Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 116 The Path to Immortality, Three First-Rank Masterpieces (Seeking Full Subscription!)

As the sun sets in the west, its rays bleed like blood.

Xu Chuan returned to the courtyard and saw Xu Mingxian sitting cross-legged on the bluestone, meditating. He couldn't help but smile and ask, "Why are you cultivating in the courtyard?"

Xu Mingxian opened her eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them. She leaped to Xu Chuan's side and said, "Father, you're back."

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded.

"Father, do I look any different?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan swept his divine sense across the area, a slight smile appearing on his lips. He praised, "Not bad, you've broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refining. You're getting closer and closer to becoming your father."

"Perhaps I haven't yet reached the peak of Qi Refining, but Yun Nu, you will already be able to enter the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"It's all thanks to your superior Qi Gathering Pill, Father."

"It's a pity you weren't born into a great cultivation clan, otherwise you would definitely be one of the Foundation Establishment experts in the clan." Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingxian and sighed, then continued, "With your talent, you will definitely reach the Qi Refining Perfection stage within three to five years. However, the Foundation Establishment stage will probably keep you stuck for decades."

“No.” Xu Mingxian shook his head and grinned. “Yun Nu feels that being born into the Xu family is my good fortune.”

"Without the blessings and fortune of my Xu family, I would only have mixed spiritual roots and would not be valued by the major immortal cultivation clans. If I were not my father's son, no one would care about me like this, seeking out the inheritance of array formations, providing me with high-grade pills, and seeking high-grade magic weapons."

When he refined the Jade Sprout Pill, he sought Xu Mingxian's help.

Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled, "Father also has his own selfish motives. He wants you to grow up and become the pillar of the Xu family along with me and your elder brother. After that, there will definitely be a lot of danger in the struggle between cultivation families or other matters."

"As a descendant of the Xu family, I was protected by the family when I was young, and loved by my parents and brothers. If I grow up, I will naturally support the family."

As for the danger

Xu Mingxian smiled slightly, "With my three-foot-long sword and mastery of array formations, what is there to fear?"

Thinking of this, his eyes shone with excitement, and he continued, "Father, Yunnu has recently been studying and deducing the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation, and has gained many insights."

"Oh, tell me about it." Xu Chuan raised an eyebrow, showing interest.

“Nowadays, array masters often set up arrays in advance to lure people into the array, or they can instantly form an array by using array plates or array flags that have been refined in advance.”

“That’s right.” Xu Chuan nodded in agreement.

“But why can’t a formation master take the path of close combat?” Xu Mingxian’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. “Big brother takes the path of archery, and his attack is unparalleled. Even if he turns to the path of immortality, he will have the physique and strength of a grandmaster. With the addition of archery, even if he does not practice ordinary spells, he will still be able to fight with unparalleled strength and be invincible among his peers.”

"And I also want to find a way to create such a path, using divine thought as a restriction, forming an array with a single thought. Perhaps it cannot form a very strong array or restriction, but it is still possible to form a low-level array or restriction."

By using this to distract them, I can then control my magical artifacts to fight, greatly enhancing my melee combat abilities.

“However,” Xu Mingxian then scratched his head, “this is only a preliminary idea. The control of divine sense alone needs to reach an extremely precise level.”

Could it really be such a coincidence?

When Xu Chuan practiced the Nine Flames Technique, Yun Zhongzi did not make him swear any oaths or restrictions.

This means that Xu Chuan can pass on his knowledge to others.

Did they forget, or did they intentionally want me to pass it on?

Regardless, this is all Xu Mingxian's good fortune.

"Divine thought is forbidden; a single thought can form an array!"

"What a spirit!"

Xu Chuan was very pleased that Xu Mingxian had found her own path.

Just like Xu Mingwei's choice to cultivate both immortality and martial arts, he supports him. And although Xu Mingxian's so-called battle formation is more difficult, he will also do his best to help him.

As for making him a sword immortal, Xu Chuan completely abandoned that last thought.

