From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 218 Jindan Zhenren
Xu Xiaohou discovered Yan Yijin while he was searching around with his divine sense.

Xu Xiaohou and Xu Zhongxi were always on guard against him and constantly vigilant for his arrival.

Yan Yijin's spiritual sense was difficult for Qi Refining cultivators to detect, but the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, with careful observation, could easily detect it.

Therefore, when Yan Yijin was about to search Li Yuan's soul, Xu Xiaohou and Zhong Xi did not hesitate to act.

A crisp "ding" sounded.

The invisible flying sword flew backwards in response.

Yan Yijin had experience fighting against sword-wielding cultivators, and a mere flying sword couldn't harm him.

His sword energy from the "Two Elements Sword Finger Technique" is faster than that of a flying sword made of spiritual weapons.

Immediately afterwards, several clusters of cold white flames drifted toward Yan Yijin.

He casually unleashed a few sword energies, scattering the flames in the air.

Now that things had come to this, there was no need for him to hide any longer, so he simply floated in the air.

"Fellow Daoists, please wait. You are no match for me. Let's have an open and frank discussion."

His gaze drifted towards Xu Xiaohou and Zhongxi in the distance.

Prior to this, Xu Fugui had instructed Xu Xiaohou that the main task was to hold off Yan Yijin and buy time, rather than to defeat him.

With Xu Xiaohou and Zhong Xi's combined strength, there is no way they could defeat Yan Yijin.

Xu Xiaohou pretended not to know Yan Yijin's identity or that he had killed Zhongyao: "May I ask who this senior is? Why did you sneak into my family's territory at night?"

"Oh?"

Yan Yijin realized that the other party did not recognize him, which made it easier for him to hide his identity.

Once he gets his hands on the secret technique, he will slaughter everyone in Baihe Mountain.

“I am just an unknown rogue cultivator, not worth mentioning. I have come to your Xu family’s Hundred Valleys Mountain with a request.”

"what's up?"

"I've heard that your family has a secret technique that can help ordinary people without spiritual roots cultivate five spiritual roots and embark on the path of cultivation. I have a beloved son who has been frail and sickly since childhood. Now, just over forty years old, he is frequently ill and his life is nearing its end."

If only he could cultivate immortality, using spiritual energy to cleanse his marrow and improve his physique, living another sixty or seventy years wouldn't be a problem.

Yan Yijin's words were somewhat polite.

Xu Xiaohou's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Senior, you've come to the wrong place. How could my family possibly have such a secret technique?"

"Heh, don't try to hide it. Since I've come to your door, I must have already found out. Forty years ago, the Xu family were just farmers in Baihe Village. In just a few decades, they've grown to what they are today, and even have several Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Isn't it all thanks to secret techniques?

Yan Yijin directly confronted Xu Xiaohou about his words.

"This... I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Don't be so stubborn! I've come with sincerity. If your Xu family is willing to sell me a copy of the secret technique, the price is negotiable. But if not, I'll have to resort to soul-searching to take it by force!"

Yan Yijin exuded the aura of a fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator and threatened fiercely.

He was worried that the Xu family would rather die than let him obtain the secret technique, so he feigned compliance and lied to the Xu family, saying that it would cost spirit stones to purchase it.

Once he gets his hands on the secret technique, he will definitely kill people to silence them.

Xu Xiaohou and Zhongxi exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with panic.

Xu Xiaohou said in a low voice, "Senior, I don't need to explain the significance of this secret technique; I'm sure you understand it very well. This matter is of great importance, so please allow my people to discuss it."

Ok?
Yan Yijin frowned, worried that the Xu family might be up to some trick.

He arrived suddenly, leaving the other party with no room to react and forcing them to hand over that secret technique.

But if he gives the Xu family time, they might find some reinforcements or important figures.

"What's there to discuss? You only have two choices: either sell me a copy of the secret technique, or you can live!"
"Either you give it to me or you die! Wait until I've slaughtered your entire clan, then I'll search each and every one of your souls."

He did not give the Xu family a chance to delay.

"We'll sell, we'll sell!"

Faced with life and death, Xu Xiaohou seemed to have no choice.

"How many spirit stones would you like to offer, senior?"

"Such a secret technique is hard to price. How about ten thousand spirit stones?"

Yan Yijin casually gave a number, just to trick the other party into handing over the secret technique.

"Senior, 10,000 spirit stones is a bit too little for this secret technique. How about 20,000 spirit stones?"

Xu Xiaohou bargained with him.

"Hmph, I've already done more than enough by spending spirit stones to buy it; otherwise, I could have gone on a killing spree and robbed it!"

Yan Yijin seemed ready to resort to violence at the slightest provocation.

"Senior, this secret technique is the secret upon which my family has developed. It allows ordinary people to possess spiritual roots and embark on the path of cultivation without any side effects or costs. No amount of spirit stones is too much for this kind of secret technique."

"Ten thousand spirit stones is really too little, let's add some more."

"Then, thirteen thousand..."

