From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 260 Selection of Personnel, Army Departure
Ru'an Mountain, Xu Family.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators of the clan gathered together to discuss important matters.

As time went by, the Xu family has grown to have quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Xiao Niu and Xiao Hou are from the Xiao generation.

The Zhong generation includes Zhong Che, who refines pills; Zhong Huai, the head of the family; and Zhong Xi, a brother and sister, all of whom are at the Foundation Establishment stage. There is also the youngest, Zhong Xu.

The generation with the character "Li" in their names includes Li Kun and Li Jing, who are at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Xu Yiqing is a member of the Yi generation.

Including Xu Fugui, there are a total of ten Foundation Establishment cultivators!
Although the Foundation Establishment clan has a large number of members, their cultivation levels are generally low. The highest-ranking members, Xiao Niu and Xiao Hou, are only at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, just entering the middle stage. The rest are at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

At this moment, everyone was discussing the matter of the prefect conscripting a large army of cultivators to go to the Desolate Marsh Mountains.

"The prefect will not only forcibly conscript celestial officials, but will also issue a large-scale announcement to recruit rogue cultivators. At that time, anyone who meets the cultivation requirement of late-stage Qi Refining or above can go."

Judging from his tone, he's open to all comers, the more the merrier.

“Our family urgently needs a Golden Core cultivator, and there is a Golden Core opportunity in the Wilderness Mountains. We cannot miss this chance.”

"..."

The Foundation Establishment members of the Xu family all know the importance of Golden Core cultivators.

Therefore, after learning about this from Xu Xiaoniu, Xu Fugui immediately summoned the Foundation Establishment stage members of the Xu family to discuss the selection of people to go to the Wilderness Mountain Range.

"Opportunities always come with risks. We need to carefully consider who to send."

Given Xu Fugui's steady and cautious nature, he preferred to act cautiously and generally disliked having his clansmen do such risky things.

Among the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xu family.

Zhongche, who is skilled in alchemy, definitely cannot go, nor will Zhonghuai, the head of the family.

“Father, I’ll go. Anyway, seventy percent of our Demon Subduing Division has to go, so I’m afraid I have no choice. With my cultivation level, I’ll be safer on the battlefield.”

Xu Xiaoniu looked at Xu Fugui and said.

“I have to go too. The main purpose of this trip is for Zhongxu and Yiqing’s golden core opportunity. As Zhongxu’s father, I have to take on this responsibility. Besides, I’m stronger, so I can take care of my older brother on the battlefield.”

The speaker was Xu Xiaohou.

Within the Xu family, on the surface, both Zhongxu and Yiqing possess three types of true spiritual roots and have the potential to reach the Golden Core realm.

"I also need to go!"

Zhongxu suddenly spoke up loudly.

"you?"

Xu Fugui looked at Zhongxu, frowned and shook his head repeatedly: "No, you are still very young. Stay in the family and cultivate well. Wait until you reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment before going out to do things."

Zhongxu is not yet thirty years old and has reached the second level of Foundation Establishment.

With his earth-elemental spiritual root, he is the family's "golden core seed," the family's greatest hope for producing a golden core cultivator.

Xu Fugui repeatedly instructed him to stay in the sacred land of Ru'an Mountain and cultivate diligently, and not to go out, so as not to reveal the secret of his spiritual root.

Given his circumstances, how could Xu Fugui possibly allow him to venture into the desolate mountains?

Although there is a chance to obtain the Golden Core over there, the danger of a large-scale war is self-evident.

Even a Golden Core cultivator could perish if they were unlucky, let alone a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Grandpa, please let me go. I'm so bored staying in the clan. I have no use for my skills. Why not go out and contribute my strength to the clan?"

This is Zhongxu's true thought.

After so many years of secluded cultivation in Ru'an Mountain, one can imagine the frustration he must have felt.

With his earth-rooted talent and extraordinary comprehension, he was able to defeat Li Jing, who was also cultivating the "Immortal Farmer's Foundation Building Technique" and was at the second level of Foundation Building, within just two years of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

It should be noted that Li Jing had already entered the Foundation Establishment Realm more than twenty years ago.

Three years have passed since then, and he has reached the second level of Foundation Establishment, far surpassing Li Jing in skill. In a duel, he could easily defeat Li Jing, who was of the same level.

With such skills and talent, it's truly stifling to keep him confined to the clan instead of letting him use them outside.

Besides, the opportunity to obtain the Golden Core was originally meant for him, and he didn't want others to make the effort while he reaped the benefits.

"no!"

Xu Fugui resolutely shook his head.

Should Chung-wook be sent to the battlefield?

If Zhongxu were to die in battle, Xu Fugui would regret it immensely.

"I……"

“Yiqing, you shouldn’t go. Of the three celestial officials in our clan, Da Niu and Liu Zi have gone to the battlefield. You, as the celestial official, should stay at home and take care of things.”

Xu Fugui ignored Zhongxu's pleas, interrupted him, and looked at Xu Yiqing.