"Everyone has their own destiny; let the [Sword Heart Clarity] be left to future generations."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, patted his storage bag, and a book flew out and landed in Xu Mingxian's hand.

"Father, what is this?"

"The knowledge and skills you learn from the Dan Hall will be of great help on your path."

"The inheritance of the Pill Hall?" Xu Mingxian was immediately shocked and quickly declined, "Father, aren't you afraid of being harmed by the backlash of the oath restriction?"

"Senior Yun Zhongzi didn't make me swear an oath or make any restrictions. I should learn them while I still can. If he remembers, I can just tell him directly and compensate him with another hundred spirit stones," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

"Although this Nine Flames Technique is a method of controlling fire, its essence is a rare divine thought manipulation technique. It should belong to an ancient technique. When it reaches the Nine Flames level, it can separate nine divine thoughts, and they remain consistent throughout."

You can freely control multiple magical artifacts, perfectly suited to your battle strategy.

"Wouldn't that be extremely useful for controlling fire in alchemy, for combat, and in many other areas?!"

“Of course.” Xu Chuan nodded and said, “It’s just that this technique is very difficult to master. Although Father is confident that he can master it, it will probably take a long time, unlike ordinary spells, which can be mastered in at most half a month.”

As for you, Yun Nu, you can give it a try first; the Three Flames level is not difficult.

Once completed, it should help you repair the array flags. Even if you cannot perfect the clan protection array before the annual festival, it will not be a big problem.

We are not in a hurry.

"Yunnu understands, thank you, Father."

Xu Mingxian accepted it immediately, and only returned it to Xu Chuan after making a copy.

night.

Xu Chuan meditated and cultivated in his room, and he also gave Xu Mingxian a bottle of high-grade Qi Gathering Pills.

The high concentration of spiritual energy here, combined with the Spirit Gathering Array, the superior Qi Gathering Pill, and Xu Mingxian's own [Swallowing Mountains and Rivers] destiny talent, all contribute to this.

If one stays here for a long time, one can probably reach the ninth level of Qi Refining in just over a year.

It takes three to four years to achieve the perfection of Qi cultivation.

The next day.

Dan Hall.

An apprentice arrived at Xu Chuan's alchemy room and transmitted his voice, "Master San, someone is looking for you outside the alchemy hall."

Xu Chuan was refining pills and said calmly, "I am currently refining pills. I will come back after this furnace is finished. Tell him to wait a few moments. If he is unwilling, he can come back next time."

"Yes, the three offerings."

Outside the Dan Hall.

A middle-aged man in brocade robes stood outside the door. Seeing the apprentice who had brought the message come out, he stepped forward and asked, "Well, is the Third Eunuch willing to see me?"

"The Three Erectors are currently refining pills. We will need to wait until this batch is finished. If you are willing to wait, you may do so for a quarter of an hour. If not, you may leave now and come back to visit later."

"It's only a quarter of an hour, I'm naturally willing to wait."

The middle-aged man in brocade robes had a slight smile on his lips, seemingly full of sincerity.

The apprentice nodded slightly and went inside to report to Xu Chuan.

Two quarters of an hour later.

Xu Chuan formed complex hand seals, channeling his magical power into the elixir.

"Congeal!"

Two or three more hand seals were applied.

"receive!"

Nine pills, still warm, flew out of the furnace, forming a line that hung in Xu Chuan's palm, swirling and slowly rotating.

"Hmm, six high-grade Qi Gathering Pills?" Xu Chuan's eyes lit up with joy. "This is the most abundant batch of high-grade pills we've produced in the last half-week."

Although there is no guarantee for the next time, Xu Chuan believes that if he can master both the Nine Flames Technique and the Jade Liquid True Essence Technique, he will even reach a state of divine perfection.

Once the elixir is completed in nine stages, all of them will be of superior quality, and it will certainly no longer be a mere illusion.

