From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 223 Foundation Building Xu Family
After the Tuoba family promoted the "Nine Glory Stance Exercise" within the clan, the practice of martial arts swept through the entire clan.

Within Jiurong City, countless ordinary clansmen began practicing stance training morning and evening.

Although Tuoba Xianfeng required clansmen under the age of thirty to start practicing martial arts, he did not prohibit clansmen who were not of the appropriate age from practicing the "Nine Glory Stance Skill".

Members of the clan who meet the age requirements will receive a Qi and Blood Pill as a reward every three months, sponsored by the clan.

As for other clan members who practice martial arts independently, they do not enjoy clan resources.

However, who can resist the allure of cultivating immortality? Even people in their fifties and sixties have begun practicing martial arts stance training.

Currently, we are in the initial stage, and the clansmen are practicing the first level of "Nine Glory Stance Exercise".

As for the subsequent training methods, they were controlled by certain high-ranking members of the Tuoba family who had achieved Foundation Establishment.

No one had reached the second level of the stance training, let alone developed a spiritual root, but the news that the Nine Glory Stance Training could develop five types of spiritual roots spread throughout the entire clan and quickly reached beyond the Tuoba family.

Given the size of the Tuoba clan, this news could not possibly be kept secret.

A few days later, the news reached Zhennan Prefecture and several Golden Core families.

The news spread quickly, reaching numerous cultivation families.

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.

"Big news! I heard that the Tuoba family has obtained a martial arts stance training method that allows ordinary people to develop five elemental roots!"

"The Tuoba family of Jiurong City? Where did they obtain this secret stance training method?"

"We don't know yet; many people are trying to find out."

"Is the Tuoba family destined for great fortune? The situation of the Golden Core families in Zhennan Prefecture is likely to change in the future."

"I heard that the Tuoba family has the whole clan practice martial arts, so it's not difficult to get this martial arts stance training."

"They must have ways to keep it secret and won't easily let outsiders get it."

"Let's see how things go first. It's not worth offending the Tuoba family."

"..."

The Golden Core families, whose power was comparable to that of the Tuoba family, were filled with envy and jealousy that their family had such an opportunity.

Even families weaker than the Tuoba family dared not show their covetousness in the slightest.

As for those top-tier families that surpass ordinary Golden Core families...

"Ha, no matter how many ants there are, they are still ants."

"Interesting, very interesting."

"Let's see what the Tuoba family will do in the future."

Some time passed.

A powerful figure with extensive connections discovered the origins of the Tuoba family's secret stance training method: the Foundation Building family of Yuanli County and the Xu family of Baihe Mountain in Tonggu County.

This was an unknown cultivation family, previously unknown to anyone.

The Xu family, in its early stages of development, became a family of cultivators thanks to this stance training technique. For some unknown reason, the Xu family offered the stance training technique, on which they had built their fortune, to the Tuoba family and received their protection.

Rumors are circulating that the Nie family, a Golden Core clan from Zhennan Prefecture, is also involved in this matter.

These rumors circulated among the Golden Core families in Zhennan Prefecture, and later spread to the Foundation Establishment families. As for ordinary Qi Refining families, weak rogue cultivators, and even ordinary people, they were not qualified to know such secrets of the cultivation world.

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 County.

The information here is slightly delayed.

Baili Xi, the deputy director of the Forestry Bureau, overheard the Xu family's affairs while chatting with Fan Kongye, the deputy director of the Demon Subduing Division.

The Baili family and the Fan family have always had a good relationship and maintain close contact.

"Chief Supervisor Baili, are you aware that a Foundation Establishment family has recently risen in our Yuanli County? Their reputation is so great that it has spread throughout the prefectural city."

Fan Kongye said mysteriously.

"It's spread throughout the entire city? Which Foundation Establishment family has such power?"

Baili Xi was surprised.

A Foundation Establishment family that can alarm the capital city must have something special about them.

"That's it..."

Fan Kongye used a little trick, using his spiritual power to transmit his voice to Baili Xi's ears.

"How can it be?!"

Upon hearing this, Baili Xi's first reaction was disbelief!

The effects of this secret technique were too miraculous; he couldn't believe it. "Is this really true?"

"It should be true. General Xing told me about this himself. Also, his deputy general Yan Yijin, who was involved in this matter, was transferred to the prefectural city. I heard that he was transferred by the Tuoba family because he offended the prefect in this matter."

Fan Kongye learned this from Xing Wuming, a general in the county camp.

"Such a major event has occurred in our Yuanli County, yet I was unaware of it. How did the Golden Core family in the prefectural city manage to obtain the secret technique?"

Baili Xi had his eye on that secret technique, but he knew that the Baili family's power was definitely not enough to keep it.

He was more interested in gossip and casual conversation.

In Yuanli County, he needed to learn about the other Foundation Establishment families.

"I can roughly guess. Speaking of which, Tuoba Hongyang did indeed suddenly leave Yuanli City that day and go to Tonggu County..."

