Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 122 The Crowd Receives the Elixir, The Secret of the Cold Pool

Dongxi Village.

Bihan Pool.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian strolled around, their faces beaming with joy as they looked at the thriving medicinal herbs.

Some of them can also be called elixirs.

Suddenly, three eagle cries came from overhead, and three blue fire eagles, several feet tall, swooped down towards the two of them with their sharp talons outstretched.

Then came another tiger's roar.

The three Azure Fire Eagles turned to look at the Crimson-Golden-Eyed White Tiger under the Black Iron Tree, their eagle eyes showing confusion.

"roar~"

After the white tiger explained, the three blue fire eagles gave up and landed on the branches of the black iron fruit tree, looking at it with curiosity.

"Little Bai, it's good that you still remember us."

Baihu got up and walked to Xu Chuan and the other person, lowered his head, and Xu Chuan also reached out and patted him gently.

Then, the white tiger returned to the black iron fruit tree.

Looking at it, Xu Chuan sighed, "I never imagined that the fruit pit your elder brother brought back by chance was actually a demon fruit tree."

"The Demon Fruit Tree?"

"The Demon Fruit Tree can only grow in places where demon beasts have fallen. Its fruit has the effect of transforming beasts. The more demon beasts that have fallen in the place where it grows, and the stronger their realm in life, the higher the quality of the Black Demon Fruit will be. When it reaches the second tier, it can even transform the bloodline of the demon beasts."

"Wouldn't that be a rare and precious spiritual tree?"

"Only those above the second rank are considered rare. I observe that it is currently only at the first rank, but it can still grow. There must have been many demonic beasts that perished around the Azure Cold Pool."

However, I haven't heard of it for two or three hundred years, so it must have happened much earlier, perhaps before these villages even existed in the surrounding area.

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingxian remained silent.

"Using this fruit as the main ingredient, it is possible to develop elixirs that can promote the growth of demonic beasts."

“Then they are very lucky.” Xu Mingxian smiled.

"It has only some uses; it seems that the Great Wei has very few books on raising and cultivating spirit beasts."

"Indeed, I have inquired in the market occasionally, but to no avail."

Then, Xu Chuan scanned the surroundings with his divine sense and said, "Your spirit-gathering array has been set up for several years, and finally the concentration of spiritual energy here is comparable to that of some county towns."

"It also has the effect of the medicinal herbs and elixirs that you planted, Father."

"They complement each other."

Xu Mingxian nodded slightly and said, "By the way, with my current skill in array formations, I can replace this low-grade spirit gathering array with a mid-grade spirit gathering array, but it will take some time."

"Well, I'll leave the matters of the Spirit Gathering Array and the Clan Protection Array to you, especially the Clan Protection Array. Take a look at how to set it up properly."

“Yes, Father, I will visit the area around Dongxi in a moment to explore the direction of the earth veins.”

Hearing the noise, Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi came out of their bamboo house.

"Old Master, Fifth Master, you're back."

Both of them were overjoyed and immediately stepped forward, bowing with their hands clasped in greeting.

"No need for formalities. Not bad, one is at the second level of Qi Refining, and the other is close to the third level of Qi Refining."

Wu Tao said, "Thanks to Fifth Master for setting up the Spirit Gathering Array, otherwise it would have taken me many more years to break through to the second level of Qi Refining. However, my talent is ultimately lacking and cannot compare to Sister Qingyi."

Less than half a cup of tea.

Xu Mingwei and his companions, along with Xu Dezhao, Xu Deheng, Zhang Wanqing, and Xu Deling, arrived at Bihan Pool.

"During this trip, Yunnu and I saw many places and naturally brought back some gifts. Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi, you two were the first cultivators recruited by our Xu family. Over the past seven or eight years, our Xu family has come to regard you as one of our own."

As he spoke, two bottles of mid-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills flew out of Xu Chuan's storage bag and landed in their hands.

"This is a Qi-Nourishing Pill, suitable for early and mid-stage cultivators to improve their magical power."