With a flick of his sleeve, a stream of magical power flowed through the alchemy furnace. After cleaning it, Xu Chuan straightened his robes and walked out of the alchemy room.

"Who is looking for me?" Xu Chuan asked, somewhat surprised. As he arrived outside the Pill Hall, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe greeted him. "Are you the newly appointed patron of the Pill Hall, Master San Shu?"

He was wearing the blue and white robes offered in the Dan Hall, making him easy to recognize.

"I am this humble Taoist priest. Who are you?"

Xu Chuan glanced at him. He was dressed in a brocade robe, tall and thin, and looked ordinary, but he had the cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining. He should be from a Qi Refining family or a Foundation Establishment family in the capital.

"I am Wang Gui, a steward of the Wang family, a third-rank noble family. I greet Master San Shu."

Wang Gui bowed with his hands clasped, displaying impeccable manners.

Xu Chuan returned the greeting and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. What brings you here to see me?"

"I have heard that Master Sanshu is a master of alchemy. My Wang family also owns an alchemy shop. We would like to cooperate with the master for mutual benefit."

That's how it is.

Xu Chuan had long heard that many alchemy shops in the market were run by aristocratic families, but behind them were several alchemy masters.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I am devoted to the study of alchemy, and I am already very busy with the tasks of the Pill Hall. I really have no time to spare recently, so let's discuss this matter another day."

Xu Chuan's training in the Nine Flames Technique and Jade Liquid Rejuvenation Technique was already sufficient for the Pill Hall's performance requirements, so why would he need to add extra trouble for himself?

He devoted the rest of his time to cultivation.

Wang Gui frowned slightly.

He invoked his status as a steward of a third-rank family, intending to make Xu Chuan weigh the power of a third-rank family. However, Xu Chuan politely declined, which slightly displeased him.

"Why don't you visit my Wang Family Pill Shop first, and then make a decision?"

Xu Chuan raised his hand and said, "I am too busy to get away. If you would like me to study a certain pill formula or refine a certain pill, I would be very happy to do so. As for other matters, let's avoid them if possible."

"please."

Xu Chuan was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and was also a retainer of the Pill Hall, so Wang Gui naturally dared not offend him.

He then left with a stern expression, clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Xu Chuan glanced at his retreating figure, then turned and returned to the Pill Hall to continue refining pills.

Wang Gui returned to the Wang family and reported the matter to a middle-aged man.

"Patriarch, those Three Vertical Taoists have truly disrespected the Wang family and are infuriating."

The head of the Wang family may appear to be middle-aged, but he is actually over sixty years old and possesses the strength of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

He glanced at Wang Gui indifferently, and Wang Gui trembled, immediately lowering his head and remaining silent.

"How dare you insult the Pill Hall Master at will?" the Wang family head said. "Besides, he has already saved face by saying that if our Wang family needs any pill formulas or medicines in the future, we can consult him."

"As for the cooperation, let's call it a day. After all, he's not the only alchemist among the alchemist hall's retainers who only care about himself. There's no need to offend an alchemist hall retainer over such a trivial matter."

"It was my careless remark, please forgive me, Master."

"Okay, let's go down."

In the following month, three or four stewards approached Xu Chuan for cooperation, but he refused them all for the same reason.

During his free time, he encountered True Man Yunding, who said, "Seeing you frantically completing the Pill Hall tasks, I thought Fellow Daoist Sanshu was short of spirit stones. Now that I hear you have refused to cooperate with many aristocratic families, I realize I was wrong."

Xu Chuan shook his head in vain. "I never thought I was this kind of person in your eyes. You must treat me to a meal of Jade True Wine today, otherwise I will not let you off easily."

"Hahaha." Master Yunding stroked his beard and laughed. "It was my fault. It seems I have no choice but to ask for this Jade True Brew."

"Why don't you come with me to the Treasure Pavilion, Fellow Daoist San Shu? There happens to be a small auction today."

