From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 253 Xiao'an celebrates his 100th birthday with seven generations under one roof.

Two years later.

Ru'an Mountain.

Xu Fugui played with six-year-old Xu Zhongxu.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, come and chase me!"

Zhongxu's legs moved swiftly, as light as a swallow, running joyfully ahead, occasionally turning back to call out to Xu Fugui.

"Slow down, Grandpa can't catch you."

Xu Fugui chuckled behind him, keeping a distance from Zhongxu and pretending he couldn't catch up.

After playing around for a while, Zhongxu got tired.

Xu Fugui led him to a secluded place and presented him with a translucent white fruit.

"Grandpa, what kind of fruit is this?"

Zhongxu stared longingly at the fruit. He was both thirsty and tired, and the fresh, juicy fruit made his mouth water.

"This is a very magical fruit, you can have it."

Xu Fugui placed the spiritual root and immortal fruit into Zhongxu's hands.

His movements were casual, just like when he would give Zhongxu ordinary fruits such as oranges and apricots.

In fact, this is the precious "spiritual root and immortal fruit" that grows on the family's treasure tree!
The incomparably precious spiritual root and immortal fruit were quietly and unnoticed by Zhongxu on an inconspicuous afternoon.

Wow, this is delicious.

Zhongxu held the spirit root fruit in both hands, took a big bite, and the juice spilled out.

He savored the melt-in-your-mouth, sweet juice and finished it all in one go.

After consuming the spiritual root fruit, he didn't show any obvious abnormalities, only letting out a big yawn and gazing into his sleepy eyes: "Grandpa, I'm so sleepy~~"

"Grandpa will take you home."

Xu Fugui picked him up and flew to his home.

At the same time, one can "introspect" the internal space to observe the changes within it.

Family Treasure Tree.

The branch representing Zhongxu originally bore flower buds of three colors: the golden yellow of the metal spirit root, the earthy brown of the earth spirit root, and the emerald green of the wood spirit root.

The spiritual root has not yet fully formed, and none of the three flower buds have opened.

Its initial true spiritual roots are metal, wood, and earth.

"I wonder what kind of earth elemental root his true spiritual root will evolve into?"

Xu Fugui could not speculate.

He escorted Zhongxu home to his bedroom to rest, where he noticed the changes in the family's precious tree.

Among the three-colored buds, the golden buds began to wither slowly, while the other brownish-yellow and emerald-green buds began to grow.

"A wood-earth spiritual root? Doesn't that mean that among the cultivation techniques the family can provide him, the best one is the Spirit Farmer's Qi Refining Technique?"

Xu Fugui's own cultivation method is the "Lingnong Qi Refining Technique," a dual-attribute wood and earth technique bestowed by the Enlightenment Spirit Fruit. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, it becomes the advanced technique "Xiannong Zhuyuan Technique."

This technique may seem to be more of a supportive skill, but that's not actually the case.

Xu Fugui only used it to enhance the growth of spiritual plants, not to engage in combat, which made the technique seem weak. In reality, its combat power was not weak at all.

Among the Xu family members, Xu Lijing cultivates the "Lingnong Qi Refining Technique," which, through his development, allows him to unleash some combat spells based on wood-based techniques.

The cultivation techniques bestowed by the Enlightenment Fruit are bound to be of extremely high quality.

The effect it can produce depends entirely on the practitioner's own practice and understanding.

"If the empowerment fruit is upgraded again, rewarding a Golden Core level cultivation technique, wouldn't that mean it can grant a Golden Core realm cultivator a dual-elemental cultivation technique of wood and earth?"

Xu Fugui suddenly realized that the Enlightenment Fruit might grant a dual-system cultivation technique to someone at the Golden Core stage.

On the family's treasure tree, the Enlightenment Fruit was the first to appear.

As long as they are descendants of the Xu family, their bloodline energy can nourish the Enlightenment Spirit Fruit.

The aura of the four offspring can nurture mortal-level cultivation techniques.

Adding four more offspring, for a total of eight, allows the cultivation technique to be upgraded to the Qi Refining level.

The combined aura of sixteen offspring is sufficient to upgrade the Enlightenment Spirit Fruit to the Foundation Establishment level.

As long as the initiation fruit is continuously nourished with the bloodline of offspring, it can be upgraded to a higher [Golden Core level].

Given the Xu family's power, it would be almost impossible for them to obtain a Golden Core realm cultivation technique.

According to Xu Fugui himself, he only broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm a few years ago, and the Golden Core Realm is still a long way off. With his talent, even if he cultivates to the age of 330, which is the limit of his lifespan, he may not be able to touch the threshold of the Golden Core Realm.

Reaching the Golden Core Realm and becoming a Golden Core True Person is something that only a very few exceptionally talented and insightful cultivators can achieve.

Xu Fugui was not a "genius" at all; on the contrary, he could be called a "mediocre talent." He only broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm by relying on the life-extending effect of the Longevity Fruit when he was nearing the end of his lifespan.

However, Zhongxu, with his wood and earth spirit roots, is definitely a cultivation genius.

