From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 219 Zhennan Prefecture

Zhennan Prefecture is located at the southernmost part of the Qianyuan Immortal Dynasty and is one of the thirty-eight prefectures.

The prefecture contains fifty-four counties, including Yuanli County, Qinghe County, and Yunbian County.

Its territory was vast, stretching 25,000 li from east to west and 18,000 li from south to north.

The city of Zhennan Prefecture is located in the north of the prefecture, thousands of miles away from Yuanli County.

Surrounding the prefectural city is a city called Jiurong City!

This city is no ordinary city, but the territory of the famous Golden Core family "Tuoba Family" in Zhennan Prefecture.

More than two thousand years ago, Jiurong City did not exist; this place was just a second-tier spiritual mountain called "Jiurong Mountain".

After Jiurong Mountain was occupied by the Golden Core Clan Chief of the Tuoba Clan, it developed very rapidly.

Over two thousand years, a city with a population of one million was built around Jiurong Mountain.

In this "Nine Glory City," 90% of the people are members of the Tuoba family, while the remaining 10% are outsiders who depend on the Tuoba family for their livelihood.

At this moment, in Jiurong City, at Jiurong Mountain.

A secluded little hill.

Abundant spiritual energy condensed into celestial mist that enveloped the mountaintop, creating a vast, white, and picturesque scene.

There is a small spirit-gathering array here, which gathers the second-tier spirit land of Jiurong Mountain to the level of a third-tier spirit land.

A middle-aged man dressed in a tight black robe sat cross-legged on a rock on the hilltop, meditating with his eyes closed, motionless.

It seemed to have transformed into rock, becoming one with the mountain peak, emitting no breath whatsoever, not even a breath.

He is Tuoba Yaowu, a Golden Core cultivator from the Tuoba family.

Two-pattern Golden Core, also known as the early stage of Golden Core.

The path to immortality is only beginning with the Qi Refining stage.

The Foundation Establishment stage is the foundation of cultivation. Building a spiritual platform and immortal foundation is considered a basic step on the path of cultivation.

From Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, liquid spiritual energy transforms into true essence, breaking free from the shackles of the physical body and transforming into an immortal spirit body. One begins to comprehend the true meaning of the Five Elements magic, with a lifespan of up to five hundred years.

The Golden Core Realm is undoubtedly a powerful realm in the path of cultivation, and is extremely rare among cultivators.

After advancing to the Golden Core Realm, the Golden Core in the dantian will increase in size with each advancement, and an additional pattern will appear, with nine patterns being the limit.

Therefore, the Golden Core Realm is divided into nine patterns, corresponding to nine levels of the realm.

Tuoba Yaowu, a Golden Core cultivator, initially possessed only a mixed spiritual root of four elements.

With such talent for cultivation, he achieved the Golden Core realm, a level that even those with three true spiritual roots find extremely difficult to reach. His path to rise to power was incredibly arduous.

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 sudden fluctuations from the communication talisman startled Tuoba Yaowu.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his deep pupils gleaming.

With a thought, a communication talisman floated out of the storage pouch.

"who?"

This communication talisman is seventy or eighty years old, and he couldn't immediately recall who had the corresponding communication talisman.

"Xiao Yan?"

He recalled Yan Yijin.

Years ago, he violated clan rules and was expelled from the clan. He traveled abroad, seeking an opportunity to advance to the Golden Core realm. At that time, he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and as long as he could advance to the Golden Core realm, his past violations of clan rules would be forgiven.

During his travels, he met Yan Yijin, a celestial official who had recently achieved the Foundation Establishment stage.

Yan Yijin helped him with some things, which indirectly helped him advance to the Golden Core Realm.

He then left him a communication talisman, so that he could send him a message if needed.

Over the years, Yan Yijin would send some Yuanli County specialties to Tuoba Yaowu every three to five years to Jiurong City as a way to maintain contact, but he never used this communication talisman.