Yan Yijin thought to himself, "Can it really allow mortals to cultivate immortality without any side effects or costs? Its value is far more than tens of thousands of spirit stones."

"Fifteen thousand spirit stones, please."

"Alright, fifteen thousand spirit stones it is. Let me see the original copy of your family's secret technique first, to verify its authenticity."

Yan Yijin was too lazy to haggle any further and agreed to Xu Xiaohou's offer.

"Senior, please pay with spirit stones first."

"Where would I possibly carry more than ten thousand spirit stones on me?"

Yan Yijin didn't have that many spirit stones in his storage pouch.

"Then let's wait until you've gathered enough spirit stones before we make the trade."

"I have magical artifacts and elixirs to settle the debt, how about it?"

Yan Yijin calculated that the various resources in his storage bag added up to 15,000 spirit stones.

"To offset the debt? Of course, but I am not knowledgeable enough to discern its value."

"..."

Yan Yijin realized something was wrong. Was he just wasting his breath talking to Xu Xiaohou here to buy time?

He wouldn't actually spend 15,000 spirit stones to buy the secret technique, nor would he let the Xu family off the hook.

Similarly, the Xu family would not easily hand over their life-saving secrets.

Currently, this secret technique is like a "protective charm." Once the technique is exposed, the Xu family's demise is imminent.

"Since your Xu family is not sincere, don't blame me for being impolite!"

As he spoke, Yan Yijin reached out and pointed his sword at Xu Xiaohou's chest.

Of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xu family, leave one alive. As for the Qi Refining cultivators, leave the early and middle Qi Refining stages alive.

He estimated that most of the cultivators in the Xu family possessed "Soul Sealing Techniques" to protect their Niwan Palace.

Two sword energies burst forth from his fingertips and shot toward Xu Xiaohou.

A shield with bright yellow patterns flew to Xu Xiaohou's side.

It was the mid-grade defensive spirit artifact controlled by Zhongxi: the Four-in-One Fire Spirit Shield.

"Kengkeng!"

The Four-in-One Fire Spirit Shield blocked the two sword energies and trembled slightly in the air.

With its mid-grade defensive magical artifact, it was difficult for Yan Yijin to damage it, but the difference in cultivation level between Zhong Xi and Yan Yijin was too great.

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.

"stop--!"

A voice rang out from the horizon.

When everyone heard the sound, the person was already right above them, moving even faster than the sound itself.

Nie Tingjun arrived very quickly, even faster than Xu Fugui had anticipated.

As early as when Yan Yijin murdered Zhongyao and went into hiding near Baihe Mountain, Nie Tingjun had already set off from Yuanli City.

Its speed in achieving the perfect foundation-building stage is much faster than that of ordinary foundation-building.

"who?"

Yan Yijin was shocked and immediately stopped speaking, trembling, as soon as he uttered his question.

The person who has arrived is the Prefect! When did the Xu family summon the Prefect?

Could there be some kind of relationship between them?
Yan Yijin's mind raced.

The presence of Prefect Nie Tingjun here meant that all his plans had fallen through.

But he was unwilling to give up. The value of this secret technique was far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator could safeguard.

"Deputy General Yan~~"

Nie Tingjun spoke calmly, feeling fortunate that he had arrived in time and had not witnessed the bloodshed at the Xu family's residence.

He slowly descended from the sky, hovering a few feet above everyone's heads, looking down at them and Baihe Mountain.

"Your humble servant greets Your Excellency the Prefect."

Yan Yijin bowed respectfully.

"Deputy General Yan, what are you doing here?"

Nie Tingjun questioned.

In fact, he had just had the thought in his mind: to kill Yan Yijin on the spot to prevent the secret of the secret technique from being leaked.

But he hesitated at the crucial moment and eventually gave up the idea.

Since Yan Yijin already knew the Xu family's secret, did he have some backup plan?
If Yan Yijin were killed, not only would the secret be exposed, but word would also spread that "Nie Tingjun murdered the deputy general of the Immortal Official County Camp for a secret technique," which would greatly damage his reputation.

He is someone who cherishes his reputation very much.

As the prefect, he killed his subordinate celestial officials without cause.

If word gets out, or if the Yan family files a complaint with Zhennan Prefecture demanding a thorough investigation, then Nie Tingjun's position as prefect will be in jeopardy.

As a genius born into a Golden Core family, Nie Tingjun's style of doing things is different from that of ordinary rogue cultivators.

He cherishes his reputation, values ​​reason, and does not have the style of "using any means to achieve his goals".

He was born with abundant resources and possessed extraordinary talent. All the resources he had were earned through his own abilities, without resorting to underhanded tactics.

People like Yan Yijin are completely different.

For Yan Yijin, reputation doesn't matter. He just needs to improve his skills first, and his reputation will naturally follow.

Who dares to speak ill of him? Just get rid of the person who speaks ill of him.

Yan Yijin adopted the same approach regarding the Xu family: obtain the secret technique and then eliminate the Xu family.

As for how to deal with things after they're exposed, we'll talk about that later. Let's just get the benefits first.