With his earth-root talent, he would definitely have reached the threshold of the Golden Core realm much earlier than Xu Fugui.

"Fortunately, he has the spiritual roots of wood and earth, and there are dual-elemental cultivation techniques for him to use. Otherwise, finding a suitable cultivation technique would be a problem."

"Of course, if he participates in the selection of immortal officials and becomes an immortal official in the prefectural city, perhaps the imperial court can obtain better cultivation methods through its channels. It wouldn't be difficult for him to switch cultivation methods then."

Those with a Wood-Earth Spirit Root can only cultivate three types of techniques: Wood-based techniques, Earth-based techniques, and dual Wood-Earth techniques.

Xu Fugui began to ponder when Zhongxu could participate in the selection of immortal officials.

Ten years have passed since Xu Yiqing last participated in the selection of immortal officials, and another selection of immortal officials has begun.

The next class will be ten years from now, when Chung-wook will be sixteen.

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.

Baihe Mountain.

Most of the Xu family members moved to Ru'an Mountain, but Baihe Mountain remained lively.

The farmhands and farmers who worked the land are still here.

Most of the Xu family members who remained here were Xu Xiao'an's children and grandchildren.

Many of his children and grandchildren lacked the talent for cultivation, and even those who were able to embark on the path of cultivation were only at the early stage of Qi Refining.

There is a first-class spiritual land inside Baihe Mountain, which is enough for them to use.

at this time.

In the watchtower atop a mountain, the elderly Xu Xiaoan leaned back in his recliner, gazing sideways into the distance.

He didn't cultivate immortality; he's still a mortal, and he's exactly one hundred years old this year.

Centenarians are very rare among ordinary people; they are what people call longevity stars.

Strangely enough, Xu Xiaoan had no other talents, but he had the talent of living a long and peaceful life.

The watchtower where he was located had an excellent view, encompassing the surrounding mountains for miles around.

Among them are the residential areas where they lived, and also the cemetery where some members of the Xu family are buried.

Xu Xiaoan's mother, Jiazhen, and his third and fourth brothers are all buried here.

He visits the graves every year during the Qingming Festival, and occasionally goes to "visit" them at other times as well.

While the other members of the Xu family were busy cultivating immortality, there were still some things that needed to be done.

Beside him, a maidservant followed and served him closely.

He was very old; his eyesight and hearing were still good, but he walked extremely slowly. Also, he was very forgetful.

As he got older, his memory got worse and worse. Two or three years ago, he suddenly became "demented" and often forgot everything, even who he was.

"Grandpa~~"

Just then, Xu Lijia arrived.

He leaned close to Xu Xiaoan's ear and asked, "Grandpa, how are you? Have you eaten today?"

Xu Lijia came specifically to visit his grandfather.

"what?"

Xu Xiaoan turned his head slowly, asking, "Who are you?"

“It’s me, Li Jia. Grandpa, come on, let me help you to dinner.”

"What armor?"

Xu Xiaoan looked completely bewildered.

“Li Jia, Xu Li Jia! Grandpa, you don’t recognize me again. I’m your own grandson.”

"..."

However, no matter how Xu Lijia explained, Xu Xiaoan couldn't remember who he was.

Xu Lijia was already used to this situation.

Everyone knows about Xu Xiaoan's condition; he occasionally suffers from "memory loss" and cannot remember who is around him.

Then, with the help of Xu Lijia and his maid, Xu Xiaoan shakily got up.

He had only taken a few steps when Xu Xiaoan suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground.

"Grandpa, grandpa!"

"Ah~~"

Xu Xiaoan answered weakly, barely able to stand. Xu Lijia realized what had happened, quickly picked up Xu Xiaoan, carefully carried him to his bedroom, and then immediately went to inform the others.

The time for him to die peacefully in his sleep has come.

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 flowers are blooming!”

Xu Fugui discovered that after half a day, the three golden flower buds on Zhongxu's branches had completely withered and fallen off.

The other two buds bloomed directly.

Two beautiful flowers hang on the branch.

At this moment, only the branches of Xu Yiqing and Xu Zhongxu on the family's treasure tree were adorned with flowers.

"I hope that in the future, my Xu family will flourish and be filled with blooming flowers!"

he thought.

"Wait, this flower has bloomed. It seems to signify that the spiritual root has fully formed. Zhongxu awakened his spiritual root at the age of six?"

Xu Fugui realized this.

Just as he was lost in thought, an urgent voice from afar interrupted him.

"Dad, dad!"

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xu Xiaohou.

"What's wrong?"

"News has come from Baihe Mountain: my fifth brother... he wants to see us."

Xu Xiaohou didn't finish speaking.

Xiaoan?

Xu Fugui knew what was going on. He often returned to Baihe Mountain and knew that Xu Xiaoan was getting old. This day was bound to come sooner or later.

"go!"

He took to the air and flew towards Baihe Mountain.

The distance from Baihe Mountain to Ru'an Mountain is four or five hundred miles. A Foundation Establishment cultivator can arrive in just one hour by flying at full speed.

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.

Xu Xiaoan lay on the bed, surrounded by people in the bedroom.

He had many descendants.