"Thank you, patriarch." A hint of joy flashed across their faces.

"Wanqing, Ling'er, you also have a share."

Two more bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills were given, but Zhang Wanqing's were mid-grade pills, while Xu Deling's were high-grade pills.

Because Zhang Wanqing has not yet reached the third level of Qi Refining, a mid-grade pill is enough. As for Xu Deling, he is already at the peak of the third level of Qi Refining. If it weren't for the limitation of spiritual energy concentration, he would probably have already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining.

For cultivators with true spiritual roots, there are almost no bottlenecks in the early stages of Qi Refining. As long as the spiritual energy is suitable and resources are plentiful, they can break through with unstoppable momentum.

One will only truly encounter a bottleneck in the later stages of Qi Refining. Without the aid of elixirs, it may take several years or even more than ten years to break through.

"And yours, Yunnu, you should be almost out of Qi Gathering Pills by now."

Xu Mingxian accepted a bottle of pills and said, "Thank you, Father."

Immediately afterwards, Xu Chuan took out another book and handed it to Xu Mingwei, saying, "These are some medicinal herbs needed for common elixirs. When you or your clan's guards visit the mountains, pick them if you encounter them."

"Ah Yuan, you too, if you see any of the pharmacies or affiliated families you encounter, buy them all up too."

"Alright, those who are practicing Qi cultivation, stay here and cultivate. The rest of you, go about your own business."

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan bowed to each other and left immediately.

Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and the others had nothing else to do, so they stayed there and found a place to cultivate.

Xu Mingxian began to explore the surrounding area, searching for suitable nodes to set up the formation. The formation points for this kind of clan protection formation are all hidden, and once they are destroyed, the power of the formation will be affected.

Therefore, it is necessary for the Immortal Ming to personally take charge.

Outside the bamboo house, the sound of wind chimes was crisp and melodious. Inside, Zhang Wanqing and Xu Deling stood in front of Xu Chuan.

"Ling'er, from now on you will follow your grandfather to cultivate."

"Yes, Grandfather," Xu Deling said, bowing.

"Wanqing, your aptitude is not bad either, but giving birth to Heng'er and Yun'er has taken a lot of your time."

"Father, what are you saying? This is simply my duty as a daughter-in-law of the Xu family. Besides, I never thought I would embark on the path of cultivation, nor do I aspire to go very high."

Zhang Wanqing is as gentle as her name suggests.

"Don't underestimate yourself. There are ways to make things happen with your abilities. I've come to you because I want to ask you what you think."

"Father, just say so."

"You are gentle, quiet, and patient. Would you be willing to learn alchemy from me?" Xu Chuan said with a smile.

"To become an alchemist like my father?"

Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Wanqing said, "Your daughter-in-law is willing."

"Alright, I have prepared some introductory texts on alchemy for you, as well as a catalog of spiritual herbs. You must study them diligently and memorize them in your spare time. As for actually starting to refine pills, I will teach you when the time is right."

"Yes, father."

“Grandpa, Ling’er also wants to learn alchemy from you.”

Xu Chuan smiled and patted her head. "Alchemy is very tedious and complicated. You have to concentrate completely and not be distracted at all. Can you really stay in one room for ten days or half a month without going out?"

"Ah, is alchemy really this troublesome?" Xu Deling asked innocently.

"What else did you think? Just throw the herbs into the alchemy furnace, wait half an hour, and then take the pills out?"

"Ling'er has oversimplified things."

"All arts of cultivating immortality require talent and a suitable temperament to learn; otherwise, it will be futile and a waste of a lot of resources."

Ling'er, you have exceptional talent. For now, you can focus entirely on your cultivation.

If your grandfather finds you to be suitable in the future, he will teach you other cultivation arts.

"Thank you, Grandfather. I'll go and cultivate now."

Xu Deling immediately ran to another room.

"Little Ling'er is so innocent and romantic," Zhang Wanqing said with a slight smile. Xu Chuan shook his head, smiled gently, and said to her, "You should go and cultivate too."

"Yes, father."

