From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 296 A new chapter
"My name is Xu Zhongxu of the Xu family."

He introduced himself by his name number.

"Master Zhongxu, when did you reach the Golden Core stage?"

Lin Shengping inquired about the specifics of Xu Zhongxu's advancement to the Golden Core stage.

About six or seven years ago.

"Where did this opportunity for the Golden Elixir come from?"

"It was obtained from the Huangze Mountains more than 20 years ago. At that time, several members of my Xu family were ordered by the prefect to go to the Huangze Mountains."

Xu Zhongxu answered truthfully.

What he said is easy to find. Back then, the five members of the Xu family went to the Wilderness Mountains and fought there for ten years before returning to Yuanli County.

Wasteland Mountains?

Lin Shengping suddenly realized that he still clearly remembered the war against the Ruan family in the desolate mountains.

That great war, which lasted for over a decade, involved enemies not only the Ruan family of the Wilderness Mountains but also the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty. Many cultivators in Zhennan Prefecture perished, but the gains were equally substantial.

After more than a decade of great battles, the strength and realm of many cultivators have risen accordingly.

A few lucky individuals obtained the opportunity to acquire the Golden Elixir in the Wilderness Mountains.

After learning that Xu Zhongxu's Golden Core opportunity came from a legitimate source, Lin Shengping did not press the matter further and changed the subject: "I heard that some time ago, a Golden Core cultivator came here to snatch the secret method of stance training?"

"Yes, Prefect Lin. That person is concealing his identity, and I haven't yet found out his background."

The Xu family didn't have many connections in Gu Nan City, so it's normal that they couldn't find out Wu Yu's identity and background.

Lin Shengping's intelligence agency had already told him that the Golden Core cultivator was "Wu Yu".

"Your family's martial arts training method can enable ordinary people without spiritual roots to cultivate five elements of spiritual roots and embark on the path of cultivation. Do you know the allure of such a secret method to ordinary families?"

He did not tell Xu Zhongxu his true identity as "Wu Yu".

"I know."

Xu Zhongxu nodded.

This secret technique, which allows mortals to cultivate immortality, is coveted by almost every Golden Core family besides the five major families.

"Your Xu family certainly wouldn't want to pass on this secret technique."

Back then, you had no choice but to protect yourselves when facing the Tuoba family, but now you have more confidence.

Logically speaking, this is a secret technique of your Xu family, and I have no right to interfere. However, this technique has special effects, and the fate of the Tuoba family serves as a warning. Therefore, I have no choice but to intervene!

The Great Dao of Heaven and Earth has limited spiritual energy, and the path to immortality is finite.

Allowing mortals to cultivate immortality out of thin air will surely disrupt the balance between immortals and mortals and harm the Heavenly Dao…

When Xu Zhongxu heard Lin Shengping say this, he had a bad feeling. Could it be that the prefect was going to target the Xu family?

But Lin Shengping continued, "I will not object to your Xu family's secret techniques being used within your own family."

However, this must not be revealed! I believe your Xu family shares the same thought.

I will issue an order in the name of the government to all Golden Core families in Zhennan Prefecture, forbidding them from coveting your family's stance training secrets. If any rogue Golden Core cultivators come to your door, you can also use this order to refuse them.

This is an order from the imperial court for Zhennan Prefecture; I believe few would dare openly defy the prefectural government's orders.

"Thank you, Prefect Lin!"

Xu Zhongxu clasped his hands in a fist and thanked him loudly.

The government's order had a huge impact on the Xu family.

This means that from now on, the Zhennan Prefecture government will be the Xu family's backer, protecting the Xu family's secret techniques.

Although the Xu family previously had Xu Zhongxu, a Golden Core cultivator, he had only been at the Golden Core stage for a few years. Fortunately, it was Wu Yu who came this time; what would the Xu family have done if it were a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator?
With the prefect's order, things are different.

Let alone those in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, even those in the late-stage of the Golden Core realm wouldn't dare to openly disobey the government's orders.

"Don't thank me yet."

Lin Shengping spoke in a cold tone.

His primary objective was not to help the Xu family, but to maintain the stability of Zhennan Prefecture.

"You must learn from the mistakes of the Tuoba family. If you, like the Tuoba family, engage in cultivation throughout your clan, suffer from resource scarcity, and breed demonic cultivators in the struggle for resources, then I will punish you severely!"

This was Lin Shengping's warning to the Xu family.

“Prefect Lin, I will keep this in mind and will never repeat the mistakes of the Tuoba family.”

Xu Zhongxu assured him.

"I hope you don't become the next Tuoba family."

As soon as Lin Shengping finished speaking, he flew away and disappeared from Xu Zhongxu's sight in the blink of an eye.

Although the Xu family now has a Golden Core cultivator, Xu Zhongxu, he doesn't hold much weight in Lin Shengping's heart.

In Lin Shengping's view, obtaining the Golden Core opportunity from the Desolate Marsh Mountains and advancing to the Golden Core realm was a result of luck and fortuitous encounters, a far cry from the advancement achieved by the five major families.