Nie Tingjun had no intention of wiping out the Xu and Yan families, which is why he was willing to speak here.

Otherwise, if a ruthless and unscrupulous person knew of this secret method, there would surely be widespread suffering and bloodshed.

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.

"Your Excellency, um, I..."

Faced with Nie Tingjun's questioning, Yan Yijin was speechless for a moment and could not answer.

"Alright, that's enough. This matter has nothing to do with you, so don't say anything more. Go back."

Nie Tingjun knew in his heart that if he didn't come, the Xu family would probably be wiped out by Yan Yijin.

These weak Foundation Establishment families, lacking any real foundation, are easily capable of committing acts like annihilating entire families in the struggle for resources.

He casually waved his hand, signaling Yan Yijin to leave.

Since the Xu family is going to give him the secret technique, he will keep his promise and protect the Xu family's safety.

At least on the surface, he, as the prefect, would protect the Xu family.

As for Yan Yijin revealing the Xu family's secret techniques?
Nie Tingjun didn't care. Once this secret technique was in his home, it was perfectly safe. He was confident that no one would dare to forcibly take it from him.

On the way here, he realized that it was just a secret technique that could give birth to five elemental roots. It was precious, but not that precious.

Let alone the five elemental spiritual roots, even the secret techniques of high-level spiritual roots exist in Golden Core families.

Some of them are even famous, yet none of them have ever been so foolish as to steal from other people's homes.

The strength determines the resources and secrets that are protected.

The secret techniques that even Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't protect, the Nie family of Zhennan Prefecture could.

"I'm good."

Yan Yijin lowered his head, already having an idea in mind.

Nie Tingjun told him to leave, and he dared not object, so he could only obediently leave.

But he certainly won't miss this opportunity.

He didn't even have the right to compete with Nie Tingjun.

Not to mention that his personal strength is worlds apart from Nie Tingjun's, the Golden Core family behind Nie Tingjun is something he looks up to.

"Your Excellency the Prefect!"

Xu Xiaohou repeatedly said, "This man murdered my nephew Xu Zhongyao. Please do justice for us!"

He always held a grudge against Xu Zhongyao.

Now that the prefect has arrived, there's no reason not to let him take charge of dealing with Yan Yijin.

Ok?
Yan Yijin suddenly realized that the Xu family knew him!
Everything that just happened was the Xu family stalling for time.

Realizing he had been tricked, his face turned ugly, but he couldn't lash out at the moment: "Your Excellency, I don't know any Xu Zhongyao. It's the Xu family who are slandering me."

He remained calm regarding the matter of Xu Zhongyao.

People should speak and act based on evidence. Without any evidence, how can you say that he killed someone?

"What evidence do you have that he killed your nephew?"

Nie Tingjun inquired.

“This…it must be him. Who else would harm my nephew? He must be after my family’s secret and killed my nephew to search his soul.”

Xu Xiaohou was so angry that he pointed his finger at Yan Yijin.

"How could I, a dignified deputy commander of the prefectural garrison, kill innocent people? I advise you not to speak nonsense, or I will sue you for defamation!"

Yan Yijin, of course, could not admit it.

"enough."

Nie Tingjun coldly interrupted the two, knowing that the Xu family couldn't produce any evidence. With Yan Yijin's methods, he could certainly leave no trace.

He waved his hand: "Since there is no evidence, Deputy General Yan can leave."

"I am resigning."

Yan Yijin flew away.

Only Nie Tingjun and the Xu family remained at the scene.

"Where is the head of your Xu family?"

Nie Tingjun looked around and saw that the Xu family had two Foundation Establishment Stage 1 cultivators and more than a dozen Qi Refining Stage cultivators.

Xu Fugui stepped forward and bowed: "Greetings, Your Excellency Prefect. I am Xu Fugui, the father of Xu Xiaoniu. I asked him to tell Your Excellency the secret of stance training and to ask for Your Excellency's protection."

"Okay, not bad."

Nie Tingjun sized up Xu Fugui, never expecting that the person in charge of the Xu family was just a Qi Refining stage cultivator.

It is truly remarkable to make such a decision in a life-or-death situation.

Fortunately, the Xu family found the right person and sought Nie Tingjun's protection.

If it were someone else, the outcome would be hard to say; most likely, the Xu family would disappear from the world as if they had never existed.

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 Yan Yijin flew away, he stopped a hundred miles away.

He landed on a barren mountain and carefully took out a communication talisman from his storage pouch.

This talisman is not an ordinary communication talisman, but a communication talisman capable of transmitting messages over a distance of 30,000 li.

Ordinary communication talismans can only transmit messages within Yuanli County, with a maximum range of two to three thousand miles. This is the limit of the effectiveness of communication talismans.

Yan Yijin's communication talisman can transmit messages over a distance of 30,000 li, a distance far exceeding that of ordinary communication talismans.

He had kept this talisman for many years.

He knows a Golden Core cultivator, and this talisman can connect him to the Golden Core cultivator!

(End of this chapter)