Since Xu Chuan has decided to pursue the path of alchemy, he will add any further alchemy or planting talents he may acquire to his full potential.

If there is still a surplus, then train the next alchemy master of the Xu family.

He hoped that the next generation of the family genealogy would include a talent for weapon crafting, and if so, Xu Deling would be the best candidate.

With her talent and aptitude, she not only studied weapon crafting but also maintained her cultivation level. Furthermore, she possessed a natural spiritual eye, and once she fully mastered it, her combat strength was also considerable.

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Mingxian explored the area around the cave and found no spiritual energy nodes, which was within his expectations.

If it existed, the spiritual energy wouldn't be so scarce.

If it weren't for his spirit-gathering array, this place would be completely unsuitable for cultivators to practice; even those with high talent would be hindered.

Xu Chuan sighed slightly upon learning this and asked him to take another look around Bihan Pool, focusing on the pool itself.

The area around the Azure Cold Pool had been inspected before the spirit-gathering array was set up, and there was nothing unusual. However, no one had actually gone down into the pool.

You don't know until you investigate, and what you find is a huge secret.

Xu Mingxian immediately went back to discuss it with Xu Chuan.

Inside the bamboo house.

“Father, there is indeed a problem with the Azure Cold Pool, and a very serious one at that. I sensed the fluctuations of a formation deep within the pool. They were very subtle, yet extremely powerful.”

"really?"

"It is at least a third-order formation, and it has a long lifespan."

"It involves the Golden Core." Xu Chuan showed no joy, but rather a very solemn expression. "Don't touch it for now, let's talk about it after tomorrow."

Xu Mingxian was slightly puzzled, but still nodded in agreement.

Xu Chuan, naturally, wanted to see if he could uncover the hidden secrets through the "Daily Divination".

After midnight.

Xu Chuan immediately used this innate talent.

[Today's divination: Great fortune. Your fifth son, Xu Mingxian, has deeply explored the Three Absolute Dragon-Locking Formation in the Azure Cold Pool and discovered that it can be used to set up the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation.]

It's actually a very auspicious sign?
Could this also be used to set up the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation?
Xu Chuan never expected things to turn out this way.

This was the first auspicious divination he had received in a long time.

That makes sense, though. In the past, he mostly asked about the family's fortune. The Xu family was patient and low-key, and with him in charge of the overall direction, there were basically no signs of great misfortune or great fortune.

"At least for now, it's a good thing. It's a pity that there's too little specific information. We haven't discovered its origin or what this great formation locks up." Xu Chuan thought to himself, deciding to inquire about the great formation in the next few days.

If its origins are unclear, it will ultimately pose a great threat to the Xu family.

This also determines whether the Xu family will choose this place as their ancestral home in the future.

The next day.

Xu Chuan sent Xu Mingxian down to investigate carefully and see if they could use this to set up a protective formation for the clan.

Xu Mingxian didn't understand, but she did as instructed.

Several hours later, he emerged from the Jade Cold Pool, his eyes filled with joy.

“Father, just as you said, the great formation in the Azure Cold Pool can be used to set up the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation. As for this formation, it is recorded in the ancient books on formations I have read. It is called the Three Absolutes Dragon Locking Formation.”

Using the power of three earth veins, it draws in the spiritual energy of hundreds of miles around and arranges it into shape. It is usually used to suppress powerful demons and ferocious creatures, and it is also at the top level among the third-order sealing formations.

The reason why the spiritual energy around Qingjiang is so thin is probably due to this great formation.

"So that's how it is." Xu Chuan's eyes flickered as he pondered.

"This is just a guess."

"Then how can it be used to set up our clan's protective formation?"

"It is natural to borrow its spiritual energy to supply the Four Symbols Heavenly Gang Formation. I have deduced this method and it should be feasible. Give me a few months."

Xu Chuan nodded slightly, "Go and study it first, but you must not cause any damage to the Three Absolutes Dragon Locking Formation."

Xu Mingxian frowned. "Father, are you worried that the powerful demon that was sealed beneath it is not dead?"