"it is good."

Xu Yiqing nodded. Given his situation, it was indeed better for him to stay in Yuanli County.

"As for Xiaoxi, Likun, and Lijing, it's up to you whether you go or not. If you plan to go, discuss it with your own families first."

Xu Fugui knew that this was not just a matter for their extended family, but also for their individual families.

For example, Xu Xiaohou, after giving birth to Zhongxu, had another daughter with Liu Yun about ten years later.

The girl's name is Zhongting, and she is only ten years old.

With a virtuous wife and a young daughter at home, how could he easily leave?

Li Kun and Li Jing are already married.

Li Kun got married early, and his grandson is almost born.

Li Jing married later in life. He was born blind and only regained his sight after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He didn't get married and have children until a few years ago. He and his wife had only been married for a few years, and their child was still young.

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.

a few days later.

The Demon Subduing Bureau.

Tuoba Hongyang summoned the Demon-Subduing Guards to select those who would go to the Wilderness Mountains.

"The prefect's requirement is that 70% of our Demon Suppression Division must go. Our Demon Suppression Division, including myself and the two deputy directors, has exactly fifty people. 70% is thirty-five people."

"Are the Director and Deputy Directors included as well?"

Someone whispered.

"Of course it's included. I, as the director, will also go. Let me explain the selection rules, and we can all sign up voluntarily first."

If there aren't enough volunteers to reach thirty-five people, then we'll randomly select from the remaining pool. Life and death are in the hands of fate, it all depends on luck, how about that?

Tuoba Hongyang's gaze swept over the crowd.

"it is good."

"It's quite fair. Even if it's a lottery, it's still a matter of fate. Whoever gets drawn has to accept it."

Everyone nodded, indicating their agreement with the rule.

"Then let's start with voluntary registration. I'll count myself in. You guys continue."

Tuoba Hongyang, the head of the Demon Subduing Division, is really going to the Wilderness Mountains.

He was too old, his life was nearing its end, and he knew that if he didn't advance to the Golden Core realm soon, his hopes would be dashed. So he decided to take a gamble.

He had lived for over two hundred years, and he felt it was worth it to risk the remaining twenty or thirty years of his life.

Given the large number of demonic cultivators in the Tuoba family, it's impossible for Tuoba Hongyang to expect the imperial court to bestow upon him a "golden elixir opportunity."

Within the clan, resources are currently scarce, making it unlikely that Tuoba Hongyang will have the opportunity to enjoy the Golden Core resources.

He can only rely on himself to break through to the Golden Core stage!
"I regestrated!"

"And I."

Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Xiaohou spoke up one after the other, expressing their willingness to go to the battlefield.

Besides the two of them, the others also responded.

"Count me in."

"Count me in too."

"..." The Demon-Subduing Guards of the Demon-Subduing Division are all cultivators who are not afraid of fighting. They often encounter dangerous situations.

Faced with such an opportunity to earn resources, many Demon-Slaying Guards readily agreed.

However, some of the Demon-Subduing Guards were unwilling to go.

Take He Shoucheng, for example. He's too old, and his cultivation is only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. He probably won't even reach the sixth level of Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

With his life nearing its end, he knew he would never reach the Golden Core realm, so he decided to stay in Yuanli County and enjoy his remaining years.

His family wasn't powerful; they were just a Qi Refining family in a county town. Even if there were opportunities to reach the Golden Core stage, they wouldn't get a chance.

After a round of voluntary registration, Tuoba Hongyang counted the number of people and found there were only thirty.

Five more people need to be selected by drawing lots from the remaining twenty.

So he took out a talisman paper, wrote down the names of twenty people, and in front of everyone, randomly selected five people without any cheating.

The five chosen people had no choice but to agree, despite their reluctance.

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 other side.

The situation at the Forestry Bureau is similar to that at the Demon Subduing Bureau.

The rules are the same: first, people sign up voluntarily, and if there aren't enough people, then they draw lots.

Such rules are relatively fair, so no one objects to them.

Half of the people in the mountain forest prison need to go to the desolate swamp mountain range.

However, unlike the Demon Subduing Division, many of the celestial officials in the Mountain Forest Guard were there for the leisurely job of "not fighting," unlike the celestial officials of the Demon Subduing Division who were as brave and valiant.

As a result, only 30-40% of the participants volunteered, which is still several people short of half the required number.

In the final draw, Xu Yiqing was unexpectedly chosen.

Xu Yiqing had been instructed by Xu Fugui to avoid going to the Wilderness Mountains. Now, having been chosen by lottery, he has no choice but to go.

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 announcement issued by Xiang Liuyun to recruit cultivators spread throughout the land.

With word of mouth spreading, the purpose of forming the Celestial Army became known to everyone.

As a result, family cultivators and independent cultivators who were not celestial officials signed up to join the army.

Although these people are not officially appointed as celestial officials, once they join this team, their status is the same. They also fight the same way, with only their cultivation level and techniques determining their fate.