Currently, he is the youngest in his generation, already belonging to the "Hui" generation.

Xu Huiwen, a name with a somewhat scholarly feel, is not a girl but a boy, and he is five years old this year.

There is another girl in the "Hui" generation, Xu Huiyan, who is just three years old.

Filial piety, loyalty, propriety, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom...

Father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and great-great-great-gr

Xu Huiwen had to call Xu Xiaoan "Grandpa Tian".

Xu Xiaoan lived to be 100 years old, and his descendants all married exceptionally young, creating this remarkable phenomenon.

"Dad, daddy?"

Xu Zhongyi leaned over the headboard and called out to Xu Xiaoan.

At this moment, Xu Xiaoan was still alive. He looked at Xu Zhongyi, but for a moment he couldn't recognize him.

"grandfather?"

"Great-grandfather, don't you remember me? I am Yoshiyuki."

"..."

Xu Xiaoan's descendants came forward one by one, calling out to him, but he could not recognize them.

He doesn't even know who he is, so it's normal that he can't remember his children and grandchildren.

Just then, Xu Fugui, Xu Xiaoniu, Xu Xiaohou, and others arrived.

"Xiao'an!"

"Fifth brother."

"Fifth Brother~~"

Xiao Niu and Xiao Hou are deeply saddened by the impending death of their childhood friend.

"who is that?"

Xu Xiaoan, barely breathing, turned to look at the group.

When he saw Xu Fugui's familiar face, it was as if he saw his father.

Xu Fugui looks very young now, no different from when he was in his thirties or forties.

Xu Xiaoan felt as if he had traveled back several decades.

When his father, mother, brothers and sisters were all still alive.

"father?!"

His eyes were clear, a final burst of lucidity before death.

"Big brother, there's also Liu Zi..."

The group gathered together, speaking their final words.

At this moment, seven generations of Xu Fugui to Xu Huiwen have gathered around this room!
The Xu family, which has been developing for a hundred years, presents the remarkable sight of seven generations living together under one roof.

As Xu Fugui watched his son Xu Xiaoan breathe his last, a reaction came from within his body, indicating that the branch representing Xu Xiaoan had completely stopped growing.

Behind Xu Xiaoan's branches lies the most lush growth.

He vaguely knew why Xu Xiaoan's branches could bear "longevity fruits"—because Xu Xiaoan, despite being an ordinary person, possessed the talent to live to be a hundred years old.

Living a long life is also a kind of gift.

That year, Xu Fugui was 130 years old.

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.

Another year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhongxu was seven years old, and it was time to test his spiritual roots.

Xu Xiaohou examined Zhongxu's spiritual root and discovered an abnormality.

"What kind of spiritual root is this?!"

"His mother, please take a look at the child."

Xu Xiaohou himself only possessed a five-element pseudo-spiritual root, and even that was something he had cultivated later.

He had never tested anyone's spiritual roots before, so he felt he couldn't be sure.

Xu Zhongxu's spiritual root talent has always been a mystery. There were unusual phenomena at his birth, so everyone felt that he must have a spiritual root, and maybe even a three-element true spiritual root with high aptitude like Xu Yiqing.

Liu Yun also examined Zhong Xu, and similarly, the test results showed that he seemed to have an earth elemental root.

"Why do I have a feeling that our Xu'er has an earth elemental root, or even a wood-earth elemental root?"

"Impossible! You know how rare earth spirit roots are. Our Xu family has produced one with an earth spirit root?"

Xu Xiaohou initially thought it might be an earth spirit root, but he wasn't sure and asked his wife to confirm it again.

"How about we get someone else to take a look?"

The two were pleasantly surprised but also somewhat uncertain.

As cultivators, the two knew how rare and precious earth spirit roots were.

Xu Yiqing from the Xu family participated in the selection of immortal officials and told them that earth spirit roots are extremely rare and precious in Zhennan Prefecture.

So they summoned Xu Fugui, Xu Yiqing, and others.

Xu Xiaohou's family, including Xu Fugui, Xu Yiqing, and Xu Xiaoniu, were all present.

Originally, Xu Xiaohou discovered that Zhongxu might have an earth-elemental spiritual root, so he summoned several people to confirm it, and at the same time announced this good news. If Zhongxu really did have an earth-elemental spiritual root, their Xu family would have a future "golden core seed".

This is a great opportunity for the Xu family!
However, when Xu Yiqing learned that Zhongxu might have dual earth elemental roots, he was shocked and immediately told the others to keep it a secret.

"Grandpa Gao, great-grandfathers, please listen to me!"

"Young Master Xu's earth spirit root must not be exposed!"

According to seniority, Xu Yiqing addressed Zhongxu as "Grandpa".

His expression was serious, even terrified.

This reaction puzzled everyone.

"Why?"

"Earth elemental roots are a good thing, so why can't we reveal them?"

Although everyone was surprised, they knew that Xu Yiqing wouldn't speak carelessly.

"This is a long story. What I say today must not be spread out."

Xu Yiqing's thoughts drifted back to a few years ago, after Yang Zhen died mysteriously, the Fan family also encountered trouble.

(End of this chapter)