After so many years, his sudden use of the communication talisman surprised Tuoba Yaowu.

"Look? Or not?"

Tuoba Yaowu didn't think he had much of a relationship with Yan Yijin. The difference in their strength and status was too great, and that little bit of friendship had long since faded away with the passage of time.

If Yan Yijin were to encounter trouble and ask for help, would Tuoba Yaowu help him?

If you don't know, that's fine, but if you do know and don't help, it will leave a grudge in Tuoba Yaowu's heart.

Reaching the Golden Core realm requires unwavering will and clear thinking.

"Given his sense of propriety, he shouldn't make any excessive demands."

Tuoba Yaowu thought to himself.

He examined the communication talisman and saw it slowly burn out in the air.

Upon learning what had happened, his eyes lit up: "A secret technique?! Ha, I didn't expect Xiao Yan to send such a great gift."

Besides the news about the Xu family's secret techniques, he also learned that Nie Tingjun, the prefect of Yuanli County, was in talks with the Xu family.

“Yuanli County, who from my clan is over there?”

Some members of the Tuoba family served as celestial officials in various prefectures of Zhennan Prefecture.

However, Tuoba Yaowu usually did not care about such matters in the clan, so he did not remember Tuoba Hongyang, a clansman who was the head of the Demon Subduing Division in Yuanli County.

He flashed and appeared on a bustling peak in Jiurong Mountain.

This is where some affairs of the Foundation Establishment stage members of the clan are handled.

Tuoba Yaowu's figure flashed, appearing inside a grand hall: "Find someone for me. Which member of your clan is a celestial official in Yuanli County?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivators serving in the main hall, upon seeing Tuoba Yaowu, hurriedly rose and bowed in fear.

Among the several Golden Core cultivators of the Tuoba family, Tuoba Yaowu was one that the clansmen feared.

"It is Tuoba Hongyang, the chief of the Demon Subduing Division of Yuanli County. He is the 50th generation of the clan."

"Give me a communication talisman that can contact him, quick!"

Tuoba Yaowu gave the order.

"Yes."

A communication talisman was delivered to Tuoba Yaowu.

After sending a message to Tuoba Hongyang, he flew away from Jiurong City.

He used his true essence to condense half-illusory, half-real wings on his back and flew swiftly towards Yuanli County.

His main cultivation technique at the Golden Core stage was the "Kunpeng Creation Technique," a dual-element technique combining water and wind. With the addition of the wind element, the already extremely fast speed at the Golden Core stage became even faster.

The reason for sending a message to Tuoba Hongyang was to delay Nie Tingjun until he arrived.

The distance from Jiurong City to Yuanli County is about 10,000 li. Even if Tuoba Yaowu flew at full speed, it would take him four hours to arrive.

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.

Yuanli City.

Tuoba Hongyang, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, received a message from the spirit talisman.

"News from the clan?"

He examined the talisman with a sense of doubt.

"what?!"

The messenger was Tuoba Yaowu, a Golden Core cultivator from the clan!
The contents of the talisman shocked Tuoba Hongyang even more.

"A secret technique? A secret technique that allows ordinary people to cultivate spiritual roots? The Xu family of Baihe Mountain in Tonggu County, which family is this?"

He was filled with doubt.

He had never heard of such a secret method, nor did he know anything about the Xu family of Baihe Mountain.

How did Tuoba Yaowu, who was thousands of miles away, know about it?
Since the message talisman didn't go into too much detail, only instructing Tuoba Hongyang to hurry and deal with Prefect Nie Tingjun, he set off immediately without hesitation.

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, Baihe Mountain.

Shortly after Nie Tingjun arrived, Xu Xiaoniu also returned from the county town. Xu Xiaoniu and Nie Tingjun set off at the same time, but Xu Xiaoniu was a little slower and arrived half an hour later than Nie Tingjun.

At this moment, Nie Tingjun had not yet inquired about the specific details of the Five Elements Stance Technique; he was examining the physical constitutions of the Xu family members.