"Impossible. According to Yunnu's observation, this great formation has existed for more than a thousand years, or even two thousand years. It should be dead by now."

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Xu Chuan said, shaking his head firmly.

"I understand, and I will act carefully."

Several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Chuan gained nothing. The "Daily Divination" method is too limited; it cannot predict the past, and can only predict the future of the day's inquiry.

For example, Xu Chuan had previously asked Xu Mingxian about the future results obtained from exploring the Bihan Pool.

However, if it were someone else, the outcome would likely be different, perhaps even a neutral result.

"Well, since all the questions asked were related to the Bihan Pool Formation, they were all auspicious, which means that for the time being, it is all beneficial to the Xu family and has no harm whatsoever. The impact of the formation still depends on Yun Nucai."

Xu Chuan continued to refine the martial arts system, based on the previous medicinal diet recipes, and according to his understanding of martial artists and the many medicinal herbs and spiritual medicines he possessed, he tried to select the most cost-effective pill formulas.

After a month, Xu Chuan perfected the pill system for both acquired and innate martial artists.

There are two types of pill formulas for acquired martial artists: Small Martial Pills and Large Martial Pills. Both of them combine the advantages of Qi and Blood Pills, medicinal diets, and Qi-opening pills.

Small Martial Pills are suitable for martial artists below the second rank, while Large Martial Pills are suitable for martial artists above the second rank.

A martial arts genius takes one pill daily, enabling their martial arts progress to be unstoppable.

If absorption is slow, you must wait until the medicine is fully digested before taking the next pill. Otherwise, excessive accumulation of medicine in the body will make the acupoints more stable.

The same applies to the Great Martial Elixir.

According to Xu Chuan's prediction, it used to take an average of fifteen or sixteen years to cultivate a peak-level talent, but now it only takes twelve or thirteen years.

If one is a genius, one can reach the peak of acquired talent within ten years.

As for refining, these pills can be refined even by non-cultivators. If Xu Chuan were to refine thirty to fifty batches at the same time, he could guarantee their quality.

The power of divine sense, as well as the effects of the Nine Flames Technique, are truly formidable for alchemists.

Now, Xu Chuan's "Nine Flames Technique" has reached the sixth flame level, achieving the ability to divide his mind into six thoughts while maintaining unity among them. His progress will likely slow down in the future.

There is no need to improve the Qi-Inducing Pill for the time being.

As for the pills for innate martial artists, they have already entered the realm of alchemy.

It uses rare medicinal herbs, which contain traces of spiritual energy and can be called spiritual medicine.

The pills for this realm are also divided into two types. One type is the innate martial pill that ordinary innate martial artists take. Even if ordinary martial arts families have innate medicinal diets to assist them, it still takes fifteen or sixteen years to reach the innate perfection.

Xu Chuan's research on the Innate Martial Elixir can save five or six years of effort.

In other words, a guard from the Xu family with good aptitude who receives special training can become a Xiantian (innate) around the age of twenty, just like a genius from a martial arts family in the county.

Those with exceptional martial arts talent can reach the peak of the Innate Realm in another seven or eight years.

Another type is the Five Elements Returning to Origin Pill, which is exclusively used by members of the Xu family who cultivate the "Innate Five Elements Creation Technique".

It combines rare medicinal herbs with five attributes to achieve a balance of the five elements and generate the five vital energies. Its efficacy far surpasses that of the Five Elements Returning to Origin Medicinal Cuisine, and one serving of Five Elements Returning to Origin Medicinal Cuisine can yield up to nine pills.

It is a true first-tier pill, which only alchemists can refine, and it is not easy to refine. If the five elements are out of balance, it will lead to failure.

For a long time to come, only Xu Chuan will be able to refine this pill.

Even without special talent for cultivation, one can reach the Innate Perfection stage in five or six years by taking this pill, and at most, one can purify it to the True Spiritual Root in seven years.

Even if one is mediocre, one can still enter the path of immortality in eight or nine years.

(End of this chapter)