a hint of indifference.

The person who just informed us has already identified Xu Xiaoniu and explained his emergency situation.

Just how important is it?

If Xu Xiaoniu is just making excuses to approach him, to plead for mercy or to curry favor, he will make him experience the "price" of lying.

"I have a secret method that I wish to offer to Your Excellency the Prefect."

As Xu Xiaoniu spoke, he looked around, worried that there might be the prefect's trusted subordinates, maids, or servants nearby.

What he said was something only Nie Tingjun could know.

"Hmm? This is why you came here so late at night?"

Nie Tingjun's voice was filled with anger.

Giving gifts?

Cultivate connections?

He hates this kind of person the most.

“Your Excellency, this secret method is extremely important; it concerns the life and death of my clan.”

Xu Xiaoniu was extremely anxious.

Even if the person opposite him was the prefect, he couldn't guarantee that the other party wouldn't slaughter the entire Xu family to silence them after learning the secret technique.

He always felt that the method of helping the Xu family through their difficulties was too risky.

"Say!"

Nie Tingjun was already getting impatient.

With his extensive knowledge, he had seen and heard of countless secret techniques. What was an extremely precious secret technique to Xu Xiaoniu might be considered worthless trash by the powerful families of Zhennan Prefecture.

Seeing Xu Xiaoniu's worried expression as he looked around, he said coldly, "Speak quickly, no one around can hear what you're saying."

"..."

Since things had come to this point, Xu Xiaoniu had no choice but to tell the truth.

"The secret technique I want to offer to the Prefect is one that allows ordinary people to possess spiritual roots and embark on the path of cultivation."

That's it?

Nie Tingjun still didn't take it to heart. Although such secret techniques were rare, they weren't particularly valuable.

"What's the price?"

Everything has a price.

The secret method that grants ordinary people spiritual roots must come at a price.

“No price to pay.” Xu Xiaoniu shook his head.

"This secret method is a martial arts stance training. As long as you train the martial arts stance training to the innate level, and then supplement it with the five elemental spiritual plants, you can possess five pseudo-spiritual roots."

This martial arts stance training has no restrictions; anyone can practice it.

No cost?!
Nie Tingjun's eyes lit up instantly: "What did you say? No price?!"

"Yes, everything I said is true. I didn't have any spiritual roots at first, and I obtained five spiritual roots through this martial arts stance training."

"this!"

Nie Tingjun's reaction changed.

From initial composure to intense emotional fluctuations, doubt, and disbelief.

A secret method that grants ordinary people spiritual roots without any cost?
They are very precious to the Golden Core family.

"boom--!"

In an instant, Nie Tingjun unleashed the aura of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator.

An overwhelming aura pressed down on Xu Xiaoniu.

Both are Foundation Establishment cultivators, but Xu Xiaoniu is only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, while Nie Tingjun is at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

With just the suppression of his aura, Xu Xiaoniu felt as if a towering mountain was pressing down on him, and he knelt down with a thud.

"Say it again, you're not lying to me?"

Nie Tingjun floated up to Xu Xiaoniu, his tone as if to say: If you dare to tell a lie, I will send you to hell immediately.

"I...I didn't tell a single lie."

Xu Xiaoniu, panting under immense pressure, spoke.

Nie Tingjun's mind raced, and he reached out and placed his hand on Xu Xiaoniu's shoulder.

Its spiritual power probed the condition inside Xu Xiaoniu's body.

Xu Xiaoniu did not resist, allowing Nie Tingjun's spiritual power to freely explore his body.

Its spiritual root, dantian, and kidney internal energy were thoroughly examined.

However, this does not prove anything. Although it is difficult for those with five pseudo-spiritual roots to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, it is not an extremely difficult task.

The fact that he also possessed internal martial arts strength only proves that Xu Xiaoniu had practiced martial arts and that his martial arts cultivation was not low.

Does such a secret method truly exist in this world?

There should be some price to pay for allowing ordinary people to possess five elemental roots.

He suddenly remembered something and asked, "What kind of Five Elements spiritual plants do you need? Second-tier or third-tier spiritual plants?"

"Ordinary first-tier spiritual plants are fine, such as common plants with the five elements attributes like withered leaf crow, blue vine, and flame wolfberry."

"..."

Nie Tingjun fell silent.

The preciousness of this secret method needs no further explanation.