He examined everyone, including Xu Xiaohou and Zhongxi.

"They all have five elemental roots, this is truly..."

Nie Tingjun was surprised; this martial arts stance training was truly amazing.

One can cultivate a single stance technique for ten or twenty years, reach the Innate Realm, and then combine it with medicinal soup made from some first-tier spiritual plants of the Five Elements to possess the Five Elements Spiritual Roots.
Compared to the demonic cultivation methods commonly found in the cultivation world, this method, though slow, comes at almost no cost.

Some simple and brutal demonic cultivation techniques are often quick to master and allow for rapid progress.

Unlike the Five Elements Stance Kung Fu, which requires starting martial arts training from a young age.

After learning about the miraculous effects of the Five Elements Stance Exercise, Nie Tingjun fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he made a decision: "This martial arts technique does have its unique features, but its flaws are also obvious. With five pseudo-spiritual roots, its upper limit is slightly lower, and it can only cultivate a large number of low-level cultivators."

Since you are willing to offer up this secret technique, I will not let you suffer a loss.

"How about a Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange, plus my nominal protection of your Xu family?"

In fact, Nie Tingjun was in a superior position, and even if he didn't give them the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Xu family would have no choice but to comply.

But he's not that kind of person.

A Foundation Establishment Pill is not a rare treasure for him, but it is very precious to the Xu family.

On the other hand, Nie Tingjun thought that the Xu family was able to produce several Foundation Establishment cultivators with five pseudo-spiritual roots, so the family's development potential was quite good.

By giving up some benefits and providing some assistance to the Xu family, perhaps the Xu family can turn around and help Nie Tingjun in the future.

"Thank you, Prefect!"

Xu Fugui was overjoyed to see that Nie Tingjun was willing to give him a Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange.

This was an unexpected surprise.

Most importantly, it was Nie Tingjun's attitude, and there was another condition: "the prefect's nominal protection of the Xu family."

The secret of the Xu family's spiritual root can no longer be kept.

After that, the Xu family members could openly cultivate immortality and enter another stage.

Nie Tingjun nodded and said, "Now, hand over the Five Elements Stance Technique that you mentioned to me."

“Your Excellency, my clan has no written records of the Five Elements Stance Technique; it is all passed down orally. I will have my great-grandson, Liyuan, demonstrate it.”

As Xu Fugui spoke, he called to Xu Liyuan: "Liyuan, demonstrate the Five Elements Stance Technique from the first level several times."

"Yes."

Li Yuan was a little nervous in front of Nie Tingjun, so he immediately started practicing the Five Elements Stance Technique. He moved very slowly, trying to make sure Nie Tingjun could see every detail.

Standing beside him, Xu Fugui explained the corresponding breathing techniques and stance exercises.

An hour had passed after completing one round of stance training.

With just one reading, Nie Tingjun remembered eighty or ninety percent of it.

However, just as Li Yuan was about to demonstrate for the second time, Nie Tingjun frowned and looked up at the distant sky.

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Prefect!"

The sound moves from far to near.

Tuoba Hongyang appeared, landing on Baihe Mountain, and curiously looked at everyone present.

What's happening here?
Is it really as Tuoba Yaowu, a Golden Core cultivator in his clan, said?
"Chief Tuoba, what is your purpose in coming here uninvited?"

Nie Tingjun treated him coldly.

With the backing of a Golden Core cultivator in his clan, Tuoba Hongyang was naturally not afraid of Nie Tingjun.

In truth, he wasn't afraid of Nie Tingjun at all, and occasionally dared to question and contradict him. However, because his position and strength were somewhat inferior to Nie Tingjun's, he always bowed slightly in front of him.

In terms of family power, the Tuoba family was stronger.

Despite having only a genealogical history of over two thousand years, which is even shorter than some ancient Foundation Establishment families, the Tuoba family is quite influential in Zhennan Prefecture, and its power has been steadily increasing in recent years.