To attract them, Xiang Liuyun offered them quite good treatment, even better than that of other celestial officials.

For example, in the late stage of Qi Refining, one can receive a military stipend of 3 spirit stones per month.

Foundation Establishment Immortal Officials can receive between fifteen and thirty spirit stones per month.

The stable spirit stone stipend attracted many people to sign up.

This was completely unexpected by Xiang Liuyun.

Because he came from a prominent family of Golden Core cultivators, he didn't understand why a few spirit stones were so tempting to rogue cultivators.

He had never been to the lower levels of the cultivation world and didn't know how precious spirit stones were.

There are quite a few cultivators who commit murder and arson for a few spirit stones.

As a result, a large number of cultivators from outside the region formed a team to head to the Wilderness Mountain Range.

And those cultivators from Qi Refining families, they were willing to go not for the Golden Core opportunity, but only for the Foundation Establishment opportunity.

For ordinary Qi Refining cultivators, Foundation Establishment Pills are something that can only be obtained by chance.

They couldn't even afford the Foundation Establishment Pill, let alone the Three-in-One Pill.

They've gone crazy for the opportunity to build their foundation.

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.

Ru'an Mountain, Xu Family.

Zhongxu pleaded with Xu Fugui for several days, and then came with his father Xiaohou.

"Grandpa, please let me go. I don't want to stay in the clan and be protected all the time. Dad, please talk to Grandpa on his behalf."

Zhongxu is standing next to Xu Xiaohou.

He said to Xu Fugui, "Father, let Zhongxu go. His spiritual root aptitude is important, but his combat ability and temperament are equally important. What our Xu family needs to cultivate are Golden Core cultivators who can support the Xu family and protect everyone, not spoiled young masters who can only hide in the background."

What he said makes a lot of sense.

Xu Xiaohou didn't plead for Chung-wook out of sheer annoyance; rather, he had genuinely considered the matter and felt that Chung-wook's opinion should be respected.

Going to the battlefield is certainly dangerous, but the rewards are plentiful.

Practical experience and knowledge are resources that cannot be gained within a family.

Another point is that danger often inspires the motivation to improve, and the improvement can be achieved more quickly.

Xu Xiaohou himself was able to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm early on because he repeatedly encountered dangers, but also had opportunities and gains.

"..."

Xu Fugui remained silent for a long time before finally nodding: "Since he has such intentions, let him go."

He had already realized Zhongxu's feelings during this time.

After all, Zhongxu is an adult nearing thirty, and he has the right to make his own choices and decisions.

"I only have one piece of advice: you must come back alive!"

"Oh, right, here you go. I was worried that your spiritual root would be exposed if you leveled up too quickly, so I didn't let you use spirit stones or other resources. Now that you're going to adventure in the Wilderness Mountains, here's a bottle of Spirit Branch Dew for you."

There are a total of thirty drops of Spirit Branch Dew here, each drop containing the spiritual power equivalent to several thousand spirit stones.

Xu Fugui had accumulated spiritual dew over decades, but he was reluctant to use it, and even when he did, he would give it to others drop by drop.

Now that Zhongxu was going on a risky trip, he immediately handed over most of his inventory to him.

"Grandpa, thank you! I will definitely live up to your expectations and achieve the Golden Elixir as soon as possible."

Moved, Zhongxu reached out and accepted the bottle of Lingzhi Dew.

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.

Three months later.

With the selection of personnel for each department in Yuanli County finalized, the recruitment of practitioners from outside the county has also been terminated.

The celestial soldiers are assembled, fully prepared for battle!

On a deserted mountaintop outside Yuanli City, a large number of cultivators gathered.

Since the minimum requirement for recruitment is the late stage of Qi Refining, they can all fly using Qi.

Looking around, there were nearly a thousand cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining!
This number is already quite large.

It should be noted that a county town typically has at least two or three, and sometimes as many as five, Qi Refining families. Most of these families are at the early or middle stages of Qi Refining, and very few can reach the late stage.

The same applies to independent cultivators; those in the late Qi Refining stage are far fewer in number.

The fact that they were able to gather nearly a thousand late-stage Qi Refining cultivators proves that many of them come from Foundation Establishment families.

There were also quite a few Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, around four hundred in total. Among them were three hundred Foundation Establishment Immortal Officials, plus one hundred who had been recruited.

"coming!"

Xiang Liuyun looked into the distance and saw a familiar aura of a Golden Core cultivator flying towards them at an extremely fast speed.

The person he was waiting for had arrived.

Following the aura, everyone saw two people flying towards them, one after the other.

This is the Golden Elixir Commander sent by the Zhennan Prefecture government.

The leader of these two is Xiang Zhiye from the Xiang family, who has three Golden Core patterns.

The other person was Xiang Chunying, a member of the Xiang family whom he brought as an aid; she had reached the Perfect Foundation Establishment stage.

Both of them were sent by the Carefree King and reached certain agreements with him.

(End of this chapter)