If he were to bring this secret technique back to his own family, his achievement would be no less than his advancement to the Golden Core realm.

No, this achievement even surpasses the benefit he brought to the family by advancing to the Golden Core stage!
"How do you practice this martial arts stance training? And how do you use the Five Elements spiritual plants? Tell me quickly!"

Nie Tingjun couldn't wait to learn about this amazing martial arts stance training.

"..."

At this moment, Xu Xiaoniu fell silent.

"Huh? What do you mean? Aren't you afraid of dying?!"

When Nie Tingjun saw that Xu Xiaoniu was not speaking, he thought that Xu Xiaoniu was just playing a trick on him.

“My lord, if I were afraid of death, I would not have come to offer this secret method. I am not afraid of death, but I want to save my people.”

I will offer you this secret technique, on the condition that you protect the safety of my Xu family.

Furthermore, I have already set up a soul-sealing technique in my sea of ​​consciousness. If someone tries to forcibly search my soul, my soul will self-destruct and my spirit will be scattered.

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.

“Heh.” Nie Tingjun calmed down, regaining the wisdom of a prefect.

He should have realized that there must be a reason why this person came to his residence at this particular time to offer the secret technique.

The fact that he was offered a secret technique that was extremely precious even to the Golden Core Clan must mean that he had something in mind.

"Go ahead."

He wanted to know why Xu Xiaoniu had offered up such a precious secret technique.

Xu Xiaoniu took a breath and explained the reason: "This secret method is precious, and my Xu family cannot keep it."

Now someone knows the secret of my Xu family, and in order to find out this secret, they have come to my house. My son is dead, and it is very likely that they were the ones who did it.

"As long as the Prefect can protect our family, we are willing to hand over this secret technique without any concealment."

"Is that so?"

Nie Tingjun seemed to be deep in thought.

Since Xu Xiaoniu did not conceal anything, everything was reasonable and there were no flaws or suspicious points.

Nie Tingjun thought for a moment: Indeed, if the secret is not exposed, who would hand over such a secret technique to others?
But once the secret was exposed, that was another matter.

Such a precious secret technique was a matter of life and death for the family, so the Xu family had no choice but to offer it up to protect themselves.

"Who is that person?"

"Yan Yijin, Deputy Commander of the County Garrison."

"Deputy General Yan? What is the connection between you two?"

"Forty or fifty years ago, I was conscripted and sent to Yunbian County..."

Xu Xiaoniu spoke frankly and quickly recounted his story with Yan Yijin.

Because of his honesty, Nie Tingjun had no doubts.

“I’ve heard about what happened in Yunbian County. It’s quite a coincidence that Yan Yijin, who was once kind to your family, is now coveting your family’s secret techniques and trying to harm your son. Since your family is in danger, then… I will go there myself.”

Nie Tingjun hesitated slightly, then decided to go in person.

The fewer people involved in this matter, the better.

Besides, this matter is his family's private affair, not a matter of Yuanli County.

Xu Xiaoniu offered him a secret method to seek the protection of the Nie family, which was not an official matter of Yuanli County.

"Thank you, Prefect. We hope you will set off as soon as possible to protect my people."

Xu Xiaoniu was extremely worried.

Nie Tingjun didn't speak, but transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the air, flying rapidly towards Tonggu County.

Xu Xiaoniu, realizing what was happening, also flew to Tonggu County, but he found that he could no longer see Nie Tingjun's figure in just a moment.

Nie Tingjun was much faster than 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.

Tonggu County, near Baihe Mountain.

Yan Yijin, shrouded in a black robe, stealthily approached from the shadows.

He was unaware that his murder of Zhongyao had been discovered.

He acted swiftly and decisively, eliminating Zhongyao with lightning speed.

In his view, Zhongyao would definitely not have the opportunity to pass on a message to the family.

Little did they know that Xu Fugui had a powerful family background, which he discovered immediately upon Zhongyao's murder.

Yan Yijin hid in the shadows, investigating the situation at Baihe Mountain.

He gradually went deeper.

"The Xu family is thriving and has grown so rapidly."

He clearly remembered that forty years ago, Xu Xiaoniu told him that the Xu family was just a wealthy farmer in a remote mountain village with dozens of acres of farmland.

It is located near the core area of ​​Baihe Mountain.

"This is?"