“Your Excellency, I have come here for the same reason as you. I have heard that the Xu family has a secret method that can help ordinary people develop spiritual roots. Such a secret method is not only desired by your family, but also by my family.”

Tuoba Hongyang did not hide anything and explained his purpose.

Ok?
Is it Yan Yijin?

Nie Tingjun and the Xu family members present all assumed that Yan Yijin had found Tuoba Hongyang to be his backer.

But to let the Director of the Demon Subduing Bureau and the Prefect fight over him? That would be underestimating Nie Tingjun.

"Heh, everything has its order of arrival. You can go back now. By the way, let me remind you, this secret technique is unique to my family and the Xu family. No one else should even think about coveting it."

Nie Tingjun glared at Tuoba Hongyang, threatening him.

His imposing presence was enough to intimidate Tuoba Hongyang.

However, this time Tuoba Hongyang did not back down. He smiled and said, "Prefect, please don't be in a hurry. A Golden Core cultivator from my clan is on his way. This secret technique is not up to you."

"A Golden Core cultivator?! Who is it?"

Upon hearing the name "Golden Core True Person," Nie Tingjun sensed something was amiss. He had assumed Yan Yijin had brought in Tuoba Hongyang as his backer, but it seemed the news had even reached the Tuoba family?

However, it's not surprising that such a rare secret technique could attract a Golden Core cultivator.

“Tuoba Yaowu is from my clan.”

Tuoba Hongyang specifically named the Golden Core True Man.

"You mean that Golden Core cultivator in your family who murdered his brother and slaughtered the master?!"

Nie Tingjun was somewhat surprised, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Slaying his brother and father" is the most well-known title of Tuoba Yaowu.

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Hongyang's expression changed: "Hmph, it's all just rumors. You wait here, he'll be here soon."

"You're the only one with a Golden Core cultivator in your family? My family has one too."

As Nie Tingjun spoke, he immediately took out a communication talisman.

After a short while, Nie Tingjun sent out the message about the talisman, then looked at the worried Xu family members beside him and said, "Don't worry, no matter who ends up with this secret technique, I should be able to keep your Xu family safe."

This was a promise made by Nie Tingjun previously.

As time went on, Nie Tingjun began to think more and more.

The Five Elements Stance Technique is indeed miraculous, but it's not enough to cause a bloody battle between Golden Core families.

If the Tuoba family wanted to forcibly take it, he even felt that giving it to the Tuoba family would not be inappropriate.

He was farsighted and had already considered the side effects of the Five Elements Stance Exercise.

Now that things have come to this, Nie Tingjun knows that his word to Tuoba Hongyang doesn't count, so he patiently waits.

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.

At this moment, in addition to Tuoba Yaowu, a Golden Core cultivator from the Tuoba family, another Golden Core cultivator from the Nie family was on his way to Baihe Mountain.

Tuoba Yaowu arrived first.

It arrived at full speed, and the aura of the Second-Rank Golden Core suddenly appeared in Tonggu County, hovering above Baihe Mountain and stopping.

In an instant, it was as if a blazing sun had shone on Baihe Mountain.

Its aura was so immense that it caused a sensation within a radius of dozens of miles.

Everyone from Baihe Mountain sensed the aura above them. Even Nie Tingjun, who had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, had to lower his head and bow to greet the newcomer.

As for others, needless to say.

Tuoba Yaowu slowly descended from the sky, observing everyone, his divine sense already covering the entire Hundred Valleys Mountain.

"Yaowu...pays respects to Master Yaowu."

Tuoba Hongyang was somewhat embarrassed. He was not familiar with Tuoba Yaowu, but in terms of seniority, he was actually of a higher seniority than Tuoba Yaowu in the clan.

He had heard of Tuoba Yaowu's reputation and knew that Tuoba Yaowu did not want his clansmen to mention seniority in front of him, especially those of higher seniority than Tuoba Yaowu.

(End of this chapter)