Fan Kongye speculated about the entanglements between the Xu family, Yan Yijin, the Tuoba family, and the Nie family.

"It's quite a coincidence. The current celestial official of the Xu family is Xu Xiaoniu, a Foundation Establishment celestial official under my Demon Subduing Division. I was the one who helped him become a celestial official back then. At the time, I never would have imagined that he had cultivated his five-elemental spiritual roots through martial arts stance training."

I intend to choose a suitable time to make a special trip to Tonggu County to visit the Xu family and establish friendly relations with them.

Fan Kongye went to befriend the Xu family for two reasons: firstly, the Xu family's backing was the Tuoba clan; secondly, Fan Kongye was simply making an appearance and saying hello, without needing to give anything in return—it was just normal social interaction.

There are only so many Foundation Establishment families in Yuanli County, and Fan Kongye knows them all. Going to show up and say hello is just to get acquainted with them; it doesn't mean there's any deep friendship between them.

"Xu Xiaoniu, a celestial official from the Demon-Subduing Division of the Xu family in Tonggu County?"

When Baili Xi heard Fan Kongye mention the name "Xu Xiaoniu," he felt it was very familiar.

He hadn't thought of the Xu family in Tonggu County when he heard about them earlier, but now he suddenly remembered seeing Xu Xiaoniu at his family's wedding banquet a while ago.

"So it was him! He's somewhat acquainted with my great-grandson, Bailiwei. It seems I should make time to visit 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.

Moon Spring Mountain.

This is the second-tier spiritual mountain of the Baili family.

Upon returning, Baili Xi immediately sought out Baili Wei.

His expression was serious, knowing that the Xu family's matter was no small thing: "Avi, what is your relationship with Xu Xiaoniu of the Xu family in Tonggu County?"

"what?"

Bai Liwei was puzzled as to why his great-grandfather suddenly asked about Xu Xiaoniu: "We were both officials in Tonggu County and had a pretty good relationship. I helped him with a few small favors."

I have no vested interests or grudges with them. My great-grandfather taught me to treat people kindly and build connections, and I get along well with most people.

"Ah."

Baili Xi nodded. His great-grandson and Xu Xiaoniu probably didn't have a very deep relationship.

"From now on, we must be careful when dealing with Xu Xiaoniu."

"What happened to the Xu family?"

Bai Liwei subconsciously felt that something had happened to the Xu family, otherwise his great-grandfather would not have said that.

"This is no small matter. The Xu family is unfathomable. I just learned from outside..."

Baili Xi recounted what he had heard from Fan Kongye. In his view, the Xu family was in a very awkward situation.

Whether associating with the Golden Core Clan is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.

The advantage is having a powerful Golden Core family as a backer. The disadvantage is being powerless and easily destroyed overnight.

Furthermore, the Xu family's association with that kind of martial arts stance training might bring them trouble in the future.

Baili Xi instructed Baili Wei to be "cautious" in his interactions with the Xu family, fearing that close ties would lead to future repercussions.

"Great-grandfather, you said the Xu family's spiritual root was cultivated through martial arts?"

Bailiwei was dumbfounded; this was beyond his imagination.

"Hmm. You'll come with me to Tonggu County to see what the Xu family is like. Maintain a superficial relationship, but whether to develop a deeper one requires careful consideration."

Baili Xi estimated that once the news about the Xu family spread, all the Foundation Establishment families in Yuanli County would go to visit them.

Of course, we should try to befriend this newly established Foundation Establishment family as much as possible.

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.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xu family—Xu Xiaoniu, Xu Xiaohou, and Xu Zhongxi—are welcoming the arriving Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Starting a couple of days ago, renowned Foundation Establishment cultivators from Yuanli County have been coming to visit.

First it was Xing Wuming, the chief general of the prefectural government, then Jin Kuiyuan, the deputy director of the Demon Subduing Division…

These Foundation Establishment cultivators, with their high cultivation levels and status, came not only to visit the Xu family and make an impression, but also out of curiosity to see the legendary family.

Since they weren't intentionally trying to make friends, the gifts they brought were all ordinary items, nothing particularly valuable.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xu family made no attempt to hide their abilities, openly displaying themselves to everyone.

At this time, the Xu family was publicly known as a "Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivation Family," but the Xu family only had three Foundation Establishment Level 1 Grand Cultivators.

The Xu family is currently in a weak position and must demonstrate its strength to avoid trouble. The Tuoba family is making a name for itself in Zhennan Prefecture, and the Xu family cannot afford to show weakness or arouse malicious intent.

Baili Xi and Baili Wei descended upon Baihe Mountain.

"Xu Xiaoniu, we meet again."

Baili Xi smiled kindly.

Xu Xiaoniu bowed repeatedly, saying, "Greetings, Supervisor Baili."

After he finished speaking, he introduced to Xu Xiaohou and Xu Zhongxi: "This is Senior Baili Xi, the deputy director of the Forestry Bureau of our prefecture."

"Greetings, Supervisor Baili."

"Greetings, senior~~"

The two men went to pay their respects.