Yan Yijin's divine sense probed silently and without anyone noticing.

Because he was at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, his spiritual power far surpassed that of Qi Refining cultivators, making it difficult for Qi Refining cultivators to detect him even if they scanned him with their divine sense.

“There is a sacred place! This Hundred Valleys Mountain is not what I investigated, but a sacred mountain with a sacred place!”

To the outside world, Baihe Mountain is a wild mountain devoid of spiritual energy.

"A sacred site suddenly appearing on a wild mountain? Is this also a trick of the Xu family?"

The method that can imbue an ordinary wild mountain with spiritual veins is equally unbelievable.

"There are Qi Refining cultivators! And quite a few of them!"

In the outside world, the only cultivators in the Xu family known to the public besides Xu Xiaoniu are Xu Zhongyao.

Xu Xiaoniu was in Yuanli City when Xu Zhongyao died.

However, Yan Yijin's investigation revealed that the Xu family had many Qi Refining cultivators, not just one or two, or three or five, but more than ten!
"His family must have some secret techniques, and more than one!"
How could a small, newly established family have so many Qi Refining cultivators?

Even among established Foundation Establishment cultivator families, it's impossible to have such a high probability of producing Qi Refining cultivators within their ranks.

"Arrests!"

Yan Yijin was still thinking of capturing a Qi Refining cultivator and then using the Soul Searching Technique to find out the Xu family's secrets.

This is the safest way.

Otherwise, if he shows up and uses force, he will exterminate the Xu family!

Despite his face being covered and his black robe, the traces of his Two Elements Sword Finger Technique were clearly visible.

In the entire Yuanli County, he was the only one who had reached the fifth level of Foundation Establishment and also practiced the Yin-Yang Sword Finger Technique.

If he forces the Xu family to comply, then in order to keep the secret, he will have to eliminate them completely and kill them all.

The risk of doing so is too great.

The Xu family has a son named Xu Xiaoniu, who is a celestial official in the county government's Demon Subduing Division.

The annihilation of his family overnight will certainly cause a sensation.

Several years ago, under the pretext of cracking down on "demonic cultivators," Prefect Nie Tingjun exterminated the entire Xue family.

If the Xu family were to be inexplicably wiped out, it would certainly attract the attention of the prefect and lead to an investigation.

Yan Yijin didn't want to attract any attention; it would be best if he obtained the secret technique quietly.

If this secret technique were to be leaked, even Yan Yijin would not be able to keep it secret.

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 landed quietly and hid in the wilderness of Baihe Mountain.

He scanned the area with his divine sense and suddenly discovered the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!
"Foundation Building Level 1!"

"The Xu family is truly hiding their true strength. Besides Xu Xiaoniu, they also have a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"Wait, there's one more..."

Yan Yijin was shocked.

What kind of family is the Xu family?
How could there be three Foundation Establishment cultivators?
Just how many secrets does their family hold?

Yan Yijin couldn't believe it. The Xu family must have been favored by the heavens. Otherwise, how could they have grown to have three Foundation Establishment cultivators in just a few decades?
With a Foundation Establishment cultivator present, he's in even more trouble.

"Be patient, be patient!"

He gritted his teeth, determined not to be impatient.

If this situation is not handled carefully, and he is exposed, things will become very troublesome.

After lying in wait in Baihe Mountain for a while, he finally found a suitable target: Li Yuan.

Li Yuan is 19 years old this year. He reached the Innate Martial Realm at the age of 15, possessed spiritual roots, and began cultivating immortality.

Among the various cultivation techniques in his clan, he chose the "Gengjin Sword Qi Technique".

I recently reached the second level of Qi Refining.

He was young, so his clan did not provide him with spirit stones; he could only cultivate using a first-tier spirit land.

With his Qi Refining Level 2 cultivation, his progress in the "Meditation Soul Refining Technique" was far from enough to allow him to "seal his soul."

Yan Yijin also guessed that he was young and did not have the Soul Sealing Technique to protect his Niwan Palace.

However, as soon as Yan Yijin approached, he sensed an inconspicuous magical artifact flying towards him in the darkness.

"Who?!"

He instantly became alert and looked in the direction of the invisible flying sword.

He raised his finger, and a white sword beam shot out.

His sword light arrived first despite being delayed, knocking away the invisible flying sword.

(End of this chapter)