"The Treasure Pavilion?" Xu Chuan asked in surprise, "Is it similar to the Treasure Pavilion in Tongshan County?"

"It's the same, all backed by the Cao imperial family." Master Yunding smiled faintly. "However, if many aristocratic families make any gains, they will also hold auctions at the Treasure Pavilion. Not long ago, I heard that an ancient aristocratic family's secret treasure was discovered, and people from the imperial city and various Foundation Establishment families rushed there after hearing the news."

However, the imperial family and the three top-ranking aristocratic families still dominated.

"May I ask which three first-rank aristocratic families are?"

Upon hearing this, Master Yunding looked at Xu Chuan with suspicion, "Fellow Daoist is truly detached from worldly affairs. No wonder you have such profound alchemy and cultivation at such a young age."

After a pause, he continued, "Jiang, Lin, and Lei are the three great first-rank families of our Great Wei. They have profound foundations. I heard that before the Cao family became a Golden Core family, the four families were also equal and have existed for thousands of years."

Of the other families, none have survived for more than a thousand years.

"A family with a thousand-year history, their foundation is truly terrifying."

"That's natural. Even if we disregard the Golden Core Ancestor, the Cao Clan, with the combined strength of the entire clan, can currently only be compared to the three major families."

Xu Chuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Something is not right. If that were the case, how could the Cao family, having become a Golden Core family and unified the surrounding areas, have allowed the Jiang, Lin, and Lei families to remain unchecked?"

Master Yunding smiled mysteriously, "Naturally, I have connections at the top."

After saying that, he said no more.

Xu Chuan became interested and went with Master Yunding to see the so-called Treasure Pavilion auction.

When they arrived, the auction had already begun.

"This is a superior-grade magic weapon called Ice Blade. It is a top-tier work among superior-grade magic weapons. If any fellow Daoist cultivates ice-attribute techniques or possesses ice-attribute bloodline physique, using this sword in combat can increase its power by 30%."

The starting price is 500 spirit stones, and each bid must be at least 20 spirit stones higher.

Fellow Daoists, please begin the bidding.

The two entered the Treasure Pavilion, where a middle-aged manager greeted them.

Upon seeing the two, she smiled and said, "So it is the Third Elder of the Pill Hall, True Man Yunding. Please come to the private room on the second floor."

As they walked, he asked again, "Master Yunding, who is this?"

"Manager Cao Zhen, this is Fellow Daoist San Shu, the thirteenth retainer personally recruited by Chief Yun Zhongzi."

"So you are the recently famous Thirteenth Master. I didn't recognize you. Please forgive me."

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in return and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I have just entered the Pill Hall and rarely come out, so it is normal that you do not recognize me. But now I do."

"Haha, what the Thirteenth Elder says is true, please."

The private room on the second floor offers a superb view of the auction below.

"Steward Cao Zhen, bring a pot of Jade True Brew." Master Yunding took his seat, his wide robe swaying lightly as he gathered it to his side.

"Please wait a moment, we will have someone bring them over immediately."

A few moments.

Cao Zhen personally presented a white jade wine bottle to the table in front of Master Yunding, saying, "Please enjoy, gentlemen. If you have any items of interest during the auction, you may also participate in the bidding."

Master Yunding nodded slightly, and Cao Zhen then left the private room.

"Come, Fellow Daoist San Shu, the Jade True Wine you've been longing for costs ten spirit stones per bottle. It might be of some use to us late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, so don't waste it."

Master Yunding smiled and poured it for him.

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in a fist and grinned, "Thank you very much. I will definitely treat you to a meal when I have time."

"Given your routine of refining pills during the day, studying alchemy, and cultivating at night until dawn, I'm afraid I'll have to wait quite a while."

"Haha~"

The two exchanged a smile, raised their glasses, clinked them together, and each took a small sip.

The wine pot wasn't very big; if one drank heartily, it would probably be empty in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Oh, so it was bought by the Wang family."

Master Yunding glanced at him and smiled faintly.

(End of this chapter)