Baili Xi waved his hand: "No need to be polite. I didn't expect that there was a family like your Xu family hidden in our Yuanli County. You are really low-key."

"Our Xu family has only been able to develop to where we are today because of our utmost caution and prudence; it's truly a matter of necessity..."

After exchanging a few polite words, the two took Baili Xi on a tour of Baihe Mountain.

Actually, there's not much to see at Baihe Mountain, even though it's quite large, spanning ten to twenty miles in length and width.

However, the Xu family is small and has a short history of development, so compared with the spiritual lands of other cultivation families, Baihe Mountain appears very simple.

The outer perimeter of Baihe Mountain is covered with terraced fields, layer upon layer.

The central area is the residential area, where numerous pavilions, towers, courtyards, and gardens were built.

There is also the core area, which resembles a wild mountain.

For an ordinary family, such a territory would be quite impressive. However, for a Foundation Establishment family, it would seem rather meager.

During the journey, Bailiwei struck up a conversation, jokingly saying, "Xu Daniu, your family is really well hidden. I've been a celestial official in Tonggu County for decades and I never noticed anything. You really have spiritual roots cultivated by a mortal?"

Many people have this question, and Bailiwei asked it directly.

"Uh, it is indeed a five-elemental spiritual root cultivated by a mortal."

Xu Xiaoniu answered truthfully, saying it was no longer a secret. From now on, the Xu family would develop as a Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivation family, and there was no need to hide it anymore.

"Tsk, your family's martial arts secrets really have the power to seize the creation of heaven and earth."

"Bai Liwei sighed."

A moment later, Baili Xi didn't linger and left first. Baili Wei, on the other hand, stayed behind, intending to catch up with Xu Xiaoniu for a while before leaving.

As Baili Xi took his leave, Baili Wei whispered, "Xu Daniu, I have something to ask you."

"Brother Wei, please speak."

Bai Liwei had helped the Xu family a lot, and if Bai Liwei's request was not difficult to fulfill, Xu Xiaoniu would definitely do his best to help.

But then Bailiwei said in a low voice, "I have a son who is dull-witted and has no spiritual root. What do you think?"

He got married a few years ago and has two sons.

The eldest son has five pseudo-spiritual roots, but the second son doesn't even have any spiritual roots.

Although he possesses three true spiritual roots, the offspring born from three true spiritual roots may not necessarily all have spiritual roots.

A true spiritual root can give birth to another true spiritual root, or it can be a mixed spiritual root of four elements, or a pseudo spiritual root of five elements. It can also be an ordinary person, which is very common.

This is also why there aren't that many cultivators in cultivation families.

The probability of a cultivator giving birth to a cultivator with spiritual roots is higher than that of an ordinary person, but it is not that absolute.

"Huh?! Shh—"

Xu Xiaoniu's expression changed drastically, and he made a shushing gesture: "Brother Wei, you must never say that again. The Tuoba family, the Golden Core clan of Zhennan Prefecture, has issued an order that this achievement must not be spread outside, or the violator will be killed without mercy!"

If the Tuoba family hears these words, both my Xu family and your family will suffer a severe fate!

"..."

Bai Liwei's expression changed. He believed what Xu Xiaoniu said because most powerful cultivation families followed this rule.

How could I possibly allow others to easily pass on the secret techniques that I finally obtained?

If you pass it on to him, you can pass it on to others, and as it's passed on, it becomes a well-known technique.

He nodded gently: "I misspoke, please don't take it to heart."

He will never bring up this topic again.

Just then, a Foundation Establishment cultivator came to visit the Xu family.

It's Jiang Hao, who's at the Foundation Establishment stage!
Jiang Hao's intelligence network wasn't very efficient; he only learned of the Xu family's situation at the prefectural government office today. Greatly surprised, he immediately set off, preparing gifts to visit the Xu family at Baihe Mountain.

He served as a celestial official in Tonggu County for much longer than Bailiwei, and also served as the county magistrate for many years.

In fact, he was not completely ignorant. He had seen Xu Xiaohou, who was in the Foundation Establishment stage, and other Qi Refining stage clansmen when he was dealing with Xue Yimiao.

At the time, Jiang Hao thought that the Xu family was a direct descendant of a powerful immortal cultivation family, and that they were hiding their lineage because they had no other choice, which was why there were so many Qi Refining cultivators among their family members.

He had also speculated that the Xu family were demonic cultivators, but he ruled out that idea.

He never imagined that the Xu family possessed such a secret technique for stance training.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao Niu. Fellow Daoist Wei, you're here too?"

Jiang Hao arrived at Baihe Mountain, and coincidentally, Baili Wei was also there.

He then met Xu Xiaohou, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had killed Xue Yimiao. Through Xu Xiaoniu's introduction, he learned that Xu Xiaohou was actually his sixth brother.

There is also the Foundation Establishment Grandmaster Xu Zhongxi.

Jiang Hao was surprised; he hadn't realized the Xu family had hidden so much strength.

(End of this chapter)