Such Golden Core families often experience a decline in power and regress to Foundation Establishment families after the death of a Golden Core cultivator. Only by producing several more Golden Core cultivators can they gain Lin Shengping's attention.

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 Zhongxu was overjoyed after Lin Shengping left.

Although Lin Shengping issued threats and warnings to the Xu family, it's generally good news!

From now on, the Xu family will no longer have to worry about anyone coveting their stance training secrets, not even those in the late Golden Core stage.

Xu Zhongxu couldn't wait to spread the news throughout the entire clan.

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.

Star and Moon Palace.

The magnificent hall was spacious and towering, with pillars standing tall.

Prince Xuan Tong of Zhennan sat in the main seat.

Below in the main hall, his Golden Core cultivators stood in order of strength and rank. There were at least forty or fifty of them.

Forty or fifty Golden Core cultivators—this lineup is comparable to the five great families, and far exceeds the number of Golden Core cultivators in a first-rate Golden Core family.

His subordinates, all Golden Core cultivators, were recruited by him during his years as the Prince of Zhennan. They obeyed his orders and served him alone.

The struggle for the princely title he once experienced left an indelible mark on him and shaped his current beliefs. His Golden Core cultivators could only obey his orders.

He firmly controlled these people, not allowing anyone to interfere, nor permitting his subordinates to form cliques or factions.

At this moment, these Golden Core cultivators were wondering why the prince had suddenly summoned them.

Xuan Tong usually indulges in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, and is obsessed with beautiful women. Unless there is something important, he will not summon them to gather together.

He was dressed in a dazzling golden "prince" robe, with dragons embroidered on the clothes according to the rules of the royal family.

He sat upright, his expression much more serious than before.

Even when he's acting nonchalantly, his subordinates are bound to be afraid of him, let alone now, when his menacing gaze sweeps over everyone present.

"Greetings to the Lord!"

One of the Golden Core cultivators in the front row shouted out.

Then everyone else in the hall shouted "My Lord!" and knelt down on one knee in unison.

"Cough cough."

Xuan Tong cleared his throat: "Please rise, everyone."

After everyone had taken their places, he continued, "Just a few months ago, I gained another valiant general under my command, and I would like to introduce him to you all. His name is Wu Yu, and he possesses the spiritual roots of fire and earth."

Wu Yu, come forward and greet everyone.

Wu Yu was extremely uneasy. He had a premonition that the Prince of Zhennan had summoned everyone here because of him. The Xu family's affairs had now spread throughout Gu Nan City, and news of him must have reached the Prince of Zhennan's ears as well.

He walked to the front and bowed to the crowd, saying, "My name is Wu Yu. Please take good care of me."

In fact, he had been at the Star Moon Palace for several months and knew most of the people present.

Xuan Tong then said, "Wu Yu, how about the Heaven-Burning Fire Gourd I gave you?" "Reporting to my lord, the Heaven-Burning Fire Gourd is a top-grade magic weapon with boundless power."

"How about the Golden Core cultivation technique I give you?"

"Your Majesty, the Golden Crow Great Sun Technique is a high-quality Golden Elixir cultivation method, and it suits me very well."

"Where is the third-tier spiritual land I arranged for you?"

"This is a blessed land that I have longed for. I am deeply grateful to my lord and am willing to do anything for him."

"Then what do you mean by going to someone else's house and stealing a cultivation technique that can cultivate spiritual roots? Are you lacking the five elements of spiritual roots?"

Xuan Tong frowned slightly and questioned him.

really!

Wu Yu knew that the Prince of Zhennan was indeed concerned about this matter. He knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment. My father is old and dying, and I wanted to find a way to prolong his life, so I thought of a secret method that could cultivate spiritual roots."

Your subordinate knows he was wrong.

After joining the Lord, subordinates should devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Lord; all other worldly affairs are fleeting and should be completely severed.

"Ah."

Xuan Tong snorted coldly. This Wu Yu was clever enough to know what he cared about.

But since they already know, it is even more despicable to knowingly commit such a crime.

"Where is your father now?"

“My lord, I have realized my mistake and have completely severed ties with my father, making him move away from Zhennan Prefecture. I don’t know where he is now, and his life or death is none of my concern from now on.”

From now on, I will only serve my master.

In order to save his life and future, Wu Yu severed ties with his father.

Xuan Tong nodded slightly. This person's handling of the situation was truly brilliant, leaving him no reason to get angry.

This matter was ultimately a minor one; Wu Yu was doing it to prolong his father's life, not to develop his family's power or betray the Xuan Tong lineage.

"Since you have admitted your mistake, I will punish you slightly as a warning. You will guard the gate of the Star Moon Palace for three years and are not allowed to leave even a step."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Serving as a guard in the Star Moon Palace for three years is really not a big deal.

Xuan Tong's gaze swept over everyone again: "This matter must not be repeated. Not only Wu Yu, but everyone else should be treated the same way. Let this serve as a warning."

"Yes, my lord!"

All the Golden Core cultivators spoke in unison.

By joining the Prince of Zhennan, they enjoyed precious resources for cultivating immortality, possessing advanced cultivation levels, long lifespans, and high social status. Even outside the Star Moon Palace, their status as servants of the Prince of Zhennan allowed them to stand tall and proud before the heads of the five major families.

However, this is the price to pay: no dignity, no descendants, no family power, and everything depends on the Prince of Zhennan.

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 returning to the government office, Lin Shengping, in his capacity as the prefect, issued an order to all the Golden Core families: forbidding anyone from any Golden Core family from going to the Xu family to ask for the secret techniques of stance training.

This order quickly spread throughout Zhennan Prefecture.

As for those Foundation Establishment families, they won't receive this order, and there's no need for them to. Foundation Establishment cultivators certainly wouldn't dare to cause trouble for the Xu family.

There are also some reclusive Golden Core cultivators who are unaware of this order.

Previously, news about the Xu family only circulated within the cultivation circles of Gu Nan City, and many Golden Core cultivators did not pay attention to those rumors and gossip.

After Lin Shengping issued the order, it attracted the attention of the entire Zhennan Prefecture.

The Xu family of Jindan in Yuanli County has become famous!
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.

Even now, the cultivators in Yuanli County are unaware of the Xu family's situation.

News about the Xu family first spread in the ancient southern city.

That day, the great battle between Xu Zhongxu and Wu Yu caused quite a stir, and some independent cultivators near Ru'an Mountain noticed it.

However, those rogue cultivators were only at the Qi Refining stage. They only saw the overwhelming fighting from afar and did not know what was happening, nor did they realize that it was a Golden Core cultivator from the Xu family fighting.

Yuanli County Government Office.

The prefect Xiang Liuyun received a message from his family via a spirit talisman.

"Ok?"

After checking the message, Xiang Liuyun was shocked.

"The Xu family has a Golden Core cultivator?! Is this the Xu family I know?"

He was the governor of Yuanli County, yet he had no idea that the Xu family had a Golden Core cultivator!
When he was the prefect, he was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. Now, more than thirty years later, he has reached the Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

But when will he achieve the Golden Elixir? He doesn't know.

He possesses three true spiritual roots, so even if the Xiang family has an opportunity to achieve the Golden Core stage, it won't be his turn.

"The Xu family is really well hidden. I, the prefect, didn't know about it, but the news has spread throughout Gu Nan City."

Xiang Liuyun immediately set off for the Demon Subduing Division.

The Xu family of Ru'an Mountain was the only Golden Core family in Yuanli County during this period. With a Golden Core cultivator among its members, it was undoubtedly a Golden Core family.

In fact, it's not that Golden Core cultivators can't emerge in Yuanli County, but the resources of such a remote county are definitely far inferior to those of Ancient South City, making it much more difficult for Golden Core cultivators to emerge.

Sometimes, the Golden Core cultivators who emerge are also rogue cultivators. These rogue cultivators will not stay in Yuanli County; once they reach the Golden Core stage, they will definitely go to Ancient South City or a third-tier spiritual land.

Given the situation in Yuanli County, it is impossible to retain the Golden Core Clan.

A normally developing Golden Core clan, such as the Tuoba clan, will inevitably move to an area with abundant resources once it reaches a certain size.

It is extremely rare for a family like the Xu family to have a Golden Core cultivator but still have only one or two hundred members.

Therefore, the families in Yuanli County are all Foundation Establishment families, or like Xiang Liuyun, who come from Golden Core families and serve as immortal officials here.

The Demon Subduing Bureau.

"Director Jin."

Xiang Liuyun arrived abruptly.

The head of the Demon Subduing Division is Jin Kuiyuan. After the previous head, Tuoba Hongyang, was killed along with the extermination of the Tuoba family, it was finally Jin Kuiyuan's turn.

"The Prefect's sudden visit, what's the reason?"

"Xu Xiaoniu and Xu Xiaohou of the Xu family served as Demon-Slaying Guards under your command, right?"

Xiang Liuyun got straight to the point.

"Yes, what?"

Are they there?

"They have no missions recently and are not in the yamen."

Jin Kuiyuan said.

"Then I'll go to Ru'an Mountain."

A Golden Core family was born in Yuanli County, and Xiang Liuyun, as the county governor, should pay them a visit.

Before leaving, Xiang Liuyun decided to tell Jin Kuiyuan: "Director Jin, you probably don't know yet, but a member of the Xu family has reached the Golden Core Realm! It's been several years already, and the Xu family has been hiding this very well."

"what?!"

Upon hearing the words "Golden Core Realm," Jin Kuiyuan was astonished.

This is a major event that will shake Yuanli County.

Among all the Foundation Establishment families in Yuanli County, which one wouldn't want a Golden Core cultivator?
However, breaking through to the Golden Core realm is not so easy.

Jin Kuiyuan still remembered that the last time a Golden Core cultivator was born in Yuanli County was nearly a hundred years ago. After that Golden Core cultivator advanced to the Golden Core stage, he left Yuanli County.

"I should prepare a generous gift to congratulate them. Such a momentous event as the birth of a Golden Core cultivator is something the Xu family should celebrate openly."

He muttered to himself as he hurried back to his family to prepare gifts.

(End of this chapter)